Abstract: A medical support control system comprises a medical support having memory and a control system in connection with the memory and for connection with a component for use at the medical support. The medical support control system further includes a detection system configured to detect when the component is connected to the control system, such as the control system microprocessor.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus includes a seat assembly, a track assembly coupled to the seat assembly and including a track configured to engage the stairs in a stair traversing position, and front wheels coupled to the seat assembly for engagement with a floor in a transport position. The seat assembly includes a frame and a seat for supporting a patient. A front end of the track assembly is adjacent the front wheels without interfering with movement of the wheels in the transport position.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs based on a current to the motor upon traversing stairs.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs based on a current to the motor upon traversing stairs.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include multiple internal network nodes. A controller is associated with each node and at least one of the controllers is adapted to process a message received from another node, convert the message from a first communication protocol to a different communication protocol, and forward the message to yet another node using the different communication protocol. One or more of the controllers may also or alternatively reformulate a packet received in a first format from a first node and forward the reformulated packet to another node. One or more controllers may also send messages over a common data link layer wherein some of the messages are formatted according to different message protocols. Some controllers may utilize real time operating systems while others may not.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus—such as a bed, chair, cot, stretcher, or the like—includes a frame, support surface, movable component, an actuator, and a controller. The actuator includes a motor, an encoder, a spindle, an extendable arm, multiple power switches, and a position switch. The controller estimates a position of the extendable arm based on motor encoder signals and updates the position estimate when the arm triggers the position switch. The power switches cut power to the motor without intervention by the controller when the extendable arm triggers either of the power switches. In some embodiments, the motor is a brushless DC motor. In still other embodiments, multiple position switches are adapted to be open in different ranges of position, and the controller determines which range the extendable arm is located in based on the state of the position switches.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs based on a current to the motor upon traversing stairs.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on at least one of an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs and a condition of the stairs.

Abstract: A medical support control system comprises a medical support having memory and a control system in connection with the memory and for connection with a component for use at the medical support. The medical support control system further includes a detection system configured to detect when the component is connected to the control system, such as the control system microprocessor.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus includes a seat assembly, a track assembly coupled to the seat assembly and including a track configured to engage the stairs in a stair traversing position, and front wheels coupled to the seat assembly for engagement with a floor in a transport position. The seat assembly includes a frame and a seat for supporting a patient. A front end of the track assembly is adjacent the front wheels without interfering with movement of the wheels in the transport position.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include multiple internal network nodes. A controller is associated with each node and at least one of the controllers is adapted to process a message received from another node, convert the message from a first communication protocol to a different communication protocol, and forward the message to yet another node using the different communication protocol. One or more of the controllers may also or alternatively reformulate a packet received in a first format from a first node and forward the reformulated packet to another node. One or more controllers may also send messages over a common data link layer wherein some of the messages are formatted according to different message protocols. Some controllers may utilize real time operating systems while others may not.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include multiple internal network nodes. A controller is associated with each node and at least one of the controllers is adapted to process a message received from another node, convert the message from a first communication protocol to a different communication protocol, and forward the message to yet another node using the different communication protocol. One or more of the controllers may also or alternatively reformulate a packet received in a first format from a first node and forward the reformulated packet to another node. One or more controllers may also send messages over a common data link layer wherein some of the messages are formatted according to different message protocols. Some controllers may utilize real time operating systems while others may not.

Abstract: A medical support control system comprises a medical support having memory and a control system in connection with the memory and for connection with a component for use at the medical support. The medical support control system further includes a detection system configured to detect when the component is connected to the control system, such as the control system microprocessor.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a support structure, an input device, an actuator, and a controller. The support surface comprises a patient support surface. The input device generates an input signal. The actuator is coupled to the support structure and is configured to perform an operational function and a feedback function, separate from the operational function, to provide feedback to a user. The controller is in communication with the actuator and the input device and is configured to control the actuator to perform the operational function in response to receiving the input signal from the input device, and to control the actuator to perform the feedback function separate from performing the operational function.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor system includes a brushless DC motor having phases and a controller in communication with the motor for operating the motor in accordance with a commutation table. The controller further has nodes. The system further includes phase wires electrically coupling the motor and the controller at the nodes to form wire-to-node connections for establishing electrical communication paths between the motor and controller along each phase wire. Each phase wire corresponds to one phase of the motor. The controller is programmed to, in response to a user-selected configuration of the wire-to-node connections, generate the commutation table.

Abstract: A modular drive device for driving a first driven module of a first emergency patient motion device or a second driven module of a second emergency patient motion device, the first driven module being different from the second driven module. The modular drive device comprises a motor, and an output device operatively coupled to and drivable by the motor. The output device transmits mechanical force from the motor to the first driven module when said output device is coupled to the first emergency patient motion device and from the motor to the second driven module when said output device is coupled to the second emergency patient motion device. The modular drive device further comprises a controller operable in a first motor mode and a second motor mode. The first motor mode corresponding to the first driven module, and the second motor mode corresponding to the second driven module.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.