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 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 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 element is provided for fitting to a patient support device having a base portion and a patient support deck which may support a mattress with a sheet thereon. The patient positioning element includes at least one fixing element for fixing to a patient support deck, a bar element for holding a sheet in position and at least one connector element transverse to the bar for connecting or coupling the bar to the fixing element. The connector element is adjustable such that the bar may take up a first storage position adjacent or near the fixing element and a second deployed position adjacent or near the upper surface of a mattress. The patient support deck is moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to the base portion.

Abstract: A system for identifying a location of a device includes a first antenna mounted to a plug. The first antenna surrounds one or more prongs of the plug, and the plug has a memory that stores a device ID. A second antenna receives the device ID from the first antenna when the plug is coupled to a power outlet. A controller uses a communication module to wirelessly transfer the device ID and a power outlet ID to a computer server. The computer server uses the device ID and the power outlet ID to determine the location of the device within a building.

Abstract: A patient lift system includes a lift unit operable to raise and lower a lifting strap, the lift unit having a working load rating. A sling bar is attached with the lifting strap and a lifting accessory is coupled to the sling bar. The lifting accessory may comprises: a lifting sling; a lifting harness; a lifting vest; a lifting strap; or a repositioning sheet. The sling bar includes an opening sized to receive one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is larger than the working load rating of the lifting accessory. The opening of the sling bar is not capable of receiving one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is smaller than the working load rating of the lifting accessory.

Abstract: A patient positioning element is provided for fitting to a patient support device having a base portion and a patient support deck which may support a mattress with a sheet thereon. The patient positioning element includes at least one fixing element for fixing to a patient support deck, a bar element for holding a sheet in position and at least one connector element transverse to the bar for connecting or coupling the bar to the fixing element. The connector element is adjustable such that the bar may take up a first storage position adjacent or near the fixing element and a second deployed position adjacent or near the upper surface of a mattress. The patient support deck is moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to the base portion.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension system for a medical device is provided. The magnetic suspension system comprises a support structure having an area provided with a ferromagnetic characteristic, and a carriage comprising a magnet exerting a magnetic attraction force between the carriage and the support structure. The carriage comprises a friction reducing device and a drive device configured to drive a motion of the carriage upon the support structure in an arbitrary predetermined direction, the drive device being separate from the friction reducing device.

Abstract: A system for turning a patient supported on a patient support apparatus includes a U-shaped frame and a rectangular frame pivotably coupled to the U-shaped frame. The rectangular frame includes first and second sheet grippers configured to removeably couple a plurality of sheets to the system and secure the patient between the sheets. The rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are configured to rotate at least 180 degrees relative to the U-shaped frame after the U-shaped frame, the rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are raised at least a clearance distance above the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient positioning element is provided for fitting to a patient support device having a base portion and a patient support deck which may support a mattress with a sheet thereon. The patient positioning element includes at least one fixing element for fixing to a patient support deck, a bar element for holding a sheet in position and at least one connector element transverse to the bar for connecting or coupling the bar to the fixing element. The connector element is adjustable such that the bar may take up a first storage position adjacent or near the fixing element and a second deployed position adjacent or near the upper surface of a mattress. The patient support deck is moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to the base portion.

Abstract: Patient lift systems and lift accessories for the same are disclosed. In one example, a system may include a rail having a carriage support channel formed in the rail, the channel having a width, the rail has a working load rating; a carriage slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail, the carriage comprising a shaft having a length; and a lift unit coupled to the carriage and operable to raise and lower a lifting strap, wherein the lift unit has a working load rating; wherein the length of the shaft of the carriage is less than the width of the channel when the working load rating of the lift unit is equal to or less than the working load rating of the rail. In this manner, lift units that are incompatible with the working load rating of the rail cannot be connected with the rail.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus having a base frame and a patient support surface. A network includes one or more of such patient support systems and an associated computer device. The patient support system includes: at least one sensor configured to detect at least one patient characteristic; at least one light emitting device capable of emitting light in at least a first range of visible wavelengths; and a controller configured to: receive the or each output from the at least one sensor; determine a stage of sleep of a patient on the patient support surface; receive a wake-up signal; and after receipt of the wake-up signal, activate the or each light emitting device to emit light substantially only in the first range of visible wavelengths when the controller next determines that the patient is in a light stage of sleep. The associated computer device is configured to carry out a patient wake-up process.

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 bedside unit provides assistance and/or services to a patient in a bed. The unit includes a first vertical tubular shaft fixed to the floor and a second tubular shaft arranged around the first shaft and moveable relative to the first shaft under the action of a height adjustment mechanism. The apparatus for providing assistance and/or services includes drawers, an overbed table and an egress bar which are arranged to be controllably pivotable about the second shaft. The unit also includes a patient transfer arm at the top of the first shaft and rotatable thereabout.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes sensors, a patient support assembly, and a gateway device and/or control module. Example sensors include physiological sensors and patient status devices. The sensors acquire patient-related data. Patient related action is determined based on the patient-related data.

Abstract: A system for preventing pressure ulcers on a patient supported on a patient support apparatus is disclosed. The system is configured to sense movement of the patient over time to determine if the movement of the patient is adequate to prevent the patient from developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a substantially rigid support deck for supporting a patient support element, a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on the support deck and separated from one another in a direction along the width of the patient support apparatus. Each sensing element is configured to determine, in use, the force or pressure applied to it by the patient support element and a patient on the patient support element. One or more processors, coupled to the sensing elements, are configured to determine the location of the center of gravity of a patient on the patient support element, along the width of the patient support apparatus, based upon outputs of the first and second sensing elements. An alarm may be activated when the location of the center of gravity along the width of the patient support apparatus is outside a predetermined range of values.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an environment for a patient on a patient support device can include: receiving a temperature reading from a wireless sensor coupled to a body of the patient; comparing the temperature reading to air flowing through an airflow system associated with the patient support device; and modifying the air flowing through the airflow system.

Abstract: A bedside unit provides assistance and/or services to a patient in a bed. The unit includes a first vertical tubular shaft fixed to the floor and a second tubular shaft arranged around the first shaft and moveable relative to the first shaft under the action of a height adjustment mechanism. The apparatus for providing assistance and/or services includes drawers, an overbed table and an egress bar which are arranged to be controllably pivotable about the second shaft. The unit also includes a patient transfer arm at the top of the first shaft and rotatable thereabout.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient lift system having a sling bar with an inductively charged integrated scale. The lift system comprises a lift apparatus, a lift strap connected at a first end to the lift apparatus, a sling bar connected to a second free hanging end of the lift strap, the sling bar having a scale with a tension load cell integrally disposed therein for measuring forces applied thereto and a power source electrically connected to the scale to provide power to the scale and load cell. An accelerometer is disposed within the sling bar to determine a tilt angle of a lift axis of the load cell relative to a vertical direction of gravitational force. Programming stored in a processor of the integrated scale calculates an accurate weight of an active load suspended from the sling bar, based on the determined tilt angle and the measured force on the load cell.