Abstract: An occupant support suite comprises a bed (20) an acoustic sensor (110, 110A) associated with the bed for receiving an acoustic signature (160) corresponding to a stand alone device (150) and a processor (112, 112A) for comparing the signature to a library (116) of reference signatures, and, if the comparison is satisfactory, issuing a notification (208) to the bed, to an off-bed destination (210) or to both. A related method for responding to the acoustic signature comprises receiving (200) the signature, determining if the signature compares satisfactorily (204, 206) to a reference signature and, if so, issuing a notification (208) to an occupant support, to an off-support destination (210) or to both. Another related method for responding to the acoustic signature comprises receiving the signature and causing the occupant support to undergo a change of state from an initial state causally unrelated to the defined condition to a changed state.

Abstract: A care delivery system includes a bed (20) having a bed-side interface unit (B), an appliance set (90) comprising one or more appliances (99) and two or more appliance-side interface units (A) distributed among the appliances, and a set (124) of one or more adaptors (126) each having a host interface unit (H) compatible with the bed-side interface unit, and a client interface unit (C). Each adaptor is arranged to accommodate fluid flow between its host interface unit and its client interface unit. Each client interface unit of the adaptor set, taken individually, is compatible with at least one but fewer than all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set and, taken collectively, are compatible with all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set. The system also includes an appliance annunciator (140) and an appliance discriminator (76) responsive to the annunciator thereby configuring the system for the pneumatic demands of the appliance.

Abstract: An occupant support 20 augmented with a detection system for assessing the condition of an occupant includes first and second detectors 58, 62 for detecting presence of the occupant, an occupancy detector for determining if the occupant is occupying the occupant support and an analyzer for assessing whether a presence indication from each of the first and second detectors and an occupancy indication from the occupancy detector correspond to a satisfactory condition of the occupant or an unsatisfactory condition of the occupant. A presence detection system for determining the condition of a target comprises a first and second detectors for detecting presence of the target in first and second regions, and an analyzer for assessing whether presence indications established by the presence detectors correspond to a satisfactory condition of the target or an unsatisfactory condition of the target.

Abstract: An occupant support (30) such as a hospital bed comprises a support structure (56), at least one component of which has a variable profile, an actuation system (100) for varying the profile, and a controller (150) responsive to prescribed profile cycle parameters for commanding the actuation system to effect a cyclic variation in the profile. A mattress (110) comprises a primary support (114) and an elevator (206) above the primary support. The elevator has a deflated state in which it cooperates with the primary support to provide popliteal support to a supine occupant of the mattress. The elevator also has an inflated state in which it withholds popliteal support. Another mattress (110) comprises individual bladders (114), some of which are cyclically inflatable and deflatable. When inflated, the bladders cooperate with the other bladders to provide popliteal support for a supine occupant.

Abstract: An occupant support includes a mattress 20, a detector 54 and an energy management system comprising thermally conductive pathways and a controller 60. The controller activates one or more selected pathways in response to information from the detector to regulate energy transfer at a detected region of risk 66 on the mattress.

Abstract: A mattress for use on a bed frame has a lower body section 42 and a upper body section 40. The mattress upper body section is orientation adjustable in as a function of the orientation of the upper body section of the frame upon which the mattress rests. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable as a function of the orientation of the mattress upper body section without being dependent on profile adjustment of the lower body section of the frame. A mattress replacement system includes a mattress having an orientation adjustable upper body section and a lower body section. The mattress replacement system also includes an angular orientation sensor 58 for determining the orientation of the upper body section. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable in response to the determined orientation of the mattress upper body section.

Abstract: A bed frame includes a weight bearing framework 30, and a footboard 82 that cooperates with the framework to define an edge 90 of an occupant region 92 of the bed. The footboard 82 includes a footboard frame 100 and a pressurizable cushion 104. A mattress system 160 includes a main occupant support portion 162 with a support surface 168 and a cushion 170 located footwardly of the occupant support portion. The cushion has a deployed state in which it projects vertically higher than the support surface and a stored state in which it does not project vertically higher than the support surface.

Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a sound generating device, a user interface, and a controller. The sound generating device is configured to generate an audible sound. The user interface is configured to receive an input from a user. The input corresponds to at least one of a sound conditioning system mode and an audible sound adjustment. The controller is electrically coupled to the sound generating device and the user interface. The controller is configured to control the operation of the sound generating device in accordance with the input from the user interface.

Abstract: A patient position-activated room device control apparatus coupled to a patient's bed controls a device associated with a patient's room in response to the patient changing position relative to the patient's bed.

Abstract: A mattress for use on a bed frame has a lower body section 42 and a upper body section 40. The mattress upper body section is orientation adjustable in as a function of the orientation of the upper body section of the frame upon which the mattress rests. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable as a function of the orientation of the mattress upper body section without being dependent on profile adjustment of the lower body section of the frame. A mattress replacement system includes a mattress having an orientation adjustable upper body section and a lower body section. The mattress replacement system also includes an angular orientation sensor 58 for determining the orientation of the upper body section. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable in response to the determined orientation of the mattress upper body section.

Abstract: An occupant support 20 augmented with a detection system for assessing the condition of an occupant includes first and second detectors 58, 62 for detecting presence of the occupant, an occupancy detector for determining if the occupant is occupying the occupant support and an analyzer for assessing whether a presence indication from each of the first and second detectors and an occupancy indication from the occupancy detector correspond to a satisfactory condition of the occupant or an unsatisfactory condition of the occupant. A presence detection system for determining the condition of a target comprises a first and second detectors for detecting presence of the target in first and second regions, and an analyzer for assessing whether presence indications established by the presence detectors correspond to a satisfactory condition of the target or an unsatisfactory condition of the target.

Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a sound generating device, a user interface, and a controller. The sound generating device is configured to generate an audible sound. The user interface is configured to receive an input from a user. The input corresponds to at least one of a sound conditioning system mode and an audible sound adjustment. The controller is electrically coupled to the sound generating device and the user interface. The controller is configured to control the operation of the sound generating device in accordance with the input from the user interface.

Abstract: One embodiment of a topper for a bed includes a liner assembly 40 having a top liner 42, a bottom liner 44 and a slip liner 70 underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. An apron 62, with openings 76 therein, extends from the perimeter of the liners. Another embodiment includes a liner assembly having a top liner, a bottom liner and a slip liner underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. Bridge straps 98, or 98? having a working length of at least the width of a host mattress minus the arm length of a fifth percentile female extend from the liner assembly.

Abstract: One embodiment of a topper for a bed includes a liner assembly 40 having a top liner 42, a bottom liner 44 and a slip liner 70 underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. An apron 62, with openings 76 therein, extends from the perimeter of the liners. Another embodiment includes a liner assembly having a top liner, a bottom liner and a slip liner underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. Bridge straps 98, or 98? having a working length of at least the width of a host mattress minus the arm length of a fifth percentile female extend from the liner assembly.

Abstract: An occupant transfer device 34 for use on a host mattress 20 having a top side 22 and a flank 24 is in the form of a fitted sheet. The device has a top 36 for covering the top side of the mattress and a skirt 38 extending from the top. The top and skirt each have an occupant side 40, 44 and a mattress side 42, 46. Substantially all of the mattress side of the top exhibits relatively low friction; the occupant side of at least the top exhibits relatively higher friction.