Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a support deck with a support surface and a deck section configured to move between a first position and a second position, a barrier to limit egress from the support surface operatively attached to the deck section for concurrent movement, and a user interface coupled to the barrier and configured to receive input from a user. The user interface includes a screen to display visual content to the user, and an input device to generate an input signal in response to receiving user input. An orientation sensor determines an orientation of the screen based on movement of the deck section between the first position and the second position. A controller is configured to perform a function in response to receiving the input signal, and maintain a predetermined orientation of the visual content displayed on the screen as the screen moves with the deck section.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. A wheel drive system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel to rotate the auxiliary wheel relative to the base at a rotational speed. A throttle assembly having a throttle operably coupled to the actuator. The throttle is movable in a first position, a second position, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel changes in a non-linear manner with respect to movement of the throttle.

Abstract: Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the patient support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the patient support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface arranged for selective user engagement by a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine that the patient transport apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface, monitor the user interface for changes in user engagement by a user, and operate the drive system to decelerate the drive member to one of a plurality of positions based on the changes in user engagement.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient transport apparatus includes a throttle assembly, an auxiliary wheel assembly including an auxiliary wheel, an auxiliary wheel drive system, and a control system for operating the auxiliary wheel drive system based on user commands received from the throttle assembly. The control system includes a controller configured to detect a position of the throttle assembly, determine a desired rotational speed value associated with a current operating throttle position, determine a current rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel, select an acceleration rate based on the current rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel, generate an output signal based on the selected acceleration rate, and transmit the generated output signal to the motor control circuit to operate the motor to rotate the auxiliary wheel at the selected acceleration rate.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface for receiving user commands from a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of transition profiles and a controller configured to sense a plurality of positions of the drive member relative to the support structure, calculate a distance traveled by the patient support apparatus over the floor surface, compare the plurality of positions of the drive member and the distance traveled by the patient support apparatus with the transition profiles, and determine that the patient support apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface.

Abstract: Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient transport apparatus includes a throttle assembly, an auxiliary wheel assembly including an auxiliary wheel, an auxiliary wheel drive system, and a control system for operating the auxiliary wheel drive system based on user commands received from the throttle assembly. The control system includes a controller configured to detect a position of the throttle assembly, determine a desired rotational speed value associated with a current operating throttle position, determine a current rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel, select an acceleration rate based on the current rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel, generate an output signal based on the selected acceleration rate, and transmit the generated output signal to the motor control circuit to operate the motor to rotate the auxiliary wheel at the selected acceleration rate.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a throttle assembly arranged for rotation by a user between a maximum forward position and a maximum backward position to modulate propulsion via a wheel drive system. The throttle assembly includes a handle configured to be gripped by the user and a throttle arranged for user-selected rotation relative to the handle about a central axis between a maximum forward throttle position and a maximum backward throttle position. A damper assembly is interposed between the throttle and the handle to provide torque resisting rotation of the throttle as the throttle rotates relative to the handle.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface arranged for selective user engagement by a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine that the patient transport apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface, monitor the user interface for changes in user engagement by a user, and operate the drive system to decelerate the drive member to one of a plurality of positions based on the changes in user engagement.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface for receiving user commands from a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of transition profiles and a controller configured to sense a plurality of positions of the drive member relative to the support structure, calculate a distance traveled by the patient support apparatus over the floor surface, compare the plurality of positions of the drive member and the distance traveled by the patient support apparatus with the transition profiles, and determine that the patient support apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus is provided. The patient transport apparatus includes a support structure, a wheel, a wheel drive system, a throttle rotatable from a neutral throttle position to a plurality of throttle positions between a maximum forward throttle position and a maximum backward throttle position, a throttle sensor configured to generate a signal representing a rotational position of the throttle, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the wheel drive system to rotate the wheel in response to rotation of the throttle, monitor for a stuck throttle condition defined by the signal generated by the throttle sensor indicating that the throttle has persisted in a throttle position other than the maximum forward throttle position, the maximum backward throttle position, and the neutral throttle position for a predetermined period, and limit operation of the wheel drive system in response to detecting the stuck throttle condition.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus with a throttle arranged for rotation by a user between a maximum forward position and a maximum backward position to modulate propulsion via a wheel drive system. A biasing element urges the throttle toward a neutral position defined between the maximum forward and backward positions. A limiter restricts rotation of the throttle and includes a first surface. a second surface. and a guide arranged to abut the first surface to inhibit rotation beyond the maximum forward position and to abut the second surface to inhibit rotation beyond the maximum backward position. The guide is closer to the second surface than to the first surface in the neutral position such that rotation from the neutral position to the maximum forward position occurs along a first arc and rotation from the neutral position to the maximum backward position occurs along a second arc smaller than the first arc.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface arranged for selective user engagement by a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine that the patient transport apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface, monitor the user interface for changes in user engagement by a user, and operate the drive system to decelerate the drive member to one of a plurality of positions based on the changes in user engagement.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface for receiving user commands from a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of transition profiles and a controller configured to sense a plurality of positions of the drive member relative to the support structure, calculate a distance traveled by the patient support apparatus over the floor surface, compare the plurality of positions of the drive member and the distance traveled by the patient support apparatus with the transition profiles, and determine that the patient support apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus includes a support structure and a drive wheel assembly having at least one drive wheel, a powered drive system coupled to the at least one drive wheel, and at least two user input devices. The apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the powered drive system and user input devices configured to determine which one of the user input devices is active and operable to cause the powered drive system to rotate the drive wheel and to maintain the other user input device as inactive, or passive.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: An asset tracking system includes a camera adapted to capture images and output signals representative of the images. The camera may include one or more depth sensors that detect distances between the depth sensor and objects positioned within the field of view of the one or more cameras. A computer device processes the image signals and or depth signals from cameras and determines any one or more of the following: (a) whether a patient care protocol has been properly followed; (b) what condition a patient is in; (c) whether an infection control protocol has been properly followed; and (d) whether steps have been taken to reduce the risk of a patient from falling. Alerts may be issued if any conditions of importance are detected.