Height adjustable patient support platforms
First Claim
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1. A bed, comprising:
- a support platform;
a plurality of platform lifts, each platform lift including;
a lift component configured to raise and lower in response to an appropriate signal;
a channel permitting external components attached to the lift component to raise and lower with the lift component;
a corresponding plurality of connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a lift component of a corresponding platform lift; and
a conduit connected to each of the platform lifts, the conduit for transferring a substance at each platform lift used to regulate the height of each of the plurality of lift components respectively.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for height adjusting patient support platforms, such as, for example, of a bed (e.g., the mattress support platform of a standard hospital bed with side rails), gurney, couch, chair, or recliner, to which a patient may be confined. The systems and methods are designed to lower the height of a patient support platform at least closer (and essentially all the way) to floor level in a relatively quick and controlled manner to reduce fall distances. Lowering the height of a patient support platform corresponding reduces the likelihood and significance of patient injuries resulting from falls when a patient attempts to exit the patient support platform.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A bed, comprising:
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a support platform; a plurality of platform lifts, each platform lift including; a lift component configured to raise and lower in response to an appropriate signal; a channel permitting external components attached to the lift component to raise and lower with the lift component; a corresponding plurality of connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a lift component of a corresponding platform lift; and a conduit connected to each of the platform lifts, the conduit for transferring a substance at each platform lift used to regulate the height of each of the plurality of lift components respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for responding to a bed exiting event, the system comprising
a bed, comprising: -
a support platform; a plurality of platform lifts, each platform lift including; a pneumatic lift component configured to raise and lower in response to changes in compressed air supplied to the pneumatic lift, including rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response to a signal indicating a potential bed exiting event; a spring configured to lower the rate of deceleration of the corresponding lift component when the lift component is rapidly lowered to essentially floor level; and a channel permitting external components attached to the lift component to raise and lower with the lift component; a corresponding plurality of connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a pneumatic lift component of a corresponding platform lift; a conduit connected to each of the platform lifts, the conduit for transferring compressed air at each platform lift used to regulate the height each of the plurality of lift components respectively; a compressed air source coupled to the conduit for supplying compressed air to the lift components; a release valve couple to the conduit for releasing compressed air from the lift components; and one or more sensors connected to the release valve, the sensors configured to; sense inputs to monitor a patient resting on the support platform; and provide a combination of sensed inputs indicative of the patient attempting to exit the support platform. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A bed, comprising:
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a support platform; a plurality of platform lifts, each platform lift including; a lift component configured to raise and lower in response to an appropriate signal, including rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response to a signal indicating a potential bed exiting event; and a channel permitting external components attached to the lift component to raise and lower with the lift component; a corresponding plurality of connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a lift component of a corresponding lift component; and one or more driver motors, each drive motor configured to regulate the height of one or more of the plurality of lift components respectively, each drive motor configured with an electrical connection to receive electrical power for raising and lowering its respective lift components.
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Specification