Wireless control system for a patient-support apparatus

• US 20060058587A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Huster, Keith A., Heimbrock, Richard H., McNeely, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0487 Motor-assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights

Abstract

A wireless control system for use with a patient-support apparatus includes a first receiver located on the patient-support apparatus and a wireless hand-held controller configured to wirelessly communicate with the first receiver to control functions of the patient-support apparatus and/or functions of hospital room equipment. The wireless control system may also include a second receiver located apart from the patient-support apparatus. The wireless hand-held controller may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the second receiver to control functions of the hospital room equipment. Additionally, the wireless control system may include a docking station configured to receive and charge the wireless hand-held controller.

Claims

1. A wireless control system for use with a patient-support apparatus, the wireless control system comprising:

a first receiver located on a siderail of the patient-support apparatus;

a second receiver located apart from the patient-support apparatus; and

a wireless hand-held controller for use by a patient, the wireless hand-held controller being usable by the patient to communicate with the first receiver to control functions of the patient-support apparatus and with the second receiver to control functions of hospital room equipment.

2. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver is a portion of a transceiver configured to communicate with the wireless hand-held controller and with the second receiver.

3. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver is an infrared receiver.

4. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the second receiver is located on a wall of a hospital.

5. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the wireless hand-held controller is configured to communicate with the first and second receivers only while within a predetermined distance from a patient identification wristband.

6. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the wireless hand-held controller is configured to be received by a docking station of the patient-support apparatus.

7. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the wireless hand-held controller is inductively charged while received by the docking station.

8. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the hospital room equipment includes a patient station of a nurse call system.

9. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the hospital room equipment includes an environment control device.

10. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the hospital room equipment includes an entertainment device.

11. The wireless control system of claim 1, further comprising a third receiver located on the patient-support apparatus, wherein the first receiver is positioned to face generally toward a mattress of the patient-support apparatus and the third receiver is positioned to face generally away from the mattress.

12. A patient-support apparatus comprising:

a frame having a patient-occupancy region for supporting a patient;

a first wireless receiver coupled to the frame and facing generally toward the patient-occupancy region; and

a second wireless receiver coupled to the frame and facing generally away from the patient-occupancy region, the first and second wireless receivers being configured to receive wireless communications from a wireless hand-held controller.

13. The patient-support apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless communications include control signals for controlling functions of the patient-support apparatus.

14. The patient-support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter configured to communicate with a nurse call system.

15. The patient-support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a docking station configured to receive the wireless hand-held controller and to inductively charge the wireless hand-held controller.

16. A patient-support apparatus of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a siderail to which the first and second wireless receivers are coupled.

17. A wireless hospital bed control system comprising:

a wireless hand-held controller programmable to communicate with only a designated bed of a number of hospital beds to control functions of the designated bed and with hospital room equipment to control functions of the hospital room equipment, the wireless hand-held controller having a communication range with the designated bed of less than about twenty-four inches.

18. The wireless hospital bed control system of claim 17, wherein the wireless hand-held controller includes a program button selectable to program the wireless hand-held controller to communicate with only the designated bed.

19. The wireless hospital bed control system of claim 17, wherein the program button is selectable to program the wireless hand-held controller only within a programming range with the designated bed, the programming range being less than the communication range.

20. The wireless hospital bed control system of claim 17, wherein the wireless hand-held controller is capable of controlling functions of the designated bed only while within a predetermined distance from a patient identification wristband.