Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a powered device mounted relative to the patient support apparatus and an electrical circuit to power the powered device, with the electrical circuit having a wireless power receiver to inductively couple to and transfer electrical energy from a wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a support structure having a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck defining a support surface. An inertial sensor is coupled to the support structure and generates a signal representing a change in velocity of the support structure. A controller in communication with the inertial sensor has a processor and a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon a program that monitors the signal generated by the inertial sensor for changes relative to a predetermined threshold. In response to an event in which the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the program is further configured to: generate a waveform based on the signal received from the inertial sensor; store the waveform at an overwritable address in the non-transitory storage medium; and generate an entry in an event log stored in the non-transitory storage medium, the entry comprising one or more parameters associated with the waveform.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a support structure having a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck defining a support surface. An inertial sensor is coupled to the support structure and generates a signal representing a change in velocity of the support structure. A controller in communication with the inertial sensor has a processor and a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon a program that monitors the signal generated by the inertial sensor for changes relative to a predetermined threshold. In response to an event in which the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the program is further configured to: generate a waveform based on the signal received from the inertial sensor; store the waveform at an overwritable address in the non-transitory storage medium; and generate an entry in an event log stored in the non-transitory storage medium, the entry comprising one or more parameters associated with the waveform.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, recliner, cot, stretcher, operating table, or the like, includes battery-powered circuitry whose functions are reduced, but not eliminated, as the battery charge level falls below a threshold. Electrical power may be cut off to one or more components of the battery-powered circuitry while still providing battery-supplied electrical power to the other components of the circuitry. A user interface provides battery status data, including a replacement status of a rechargeable battery, and allows a user to select different formats for displaying battery status data. Such formats include displays of battery charge level information not only in manners specific to the battery, but also in manners relative to the patient support apparatus, such as displays of how many, or how much of, one or more functions the patient support apparatus is able to perform based on the battery's current charge level.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus including a base frame, an intermediate frame to provide support to a patient, an apparatus energy storage unit, an apparatus user interface, and an apparatus controller. The patient transport apparatus also includes a powered device having a module to perform a powered function, a device energy storage unit, a device user interface, a device interface adapted to cooperate with the apparatus interface to facilitate power transfer from the apparatus energy storage unit to the device energy storage unit, and a device controller. The device controller includes a power module configured to determine a charging level for the device energy storage unit based on a current state of the apparatus energy storage unit, and to draw power from the apparatus energy storage unit via the apparatus interface and across the device interface to charge the device energy storage unit at the charging level.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a support structure having a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck defining a support surface. An inertial sensor is coupled to the support structure and generates a signal representing a change in velocity of the support structure. A controller in communication with the inertial sensor has a processor and a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon a program that monitors the signal generated by the inertial sensor for changes relative to a predetermined threshold. In response to an event in which the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the program is further configured to: generate a waveform based on the signal received from the inertial sensor; store the waveform at an overwritable address in the non-transitory storage medium; and generate an entry in an event log stored in the non-transitory storage medium, the entry comprising one or more parameters associated with the waveform.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, recliner, cot, stretcher, operating table, or the like, includes battery-powered circuitry whose functions are reduced, but not eliminated, as the battery charge level falls below a threshold. Electrical power may be cut off to one or more components of the battery-powered circuitry while still providing battery-supplied electrical power to the other components of the circuitry. A user interface provides battery status data, including a replacement status of a rechargeable battery, and allows a user to select different formats for displaying battery status data. Such formats include displays of battery charge level information not only in manners specific to the battery, but also in manners relative to the patient support apparatus, such as displays of how many, or how much of, one or more functions the patient support apparatus is able to perform based on the battery's current charge level.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a support structure having a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck defining a support surface. An inertial sensor is coupled to the support structure and generates a signal representing a change in velocity of the support structure. A controller in communication with the inertial sensor has a processor and a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon a program that monitors the signal generated by the inertial sensor for changes relative to a predetermined threshold. In response to an event in which the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold, the program is further configured to: generate a waveform based on the signal received from the inertial sensor; store the waveform at an overwritable address in the non-transitory storage medium; and generate an entry in an event log stored in the non-transitory storage medium, the entry comprising one or more parameters associated with the waveform.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a powered device mounted relative to the patient support apparatus and an electrical circuit to power the powered device, with the electrical circuit having a wireless power receiver to inductively couple to and transfer electrical energy from a wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, recliner, cot, stretcher, operating table, or the like, includes battery-powered circuitry whose functions are reduced, but not eliminated, as the battery charge level falls below a threshold. Electrical power may be cut off to one or more components of the battery-powered circuitry while still providing battery-supplied electrical power to the other components of the circuitry. A user interface provides battery status data, including a replacement status of a rechargeable battery, and allows a user to select different formats for displaying battery status data. Such formats include displays of battery charge level information not only in manners specific to the battery, but also in manners relative to the patient support apparatus, such as displays of how many, or how much of, one or more functions the patient support apparatus is able to perform based on the battery's current charge level.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a powered device mounted relative to the patient support apparatus and an electrical circuit to power the powered device, with the electrical circuit having a wireless power receiver to inductively couple to and transfer electrical energy from a wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter.

Abstract: A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus also comprises an actuatable device that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A controller is provided to control the rate of operation of the actuatable devices based on a user input or a patient condition.

Abstract: A shield assembly for providing a barrier adjacent to a patient disposed on a patient support apparatus. The shield assembly comprises a support frame defining a closed periphery and including a resilient element extending along the closed periphery to resiliently urge the support frame toward a bias frame shape. A barrier panel is coupled to the support frame and spans the closed periphery. The shield assembly may further include a base operatively attached to the support frame to selectively place the support frame in a contour frame shape. Tension in the resilient element effected by the base holding the support frame in the contour frame shape places the barrier panel in a curved configuration to define a patient accommodation space shaped to receive the patient adjacent to the base and to the barrier panel.

Abstract: An access system for managing users engaged in providing care to patients. A patient support apparatus is provided and comprises a frame, a patient support surface configured to support the patient, and a powered device having a function. An input system is disposed in communication with the powered device and is configured to receive input data. A user control system is disposed in communication with the input system and comprises an authorization module. The authorization module is configured to access a permission level for a user dictating whether the user has permission to operate the powered device with the input system to perform the function. The authorization module is further configured to determine performance data relating to performance of the user in caring for the patient based on the input data, and to modify the permission level based on the performance data.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, or the like, include control systems with one or more image, radar, and/or laser sensors to detect objects and determine if a likelihood of collision exists. If so, the control system controls the speed and steering of the patient support apparatus in order to reduce the likelihood of collision. The control system may be adapted to autonomously drive the patient support apparatus, to transmit a message to a remote device indicating whether it is occupied by a patient or not, and/or to transmit its route to the remote device. The remote device may determine an estimate of a time of arrival of the patient support apparatus at a particular destination and/or determine a distance of the patient support apparatus from the particular destination.