Abstract: A system and method for control of the charging of a system of patient support apparatuses positioned adjacent one another from a single one of the patient support apparatuses.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient includes a frame, and a patient support surface positioned on the frame. The frame includes a center section extending along a length of the frame. At least one side panel is positioned adjacent the center section. The frame also includes at least one surgical accessory rail.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a mattress having a core and a topper. The patient support system includes a pneumatic system that functions as a moisture management system with a first air mover coupled to a flow path through the topper, and a second air mover coupled to the flow path. The first air mover blows air into the air flow path of the topper and the second air mover pulls air from the air flow path of the topper.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A microclimate management system including a person support surface including one or more sensors, a fluid supply device coupled to an inlet of the person support surface and configured to supply fluid to an outlet the person support surface, and a controller configured to detect an inlet condition value at the inlet of the person support surface, detect an outlet condition value at the outlet of the person support surface, determine a difference between the inlet condition value and the outlet condition value, and transmit a first alert in response to determining that a rate of change of the difference between the inlet condition value and the outlet condition value is below a lower condition threshold.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a sensor capable of detecting vital signs, setting acceptable limits for the vital signs, and includes structures for monitoring the vital signs and providing local and/or remote indications to caregivers if the vital signs fall outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are person support apparatuses for continuous lateral rotation therapy. The apparatus includes a person support surface configured to support a subject, the person support surface including an actuating device for rotating the person support surface, one or more sensors configured to detect parameters of the subject and the person support surface and generate sensor data indicative of the same, and a controller. The controller is operable to cause movement of the person support surface into the predetermined angle of rotation and determine, based on the sensor data, whether the subject is in the predetermined angle of rotation. If the subject is not in the predetermined angle of rotation, the controller generates and transmits a correction control signal to the actuating device to cause the person support surface to move the subject into the predetermined angle of rotation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a sensor capable of detecting vital signs, setting acceptable limits for the vital signs, and includes structures for monitoring the vital signs and providing local and/or remote indications to caregivers if the vital signs fall outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A power supply system for a facility includes a patient support apparatus with a controller and a patient support. A power source is operably coupled to the patient support apparatus. The controller is in communication with the power source. A transmitting assembly is coupled to the patient support apparatus and the power source. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the patient support. The transmitting assembly wirelessly communicates with the receiving assembly to power the patient support. A locating feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The locating feature is configured to aid in aligning the power source on the patient support apparatus to indicate when the receiving assembly is in communication with the transmitting assembly.

Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A fan is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric device. The fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the thermoelectric device and the fan. The controller is configured to activate the thermoelectric device and the fan to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient.

Abstract: A microclimate management system including a person support surface including one or more sensors, a fluid supply device coupled to an inlet of the person support surface and configured to supply fluid to an outlet the person support surface, and a controller configured to detect an inlet condition value at the inlet of the person support surface, detect an outlet condition value at the outlet of the person support surface, determine a difference between the inlet condition value and the outlet condition value, and transmit a first alert in response to determining that a rate of change of the difference between the inlet condition value and the outlet condition value is below a lower condition threshold.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame having a supporting surface. A transmitting element is coupled to the frame. A surface assembly is selectively positioned on the supporting surface. The surface assembly includes a surface selectively enclosing an interior. A controller is communicatively coupled to the transmitting element. A sensor assembly is coupled to the surface assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to sense information about at least one of the surface assembly and a person positioned on the surface assembly. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the surface assembly and the sensor assembly. The receiving assembly is configured to selectively interact with the transmitting element via a charging interface to power the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a sensor capable of detecting vital signs, setting acceptable limits for the vital signs, and includes structures for monitoring the vital signs and providing local and/or remote indications to caregivers if the vital signs fall outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a sensor capable of detecting vital signs, setting acceptable limits for the vital signs, and includes structures for monitoring the vital signs and providing local and/or remote indications to caregivers if the vital signs fall outside of acceptable limits.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes detectors and a controller operable to automatically update a tare weight for use in determining a true patient weight. The detectors are configured to produce signals indicating a presence or absence of a corresponding removable component. The controller is configured to determine weights of each and every removable component on the patient support apparatus and store each weight in a memory. The controller is further configured to receive the signals produced by the detectors and detect any addition or removal of removable components of the patient support apparatus, update the tare weight, and determine a weight of a patient being supported on the patient support apparatus.

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.