Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Heil

Thomas F. Heil 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).

  • Publication number: 20190209391
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10299968
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10290071
    Abstract: A care system includes a mobile communication device, a remote server, and a patient support system in communication with either or both of the mobile communication device and the remote server. The mobile communication device operates as a user interface for the patient support system. The remote server provides computing power for the patient support system for resource intensive computing tasks. A system for use in a healthcare facility includes patient care devices located in a patient room. The system also includes an application server located remotely from the patient room. The application server stores application software associated with each patient care device. The system further includes a universal caregiver interface situated in the patient room and in communication with the application server. The universal caregiver interface receives application software from the application server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Eric D. Agdeppa, Steven A. Dixon, Charles A. Howell, Thomas M. Gillis, Benjamin E. Howell, Christian Saucier, Kelli F. Rempel, Keith A. Huster, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Andrew S. Robinson, Mary L. Butler, Bryan J. Bello, Michael S. Hood, Frederick C. Davidson, David M. Girardeau
  • Publication number: 20190117152
    Abstract: A therapeutic support apparatus includes a user support surface extending along a longitudinal axis. The user support surface has a head section and a torso section. Each of the head section and the torso section are operable to angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An elevation unit is operable to position at least one of the head section and torso section at angles relative to the longitudinal axis. A monitor acquires data related to a user while sleeping on the user support surface. An alarm is operable to activate based on the data acquired by the monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: David L. RIBBLE, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Craig M. MEYERSON, Thomas F. HEIL
  • Publication number: 20190099007
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a bed assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bed assembly that is compatible with a traditional consumer bed and can enhance the traditional consumer bed so it provides features of a traditional hospital bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: David L. RIBBLE, Thomas F. HEIL, Brian L. LAWRENCE, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Craig M. MEYERSON
  • Publication number: 20190076311
    Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Fred J. HERMAN, Thomas F. HEIL, Charles A. HOWELL
  • Publication number: 20190015274
    Abstract: A lateral rotation apparatus may include a person support surface having a head segment and a torso segment. An adjustable leg may have a head support positioned below the head segment. The adjustable leg may have a torso support positioned below the torso segment. The head support may be adjustable to rotate the head segment. The torso support may be adjustable to rotate the torso segment. A linkage assembly may be coupled to the head support and the torso support. The linkage assembly may have a sliding link that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The sliding link may also be rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An actuator is operable to move the sliding link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: David L. RIBBLE, Kirsten M. EMMONS, Thomas F. HEIL
  • Patent number: 10176700
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing data communication and power to a device located in a room having a power outlet is disclosed. The power outlet may be a standard AC outlet, for example. The apparatus includes a cable extending from the device and having a plug comprising a plug body. Prongs extend from the plug body and couple to the power outlet to receive power. A first near field communication antenna is carried by the plug body. A communication module has a second near field communication antenna and is located in the room in proximity to the plug. At least one of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna communicates data wirelessly to the other of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A Dixon, Keith A Huster, Irvin J Vanderpohl, III, Thomas F Heil, Richard J Schuman, Christopher K Lack
  • Patent number: 10123925
    Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20180296401
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10022277
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10026505
    Abstract: A care system including a medical device, a mobile computing device, and a information system. The medical device configured to generate data graphics to transfer information from the medical device to the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Lack, Steven A. Dixon, Todd P. O'Neal, David L. Ribble, Thomas F. Heil, James M. Allen
  • Publication number: 20180039743
    Abstract: Systems and methods of associating beds and/or rooms and/or patients are provided. One system and method involves using a signature of emitted light to determine a location of a patient bed in a healthcare facility. Another system and method involves reading a bar code from an array of redundant bar codes. Still another system and method involves manually entering location information on a graphical user interface of a patient bed for subsequent transmission. A further system and method involves sending bed ID and location ID along parallel paths from two independent circuits on a patient bed for receipt by two different transceivers and ultimately by two different remote computers that cooperate to associate the bed ID with the location ID. Still a further system and method involves using circuitry on a bed to mutate a received location ID and a bed ID into a single unique mutated ID such as by adding the location ID and bed ID and then performing a hashing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Michael A. Hood, James M. Allen, John D. Christie, Jack Barney Sing, Dan R. Tallent, Umesh J. Rajani, Clay G. Owsley, Thomas F. Heil, Richard Joseph Schuman, SR., Timothy D. Wildman
  • Patent number: 9830424
    Abstract: Systems and methods of associating beds and/or rooms and/or patients are provided. One system and method involves using a signature of emitted light to determine a location of a patient bed in a healthcare facility. Another system and method involves reading a bar code from an array of redundant bar codes. Still another system and method involves manually entering location information on a graphical user interface of a patient bed for subsequent transmission. A further system and method involves sending bed ID and location ID along parallel paths from two independent circuits on a patient bed for receipt by two different transceivers and ultimately by two different remote computers that cooperate to associate the bed ID with the location ID. Still a further system and method involves using circuitry on a bed to mutate a received location ID and a bed ID into a single unique mutated ID such as by adding the location ID and bed ID and then performing a hashing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Alan Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Michael S. Hood, James Maurice Allen, John D. Christie, Jack Barney Sing, Dan R. Tallent, Clay Gerome Owsley, Umesh Jairamdas Rajani, Thomas F. Heil, Richard Joseph Schuman, Sr., Timothy D. Wildman
  • Publication number: 20170319412
    Abstract: A siderail assembly for a person support apparatus comprises a siderail body, a grip portion, and a power communication device. The siderail body includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface extending between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface defines a perimeter of the siderail body. The grip portion includes a siderail opening through a portion of the siderail body. The grip opening has an upper grip opening portion that cooperates with the side surface to define a grip. The power communication device is configured to communicate power wirelessly to a device in communication therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell
  • Patent number: 9700247
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes one or more readers and/or sensing devices to receive data that can be use to verify the identity of persons or objects, such as patients, caregivers, and medications. The sensing devices may include, for example, a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, a bar code reader, a camera, a microphone, or a combination thereof. The patient support apparatus may use identity verification information obtained from these devices for a number of different purposes, including, for example, managing the delivery of therapy, medication, or treatment to a patient associated with the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, David L. Ribble, Todd P. O'Neal, Christopher K. Lack, James M. Allen, Thomas F. Heil
  • Publication number: 20170065464
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas F. HEIL, Steven Alan DIXON, Laetitia GAZAGNES, Timothy A. LANE, II, David Lance RIBBLE, Varad Narayan SRIVASTAVA, Charles A. LACHENBRUCH, Michael Scott HOOD, Charles A. HOWELL, Kirsten M. EMMONS
  • Publication number: 20160374626
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method of interrogating a sensor to detect the presence of moisture on an occupant support comprises the steps of A) providing a moisture responsive sensor in a surveillance zone of the occupant support, the sensor being tuned to a center frequency; B) exciting the sensor with an electromagnetic signal having a frequency approximately equal to the center frequency; C) monitoring for a center frequency response from the sensor; D) comparing the center frequency response to an expected center frequency response; and E) if the center frequency response compares favorably to an expected center frequency response, issuing a first output consistent with the favorable comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven A. Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, David L. Ribble, Varad N. Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20160358452
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing data communication and power to a device located in a room having a power outlet is disclosed. The power outlet may be a standard AC outlet, for example. The apparatus includes a cable extending from the device and having a plug comprising a plug body. Prongs extend from the plug body and couple to the power outlet to receive power. A first near field communication antenna is carried by the plug body. A communication module has a second near field communication antenna and is located in the room in proximity to the plug. At least one of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna communicates data wirelessly to the other of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Thomas F. Heil, Richard J. Schuman, Christopher K. Lack
  • Patent number: 9466877
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing data communication and power to a device located in a room having a power outlet is disclosed. The power outlet may be a standard AC outlet, for example. The apparatus includes a cable extending from the device and having a plug comprising a plug body. Prongs extend from the plug body and couple to the power outlet to receive power. A first near field communication antenna is carried by the plug body. A communication module has a second near field communication antenna and is located in the room in proximity to the plug. At least one of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna communicates data wirelessly to the other of the first near field communication antenna and the second near field communication antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Dixon, Keith A. Huster, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Thomas F. Heil, Richard J. Schuman, Christopher K. Lack