Patents by Inventor William D. Childs

William D. Childs 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: 20210220071
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coupling system for coupling a medical accessory to an accessory support is provided. The present disclosure also provides a system for powering a medical accessory with an accessory support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Brian J. Tessmer, Connor F. St. John, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Isaac A. Schaberg, Zachary J. Sadler, Kirby M. Neihouser
  • Patent number: 11039964
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure comprising a patient support surface. A wheel assembly comprises a base wheel having an outer periphery rotatably coupled to the support structure about a base rotational axis. The wheel assembly also comprises a plurality of peripheral wheels disposed about the outer periphery to rotate about a plurality of peripheral rotational axes. The wheel assembly comprises a motion control device configured to selectively control rotation of the peripheral wheels independent of rotation of the base wheel about the base rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Anish Paul, William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore
  • Patent number: 11000340
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coupling system for coupling a medical accessory to an accessory support is provided. The present disclosure also provides a system for powering a medical accessory with an accessory support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Brian J. Tessmer, Connor F. St. John, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Isaac A. Schaberg, Zachary J. Sadler, Kirby M. Neihouser
  • Publication number: 20210100706
    Abstract: A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support surface supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. Multiple input devices are employed to control the powered devices. The input devices are designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices, as needed, while freeing the caregivers to perform other tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Connor F. St. John, Brian J. Tessmer, Krishna S. Bhimavarapu
  • Patent number: 10905520
    Abstract: An autonomous accessory support and system for transporting a medical accessory for delivering therapy that is coupled to a patient via a medical line. The autonomous accessory support comprises an accessory post for supporting the medical accessory. A movement module supports the accessory post for moving the accessory post relative to the patient. A tracking module is configured to track movement of the patient or a patient support apparatus relative to the autonomous accessory support and provide a tracking input signal. A controller is in electronic communication with the movement module and the tracking module. The controller controls the movement module to reduce actual patient proximity to a target patient proximity being a distance between the accessory support and the patient or the patient support apparatus sufficient to prevent tensioning of the medical line beyond a tension threshold. The distance may be a selectable preset distance maintained by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Annie Désaulniers, William D. Childs, Michael Lau, Connor F. St. John, Krishna Bhimavarapu, Christopher R. Sweeney, Joshua E. Mix
  • Patent number: 10905606
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs
  • Patent number: 10905609
    Abstract: A patient support system comprises a patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support surface supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. Multiple input devices are employed to control the powered devices. The input devices are designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices, as needed, while freeing the caregivers to perform other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Connor F. St. John, Brian J. Tessmer, Krishna S. Bhimavarapu
  • Publication number: 20200261287
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Brian Tessmer, Marco Constant
  • Publication number: 20200237595
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a base, an intermediate frame arranged for movement relative to the base, a support deck disposed on the intermediate frame to provide support for a patient, and a telescoping assembly operatively attached to the intermediate frame. The telescoping assembly comprises a support movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, a lock operable to releasably hold the support in the extended position, and an accessory manually movable by a user relative to the support between a stowed position and a use position. The accessory comprises a deactivator operable to deactivate the lock remotely from the user in response to the user manually moving the accessory relative to the support toward the stowed position thereby enabling movement of the support from the extended position to the collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael William Graves, Richard A. Derenne, William D. Childs, Bryan E. Garfoot
  • Publication number: 20200197242
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs
  • Patent number: 10682269
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the surface to assist caregivers. The auxiliary wheel assembly comprises auxiliary wheels and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheels. A controller adjusts the actuator based on input from a sensing system so that frictional forces acting between the auxiliary wheels and the surface are sufficient for steering and maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, without sacrificing stability of the patient transport apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Brian Tessmer, Marco Constant
  • Publication number: 20200170744
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coupling system for coupling a medical accessory to an accessory support is provided. The present disclosure also provides a system for powering a medical accessory with an accessory support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Brian J. Tessmer, Connor F. St. John, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Isaac A. Schaberg, Zachary J. Sadler, Kirby M. Neihouser
  • Patent number: 10660809
    Abstract: A telescoping assembly for use on a patient support apparatus. The telescoping assembly comprises an accessory and a telescoping support slidable to extend the accessory. A locking device releasably holds the telescoping support in the extended position. The accessory is manually movable by a user between a stowed position and a use position. The accessory comprises a deactivator portion operable to deactivate the locking device remotely in response to the user manually moving the accessory relative to the telescoping support toward the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael William Graves, Richard A. Derenne, William D. Childs, Bryan E. Garfoot
  • Patent number: 10610426
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs
  • Patent number: 10582981
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coupling system for coupling a medical accessory to an accessory support is provided. The present disclosure also provides a system for powering a medical accessory with an accessory support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Brian J. Tessmer, Connor F. St. John, Krishna S. Bhimavarapu, Isaac A. Schaberg, Zachary J. Sadler, Kirby M. Neihouser
  • Publication number: 20190240090
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs
  • Patent number: 10292877
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs, Kurosh Nahavandi, Clifford E. Lambarth
  • Publication number: 20180289567
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the surface to assist caregivers. The auxiliary wheel assembly comprises auxiliary wheels and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheels. A controller adjusts the actuator based on input from a sensing system so that frictional forces acting between the auxiliary wheels and the surface are sufficient for steering and maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, without sacrificing stability of the patient transport apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Brian Tessmer, Marco Constant
  • Publication number: 20180250178
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure comprising a patient support surface. A wheel assembly comprises a base wheel having an outer periphery rotatably coupled to the support structure about a base rotational axis. The wheel assembly also comprises a plurality of peripheral wheels disposed about the outer periphery to rotate about a plurality of peripheral rotational axes. The wheel assembly comprises a motion control device configured to selectively control rotation of the peripheral wheels independent of rotation of the base wheel about the base rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Anish Paul, William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore
  • Patent number: 10045893
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the surface to assist caregivers. The auxiliary wheel assembly comprises auxiliary wheels and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheels. A controller adjusts the actuator based on input from a sensing system so that frictional forces acting between the auxiliary wheels and the surface are sufficient for steering and maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, without sacrificing stability of the patient transport apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Brian Tessmer, Marco Constant