Automated systems, devices, and methods for transporting and supporting patients
First Claim
1. A remotely guided omnidirectional self-propelled patient-support vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle navigation controller includinga communication module having at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver operable to communicate with a remote navigation network and to receive control command information from the remote navigation network, anda route-status module including circuitry operable to provide one or more of travel route image information, patient-support vehicle geographic location information, patient-support vehicle travel direction information, patient-support vehicle travel velocity information, patient-support vehicle propulsion information, or patient-support vehicle braking information; and
a body structure operably coupled to the vehicle navigation controller, the body structure includinga surface configured to support a patient,a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally the patient-support vehicle to a travel path and to move the patient-support vehicle along the travel path,a steering assembly operable to vary a steering angle of at least one of the plurality of rotatable members,a power source operably coupled to one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, anda motor to drive one or more of the plurality of rotatable members;
the vehicle navigation controller including a patient destination module for generating one or more control commands for navigating the remotely guided self-propelled patient-support vehicle to at least a first patient destination along a patient travel route based on the control command information from the remote navigation network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A remotely guided omnidirectional self-propelled patient-support vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle navigation controller including a communication module having at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver operable to communicate with a remote navigation network and to receive control command information from the remote navigation network, and a route-status module including circuitry operable to provide one or more of travel route image information, patient-support vehicle geographic location information, patient-support vehicle travel direction information, patient-support vehicle travel velocity information, patient-support vehicle propulsion information, or patient-support vehicle braking information; and a body structure operably coupled to the vehicle navigation controller, the body structure including a surface configured to support a patient, a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally the patient-support vehicle to a travel path and to move the patient-support vehicle along the travel path, a steering assembly operable to vary a steering angle of at least one of the plurality of rotatable members, a power source operably coupled to one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, and a motor to drive one or more of the plurality of rotatable members; the vehicle navigation controller including a patient destination module for generating one or more control commands for navigating the remotely guided self-propelled patient-support vehicle to at least a first patient destination along a patient travel route based on the control command information from the remote navigation network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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3. The remotely guided omnidirectional self-propelled patient-support vehicle 1, wherein the vehicle navigation controller is configured to navigate to a target patient destination responsive to control command information received from the remote navigation network.
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16. A remotely guided self-propelled patient-support vehicle, comprising:
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a body structure configured to support a patient in need of transport, the body structure including a transport assembly having a steering assembly and a power train; and a vehicle navigation controller including a communication interface having at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver operable to communicate with a remote navigation network and to receive travel-route information and at least one of propulsion control command information, braking command information, and steering command information from the remote navigation network so as to reach a patient destination along a patient travel route; the vehicle navigation controller operably coupled to at least one of the transport assembly, the steering assembly, and the power train and configured to generate at least one navigation control command for controlling at least one of propulsion, braking, and steering of the remotely guided self-propelled patient-support vehicle based on the propulsion control command information, the braking command information, or the steering command information from the remote navigation network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification