Patient support with air bladder control sensitive to an orientation angle sensor

US10098798B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard B. Stacy · Batesville, US
• Daniel K. Stevens · Summerville, US
• Karen Janoff · Fairfax, US
• Jonathan H. Mueller · Fairfax, US
• John A. Bobey · Charleston, US
• Dennis Flessate · Goose Creek, US
• Reza Hakamiun · Charleston, US
• Charles A. Lachenbruch · Lakeway, US
• Sohrab Soltani · Charleston, US
• Gregory W. Branson · Batesville, US
• Kenith W. Chambers · Charleston, US
• Rebecca Anne Ginther · Cadiz, US
• Stephen L. Douglas · Batesville, US
• Eric R. Meyer · Batesville, US
• Christopher R. O'Keefe · Batesville, US
• Bradley T. Wilson · Tyler, US
• Darrell Borgman · Batesville, US
• Rachel Hopkins King · Lawrenceburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 16, 2018
• Expiry date: Jun 12, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61G2210/90
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A patient support includes a cover defining an interior region, an air permeable first layer located in the interior region within the cover, a first air supply coupled to the first layer to provide air flow through the first layer, air bladders including a head zone and a seat zone located beneath the first layer, a first sensing assembly located beneath the head zone, a second air supply coupled to the air bladders to selectively inflate and deflate the air bladders, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the first and second air supplies to control inflation and deflation of the air bladders and to control air flow through the permeable layer. The controller also receives a signal from the first sensing assembly, determines whether the patient support is occupied, and adjusts air flow through the first layer based on the signal from the first sensing assembly.