Patents by Inventor John D. Christie
John D. Christie 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).
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Publication number: 20210244575Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Ryan S. Severns, James D. Voll, Brett A. Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, John V. Harmeyer, Charles A. Lachenbruch (Deceased), Frank E. Sauser, Joseph T. Canter, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Dan R. Tallent, Marwan Nusair, Edward J. Koors
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Publication number: 20210241894Abstract: Systems and methods of associating beds and/or rooms and/or patients are provided. One system and method involves using a signature of emitted light to determine a location of a patient bed in a healthcare facility. Another system and method involves reading a bar code from an array of redundant bar codes. Still another system and method involves manually entering location information on a graphical user interface of a patient bed for subsequent transmission. A further system and method involves sending bed ID and location ID along parallel paths from two independent circuits on a patient bed for receipt by two different transceivers and ultimately by two different remote computers that cooperate to associate the bed ID with the location ID. Still a further system and method involves using circuitry on a bed to mutate a received location ID and a bed ID into a single unique mutated ID such as by adding the location ID and bed ID and then performing a hashing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Steven Alan Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Michael S. Hood, James Maurice Allen, John D. Christie, Jack Barney Sing, Dan R. Tallent, Umesh Jairamdas Rajani, Clay Gerome Owsley, Thomas F. Heil, Richard Joseph Schuman, SR., Timothy D. Wildman
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Patent number: 11020284Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Ryan S. Severns, James D. Voll, Brett A. Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, John V. Harmeyer, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Frank E. Sauser, Joseph T. Canter, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Dan R. Tallent, Marwan Nusair, Edward J. Koors
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Patent number: 11011267Abstract: Systems and methods of associating beds and/or rooms and/or patients are provided. One system and method involves using a signature of emitted light to determine a location of a patient bed in a healthcare facility. Another system and method involves reading a bar code from an array of redundant bar codes. Still another system and method involves manually entering location information on a graphical user interface of a patient bed for subsequent transmission. A further system and method involves sending bed ID and location ID along parallel paths from two independent circuits on a patient bed for receipt by two different transceivers and ultimately by two different remote computers that cooperate to associate the bed ID with the location ID. Still a further system and method involves using circuitry on a bed to mutate a received location ID and a bed ID into a single unique mutated ID such as by adding the location ID and bed ID and then performing a hashing operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Michael A. Hood, James M. Allen, John D. Christie, Jack Barney Sing, Dan R. Tallent, Umesh J. Rajani, Clay G. Owsley, Thomas F. Heil, Richard Joseph Schuman, Sr., Timothy D. Wildman
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Publication number: 20210128382Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Keith R. Kubicek, John D. Christie, Timothy A. Lane, II, Brandon P. Fisk
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Patent number: 10973720Abstract: A method of determining information about a device includes the steps of 1) acquiring an image of at least a portion of the device, 2) comparing the information content of the image to the information content of at least one record of a library, and, 3) if the comparison is positive, reporting that the device is in the possible state represented by the library record. A method which depends on calculations based on the acquired image rather than on comparison of the information content of the image to the information content of one or more library records is also disclosed. A system for determining the state of the device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Benz, John D. Christie, Michael M. Frondorf, Gavin M. Monson, Douglas A. Seim, Arpit S. Shah, Dan R. Tallent, James D. Voll
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Patent number: 10959659Abstract: A system for detecting an incontinence event includes a pad which is deployable on a mattress and which, as deployed, has a first conductor and a second conductor and in which the first conductor and the second conductor are not in electrical communication with each other. The system also incudes an RFID reader subsystem having a processor and an array of two or more spatially distributed antennas. The system is adapted to A) command transmission of energy from the antenna array at a variety of powers and at various frequencies, B) monitor the antenna array for a return signal resulting from the spatially and temporally varying transmission, and C) communicate a WET or DRY status to a destination. The WET or DRY status depends on a moisture status indicator of the return signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Gavin M. Monson, Marwan Nusair, Joseph T. Canter, John D. Christie, Dan Tallent, James D. Voll, Bryan Weidman
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Patent number: 10918548Abstract: A sling for supporting a subject such as a patient includes a panel assembly including a left flank with a left end, a right flank with a right end, and an interflank panel. The interflank panel has a left extremity permanently joined to the left end of the left flank and a right extremity permanently joined to the right end of the right flank. The sling also includes a left closure element and a right closure element which are securable to each other and releasable from each other to adjust an effective dimension of the sling. In another embodiment, the sling includes a frangible closure member which secures the left flank to the right flank.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Liko Research & Development ABInventors: Karin Olsson, Roger Karlsson, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Elin Dovervik, Jean-Bernard Duvert, Johan Lyckestig, Clementine Pirio
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Patent number: 10918546Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Keith R. Kubicek, John D. Christie, Timothy A. Lane, II, Brandon P. Fisk
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Publication number: 20200323717Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base frame, lift mechanism supporting an upper frame relative to the base frame, a load frame, and a plurality of deck sections, a patient support surface, and a number of barriers positioned about the patient supporting surface. The patient support apparatus includes a notification system for visually notifying a caregiver of a condition or status of a component of the patient support apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Robert M. ZERHUSEN, Richard H. HEIMBROCK, Arpit SHAH, Aziz A. BHAI, Bradley T. SMITH, Catherine M. WAGNER, Charles A. LACHENBRUCH, Clay G. OWSLEY, Dan R. TALLENT, Daniel NACHTIGAL, David L. BEDEL, David J. BRZENCHEK, David J. HITCHCOCK, David P. LUBBERS, Douglas A. SEIM, Douglas E. BORGMAN, Eric D. BENZ, Florin IUCHA, Frank E. SAUSER, Gavin M. MONSON, James W. PASCOE, James L. WALKE, Jared RUDE, John G. BYERS, John D. CHRISTIE, Jonathan D. TURNER, Joshua A. WILLIAMS, Karen LANNING, Kathryn SMITH, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Mary Kay BRINKMAN, Michael BUCCIERI, Nathaniel W. HIXON, Neal WIGGERMANN, Richard J. SCHUMAN, SR., Scott M. CORBIN, Sravan MAMIDI, Todd P. O'NEAL, Todd S. VENTROLA, Travis PELO, Unnati OJHA, John GOEWERT
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Patent number: 10799407Abstract: A variable width support system includes an adjustable width person support apparatus (PSA), an adjustable width person support surface (PSS), and first and second controllers. The first controller controls a function of the PSA and receives a first input corresponding to a function of the PSA via a first user interface. The second controller controls a function of the PSS and: a) receives a second input corresponding to a function of the PSS via a second user interface when the first controller is not in communication with the second controller, and b) receives a third input corresponding to a function of the PSS via the first controller when the first controller is in communication with the second controller. The second controller controls a function of the PSS in accordance with the third input when the first controller is in communication with the second controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: John D. Christie, Mark E. Lanning, Robert A. Bossingham, Mark Tyler Rigsby, James D. Lattimore, Mahesh Kumar Thodupunuri, Aziz Ali Bhai, David P. Lubbers, Scott M. Corbin
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Publication number: 20200297562Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Keith R. Kubicek, John D. Christie, Timothy A. Lane, II, Brandon P. Fisk
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Publication number: 20200289338Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Ryan S. Severns, James D. Voll, Brett A. Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, John V. Harmeyer, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Frank E. Sauser, Joseph T. Canter, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Dan R. Tallent, Marwan Nusair, Edward J. Koors
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Publication number: 20200261279Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Bryan Weidman, Gavin M. Monson, John D. Christie, James Voll
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Patent number: 10716715Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Ryan S. Severns, James D. Voll, Brett A. Knittle, Gavin M. Monson, John V. Harmeyer, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Frank E. Sauser, Joseph T. Canter, Yongji Fu, Kirsten M. Emmons, David L. Ribble, Neal Wiggermann, John D. Christie, Dan R. Tallent, Marwan Nusair, Edward J. Koors
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Patent number: 10709625Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Keith R. Kubicek, John D. Christie, Timothy A. Lane, II, Brandon P. Fisk
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Patent number: 10653567Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Weidman, Gavin M. Monson, John D. Christie, James D. Voll
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Publication number: 20200075173Abstract: A method of responding to the presence of a communicable condition includes the steps of 1) acquiring a spatial/temporal trajectory of each member of a population of interest, 2) acquiring a spatial/temporal trajectory of zero or more objects of interest, 3) identifying a communicable condition associated with at least a first member of the population, 4) and, subsequent to the identifying step, assessing possible transfer of the communicable condition to one or more other members of the population. The assessment is based, at least in part, on the acquired spatial/temporal trajectories. A related apparatus includes a processor and machine readable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, carry out the above enumerated steps 1, 2, 3 and 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventor: John D. Christie
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Publication number: 20200069491Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Keith R. Kubicek, John D. Christie, Timothy A. Lane, II, Brandon P. Fisk
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Publication number: 20200060599Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Gavin M. MONSON, Todd P. O'NEAL, David Lance RIBBLE, Dan R. TALLENT, John D. CHRISTIE, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Yongji FU, Michael Scott HOOD, Douglas A. SEIM, Ryan S. SEVERNS, James D. VOLL, Gregory WILEY, Steven Alan DIXON, Bryan WEIDMAN, Eric David BENZ, Brett KNITTLE, Marwan NUSAIR, Neal WIGGERMANN, John V. HARMEYER, Joshua A. WILLIAMS