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: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a high air loss device. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes a pneumatic device located within the patient support.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a control system operable to gather physiological information about a patient supported on the patient support apparatus. The information may be gathered from sensors, a user interface, or a hospital information system. The control system also monitors operating parameters of the patient support apparatus and environmental conditions in the patient room. The control system utilizes the data gathered to identify a risk of an adverse event occurring to a patient supported on the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus is also operable to modify patient support apparatus parameters or environmental conditions to mitigate the risk of the adverse event.

Abstract: A dressing for guarding against the development of pressure ulcers has a recipient side and an environmental side. The dressing comprises a moisture barrier layer whose components include a sacral member, a left gluteal member and a right gluteal member. Each gluteal member has a base and an extension which extends longitudinally inferiorly further than the inferior edge of the sacral member by a dimension which is approximately no less than the longitudinal length of the sacral member. The dressing also includes a connective element on the recipient side of the dressing. The connective element is arranged to provide a zone of occlusion. In some embodiments the dressing includes electrodes and is a component of a dressing assembly which includes an exciter for stimulating gluteal muscles.

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 pressure ulcer detection system includes a support surface assembly including a transparent window, a signal generator/receiver, and an optical fiber embedded at least in part in the support surface assembly. The fiber conveys outgoing radiation from the signal generator/receiver to the window thereby illuminating a tissue site which overlies the window and conveys incoming radiation reflected from the tissue site and through the window back to the generator/receiver. The system also includes a controller in communication with the signal generator/receiver. The controller comprises a processor adapted to assess health status of tissue at the tissue site based on a property of at least one of the outgoing radiation and the incoming radiation, and to communicate an outcome of the assessment to a destination.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus includes a mattress having an air bladder system configured to sense pressure levels along the mattress surface and perform unloading of mattress areas corresponding to specific patient body areas to relief loading to the area, and to perform unloading independently or in combination with lateral rotation. The air bladder system may include a support bladder system and a rotation bladder system.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

Abstract: A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface to support a patient. The patient support surface has at least one air bladder that is inflated and/or deflated to achieve a turn assist function and/or a therapy function of the patient support surface. A graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to receive user inputs from a caregiver to initiate the turn assist or therapy functions. The patient support apparatus has control circuitry coupled to the GUI. The GUI is controlled by the control circuitry to display information indicating that the patient is improperly positioned on the patient support surface for either the turn assist function or the therapy function. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry indicates that the patient is improperly positioned for raising a head section of a bed frame.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a characteristic of a flexible surface and determining a performance parameter of the flexible surface is disclosed. The method comprises providing a test device and pressing the test device into a flexible surface, measuring the pressures at the sensing points, and determining an envelopment parameter of the surface based on the pressures. The test device comprises a plurality of sensing points extending from a bottom of the test device upwardly along a side of the test device. A test indentor comprising a shell, wherein a least a portion of the shell is generally round in shape and has an exterior, with sensing points extending along the side of the shell, each sensing point is capable of detecting pressure at its location and an elastomeric material is on the exterior of the shell and adjacent the sensing points.

Abstract: A system for fluidizing a fluidizable medium includes a person support structure, fluid supply, sensor, and controller. The person support structure includes a chamber containing a fluidizable medium and a plenum in fluid communication with the chamber. The fluid supply is in fluid communication with the plenum. The sensor is configured to sense a pressure of fluid in the plenum. The controller is configured to control the operation of the fluid supply as a function of the fluid pressure within the plenum to achieve a desirable level of fluidization of the fluidizable medium.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An underbody warming system may include a skin contacting surface configured to be positioned on the skin of a user. A plurality of thermoelectric devices may be provided. A first thermoelectric device of the plurality of thermoelectric devices may have a first temperature to create a first temperature gradient between the skin and the first thermoelectric device. A second thermoelectric device of the plurality of thermoelectric devices may have a second temperature different from the first temperature to create a second temperature gradient between the skin and the thermoelectric device. A first flow path may be configured to allow heat to flow between the skin and the first thermoelectric device. A second flow path may be configured to allow heat to flow between the skin and the second thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a control system that measures changes in the pressure of one or more zones of a patient supporting surface and utilizes the changes in pressure to determine the mobility of a person supported on the patient supporting surface. The mobility of the person may be measured using one of several methods. The mobility measurement results in the determination of a mobility score. The mobility score is graphically displayed on a user interface that is interactive and allows a user to view additional information besides the mobility score.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-heating personal covering that includes a first layer and a second layer that is parallel to and opposite of the first layer, and at least a portion of the second layer is fastened to at least a portion of the first layer. The self-heating personal covering also includes at least one heat source positioned between the first layer and the second layer. The at least one heat source is held in a prescribed position by the first layer and the second layer, and includes a material that undergoes an exothermic reaction upon exposure to oxygen. The at least one heat distributing structure is thermally connected to the at least one heat source.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region, and a support layer located beneath the air permeable first layer. A pressure sensing layer is located underneath the support layer. At least one air supply is coupled to the support layer. A controller is coupled to the air supply and to the pressure sensing layer. The controller controls inflation and deflation of the support layer in response to a signal from the pressure sensing layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a wound includes a wound dressing configured to cover a wound surface of the wound, one or more sensing devices attached to the wound dressing, a network interface hardware, and a controller. The controller includes one or more processors, and one or more memory modules storing computer readable and executable instructions. The controller receives data measured by the one or more sensing devices, determines whether an infection is likely to occur based on the data measured by the one or more sensing devices, and outputs an alert, through the network interface hardware, in response to determining that the infection is likely to occur.

Abstract: An absorbent article has one or more fluid filter layers to inhibit electrode traces from being exposed to low volumes of fluid to reduce the number of false positives that are indicated by an RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad. An antenna inlay has a sacrificial trace portion to permit testing for proper operation of an RFID chip electrically coupled to the antenna inlay. After testing, the sacrificial trace portion is severed. A fluid barrier layer blocks fluid from reaching portions of electrode traces that are located on a backsheet outside a periphery of an absorbent core of an incontinence detection pad. The power at which an antenna transmits to wirelessly energize a passive RFID tag of an incontinence detection pad is controlled to reduce the number of false positives indicated by the RFID tag.