Abstract: A portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge comprises a product chamber capable of holding a vaporizable product therein, and a porous valve element configured to be heated to flow the vaporizable product therethrough and generate vapor from the vaporizable product, and optionally including a heat transfer element to heat the vaporizable product as it flows through the product chamber towards the porous valve element. Also provided are methods and automated systems for filling the cartridge used in the portable vaporizing device with a vaporizable product.

Abstract: A portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge comprises a product chamber capable of holding a vaporizable product therein, and a porous valve element configured to be heated to flow the vaporizable product therethrough and generate vapor from the vaporizable product, and optionally including a heat transfer element to heat the vaporizable product as it flows through the product chamber towards the porous valve element. Also provided are methods and automated systems for filling the cartridge used in the portable vaporizing device with a vaporizable product.

Abstract: Provided is a method for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface. Also provided is an apparatus suitable for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface. Also provided is an apparatus suitable for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface. Also provided is an apparatus suitable for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface. Also provided is an apparatus suitable for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface.

Abstract: A method for tracking an entity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of messages conveying an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a position determining component wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of the entity is determined based upon a known spatial relationship between the position determining component and the wireless identification component.

Abstract: A method for tracking an entity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of messages conveying an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a position determining component wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of the entity is determined based upon a known spatial relationship between the position determining component and the wireless identification component.

Abstract: A multi-modal entity tracking and display system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a tracking infrastructure comprising at least one data receiver is configured to detect a tracked entity comprising a first asset class using a first sensing technology and a second sensing technology. The at least one tracking data receiver is further configured to generate a tracking data report conveying a location of the tracked entity. A multi-modal entity tracker is configured to receive and store the tracking data report. The multi-modal entity tracker is further configured to receive and store a second tracking data report of a second tracked entity comprising a second asset class which is conveyed via the tracking infrastructure.

Abstract: A method for tracking an entity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of messages conveying an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a position determining component wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of the entity is determined based upon a known spatial relationship between the position determining component and the wireless identification component.

Abstract: A method for tracking an entity is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of messages conveying an identification of an entity are received using a wireless identification component. A geographic location of the wireless identification component is determined by a position determining component wherein the geographic location describes a respective geographic location of the wireless identification component when each of the plurality of messages is received. A geographic position of the entity is determined based upon a known spatial relationship between the position determining component and the wireless identification component.

Abstract: A docking station includes a column and a docking port coupled to the column. The docking port is coupleable to a hospital bed. A service is deliverable to the hospital bed through a service outlet coupled to the docking port. A communication and control unit is coupled to the column. A patient table is coupled to the column.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a patient removal system are provided for evacuating a patient during an emergency. The patient removal systems may be used to transport the patient while the patient is on a mattress, or the patient removal systems may be used to transport the patient without the mattress. The patient removal systems permit caregivers to transport patients out of danger or harm without requiring patient support devices to be transported along with the patients.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a set of siderails configured to block egress of a patient from the patient support. The siderails are configured to reduce gaps defined between the siderails and the other components of the patient support.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes receivers for supporting a patient-support deck. The patient-support deck is configured to engage the receivers to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck movable from a use position to a stowed position. The patient-support deck is configured to engage receivers of the patient-support apparatus to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism. A storage structure is configured to support the patient-support deck in a stowed position. The storage structure is configured to deflect under load to prevent damage to the storage structure or patient-support deck.

Abstract: An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column.

Abstract: An illuminated sign includes a plurality of sections. Each section includes a mesh of conductors having illuminating pixels located at conductor intersections. The mesh is surrounded by a frame connected to the frame of another section. Once frame sections of the display are unfolded, the display can be supported by a structure attached to a car or other vehicle. A support structure for an illuminated display includes a base which is placed on the ground and over which the tire of a vehicle (e.g., a police car) is parked. A column extends from the base, and a display can be attached to the top of that extending column.

Abstract: A system for compression therapy comprises a patient-support apparatus and a compression sleeve assembly that is coupleable to the patient-support apparatus. In some embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a hospital bed; and in other embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a mattress for a bed. The compression sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve that couples to a patient's limb and that inflates to promote blood flow. The compression sleeve assembly also comprises a conduit and a compression module that is operable to inflate the sleeve through the conduit. The conduit may be routed, at least in part, through the associated patient-support apparatus. The compression module may be situated, at least in part, in a cavity of the associated patient-support apparatus. A compression module that couples to an architectural structure, such as a headwall unit, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An illuminated sign includes a plurality of sections. Each section includes a mesh of conductors having illuminating pixels located at conductor intersections The mesh is surrounded by a frame connected to the frame of another section. Once frame sections of the display are unfolded, the display can be supported by a structure attached to a car or other vehicle. A support structure for an illuminated display includes a base which is placed on the ground and over which the tire of a vehicle (e.g., a police car) is parked. A column extends from the base, and a display can be attached to the top of that extending column.