Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base frame, lift mechanism supporting an upper frame relative to the base frame, a load frame, and a plurality of deck sections, a patient support surface, and a number of barriers positioned about the patient supporting surface. The patient support apparatus includes a notification system for visually notifying a caregiver of a condition or status of a component of the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: Vibrational dressing systems, vibrational dressing devices, and methods for placing the same are disclosed. Vibrational dressing systems and vibrational dressing devices include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be contoured to a target treatment location of a subject. The second portion may be coupled to the first portion and the second portion may include a plurality of vibrational devices and a control system. Each vibrational device may vibrate the target treatment location and each vibrational device may be positioned within the second portion to correspond with a particular location on a body of the subject within the target treatment location when the first portion is coupled to the body of the subject. The control system may selectively activate one or more of the plurality of vibrational devices.

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 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.

Abstract: A method for detecting occupant position change on a support surface includes establishing a rate of change of pressure in a head end test zone and in a foot end test zone, comparing the head end rate to at least one head end rate limit, comparing the foot end rate to at least one foot end rate limit, and inferring, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred. An associated occupant support includes a frame and a mattress. The mattress includes head and foot zones each having at least one pressurizable bladder. The support also includes a controller adapted to compare a head end rate of pressure change to a head end rate limit, to compare a foot end rate of pressure change to a foot end rate limit, and to infer, in response to the comparing steps, whether or not occupant migration has occurred.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a microclimate system includes a support surface, an air box, and an immersion sensor. The support surface is configured to support a patient and conduct air along a surface of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the surface. The air box includes a blower coupled to the support surface to provide airflow to the support surface. The immersion sensor is configured to detect the immersion of the patient into the support surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing heat from a surface for supporting a person including determining a vasoconstriction threshold for the person and operating the apparatus to maintain the rate of heat withdrawal below the vasoconstriction threshold for the patient.

Abstract: A system for detecting pressure sores includes an artificial skin configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin includes a substrate and a strain sensor configured to detect deformation of the substrate. A transmitter is configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system is configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system includes a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.

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.

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 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: Systems include a plurality of sensors coupled to a person support apparatus, at least one moisture sensor configured to sense a moisture level between the person and the support surface, and at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of sensors coupled to the person support apparatus and the at least one moisture sensor. The at least one computing device receives data from the plurality of sensors coupled to the person support apparatus and the at least one moisture sensor, obtains data from an electronic medical record associated with the person supported by the person support apparatus, calculates a pressure injury score indicative of a likelihood that the person will develop a pressure injury based on the data from the plurality of sensors, the at least one moisture sensor, and the electronic medical record, and alters a treatment plan for the person based on the calculated pressure injury score.

Abstract: A microclimate system includes an air box, a disposable incontinence pad, and a mattress. The incontinence pad serves as an incontinent event detector. The disposable incontinence pad may be configured to conduct air along an interface of the disposable incontinence pad to withdraw heat and moisture from a patient and cools and dries the patient's skin in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation. The mattress may include a microclimate management layer that provides conditioned air to withdraw heat and moisture from the disposable incontinence pad thereby keeping the patient's skin cool and dry in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation.

Abstract: An occupant support includes a turn assist layer which includes left and right side arrays of two or more longitudinally distributed turn assist members. Each array member comprises one or more longitudinally distributed turn assist bladders. At least two of the array members on the left side are longitudinally spaced from each other by a left intermember reach-in space having a left intermember dimension. At least two of the array members on the right side are longitudinally spaced from each other by a right intermember reach-in space having a right intermember dimension. A support layer resides above the turn assist layer. The support layer includes a collapsible zone at least part of which overlies the intermember spaces. The occupant support also includes a user interface for enabling a user to operate the turn assist layer.

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 patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, and a sensor. The frame and the support surface cooperate to support a patient. The sensor is coupled to one of the frame and the support surface and is configured to provide an input signal indicative of usage of the support surface by the patient.

Abstract: A system for directing fluid flow in a mattress is disclosed. The mattress comprises a base support layer which is configured to spatially locate at least one insert support layer. The insert layer comprises a conduit to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: An occupant support structure for supporting an occupant includes an orientation adjustable torso section, a lower body section, and a control system. The lower body section includes a heel region subsection which supports the heel region of an occupant of the occupant support. The control system is adapted to A) cause the heel region subsection to temporarily substantially disengage from the heel region of the occupant in response to a change of angular orientation of the torso section which begins at a time t0, and B) cause the heel region subsection to subsequently re-engage with the heel region of the occupant, the re-engagement occurring at a time tB which is later than t0.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a person support system including support pads having cooling features. According to one embodiment, a person support system may include a longitudinal frame comprising at least one side rail. A support pad may be positioned on the longitudinal frame. The support pad may comprise a thermally conductive core portion comprising a support matrix and at least one thermally conductive element. A cooling source may be thermally coupled to the thermally conductive core portion through the side rail with a connector comprising thermally conductive fibers. The cooling source may draw heat from the thermally conductive core portion through the at least one thermally conductive element and the thermally conductive fibers of the connector thereby cooling at least the thermally conductive core portion of the support pad.