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.

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: A medical support control system comprises a medical support having memory and a control system in connection with the memory and for connection with a component for use at the medical support. The medical support control system further includes a detection system configured to detect when the component is connected to the control system, such as the control system microprocessor.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, uses the ability to communicate with a device via near field communication to determine that the device is physically proximate the support apparatus. The support apparatus uses this determination to associate itself with the device. In some instances, the associated device is a mattress positioned on the support apparatus; a footboard on the support apparatus; a medical device used with a patient supported on the support device; a nearby piece of furniture; another patient support apparatus; or an ID tag worn by a caregiver or patient, or attached to a piece of equipment. After the support apparatus and device are associated, they communicate information between each other using far field communication, which supports higher data transfer rates. Flux concentrators are added in some embodiments to extend and/or shape the range of near the field communication.

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 person support apparatus includes one or more motorized actuators that are braked in different manners depending upon whether or not electrical power is available to the control system. When electrical power is not available, a delay circuit delays closing a first switch that, when closed, short circuits the terminals of one of the motors. When power is available, other switches are opened and closed in a manner that short circuits the terminals of the motor while the first switch remains open. The other switches may be part of an H-bridge. The control system may also detect back emf (electromotive force) generated by the motor when electrical power is available and issue a notification to a technician or other user if an amplitude and/or duration of the detected back emf exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A patient support including a base; a patient support surface supported by the base; an electrically powered device; a rechargeable power storage device for powering the electrically powered device; and a receiving coil electrically coupled to the rechargeable power supply for inductive coupling with a transmitting coil. The receiving coil is for recharging the rechargeable power supply when the receiving coil is inductively coupled to the transmitting coil.

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 apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, operating table, stretcher, or the like, includes a control panel with multiple controls for controlling functions of the patient support apparatus. A control system disables at least a first control and changes an illumination state of a backlight when the patient support apparatus is in a particular state. In some embodiments, the particular state is the arming of an exit detection system and/or the deactivation of a brake on the patient support apparatus. The particular state may also or alternatively be tied to a particular mode of the patient support apparatus, such as a diagnostic mode, a maintenance mode, and/or a normal mode. The control system may also never illuminate a first icon on the patient support apparatus if it was initially configured in a particular manner, such as being intended for sale in a particular geographic market.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more motorized actuators that are braked in different manners depending upon whether or not electrical power is available to the control system. When electrical power is not available, a delay circuit delays closing a first switch that, when closed, short circuits the terminals of one of the motors. When power is available, other switches are opened and closed in a manner that short circuits the terminals of the motor while the first switch remains open. The other switches may be part of an H-bridge. The control system may also detect back emf (electromotive force) generated by the motor when electrical power is available and issue a notification to a technician or other user if an amplitude and/or duration of the detected back emf exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, operating table, chair, or the like, includes a support surface for an occupant, a user interface, and a control system. The user interface includes multiple sensing layers to detect when a user touches the user interface. The control system activates only a first one of the sensing layers when the patient support apparatus is in a sleep mode, and upon the first sensing layer detecting a user touching the user interface while in the sleep mode, the control system activates that second sensing layer. One of the sensing layers may be resistive and the other capacitive. One of the layers may also detect a position at which the user touches the user interface, while the other layer may only detect that the user interface was touched, but not detect the position of the touch.

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.

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: A patient support apparatus comprising a support structure, an input device, an actuator, and a controller. The support surface comprises a patient support surface. The input device generates an input signal. The actuator is coupled to the support structure and is configured to perform an operational function and a feedback function, separate from the operational function, to provide feedback to a user. The controller is in communication with the actuator and the input device and is configured to control the actuator to perform the operational function in response to receiving the input signal from the input device, and to control the actuator to perform the feedback function separate from performing the operational function.

Abstract: A modular drive device for driving a first driven module of a first emergency patient motion device or a second driven module of a second emergency patient motion device, the first driven module being different from the second driven module. The modular drive device comprises a motor, and an output device operatively coupled to and drivable by the motor. The output device transmits mechanical force from the motor to the first driven module when said output device is coupled to the first emergency patient motion device and from the motor to the second driven module when said output device is coupled to the second emergency patient motion device. The modular drive device further comprises a controller operable in a first motor mode and a second motor mode. The first motor mode corresponding to the first driven module, and the second motor mode corresponding to the second driven module.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, operating table, chair, or the like, includes a support surface for an occupant, a user interface, and a control system. The user interface includes multiple sensing layers to detect when a user touches the user interface. The control system activates only a first one of the sensing layers when the patient support apparatus is in a sleep mode, and upon the first sensing layer detecting a user touching the user interface while in the sleep mode, the control system activates that second sensing layer. One of the sensing layers may be resistive and the other capacitive. One of the layers may also detect a position at which the user touches the user interface, while the other layer may only detect that the user interface was touched, but not detect the position of the touch.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, operating table, stretcher, or the like, includes a control panel with multiple controls for controlling functions of the patient support apparatus. A control system disables at least a first control and changes an illumination state of a backlight when the patient support apparatus is in a particular state. In some embodiments, the particular state is the arming of an exit detection system and/or the deactivation of a brake on the patient support apparatus. The particular state may also or alternatively be tied to a particular mode of the patient support apparatus, such as a diagnostic mode, a maintenance mode, and/or a normal mode. The control system may also never illuminate a first icon on the patient support apparatus if it was initially configured in a particular manner, such as being intended for sale in a particular geographic market.

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: 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.

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.