Abstract: A patient support surface includes a blower assembly positioned within the support surface. Ports positioned on the sides of the support surface are configured to be assembled to a cover of the support surface to form a hermetic seal at the periphery of the port. The ports are configured to cause liquids to be conducted away from a flow path into the blower assembly.

Abstract: A patient support surface includes a blower assembly positioned within the support surface. Ports positioned on the sides of the support surface are configured to be assembled to a cover of the support surface to form a hermetic seal at the periphery of the port. The ports are configured to cause liquids to be conducted away from a flow path into the blower assembly.

Abstract: A mattress assembly includes a mattress and an outer mattress shell that covers the mattress and has a patient support portion and a sleep deck portion. The outer mattress shell defines an interior surface and an exterior surface. A bonding strip is coupled to the interior surface of the outer mattress shell and a fastening strip is coupled to the exterior surface of the outer mattress shell. A weld extends through the exterior surface and through the interior surface of the outer mattress shell. A clasp locker is operably coupled to the fastening strip and detachably couples the patient support portion to the sleep deck portion of the outer mattress shell.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a sleep deck having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion each defining a support surface and an underbody that defines a notch. An opening is defined by and extends through the upper portion. A space is defined between the upper portion and the middle portion. A mattress is disposed on the sleep deck. An outer mattress shell encases the mattress and includes a fold defined by a weld. A mattress retention assembly is coupled to the outer mattress shell. The mattress retention assembly includes at least one of a first magnet and a second magnet selectively coupling the mattress to the sleep deck, a portion of the mattress retention assembly extends between the outer mattress shell and the sleep deck, an affixing member disposed on the outer mattress shell, and a retention ridge extending through the sleep deck.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

Abstract: A system for detecting pressure sores includes an artificial skin configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin includes a substrate and a strain sensor configured to detect deformation of the substrate. A transmitter is configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system is configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system includes a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed.

Abstract: A patient support surface includes a blower assembly positioned within the support surface. Ports positioned on the sides of the support surface are configured to be assembled to a cover of the support surface to form a hermetic seal at the periphery of the port. The ports are configured to cause liquids to be conducted away from a flow path into the blower assembly.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's movement, including movement in a patient bed and around a room. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a sleep deck having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion each defining a support surface and an underbody that defines a notch. An opening is defined by and extends through the upper portion. A space is defined between the upper portion and the middle portion. A mattress is disposed on the sleep deck. An outer mattress shell encases the mattress and includes a fold defined by a weld. A mattress retention assembly is coupled to the outer mattress shell. The mattress retention assembly includes at least one of a first magnet and a second magnet selectively coupling the mattress to the sleep deck, a portion of the mattress retention assembly extends between the outer mattress shell and the sleep deck, an affixing member disposed on the outer mattress shell, and a retention ridge extending through the sleep deck.

Abstract: Vibrational dressing systems, vibrational dressing devices, and methods for placing the same are disclosed. Vibrational dressing systems and vibrational dressing devices include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be contoured to a target treatment location of a subject. The second portion may be coupled to the first portion and the second portion may include a plurality of vibrational devices and a control system. Each vibrational device may vibrate the target treatment location and each vibrational device may be positioned within the second portion to correspond with a particular location on a body of the subject within the target treatment location when the first portion is coupled to the body of the subject. The control system may selectively activate one or more of the plurality of vibrational devices.

Abstract: A system for detecting pressure sores includes an artificial skin configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin includes a substrate and a strain sensor configured to detect deformation of the substrate. A transmitter is configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system is configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system includes a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.