14281results about "Beds" patented technology

A patient safety system including an adjustable bed and a patient monitoring system is disclosed herein. The adjustable bed can automatically adjust to a safe default configuration when the safety system detects that a care provider has left the patient's room or when the safety system detects that the patient is trying to leave the bed. The patient monitoring system can send an alert to the care provider and / or sound an alarm if the patient tries to leave the bed and a care provider is not present with the patient.

A cushioning element that has a number of substantially parallel elongate columns which buckle under an appropriate load. The cushioning element may be formed from a soft, easily deformable elastic or visco-elastic cushioning media. As a force is exerted against the cushioning element generally parallel to a column, the cushioning media may compress, and eventually the walls of the column may buckle. This equalizes pressure across the contact area of the object being cushioned.

A patient safety system including an adjustable bed and a patient monitoring system is disclosed herein. The adjustable bed can automatically adjust to a safe default configuration when the safety system detects that a care provider has left the patient's room or when the safety system detects that the patient is trying to leave the bed. The patient monitoring system can send an alert to the care provider and / or sound an alarm if the patient tries to leave the bed and a care provider is not present with the patient.

A patient handling device includes a controller, with a plurality of sensors, control panels, and lamps electrically connected to the controller. The patient handling device records the normal / desired state of the various components when power is applied. When one of the components goes outside the normal / desired state, the controller issues an alarm. This alarm includes illuminating a plurality of amber alert lamps which can normally be viewed by a user at any position around the outside of the patient handling device. The patient handling device also includes a position control. This control restricts movement of an upper (fowler) portion of the patient handling device in a certain range of angular positions, while permitting movement of the upper portion outside the certain range.

A multi-layer cushion having a shaped base on which is positioned a resilient, cushioning layer. The shaped base is constructed from a supportive foam and has front and lateral bolsters. The cushioning layer is an inflatable air cell cushion having a flexible base and an array of individual air cells arranged in rows across the flexible base. Rows of cells around the perimeter of the air cell cushion are configured to provide comfortable transition areas between the bolsters and the air cell cushion. The cushion includes a cover that has a lower compartment for the foam base and an upper compartment for the air cell layer. The cover functions to keep the air cell layer in place on the foam layer.

A smart bed system is disclosed herein. The smart bed system includes a smart bed adapted to accommodate a patient. The smart bed includes a smart bed computer operatively connectable to one or more monitoring devices. The smart bed computer is configured to store any monitored data recorded by the monitoring devices. The smart bed system also includes a server coupled with the smart bed computer. The server is configured to store any patient data pertaining to the patient. The server is configured to receive the monitored data from the smart bed computer and thereafter to store the monitored data as part of the patient data. The patient data can be selectively transferred from the server to the smart bed computer such that the patient data is accessible directly from the smart bed.

A patient support apparatus may include a base frame, lift arms, an intermediate frame, a deck support having three articulating sections, a brake system, various drive motors, actuators, and sensors, at least one power source, communication devices, and at least one controller, wherein the lift arms, articulating sections, drive motors, brake system, and actuators may be controlled from the at least one controller and in response to signals received by the various sensors, while storing data internally and / or sending data to a remote location.

Methods and Apparatuses for deicing a wind turbine blade are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary process includes detecting an icy condition on a wind turbine blade and causing at least a portion of the wind turbine blade to vibrate, causing the ice built up on the wind turbine blade to break off.

A climate-conditioned bed includes an upper portion having at least a first climate zone and at least one fluid module associated with such a first climate zone. The fluid module comprises a fluid transfer device for selectively moving a fluid and a thermoelectric device for selectively heating or cooling a fluid. The bed additionally includes one or more control modules configured to regulate the operation of the fluid module, at least one input device configured to allow an occupant to select a setting or mode associated with the first climate zone and at least a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature associated with the first climate zone of the thermally-conditioned bed. In some embodiments, the fluid module is operatively connected to the control module. The control module is configured to adjust at least one operational parameter of the fluid module based on, at least in part, the setting or mode selected by an occupant using the at least one input device, and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.

A therapeutic mattress system and bed are disclosed for providing a comprehensive system of pulmonary and skin care therapies for the critically ill, immobilized patient. The features provided include rotational therapy, percussion therapy and pulsation therapy on a critical care bed frame with a low air loss patient support, all of which are controlled with various types of feedback from particularized sensors in the bed.

A method is provided for permitting a module which is configured to perform a dedicated function on a bed to use a graphical interface. Graphic format data used by the module is downloaded, if necessary, and stored in a memory of the graphical interface.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for automatically adjusting patient platform support height in response to patient related events. Sensor data is accessed from sensors that are monitoring a patient resting on a support platform that is a specified height above floor level. It is detected from the accessed input data that the patient is attempting to exit the patient support platform. The height of the support platform is lowered from the specified height to a lower height to reduce the potential fall distance of the patient in response to detecting that the patient is attempting to exit the support platform. In some embodiments, a support platform is rapidly lowered to essentially floor level in a controlled manner.

A cushion (10, 12) has a plenum (16) which includes a plurality of flexible plastic woven tubes (34) held within a pair of similarly woven sheathes (38,40). The plenum has its sides and bottom covered by an air impermeable (14) layer with the top covered by an air permeable layer (20). A low to medium density foam pad (19) is located between the plenum (16) and the top layer (20). Conditioned air is provided to the cushions (10,12) from a Stirling cycle heat pump (44).

A patient support apparatus is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a plurality of therapeutic devices including a rotation device and a percussion-vibration device for carrying out rotation, percussion, and vibration therapy for a patient. The patient support apparatus includes a control system for controlling operation of the plurality of therapeutic devices. The control system comprises a touch-screen display segmented into a main menu portion and a data window portion. The therapeutic functions are represented by touch selectable buttons on the main menu portion. When any of these buttons are selected, a plurality of adjustable operating parameters appears in the data window portion. At the same time, the buttons corresponding to the therapeutic functions in the main menu portion remain visible such that an operator can easily select another therapeutic function. A method of tracking the therapeutic functions performed is provided. A rotation monitoring system and temperature control system of the patient support apparatus are provided. A display activation system is also provided.

According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member. The bed also includes a lower portion configured to support the upper portion and at least one fluid module configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid distribution member of the upper portion. In some arrangements, the fluid module includes a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device.

Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment.

A bed exit and patient detection system especially adapted for use in the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital or other healthcare facility as part of a vital signs monitoring and remote warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in the patient's bed in a series of rectangular strips or zones that run laterally across the bed in the area of the patient's mid-back, hips and mid-legs, respectively. Each zone contains a plurality of sensors, arranged symmetrically about the centerline of the bed, with the corresponding sensors on opposite sides of the centerline in each zone being connected in parallel. The sensors are connected to a processor with multiple input channels that continuously monitors the sensor states to determine, from the pattern of sensor states observed, whether the patient is in bed, out of bed or is actively attempting to ext the bed at the sides or foot of the bed. At least three different sets of bed exit logic rules are available for user selection to configure the system for high, medium or low sensitivity, or bed exit privileges, for any particular patient. In some embodiments, the system also is capable of detecting when a patient is attempting to assume certain prohibited in-bed positions, such as sitting positions or slumping positions. An alarm in the form of a pre-recorded voice announcement or an alarm over a pre-existing nurse call system is provided when the sensor states are indicative of an out-of-bed or an exiting bed condition, or other prohibited in-bed positions, for a predetermined minimum period of time.

A system and methods for controlling adjustable furniture 60. The adjustable furniture 60 may be controlled by a control unit 34 in communication with a remote controller 40. A user may input commands to the remote controller 40 through a manual input device 42 or a microphone 43. The control unit 34 may be operable to adjust at least one actuable device element 28a-d, 32a-d, 52a, 52b in response to the commands. The adjustments of actuable device elements 28a-d, 32a-d, 52a, 52b may be measured by a sensor 58 that generates a sensor signal operable to be analyzed by the control unit 34 to determine an execution status of the command. The execution status may be indicated on the remote controller 40 by a speaker 44 or a display 45. The control unit 34 may also be operable to send signals for the remote controller 40 to make a noise.

The present invention provides a method and system of displaying items that gives the user the ability to easily access recently accessed items. The recent items list includes both incoming and outgoing correspondences that are attempted to be matched to the corresponding contact stored in the device. The user can access the recent contact list and reply using any communication method available. For instance, the user could reply by phone, email, send an instant messenger message, send an SMS message, and the like. The recent items list may also include items such as communications, contacts, folder, files, messages, applications, and the like. A coalesced list of the recently used items is shown so that an item is only shown once in the recent list. Any matched item in the recent list may also be shown in the alphabetical list that appears below the recent list.

An operating table including at least three elements which are moveable in relation to each other; at least two actuators, each controlling displacement of two elements in relation to the other; a controller which drives each actuator; a sensor to detect a risk of collision of one of the elements with an obstacle when executing a displacement request of a first actuator; a controller which determines a corrective command order of a second actuator different from the first actuator upon detecting a risk of collision, wherein execution of the corrective command order by the second actuator causes cessation of the detected risk of collision upon subsequent execution of the displacement request of the first actuator; and a display to view the corrective command order.

According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member. The bed also includes a lower portion configured to support the upper portion and at least one fluid module configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid distribution member of the upper portion. In some arrangements, the fluid module includes a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device.

A climate controlled bed comprises a cushion member having an outer surface comprising a first side for supporting an occupant and a second side, the first side and the second side generally facing in opposite directions. In some embodiments, the cushion member includes one or more recessed areas along its first side or its second side. In one embodiment, the bed further includes a support structure having a top side configured to support the cushion member, a bottom side and an interior space generally located between the top side and the bottom side, the top side and the bottom side of the support structure generally facing in opposite directions, a flow conditioning member that may be at least partially positioned with the recessed area of the cushion member, an air-permeable topper member positioned along the first side of the cushion member and a fluid temperature regulation system. The fluid temperature regulation system includes a fluid transfer device, a thermoelectric device and a conduit system generally configured to transfer a fluid from the fluid transfer device to the thermoelectric device. The fluid temperature regulation system is configured to receive a volume of fluid and deliver it to the flow conditioning member and the topper member.

An improved comfort product that uses an airflow through a heat exchanger and into the comfort product to selectively heat or cool an occupant has a support layer contacting and supporting a channel layer. The channel layer has at least one channel with an opening to accept air. The channel layer contacts and supports an engineered distribution layer that has numerous small holes making it air permeable. The engineered distribution layer contacts and supports an air permeable comfort layer that is of such size and shape to support an occupant of the comfort product. The comfort product also has a heat exchanger assembly for supplying heated or cooled air to the opening in the channel. The heat exchanger assembly includes an air intake having an intake fan, an exhaust outlet and a heat exchanger for selectively heating or cooling air flowing through the heat exchanger resulting in selectively heated or cooled supply air and exhaust air. The intake fan forces air through the heat exchanger where some of the air is selectively heated or cooled to be supplied to the comfort product and some air is used as exhaust air (to remove the unwanted heat if the supplied air is cooled or to warm the exhaust side of the heat exchanger if the supply air is warmed.). The selectively heated or cooled supply air then moves through the channels in the channel layer and the exhaust air exits through the exhaust vent. The selectively heated or cooled supply air then moves through the engineered distribution layer where the numerous small holes diffuse the air and then the selectively heated or cooled air then moves through the comfort layer where the air is further diffused and where the selectively heated or cooled air can selectively heat or cool an occupant of the comfort product.

A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and / or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.

An improvement is provided in a bed having a side rail framework, and at least one dual-position rail assembly which is secured on one side of the bed. The improvement includes a rotatable structure upon which the dual-position rail assembly, is mounted in order to enable the dual-position rail assembly to move between two positively-stopped and automatically locked positions. A first of such positively-stopped and automatically locked positions disposes the dual-position rail assembly in an assist, vertically-oriented, position which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bed. A second of such positively-stopped and automatically locked positions disposes the dual-position rail assembly in a guard, horizontally-oriented, position which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed. The lock structure for assuring such stopped and locked position is one which automatically locks and maintain the assist dual-position rail in a selected one of the positively-stopped and automatically locked first position, or the positively-stopped and automatically locked second position. The dual-position rail assembly is not adopted to be operated by the occupant of the bed, but it can be selectively, otherwise operated to aid a person in getting in or out of bed, or to restrain the person within the bed.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for mitigating snoring in an adjustable bed. The systems and methods may include monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position, monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

In one embodiment, the digital bed system is comprised of an array of support cells. Each support cells is capable of communicating with a controller and increasing and decreasing in firmness in response to commands issued by a controller. The support cells are operatively connected to a communication channel that is also connected to a controller. The controller is capable of receiving data from the support cells and is also capable of issuing commands to each of the support cells. The controller is programmed issue commands to increase or decrease the firmness of individual support cells within the support cells.

In a convective system that includes a blower to thermally treat and pressurize air, a convective device to receive and convect the thermally-treated pressurized air, and an air hose to conduct a flow of thermally-treated pressurized air from the blower to an inlet port in the convective device, an interface device is provided to control the flow of air at the interface where the inlet port and an end of the air hose operate to conduct the flow of air out of the air hose into the convective device. The interface device is received at the end of the air hose and operates to support the flow of air out of the end when the end and the inlet port are brought together. The interface device operates to stop, inhibit, or restrict the flow of air out of the end when the end and the inlet port are separated.

An air manifold includes a sheet-like body including first and second spaced, opposing walls and a sealed perimeter. A plurality of divider walls connects the first and second walls together and defines a plurality of air channels within the body. An opening in the body defines an air port cooperable with an air mover. The air port is in fluid communication with the air channels. At least one zone inside the body is free of the divider walls. A group of the air channels are in fluid communication with each other through one the zone. A plurality of air vents located in the first wall are in fluid communication with at least one of the air channels. The air manifold is disposable between a seat cushion element and a structural support of a seat. The first wall of the air manifold faces a backside surface of the seat cushion element.