Abstract: A patient handling device includes a deck for supporting a patient support surface, a controller, and two light sources, which are operable to output light of different colors. The controller is in communication with the light sources and operable to monitor the plurality of conditions and to generate a first unified indication by illuminating one of the lights when all the conditions remain in their desired state, and to generate a second indication by illuminating the other light when any of the conditions change from their desired state.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

Abstract: A thermal pad is adapted to be placed in physical contact with a patient and to receive temperature controlled fluid from a thermal control unit. The temperature controlled fluid circulates through the thermal pad and controls the patient's temperature. The thermal pad includes first and second sheets that are sealed together about their periphery to define a fluid chamber there between. A fluid inlet and fluid outlet are fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber. In some embodiments, a filter sheet is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and arranged such that fluid entering the fluid inlet must pass through the filter sheet before exiting out of the fluid outlet. A plurality of bonds may be included that seal the first and second sheets together at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, a non-sheet filter is positioned within the fluid chamber and filters the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a temperature of a fluid delivered to a patient is provided. The thermal control system includes a cavity that removably receives a cartridge housing the fluid. The thermal control system includes a heat exchanger in thermal contact with at least one of the opposing walls of the cavity. The cartridge includes opposing surfaces defining a chamber therebetween for housing the fluid, the cartridge adapted to be removably received within the cavity. A biasing element is incorporated into the cartridge and adapted to bias the opposing cartridge surfaces away from one another and into contact with the opposing cavity walls. Contact between the cartridge surfaces and the cavity walls facilitates the transfer of thermal energy between the heat exchanger and the fluid housed within the cartridge.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling the temperature of a patient includes a fluid circulation channel with an inlet and outlet, a first heat exchanger, a controller, and a cartridge receptacle. The controller controls the first heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the circulating fluid toward a desired temperature. The cartridge receptacle is adapted to receive a cartridge having a second heat exchanger and to allow fluid to flow from the cartridge into the fluid circulation channel of the thermal control unit. The cartridge may include a vacuum chamber and a coolant whereby the expansion of the coolant into the vacuum chamber cools the fluid in the cartridge. Flow of the coolant in the vacuum chamber may be automatically initiated upon insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, or by other means.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller, and a user interface that displays a graph of patient temperature readings over time. The user interface also displays one or more event icons on the graph at locations corresponding to the time at which events associated with the event icons occurred. In some embodiments, the graph is displayed on a touch screen adapted to allow a user set maximum and minimum permissible temperatures for the fluid by touching areas of the graphs and/or by drawing on certain areas of the graph. An image of a human body having different zones may also be displayed on the user interface along with information pertaining to the thermal therapy being applied to the corresponding zones of the patient's body.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically pauses thermal treatment of the patient prior the patient reaching a target temperature. During the pause, the controller assesses a reaction of the patient and changes a temperature of the fluid only inside the thermal control unit if the patient is likely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment. However, if the patient is unlikely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment, the controller restarts the thermal treatment. The controller may pause thermal treatment again prior to reaching the target temperature and assess the patient's reaction. In some embodiments, the controller may selectively include and exclude a fluid reservoir in a circulation channel within the thermal control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, first and second cooling units, and a controller that selectively enables and disables at least one of the cooling units based on one more factors, such as the temperature of the fluid. Alternatively or additionally, a variable speed fan is included in one or both of the cooling units that blows air over the condenser and the controller selectively controls the fan speed based on factors such as the temperature of the circulating fluid. The thermal control unit may be modified to accept a cartridge having its own cooling unit. When so modified, the controller communicates with a controller inside of the cartridge and coordinates control of the cartridge cooling unit and the cooling unit inside the thermal control unit that is external to the cartridge.

Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a temperature of a fluid delivered to a patient is provided. The thermal control system includes a cavity that removably receives a cartridge housing the fluid. The thermal control system includes a heat exchanger in thermal contact with at least one of the opposing walls of the cavity. The cartridge includes opposing surfaces defining a chamber therebetween for housing the fluid, the cartridge adapted to be removably received within the cavity. A biasing element is incorporated into the cartridge and adapted to bias the opposing cartridge surfaces away from one another and into contact with the opposing cavity walls. Contact between the cartridge surfaces and the cavity walls facilitates the transfer of thermal energy between the heat exchanger and the fluid housed within the cartridge.

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 thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient pads that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. A fluid quality monitor is included in some embodiments to monitor a cleanliness of the circulating fluid and issue an alert if the cleanliness falls below a threshold. A valve may be included that is controlled by the controller based upon a measurement of the cleanliness of the circulating fluid and/or the passage of a predetermined amount of time. A second valve may also be included in some embodiments that selectively diverts fluid to an additional filter. The additional filter is used to determine if a cleaning action taken with respect to the circulating fluid was effective or not.

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 thermal pad for controlling a patient's temperature includes first and second chambers defined between interior and exterior layers. The first chamber circulates a temperature controlled fluid from a first inlet to a first outlet. The second chamber is in fluid communication with a port and a plurality of holes defined in the interior layer. Pressurized gas supplied to the second chamber is vented onto the patient to control the microclimate between the patient's skin and the thermal pad. An additional third chamber is provided in some embodiments that urges the thermal pad into contact with the patient when subjected to negative gauge pressure. In other embodiments, a negative gauge pressure chamber is allowed to partially inflate in order to urge the thermal pad into contact with the patient.

Abstract: A thermal control unit controls the temperature of a fluid delivered to one or more thermal transfer devices (e.g. thermal pads) in contact with a patient. The thermal control unit generates thermal data while being used to treat the patient and is adapted to receive thermal history data previously generated by a different thermal control unit in the treatment of that patient. Both the current and previous thermal data are displayable on the thermal control unit currently being used, thereby giving the caregiver a complete picture of the thermal history of the patient. The thermal control unit may also be adapted to transmit its thermal data, as well as the thermal history data previously received from the other thermal control unit, to still another thermal control unit. The thermal history data transfer may take place via a cable, wirelessly, by a portable flash drive, or by other means.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A non-invasive sensor unit adapted to be coupled to a patient includes a pair of light emitters spaced apart a known distance, and a pair light detectors. The light detectors detect light emitted from the emitters and scattered by a patient. The unit determines one or more cardiovascular characteristics of the patient from the scattered light, such as the patient's pulse wave velocity; a saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) level; a temperature; a respiration rate; a heart rate; and a blood pressure. The light emitters emit light that may have wavelengths between 600 and 1000 nanometers. The unit, in some embodiments, is integrated into a patch adapted to be secured to the skin of the patient. Readings from the unit may be transmitted to a separate device spaced from the unit, such as via Bluetooth, WiFi, or by other means.