Abstract: An article management system includes an automated storage and retrieval system configured to store a plurality of containers, each container containing one or more articles, and take out, to a picking area adjacent to a pick-up area, a container containing at least one article to be picked up at the pick-up area, among the plurality of containers, and a control apparatus configured to control or support picking, at the picking area, the at least one article out of the container taken out by the automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.

Abstract: A thermoregulating apparatus (20) for exchanging thermal energy with and supporting a patient (24) and method of exchanging thermal energy is provided. The apparatus includes a heat exchange fluid circuit (30, 95, 102) located below a patient support layer (44) for exchanging thermal energy with the patient.

Abstract: A timer for use with a hospital bed including an indicator and a reset button.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a hospital bed includes a manifold having a manifold block with an inlet, an outlet, and a conduit in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a valve assembly having a valve with a portion moveable within the conduit between a first position blocking fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet and a second position in which the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet. The control apparatus further includes a solenoid operable to move the valve from the first position to the second position in response to an electrical input applied to the solenoid, and a lever operable to move the valve from the first position to the second position in response to a manual input applied to the lever.

Abstract: A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates command signal groups reflective of the input, and the command signal groups include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual command signals for specific operational function of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions including ON/OFF, CHANNEL UP, CHANNEL DOWN, SELECT/MUSIC, PREVIOUS CHANNEL, MUTE, CLOSED CAPTION, and CHANNEL DIGIT operational functions.

Abstract: A castor locking apparatus for a castor assembly rotatably mounted to the frame member of a fluidized bed by a support that includes a notched portion. The locking apparatus includes a housing coupled to the castor with the housing including an interior region with a top opening located adjacent to the notched portion of the frame and first and second notched portions spaced apart from the top opening. Each of the first and second notched portions of the housing are spaced from the opening a distance corresponding to each notched portion, with the second notched portion being closer to the housing opening than the first notched portion. A spring loaded locking pin is located within the housing and is biased upwardly by the spring such that the pin engages the notched portion of the frame to prevent rotation of the castor assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A personnel and asset tracking system for locating and tracking objects throughout an awareness area comprises a communication network, a central server connected to said communication network maintaining an awareness area database, a plurality of receiver nodes, and a plurality of tags. Each tag is associated with an object to be tracked and has a transmitter which periodically transmits a tag transmission including a unique object identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a cover having an interior region, a base located within the interior region, and a three dimensional engineered material located within the interior region above the base. The three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.

Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A check valve adapted for use between first and second fluid chambers. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the second fluid chamber into the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method for assembling a modular siderail for attachment to a bed comprises forming a first end section to include a first connector joint, forming a second end section to include a second connector joint, and coupling the first connector joint and the second connector joint to form a skeletal structure.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame for supporting a body, a peer-to-peer communication network having a plurality of connection points, and a plurality of modules. Each module is electrically coupled to a selected connection point of the peer-to-peer communication network. Each module is configured to perform a dedicated function during operation of the bed, and each module is configured to communicate over the peer-to-peer communication network with selected other modules.

Abstract: A surgical lighthead is provided with an outer cover, an inner reflective component, and handles disposed in recesses in the outer cover. The handles do not extend substantially beyond the outer surface of the outer cover. The recesses in the outer cover are spaced apart from the inner component. The handles and recesses are formed by multi-component handle assemblies shrink fit to eliminate gaps in the seams between the components.

Abstract: A bed resting on a floor includes a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and a second brake coupled to the base frame. A linkage is configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to a braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to a releasing position.

Abstract: In an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of trauma board supports are movably coupled to a stretcher for motion between a first position away from a patient support surface of the stretcher and a second position above the patient support surface for releasably supporting a trauma board thereon in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation to the patient support surface at a distance sufficient to allow positioning of an x-ray cassette between the trauma board and the patient support surface.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is provided for coupling a fracture frame to a patient-support apparatus.