Patents by Inventor Robert M. Zerhusen

Robert M. Zerhusen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • USER INTERFACE FOR HOSPITAL BED
    Publication number: 20140137025
    Abstract: A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: David C. NEWKIRK, Robert M. ZERHUSEN, John B. WILKER, JR., James M. ALLEN, Douglas A. SEIM, Irvin J. VANDERPOHL, III
  • PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20140124274
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Robert M. ZERHUSEN, James M. ALLEN, Jennifer FEARING, Mark CHIACCHIRA
  • Wireless control system for a patient support apparatus
    Patent number: 8710950
    Abstract: A wireless control system includes a device for sending a wireless signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and circuitry for processing the wireless signal. The circuitry includes a learn mode in which a device is associated with the control signal to the exclusion of commands from other devices not associated with the circuitry. The device transmits a wireless signal redundantly over a plurality of frequencies. The control system may chooses a signal frequency and receiver combination to maintain a quality signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Lubbers, Matthew C. Visca, Brian Hoffman, James L. Walke, Robert M. Zerhusen, James K. Findlay
  • Core instability system
    Patent number: 8701230
    Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
  • PATIENT MOBILITY SURFACE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140066815
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a control system that measures changes in the pressure of one or more zones of a patient supporting surface and utilizes the changes in pressure to determine the mobility of a person supported on the patient supporting surface. The mobility of the person may be measured using one of several methods. The mobility measurement results in the determination of a mobility score. The mobility score is graphically displayed on a user interface that is interactive and allows a user to view additional information besides the mobility score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel L. WILLIAMSON, Robert M. Zerhusen, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Timothy J. Receveur, Nicholas C. Batta, Yaoning Wu
  • PATIENT SUPPORT WITH A MICROCLIMATE SYSTEM AND A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20140059766
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a surface and a pneumatic system cooperating to provide a microclimate system for reducing moisture at the interface of a patient and the surface. The patient support apparatus further includes a graphical user interface and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust operation of the microclimate system in response to sensor outputs from sensors included in the microclimate system and caregiver inputs from the graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Luke GIBSON, Rachel L. WILLIAMSON, Robert M. ZERHUSEN, Charles A. LACHENBRUCH, Timothy J. RECEVEUR, Nicholas C. BATTA
  • PATIENT POSITION DETECTION FOR PATIENT SUPPORT SURFACE
    Publication number: 20140059770
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface to support a patient. The patient support surface has at least one air bladder that is inflated and/or deflated to achieve a turn assist function and/or a therapy function of the patient support surface. A graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to receive user inputs from a caregiver to initiate the turn assist or therapy functions. The patient support apparatus has control circuitry coupled to the GUI. The GUI is controlled by the control circuitry to display information indicating that the patient is improperly positioned on the patient support surface for either the turn assist function or the therapy function. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry indicates that the patient is improperly positioned for raising a head section of a bed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Rachel L. Williamson, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Timothy J. Receveur, Robert M. Zerhusen
  • Patient-support apparatus with a locking deck section
    Patent number: 8640287
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck movable from a use position to a stowed position. The patient-support deck is configured to engage receivers of the patient-support apparatus to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism. A storage structure is configured to support the patient-support deck in a stowed position. The storage structure is configured to deflect under load to prevent damage to the storage structure or patient-support deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Wukusick, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jerome E. Reckelhoff, Francis C. Ganance, Robert Cooks, Jr., Robert M. Zerhusen, Mark E. Haufler, Darrell L. Metz, Kenneth Q. Rudolf, Stephen M. Holl, Richard W. Chance, David W. Hornbach, John P. Biondo, James K. Findlay, David W. Hensley
  • Optical detector at point of care
    Patent number: 8616438
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. The optical detector secured to the barrier and configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor. The memory unit stores a unique identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receiving a signal from the optical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector and performing a set of instructions in response to the optical detector communicating the data, the set of instructions performed by the processor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Stephen C. Flint, Dan R. Tallent, Jack B. Sing, Keith A. Huster
  • PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20130340169
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. ZERHUSEN, James M. Allen, Jennifer FEARING, Mark CHIACCHIRA
  • USER INTERFACE FOR POWER DRIVE SYSTEM OF A PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20130318710
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a patient support coupled to the frame, a plurality of casters and a wheel coupled to the frame, a motor coupled to the wheel and operable to rotate the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along a floor, and an electrical system comprising a controller configured to signal operation of the motor to rotate the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. The electrical system further includes user inputs adjacent at least one end of the frame and adjacent at least one side of the frame. The user inputs including forward and reverse switches that are engaged to determine whether the patient support apparatus is propelled in a forward direction or a rearward direction, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hamberg, Robert M. Zerhusen, Christian H. Reinke
  • User interface for hospital bed
    Patent number: 8572778
    Abstract: A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, John B. Wilker, Jr., James M. Allen, Robert M. Zerhusen, Douglas A. Seim, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III
  • User interface for power drive system of a patient support apparatus
    Patent number: 8474073
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a patient support coupled to the frame, a plurality of casters and a wheel coupled to the frame, a motor coupled to the wheel and operable to rotate the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along a floor, and an electrical system comprising a controller configured to signal operation of the motor to rotate the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. The electrical system further includes user inputs adjacent at least one end of the frame and adjacent at least one side of the frame. The user inputs including forward and reverse switches that are engaged to determine whether the patient support apparatus is propelled in a forward direction or a rearward direction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hamberg, Robert M. Zerhusen, Christian H. Reinke
  • EGRESS ASSIST FOOTBOARD
    Publication number: 20130160210
    Abstract: An endboard for a person-support apparatus comprises an endboard assembly including a first endboard body rotatably coupled to a frame and a second endboard body rotatably coupled to the first endboard body by a locking mechanism. The second endboard body is configured to be movable between a storage position and a deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the second endboard body in at least one of the storage position and the deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The second endboard body is configured to assist a person during at least one of ingress and egress to/from the frame when the second endboard body is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Jack Barney Sing
  • SIDERAIL WITH STORAGE AREA
    Publication number: 20130146601
    Abstract: A person-support apparatus can include a frame and a siderail. The frame is configured to support a person thereon. The siderail is coupled to the frame. The siderail includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is oriented such that the first surface faces towards a person supported on the person-support apparatus and the second surface is oriented such that the second surface faces away from the person supported on the person-support apparatus. At least one of the first surface and the second surface has a recessed portion that defines a storage area configured to receive and removably retain one or more objects therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Charles A. Howell, Michelle L. Kovach, Timothy A. Stanley
  • CORE INSTABILITY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130103421
    Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
  • MULTI-DIRECTIONAL OPTICAL READER FOR A PATIENT SUPPORT
    Publication number: 20130048705
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support, a multi-directional optical reader, and a control system. The multi-directional optical reader is secured to the patient support and configured to detect a first indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the multi-directional optical reader, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory stores an identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receives a signal from the multi-directional optical reader indicative of data from the first indicia detected by the multi-directional optical detector. In response to receiving the signal, the processor performs a set of instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, Robert M. Zerhusen
  • Egress assist footboard
    Patent number: 8381337
    Abstract: An endboard for a person-support apparatus comprises an endboard assembly including a first endboard body rotatably coupled to a frame and a second endboard body rotatably coupled to the first endboard body by a locking mechanism. The second endboard body is configured to be movable between a storage position and a deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the second endboard body in at least one of the storage position and the deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The second endboard body is configured to assist a person during at least one of ingress and egress to/from the frame when the second endboard body is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Jack Barney Sing
  • Birthing bed lift off foot section
    Patent number: 8327480
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes receivers for supporting a patient-support deck. The patient-support deck is configured to engage the receivers to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis C Ganance, Robert Cooks, Jr., Kenneth L Kramer, Jerome E Reckelhoff, Peter M Wukusick, Robert M Zerhusen, Mark E Haufler, Darrell L Metz, Kenneth Q Rudolf, Stephen M Holl, Richard W Chance, David W Hornbach, John P Biondo
  • OPTICAL DETECTOR AT POINT OF CARE
    Publication number: 20120248181
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. The optical detector secured to the barrier and configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor. The memory unit stores a unique identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receiving a signal from the optical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector and performing a set of instructions in response to the optical detector communicating the data, the set of instructions performed by the processor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert M. ZERHUSEN, Stephen C. FLINT, Dan R. TALLENT, Jack B. SING, Keith A. HUSTER