Abstract: A hospital bed includes a frame, a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, and a slide mechanism. Each patient support panel includes a central section and at least one coplanar side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section, where the at least one coplanar side section is slidably connected to the corresponding central section. The slide mechanism allows sliding movement of the at least one side section relative to the corresponding central section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a patient support apparatus, and more particularly to an ICU bed. The invention also relates to a frame assembly and to a foot extension for such patient apparatus. The invention further relates to a mattress for a patient support apparatus, such as a therapeutic mattress for an ICU bed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a patient support apparatus to a hospital network and locating the patient support apparatus are provided. A patient support apparatus is associated with a communication device having a first and second communication interface for transmitting and/or receiving a first and second type of wireless signal. The patient support apparatus is electrically connected to a node serving as a power output and a wireless communication system connected to the hospital network. In response to the electrical connection, the communication device activates the first communication interface to form a wireless link with the node. In response to the patient support apparatus being electrically disconnected from the node, the communication device activates the second communication interface. The patient support apparatus is located by the node based on the second type of wireless signal.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a patient support apparatus to a hospital network and locating the patient support apparatus are provided. A patient support apparatus is associated with a communication device having a first and second communication interface for transmitting and/or receiving a first and second type of wireless signal. The patient support apparatus is electrically connected to a node serving as a power output and a wireless communication system connected to the hospital network. In response to the electrical connection, the communication device activates the first communication interface to form a wireless link with the node. In response to the patient support apparatus being electrically disconnected from the node, the communication device activates the second communication interface. The patient support apparatus is located by the node based on the second type of wireless signal.

Abstract: A mattress for a patient support apparatus has a cover having bottom and top surfaces, and an inflatable section disposed between the bottom and top surfaces. The inflatable section has a plurality of upper bladders in fluid communication with each other and a plurality of lower bladders in fluid communication with each other. The upper and lower bladders are selectively inflated independently from each other. The upper and lower bladders are formed by three sheets including an upper sheet, a lower sheet disposed below the upper sheet, and an intermediate sheet disposed between the upper and lower sheets. The upper sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the upper bladders between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet. The lower sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the lower bladders between the lower sheet and the intermediate sheet. Other aspects of the mattress are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjusting system for adjusting a configuration of a bed, the bed comprising a central frame and a side panel movable relative to the central frame, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjusting system is provided with a clutch assembly. In another embodiment, the adjusting system is provided with a telescopic handle assembly.

Abstract: A backrest pivoting system can have a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest can pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. A backrest pivoting system can include an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a patient support apparatus to a hospital network and locating the patient support apparatus are provided. A patient support apparatus is associated with a communication device having a first and second communication interface for transmitting and/or receiving a first and second type of wireless signal. The patient support apparatus is electrically connected to a node serving as a power output and a wireless communication system connected to the hospital network. In response to the electrical connection, the communication device activates the first communication interface to form a wireless link with the node. In response to the patient support apparatus being electrically disconnected from the node, the communication device activates the second communication interface. The patient support apparatus is located by the node based on the second type of wireless signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed, upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area, upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected, and after monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area and further upon receiving a pause command, suspending monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed, upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area, upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected, and after monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area and further upon receiving a pause command, suspending monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed.

Abstract: A hospital bed height limiting system comprising a processing unit operatively connected to each of a user interface, an elevation mechanism of the hospital bed and a height sensor. The processing unit is operable to receive a minimum height via the user interface and receive from the height sensor a current elevation mechanism height. The processing unit is operable to determine the bed height based on the current elevation mechanism height, and in response to the bed height being equal to the minimum height, the processing unit is operable to cause the elevation mechanism to stop a downward movement of the elevation mechanism. A hospital bed comprising the hospital bed height limiting system is also provided.

Abstract: A backrest pivoting system can have a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest can pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. A backrest pivoting system can include an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: An adjusting system for adjusting a configuration of a bed, the bed comprising a central frame and a side panel movable relative to the central frame, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjusting system is provided with a clutch assembly. In another embodiment, the adjusting system is provided with a telescopic handle assembly.

Abstract: A hospital bed height limiting system comprising a processing unit operatively connected to each of a user interface, an elevation mechanism of the hospital bed and a height sensor. The processing unit is operable to receive a minimum height via the user interface and receive from the height sensor a current elevation mechanism height. The processing unit is operable to determine the bed height based on the current elevation mechanism height, and in response to the bed height being equal to the minimum height, the processing unit is operable to cause the elevation mechanism to stop a downward movement of the elevation mechanism. A hospital bed comprising the hospital bed height limiting system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed, upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area, upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected, and after monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area and further upon receiving a pause command, suspending monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed; upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area; upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed. There is further provided a method for limiting a height of a hospital bed and a method for recalibrating a tare weight condition of a hospital bed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed; upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area; upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed. There is further provided a method for limiting a height of a hospital bed and a method for recalibrating a tare weight condition of a hospital bed.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.