Device for measuring the patient's weight in bed

Abstract

The application relates to a device for measuring the weight of a patient on a hospital bed, which comprises a bed surface resting on a frame connected to a chassis frame by means of a cross or scissor bed lifting system. This lifting system is disposed and connected to the frame chassis by means of a weighing bracket equipped with a weighing device capable of determining the weight of a patient on the bed. In particular, the weighing bracket (6B) comprises a shaped profile with at least one connecting hole with a pin enabling rotation of the long arm (5).

Description

[0001] Patient Support Apparatus with Scissor Lifting and Scales

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] A technical solution describes weighing mechanism, particularly for weighing a patient on the patient support apparatus such as bed, cot, stretcher or like comprising a patient support deck coupled to an upper frame of the patient support apparatus, this upper frame fixed to the lower frame of the patient support apparatus by positioning cross or scissor lifting. The scissor lifting is fixed in relation to the lower frame of the patient support apparatus by means of double weighing brackets comprising scales able to determine weight of a patient lying on the patient support apparatus.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Monitoring weight of a patient during stay in hospitals, health care and nursing care facilities or settings is very important as any change of a patient's weight can provide information to caregivers about food intake, liquid intake or secretion related to such patient. Caregivers aiso define volume of medication for patients based on information about weight.

[0006] Conventional weighing is provided on common stationary scales onto which a patient needs to be transported. Not always such manipulation with a patient is comfortable or possible at ail due to health condition of the patient who may be bedridden in consequence of operation or serious accdent. In some cases the patient may not be moved at all which prevents reading of at least approximate weight to state medication.

[0007] Another possibility for weighing a patient is using of drive-up scales when the patient is transported to the scales together with the hospital bed. Even this solution is not too practical, as in some cases such weighing systems are not available in the given hospital or nursery facility, or can be located for away in another building, in addition, to define weight of a patient it is necessary to deduct the weight of the patient support apparatus including accessory equipment fixed to the patient support apparatus from the observed resulted weight. In case of patients permanently connected to the supporting devices (e.g. ventilation, infusion, ECG etc.) it is not possible to use this possibility of observing a patient's weight, particularly due to possible transport to another part of a hospital or nursery facility where the drive-up scales may be located.

[0008] Effective and modern solution is monitoring of patient's weight directly on the patient support apparatus. One of the advantages of this measurement method is possibility to monitor weight additions and shortages continuously without any undesired manipulation with the patient. Weighing device located on the patient support apparatus enables also other functions such as remote monitoring if the patient leaves the patient support apparatus (so called bed exit), connection with a computer system, blocking of weight when manipulating with accessory equipment on the patient support apparatus etc. The essential aspect for caregivers is, however, comfortable monitoring of patient's weight including any changes in weight, even only approximate, to define volume of medication that needs to be dispensed, as volume of medication is stated based on the estimated weight of the patient. in principal, the subjected prior art recognizes three types of configuration of patient support apparatuses with integrated weighing system.

[0009] One of the configuration types is represented by sensors located in the patient support deck. The patient support apparatus comprises a chassis frame with Sifting mechanism. The upper side of lifting mechanism is attached to the patient support deck frame and inside the patient support deck there is located weighing system that weighs the patient support apparatus and the patient. The advantage is that only patient support apparatus with patient is weighed without bed accessories. Such systems are, however, very expensive with respect to price and production, and therefore not accessible for many hospital and nursery facilities, in addition, in case of failure of the weighing system it is necessary to dismantle the entire patient support deck.

[0010] A second type of weighing system may be represented by an external pad with weighing sensors, which is not integrated in the patient support apparatus, and is located between the support surface and the patient support deck at seat section. Disadvantage of this weighing system is the fact that the patient needs to be seated which is impossible in case of bedridden patient. Another disadvantage is possible pad contamination by fluids of pad excreted by the subjected patient lying on the bed (e.g. urine or blood) that may leak into the weighing system and disable the system. Also this weighing system does not have to be accurate enough if the weight of the support surface, which is deducted from the observed weight, is entered improperly. Despite obvious advantage in mobility of the pad the purchase price of such pad is usually high.

[0011] A third type of weighing system is represented by sensors located in the chassis of the patient support apparatus, it means that the weighing frame is the frame of the chassis and the patient is weighed including the patient support deck. Such solution is introduced e.g. in the patent US 4974S92 published in 1990. The mechanism is simple in design, which is advantageous, on the other hand, this type of weighing system still provides many disadvantages. The main disadvantage is higher weight which changes with lifting the patient support apparatus and also weighing of accessories that are permanently fixed to the patient support apparatus. Another technical disadvantage is three-frame structure of the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus comprises the upper patient support deck frame, the bottom weighing frame and bottom chassis frame. This structure design is impractical for caregivers as the patient support apparatus is heavy, difficult to operate and manipulate with and caregivers need to exert higher power to move the patient support apparatus.

[0012] The existing patient support apparatuses with weighing systems comprise four load cells (i.e. tensometer or strain gauge) located in the weighing frame, when In principle, only three load cells may be used. To reach the highest accuracy the load cells are located in the weighing frame to frame edges as much as possible to have the biggest possible measured base. Another factor influencing weigh accuracy is a principle of locating the individual load cells. The above described location of load cells is primary defined and convenient for patient support apparatuses with scissor lifting and without possibility to tilt the patient support deck into Trendelenburg position, which means that the patient support deck may be positioned only from the lowest position to the highest position. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The above mentioned disadvantages are solved by presented technical solution comprising a bracket weighing system for determination of patient weight. A bracket weighing system is primary determined for patient support apparatuses with scissor lifting that enables tilting of the patient support deck into the Trendelenburg position or anti-Trendelenburg position. Majority of patient support apparatuses with scissor lifting and possibility to tilt the patient support deck have usually no weighing system at ail as it is challenging in design and financial aspect as well. When positioning the patient support deck into the Trendelenburg position or anti- Trendelenburg position when distribution of patient weight on the patient support deck changes depending of change of patient position, it has not been possible so far to measure the patient weight properly with the smallest deviation. Majority of beds with scales have weighing system that is located in the double chassis frame. Weighing system in patient support apparatuses with scissor lifting cannot have scales located under the patient support deck due to improperly distributed forces. If the weighing system does not run with properly distributed forces, it cannot weigh right and the measured weight id stated false.

[0014] The preferred embodiment of the bracket weighing system presented herein comprises a iower frame of the chassis equipped with wheels on the bottom side and fixed in relation to an upper frame of the patient support deck by scissor lifting. The iower frame of the chassis comprises two types of weighing brackets so that it could be possibie to weigh the patient also in case when the patient support apparatus Is positioned to different positions (e.g. Trendeienburg position or anti-Trendelenburg position). The scissor lifting is fixed in relation to loading area of the patient support deck on the bottom side. The scissor lifting comprises one load-bearing short arm and one load-bearing long arm. In the preferred embodiment these arms are four under the patient support deck in articulating connection to be able to rotate around axis and the patient support deck could be moved up and down. The loading area of the patient support deck comprises also motors with a piston rod that controls movement of arms vertically up and down which moves the patient support deck to the lowest position and to the highest position of the patient support deck. The said motors can together with scissor lifting enable positioning of the patient support apparatus into the Trendelenburg position or anti-Trendelenburg position. This positioning is reached due to the fact that at least two opposite long arms of the scissor lifting may move horizontaiiy from left to right and vice-versa so that at least one part of the patient support deck could rise above the level of the second part of the patient support deck, in the preferred embodiment presented herein first type A of weighing brackets enables the described movement. The short arms and long arms of the scissor lifting are fixed in relation to the patient support deck by a pin, whereas short arms are fixed to the long arm at the opposite side of the short arms by a pin, too, approximately in the half of the long arm length. Ail four arms are pivotably fixed in relation to the chassis of the bottom frame by two opposite pairs of weighing brackets A or B. in the preferred embodiment, two different types of weighing brackets A and B are located on the chassis.

[0015] The first type of weighing bracket A is fixed via a load cell which is iocated horizontally in the chassis frame and by using connecting elements fixed to the weighing bracket A in the connecting holes. This type of weighing bracket A is characterized in that the weighing bracket comprises a special profile with a guiding bar, which movabiy connects the Song arm of the scissor lifting with chassis of the patient support apparatus. The long arm is fixed in relation to the weighing bracket A by a slider and a pin where the slider moves in the guiding bar, which is equipped with safety elements on both sides. This weighing bracket A enables the long arm to move horizontally from the right to the left and vice versa and this movement is important so that the bed could be positioned into the Trendelenburg position or anti- Trendelenburg position. This type of weighing bracket A is in preferred embodiment iocated on the chassis, in pairs against each other, under the leg section of the patient support deck. In another embodiment, this type of weighing bracket A may be iocated, in pairs against each other, under the head section of the patient support deck, in another embodiment, this type of weighing bracket A may be iocated under the entire patient support deck in each corner of the chassis.

[0016] The presented technicai solution describes, in the preferred embodiment, also a second type of the weighing bracket - type B. This weighing bracket B is again fixed using load cell, which is Iocated on the bottom part of the chassis frame, and connecting elements (screws, nuts, pins etc.). The weighing bracket B comprises a special metal profile with a hole for connecting with the long arm. The profile is attached to the long arm of the scissor lifting so that the long arm could rotate around the axis of rotation and the patient support apparatus could lift up and down. This type of weighing bracket B does not allow tilting of the patient support deck into the Trendelenburg position or anti-Trendelenburg position, in the preferred embodiment, the weighing bracket B is located, in pairs against each other, under the head section of the patient support deck on the bottom side of the frame. The weighing bracket B may be used, in another embodiment, for all arms of the scissor lifting under the entire patient support deck on the chassis frame, or under the head part of the patient support deck or the leg part of the patient support deck on the chassis frame. in the preferred embodiment, the patient support apparatus uses a combination of two pairs of weighing brackets A against each other on one side of the patient support apparatus, and two pairs of weighing brackets B against each other on another side of the patient support apparatus on the chassis frame.

[0017] Weighing brackets allow weighing of a patient on the upper frame of the patient support apparatus and, in parallel, allow movement of the scissor lifting up and down without necessity to have another special frame on which arms of the scissor lifting of the patient support apparatus would move slidingly.

[0018] Weighing brackets of the weighing system are fixed in relation to the chassis frame so that the load cells of the weighing system are in the interspace between the chassis frame and the load-bearing weighing bracket A or B, in which arms of the scissor lifting move horizontally along a bracket part, or rotabiy around the axis of rotation. Both types of weighing brackets A or B are made of metal material in the preferred embodiment, but may be also produced from metal alloys or any other metal type such as aluminium etc. The weighing brackets A or B can be also made of special reinforced plastic material or wood. The connecting elements of weighing brackets may be pins, screws, nuts, rivets, nails etc.

[0019] The above stated description proves that the presented technical solution is desired cheaper solution for location of the weighing system on patient support apparatuses with scissor lifting. Another advantage of this embodiment is that such patient support apparatus with scissor lifting can weigh a patient aiso after tiiting into the Trendelenburg position anti anti-Trendelenburg position and also, that such patient support apparatus does not need to have special weighing frame which means that the patient support apparatus is unloaded and easy to manipulate with. Caregivers in hospital and nursery facilities and settings may provide better care to patients thanks to the weighing system presented herein without necessity to manipulate with the patient as is necessary with other weighing systems of prior art.

[0020] List of References

[0021] 1 patient support apparatus

[0022] 2 patient support deck

[0023] 3 scissor lifting

[0024] 4 short arm (of scissor lifting)

[0025] 5 long arm (of scissor lifting)

[0026] 6A weighing bracket (with horizontal translation and rotary movement of the long arm)

[0027] 6B weighing bracket (for rotary movement of the long arm)

[0028] 7 chassis frame (lower frame of patient support apparatus)

[0029] 8 wheel

[0030] 9 pivot connection to the patient support deck

[0031] 10 piston rod (of the motor)

[0032] 11 motor (of the scissor lifting)

[0033] 12 articulating connection of the short arm to the long arm by pin

[0034] 13 pin (of the long arm)

[0035] 14 load cell

[0036] 15 safety element (of a slider)

[0037] 16 connecting element (screw, nut)

[0038] 17 connecting hole

[0039] 18 guiding bar (of weighing bracket 6A)

[0040] 19 slider (of weighing bracket 6A)

[0041] 20 control unit (not shown) List of Drawings

[0042] The Fig. 1 shows axonometric projection of a patient support apparatus with a scissor lifting fixed on the chassis having weighing brackets.

[0043] The Fig. 2 shows side eievation of a patient support apparatus with a scissor lifting and cross section of weighing brackets location.

[0044] The Fig. 3 shows side elevation of a patient support apparatus with a scissor lifting and cross section of weighing brackets A and 8.

[0045] The Fig. 4 shows side cross-section of a part of a chassis with weighing bracket 6A fixed on the chassis.

[0046] The Fig. 5 shows axonometric projection of a part of a patient support apparatus with weighing bracket 6A with a load cell.

[0047] The Fig. 6 shows axonometric cross-section projection of a weighing bracket 6A with a load cell.

[0048] The Fig. 7 shows side cross-section of a weighing bracket 6B with a load cell.

[0049] The Fig. 8 shows axonometric projection of a part of a chassis with weighing bracket 6B.

[0050] Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

[0051] An exemplary embodiment of the technical solution is the axonometric projection of a patient support apparatus in Fig. 1 showing a patient support apparatus 1 comprising a patient support deck 2 fixed in relation to a chassis frame 7 by pairs of a scissor lifting 3. The chassis frame 7 comprises wheels 8 on each corner end. It is obvious from the Fig. 1 that each pair of the scissor lifting 3 comprises two short arms 4 and two long arms 5, which are pivotably fixed in relation to the patient support deck 2 and fixed to the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 using weighing brackets 6A and 6B. Each pair of the scissor lifting 3 is fixed in relation to the patient support deck 2 and controlled by piston rods 10 of the motor 11 of the scissor lifting. This motor 11 of the scissor lifting and the piston rod 10 connecting short arms 4 and long arms 5 with the patient support deck 2 of the patient support apparatus 1 are not shown in the Fig.1.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment shown in the Fig. 1, two pairs of short arms 4 and two pairs of long arms 5 are located in pairs against each other. The long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 are fixed in relation to the chassis frame 7 of file patient support apparatus 1 on the bottom part of the long arms 5 by weighing brackets 6A. in the preferred embodiment, the long arms 5 move on a guiding bar 18 of the weighing bracket 6A from left to right and vice versa which comprises movable weighing bracket 6A The weighing bracket 6A Is fixed slidingiy and pivotably which enables movement of the long arm 5, which is a part of the scissor lifting 3,. from the lowest position into the highest position. The weighing bracket 6A has a form of a metal profile and comprises a guiding bar 18 in the form of a rail. A slider 19 is located in the guiding bar 18. The slider 19 provides fixing of the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3. The guiding bar 18 comprises safety elements 15 on both ends of the guiding bar 18 and these safety elements 15 serve for securing the slider 19 in the guiding bar 18. Safety elements 15 limit movement of the slider 19 from one side to another side. The weighing bracket 6A enables movement of the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 horizontally from left to right and the guiding bar 18 is of a size minimum to be able to tilt the patient support deck 2 into the Trendelenburg position or anti- Trendelenburg position. The weighing bracket 6A is formed by a specially shaped metal profile and may be formed from thick-walled plate, which may form the guiding bar 18, or may be welded from more pieces of plates modelled into an appropriate convenient shape corresponding to the guiding bar 18 and suitable for fixing the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 and for moving of the long arm 5 horizontaiiy on the guiding bar 18. in this preferred embodiment the second pair of short arms 4 and long arms 5, which create the second scissor lifting 3, are located under the hear part of the patient support deck 2, wherein both opposite long arms 5 of the scissor lifting are connected to the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 by weighing brackets 6B, which enable to the arm only pivoted movement and lifting of the long arm 5 from the lowest to the highest position.

[0053] The Fig. 2 shows side elevation of a patient support apparatus 1 with a patient support deck 2 with a pair of scissor lifting 3, which is foxed in relation to the patient support deck 2 by four short arms 4 and four long arms 5. Due to side elevation, the Fig. 2 shows two short arms 4 and two long arms 5 only. All described arms 4 and 5 of the scissor lifting 3 are fixed in relation to the patient support deck 2 pivotably by pivots 9 (not shown). The short arms 4 are connected by rotary shaft (not shown) with a piston rod 10 and a motor 11 of the scissor lifting 3, which is attached to the bottom side of the patient support deck 2. Articulating connection 12 of the long arms 5 with short arms 4 by pins transmits movement of the motor 11 of the scissor lifting 3 so that the long arms 5 could lift the patient support deck 2 from the iowest position to the highest position. Preferred weighing brackets 6A and 6B attached to the chassis frame 7 enable proper movement of long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3.

[0054] The Fig. 3 shows side cross-section of an upper patient support deck 2 and a chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus with weighing brackets 6A and 6B. These two weighing brackets differ from each other in the way how the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 is fixed, and how this long arm 5 on the given weighing bracket 6A or 6B can move. Al! four long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 are pivotabiy connected with the bottom frame by pins 13 and in parallel, are fixed to the weighing brackets 3A and 6B. The detailed description of weighing brackets 6A and 6B is stated on the foliowing figures. Weighing brackets of the scissor lifting 3 on the Fig. 3 also shows preferred fixing of load cells 14 of the weighing system for measurement of patient's weight, it Is obvious that the load cells 14 are located, in the preferred embodiment, horizontally outside the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus and aiso it is obvious that the weighing bracket 6A and the weighing bracket 6B for rotary movement of the long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 are fixed over the frame and the load cells 14 on both sides so that it could be able to measure patient's weight in any position of the patient support deck 2. In another embodiment, the long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 may be fixed oniy on the weighing brackets 6A under the head part and leg part of the patient support apparatus 1, or the long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 can be fixed only on weighing brackets 6B. However, the preferred embodiment uses pairs of weighing brackets, it means that the weighing brackets 6A are located on one side of the chassis frame 7 under the leg part of the patient support deck 2, and the weighing brackets 6B are located on another side of the chassis frame 7 under the head part of the patient support deck 2; or vice versa, the weighing brackets 6B are located on one side of the chassis frame 7 under the leg part of the patient support deck 2, and the weighing brackets 6A are located on another side of the chassis frame 7 under the head part of the patient support deck 2.

[0055] The Fig. 3 aiso shows side elevation of cross section of the patient support apparatus 1 with articulating connection 12 by which the scissor lifting 3 is fixed in relation to the patient support deck 2. In addition, the Fig. 3 shows motors 11 of the scissor lifting 3 with a piston rod 10, which enable to position the patient support apparatus 1 from lilted position to the lowest position and vice versa, this figure shows the patient support apparatus 1 in lifted position. Similarly, these motors 11 can together with the scissor lifting 3 tilt the patient support deck 2 into the Trendelenburg position and the anti-Trendelenburg position, which is also caused by the weighing bracket 6A that enables the movement of the long arm 5 horizontally along the axis of the weighing bracket 6A of the scissor lifting 3.

[0056] The Fig. 4 shows side cross-section of a part of a chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 including a wheel 8, and cross-section view of oniy one weighing bracket 6A, which, in preferred embodiment, enables horizontal movement of the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3. The Fig. 4 obviously shows that the weighing bracket 6A for the long arm 5 comprises a specially shaped profile. Also it is obvious that the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 comprises connecting holes 17. and that the load cell 14 includes aiso connecting holes 17. The connecting elements 16 (e.g. screws, nuts, rivets etc.) are used for connection. At least one connecting element 16 can be Used in at least one connecting hole 17, however, in the preferred embodiment, four to eight connecting holes 17 are created on the chassis frame 7 and the load cell 14. Similarly, as the connecting holes 17 in the chassis frame 7 and in the load cells 14 are, at least one connecting hole 17,is in the weighing bracket 6A. in the preferred embodiment there are more connecting holes 17. The connecting holes 17 are iocated on the individual parts of the chassis frame 7, on the load cell 14, and on the profile of the weighing bracket 6A so that the connecting elements 16 could mutually connect all these parts together. This embodiment of the weighing bracket 6A of the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 comprises a guiding bar 18 on the bottom side. The guiding bar 18 comprises safety elements 15 on the left side and the right side. The safety elements 15 may be a part of the profile of the guiding bar 18 and may be formed by the shape of the profile, or in another embodiment, may have a shape of a stop. The advantage of fills preferred embodiment of the weighing bracket 6A fixed via the load cell 14 to the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 is that it is possible to weigh a patient on the patient support deck 2 also in case that the patient support deck 2 in different position, in the preferred embodiment, the load cells 14 are iocated under each weighing bracket 6A or 6B and enable the control unit 20 (not shown) to weigh a patient who lies on the patient support deck 2. The Fig. 4 shows that the weighing bracket 6A with the guiding bar 18 comprises a slider 19, which enables movement of the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 and, in parallel, this slider 19 is pivotably attached to the long arm 5. The slider 19 enables movement of the long arm 5 on the guiding bar 18 horizontally from one side to another side. This movement positions the patient support deck 2 into the Trendelenburg position or anti-T rendelenburg position. The weighing bracket 6A comprises safety elements 15 on both ends of the guiding bar 18, which secure the slider 19 not to fall out of the guiding bar 18 and force to move the long arm 5 only as necessary for desired position of the patient support deck 2.

[0057] Fig. 5 shows axonometric projection of a part of a chassis frame 7 with weighing bracket 6A for the scissor lifting 3 of a patient support apparatus 1. The Fig. 5 shows that connecting holes 17 are located on the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 as well as on the upper side of the weighing bracket 6A. A load cell 14 for measuring the weight of a patient is located between the chassis frame 7 and the weighing bracket 6A. in the preferred embodiment, the weighing bracket 6A comprises a guiding bar 18 and a slider 19. The guiding bar 18 is ended on one side with a safety element 15, in this embodiment the safety 15 element is a screw, but can be another stop such as a rivet, a nut, a plastic stop, a rubber stop etc. The safety element 15 keeps the slider 19 not to fall out of the guiding bar 18. thus preventing the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 not to fall outside the weighing bracket 6A. The weighing bracket 6A is preferably located horizontally on opposite sides of the chassis frame 7 to move both long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 simultaneously.

[0058] The Fig. 6 shows axonometric projection of a part of a chassis frame 7, where the part of the chassis frame 7 comprises a wheel 8 and a weighing bracket 6A with a load cell 14. The Fig. 6 shows a load cell 14, which is fixed by means of connecting eiements 16 which go through connecting holes 17. The load cells 14 in this embodiment are fixed in relation to a weighing bracket 6A and a chassis frame 7 by means of connecting eiements 16 in the connecting holes 17. This type of fixing of load cells 14 enables right weighing of a patient lying on the patient support deck 2. Load ceiis 14 in the weighing bracket 6A as well as in the weighing bracket 6B are connected with a control unit 20 (not shown) of a patient support apparatus 1 Connection is wired or wireless .

[0059] In the preferred embodiment, the load cells 14 on the chassis frame 7 of a patient support apparatus 1 under the weighing brackets 6A or 6B are four and are connected with a control unit 20, as described above (not shown). Altogether it is a weighing module, which is a complete weighing system that amplifies an analogue signal from the load cells 14, digitizes and filters the anaiogue signal and applies a transfer function that based on calibration data and set geographical position calculates the total weight loaded on the load cells 14. An overall construction weight of a patient support apparatus 1 that permanently loads the load cells 14 is a part of calibration data. The weighing module thus provides weight relating to so called factory zero, it means a weight of an empty patient support apparatus 1. This weight of an empty patient support apparatus 1 is transmitted via a digital interface to a control unit 20 (not shown) to be processed further,

[0060] The Fig, 7 shows a side cross-section of a part of a chassis frame 7 of a patient support apparatus 1 with a second type of weighing brackets 6B with rotary movement of a long arm 5 of a scissor lilting 3 of a patient support apparatus 1 The weighing bracket 6B comprises a specially shaped metal profile. The Fig. 7 shows the second type of weighing brackets 6B which are fixed in relation to the profile of the weighing bracket 6B by connecting elements 16 which go through load cells 14 and connecting holes 17. This type of the weighing bracket 6B enables rotary movement of a long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 of the patient support apparatus 1 by a pin 13 of the long arm 5. The pin 13 also connects the long arm 5 with the weighing bracket 6B. In the preferred embodiment, the weighing bracket 6B is fixed in relation to the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 in pairs against each other under the head section of the patient support deck 2 in another embodiment, the weighing bracket 6B can be fixed in relation to the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 in pairs against each other under the foot section of the patient support deck 2. in another embodiment, free weighing brackets 6B can be ratably fixed in relation to aii four long arms 5 of the scissor lifting 3 under the chassis frame 7 of the patient support apparatus. The latter embodiment is convenient particulariy with patient support apparatuses where the patient support deck 2 is not intended to be positioned to the Trendelenburg position and the anti-Trendelenburg position. The Fig. 7 also shows a load cell 14, which is fixed in relation to the weighing bracket 6B and the chassis frame 7 by means of connecting elements 16, which go through connecting holes 17. This type of fixing of load cells 14 enables right weighing of a patient lying on the patient support deck 2. Load cells 14 in the weighing bracket 6B, as well as in the weighing bracket 6A, are connected with a control unit 20 (not shown) of a patient support apparatus 1. Connection is wired or wireless.

[0061] Fig. 8 shows an axonometric projection of a part of a chassis frame 7 of a patient support apparatus comprising a wheel 8 and a second type of weighing bracket 6B,. which enables to a long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 only rotatable movement. The Fig. 8 shows the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 fixed in relation to the second type of the weighing bracket 6B. The metal profile of the weighing bracket 6B comprises a connecting hole 17. on the bottom side of the metal profile, through which a pin 13 goes into the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 so that the long arm 5 can move rotatably around an axis of rotation of the pin 13. This rotation movement rises the long 5 from the lowest position to the highest raised position of the patient support apparatus 1 The weighing bracket 6B is made of specially formed metal profile of thick-walled metal shaped to a letter S or T, or can be welded from more metal pieces into the relevant convenient shape that is suitable for fixing the long arm 5 of the scissor lifting 3 of the patient support apparatus 1

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 30 August 20201(30.08.21)Claims

1. A device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) comprising a patient support deck (2) and at least one motor (11) of a scissor lifting (3), a short arm (4) and a long arm (5) of the scissor lifting (3) fixed in relation to a chassis frame (7) characterized in that the a long arm (5) of the scissor lifting (3) is fixed in relation to the chassis frame (7) and slidingly and rotatably to at least one weighing bracket (6A) comprising a specially formed profile comprising a guiding bar ( 18) for horizontally slidingand rotatable movement of the long arm (5). or rotatably to at least one weighing bracket (6B) comprising a specially formed profile comprising at least one connecting hole ( 17 ) with a pin 1131 for rotatable movement of the long arm (5 ). wherein at least one type of weighing brackets bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B) is fixed in relation to the chassis frame (7) by means of connecting elements (16) and at least one connecting element (16) goes through at least one connecting hole (17) of a load cell (14) connecting at least one type of the weighing bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B) with the chassis frame (7).

2. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least two opposite located long arms (5) are fixed to in relation to the chassis frame (7) via load cells (14) with at least one type of weighing brackets (6 A) or weighing brackets (6B).

3. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one pair of long arms (5) of the scissor lifting (3) is fixed to the weighing bracket (6A) by a slider (19) slidingly and horizontally moving on a guiding bar (18) of the weighing bracket (6 A) from left to right and vice versa.

4. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least two long arms (5) in opposite location are fixed in relation to the chassis frame (7) via load cells (14) with the weighing bracket (6B) enabling rotation movement of the long arms (5).

5. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one type of the weighing bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B) comprises a specially formed profile, wherein at least one weighing bracket (6A) or weighingbracket (6B) comprises a guiding bar (18) and safety elements (15) on each end of such weighing bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B).

6. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at one type of the weighing bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B) comprises a specially formed profile comprising at least one connecting hole (17) for fixing a rotatable pin (13) of the long arm (5).

7. A device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) comprising a patient support deck (2) and at least one motor (11) of a scissor lifting (3), a short arm (4) and a long arm (5) of the scissor lifting (3) fixed in relation to a chassis frame (7) characterized in that the a long arm (5) of the scissor lifting (3) is fixed in relation to the chassis frame (7) and at least one weighing bracket (6A) comprising a specially formed profile comprising a guiding bar (18) for horizontally sliding and rotatable movement of the long arm (5), or at least one weighing bracket (6B) comprising a specially formed profile comprising at least one connecting hole (17) with a pin (13) for rotatable movement of the long arm (5), wherein at least one type of the weighing bracket (6 A) or weighing bracket (6B) is fixed in relation to the chassis frame (7) by connecting elements (16) and at least one connecting element (16) goes through at least one connecting hole (17) of a load cell (14) connecting at least one type of the weighing bracket (6A) or weighing bracket (6B) with the chassis frame (7).

7. 8. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 7 lcharacterized in that a guiding bar (18) comprises a special profile of the weighing bracket (6A) comprising safety elements (15) on each end.

8. 9. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 7 lcharacterized in that the weighing bracket (6B) comprises a special profile with one connecting hole (17) for rotatable movement of the long arm (5) of the scissor lifting (3).

9. 10. The device for weighing a patient on a patient support apparatus (1) according to claim 8 lcharacterized in that the safety elements (15) of the guiding bar (18) may be stops, screws, rivets or similar.