Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck, a touchscreen, and a controller. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface. The touchscreen comprises a screen, an input surface arranged adjacent to the screen, and a touch sensor configured to generate an electric field within an envelope defined adjacent to the input surface to sense conductive objects interacting with the electric field. The touch sensor is operable at a first sensitivity level to detect conductive objects approaching the input surface, and a second sensitivity level to detect conductive objects engaging the input surface. The controller is in communication with the touchscreen to operate the touch sensor at the first sensitivity level during an absence of conductive objects interacting with the electric field, and to operate the touch sensor at the second sensitivity level in response to conductive objects interacting with the electric field within the envelope.

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient pads that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. A fluid quality monitor is included in some embodiments to monitor a cleanliness of the circulating fluid and issue an alert if the cleanliness falls below a threshold. A valve may be included that is controlled by the controller based upon a measurement of the cleanliness of the circulating fluid and/or the passage of a predetermined amount of time. A second valve may also be included in some embodiments that selectively diverts fluid to an additional filter. The additional filter is used to determine if a cleaning action taken with respect to the circulating fluid was effective or not.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a plurality of primary sensors adapted to measure different parameters used in the control of the patient support apparatus. One or more suites of secondary sensors are added to the patient support apparatus to provide data about the primary sensors. The secondary sensors may be used to detect errors in the primary sensors, to modify outputs from the primary sensors, and/or to provide usage and/or diagnostic data about the use of the patient support apparatus. The suite(s) of secondary sensors may measure parameters that affect the outputs of one or more of the primary sensors. In some embodiments, the suite(s) of secondary sensors include one or more dormant sensors that are not used on the patient support apparatus until a code modification is received from one or more external sources instructing the control system of the patient support apparatus to begin using the dormant sensor(s).

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, that includes a sensor adapted to detect movement of the occupant while the occupant is supported on the support apparatus. A controller monitors outputs from the sensor in response to a mobility assessment control being activated. After monitoring the outputs for a period of time, the controller generates a mobility score based on the outputs from the sensor. In some embodiments, the controller use outputs from the sensor to determine which region of a defined surface area the patient has moved to. The controller records these visited regions over a time period and uses them to generate the mobility assessment. The mobility assessment provides an objective measure of an important factor used in predicting a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, chair, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface supported by the frame, a plurality of load cells that detect weight supported on the support surface, at least one A/D converter, and a controller. The load cells output analog signals that are converted to digital by the A/D converters. The controller switches a sampling rate of the A/D converters between at least first and second rates. The outputs from the load cells are forwarded to a plurality of signal acquisition nodes that include the A/D converters. The nodes are positioned at locations that minimize the length of travel of the analog signals, thereby reducing noise interference. Shivering, occupant absence/presence, vital signs, occupant movement, and/or other parameters are detected by the load cells.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support structure coupled to the base and being configured to support a patient. The apparatus also comprises a panel having a surface and being physically adapted to vibrate at one or more frequencies, a controller configured to generate an electrical signal, and a vibrational exciter. The vibrational exciter comprises a surface coupled to the surface of the panel and being configured to receive the electrical signal from the controller and to convert the electrical signal into vibrational energy. The surface of the vibrational exciter is configured to transfer the vibrational energy to the surface of the panel to vibrate the panel at the one or more frequencies.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, recliner, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a plurality of load cells, a support surface supported by the load cells, a detection circuit, and a controller. The controller determines if any of the load cells are in an error state based upon information from the detection circuit. If the load cells include memory having calibration data stored therein, the controller communicates with the memory and uses the calibration data to determine an amount of weight supported on the surface. The detection circuit may include one or more Wheatstone bridges wherein the controller monitors voltages between midpoints of the Wheatstone bridges. The load cells may include an activation lead that is monitored by the detection circuit and a sensor lead that is used by the controller to determine an amount of weight supported on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A first node of a patient care device processes data relating to the patient care device and sets a public variable equal to a value of the data. A second node receives the public variable from the first node, sets a private variable equal to the value of the public variable, and executes a software program that reads the private variable but not the public variable. In other embodiments, the second node checks to see if the public variable is registered at the second node, and if so, uses the private variable in carrying out a function. The first node executes a first software program that sets the public variable to the value and relies on a service to share the value with the second node. The sharing occurs despite the first software program not containing any instructions for transmitting the value or variable to the second node.

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patients temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient core temperature probe port, auxiliary sensor port, and controller. The controller receives patient core temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and auxiliary sensor readings from the auxiliary sensor port. The controller may control a temperature of the circulating fluid in both a feedback manner using patient core temperature readings and a feedforward manner using readings from the auxiliary sensor. The auxiliary sensor may measure a characteristic of the patients tissue indicative of thermal resistance, and/or the auxiliary sensor may measure a temperature of the patients tissue at an intermediate depth. The controller may use the intermediate temperature to predict arrival at a target patient temperature. The auxiliary sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or the like.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, for a supporting an occupant includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable zones. An alert is triggered when the occupant crosses a boundary of the selected zone. A first zone has a boundary that is adjusted based on a condition of the person support apparatus, such as the width of the support deck or other characteristic. A second zone has a boundary that is not adjusted based on the condition of the person support apparatus, but which may have a boundary that is dependent on an initial location of the occupant when the exit detection system is armed. The initial location of the occupant may correspond to a center of gravity of the occupant.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, recliner, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a plurality of load cells, a support surface supported by the load cells, a detection circuit, and a controller. The controller determines if any of the load cells are in an error state based upon information from the detection circuit. If the load cells include memory having calibration data stored therein, the controller communicates with the memory and uses the calibration data to determine an amount of weight supported on the surface. The detection circuit may include one or more Wheatstone bridges wherein the controller monitors voltages between midpoints of the Wheatstone bridges. The load cells may include an activation lead that is monitored by the detection circuit and a sensor lead that is used by the controller to determine an amount of weight supported on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, chair, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface supported by the frame, a plurality of load cells that detect weight supported on the support surface, at least one A/D converter, and a controller. The load cells output analog signals that are converted to digital by the A/D converters. The controller switches a sampling rate of the A/D converters between at least first and second rates. The outputs from the load cells are forwarded to a plurality of signal acquisition nodes that include the A/D converters. The nodes are positioned at locations that minimize the length of travel of the analog signals, thereby reducing noise interference. Shivering, occupant absence/presence, vital signs, occupant movement, and/or other parameters are detected by the load cells.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable modes. A first mode issues an alert in response to a static condition being met and the second mode issues an alert in response to a dynamic condition being met. The static condition may be defined by an unchanging boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses the boundary. The dynamic condition may be defined by a changing boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses it. The changing boundary may change based upon the occupant's height, weight, BMI, vital sign, or other characteristic. The changing boundary may also change based upon a position of one or more components of the person support apparatus, such as a siderail or Fowler section.

Abstract: A non-invasive sensor unit adapted to be coupled to a patient includes a pair of light emitters spaced apart a known distance, and a pair light detectors. The light detectors detect light emitted from the emitters and scattered by a patient. The unit determines one or more cardiovascular characteristics of the patient from the scattered light, such as the patient's pulse wave velocity; a saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) level; a temperature; a respiration rate; a heart rate; and a blood pressure. The light emitters emit light that may have wavelengths between 600 and 1000 nanometers. The unit, in some embodiments, is integrated into a patch adapted to be secured to the skin of the patient. Readings from the unit may be transmitted to a separate device spaced from the unit, such as via Bluetooth, WiFi, or by other means.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system that has, in some embodiments, multiple user-selectable modes. A first mode issues an alert in response to a static condition being met and the second mode issues an alert in response to a dynamic condition being met. The static condition may be defined by an unchanging boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses the boundary. The dynamic condition may be defined by a changing boundary that triggers an alert if the occupant's center of gravity crosses it. The changing boundary may change based upon the occupant's height, weight, BMI, vital sign, or other characteristic. The changing boundary may also change based upon a position of one or more components of the person support apparatus, such as a siderail or Fowler section.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, recliner, or the like, includes an exit detection system having a plurality of force sensors that support the weight of an occupant positioned on a support surface. The force sensors are part of an exit detection system that issues an alarm when the occupant exits, or is about to exit, the person support apparatus. The distribution of weight applied to the force sensors is used to determine if the occupant is about to exit the person support apparatus. Compensation is made to the exit detection system for changes in the weight distribution that are not caused by movement of the occupant. Such changes may be due to siderail movement, support surface pivoting, and/or movement of other components of the person support apparatus.