Patents by Inventor Charles A. Howell
Charles A. Howell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190224060Abstract: Dynamic support surface technologies configure a person support surface in various ways, including configurations in which the person support surface at least temporarily assumes an apnea therapy position, such as a progressive lateral tilt or a ramp-like position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: David L. Ribble, Michael S. Hood, Charles A. Howell, Eric D. Agdeppa
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Publication number: 20190209391Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus 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. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
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Patent number: 10299968Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus 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. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
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Patent number: 10292881Abstract: Dynamic support surface technologies configure a person support surface in various ways, including configurations in which the person support surface at least temporarily assumes an apnea therapy position, such as a progressive lateral tilt or a ramp-like position.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: David L. Ribble, Michael S. Hood, Charles A. Howell, Eric D. Agdeppa
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Patent number: 10290071Abstract: A care system includes a mobile communication device, a remote server, and a patient support system in communication with either or both of the mobile communication device and the remote server. The mobile communication device operates as a user interface for the patient support system. The remote server provides computing power for the patient support system for resource intensive computing tasks. A system for use in a healthcare facility includes patient care devices located in a patient room. The system also includes an application server located remotely from the patient room. The application server stores application software associated with each patient care device. The system further includes a universal caregiver interface situated in the patient room and in communication with the application server. The universal caregiver interface receives application software from the application server.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Eric D. Agdeppa, Steven A. Dixon, Charles A. Howell, Thomas M. Gillis, Benjamin E. Howell, Christian Saucier, Kelli F. Rempel, Keith A. Huster, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Andrew S. Robinson, Mary L. Butler, Bryan J. Bello, Michael S. Hood, Frederick C. Davidson, David M. Girardeau
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Patent number: 10231891Abstract: An occupant support includes at least one non-fluidizable module 100 having a support structure for supporting the non-fluidizable module on a ground surface 76 and at least one fluidizable module 66 also having a support structure for supporting the fluidizable module on the ground surface. The fluidizable and non-fluidizable modules cooperate with each other to support an occupant. The support for the non-fluidizable module bears less than all the weight of the fluidizable module and, in the limit bears none of the weight. An alternative occupant support includes at least one non-fluidizable module and at least one fluidizable module cooperable with the fluidizable module to support an occupant. The fluidizable module is sized to support no more than about 50 percent of the length of an adult human body and most preferably no more than about 30 percent.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Charles A Howell, Scott Peer
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Publication number: 20190076311Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Fred J. HERMAN, Thomas F. HEIL, Charles A. HOWELL
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Publication number: 20190007102Abstract: Patient care equipment includes a wireless coupler that transfers power and/or data between an architectural unit and the patient care equipment. The patient care equipment may also include additional wireless couplers that transfer power and/or data between first and second components of the equipment. The second component may be movable relative to the first component. A structure or hot swapping batteries is also disclosed, the swapped battery being charged on an inductive charging mat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Charles A. Howell, William G. Pittenger, Michael S. Hood, Edward J. Koors, Steven Alan Dixon, Richard Joseph Schuman, Matthew D. Morgan, Laurie Lee Gutzwiller, Kelly F. Walton
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Patent number: 10123925Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
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Publication number: 20180296401Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus 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. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
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Patent number: 10075214Abstract: Patient care equipment includes a wireless coupler that transfers power and/or data between an architectural unit and the patient care equipment. The patient care equipment may also include additional wireless couplers that transfer power and/or data between first and second components of the equipment. The second component may be movable relative to the first component. A structure or hot swapping batteries is also disclosed, the swapped battery being charged on an inductive charging mat.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Howell, William G. Pittenger, Michael S. Hood, Edward J. Koors, Steven Alan Dixon, Richard Joseph Schuman, Matthew D. Morgan, Laurie Lee Gutzwiller, Kelly F. Walton
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Patent number: 10022277Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus 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. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
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Publication number: 20170319412Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
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Publication number: 20170065464Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus 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. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Thomas F. HEIL, Steven Alan DIXON, Laetitia GAZAGNES, Timothy A. LANE, II, David Lance RIBBLE, Varad Narayan SRIVASTAVA, Charles A. LACHENBRUCH, Michael Scott HOOD, Charles A. HOWELL, Kirsten M. EMMONS
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Patent number: 9375374Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
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Publication number: 20160120716Abstract: Dynamic support surface technologies configure a person support surface in various ways, including configurations in which the person support surface at least temporarily assumes an apnea therapy position, such as a progressive lateral tilt or a ramp-like position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: David L. Ribble, Michael S. Hood, Charles A. Howell, Eric D. Agdeppa
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Publication number: 20160013837Abstract: Patient care equipment includes a wireless coupler that transfers power and/or data between an architectural unit and the patient care equipment. The patient care equipment may also include additional wireless couplers that transfer power and/or data between first and second components of the equipment. The second component may be movable relative to the first component. A structure or hot swapping batteries is also disclosed, the swapped battery being charged on an inductive charging mat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, IncInventors: Charles A. HOWELL, William G. PITTENGER, Michael S. HOOD, Edward J. KOORS, Steven Alan DIXON, Richard Joseph SCHUMAN, Matthew D. MORGAN, Laurie Lee GUTZWILLER, Kelly F. WALTON
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Publication number: 20150136146Abstract: A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Michael Scott Hood, David L. Ribble, Laetitia Gazagnes, Pierre Deguignet, Aziz A. Bhai, Eric D. Agdeppa, Neal Wiggermann, Charles A. Howell, Varad N. Srivastava, Jason A. Penninger
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Patent number: D779236Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: David Ribble, Charles A. Howell, Neal Wiggermann, Michael Scott Hood, Travis Pelo, Kirsten M. Emmons, Eric D. Agdeppa
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Patent number: D860685Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: David Ribble, Charles A. Howell, Neal Wiggermann, Michael Scott Hood, Travis Pelo, Kirsten M. Emmons, Eric D. Agdeppa