PATIENT SUPPORT WITH WIRELESS DATA AND/OR ENERGY TRANSFER
First Claim
1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
- a base;
a frame;
an elevation adjustment mechanism adapted raise and lower said frame with respect to said base;
a deck supported on said frame, said deck including a plurality of sections adapted to support a patient thereon;
a plurality of electronic control circuits, each said electronic control circuit adapted to control at least one specific function of said patient support apparatus, and each of said electronic control circuits located in different locations of said patient support apparatus;
a wired communication network adapted to transport messages between a first subset of said electronic control circuits; and
a wireless link adapted to transport messages between a second subset of said electronic control circuits, said second subset of electronic control circuits including at least one electronic control circuit that is not in common with said first subset of electronic control circuits.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, gurney, surgical table, or the like, is disclosed that includes at least one form of wireless energy transfer and/or at least one form of wireless communication amongst its components. The wireless energy transfer may include the inductive transfer of electrical energy from the main body of the patient support apparatus to a mattress positioned thereon that uses electrical energy. Alternatively, the wireless energy transfer may include the inductive transfer or electrical energy from a stationary power station to the patient support itself. Or, the patient support apparatus may include both types of inductive energy transfer. The wireless communication may be between a controller on the main body of the patient support apparatus and a controller within, or coupled to, the mattress.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame; an elevation adjustment mechanism adapted raise and lower said frame with respect to said base; a deck supported on said frame, said deck including a plurality of sections adapted to support a patient thereon; a plurality of electronic control circuits, each said electronic control circuit adapted to control at least one specific function of said patient support apparatus, and each of said electronic control circuits located in different locations of said patient support apparatus; a wired communication network adapted to transport messages between a first subset of said electronic control circuits; and a wireless link adapted to transport messages between a second subset of said electronic control circuits, said second subset of electronic control circuits including at least one electronic control circuit that is not in common with said first subset of electronic control circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame; an elevation adjustment mechanism adapted raise and lower said frame with respect to said base; a deck supported on said frame, said deck including a plurality of sections adapted to support a patient thereon, one of said plurality of sections being a head section pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis; an electrical power supply adapted to provide electrical power to at least one electrical device positioned on said patient support apparatus; an inductive coil adapted to receive electrical power from said electrical power supply, said inductive coil positioned on said patient support apparatus; and a controller adapted to control electrical current that flows through said inductive coil so as to inductively transfer electrical power from said inductive coil to a mattress positioned on said deck. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base having a plurality of wheels; a patient support surface on which a patient may be supported; a rechargeable battery adapted to provide electrical power to at least one electrical device positioned on said patient support apparatus; an on-board inductive coil adapted to receive electrical power from an off-board inductive coil when said on-board and off-board inductive coils are positioned within inductive proximity to each other; and a controller adapted to control the receipt of electrical power via said on-board inductive coil, said controller adapted to supply said electrical power to said battery for recharging said rechargeable battery. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification