Abstract: A person lift system includes a motor and a sling bar coupled to the motor. The sling bar includes a first attachment hook at a first end region of the sling bar and a second attachment hook at a second end region of the sling bar. A sling includes a main body section and a plurality of loops coupled to the main body section. Each of the plurality of loops is configured to attach to one of the plurality of attachment hooks. A first electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the first attachment hook. A second electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the second attachment hook. Each of a plurality of short range wireless tags is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of loops.

Abstract: An inflatable support strap for positioning and rotating a horizontally laying subject on a support surface, the inflatable support strap includes an elongate body comprising a first end and a second end spaced a distance apart from the first end, the first end and the second end each comprising at least one loop extending therefrom, and the elongate body defining a cavity. The inflatable support strap also includes one or more bladders disposed within the cavity, the one or more bladders configured to be selectively inflated or deflated.

Abstract: A person lift system includes a motor and a sling bar coupled to the motor. The sling bar includes a first attachment hook at a first end region of the sling bar and a second attachment hook at a second end region of the sling bar. A sling includes a main body section and a plurality of loops coupled to the main body section. Each of the plurality of loops is configured to attach to one of the plurality of attachment hooks. A first electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the first attachment hook. A second electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the second attachment hook. Each of a plurality of short range wireless tags is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of loops.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for use with a mattress has a first lateral tilt bladder and a third lateral tilt bladder underlying a first side of the mattress, and a second lateral tilt bladder and a fourth lateral tilt bladder underlying a second side of the mattress. The tilt bladders are inflatable to alter the position of a patient lying on the mattress, and inflation and/or deflation of the lateral tilt bladders is controllable by a controller. A first check valve allows fluid communication in one direction from the third lateral tilt bladder to the first lateral tilt bladder, and a second check valve allows fluid communication in one direction from the fourth lateral tilt bladder to the second lateral tilt bladder.

Abstract: A charging system for a medical facility includes a patient support apparatus that has a base frame, an upper frame, a wheel to engage a floor surface, and a controller. A rechargeable battery is operably coupled to the base frame. The controller is configured to communicate with the rechargeable battery. A transmitting assembly is coupled to at least one of a wall surface and the floor surface of said medical facility. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the base frame adjacent to the wheel. The receiving assembly is in communication with the rechargeable battery. The receiving assembly and the transmitting assembly selectively communicate to charge the rechargeable battery. An alert feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The alert feature is configured to emit an alarm when the controller indicates the rechargeable battery is at or below a predetermined charge level.

Abstract: A person lift system includes a motor and a sling bar coupled to the motor. The sling bar includes a first attachment hook at a first end region of the sling bar and a second attachment hook at a second end region of the sling bar. A sling includes a main body section and a plurality of loops coupled to the main body section. Each of the plurality of loops is configured to attach to one of the plurality of attachment hooks. A first electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the first attachment hook. A second electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the second attachment hook. Each of a plurality of short range wireless tags is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of loops.

Abstract: A head rest accessory is provided for coupling to a bed frame of a hospital bed. The head rest accessory includes a frame and a head rest mount coupled to the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor measures a first tilt angle of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor measures a second tilt angle of the face rest shell.

Abstract: A person lift system includes a motor and a sling bar coupled to the motor. The sling bar includes a first attachment hook at a first end region of the sling bar and a second attachment hook at a second end region of the sling bar. A sling includes a main body section and a plurality of loops coupled to the main body section. Each of the plurality of loops is configured to attach to one of the plurality of attachment hooks. A first electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the first attachment hook. A second electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the second attachment hook. Each of a plurality of short range wireless tags is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of loops.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the configuration of a patient support apparatus includes a patient support apparatus having at least one actuator configured to adjust the configuration of the patient support apparatus and a control unit to control the at least one actuator. The control unit has a memory that is configured to store patient support apparatus configurations. The control unit is also configured to: receive a first input including patient risk information of a patient to be supported; determine an optimum patient support apparatus configuration from the patient support apparatus configurations based on the patient risk information; receive a second input from a user to accept the determined optimum patient support apparatus configuration; and if the determined optimum patient support apparatus configuration is accepted by a user, control the at least one actuator to adjust the patient support apparatus into the determined optimum patient support apparatus configuration.

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 head rest accessory is provided for coupling to a bed frame of a hospital bed. The head rest accessory includes a frame and a head rest mount coupled to the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor measures a first tilt angle of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor measures a second tilt angle of the face rest shell.

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 head rest accessory for coupling to sockets provided on a bed frame of a hospital bed is provided. A frame is configured to be insertable downwardly into the sockets to couple the frame to the bed frame of the hospital bed. A head rest mount is coupled to the frame and is repositionable along the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor is positioned along a side of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor is positioned on a head end of the face rest shell.

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 includes a frame having a head section moveably coupled to a seat section. At least one frame actuator is configured to raise and lower the frame relative to a floor. At least one head section actuator is configured to adjust an angle of the head section relative to the seat section. A patient support surface is positioned on the frame. The patient support surface includes a plurality of bladders. An air source is configured to inflate and deflate the plurality of bladders. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of a caregiver at a head end of the frame. A control circuitry adjusts a position of the frame in response to a command from a caregiver.

Abstract: A person lift system includes a lift unit, a sling bar that is coupled to the lift unit, where the sling bar includes a plurality of attachment points each having coupling sensors and an electronic control unit that is communicatively coupled to the coupling sensors. The person lift system also includes a lifting accessory having a plurality of lifting points that are adapted to be selectively coupled to the plurality of attachment points of the sling bar. The electronic control unit comprises a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set which, when executed by the processor detects with the coupling sensors whether the lifting accessory is installed in a proper manner and projects an indication when the lifting accessory is installed in the proper manner.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus (200) for use with a mattress comprises a first lateral tilt bladder (10) and a third lateral tilt bladder (14) configured to underlie a first side of the mattress, and a second lateral tilt bladder (12) and a fourth lateral tilt bladder (16) configured to underlie a second side of the mattress. The tilt bladders are inflatable to alter the position of a patient lying on the mattress, and inflation and/or deflation of the lateral tilt bladders is controllable by a controller (120).

Abstract: A head rest accessory for coupling to a frame member at a head end of a pivotable torso support section of a hospital bed is provided. A frame is configured to couple to the frame member. A head rest mount is coupled to the frame and is repositionable along the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor is positioned along a side of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor is positioned on a head end of the face rest shell.

Abstract: A head rest accessory for coupling to sockets provided on a bed frame of a hospital bed is provided. A frame is configured to be insertable downwardly into the sockets to couple the frame to the bed frame of the hospital bed. A head rest mount is coupled to the frame and is repositionable along the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor is positioned along a side of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor is positioned on a head end of the face rest shell.

Abstract: A charging system for a medical facility includes a patient support apparatus that has a base frame, an upper frame, a wheel to engage a floor surface, and a controller. A rechargeable battery is operably coupled to the base frame. The controller is configured to communicate with the rechargeable battery. A transmitting assembly is coupled to at least one of a wall surface and the floor surface of said medical facility. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the base frame adjacent to the wheel. The receiving assembly is in communication with the rechargeable battery. The receiving assembly and the transmitting assembly selectively communicate to charge the rechargeable battery. An alert feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The alert feature is configured to emit an alarm when the controller indicates the rechargeable battery is at or below a predetermined charge level.