Abstract: A virtual control panel for a person support apparatus includes at least one image sensor that monitors a movement of a user's finger(s) relative to a control surface. The control surface includes one or more control images thereon. When the user's finger(s) move within a threshold distance of the control image, a controller reacts as if the user had pushed an actual control button for the function that corresponds to the control image. The control image may be projected by a projector, and may have static or dynamic content. Alternatively, the control image may be printed on the surface, adhered thereto, or otherwise physically present. In some embodiments, ancillary devices may connect to the person support apparatus and forward images for projection on the control surface, thereby allowing the control surface of the person support apparatus to be used to control the ancillary devices.

Abstract: A medical system includes a medical apparatus, a computer, a user input device, and at least one feature in communication with and controlled by the computer. The computer is in communication with the user input device, which is configured and arranged to allow a user to purchase the use of the feature. The computer is configured to enable the use of the feature after the user purchases use of the feature.

Abstract: A patient support includes a patient support surface, a DVT pump mounted in the patient support, and a port mounted at the patient support in selective fluid communication with the DVT pump. Optionally, the patient support further includes a control system to detect when a DVT device is coupled or in close proximity to the port and/or the type of DVT device. Further, the control system may be configured to control the pump based on the type of DVT device coupled to the port.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes sensors for monitoring aspects of a person positioned thereon. The outputs from the sensors are used to distinguish between new and prior occupants of the support apparatus, automatically zero an integrated scale system, distinguish between objects and humans on the support apparatus, determine if a person is sleeping or awake, monitor and characterize movement levels of the person, record a log of likely events regarding a support surface of the apparatus, propose identifications of objects added to or removed from the support surface, record force outputs, and/or other purposes. A person's sleep state may also be obtained and forwarded to a remote location. The sleep state data may be used to mute and/or control alerts or indicators, and/or to predict when a person is going to wake up and likely exit the support apparatus.

Abstract: An asset tracking system includes a camera adapted to capture images and output signals representative of the images. The camera may include one or more depth sensors that detect distances between the depth sensor and objects positioned within the field of view of the one or more cameras. A computer device processes the image signals and or depth signals from cameras and determines any one or more of the following: (a) whether a patient care protocol has been properly followed; (b) what condition a patient is in; (c) whether an infection control protocol has been properly followed; and (d) whether steps have been taken to reduce the risk of a patient from falling. Alerts may be issued if any conditions of importance are detected.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. A wheel drive system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel to rotate the auxiliary wheel relative to the base at a rotational speed. A throttle assembly having a throttle operably coupled to the actuator. The throttle is movable in a first position, a second position, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel changes in a non-linear manner with respect to movement of the throttle.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a fall detector. The fall detector is adapted to detect when a person associated with the person support apparatus has fallen and to issue a fall alarm. In some embodiments, the person support apparatus also includes an exit detection system that issues an exit alarm when the person exits from the person support apparatus. The fall alarm is given a higher priority than the exit alarm. The fall detector may include a camera, a thermal image sensor, a device worn by the person, or another sensor. The person support apparatus may also, or alternatively, include a timer for measuring how long an occupant remains out of the person support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck. A headboard and a footboard are coupled to the support structure. The support frame comprises a head section and a body section, the body section coupled to the patient support deck. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface capable of articulating relative to the support frame. The head section is movable relative to the body section to define first and second configurations of the support frame, the support frame having a first footprint in the first configuration and a second footprint, smaller than the first footprint, in the second configuration.

Abstract: A medical chair includes a base, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally mounted relative to the seat and adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The chair further includes a first actuator for tilting the seat with respect to the base, a second actuator for lifting the seat with respect to the base, and a leg rest actuator adapted to move the leg rest. The chair also includes a controller adapted to control the first and second actuators to move the seat between a first position and a second position such that the seat is both lifted and tilted at the same time as the seat moves from the first position to the second position, and wherein the controller is adapted to control the leg rest actuator such that the leg rest maintains a substantially constant orientation with respect to the floor.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame supported relative to a floor, the frame configured to support a deck for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the floor. The lift assembly includes lifting legs coupled to the frame and an actuator with a body and an extendible member. The body and the extendible member define a stroke length extending along a stroke axis, with the actuator mounted in the lifting assembly between two levers.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a base movable about a floor surface and a deck comprising sections movable between deck configurations including an egress deck configuration. An articulation system coupled to the deck moves the sections. A lift mechanism moves the deck relative to the base between lift configurations including an egress lift configuration. An egress input is arranged for actuation by a user. A bed detection system monitors data associated with the patient support apparatus and communicates with a remote station. A controller interrupts communication of the bed detection system with the remote station, drives the articulation system to move the sections to the egress deck configuration, and drives the lift mechanism to move the support frame to the egress lift configuration in response to actuation of the egress input.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame supported relative to a floor, the frame configured to support a deck for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the floor. The lift assembly includes lifting legs coupled to the frame and an actuator with a body and an extendible member. The body and the extendible member define a stroke length extending along a stroke axis, with the actuator mounted in the lifting assembly between two levers.

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: Patient care devices, including beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, chairs, thermal control systems, and IV poles, include a user interface for controlling an aspect of the patient care device, a port for communicating with an external device, and a control system. The control system determines when an external device is communicating with the port, what type of device the external device is, and if the patient care device includes software for allowing the user interface to act as a user interface of the external device. In some embodiments, the control system receives a device type identifier when an external device is coupled to the port, selects a software module for communicating with the coupled external device, and uses the selected software module for communicating with the coupled external device. Multiple external devices may be connected to the port and display data on a display of the patient care device.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes cameras adapted to capture images and depth data of the images. A computer device processes the image signals and depth data from the cameras according to various software modules that monitor one or more of the following: (a) compliance with patient care protocols; (b) patient activity; (c) equipment usage; (d) the location and/or usage of assets; (e) patient visitation metrics; (f) data from other sensors that is integrated with the image and depth data; (g) gestures by the patient or caregivers that are used as signals or for controls of equipment, and other items. Alerts may be issued if any conditions of importance are detected.

Abstract: An asset tracking system includes a camera adapted to capture images and output signals representative of the images. The camera may include one or more depth sensors that detect distances between the depth sensor and objects positioned within the field of view of the one or more cameras. A computer device processes the image signals and or depth signals from cameras and determines any one or more of the following: (a) whether a patient care protocol has been properly followed; (b) what condition a patient is in; (c) whether an infection control protocol has been properly followed; and (d) whether steps have been taken to reduce the risk of a patient from falling. Alerts may be issued if any conditions of importance are detected.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a fall detector. The fall detector is adapted to detect when a person associated with the person support apparatus has fallen and to issue a fall alarm. In some embodiments, the person support apparatus also includes an exit detection system that issues an exit alarm when the person exits from the person support apparatus. The fall alarm is given a higher priority than the exit alarm. The fall detector may include a camera, a thermal image sensor, a device worn by the person, or another sensor. The person support apparatus may also, or alternatively, include a timer for measuring how long an occupant remains out of the person support apparatus.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

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.