Systems for monitoring oxygen bottles used with patient support apparatuses

Abstract

A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient on a patient support apparatus having an apparatus transceiver. The oxygen bottle includes a tank, a regulator, a bottle sensor, and a bottle transceiver configured to communicate with the apparatus transceiver. A server transmits patient data of the patient. A controller uses wireless communication between the transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle, receive the patient data, determine target oxygen parameters based on the patient data, compare the target oxygen parameters with operating parameters from the bottle sensor, and output information to a user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.

Description

SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING OXYGEN BOTTLES USED WITH PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSESBACKGROUND

[0001] Supplemental oxygen is frequently administered to patients in order to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels, such as for example in cases involving respiratory distress, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or during and / or after surgical procedures. To this end, supplemental oxygen may be provided by a wall connection of a medical facility until a patient needs to be transported or otherwise moved, at which point a portable oxygen bottle may be utilized.

[0002] Conventional approaches to monitoring the location and status of these portable oxygen bottles typically involve manual checks and record-keeping, whereby caregivers inspect a portable oxygen bottle to verify the pressure or fill level to verify that a sufficient amount of oxygen is available for a given scenario, such as for example whether using a halffull tank of a certain size at a desired flowrate will provide sufficient oxygen for a patient to be moved from one area of a hospital to another. If a given portable oxygen bottle cannot provide sufficient oxygen for the scenario, the caregiver must spend additional time locating, securing, and utilizing a different portable oxygen bottle.

[0003] While these conventional approaches have generally performed well for their intended purpose, there remains a need in the art to provide caregivers with ways to predictably and efficiently administer supplemental oxygen with portable oxygen bottles.SUMMARY

[0004] One general aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for associating an oxygen bottle with the needs of a patient supported by a patient support apparatus. The system includes a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver. The system also includes a patient support apparatus configured to support the patient. The patient support apparatus includes a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure. The system also includes an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient. The oxygen bottle is configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus. The oxygen bottle includes a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers. The system alsoincludes a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus. The system further includes a controller in communication with the user interface, the server, and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers. The controller is configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.

[0005] Another general aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus. The system includes a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient. The patient support apparatus includes a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, a display operatively attached to the support structure for outputting information to a caregiver, one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure, and an apparatus controller in communication with the display and the one or more apparatus transceivers. The system also includes an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient. The oxygen bottle is configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus. The oxygen bottle includes a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers. The apparatus controller is configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on the display of the patient support apparatus.

[0006] Yet another general aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus within a facility. The system includes a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver. The system also includes a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient. The patient support apparatus includes a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure. The system also includes an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient. The oxygen bottle is configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus. The oxygen bottle includes a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle. The system also includes a locator unit positioned within the facility and including a locator transceiver. The system further includes a controller in communication with the user interface and the locator unit. The controller is configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and at least one of the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.

[0007] A further general aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus. The system includes a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver. The system also includes one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the patient support apparatus. The system further includes one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle and configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers. The system also further includes a controller in communication with the user interface and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers. The controller is configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patientsupport apparatus, and output information pertaining to the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.

[0008] An additional general aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus. The method includes providing a patient support apparatus including a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure. The method also includes providing an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient, the oxygen bottle including a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers. The method further includes using radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, The method additionally includes associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus. The method also includes outputting information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on an output device of a user interface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is perspective view of a system including an oxygen bottle supported by a patient support apparatus having a base, a litter with a patient support deck, a lift mechanism, side rails, a charging connection system, and an apparatus interface shown positioned adjacent to a facility interface coupled to a facility.

[0011] Figure 2 is an illustrative view of components of the system of Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 3A is a schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figure 1 , shown with each of the side rails arranged in a raised position.

[0013] Figure 3B is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figure 3A, shown with a first side rail arranged in an intermediate position, and shown with a second side rail arranged in the raised position.

[0014] Figure 3C is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figures 3A-3B, shown with the first side rail arranged in a lowered position.

[0015] Figure 4A is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figures 3A-3C, shown with two of the side rails removed for illustrative purpose, and with the lift mechanism supporting the litter in a raised configuration.

[0016] Figure 4B is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figure 4A, shown with the lift mechanism supporting the litter in a lowered configuration.

[0017] Figure 5 is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figure 4B, shown with the patient support deck having a back section arranged in a fowler’s position with the second side rail coupled to the back section.

[0018] Figure 6 is another schematic right-side view of the patient support apparatus of Figure 5, shown with the lift mechanism supporting the litter in an inclined configuration.

[0019] Figure 7 is a depiction of visual content of a graphical user interface of a component of the system of Figures 1-2, shown with a message indicating association of an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus.

[0020] Figure 8 is another depiction of visual content of the graphical user interface of Figure 7, shown indicating current parameters of the associated oxygen bottle.

[0021] Figure 9A is another depiction of visual content of the graphical user interface of Figures 7-8, shown indicating a patient specific flow rate for supplemental oxygen alongside current parameters of the associated oxygen bottle and an estimated time remaining at the patient specific flow rate.

[0022] Figure 9B is another depiction of visual content of the graphical user interface of Figure 9A, shown indicating depleted current parameters of the associated oxygen bottle and a reduced estimated time remaining at the patient specific flow rate.

[0023] Figure 10A is another depiction of visual content of the graphical user interface of Figures 7-9B, shown indicating current parameters of the associated oxygen bottle and the estimated time remaining at the patient specific flow rate alongside an indicated navigation destination, estimated arrival timing, and a warning.

[0024] Figure 10B is another depiction of visual content of the graphical user interface of Figure 10A, shown indicating depleted current parameters of the associated oxygen bottle and estimated time remaining at the patient specific flow rate alongside navigation instructions to arrive at an oxygen bottle swap depo.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a system 96 including an oxygen bottle 98, a patient supportapparatus 100, and portions of a facility F are shown in Figure 1. The oxygen bottle 98 is configured to provide supplemental oxygen to a patient as described in greater detail below. The patient support apparatus 100 supports a patient in a heath care setting, such as within a facility F realized as a hospital or another setting for treating patients. The patient support apparatus 100 illustrated throughout the drawings is realized as a hospital bed. In other versions, however, the patient support apparatus 100 may be a stretcher, a cot, a table, a wheelchair, a chair, or a similar apparatus utilized in the care of a patient.

[0026] The patient support apparatus 100 includes a support structure 102 which provides support for the patient. In the representative version illustrated herein, the support structure 102 generally comprises a base 104 and a litter 106. Here, the litter 106 includes an intermediate frame 108 and a patient support deck 110 spaced above the base 104. As is described in greater detail below, a lift mechanism 112 is interposed between the base 104 and the intermediate frame 108 to facilitate moving the litter 106 relative to the base 104 between a plurality of vertical configurations / poses, including without limitation one or more raised configurations, lowered configurations, and / or inclined configurations such as a Trendelenburg configuration.

[0027] The patient support deck 110 has at least one deck section 114 arranged for movement relative to the intermediate frame 108 between a plurality of section positions 114A, 114B. The deck sections 114 of the patient support deck 110 provide a patient support surface 116 upon which the patient is supported. More specifically, in the representative version of the patient support apparatus 100 illustrated herein, the patient support deck 110 has four deck sections 114 which cooperate to define the patient support surface 116: a back section 118, a seat section 120, a leg section 122, and a foot section 124 (see Figures 3A-6). In the representative version illustrated herein, the seat section 120 is fixed to the intermediate frame 108 and is not arranged for movement relative thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the seat section 120 could be movable relative to other deck sections 114 in some versions. Conversely, the back section 118 and the leg section 122 are arranged for independent movement relative to each other and to the intermediate frame 108, as described in greater detail below, and the foot section 124 is arranged to move partially concurrently with the leg section 122.

[0028] Other configurations are contemplated, and it will be appreciated that different arrangements of deck sections 114 are contemplated by the present disclosure. By way of nonlimiting example, the patient support deck 110 could be configured without a discrete seat section 120 in some versions. Furthermore, while the representative version of the litter 106illustrated herein employs the intermediate frame 108 to support the deck sections 114 of the patient support deck 110 for movement relative to the base 104 via the lift mechanism 112, it will be appreciated that various types of litters 106, with or without discrete intermediate frames 108 and / or with a differently-configured lift mechanism 112, are contemplated by the present disclosure. In some versions, the patient support deck 110 and its associated deck sections 114 may be similar to as is described in U.S. Patent No. 11,116,680 entitled “Patient Support Apparatus for Controlling Patient Ingress and Egress." the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0029] A mattress 126 may be disposed on the patient support deck 110 during use. The mattress 126 comprises or otherwise defines the patient support surface 116 upon which the patient is supported, but it will be appreciated that its shape is defined based on the arrangement of the patient support deck 110. Here too, it will be appreciated that the patient support deck 110 itself would define the patient support surface 116 during operation of some versions of the patient support apparatus 100 without the mattress 126. Put differently, the mattress 126 may be omitted in certain versions, such that the patient can rest directly on the patient support surface 116 defined by the deck sections 114 of the patient support deck 110. The base 104, the litter 106, the intermediate frame 108, and the patient support deck 110 each have a head end and a foot end corresponding to designated placement of the patient’s head and feet on the patient support apparatus 100. It will be appreciated that the specific configuration of the support structure 102 may take on any known or conventional design and is not limited to that specifically illustrated and described herein. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0030] Side rails 128, 130, 132, 134 are coupled to the support structure 102 via mounts and are supported for movement relative to the intermediate frame 108 (and, thus, relative to the base 104). A first side rail 128 is positioned at a right head end of the litter 106. A second side rail 130 is positioned at a left head end of litter 106. A third side rail 132 is positioned at a right foot end of the litter 106. A fourth side rail 134 is positioned at a left foot end of the litter 106. One or more of the side rails may be coupled to one or mounts via linkages and may be movable between a plurality of side rail positions, including a raised position, in which they block ingress and egress into and out of the patient support apparatus 100, one or more intermediate positions, and a lowered position in which they are not an obstacle to such ingress and egress across the periphery of the patient support surface 116. It will be appreciated that there may be fewer side rails for certain versions, such as where the patient support apparatus 100 is realized as a stretcher or a cot. Similarly, it will be appreciated that side rails may be attached to any suitable component or structure of the patient support apparatus 100, and thattheir respective mount and / or linkage may be configured in various ways. In some versions, the side rails 128, 130, 132, 134 or other portions of the patient support apparatus 100 may be similar to as is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20210338504A1 entitled “Side Rail Assembly For A Patient Support Apparatus ” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other configurations are contemplated. In the representative version illustrated herein, the first and second side rails 128, 130 are coupled to the back section 118 of the patient support deck 110 and move concurrently therewith.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, a headboard 136 and a footboard 138 are coupled to respective mounts of the intermediate frame 108 of the litter 106. However, it will be appreciated that the headboard 136 and / or footboard 138 may be coupled to other locations on the patient support apparatus 100, such as the base 104, or may be omitted in certain versions. One or more caregiver interfaces 140, such as handles, are shown in Figure 1 as being integrated into the first and second side rails 128, 130 to facilitate movement of the patient support apparatus 100 over floor surfaces. Additional caregiver interfaces 140 may be integrated into the headboard 136, the footboard 138, and / or other components of the patient support apparatus 100, such as the third and / or fourth side rails 132, 134, the intermediate frame 108, and the like. The caregiver interfaces 140 are shaped so as to be grasped by a caregiver as a way to position or otherwise manipulate the patient support apparatus 100 for movement. It will be appreciated that the caregiver interfaces 140 could be integrated with or operatively attached to any suitable portion of the patient support apparatus 100 or may be omitted in certain versions.

[0032] Wheels 142 are coupled to the base 104 to facilitate transportation over floor surfaces. The wheels 142 are arranged in each of four quadrants of the base 104, adjacent to corners of the base 104. In the version shown in Figure 1, the wheels 142 are caster wheels that are able to rotate and swivel relative to the support structure 102 during transport. Here, each of the wheels 142 forms part of a caster assembly 144 mounted to the base 104. In the illustrated version, the patient support apparatus 100 includes a brake assembly 153 operatively attached to one or more of the wheels 142 and being operable between a braked state to inhibit movement of the base 104 about floor surfaces, and an unbraked state to permit movement of the base 104 about floor surfaces. In some versions, the wheels 142 and brake assembly 153 may be similar to as is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,806,653 entitled “Patient Transport Apparatus With Electro-Mechanical Braking System,” and / or International Patent Application Publication No. WO2021138176A1 entitled “Patient Transport Apparatus With Electro-Mechanical Braking System,” the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0033] It should be understood that various configurations of the caster assemblies 144 are contemplated. In addition, in some versions, the wheels 142 are not caster wheels. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the wheels 142 may be non-steerable, steerable, non-powered, powered, or combinations thereof. While the representative version of the patient support apparatus 100 illustrated herein employs four wheels 142, additional wheels are also contemplated. For example, the patient support apparatus 100 may comprise four nonpowered, non-steerable wheels, along with one or more additional powered wheels. In some cases, the patient support apparatus may not include any wheels. In other versions, one or more auxiliary wheels (powered or non-powered), which are movable between stowed positions and deployed positions, may be coupled to the support structure 102. In some cases, when auxiliary wheels are located between caster assemblies 144 and contact the floor surface in the deployed position, they cause two of the caster assemblies 144 to be lifted off the floor surface, thereby shortening a wheel base of the patient support apparatus 100. A fifth wheel may also be arranged substantially in a center of the base 104.

[0034] As noted above, the patient support apparatus 100 employs the lift mechanism 112 to lift and lower the litter 106 relative to the base 104 which, in turn, moves the intermediate frame 108 together with the patient support deck 110 between various vertical configurations, such as to the raised vertical configuration 106A depicted in Figures 3A-4A, the lowered vertical configuration 106B depicted in Figures 4B-5, or to any desired vertical configuration therebetween including various inclined configurations 106A such as is depicted in Figure 6. To this end, the lift mechanism 112 may include a head end lift member 146 and a foot end lift member 148 which are each arranged to facilitate movement of the litter 106 with respect to the base 104 using one or more lift actuators 150. The lift actuators 150 may be realized as linear actuators, rotary actuators, or other types of actuators, and may be electrically operated and / or may be hydraulic. It is contemplated that, in some configurations, only one lift member and one associated lift actuator may be employed, e.g., to raise only one end of the litter 106 (see Figure 6), or one central lift actuator to raise and lower the litter 106. The construction of the lift mechanism 112, the head end lift member 146, and / or the foot end lift member 148 may take on any known or conventional design, and is not limited to that specifically illustrated. By way of non-limiting example, the lift mechanism 112 could comprise a “scissor” linkage arranged between the base 104 and the litter 106 with one or more actuators configured to facilitate vertical movement of the patient support deck 110. In some versions, the liftmechanism 112 may be similar to as is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,172,753 entitled “Patient Support Lift Assembly, ” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0035] As noted above, the patient support deck 110 is operatively attached to the intermediate frame 108 (e.g., as depicted in Figures 1 and 3A-6), with one or more of the deck sections 114 arranged for movement between a first section position 114A (see Figures 3A- 4B) and a second section position 114B (see Figures 5-6). To this end, one or more deck actuators 152 are interposed between the deck section 114 and the intermediate frame 108 to move the deck section 114. In the representative versions illustrated herein, the deck actuator 152 is realized as a linear actuator disposed in force-translating relationship between the deck section 114 and the intermediate frame 108. More specifically, one deck actuator 152 is provided between the intermediate frame 108 and the back section 118, and another deck actuator 152 is provided between the intermediate frame 108 and the leg section 122, and each of the deck actuators 152 is arranged for independent movement to position the respective deck sections 114 to adjust the shape of the patient support surface 116 between a plurality of patient support configurations (for example, a flat configuration, a raised fowler configuration, a seated configuration, etc.). Here, the deck actuator 152 coupled to the back section 118 is configured to move the back section 118 between the first section position 114A (see Figures 3A-4B), the second section position 114B (see Figures 5-6), as well as to additional section positions between the first and second section positions 114 A, 114B and / or to section positions beyond the second section position 114B.

[0036] Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the patient support apparatus 100 could employ any suitable number of deck actuators 152, of any suitable type or configuration sufficient to effect selective movement of one or more of the deck sections 114 relative to the litter 106 or other components of the support structure 102. By way of nonlimiting example, the deck actuator 152 could be a linear actuator or one or more rotary actuators driven electronically and / or hydraulically, and / or controlled or driven in any suitable way. Moreover, the deck actuator 152 could be mounted, secured, coupled, or otherwise operatively attached to the intermediate frame 108 and to the deck section 114, either directly or indirectly, in any suitable way. In addition, one or more of the deck actuators 152 could be omitted for certain applications.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the patient support apparatus 100 employs a control system, generally indicated at 154, to effect operation of various functions of the patient support apparatus 100 by powering, driving, communicating with, or otherwise controlling varioustypes of powered devices PD onboard the patient support apparatus 100 as well as other de vices and components of the system 96, as described in greater detail below. To this end, and as is shown schematically in Figure 2, the control system 154 generally includes an apparatus controller 156 disposed in communication with one or more user interfaces 158 adapted for use by the patient and / or the caregiver to facilitate operation of one or more functions of the patient support apparatus 100. The apparatus controller 156 may also be directly or indirectly disposed in communication with powered devices PD, including without limitation the lift actuators 150, the deck actuators 152, one or more sensors S of a sensor system 160, one or more indicators 162 (e.g., additional user interfaces 158, lights, screens, displays, speakers, microphones, and the like), one or more power converters 164, a drive system 178, and / or one or more additional powered devices 166 such as devices to adjust the length and / or width of the litter 106, devices to turn the patient, devices to facilitate ingress and / or egress, devices to facilitate actuation of electric brakes, devices to monitor patient movement and / or bed exit, and additional components of the control system 154 of the patient support apparatus 100 as described below. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0038] In the representative version illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the patient support apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of user interfaces 158 which may be accessible by the patient, the caregiver, or by both the caregiver and the patient. Each user interface 158 of the patient support apparatus 100 generally comprises an input device 170 arranged for user engagement and configured to generate an input signal in response to activation by a user which, in turn, is communicated to the apparatus controller 156. The apparatus controller 156, in turn, is responsive to the input signal and can control or otherwise carry out one or more functions of the patient support apparatus 100 and / or the system 96 in response to receiving the input signal. Put differently, the apparatus controller 156 is configured to perform a function in response to receiving the input from the input device 170. By way of non-limiting example, the input device 170 could be realized as a “lift bed” button, activation of which causes the apparatus controller 156 to drive the lift actuators 150 to move the intermediate frame 108 of the litter 106 from the maximum lowered configuration vertically away from the base 104 towards the raised configuration.

[0039] In some versions, one or more of the user interfaces 158 may also employ an output device 172, such as a screen, one or more audible and / or visual indicators (e.g., speakers, beepers, light emitting diodes LEDs, and the like), to communicate (i.e., output) information to the user (e.g., to the caregiver). In some versions, the user interface 158 may be realized as a touchscreen interface that serves as both the input device 170 and the output device 172. Insome versions, the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to facilitate navigation of visual content of the user interface 158 (e.g., realized as a graphical user interface GUI) in response to receiving the input signal from the input device 170. Thus, it will be appreciated that the user interface 158 could be configured in a number of different ways sufficient to generate the input signal. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the user interfaces 158 could be of a number of different styles, shapes, configurations, and the like. By way of non-limiting example, one or more of the user interfaces 158 may comprise buttons, indicators, screens, graphical user interfaces, and the like. In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 may employ a single user interface 158 or multiple user interfaces 158 of the same or different types. In some versions, other components of the system 96 may include one or more user interfaces 158 for controlling or otherwise interacting with the patient support apparatus 100 and / or other components of the system 96. By way of non-limiting example, one or more user interfaces 158 may be realized as a part of a facility module of the facility F (see Figure 1), as a part of one or more portable electronic devices 168, and / or as a part of various other components of the system 96. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0040] In some versions, one or more portions of the sensor system 160 may be coupled to the support structure 102 to generate data representing load acting on the support structure 102. To this end, as is depicted schematically in Figure 2, the sensor system 160 may include a plurality of load cells 174 interposed in force- translating relation between the intermediate frame 108 and the base 104 to measure load acting on the support structure 102 (not shown in detail). Here, each load cell 174 generates a respective output signal representing the amount of weight sensed thereby. In some versions, a total of four load cells 174 are interposed between the intermediate frame 108 and the lift members 146, 148 of the lift mechanism 112 to measure load (e.g., patient weight) acting about the patient support surface 116 as well as on other portions of the intermediate frame 108 or components coupled thereto. It will be appreciated that other arrangements of load cells 174 are contemplated by the present disclosure, and different quantities of load cells 174 arranged in various ways may be employed by the sensor system 160. By way of non-limiting example, load cells could be interposed between the base 104 and the lift mechanism 112 (not shown). In some versions, aspects of the patient support apparatus 100, including the arrangement of load cells 174 about support structures 102, may be similar to as is described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2021242946 Al entitled “Lift Systems And Load Cells For Patient Support Apparatus ” International Patent Application Publication No. WO2021108377A1 entitled “Patient Support Apparatus With Load Cell Assemblies ” and / or U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US20210030611A1 entitled “Patient Support Apparatus With Load Cell Assemblies',” the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0041] In some versions, the sensor system 160 may include one or more different types of sensors S for determining changes in the position, state, or operation of various portions of the patient support apparatus 100, and or changes in patient position, status, condition, and the like. In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 may include one or more sensors S disposed in communication with the apparatus controller 156 to: determine motion of the patient support apparatus 100, to determine operation of the brake assembly 153 (e.g., between braked and unbraked states), to determine an arrangement of the intermediate frame 108 relative to the base 104, to determine movement of one or more deck sections 114, to determine movement of the side rails 128, 130, 132, 134 and / or the headboard 136 or the footboard 138, to determine movement of the mattress 126, and / or to determine changes in the position or status of the patient. It will be appreciated that various sensors S of a number of different types, styles, and / or configurations may be employed, including without limitation limit switches, touch sensors, potentiometers, encoders, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, optical sensors (e.g., cameras), or other type of sensors responsive to changes in position, contact, orientation, state, and the like. In some versions, the functionality afforded by sensors S could be realized as code operated by the apparatus controller 156 or other portions of the system 96. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0042] Referring to Figures 3A-6, in some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 includes an auxiliary wheel assembly 176 coupled to the base 104. The auxiliary wheel assembly 176 forms part of a drive system 178 configured to influence motion of the patient support apparatus 100 during transportation over floor surfaces. To this end, the drive system 178 generally includes a drive member 180 and a motor 182 coupled to the drive member 180 to operate the drive member 180 at various speeds. In the illustrated versions, the drive member 180 is realized as an auxiliary wheel 142 A. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the drive system 178 could be configured in other ways, with various types of drive members 180 other than those configured as auxiliary wheels 142A of auxiliary wheel assemblies 176. By way of non-limiting example, the drive member 180 could be realized by various types and / or arrangements of one or more belts, treads, wheels, tires, and the like, which may be arranged in various ways about the patient support apparatus 100 and may be deployable, retractable, or similarly movable, or may be generally engaged with the floor surface (e.g., realized as powered wheels at one or more comers of the base 104). Otherconfigurations are contemplated. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the auxiliary wheel drive system 178 described and illustrated herein represents one type of drive system 178 contemplated by the present disclosure, and the auxiliary wheel 142A described and illustrated herein represents one type of drive member 180 contemplated by the present disclosure.

[0043] The auxiliary wheel assembly 176 employs an auxiliary wheel actuator 184 operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel 142 A and operable to move the auxiliary wheel 142 A between one or more deployed positions engaging the floor surface, and one or more retracted positions spaced away from and out of contact with the floor surface. The auxiliary wheel 142A influences motion of the patient support apparatus 100 during transportation over the floor surface when the auxiliary wheel 142A is in a deployed position. In some versions, the auxiliary wheel assembly 176 comprises an additional auxiliary wheel movable with the auxiliary wheel via the auxiliary wheel actuator 184. It will be appreciated that operation of the drive system 178 may be effected in various ways, including such as based on signals from the sensor system 160, one or more sensors S, and / or one or more user interfaces 158. In some versions, aspects of the drive system 178 may be similar to as is disclosed in one or more of: U.S. Patent No. 11,484,447 entitled, “Patient Transport Apparatus With Controlled Auxiliary Wheel Deployment^ U.S. Patent No. 11,806,296 entitled, “Patient Transport Apparatus With Controlled Auxiliary Wheel Speed',” and / or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20210196533 Al entitled, “Patient Transport Apparatus With Auxiliary Wheel Control Systems;” the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0044] In the illustrated version, the system 96 employs a charging connection system 198 defined by an apparatus interface 200 and a facility interface 202 to facilitate charging the battery 159 of the patient support apparatus 100 with external power 157 provided by the facility F. The apparatus interface 200 is coupled to the patient support apparatus 100, and the facility interface 202 is coupled to or is otherwise formed as a part of the facility F. The apparatus interface 200 and the facility interface 202 are configured for releasable engagement together in a connected state SC to facilitate wired electrical communication of power P and / or data D between the patient support apparatus 100 and the facility F. Here, the apparatus interface 200 is disposed in electrical communication with various components of the control system 154 of the patient support apparatus 100, including for example the apparatus controller 156 (and / or various powered devices PD or other components in communication with the apparatus controller 156), the battery 159, and / or a power converter / charger 164; and the facility interface 202 is disposed in electrical communication with various components of thefacility F, including for example the external power source 157, an infrastructure controller 186, and / or other types of remote systems 188 (e.g., nurse call systems, terminals, servers, networks, communication systems, and the like) as described in greater detail below.

[0045] As noted above, the charging connection system 198 may be employed to facilitate the transfer of both power P and data D between the facility F and the patient support apparatus 100. Here, it will be appreciated that various types of data D may be transferred between the facility F and the patient support apparatus 100, according to various communication protocols, standards, and the like. Data D may represent or be associated with various aspects of the facility F, the patient, the patient support apparatus 100, and / or other medical devices, systems, and the like, such as for example data D about devices associated with the patient support apparatus 100 (e.g., the oxygen bottle 98). Other configurations are contemplated. In some versions, data D may be exchanged between the apparatus controller 156 and the infrastructure controller 186 to facilitate operation of the power converter 164. In some versions, data D may be exchanged between the apparatus controller 156 and the infrastructure controller 186 to facilitate communication with the patient via video, audio, and the like. In some versions, the infrastructure controller 186 may facilitate communication with other remote systems 188 of the facility F (e.g., nurse call systems, terminals, monitoring systems, management systems, other medical devices or equipment, and the like). Other configurations are contemplated.

[0046] In the representative version depicted in Figure 1, in order to facilitate wired electrical communication between the patient support apparatus 100 and the facility F, the facility interface 202 includes a facility module 204 which is coupled to the external power source 157, the infrastructure controller 186, and to one or more remote systems 188 as described in greater detail below. In the version depicted in Figure 1, the facility module 204 is coupled to an outlet OUT via a cable and plug, where the outlet OUT provides power to the facility module 204 from the facility F. The facility interface 202 also includes a tether T extending between the facility and an interface connector 206, with the tether T also being connected to the facility F (e.g., wired to the external power source 157 via the facility module 204). This configuration allows a caregiver or another user to move the facility interface 202 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 and bring it into and out of engagement with the apparatus interface 200 in the connected state SC. In the illustrated version, the apparatus interface 200 is depicted as being operatively attached to the intermediate frame 108 of the litter 106 adjacent to the head end. However, it will be appreciated that the apparatus interface 200 could be operatively attached to, or formed integrally with, any suitable portion of the patient support apparatus 100. Furthermore, it is contemplated that multiple apparatusinterfaces 200 could be employed, such as to enable connection to one apparatus interface 200 arranged at the head end and / or to a different apparatus interface 200 arranged at the foot end (not shown). Other configurations are contemplated. It will be appreciated that the tether T may have any suitable length sufficient to facilitate releasable engagement of the charging connection system 198 in the connected state SC, or may be omitted in some versions.

[0047] Referring now, generally, to Figures 1-2, the patient support apparatus 100 described and illustrated herein is configured to removably secure the oxygen bottle 98. To this end, in the illustrated versions, the patient support apparatus 100 includes a bottle holder 208 operatively attached to the intermediate frame 108 (see Figure 1) for concurrent movement between the plurality of vertical configurations (not shown in detail). The bottle holder 208 is spaced from floor surfaces FS throughout movement of the intermediate frame 108 between the plurality of vertical configurations. In this way, the oxygen bottle 98 is secured such that the bottle holder 208 as well as the oxygen bottle 98 are not dragged along floor surfaces FS during movement and do not otherwise obstruct movement of and / or inhibit access to portions of the patient support apparatus 100.

[0048] In the representative version depicted in Figure 1, the bottle holder 208 is operatively attached to the intermediate frame 108 and supports the oxygen bottle 98 in a generally horizontal configuration adjacent to the foot end of the litter 106. However, as will be appreciated from the subsequent description below, the bottle holder 208 may be configured to releasably support and / or secure oxygen bottles 98 of various styles, types, and configurations in any suitable arrangement for concurrent movement with the patient support apparatus 100. By way of non-limiting example, the bottle holder 208 may be configured to support the oxygen bottle 98 adjacent to the base 104 in a horizontal arrangement (not shown), or adjacent to the litter 106 in a vertical arrangement (not shown). Other configurations are contemplated. In some versions, aspects of the bottle holder 208 may be similar to as is described in International Patent Application Publication No. W02024035620A1 entitled “Patient Support Apparatus For Removably Securing An Oxygen Bottle,'” and / or in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2024 / 013425 filed on January 30, 2024 and entitled “Patient Support Apparatus For Removably Securing An Oxygen Bottle,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0049] As is depicted schematically in Figure 2, the oxygen bottle 98 includes a tank 210 disposed in fluid communication with a regulator 212 arranged for engagement by a caregiver to adjust the flow of supplemental oxygen from the tank 210 to a patient such as via a nasal cannula or mask (not shown in detail, but generally known in the art). The oxygen bottle 98also includes a bottle unit 214 which may be operatively attached to or otherwise formed as a part of the regulator 212. The bottle unit 214 includes a bottle controller 216 disposed in electrical communication with a bottle battery 218 and with a bottle sensor 220. The bottle battery 218 may be replaceable or rechargeable, and may be configured to facilitate powering the bottle controller 216, the bottle sensor 220, or other portions of the bottle unit 214. The bottle sensor 220 is disposed in fluid communication with the tank 210 and is configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle 98. For example, the bottle sensor 220 may be configured to determine at least one of a fill amount FA of the tank 210, a maximum capacity of the tank 210, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle 98. To this end, in some versions, the bottle sensor 220 may be realized as a pressure transducer configured to determine an internal pressure of the tank 210 (e.g., relative to atmosphere). However, other configurations are contemplated, and it will be appreciated that the oxygen bottle 98 may employ one or more bottle sensors 220 of various types, styles, and / or configurations sufficient to facilitate determining the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle 98 (e.g., by determining changes in one or more of pressure, volume, flow rate, temperature, concentration, and the like), either by the bottle controller 216 or by other components of the system 96. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0050] In some versions, the bottle unit 214 may include a bottle connector 222 disposed in electrical communication with the bottle controller 216 and / or with other portions of the oxygen bottle 98 (e.g., the bottle battery 218, the bottle sensor 220, and / or other components of the bottle unit 214) and arranged for selective electrical communication with a holder connector 224 of the bottle holder 208 to facilitate exchanging power P and / or data D with the control system 154 of the patient support apparatus 100. By way of non-limiting example, in some versions, data D from or associated with the bottle sensor 220 could be transmitted to the apparatus controller 156. In some versions, power P may be provided from the holder connector 224 to the botde connector 222 via the battery 159 of the patient support apparatus 100 (and / or via the external power source 157) to facilitate charging the bottle battery 218. It will be appreciated that power P and / or data D could be transferred via a physical electrical connection, such as via terminals of the bottle connector 222 which abut corresponding terminals of the holder connector 224 (not shown), and / or via one or more types of wireless communication to facilitate transfer of power P (e.g., via inductive charging) and / or data D (e.g., via near field communication NFC, ultrawideband UWB, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, active or passive radio frequency identification RFID, cellular, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, infrared, or similar protocols or combinations thereof). In some versions, aspects of power P and / or data D transfermay be similar to as is described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2023027767A1 entitled “Patient Transport Apparatus With Power Transfer Architecture,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other configurations are contemplated, including where data D is communicated from the bottle unit 214 to other portions of the system 96 without necessarily utilizing the bottle and holder connectors 222, 224 as described in greater detail below.

[0051] As will be appreciated from the subsequent description below, certain components of the system 96 described herein and illustrated throughout the drawings may employ one or more controllers of various styles, types, and / or configurations to facilitate operation of their respective components and / or communication with other components. Here, for example, the patient support apparatus 100 includes the apparatus controller 156, the facility module 204 (or another component of the facility F) includes the infrastructure controller 186, the bottle unit 214 includes the bottle controller 216, and the portable electronic device 168 employs a device controller 226. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of the controllers 156, 186, 216, 226 may include one or more microprocessors for processing instructions or for processing an algorithm stored in memory M to control operation of one or more components of the system 96, to facilitate generation or interpretation of signals and / or data D (e.g., data D from sensors S), to facilitate communication with the user interfaces 158 and / or other components of the system 96, to facilitate performing one or more functions, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the controllers 156, 186, 216, 226 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, systems on a chip, discrete circuitry, and / or other suitable hardware, software, or firmware that is capable of carrying out the various functions and operations described herein. The controllers 156, 186, 216, 226 may be carried on-board their respective components, or may be remotely located. The controllers 156, 186, 216, 226 may comprise one or more sub-controllers. The controllers 156, 186, 216, 226 and / or other parts of the system 96 may communicate via various types of wired and / or wireless communication as noted above and as is described in greater detail below. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0052] With reference to Figures 1-2, the system 96 is configured to, among other things, track or otherwise monitor changes in the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 throughout the facility F. The system 96 is likewise configured to track or otherwise monitor changes in the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 throughout the facility F, either directly (e.g., separately from the patient support apparatus 100) or indirectly by association with thelocation LA of the patient support apparatus 100 or another component of the system 96, as is described in greater detail below.

[0053] As is depicted schematically in Figure 2, the system 96 utilizes transceivers 228 to facilitate wireless communication between different components in order to, among other things, exchange data D and determine changes in locations of components throughout the facility F, as described in greater detail below. The transceivers 228 are configured to communicate according to one or more communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, cellular (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, and the like), Zigbee, Ultra-wideband UWB, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Infrared, Near Field Communication NFC, passive Radio Frequency Identification RFID, active RFID, and / or similar protocols to facilitate wireless data D exchange between components of the system 96. In some versions, components of the system 96 may employ multiple transceivers 228, such as one transceiver 228 configured for communication across a local area network 230 (e.g., via Wi-Fi, a wired ethernet connection, and the like) and another transceiver 228 configured for Ultrawide-band UWB or Bluetooth communication. In some versions, components of the system 96 may employ multiple transceivers 228 of the same type, such as four UWB transceivers 228. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0054] In the representative version depicted herein, the system 96 utilizes one or more locator units 232 to determine a location of the patient support apparatus 100 (and, in some versions, other components of the system 96) within the facility F based on data D exchanged between different transceivers 228 of the system 96, as described in greater detail below. To this end, one or more locator units 232 may be positioned at known locations within the healthcare facility F, and are configured communicate with patient support apparatuses 100 (and / or other components of the system 96) and share information with them that allows the location of the patient support apparatuses 100 (and / or other components of the system 96), as well as one or more devices associated with the patient support apparatus 100 (and / or other components of the system 96) such as the oxygen bottle 98, to be determined as described in greater detail below.

[0055] In the version depicted in Figure 1, the locator unit 232 is adapted to be mounted to or is otherwise formed as a part of the facility module 204, such as near a headwall of a patient room within the healthcare facility F. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that locator units 232 may be positioned on walls, columns, ceilings, or any other fixed structures within the healthcare facility F. In some versions, the locator unit 232, the patient support apparatus 100, and / or other components of the system 96 may be similar to as is described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2022182816A1 entitled “System ForDetermining Patient Support Apparatus And Medical Device Location,” in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2023244469A1 entitled “Communication System For Patient Support Apparatuses,” in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2023043873A1 entitled “System For Locating Patient Support Apparatuses,” in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2022146699A1 entitled “Patient Support Apparatus And Medical Device Networks,” in International Patent Application Publication No. WO2022146693 Al entitled “Tool For Configuring Headwall Units Used For Patient Support Apparatus Communication,” and / or in U.S. Patent No. 10,085,905 entitled “Patient Support Apparatuses With Wireless Headwall Communication,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0056] As noted above, in the version depicted in Figure 2, the locator unit 232 may be “fixed” in a predetermined location within the facility F and is configured to communicate changes in the presence of other components of the system 96 via the transceivers 228 in response to movement of those components relative to the locator unit 232, such as when they become positioned nearby the locator unit 232 or move away from the locator unit 232. Thus, data D about the location of a mobile component of the system 96 (e.g., a patient support apparatus 100) can be communicated to other components of the system 96 based on interactions between the transceiver 228 of the mobile component and the transceiver 228 of the locator unit 232 based on the known fixed location of the locator unit 232 within the facility F. Moreover, associating one mobile component of the system 96 (e.g., the oxygen bottle 98) with another mobile component of the system 96 (e.g., the patient support apparatus 100), as is described in greater detail below, allows data D about the location of multiple associated mobile components of the system 96 (e.g., the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100) to be communicated to other components of the system 96 based on interactions between the transceiver 228 of the mobile components and the transceiver 228 of the locator unit 232 based on the known fixed location of the locator unit 232 within the facility F.

[0057] While the forgoing illustrative examples involve interactions with the transceiver 228 of one or more locator units 232 each disposed at fixed and known predetermined locations to determine changes in the location of mobile components of the system 96 relative to those predetermined locations, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that data D about the location of components of the system 96 can also be determined based on interactions between the transceivers 228 of mobile components of the system 96 where the location of those mobile components within the facility F can be determined using a separate trackingsystem and provided to other components of the system 96 for reference. By way of example, a portable electronic device 168 realized as a mobile phone may be configured to independently track the location of the mobile phone via one or more GPS sensors, triangulation with cellular towers, or other known local or global tracking technologies that allow the mobile phone’s real-time location relative to (or within) the facility F to be known and communicated to other components of the system 96, whereby the real-time location of the mobile phone may be used to track changes in the location of other components of the system 96 as they interact with the transceiver 228 of the mobile phone. It will be appreciated that the forgoing is an illustrative example of one way in which real-time location monitoring of certain components can be related to the location tracking via interaction between transceivers 228 noted above and described in greater detail below. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0058] For the purpose of clarity and consistency, the term “transceiver 228” may be used herein to refer to a single component for communicating according to a single protocol or to a single component for communicating according to multipole protocols. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “transceiver(s) 228” may be used to generally refer to either the transceiver 228 of one component of the system 96 or to the transceivers 228 of multiple components of the system 96. However, in the description that follows, reference to the transceivers 228 of specific components of the system 96 may also be made as follows: an apparatus transceiver 228A of the control system 156 of the patient support apparatus 100 that is disposed in communication with or is otherwise realized as a part of the apparatus controller 156, a bottle transceiver 228B of the bottle unit 214 of the oxygen bottle 98 that is disposed in communication with or is otherwise realized as a part of the bottle controller 216, a locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232 of the facility module 204 that is disposed in communication with or is otherwise realized as a part of the infrastructure controller 186, and a device transceiver 228P of the portable electronic device 168 that is disposed in communication with or is otherwise realized as a part of the device controller 226.

[0059] As is depicted schematically in Figure 2, the patient support apparatus 100 may be configured to communicate with one or more servers on the network 230 of the healthcare facility F, which may be local to the facility F and / or which may be cloud-based. In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 is disposed in communication with an apparatus server 234 which is configured to receive status information from one or more patient support apparatuses 100 positioned within the healthcare facility F and to distribute this status information to caregivers, other servers, and / or other software applications. The apparatus server 234 may also be configured to receive data D from one or more medical devices or othercomponents of the system 96 that are positioned within one or more volumes VA of space defined adjacent or relative to the patient support apparatus 100 and / or within a volume of space VL defined adjacent or relative to the locator unit 232. In some versions where data D associated with the patient is collected from medical devices or other components of the system 96 or is otherwise used in facilitating patient-specific care, such data D may be obtained from or sent to an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) server 236, one or more other servers on the network 230, and / or other components of the system 96.

[0060] In some versions, the apparatus server 234 may be configured to determine the location LA of each patient support apparatus 100 (and / or its associated devices), or may be configured to receive the location LA of each patient support apparatus 100 (and / or its associated devices) from the patient support apparatuses 100. In some versions, the apparatus server 234 may determine that the location LA corresponds to a room number and / or bay area of the facility F in which the patient support apparatus 100 (and its associated devices) are positioned. The apparatus server 234 may also determine the location LA of patient support apparatuses 100 and their associated devices which are positioned outside of a room but within another area of the facility F, such as in a hallway, a maintenance area, or some other area. In general, the apparatus server 234 may be configured to determine the location LA of any patient support apparatus 100 that is positioned within communication range of one or more locator units 232, as well as the location of any associated devices that are positioned within one or volumes of space VA defined adjacent to the patient support apparatus 100 as described in greater detail below.

[0061] In some versions, the apparatus server 234 may be adapted to communicate with the EMR server 236 in order to exchange data D therewith, such as to transmit patient data D that is to be recorded in a patient's health record (e.g., vital sign readings, weight readings, therapies provided, data D from or about associated devices, and the like. In addition, the apparatus server 234 may communicate with the EMR server 236 in order to receive data D from one or more of the devices or components of the system 96 that are being used with a particular patient.

[0062] In addition to sending signals received from the patient support apparatus 100 to the infrastructure controller 186 and / or to other components of the system 96, the locator units 232 are also adapted to forward signals to the patient support apparatus 100 (or other components of the system 96). Put differently, the locator units 232 are adapted to provide bidirectional communication between the apparatus controller 156 (or other components of the system 96) and the infrastructure controller 186 (or other components of the system 96) via communicationbetween their transceivers 228. Here, the locator units 232 are configured to communicate data D relating to the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 (e.g., based on the fixed location of the locator unit 232) to the patient support apparatus 100 which enables the patient support apparatus 100 and / or the apparatus server 234 (or other components of the system 96) to determine the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 within the healthcare facility F. In general, such location determination is carried out by the patient support apparatus 100 analyzing signals communicated between the apparatus transceiver 228 A of the patient support apparatus 100 and the locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232 in order to determine the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 relative to the locator unit 232. For example, if a predefined reference point on the patient support apparatus 100 (e.g., its head end) is positioned within a threshold distance of the locator unit 232 within the volume VL, the patient support apparatus 100 associates itself with the locator unit 232. When associated, the patient support apparatus 100 communicates data D to the locator unit 232, receives data D from the locator unit 232, and also deems its location LA within the healthcare facility F to be the same as location of the locator unit 232. In some versions, when the patient support apparatus 100 is outside of the threshold distance, it does not associate itself with the locator unit 232, and therefore does not exchange data D with the locator unit 232 or consider its location LA to be the same as that of the locator unit 232.

[0063] In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 is configured to associate itself with a particular locator unit 232 if both the patient support apparatus 100 (or a reference point thereon) and the locator unit 232 are concurrently positioned within a predefined volume of space. In some versions, the volume VL is defined with respect to each locator unit 232 and does not move relative to the respective locator unit 232. In other versions, the volume VA is defined with respect to the patient support apparatus 100 and moves as the patient support apparatus 100 moves. In both versions, the patient support apparatus 100 associates itself with a nearby locator unit 232 if both the locator unit 232 and the patient support apparatus 100 (or a reference point thereon) are concurrently within the predefined volume of space.

[0064] After communicating with the locator unit 232, the patient support apparatus 100 is able to have its position within the healthcare facility F determined by receiving a unique identity IL from the locator unit 232. The location of each locator unit 232 in the healthcare facility F is surveyed during the installation of locator units 232, and the unique identity IL of each locator unit 232 are also recorded during the installation of locator units 232. This surveying information and corresponding identity information may be stored in the apparatus server 234 and / or onboard the patient support apparatus 100, thereby enabling the patientsupport apparatus 100, the apparatus server 234, and / or other components of the system 96 to determine the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 once it is associated with a particular the locator unit 232.

[0065] Regardless of how the location of each the locator unit 232 is initially determined after they are installed in a healthcare facility F (e.g., whether their coordinates are determined or a more generalized location is determined), the fixed locations of all of the locator units 232, as well as their unique identities IL, are stored in a memory M accessible by the apparatus server 234, which uses this location data D and identity ID data D to determine the location LA of a the patient support apparatus 100. Alternatively, or additionally, the location data and identities IL may be forwarded to patient support apparatuses 100 for storage in their onboard memories M and for use in determining their own locations LA. In some versions, the location of each the locator unit 232 (whether specific and / or general) may also, or alternatively, be stored in a memory M within that particular the locator unit 232 and shared with the devices it communicates with (e.g., patient support apparatuses 100). In some versions, the location of each the locator unit 232 may be stored in multiple locations.

[0066] In versions where the apparatus server 234 is configured to determine the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100, the patient support apparatus 100 sends its relative position information and / or the unique identity IL of the associated the locator unit 232 (and its own unique patient support apparatus identity IA) to the apparatus server 234. In some versions, the apparatus server 234 employs a table of all of the locations of the locator units 232 to correlate the patient support apparatus identities IA and the locator unit identities IL that it receives to specific locations within the healthcare facility F. Thus, if a particular patient support apparatus 100 (with a particular identity IA) sends an associated locator unit identity IL that corresponds to a specific room, the apparatus server 234 may determine that the particular patient support apparatus 100 is currently located in that specific room. Generally speaking, the location of the patient support apparatus 100 is deemed to correspond to whichever the locator unit 232 it is currently associated with, and if it is not currently associated with any locator unit 232, its location may be considered to be indeterminate.

[0067] In some versions, the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 relative to the locator unit 232 may be determined solely using transceivers 228 configured for ultra- wideband (UWB) communication between the patient support apparatus 100 and the locator unit 232. Alternatively, in some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 may use short range infrared communications with the locator unit 232 to determine its relative location, wherein such short range infrared communications may occur when the patient supportapparatus 100 is positioned within a close proximity to the locator unit 232 (e.g., in the range of about 1-3 unobstructed meters). Here, the patient support apparatus 100 may report that its location LA coincides with that of the nearby the locator unit 232 when it is able to successfully communicate with the nearby the locator unit 232 using these short range infrared communications. Still further, in some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 and the locator unit 232 may communicate with each other using both ultra-wideband and infrared (or other) communications, such as with multiple transceivers 228. In some versions, the use of short range infrared communications for location determination may be similar to as is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,999,375 entitled “Location Detection Systems and Methods,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0068] In versions where the transceivers 228 are configured for ultra-wideband communication to facilitate location determination of components of the system 96, the UWB locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232 is adapted to communicate with one or more UWB transceivers 228A positioned onboard the patient support apparatus 100. The locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232 is adapted to determine a distance between itself and the patient support apparatus 100. Alternatively, or additionally, the UWB locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232 may be adapted to allow one or more of the UWB apparatus transceivers 228A onboard the patient support apparatus 100 to determine their distance(s) from the UWB locator transceiver 228L of the locator unit 232. In some versions, the UWB transceivers 228 use time of flight computations to determine these distances. In other versions, the UWB transceivers 228 may utilize other techniques for determining their distances from each other, either in addition to, or in lieu of, time of flight computations. In some versions, the UWB transceivers 228 may also determine an angle between themselves using angular information derived from antenna arrays positions onboard the UWB transceivers 228, or by using other techniques. The measured distances (and / or angular information between the locator unit 232 and the patient support apparatus 100) generated from the communications between UWB transceivers 228 may utilize Angle of Arrival (AoA) information, Time of Flight (TOF) information, Channel State Information, Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) information, Two-Way Ranging (TWR) ranging information, and / or other information.

[0069] The position and orientation of each the UWB apparatus transceivers 228A onboard the patient support apparatus 100 is known and stored in memory M to determine the position and orientation of the patient support apparatus 100 with respect to the locator unit(s) 232 with which it is communicating. The known location information may include the spatialrelationship between UWB apparatus transceivers 228A and / or any other components of the patient support apparatus 100. For example, in some versions, the known location information includes the spatial relationship not only between UWB apparatus transceivers 228 A, but also the spatial relationships between UWB apparatus transceivers 228A and one or more of the following: the head end of the patient support apparatus 100, the foot end of the patient support apparatus 100, the sides of the patient support apparatus 100, a reference point defined on the patient support apparatus 100, the floor, and / or other components and / or landmarks of the patient support apparatus 100. In some versions, this location information is used to determine the orientation of the patient support apparatus 100 with respect to one or more walls, locator units 232, another the patient support apparatus 100, another component of the system 96, and / or another object or structure within the healthcare facility F.

[0070] In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 may include four UWB apparatus transceivers 228A each positioned generally adjacent to a respective one of the four corners of the patient support apparatus 100. In some such versions, the four UWB apparatus transceivers 228 A of the patient support apparatus 100 are attached to, or positioned near, the four comes of litter 106. In other versions, the four UWB apparatus transceivers 228A are attached to, or positioned near, the four comers of base 104. In some versions, each of the four UWB apparatus transceivers 228A are attached to the comers of the patient support deck 110. Other arrangements and / or quantities of UWB apparatus transceivers 228A are contemplated. In some versions, one or more UWB apparatus transceivers 228A may be coupled to movable portions (e.g., to the litter 106 or to the patient support deck 110), whereby sensors S may be utilized are to communicate the current position of the movable component to the apparatus controller 156 so as to determine the current positions of the UWB apparatus transceivers 228A and use those positions when determining relative locations.

[0071] The location of the patient support apparatus 100 relative to locator units 232 is repetitively determined by an exchange of communication signals between their UWB transceivers 228A, 228L. This exchange is initiated by an interrogation signal that may be sent by the UWB locator transceivers 228L of the locator unit 232, and / or it may be sent by the UWB apparatus transceiver(s) 228A of the patient support apparatus 100. In some versions, interrogation signals (from either source) may be sent after the passage of a predefined interval of time. Put differently, the patient support apparatus 100 and / or the locator unit 232 may be configured to periodically send out an interrogation signal that will be responded to by any UWB transceivers 228 positioned with range of that signal. In versions where the patient support apparatus 100 is configured to send out an interrogation signal, time intervals betweeninterrogation signals may be varied depending upon the location and / or other status of the patient support apparatus 100. For example, in some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 may be configured to send out interrogation signals with longer timer intervals between them when the patient support apparatus 100 is stationary, and to send out interrogation signals with shorter time intervals between them when the patient support apparatus 100 is in motion. Here, after the patient support apparatus 100 has ceased moving, the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to cease sending out interrogation signals until it once again starts moving. In some versions, motion of the patient support apparatus 100 may be detected in any suitable manner, such as via sensors S, operation of the drive system 178, and the like.

[0072] The patient support apparatus 100 is also configured to use the transceiver(s) 228A, 228B to determine the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100, and may associate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus controller 156 uses transceivers 228A, 228B to determine the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to a predetermined location (e.g., a volume VA) and to associate the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 with the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 so as to enable other components of the system 96 to locate the oxygen bottle 98. In some versions, the interaction between the transceivers 228A, 228B of the patient support apparatus 100 and the oxygen bottle 98 is substantially similar to the interaction between the UWB transceivers 228A, 228L of the patient support apparatus 100 and the locator unit 232 described above. The apparatus controller 156 of the patient support apparatus 100 can use data D about the relative locations LA, LB of the patient support apparatus 100 and the oxygen bottle 98 to determine how it will interact with the oxygen bottle 98, including whether to associate with the oxygen bottle 98 or not. In other words, the apparatus controller 156 of the patient support apparatus 100 may use radio frequency (RF) communication between the bottle transceiver(s) 228B and the apparatus transceiver(s) 228A to determine a position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 and associate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 based on the position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100.

[0073] When the apparatus controller 156 associates the patient support apparatus 100 with the oxygen bottle 98, as will be discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus controller 156 and / or the apparatus server 234 may take one or more of the following actions: output data from these devices on one or more user interfaces 158, exchange data D with the apparatus server 234 and / or to the EMR server 236 via the network 230, exchange data D or signals across the tether T, forward data D or signals to other components of the system 96, exchangedata D between components of the system 96 other than by across the network 230 (e.g., via other types of transceivers 228), and / or take other actions.

[0074] The oxygen bottle 98 includes the bottle transceiver 228B disposed in communication with or otherwise realized as a part of the bottle controller 216, and includes a unique bottle identity IB stored in memory M of the bottle controller 216. In some versions, the bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98 is realized as a UWB bottle transceiver 228B. In addition or alternatively, in some versions the bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98 may be realized as a Bluetooth LE BT bottle transceiver 228B and / or a near field NF bottle transceiver 228B. In some versions, the oxygen bottle 98 may employ the bottle controller 216 disposed in communication with the bottle transceiver 228B to facilitate communication with other components of the system 96 (e.g., via ultrawideband communication), and a separate controller (not shown) disposed in communication with one or more bottle sensors 220 and / or the regulator 212 which, in turn, communicates data D (e.g., one or more of current flowrate, current pressure, and the like) to the bottle controller 216 via a wired or wireless connection of another form (e.g., Zigbee, Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, and the like). Other configurations are contemplated. The bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98 is adapted to communicate with the apparatus transceiver 228A of the patient support apparatus 100 so that the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 can be determined. In some versions, the bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98 is configured to transmit the bottle identity IB of the oxygen bottle 98 to the patient support apparatus 100 so that the patient support apparatus 100 knows which specific oxygen bottle 98 it is communicating with. In versions where ultra-wideband communication is employed, the UWB bottle transceiver 228B may be the same as (or substantially similar to) the other UWB transceivers 228 discussed herein.

[0075] As noted above, the apparatus controller 156 is configured to associate and disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 with and from the patient support apparatus 100. In some versions, the association process is carried out by a user physically bringing the oxygen bottle 98 within a predetermined range R of the patient support apparatus 100, such as for example within a volume VA enclosing at least a portion of the bottle holder 208 (not shown in detail). When the bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98 is brought within the predetermined range R of the apparatus transceiver 228A of the patient support apparatus 100, the transceivers 228A, 228B automatically communicate with each other. Here, it will be appreciated that the communication between the transceivers 228A, 228B may occur according to the same type of communication employed for general location determination (e.g., via UWB transceivers228A, 228B), or may be based on another type of communication, such as near field communication NFC (e.g., via NFC transceivers 228A, 228B), Bluetooth LE communication (e.g., via BT transceivers 228A, 228B), or similar types of communication.

[0076] Stated differently, the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to associate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the oxygen bottle 98 being positioned within a predefined volume VA relative to the patient support apparatus 100, and the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the oxygen bottle 98 being removed from the predefined volume VA relative to the patient support apparatus 100. In some versions, association of the oxygen bottle 98 may be based on the distance of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 as opposed to being based on whether the oxygen bottle 98 is positioned within the predefined volume VA. In other words, the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to associate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the oxygen bottle 98 being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus 100, and the apparatus controller 156 may be configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 exceeding the threshold distance. The threshold distance may be defined as a radius around the patient support apparatus 100, but other configurations are contemplated.

[0077] It will also be appreciated that communication between the transceivers 228A, 228B may be initiated in other ways, such as by the patient support apparatus 100 sensing the presence of the oxygen bottle 98 using sensors S. By way of non-limiting example, the sensor system 160 may employ various types of sensors S to detect physical engagement or presence of the oxygen bottle 98 (e.g., a contact switch disposed within the bottle holder 208). In some versions, the load cells 174 may be utilized to sense a change in weight distribution indicative of the presence of the oxygen bottle 98 so as to initiate pairing communication. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0078] During this initial pairing communication, the bottle transceiver 228B of oxygen bottle 98 may transmit the bottle identity IB of the oxygen bottle 98 (and, in some versions, additional data D about the oxygen bottle 98 as described below) to the apparatus transceiver 228A of the patient support apparatus 100, and the apparatus controller 156 of the patient support apparatus 100 retains the bottle identity IB of the oxygen bottle 98 in memory M. In some versions, the apparatus transceiver 228A of the patient support apparatus 100 may forward its unique patient support apparatus identifier IA to the bottle transceiver 228B of theoxygen bottle 98, and the bottle controller 216 of the oxygen bottle 98 may place the identifier IA in memory M.

[0079] In some versions, after the patient support apparatus 100 receives the bottle identity IB of the oxygen bottle 98 via the communication between the transceivers 228A, 228B, the apparatus controller 156 automatically associates that oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100. In some versions, the apparatus controller 156 may display a message on a display, screen, or similar output device 172 (and / or may activate an indicator, such as a visual or audible indicator) of one or more user interfaces 158 (either of the patient support apparatus 100 or another component of the system 96) indicating that the oxygen bottle 98 has been successfully associated with the patient support apparatus 100. Figure 7 illustrates an example of such a message for the successful association with the patient support apparatus 100. Similar messages may also be displayed or otherwise indicated on the output device 172 of one or more user interfaces 158 when the apparatus controller 156 disassociates the oxygen bottle 98 from the patient support apparatus 100.

[0080] The oxygen bottle 98 typically remains associated with the patient support apparatus 100 until it moves outside of the volume VA (e.g., out of the bottle holder 208) or exceeds the threshold distance, at which point the apparatus controller 156 may automatically disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 from the patient support apparatus 100. To this end, the apparatus controller 156 monitors the position of the oxygen bottle 98 after it has associated the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100. To this end, the apparatus controller 156 may employ the UWB apparatus transceivers 228 A, which communicates with the UWB bottle transceiver 228B of the oxygen bottle 98, to repetitively determine the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 with respect to the patient support apparatus 100. For example, the apparatus controller 156 may compare the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to a certain volume (e.g., the volume VA or another volume) and automatically disassociates oxygen bottle 98 from the patient support apparatus 100 if the location LB moves outside of that volume or if the position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 exceeds the threshold distance. Thus, the association persists so long as the oxygen bottle 98 remains positioned relative to the patient support apparatus (e.g., within the bottle holder 208). Additionally or alternatively, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response user engagement of the input device 170 by the caregiver (e.g., by pressing a “disassociate” button).

[0081] In some examples, the oxygen bottle 98 is a first oxygen bottle 98-1, and the system 96 further comprises a second oxygen bottle 98-2. For example, the second oxygen bottle 98- 2 may be available to replace the first oxygen bottle 98-1 when the first oxygen bottle 98-1 has been depleted. In some examples, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle 98-2 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response user engagement of the input device 170 by the caregiver (e.g., in response to the caregiver pressing a “swap bottle” button). In other examples, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be configured to disassociate the first oxygen bottle 98-1 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle 98-1 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 exceeding the threshold distance or exiting the predetermined volume VA relative to the patient support apparatus 100 and associate the second oxygen bottle 98-2 with the patient support apparatus 100 in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle 98-2 relative to the patient support apparatus 100 being within the threshold distance or entering the predetermined volume VA relative to the patient support apparatus 100. Other configurations for effectuating a change of association from a first oxygen bottle 98-1 to a second oxygen bottle 98-2 are contemplated.

[0082] In some versions, the patient support apparatus 100 is a first patient support apparatus 100-1, and the system 96 further includes a second patient support apparatus 100-2. In these examples, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 and the patient with the first patient support apparatus 100-1 in response to the position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the first patient support apparatus 100-1 exceeding the threshold distance or exiting the predetermined volume VA relative to the first patient support apparatus 100-1 and associate the oxygen bottle 98 and the patient with the second patient support apparatus 100-1 in response to the position of the oxygen bottle 98 relative to the second patient support apparatus 100-2 being within the threshold distance or entering the predetermined volume VA relative to the second patient support apparatus 100-2. Here, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be further configured to transmit the updated association of the oxygen bottle 98 and the patient to the server(s) 234, 236. Other configurations for effectuating a change of association of oxygen bottle 98 from a first patient support apparatus 100-1 to second patient support apparatus 100-2 are contemplated.

[0083] In some versions, after associating the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100, the apparatus controller 156 forwards a message to the apparatus server 234 indicating that the oxygen bottle 98 (the identity IB of which is included in the message) arecurrently located in the same room as the patient support apparatus 100 in order to correlate the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 with the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 determined via the locator unit 232 as described above. It will be appreciated that this configuration allows the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 to be determined (e.g., via association with the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100) without requiring that the bottle unit 214 employ UWB transceivers 228B. Put differently, the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 and the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 may be determined in different reference frames, such as by using one type of transceiver 228 to facilitate association and tracking between the oxygen bottle 98 and the patient support apparatus 100 (e.g., near field NF transceivers 228 A, 228B or Bluetooth LE BT transceivers 228 A, 228B), and another type of transceiver 228 to facilitate determining the location of the patient support apparatus 100 within the facility F (e.g., UWB transceivers 228A, 228L as described above).

[0084] However, other configurations are contemplated, and it will be appreciated that the location LB of oxygen bottles 98 can also be determined directly via the locator unit 232 (or other components of the system 96) using various types of transceivers 228, and / or may be associated with other components of the system 96 under certain conditions. For example, the location LB of one or more oxygen bottles 98 may be determined to correspond to the location of a filling room within the facility F, such as based on the fixed location of a locator unit 232 within the filling room. It will be appreciated that this scenario is similar to how the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 is determined as described above. Rather than by determining the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 to be the fixed location of the locator unit 232 within the filling room, in some versions the location LB may instead be associated with a location of bottle filling or storage equipment, similar to how the location LB of the oxygen bottle 98 can be associated with the location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 as described above.

[0085] Although the foregoing description has primarily indicated that the apparatus controller 156 determines whether to associate or disassociate the patient support apparatus 100 with the oxygen bottle 98, it will be understood that the association and / or disassociation process may alternatively, partially, and / or additionally, be carried out by the apparatus server 234 or other controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96. For example, in some versions, the apparatus controller 156 may send data D used by the apparatus server 234 to determine whether to associate the oxygen bottle 98 with the patient support apparatus 100, and the apparatus server 234 may send data D back to the patient support apparatus 100 informing itof whether or not the oxygen bottle 98 should be associated with the patient support apparatus 100.

[0086] In some versions, the apparatus server 234 (or another component of the system 96) may be configured to associate or disassociate the oxygen bottle 98 with a specific patient. To this end, the apparatus server 234 may associate and / or associate the patient by storing in its memory M data D correlating the patient support apparatus identity IA with the bottle identity IB, which is transmitted to the patient support apparatus 100 by the oxygen bottle 98 as described above and is then forwarded by the patient support apparatus 100 to the apparatus server 234 across the network 230. In order to associate the oxygen bottle 90 with a specific patient, the apparatus server 234 uses the location identifier IL that it receives from the patient support apparatus 100 to determine the room location LA of the patient support apparatus 100. With this location LA of the patient support apparatus 100, the apparatus server 234 may receive data D from a conventional Admission, Discharge, Tracking, or other server that is coupled to the network 230 that identifies a specific patient for the room location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 (or a bay within a room). The apparatus server 234 is then able to correlate the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100 in that room with a specific patient identifier because it knows the room (or bay) of the patient support apparatus 100, the specific IDs of the oxygen bottle 98 associated with that particular patient support apparatus 100, and the patient identifier associated with that particular room (or bay). After associating the oxygen bottle 98 with a particular patient, the apparatus server 234 is able to, among other things, automatically retrieve data D from a specific patient's medical records stored within the EMR server 236 and / or to automatically send data D from the oxygen bottle 98 to the specific patient’s medical records stored in the EMR server 236. The apparatus server 234 may forward this information to various components of the system 96, thereby enabling authorized individuals, programs, devices, components, and the like to access both the locations LA, LB of and data D relating to oxygen bottle 98 and patient support apparatus 100 within the healthcare facility F.

[0087] Figures 7-10B depict visual content on a display or similar output device 172 of the user interface 158 of the patient support apparatus 100 to illustrate different ways that the location LB and data D associated with the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100 may be utilized by a caregiver. However, it will be appreciated that the user interface 158 could be formed as a part of other components of the system 96, such as for example in a dashboard of a nurse call system, asset management system, or other remote systems 188. Moreover, while the visual content is depicted as graphical user interface 158content presented on a touchscreen display in Figures 7-1 OB, it will be appreciated that the scenarios illustrated therein may be presented to caregivers or other users in different ways, such as with user interfaces 158 of different styles, types, and / or configurations.

[0088] Figure 8 depicts a message which presents data D about the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100, including a serial number 238 (e.g., the identity IB or based on the identity IB), a capacity 240 (e.g., a maximum capacity of the tank 210), and a flowrate 244 (e.g., a current flowrate CF of the regulator 212), each of which may be received by the patient support apparatus 100 across the network 230 via the apparatus server 234, by interaction between the transceivers 228A, 228B, and / or in other ways described herein (e.g., wired or wireless communication between various types of transceivers 228). In some versions, data D about the oxygen bottle 98 may be derived from the serial number 238. By way of non-limiting example, the capacity 240 of the tank 210 may be derived from the serial number 238. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0089] In some versions, additional data D about the oxygen bottle 98 may be known by the system 96 and may be presented on the user interface 158 including for example an operating range of the regulator 212 (e.g., between 0 and 20 L / min), charge state of the bottle battery 218, service or fill history of the tank 210, association history of the oxygen bottle 98, and the like. Other configurations are contemplated. In some versions, there may be more data D known about the oxygen bottle 98 than is presented on the user interface 158 (e.g., displaying the capacity 240 but not the serial number 238). It will be appreciated that different oxygen bottles 98 used within the facility F may utilize tanks 210, regulators 212, bottle units 214, bottle controllers 216, bottle batteries 218, bottle sensors 220, and / or transceivers 228B of different types, styles, or configurations. By way of non-limiting example, some oxygen bottles 98 may not be provided with bottle sensors 220 and / or regulators 212 that are capable of determining a current flowrate of the regulator 212. Thus, in some versions, current flowrate may be estimated by one or more components of the system 96 based on other data D (e.g., the capacity of the tank 210 and changes in pressure 242 monitored over time via signals generated by the bottle sensor 220). In some versions, current flowrate may not be sensed directly and may also not be estimated.

[0090] In some examples, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be configured to receive the patient data D of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus 100 from the server 236, and determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data D of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus 100. The controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be further configured tocompare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100, and output information with the output device 172 of the user interface 158 based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100. For example, Figure 9A depicts a message which presents data D about the oxygen bottle 98 associated with the patient support apparatus 100 including the serial number 238, the capacity 240, and the pressure 242, as well as a message which presents an indicated flowrate IF (i.e., a target flowrate) of Nasal 4 L / min which may be received from or otherwise determined based on the patient’s EMR (e.g., based on data D received from the EMR server 236 by the patient support apparatus 100 about the specific patient being treated). It will be appreciated that the indicated flowrate IF depicted in Figure 9A is an illustrative example of one way that patientspecific data D from the EMR server 236 can be used to inform caregivers about an indicated flowrate IF for supplemental oxygen, and that other configurations are contemplated.

[0091] In some versions, an indicated flowrate IF may be prescribed directly or otherwise entered into the patient’s EMR data D with a certain level of specificity, such as by one caregiver deciding what type of delivery method should be used (e.g., a nasal cannula, a mask, and the like), and / or at a specific flowrate (or within a range of flowrates). In some versions, and indicated flowrate IF may be derived at least partially from other patient EMR data D such as the age, weight, height, gender, race, medical history, medical condition, status, and the like of the patient. For example, an indicated flowrate IF for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be different from an indicated flowrate IF for a different patient without COPD but with otherwise similar medical history and condition. Other configurations are contemplated. In versions where flowrate 244 data D about the current flowrate CF of the regulator 212 is available, a comparison may be made between the indicated flowrate IF and the current flowrate CF, and the caregiver may be alerted when deviations between the indicated and current flowrates IF, CF occur (not shown). Stated differently, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be further configured to compare the current flowrate CF of oxygen with the target flowrate IF of oxygen and output information with the output device 172 of the user interface 158 based on the comparison of the current flowrate CF of oxygen with the target flowrate IF of oxygen. For example, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be configured to output an alert with the output device 172 of the user interface 158 in response to one of the current flowrate CF of oxygen beinggreater than the maximum target flowrate threshold and the current flowrate CF of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.

[0092] Figure 9A also depicts a message informing the caregiver about the amount of time remaining 246 at the current flowrate CF and / or the indicated flowrate IF. This may be determined based on the known capacity 240 and pressure 242 of the oxygen bottle 98 along with the indicated flowrate IF of the regulator 212 (or, if available, the current flowrate CF of the regulator 212). In this way, changes in the pressure 242 resulting from use, leaks, and the like can be readily communicated to the caregiver in terms of time remaining 246 and / or in terms of a reduced pressure 242 (compare Figures 9A and 9B).

[0093] It will be appreciated that this configurations affords significant advantages to the caregiver by automating what would otherwise be a manual check of the oxygen bottle 98 when supplemental oxygen is first administered, as well as by providing updates about the status of the oxygen bottle 98 over time without necessitating multiple manual checks. Thus, caregiver time is saved by automating the time remaining 246 determination and presenting it in a readily-accessible format on the user interface 158, potential human error in manual calculation of time remaining 246 is mitigated, potential issues with the oxygen bottle 98 such as leaks can be quickly and reliably detected without manual checks over time, and usability is improved in that the caregiver can access real-time data D associated with the oxygen bottle 98 from a more convenient location (e.g., the user interface 158) than may otherwise be the case (e.g., when a manual check of an awkwardly -positioned regulator is required).

[0094] Furthermore, other components of the system 96 which have access to the data D about the oxygen bottle 98 can likewise be configured to alert users of potential issues via other user interfaces 158, such as by displaying real-time data D about multiple oxygen bottles 98 on a dashboard or terminal of a nurse call center or similar remote system 188, by displaying alerts or alarms on specific user interfaces 158 (e.g., on portable electronic devices 168, on the facility module 204, and the like). Beyond tracking locations LB of the oxygen bottles 98 being utilized throughout the facility F, this configuration also affords opportunities for scheduling the exchange of oxygen bottles 98 by estimating when depletion of the oxygen bottle is likely to occur, as well as for quickly detecting leaks or other issues with oxygen bottles 98.

[0095] The controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may also be configured to determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus 100 and a destination 248. The navigation information may include, for example, an estimated amount of time until arrival at the destination 248. The apparatus controller 156 may beconfigured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus 100 and a distance from the destination 248 (e.g., based on distance relative to locator unit(s) but other configurations are contemplated). Based on this information, the controller(s) 156, 186, 216, 226 of the system 96 may be configured to compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle 98 to provide oxygen and output an alert with the output device 172 of the user interface 158 in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle 98 to provide oxygen. For example, Figure 10A depicts a message similar to the message illustrated in Figure 9B described above, alongside navigation information including a destination 248, an estimation of time until arrival 250, a warning 252, and an input 254 for navigating to a full oxygen bottle 98 for exchange. Here, the destination 248 may be selected by the caregiver using the user interface 158 (selection not shown), or may at least partially determined using the EMR server 236 (e.g., to define patient transport from a surgical theater to a recovery room). Other configurations are contemplated. Here, using data D from sensors S about movement of the patient support apparatus 100 (e.g., speed, acceleration, and the like), and by comparing the current location LA of the patient support apparatus 100 with the location of the destination 248, the time until arrival 250 can be determined. In the illustrative scenario depicted in Figure 10A, the warning 252 is issued because the amount of time until arrival 250 exceeds the time remaining 246 at the indicated flowrate IF. In addition to alerting the caregiver of this discrepancy, the user interface 158 may also allow the user to quickly locate a suitable oxygen bottle 98 for exchange with the associated oxygen bottle 98, such as by determining the locations LB of nearby oxygen bottles 98 with sufficient capacity 240 and pressure 242 to complete the trip to the destination 248 and allowing the user to re-route towards the closest suitable oxygen bottle 98 or select between multiple suitable oxygen bottles 98 (not shown). Figure 10B depicts a subsequent scenario following user selection of a suitable oxygen bottle 98 at a nearby oxygen bottle swap depo destination 248, along with an updated time until arrival 250 as well as turn-by-tum instructions 256 for navigating to the destination 248 within the facility F.

[0096] Several implementations have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the implementations discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0097] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

[0098] The present disclosure also comprises the following clauses, with specific features laid out in dependent clauses, that may specifically be implemented as described in greater detail with reference to the configurations and drawings above.CLAUSESI. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with the needs of a patient supported by a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; a patient support apparatus configured to support the patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure; an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; and a controller in communication with the user interface, the server, and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of theoxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.II. The system of clause I, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.III. The system of clause I, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen.IV. The system of clause III, wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the controller is further configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.V. The system of clause IV, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.VI. The system of any one of clauses III to V, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, the controller is further configured to: determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.VII. The system of clause VI, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.VIII. The system of clause VII, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.IX. The system of any one of clauses I to VIII, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.X. The system of clause IX, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.XI. The system of any one of clauses I to X, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.XII. The system of clause XI, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.XIII. The system of any one of clauses I to XII, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.XIV. The system of clause XIII, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.XV. The system of clause XIV, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is farther configured to: disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.XVI. The system of any one of clauses XIV or XV, wherein the patient support apparatus is a first patient support apparatus, and the system further comprises: a second patient support apparatus including a second support structure including a second patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more second apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the second support structure; wherein the controller is farther configured to: disassociate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the first patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the first patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; associate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the second patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the second patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance; and transmit the updated association of the oxygen bottle and the patient to the server.XVII. The system of any one of clauses I to XVI, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.XVIII. The system of any one of clauses I to XVII, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.XIX. The system of clause XVIII, wherein the display is operatively attached to thepatient support apparatus.XX. The system of clause XVIII, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.XXI. The system of any one of clauses I to XVII, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.XXII. The system of any one of clauses I to XVII, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.XXIII. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, a display operatively attached to the support structure for outputting information to a caregiver, one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure, and an apparatus controller in communication with the display and the one or more apparatus transceivers; and an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; wherein the apparatus controller is configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on the display of the patientsupport apparatus.XXIV. The system of clause XXIII, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra- wideband (UWB) transceivers.XXV. The system of any one of clauses XXIII or XXIV, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.XXVI. The system of clause XXV, wherein the patient support apparatus further includes a bottle holder operatively attached to the support structure and configured to removably secure the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; and wherein the bottle holder defines the predefined volume.XXVH. The system of clause XXV, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.XXVIII. The system of any one of clauses XXIII to XXVII, further comprising an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.XXIX. The system of clause XXVIII, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.XXX. The system of any one of clauses XXIII to XXIX, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.XXXI. The system of clause XXX, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.XXXII. The system of clause XXXI, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to:disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.XXX111. The system of any one of clauses XX111 to XXX11, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique botde identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.XXXIV. The system of any one of clauses XXIII to XXXIII, further comprising a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; wherein the apparatus controller is in communication with the server and further configured to: receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the display based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.XXXV. The system of clause XXXIV, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the display based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.XXXVI. The system of clause XXXV, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; andwherein the apparatus controller is further configured to output an alert with the display in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.XXXV11. The system of any one of clauses XXXI V to XXXV 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen; wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, the apparatus controller is further configured to: determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the display pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.XXXVIII. The system of clause XXXVII, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and output an alert with the display in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.XXXIX. The system of clause XXXVHI, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.XL. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus within a facility, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient,one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure; an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle; a locator unit positioned within the facility and including a locator transceiver; a controller in communication with the user interface and the locator unit, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and at least one of the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.XLI. The system of clause XL, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.XLII. The system of clause XL, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen.XLIII. The system of clause XLII, further comprising a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; wherein the controller is in communication with the server and further configured to: receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one ormore operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.XLIV. The system of clause XL1I1, wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the controller is further configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.XLV. The system of clause XLIV, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.XL VI. The system of any one of clauses XLII to XLV, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen botde further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, the controller is further configured to: determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.XLVII. The system of clause XLVI, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; andoutput an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.XL VIII. The system of clause XL VII, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.XL1X. The system of clause XLV1I1, wherein the locator unit is further defined as a plurality of locator units positioned within the facility and each including a locator transceiver; wherein each locator unit of the plurality of locator units is positioned in a different location within the facility; wherein the controller is further configured to determine the distance from the destination based on the location of the patient support apparatus relative to the nearest locator unit.L. The system of any one of clauses XL to XLIX, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LI. The system of clause L, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LIL The system of any one of clauses XL to LI, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen botde with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.LUI. The system of clause LII, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.LIV. The system of any one of clauses XL to LIII, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.LV. The system of clause LIV, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.LVI. The system of clause LV, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is farther configured to: disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.LVII. The system of any one of clauses LV or LVI, wherein the patient support apparatus is a first patient support apparatus, and the system further comprises: a second patient support apparatus including a second support structure including a second patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more second apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the second support structure; wherein the controller is farther configured to: disassociate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the first patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the first patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; associate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the second patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the second patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.LVIII. The system of any one of clauses XL to LVII, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.LIX. The system of any one of clauses XL to LVIII, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.LX. The system of clause LIX, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.LXI. The system of clause LIX, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.LXII. The system of any one of clauses XL to LVIII, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.LXIII. The system of any one of clauses XL to LVIII, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.LXD / . The system of any one of clauses XL to LXIII, wherein the locator unit is fixed in a predetermined location within the facility; and wherein the controller is configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and the one or more bottle transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the locator unit, and use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the patient support apparatus relative to the locator unit.LXV. The system of any one of clauses XL to LXIV, further comprising a portable electronic device in communication with the controller and including one or more device transceivers; and wherein the controller is further configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between one or more device transceivers and at least one of the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus.LXVI. The system of any one of clauses XL to LXV, wherein the locator unit is further defined as a plurality of locator units positioned within the facility and each including a locator transceiver; wherein each locator unit of the plurality of locator units is positioned in a different location within the facility; wherein the controller is farther configured to associate the patient with a particular room within the facility based on the location of the patient support apparatus relative to the nearest locator unit.LXVII. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the patient support apparatus; one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle and configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; and a controller in communication with the user interface and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottletransceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.LXV111. The system of clause LXV11, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra- wideband (UWB) transceivers.LXIX. The system of any one of clauses LXVII or LXVIII, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.LXX. The system of clause LXIX, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.LXXI. The system of clause LXIX, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.LXXII. The system of clause LXVH, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.LXXIII. The system of clause LXVII, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.LXXIV. The system of any one of clauses LXVH to LXXIII, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.LXXV. The system of any one of clauses LXVII to LXXIV, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LXXVI. The system of clause LXXV, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LXXVII. The system of any one of clauses LXVII to LXXVI, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.LXXVIII. The system of clause LXXVII, wherein the controller is further configured todisassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.LXXIX. A method for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the method comprising: providing a patient support apparatus including a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure; providing an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient, the oxygen botde including a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; using radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; and outputting information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on an output device of a user interface.LXXX. The method of clause LXXIX, further comprising determining one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of a tank of the oxygen botde, a maximum capacity of the tank of the oxygen bottle, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.LXXXI. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX or LXXX, further comprising: determining a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle; determining a target flowrate of oxygen to the patient based on patient data of a patient supported by the patient support apparatus; comparing the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and outputting information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.LXXXII. The method of clause LXXXI, further comprising: defining the target flowrate of oxygen to include a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and outputting an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of:the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.LXXXIII. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to LXXXII, further comprising: determining a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle; determining a fill amount of the tank of the oxygen bottle; determining an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank of the oxygen bottle; and outputting information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.LXXXIV. The method of clause LXXXIII, further comprising: determining navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; comparing the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and outputting an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.LXXXV. The method of clause LXXXIV, further comprising determining the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.LXXXVI. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to LXXXV, further comprising associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LXXXVII. The method of clause LXXXVI, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.LXXXVIII. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to LXXXVII, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to user engagement of an input device by a caregiver.LXXXIX. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to LXXXVIII, further comprisingassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.XC. The method of clause LXXXIX, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.XCI. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to XC, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.XCII. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to XCI, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.XCIII. The method of clause XCII, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.XCIV. The method of clause XCII, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.XCV. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to XCI, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.XCVI. The method of any one of clauses LXXIX to XCI, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with the needs of a patient supported by a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; a patient support apparatus configured to support the patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure; an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; and a controller in communication with the user interface, the server, and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient supportapparatus, and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the controller is farther configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, thecontroller is further configured to: determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen botde with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the systemfurther comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to: disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the patient support apparatus is a first patient support apparatus, and the system further comprises a second patient support apparatus including a second support structure including a second patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more second apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the second support structure; wherein the controller is farther configured to: disassociate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the first patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the first patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; associate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the second patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the second patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance; and transmit the updated association of the oxygen bottle and the patient to the server.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.

23. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, a display operatively attached to the support structure for outputting information to a caregiver, one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure, and an apparatus controller in communication with the display and the one or more apparatus transceivers; and an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, andone or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; wherein the apparatus controller is configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on the display of the patient support apparatus.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.

25. The system claim 23, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the patient support apparatus further includes a bottle holder operatively attached to the support structure and configured to removably secure the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; and wherein the bottle holder defines the predefined volume.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

28. The system of claim 23, further comprising an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

30. The system claim 23, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to: disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.

33. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.

34. The system of claim 23, further comprising a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; wherein the apparatus controller is in communication with the server and further configured to: receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatusfrom the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the display based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the display based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to output an alert with the display in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen; wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, the apparatus controller is further configured to:determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the display pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and output an alert with the display in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the apparatus controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.

40. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus within a facility, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient, the patient support apparatus including: a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient, and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support structure; an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient and configured to be removably secured relative to the patient support apparatus, the oxygen bottle including: a tank for storing oxygen, a regulator for controlling the flow of oxygen from the tank, a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, and one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle; a locator unit positioned within the facility and including a locator transceiver;a controller in communication with the user interface and the locator unit, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and at least one of the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of the tank, a maximum capacity of the tank, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle includes a current flowrate of oxygen.

43. The system of claim 42, further comprising a server configured to transmit patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus; wherein the controller is in communication with the server and further configured to: receive the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus from the server, determine one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters based on the patient data of the patient supported by the patient support apparatus, compare the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus, and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters with the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the one or more target supplemental oxygen parameters includes a target flowrate of oxygen; and wherein the controller is farther configured to: compare the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and output information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the target flowrate of oxygen includes a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle further includes a fill amount of the tank; and wherein based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank, the controller is further configured to: determine an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate; and output information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the controller is farther configured to: determine navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; and compare the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and output an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the locator unit is further defined as a plurality of locator units positioned within the facility and each including a locator transceiver; wherein each locator unit of the plurality of locator units is positioned in a different location within the facility; wherein the controller is further configured to determine the distance from the destination based on the location of the patient support apparatus relative to the nearest locator unit.

50. The system of claim 40, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

52. The system of claim 40, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

54. The system of claim 40, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the oxygen bottle is a first oxygen bottle, and the system further comprises a second oxygen bottle; and wherein the controller is further configured to: disassociate the first oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the first oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; and associate the second oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the second oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the patient support apparatus is a first patient support apparatus, and the system further comprises: a second patient support apparatus including a second support structure including a second patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more second apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the second support structure; wherein the controller is further configured to: disassociate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the first patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the first patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance; associate the oxygen bottle and the patient with the second patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the second patient support apparatus being within the threshold distance.

58. The system of claim 40, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.

59. The system of claim 40, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient supportapparatus.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.

62. The system of claim 40, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.

63. The system of claim 40, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.

64. The system of claim 40, wherein the locator unit is fixed in a predetermined location within the facility; and wherein the controller is configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and the one or more bottle transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the locator unit, and use radio frequency (RF) communication between the locator transceiver and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the patient support apparatus relative to the locator unit.

65. The system of claim 40, further comprising a portable electronic device in communication with the controller and including one or more device transceivers; and wherein the controller is further configured to use radio frequency (RF) communication between one or more device transceivers and at least one of the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus.

66. The system of claim 40, wherein the locator unit is further defined as a plurality of locator units positioned within the facility and each including a locator transceiver; wherein each locator unit of the plurality of locator units is positioned in a different location within the facility; wherein the controller is lurther configured to associate the patient with a particular room within the facility based on the location of the patient support apparatus relative to the nearest locator unit.

67. A system for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the system comprising: a user interface including an output device for outputting information to a caregiver; one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the patient support apparatus; one or more bottle transceivers operatively attached to the oxygen bottle and configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; and a controller in communication with the user interface and at least one of the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers, the controller configured to: use radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus, and output information pertaining to the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus with the output device of the user interface.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.

69. The system of claim 67, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.

72. The system of claim 67, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.

73. The system of claim 67, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.

74. The system of claim 67, wherein the user interface further includes an input device arranged for user engagement by a caregiver; and wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with thepatient support apparatus in response user engagement of the input device by the caregiver.

75. The system of claim 67, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

77. The system of claim 67, wherein the controller is further configured to associate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the controller is further configured to disassociate the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.

79. A method for associating an oxygen bottle with a patient support apparatus, the method comprising: providing a patient support apparatus including a support structure including a patient support surface for supporting the patient and one or more apparatus transceivers operatively attached to the support stmcture; providing an oxygen bottle for providing supplemental oxygen to the patient, the oxygen bottle including a bottle sensor configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle and one or more bottle transceivers configured to communicate with the one or more apparatus transceivers; using radio frequency (RF) communication between the one or more bottle transceivers and the one or more apparatus transceivers to determine a position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus based on the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus; and outputting information pertaining to the one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle associated with the patient support apparatus on an output device of a user interface.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising determining one or more operating parameters of the oxygen bottle, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of a unique bottle identity of the oxygen bottle, a fill amount of a tank of the oxygen bottle, a maximum capacity of the tank of the oxygen bottle, and a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle.

81. The method of claim 79, further comprising: determining a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen bottle; determining a target flowrate of oxygen to the patient based on patient data of a patient supported by the patient support apparatus; comparing the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen; and outputting information with the output device of the user interface based on the comparison of the current flowrate of oxygen with the target flowrate of oxygen.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising: defining the target flowrate of oxygen to include a minimum target flowrate threshold and a maximum target flowrate threshold; and outputting an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to one of: the current flowrate of oxygen being greater than the maximum target flowrate threshold; and the current flowrate of oxygen being less than the minimum target flowrate threshold.

83. The method of claim 79, further comprising: determining a current flowrate of oxygen being provided by the oxygen botde; determining a fill amount of the tank of the oxygen bottle; determining an amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen at the current flowrate based on the current flowrate of oxygen and the fill amount of the tank of the oxygen bottle; and outputting information with the output device of the user interface pertaining to the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:determining navigation information based on a current location of the patient support apparatus and a destination, the navigation information including an estimated amount of time until arrival; comparing the estimated amount of time until arrival with the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen; and outputting an alert with the output device of the user interface in response to the estimated amount of time until arrival being greater than the amount of time remaining for the oxygen bottle to provide oxygen.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising determining the estimated amount of time until arrival based on an average speed of the patient support apparatus and a distance from the destination.

86. The method of claim 79, further comprising associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being removed from the predefined volume relative to the patient support apparatus.

88. The method of claim 79, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to user engagement of an input device by a caregiver.

89. The method of claim 79, further comprising associating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the oxygen bottle being positioned within a threshold distance relative to the patient support apparatus.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising disassociating the oxygen bottle with the patient support apparatus in response to the position of the oxygen bottle relative to the patient support apparatus exceeding the threshold distance.

91. The method of claim 79, wherein the one or more apparatus transceivers and the one or more bottle transceivers are ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers.

92. The method of claim 79, wherein the output device of the user interface is a display.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the display is operatively attached to the patient support apparatus.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the display is located remotely from the patient support apparatus.

95. The method of claim 79, wherein the output device of the user interface is a visual indicator.

96. The method of claim 79, wherein the output device of the user interface is an audible indicator.

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