Patents Assigned to Hill-Rom
  • Historical identification and accuracy compensation for problem areas in a locating system
    Patent number: 10861598
    Abstract: A caregiver location system includes a computer configured to track a location of a caregiver in a healthcare facility. A caregiver identification (ID) tag is worn by a caregiver and has a tag transceiver configured to communicate with a plurality of transceivers. The plurality of transceivers and the computer cooperate to form a locating system that is operable to determine a location of the caregiver ID tag. The computer collects data over time related to a caregiver location within the healthcare facility and determines a problem area within the healthcare facility where a determined caregiver location is inaccurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Britten J. Pipher, Kenzi L. Mudge, Stephen R. Embree, Brandon M. Ayers
  • Method of predicting occupant egress from an occupant support based on perimeter panel status and occupant location, and a related apparatus
    Patent number: 10856775
    Abstract: A method of evaluating the likelihood that an occupant will exit an occupant support comprises determining if the location of the occupant on the occupant support is displaced relative to a reference location, and if the location of the occupant is so displaced, designating that the occupant is at a risk of exiting the occupant support which is elevated relative to the baseline risk. A support apparatus comprises a framework, a mattress, sensors distributed on the support apparatus to sense occupant weight distribution on the support apparatus, and a processor adapted to designate a risk of occupant egress as a function of the direction of the occupant weight distribution and the elevation status of the perimeter panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Ribble, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Hospital bed control and charting
    Patent number: 10857050
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, communicates with an electronic medical record (EMR) system in healthcare facility. The hospital bed includes a patient support structure to support a patient, a graphical user interface coupled to the patient support structure, and control circuitry coupled to the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface displays at least one input that may be used by a caregiver to chart data into an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient supported by the patient support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Huster, Dan R. Tallent, Brian J. Kendall, William G. Pittenger, Stephen C. Flint, Robert M. Zerhusen, Matt W. Crane, James M. Allen
  • Occupant support and mattress with immersion sensing capability and methods of managing bladder pressure in the occupant support and mattress
    Patent number: 10857051
    Abstract: An occupant support system includes a framework, a mattress supported by the framework and having at least one bladder, an electromagnetic signal source, and an electromagnetic signal receiver. The receiver is spaced from the occupant facing side of the mattress. The signal source is configured to direct an electromagnetic signal at a target. The signal receiver is configured to receive a return signal from the target in response to the directed signal. The system also includes a processor adapted to determine immersion of the target as a function of the information content of the return signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Marwan Nusair, Nicholas C. Batta, James D. Voll
  • Mattress overlay control system with rotary valves and graphical user interface for percussion and vibration, turn assist and microclimate management
    Patent number: 10856668
    Abstract: A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chau Chong Ye, Yue Wang, Deny D. Barilea, Joshua A. Williams, Suresha Venkataraya, Amodh Gundlur Ramesh, Catherine Wagner, Michael Hoksbergen, Graham K. Lacy
  • Person support systems with cooling features
    Patent number: 10842288
    Abstract: A person support system is disclosed that includes cooling features to provide focal cooling to a subject supported by the person support system. Embodiments of the person support system include a longitudinal frame having at least one side rail, a deck position on the longitudinal frame, a support pad positioned on the deck, and a cooling source thermally coupled to the deck. The deck is a thermally conductive material. The cooling source draws heat from a portion of the support pad, through the top surface of the deck, and through the deck thereby cooling the portion of the support pad. The cooling source may be positioned in the side rail or directly to a bottom surface of the deck. Cooling systems that are removeably coupleable to person support systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lawrence Bedel, Andrew David Clark, Kirsten Emmons, Charles A. Lachenbruch, David Lance Ribble
  • User module for a patient support apparatus
    Patent number: 10842695
    Abstract: A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Carl William Riley, James L. Walke, Brian T. Wiggins, Jack B. Wilker, Robert Mark Zerhusen
  • Method and system for assessing compliance with a patient repositioning protocol
    Patent number: 10835436
    Abstract: A method for assessing compliance with a protocol requiring or advising the use of lift assist equipment for repositioning an occupant of an occupant support includes the steps of: 1) determining a measure of load borne by the occupant support over an interval of time; 2) determining how much the location of the occupant's center of mass relative to the occupant support has changed during the interval of time; and 3) assessing compliance with the protocol as a function of the load measure, the change of location, and a measure of the occupant's weight. In one embodiment the load measure is an integral of load over an interval of time. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a processor and instructions which are executable by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Wiggermann
  • Patient immersion sensor using radar
    Patent number: 10813809
    Abstract: A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Sauser, Steven D. Baker
  • Patient care system and an occupant support and occupant wearable item useable with the system
    Patent number: 10818163
    Abstract: A patient care system described herein includes a first electromagnetic coupler associated with the patient, at least one patient-centric appliance in communication with the first coupler, and an occupant support for supporting the patient. The occupant support has a second electromagnetic coupler associated therewith. At least one of the couplers is connectable to an electrical energy source for energizing the coupler. The first and second couplers form a noncontact electromagnetic coupling. An occupant wearable item and an occupant support, both of which are useable with the patient care system, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Huster
  • HEAD OF BED ACCESS
    Publication number: 20200330302
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a mattress having a head end. A frame is configured to support the mattress. The frame includes a head portion that extends beyond the head end of the mattress. The head portion defines a recess. At least one handle assembly is pivotally coupled to the head portion. The at least one handle assembly includes an elongate member coupled to the head portion proximate the recess. The elongate member is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The elongate member is disposed over the head portion when in the stowed position. A handle extends from a distal end of the elongate member. The handle extends at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Knecht, Jonathan D. Turner
  • Mattress bladder control during patient bed egress
    Patent number: 10806655
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to patient support systems, such as hospital beds, and particularly to reconfigurable patient support systems movable among a number of different positions. The present disclosure further relates to control algorithms and interfaces for use in patient support systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Meyer, Darrell Borgman, Timothy Joseph Receveur, Gregory W. Branson, Sandy Mark Richards, Howard J. Boyd, David W. Hornbach, Robert Mark Zerhusen, James Maurice Allen, Jennifer Fearing, Mark S. Chiacchira, Jonathan D. Turner, Mark Lanning, Aziz A Bhai
  • Variable width person support system and control system therefor
    Patent number: 10799407
    Abstract: A variable width support system includes an adjustable width person support apparatus (PSA), an adjustable width person support surface (PSS), and first and second controllers. The first controller controls a function of the PSA and receives a first input corresponding to a function of the PSA via a first user interface. The second controller controls a function of the PSS and: a) receives a second input corresponding to a function of the PSS via a second user interface when the first controller is not in communication with the second controller, and b) receives a third input corresponding to a function of the PSS via the first controller when the first controller is in communication with the second controller. The second controller controls a function of the PSS in accordance with the third input when the first controller is in communication with the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Christie, Mark E. Lanning, Robert A. Bossingham, Mark Tyler Rigsby, James D. Lattimore, Mahesh Kumar Thodupunuri, Aziz Ali Bhai, David P. Lubbers, Scott M. Corbin
  • Occupant support with a migration sensitive bladder and method for migration detection
    Patent number: 10765225
    Abstract: A method for detecting occupant position change on a support surface includes establishing a rate of change of pressure in a head end test zone and in a foot end test zone, comparing the head end rate to at least one head end rate limit, comparing the foot end rate to at least one foot end rate limit, and inferring, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred. An associated occupant support includes a frame and a mattress. The mattress includes head and foot zones each having at least one pressurizable bladder. The support also includes a controller adapted to compare a head end rate of pressure change to a head end rate limit, to compare a foot end rate of pressure change to a foot end rate limit, and to infer, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. O'Keefe, Timothy J. Receveur, Aziz A. Bhai, Luke Gibson, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Rachel Williamson
  • Microclimate system for a patient support apparatus
    Patent number: 10765577
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a microclimate system includes a support surface, an air box, and an immersion sensor. The support surface is configured to support a patient and conduct air along a surface of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the surface. The air box includes a blower coupled to the support surface to provide airflow to the support surface. The immersion sensor is configured to detect the immersion of the patient into the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A Lachenbruch
  • Foam surface end of life indication
    Patent number: 10758440
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, and a sensor. The frame and the support surface cooperate to support a patient. The sensor is coupled to one of the frame and the support surface and is configured to provide an input signal indicative of usage of the support surface by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Phipps, Brian Mears, Steven Spielmann, Michael Conaway, Joseph T. Canter
  • Caregiver locating tag having advanced functionality
    Patent number: 10734110
    Abstract: A caregiver badge system includes a caregiver badge configured to be worn by a caregiver and having a cavity defined therein. An identification badge is configured to be positioned within the cavity. The identification badge is removable from the caregiver badge. A transceiver is positioned within the caregiver badge and configured to communicate with a positioning system to identify a location of the caregiver. A battery is positioned within the caregiver badge to power the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley T. Smith, Andrew S. Robinson, Steven D. Baker, Pamela Wells, John S. Schroder, Kiana M. Dezelon, Laura A. Hassey, Thomas A. Myers, Eric D. Agdeppa, Varad N. Srivastava
  • Wireless sensors in medical environments
    Patent number: 10727956
    Abstract: Monitoring a patient can include a vital sign device including a skin contact and a demodulator circuit in communication with the electrically conductive skin contact, the demodulator circuit including: a physiological waveform data processing module configured to process the waveform data received from the electrically conductive skin contact; and a digitally encoded data processing module configured to detect and decode digitally encoded data modulated at the carrier frequency. Also included can be a signal conductive blanket including an extended touch point. A clinician contacts the extended touch point of the signal conductive blanket and the patient monitoring device to connect the vital sign device and the patient monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Quinn, Kenzi L. Mudge, Stephen Embree, Douglas Seim, Collin Davidson, Timothy Receveur, Britten Pipher
  • Person Support Apparatuses With Selectively Coupled Foot Sections
    Publication number: 20200230001
    Abstract: Person support apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a person support apparatus comprises a base frame and a primary support frame supported on the base frame. A carriage is freely translatable at least between a head end of the primary support frame and a foot end of the primary support frame. A support surface is supported on the carriage such that the support surface translates with the carriage. The support surface includes a support section which is collapsible in a length direction of the support surface. The support section may include an air bladder and a control valve fluidly coupled to the air bladder that regulates air pressure within the air bladder. The control valve has a normally closed position and a vent position, wherein the person support apparatus comprises an exercise configuration wherein the control valve is in the vent position and the air bladder is vented to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Glenn C. Suttman
  • Front portion of a percussive high frequency chest wall oscillation system
    Patent number: D898926
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HILL-ROM SERVICES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: John A. Bobey, Harold M. Cabral, Deny D. Barilea, Suresha Venkataraya, Wei T. Tan, Clementine Pirio, Dirk Tjepkema, Sytze A. Spijksma, Petrus J. van den Oever