Patient support apparatus

• US 7,310,839 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hakamiun, Reza, Schwartz, Steven J., Salvatini, Benjamin, O'Neal, Todd, Caldwell, Steven, Grosse, Kevin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/011,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20050091753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 570/6, 571/0, 571/1, 571/3, 528/0
• US Class Current: 5/280
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/72 for collision prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 sliding or pivoting downwards
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0513 covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers

Abstract

A patient support apparatus including a barrier coupled to a frame. The barrier includes an interior region containing a fluid supply. A related method is provided for modifying a patient support apparatus to include a fluid filled patient support surface.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base;

a frame coupled to the base;

an air filled mattress supported by the frame, the mattress having a top surface configured to support a person thereon;

a removable housing coupled to the frame, the removable housing including a rear wall to provide a barrier to the person and having an interior region, the rear wall being located adjacent the air filled mattress;

at least one of a blower and a compressor located in the interior region of the removable housing, the at least one of a blower and a compressor being configured to supply air to the mattress; and

a coupler configured to removably secure the removable housing to the frame so that the rear wall of the housing is located adjacent the mattress with a portion of the removable housing extending above the top surface of the mattress to provide a barrier for the person on the top surface of the mattress, wherein removal of the removable housing from the coupler removes the barrier for the person.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one valve located within the interior region of the removable housing, the valve being configured to direct air to the mattress.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to the fluid supply, the controller being located within the interior region of the removable housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a second controller coupled to one of the base and frame, the second controller being electrically coupled to the controller in the interior region of the removable housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a first connector located on the housing and a second connector located on the frame, the first connector being configured to mate with the second connector to provide an electrical connection to the housing when the housing is installed on the frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply is a water pump.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable housing includes an internal chamber formed in the housing, the internal chamber extending into the interior region and configured to receive an accessory item therein.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an air intake aperture to supply air to the at least one of a blower and compressor through the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable housing is one of a footboard, a headboard, and a siderail.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable housing comprises a footboard.

11. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base;

a frame coupled to the base;

a fluid filled mattress supported by the frame, the mattress having a top surface configured to support a person thereon;

a housing coupled to the frame, the housing having an interior region;

a fluid supply located in the interior region of the housing, the fluid supply being configured to supply fluid to the mattress;

a coupler configured to secure the housing to the patient support so that the housing is located adjacent the mattress with a portion of the housing extending above the top surface of the mattress to provide a barrier for the person on the top surface of the mattress; and

a first connector located on the housing and a second connector located on the frame, the first connector being configured to mate with the second connector to provide an electrical connection to the housing when the housing is installed on the frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one valve located within the interior region of the housing, the valve being configured to direct fluid to the mattress.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a controller coupled to the fluid supply, the controller being located within the interior region of the housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a second controller coupled to one of the base and frame, the second controller being electrically coupled to the controller in the interior region of the housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing is removable from the frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fluid supply is one of a blower and a compressor.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes an internal chamber formed in the housing, the internal chamber extending into the interior region and configured to receive an accessory item therein.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a fluid intake aperture to supply fluid to the fluid supply through the housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing is one of a footboard, a headboard, and a siderail.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a footboard.