Abstract: A nebulizer assembly for a respiratory device is provided having a housing defining a chamber. The housing also has a nebulizer port configured to receive a nebulizer to discharge atomized medication into the chamber. An outlet of a handle is coupled to the inlet of the housing. A hose is coupled to an inlet of the handle. A patient interface is coupled to the outlet of the housing. Air flows from the hose to the patient interface via the handle and the housing. The air mixes with the atomized medication within the chamber.

Abstract: A nebulizer assembly for a respiratory device is provided having a housing defining a chamber. The housing also has a nebulizer port configured to receive a nebulizer to discharge atomized medication into the chamber. An outlet of a handle is coupled to the inlet of the housing. A hose is coupled to an inlet of the handle. A patient interface is coupled to the outlet of the housing. Air flows from the hose to the patient interface via the handle and the housing. The air mixes with the atomized medication within the chamber.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A nebulizer assembly for a respiratory device is provided having a housing defining a chamber. The housing also has a nebulizer port configured to receive a nebulizer to discharge atomized medication into the chamber. An outlet of a handle is coupled to the inlet of the housing. A hose is coupled to an inlet of the handle. A patient interface is coupled to the outlet of the housing. Air flows from the hose to the patient interface via the handle and the housing. The air mixes with the atomized medication within the chamber.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus a frame, an emergency switch, and a controller. The frame is movable from an operating position to one of a plurality of emergency switches as a result of engagement of the emergency switch. The controller is configured to determine a time interval in which the frame is in one of the plurality of emergency positions as a result of engagement of the emergency switch.

Abstract: A person support surface configured to maximize pressure relief when the various portions of the support surface are at an angle with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a patient in a patient-support apparatus includes a detector, a standard, and a controller. The detector detects electromagnetic radiation in a field. The standard conveys a predetermined electromagnetic signature to the detector. The controller monitors the electromagnetic radiation in the field and compares the electromagnetic radiation to the standard to determine the position of a patient supported on a patient-support apparatus positioned in the field.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises an occupant support having adjustable settings that include an elevation, a profile and an angular orientation. The bed also includes an interface for allowing desired values of the adjustable settings to be individually commanded. The bed also includes a single-action boost control for commanding a boost configuration comprising a boost elevation setting and a boost profile setting and a boost angular orientation setting. The bed also includes an adjustment system for adjusting the bed to the desired values of the adjustable settings in response to inputs to the interface and for adjusting the elevation, profile and angular orientation to the boost configuration settings in response to input applied to the single-action boost control.

Abstract: A person support surface configured to maximize pressure relief when the various portions of the support surface are at an angle with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating with a nurse call system is provided. The apparatus includes a hospital bed and a module spaced from the hospital bed. The hospital bed has a power cord including a first AC plug that plugs into an AC receptacle of the module. The module has a separate power cord that plugs into a standard AC power receptacle. Thus, power is provided to the hospital bed via the module. Bed data is communicated to the module via at least one conductor of the power cord that couples the bed to the module. The module has circuitry that extracts the bed data sent from the bed via the power cord and communicates the bed data to the nurse call system.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a bed frame with movable portions and a mattress supported on the bed frame. A control system synchronously controls inflation and deflation of at least one air bladder of the mattress and movement of at least one of the movable portions.

Abstract: A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support.

Abstract: A patient support may, among other things, support a person in a number of positions including a reclined, laying-down and/or seated position. An electronic writing tablet enables the capture of handwritten input in electronic form. The patient support may include one or more electronic writing tablets operably coupled thereto. Handwritten input of a patient or a caregiver may, among other things, be captured at the electronic writing tablet, stored at the patient support, converted into a bed command, communicated to an external system (such as an EMR system or a patient-nurse communication system) and/or displayed at the point of care.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a patient in a patient-support apparatus includes a detector, a standard, and a controller. The detector detects electromagnetic radiation in a field. The standard conveys a predetermined electromagnetic signature to the detector. The controller monitors the electromagnetic radiation in the field and compares the electromagnetic radiation to the standard to determine the position of a patient supported on a patient-support apparatus positioned in the field.

Abstract: A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and methods for charging a battery are disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a connector configured to electrically couple to a battery, an adjustable current source capable of supplying current to the connector at a plurality of charge rates, and a resistor network configured to bias the adjustable current source to supply current at one of the plurality of charge rates in response to a digital input signal. The method may comprise receiving a digital input signal having a plurality of bits, the digital input signal indicating a desired charge rate for the battery, configuring a resistor network in response to the digital input signal, biasing an adjustable current source using the configured resistor network, and supplying current to the battery at the desired charge rate using the adjustable current source.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a rotation therapy device, a pulsation therapy device, a dynamic therapy device, and a control system for operating the devices.

Abstract: A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support.

Abstract: An end panel 312 for a patient-support apparatus 310 includes a main portion 316 and one or more movable portions 330, 332. The movable portions 330, 332 are movable to provide a barrier 318 in a gap between a siderail 360 of the patient-support apparatus 310 and the main portion 316 of the end panel 312.