Patient support apparatus and controls therefor
First Claim
1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
- a base;
a frame positioned above said base;
a patient support surface supported on the frame, said patient support surface adapted to support a patient;
a plurality of force sensors adapted to detect forces exerted on the patient support surface;
a sensor adapted to detect a presence of an authorized individual within a vicinity of the patient support apparatus;
an actuator adapted to physically move a component of the patient support apparatus when actuated;
a control panel having a control for controlling the actuator; and
a controller in communication with the plurality of force sensors, the control panel, the sensor, and the actuator, said controller adapted to actuate said actuator in response to the forces detected by the plurality of force sensors only if the sensor detects the presence of the authorized individual, and said controller further adapted to actuate said actuator in response to the control regardless of the presence of the authorized individual.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A patient support apparatus system includes sensors adapted to sense a gesture of a person, or forces exerted by the person on the patient support apparatus, and to control the movement of a component of the patient support apparatus based on the gesture or forces. The movement of the patient support apparatus matches the direction of the person'"'"'s gesture or applied forces. The speed of the gesture and magnitude of the applied force also influence the movement of the patient support apparatus component. The controlled movement may be the upward and downward motion of a patient support deck on the patient support apparatus, or it may be the pivoting of a section of the patient support deck, or it may be other movement. Control of the patient support apparatus is carried out based on the intent of the user, as evidenced by the user'"'"'s gesture or applied forces.
117 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame positioned above said base; a patient support surface supported on the frame, said patient support surface adapted to support a patient; a plurality of force sensors adapted to detect forces exerted on the patient support surface; a sensor adapted to detect a presence of an authorized individual within a vicinity of the patient support apparatus; an actuator adapted to physically move a component of the patient support apparatus when actuated; a control panel having a control for controlling the actuator; and a controller in communication with the plurality of force sensors, the control panel, the sensor, and the actuator, said controller adapted to actuate said actuator in response to the forces detected by the plurality of force sensors only if the sensor detects the presence of the authorized individual, and said controller further adapted to actuate said actuator in response to the control regardless of the presence of the authorized individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame positioned above said base; a patient support surface supported on the frame, said patient support surface adapted to support a patient; a plurality of force sensors adapted to detect forces exerted on the patient support surface; an actuator adapted to raise and lower a height of the frame relative to the base; and a controller in communication with the plurality of force sensors and the actuator, said controller adapted to actuate said actuator in response to the forces detected by the plurality of force sensors, and said controller further adapted to cause the actuator to lower the height of the frame if the controller determines that the patient positioned on the patient support surface may be about to exit the patient support surface.
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17. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame positioned above said base; a patient support surface supported on the frame, said patient support surface being moveable with respect to said base, and said patient support surface adapted to support a patient; a first control adapted to generate a first signal based upon a first force applied to the first control in a first direction, and to generate a second signal based upon a second force applied to the first control in a second direction opposite said first direction; a control panel having a second control; a sensor adapted to detect a presence of an authorized individual within a vicinity of the patient support apparatus; and a controller in communication with the first control and the second control, said controller adapted to cause movement of said patient support surface in said first direction in response to said first signal if said sensor detects the presence of the authorized individual, said controller further adapted to cause movement of said patient support surface in said second direction in response to said second signal if said sensor detects the presence of the authorized individual, and said controller also adapted to cause movement of said patient support surface in said first or second direction in response to said second control regardless of the presence of the authorized individual. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification