Abstract: A system for detecting patient turns includes a person support apparatus including a person support surface and a support frame, a plurality of load cells for generating load cell data, a sensor for sensing at least one of heart rate data and respiration rate data for an individual, and a computing device coupled to the plurality of load cells and the sensor. The computing device receives the load cell data and the at least one of heart rate data and respiration rate data for the individual, detects that a patient turn has occurred on the person support surface based on the load cell data and the at least one of heart rate data and respiration rate data for the individual, and causes an indication that the patient turn occurred to be logged in an electronic medical record corresponding to the individual.

Abstract: A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a patient on an air support system. The system comprises a capacitive sensor system having a capacitive sensor positioned at the underside of an air filled mattress, and a respiration signal processing module that receives the output of the capacitive sensor system and is configured to monitor patient respiration. Respiration is monitored by: periodically sampling the capacitive sensor system output to obtain measurements of incremental body displacement; analyzing a plurality of the samples to determine one or more values for parameters of patient respiratory rate; and determining when one or more of the parameter values indicate abnormal respiration. A corresponding method and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a sensor capable of detecting vital signs, setting acceptable limits for the vital signs, and includes structures for monitoring the vital signs and providing local and/or remote indications to caregivers if the vital signs fall outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring and determining characteristics of wounds on a subject are disclosed. A monitoring device includes an imaging component and a computing device communicatively coupled to the imaging component. The imaging component includes a light emitting component that emits light at a calibrated wavelength, a laser emitting device, and an imaging device. The computing device directs the light emitting component to emit the light at the calibrated wavelength, directs the imaging component to cause the laser emitting device to emit a laser projection toward the wound, receives, from the imaging component, image data captured by the imaging device, determines, from the image data, the characteristics of the wound, and scores the wound based on the characteristics of the wound to obtain a wound score. The characteristics include one or more of a size of the wound, a type of tissue, and an amount of exudate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for use with a subject who shares a bed with a second person. A motion sensor detects motion of the subject and motion of the second person, and generates a motion signal in response thereto. A control unit identifies components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject, by distinguishing between components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject, and components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the second person. The control unit analyzes the components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject and generates an output in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

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 transmitter configured to communicate with a plurality of receivers. The plurality of receivers 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.

Abstract: An incontinence detection system monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. The system has a pad that includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. Portions of the system are included in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base frame, lift mechanism supporting an upper frame relative to the base frame, a load frame, and a plurality of deck sections, a patient support surface, and a number of barriers positioned about the patient supporting surface. The patient support apparatus includes a notification system for visually notifying a caregiver of a condition or status of a component of the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments include a person support apparatus including a plurality of air fluidizable material, a tub, a foam bolster disposed along at least one wall of the tub and extending over the at least one wall, and an inflatable air bladder disposed above the foam bolster along the at least one wall of the tub. A method of assisting a person with ingress or egress of a person support apparatus by deflating the inflatable air bladder and adjusting a level of fluidization of the air fluidizable material such that the surface supporting the portion of the person is substantially level with a top of the foam bolster is also described.

Abstract: A lateral rotation apparatus includes a first adjustable frame positioned under a head segment of a person support surface and operable to rotate the head segment of the person support surface to a head tilt angle in the range of about 7 to about 30 degrees relative to a horizontal support plane. A second adjustable frame is positioned under a torso segment of a person support surface and operable to rotate the torso segment of the person support surface to a torso tilt angle that is within a range of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees less than the head tilt angle. Each of the first adjustable frame and the second adjustable frame includes an upper frame positioned below the person support surface, and a lower frame coupled to and positioned below the upper frame. The upper frame being moveable with respect to the lower frame.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.

Abstract: A method for controlling an angular orientation of a person support apparatus including a bladder portion containing fluidized particulate material, an upper frame, and a base frame may include adjusting a height of the upper frame with respect to the base frame with at least one of a first and second actuator at respective speeds, determining a dynamic angular orientation of the upper frame with respect to the base frame based on at least one of a respective operating characteristic of the first and second actuator, determining a corrected angular orientation based on the dynamic angular orientation and a floor angle indicative of the orientation of the base frame with respect to horizontal, comparing the corrected angular orientation with an orientation reference range, and adjusting at least one actuator speed when the corrected angular orientation is outside the orientation reference range until it is within the orientation reference range.

Abstract: A therapeutic support apparatus includes a user support surface extending along a longitudinal axis. The user support surface has a head section and a torso section. Each of the head section and the torso section are operable to angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An elevation unit is operable to position at least one of the head section and torso section at angles relative to the longitudinal axis. A monitor acquires data related to a user while sleeping on the user support surface. An alarm is operable to activate based on the data acquired by the monitor.

Abstract: A therapy system is operable to deliver at least one respiratory therapy to a patient. For example, therapy system may be operable to deliver any one or more of the following therapies: a high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy, a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy, a nebulizer therapy, an intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) therapy, a cough assist therapy, a suction therapy, a bronchial dilator therapy, and the like. The therapy system is contained in a housing supported by a mobile stand.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a mattress that defines a plurality of grooves. A bladder is disposed within each groove. Each bladder is operable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state. A flap is disposed adjacent to each groove. Each flap includes a broad contact surface and a narrow contact surface. A manifold is in fluid communication with each bladder. The manifold is configured to direct fluid into each bladder to adjust the bladders between the deployed state and the non-deployed state, and consequently move the flaps between a raised position and a lowered position, respectively.

Abstract: A lateral rotation apparatus includes a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame that are independently rotatable. The first frame, the second frame, and the third frame support a person support surface having head, torso, and leg segments. A first pair of legs is positioned below the first frame to rotate a head segment to a head tilt angle in the range of about 7 to about 30 degrees relative to a horizontal support plane. A second pair of legs is positioned below the second frame to rotate a torso segment to a torso tilt angle that is within a range of about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees less than the head tilt angle.