Patents by Inventor Joshua A. Williams

Joshua A. Williams 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: 10617581
    Abstract: An occupant support includes a turn assist layer which includes left and right side arrays of two or more longitudinally distributed turn assist members. Each array member comprises one or more longitudinally distributed turn assist bladders. At least two of the array members on the left side are longitudinally spaced from each other by a left intermember reach-in space having a left intermember dimension. At least two of the array members on the right side are longitudinally spaced from each other by a right intermember reach-in space having a right intermember dimension. A support layer resides above the turn assist layer. The support layer includes a collapsible zone at least part of which overlies the intermember spaces. The occupant support also includes a user interface for enabling a user to operate the turn assist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Gibson, Andrew R. Kerr, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Eric R. Meyer, Joshua A. Williams, Rachel L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 10588802
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, and a sensor. The frame and the support surface cooperate to support a patient. The sensor is coupled to one of the frame and the support surface and is configured to provide an input signal indicative of usage of the support surface by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Wiggermann, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Timothy J. Receveur, Joshua A. Williams, Rachel L. Williamson, David L. Bedel
  • Patent number: 10561559
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes patient support tops for accommodating various body positions of a patient occupying the patient support tops. The patient support system may include various features to accommodate patient body positioning to facilitate surgical access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Allen Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua C. Hight, Christopher B. Dubois, Jeffrey C. Marrion, Ben Hertz, Jesse S. Drake, Joshua A. Williams, Andrew Sennett, Kyle S. McKenney, Jason S. Bernotsky
  • Publication number: 20190380505
    Abstract: Embodiments include a person support apparatus including a plurality of air fluidizable material, a tub, a foam bolster disposed along at least one wall of the tub and extending over the at least one wall, and an inflatable air bladder disposed above the foam bolster along the at least one wall of the tub. A method of assisting a person with ingress or egress of a person support apparatus by deflating the inflatable air bladder and adjusting a level of fluidization of the air fluidizable material such that the surface supporting the portion of the person is substantially level with a top of the foam bolster is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Borgman, Frank E. Sauser, Joshua A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10433652
    Abstract: Embodiments include a person support apparatus including a plurality of air fluidizable material, a tub, a foam bolster disposed along at least one wall of the tub and extending over the at least one wall, and an inflatable air bladder disposed above the foam bolster along the at least one wall of the tub. A method of assisting a person with ingress or egress of a person support apparatus by deflating the inflatable air bladder and adjusting a level of fluidization of the air fluidizable material such that the surface supporting the portion of the person is substantially level with a top of the foam bolster is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC
    Inventors: Darrell Borgman, Frank E. Sauser, Joshua A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10426681
    Abstract: A topper for a patient support surface includes an actively-cooled region that is positioned to deliver air flow under a specific area to provide localized treatment and/or moisture removal to a patient supported on the topper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Gibson, Joshua A. Williams, Rachel L. Williamson, Bryan W. Wuebker
  • Patent number: 10426680
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes a patient support device having extension chambers and a deck including extendable side deck portions. Upon caregiver selection, the side deck portions extended and retract by inflation and deflation of the extension chambers to provide an extended patient support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua A Williams, Luke Gibson, Fengshuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 10391010
    Abstract: A sleep system is provided comprising a head support section, a torso support section, a leg support section, and a cradle surface provided on at least an upper portion of the torso support section. The head support section is generally laterally angled at an angle greater than the lateral angle of the torso support section and the leg support section. The cradle surface has at least a partial curvature and a lateral width of from about 12 inches to about 36 inches. The lateral angle of the head support section is at least about 10 degrees, the lateral angle of the torso support section is greater than the lateral angle of the leg support section, and the lateral angle of the leg support section is less than about 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Ribble, Joshua A. Williams, Kirsten M. Emmons, Brian L. Lawrence, Douglas A. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 10254727
    Abstract: A method for triggering a pause event in a turn and hold operation applied to a mattress replacement system of a person support apparatus may include inflating at least one air bladder in only one of a right side portion and a left side portion of the mattress replacement system; detecting, automatically with at least one sensor, a force applied to at least one of a frame of the personal support apparatus and the at least one air bladder as the at least one air bladder is inflated; determining, automatically with a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, if the force applied has a force duration that is greater than a threshold force duration to trigger the pause event; and discontinuing inflation of the at least one air bladder when the pause event is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Nicholas C. Batta, Gregory J. Shannon, Andrew Robert Kerr
  • Publication number: 20180289174
    Abstract: A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Chau Chong Ye, Yue Wang, Deny D. Barilea, Joshua A. Williams, Suresha Ventakaraya, Amodh Gundlur Ramesh, Catherine Wagner, Michael Hoksbergen, Graham K. Lacy
  • Patent number: 10071007
    Abstract: Slings for rotation of individuals are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a sling includes a central support section supporting at least a torso of the individual, a superior support section disposed along a first side of the central support section, an inferior support section disposed along a second side of the central support section opposing the superior support section, and straps extending from each lateral side of the central support section. The superior support section includes an anterior support flap and a posterior support flap, and at least a portion of the posterior support flap is separated from at least a portion of the anterior support flap. A central axis bisects the superior support section, the central support section, and the inferior support section such that the sling is foldable about the central axis, and the central axis acts as a fulcrum for rotating the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: LIKO RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Neal Wiggermann
  • Publication number: 20180221216
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Eric D. Benz, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Gavin M. Monson, Ryan S. Severns, Dan R. Tallent, Bryan Weidman, Joshua A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20180116879
    Abstract: A disposable incontinence detection system monitors an area for incontinence events. The incontinence detection system includes a substrate having a length and a width defining a monitoring area. Additionally, the incontinence detection system includes a moisture sensor positioned within the monitoring area. The moisture sensor includes a circuit that includes traces spaced apart from each other such that the presence of moisture bridging a space between at least two of the traces will close the circuit. Additionally, the circuit includes a removable conductor coupled to one of the traces such that removal of the conductor irreversibly prevents the trace from closing the circuit. The moisture sensor is configured to determine whether the circuit has been closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Neal Wiggermann, Yongji Fu, Varad N. Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20170245656
    Abstract: A sleep system is provided comprising a head support section, a torso support section, a leg support section, and a cradle surface provided on at least an upper portion of the torso support section. The head support section is generally laterally angled at an angle greater than the lateral angle of the torso support section and the leg support section. The cradle surface has at least a partial curvature and a lateral width of from about 12 inches to about 36 inches. The lateral angle of the head support section is at least about 10 degrees, the lateral angle of the torso support section is greater than the lateral angle of the leg support section, and the lateral angle of the leg support section is less than about 10 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: David L. Ribble, Joshua A. Williams, Kirsten M. Emmons, Brian L. Lawrence, Douglas A. Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20170128317
    Abstract: A user inputs information into a respiratory therapy device during an initial therapy session such as a total number of therapy cycles to be performed during the therapy session and other therapy parameters for each of the therapy cycles, such as target pressure(s) and frequency setting(s). Thus, some of the parameters are adjusted in real-time by the user during the therapy session. The respiratory therapy device is configured to save the therapy parameters of the therapy session as a preset of the respiratory therapy device. The preset is capable of being used to initiate the administration of the therapy session at a future point in time based on the saved therapy cycles and therapy parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Mary J. Rossini
  • Publication number: 20170119285
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and tracking a positioning of a subject and displaying an image of a model of a subject are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of thermal markers, one or more thermal imaging devices arranged to capture baseline and updated infrared images of the surface and the thermal markers, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the thermal imaging devices. A first thermal marker is arranged at a first location relative to the surface. The computing device receives the baseline and updated infrared images and determines a corrective movement for at least one of the subject and the surface to align the thermal markers in the updated infrared image with the thermal markers in the baseline infrared image based on a location of the thermal markers in the baseline infrared image and a location of the thermal markers in the updated infrared image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Allen Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongji Fu, Benjamin E. Howell, I, Jeffrey C. Marrion, Todd P. O'Neal, Joshua A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20170112698
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes patient support tops for accommodating various body positions of a patient occupying the patient support tops. The patient support system may include various features to accommodate patient body positioning to facilitate surgical access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua C. Hight, Christopher B. Dubois, Jeffrey C. Marrion, Ben Hertz, Jesse S. Drake, Joshua A. Williams, Andrew Sennett, Kyle S. McKenney, Jason S. Bernotsky
  • Publication number: 20170049645
    Abstract: A microclimate system includes an air box, a disposable incontinence pad, and a mattress. The incontinence pad serves as an incontinent event detector. The disposable incontinence pad may be configured to conduct air along an interface of the disposable incontinence pad to withdraw heat and moisture from a patient and cools and dries the patient's skin in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation. The mattress may include a microclimate management layer that provides conditioned air to withdraw heat and moisture from the disposable incontinence pad thereby keeping the patient's skin cool and dry in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Charles A. Lachenbruch
  • Publication number: 20170027786
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a patient support system includes a patient support device having extension chambers and a deck including extendable side deck portions. Upon caregiver selection, the side deck portions extended and retract by inflation and deflation of the extension chambers to provide an extended patient support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua A. Williams, Luke Gibson, Fengshuan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20160367040
    Abstract: Embodiments include a person support apparatus including a plurality of air fluidizable material, a tub, a foam bolster disposed along at least one wall of the tub and extending over the at least one wall, and an inflatable air bladder disposed above the foam bolster along the at least one wall of the tub. A method of assisting a person with ingress or egress of a person support apparatus by deflating the inflatable air bladder and adjusting a level of fluidization of the air fluidizable material such that the surface supporting the portion of the person is substantially level with a top of the foam bolster is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Borgman, Frank E. Sauser, Joshua A. Williams