Abstract: A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.

Abstract: A hospital monitoring system for monitoring hospital personnel, a plurality of patient locations for patients, and associated devices is configured to control the associated devices based on the presence of hospital personnel or alarms.

Abstract: A system to reduce or eliminate the sill of dasher boards on the play area side of a transparent plane is disclosed. The system features spacers and extensions which support the transparent panes in a more inward position. The system can be installed initially or used to retrofit an arena. The system is suitable for straight and curved-corner portions of the boards assembly. The system is suitable for use with panes of tempered glass or of transparent plastic.

Abstract: A hydroelectric and geothermal system includes a fluid communication channel that includes a first portion that extends from the earth's surface toward a subterranean hot area, a second portion connected to the first portion and in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area, and a third portion connected to the second portion and that extends to the earth's surface. A first turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a fluid flowing substantially under the influence of gravity in the first portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. A second turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a vapor flowing within or out from the third portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. The system also includes a valve arrangement configured for manipulation to hold the fluid in the second portion of the fluid communication channel in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area to produce the vapor.

Abstract: A hospital bed obstacle detection device and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components of a hospital bed is provided.

Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, and a plurality of shape memory alloy segments in operative communication with the valve stem, wherein each shape memory alloy segment is individually actuatable, and wherein actuation of different shape memory alloy segments is configured to cause different valve lifts.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein related to person support apparatuses and systems, and in particular, to such apparatuses and systems that incorporate or are used with vital signs monitoring devices.

Abstract: A hospital bed obstacle detection device and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components of a hospital bed is provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a multiple-use, aquifer-based system includes pumping fluid out of an aquifer (or multiple aquifers) with a pump and selectively diverting the pumped fluid to a pumped-storage reservoir for subsequent return to the aquifer through a turbine to generate electricity hydroelectrically or to a fluid-utilizing system configured to utilize the pumped fluid in an application that is not related to the hydroelectric generation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein related to person support apparatuses and systems, and in particular, to such apparatuses and systems that incorporate or are used with vital signs monitoring devices.

Abstract: A hospital bed obstacle detection device and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components of a hospital bed is provided.

Abstract: A method for assessing the status of a piezoelectric sensor of interest is disclosed. The sensor of interest is located adjacent a surface of a mattress supporting a person. In some instances, the sensor of interest may be coupled to a mattress or coupled to a bed frame that supports the mattress. The method involves analyzing the complex impedance of the excited sensor relative to a complex impedance profile. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a collection of water at a first elevation, an aquifer at a second elevation lower than the first elevation and one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid communication between the collection of water and the aquifer. A turbine-generator is in one of the fluid communication channels to convert kinetic energy of fluid that has flown out of the collection of water into electrical energy. A fluid collection area is downstream of the turbine-generator that at least temporarily collects fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator. An injection pump is provided to pump fluid that has accumulated in the collection area into the aquifer.

Abstract: A method and system for remote diagnostic monitoring of a healthcare device, for example, a patient support system. The system includes a communication device configured to transmit sensor data received from a sensor system coupled to the patient support system and configured to generate sensor data relating to diagnostic information of the healthcare device. The communication device can also be configured to receive configuration data for configuring at least one of the healthcare device and the sensor system. The monitoring device is located geographically distant from the healthcare device, is coupled to the communication adapter by a datalink, for example, a telecommunication network, and is configured to receive the sensor data. The monitoring device is configured to determine, based on the received data, whether service or replacement of the healthcare device or a portion thereof is indicated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, beds, supports surfaces and machine readable medium for associating beds and support surface of a healthcare facility are disclosed. A surface association system for a healthcare facility may comprise a plurality of beds. The system may further comprise a computing device and a plurality of support surfaces to be placed upon beds of the plurality of beds. The computing device may associate a support surface of the plurality of support surfaces with a bed of the plurality of beds. The computing device may make the association based upon status data received from the plurality of beds and the plurality of support surfaces. The support surface and/or bed to be associated may initiate a surface association request. The computing device, in response to the surface association request, may request performance of one or more actions on the bed and/or support surface to be associated to identify the bed and/or support surface from the beds and support surfaces of the healthcare facility.

Abstract: A system to reduce or eliminate the sill of dasher boards on the play area side of a transparent plane is disclosed. The system features spacers and extensions which support the transparent panes in a more inward position. The system can be installed initially or used to retrofit an arena. The system is suitable for straight and curved-corner portions of the boards assembly. The system is suitable for use with panes of tempered glass or of transparent plastic.

Abstract: A system includes an aquifer and a source of fluid external to the aquifer. A fluid communication channel extends between the source of fluid and the aquifer. Fluid can flow from the source of fluid to the aquifer through the fluid communication channel. An engine-generator is arranged to convert energy of the flowing fluid into electrical energy. No pumps are provided to move fluid from the aquifer to the source of fluid.

Abstract: A system for use with a hospital bed having circuitry and a standard AC power outlet spaced from the hospital bed is provided. The system includes a cable assembly couplable to the circuitry of the hospital bed. The cable assembly has power conductors and at least one data conductor. The cable assembly also has a plug including a first power coupler coupled to the power conductors and a first data coupler coupled to the at least one data conductor. The system also includes a second data coupler mountable adjacent the standard AC power outlet. The second data coupler is configured to couple to the first data coupler when the first power coupler is coupled to the standard AC power outlet.