Patents by Inventor James M. C. Thomas

James M. C. Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8413274
    Abstract: A bed having a frame and a deck is disclosed. The deck has at least a horizontal position and a chair position. The deck has an adjustable-length foot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Publication number: 20120102647
    Abstract: A bed having a frame and a deck is disclosed. The deck has at least a horizontal position and a chair position. The deck has an adjustable-length foot section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, JR., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 7523515
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck. The mattress includes a foot portion having an adjustable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 7480951
    Abstract: A bed having a frame, a deck, and a communication network and at least one module. The at least one module includes a charting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 7216384
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 7213279
    Abstract: A bed having a frame, a deck, and a siderail. The deck having a head seat and foot sections. The head, seat, and foot sections movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 7000272
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6684427
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6496993
    Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6248066
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes a housing having first an second interior regions. The housing is configured to engage the skin surface. The apparatus also includes a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface, a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface, a first temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface, a second temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface, and a processor circuit coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Barnett, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton, James M. C. Thomas, William C. Knapp
  • Patent number: 6212714
    Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6163903
    Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 6010455
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes a housing having first and second interior regions. The housing is configured to engage the skin surface. The apparatus also includes a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface, a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface, a first temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface, a second temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface, and a processor circuit coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Barnett, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton, James M. C. Thomas, William C. Knapp
  • Patent number: 5983429
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Richard B. Stacy, Craig D. Ellis, Barry D. Hand, James M. C. Thomas, Kenith W. Chambers, Stephen E. Glover, Richard I. Barnett, Paul B. King, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5781949
    Abstract: A rotational therapy apparatus is provided for use on a bed having a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, a support surface located on the deck, an air handling unit, an electrical communication network, and a rotation control module including a controller coupled to the communication network. The rotational therapy apparatus includes a normally deflated rotation air bladder located between the support surface and the deck. The rotation air bladder remains deflated during normal use of the bed. The rotation air bladder is coupled to the rotation control module for selectively inflating and deflating the rotation air bladder to provide rotational therapy to a body located on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a graphical interactive display coupled to the electrical communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, David J. Ulrich, Jay T. Butterbrodt, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, James M. C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5769784
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes the steps of measuring a reference rate of perfusion of the skin surface, storing the reference rate of perfusion, and applying a positive force to the skin surface. The apparatus and method also includes the steps of measuring a second rate of perfusion adjacent the skin surface after the positive force is applied, and calculating a differential rate of perfusion between the reference rate of perfusion and the second rate of perfusion after positive force is applied to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface. The apparatus and method further includes the step of displaying the indication of perfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Barnett, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton, James M. C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5745937
    Abstract: A surface foot section is provided for a bed which includes a base frame and an articulating deck coupled to the base frame. The articulating deck includes a generally planar foot deck section and is movable from a bed configuration to a chair configuration. A foot section control module is provided to deflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the chair configuration and to inflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the bed configuration. The surface foot section includes a first air bladder configured to collapse in a first direction generally parallel to the foot deck section when the first air bladder is deflated, and a second air bladder located adjacent the first air bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, David J. Ulrich, Jay T. Butterbrodt, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, James M. C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5715548
    Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 5630238
    Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, an electrical communication network, an air handling unit mounted on the base frame, a plurality of air therapy devices located on the bed, and a plurality of control modules. Each control module includes a connector for coupling a corresponding air therapy device to the air handling unit and to the electrical communication network. Each control module also includes a controller for operating the corresponding air therapy device with the air handling unit based on command signals received from the electrical communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, David J. Ulrich, Jay T. Butterbrodt, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, James M. C. Thomas
  • Patent number: RE43155
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul J. McDaniel, III, Dennis R. Zwink