Wireless Headwall Linking for Patient Support Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical facilities require manual connection and disconnection of cables between patient support apparatuses and headwall connectors for nurse call systems and environmental controls, which is labor-intensive and increases physical clutter.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system between patient support apparatuses and headwall connectors that automatically establishes and disestablishes connections without user intervention, using transceivers and controllers to identify and communicate with the correct interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cable connection and disconnection is used between patient support apparatuses and headwall connectors, then reliable communication is established, but labor intensity increases and physical clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Transceivers mounted on the patient support apparatus communicate wirelessly with the headwall connector, eliminating the need for physical cable plugging and unplugging while maintaining communication reliability between the nurse call system and environmental controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication system automatically establishes and maintains communication links without requiring user intervention. The transceivers and controllers automatically manage connection setup, identification, and communication protocols, freeing users from manual cable management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual cable connection and disconnection is used between patient support apparatuses and headwall connectors, then communication links are established, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication link establishmentVSAvoidconnection setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Transceivers are pre-installed on the patient support apparatus and automatically activate when the apparatus enters the service area. The system pre-establishes communication protocols and automatically identifies the correct headwall connector, eliminating the time required for manual cable connection and setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cables are used for communication between patient support apparatuses and headwall connectors, then stable communication is achieved, but physical clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidphysical space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from the physical cable medium and implements it through wireless transceivers. This removes the cables that occupy physical space and create clutter around the patient support apparatus and headwall connector, while maintaining stable communication through automated wireless protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12599522B2Patient support apparatuses with wireless headwall communication

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A person support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the person support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the person support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.