Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress supported by the frame and arranged to support a patient thereon. A sensor is included to detect moisture on the patient and/or the patient support apparatus. The sensor produces signals indicative of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus. One or more alerts are output in response to the signals provided by the sensor to notify a caregiver of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A dual-wheel steerable motorized caster has internal motors that are operated at different speeds to swivel a pair of wheels about a caster swivel axis. The motors are operated at the same speed to propel an apparatus to which the dual-wheel steerable motorized caster is coupled along an underlying surface such as a floor in a drive direction without swiveling the pair of wheels about the caster swivel axis. A patient support apparatus has one or more of such dual-wheel steerable motorized casters.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Abstract: An incontinence detection system monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. The system has a pad that 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. Portions of the system are included in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress supported by the frame and arranged to support a patient thereon. A sensor is included to detect moisture on the patient and/or the patient support apparatus. The sensor produces signals indicative of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus. One or more alerts are output in response to the signals provided by the sensor to notify a caregiver of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus.

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: An incontinence detection pad has an RFID tag in which an authentication code, such as an electronic product code (EPC), is stored. A reader in wireless communication with the RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad verifies that the incontinence detection pad is an authorized detection pad. Thus, unauthorized incontinence detection pads that do not have the proper authentication code are not able to be used in an incontinence detection system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrically power surgical instrument having a handle assembly. The apparatus also comprises a communication device positioned within the handle assembly. The communication device is operable to communicate with at least a portion of the electrically powered surgical instrument. The apparatus further comprises an external device in wireless communication with the communication device. The external device is operable to receive information from the communication device and the external device is operable to provide an output viewable to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a medical device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a control device within a line-of-sight of the medical device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the control device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a control device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a medical device within a line-of-sight of the control device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the medical device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a first device and a second device that automatically pair over a wireless channel based on a location identifier received over an optical channel from a transmitter within a line-of-sight of the first device and the second device.

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: 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 sensor apparatus configured to detect at least one physiological parameter of a subject includes a sensor that detects at least one physiological parameter of the subject as sensor data. An energy harvesting circuit includes a plurality of energy harvesting devices configured to harvest ambient energy from an environment of the subject. The energy harvesting devices generate power at a plurality of voltage potential levels from ambient energy. A conditioning circuit is configured to adjust the plurality of voltage potential levels to a bus voltage supplied to a supply bus. A controller receives operating power via the supply bus and controls the activation of the sensor and the wireless communication circuit.

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 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: An incontinence detection pad has an RFID tag in which an authentication code, such as an electronic product code (EPC), is stored. A reader in wireless communication with the RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad verifies that the incontinence detection pad is an authorized detection pad. Thus, unauthorized incontinence detection pads that do not have the proper authentication code are not able to be used in an incontinence detection system.

Abstract: A time-based wireless pairing operation between a medical device, such as a patient bed, and a wall module in a patient room is initiated in response to a power plug of the medical device being plugged into a power receptacle carried by the wall module. Times determined by timers of the medical device and the wall module are compared by the wall module or by the medical device so that wireless pairing occurs only with the medical device that was plugged into the wall module. Different types of plug detectors used in the wall module to detect connection of the power plug include optical detectors, mechanical switches, and current sensors.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.

Abstract: An incontinence detection pad has an RFID tag in which an authentication code, such as an electronic product code (EPC), is stored. A reader in wireless communication with the RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad verifies that the incontinence detection pad is an authorized detection pad. Thus, unauthorized incontinence detection pads that do not have the proper authentication code are not able to be used in an incontinence detection system.

Abstract: An incontinence detection pad for detecting incontinence events includes a moisture absorbent layer that has non-embossed areas and embossed areas. The non-embossed areas have a first density of fibers of the layer, and the embossed areas have a second density of fibers of the layer that is greater than the first density. The incontinence detection pad further includes a plurality of electrodes positioned beneath the moisture absorbent layer and a transmitter connected to the plurality of electrodes and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a status of the moisture absorbent layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a medical device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a control device within a line-of-sight of the medical device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the control device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a control device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a medical device within a line-of-sight of the control device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the medical device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a first device and a second device that automatically pair over a wireless channel based on a location identifier received over an optical channel from a transmitter within a line-of-sight of the first device and the second device.