Patient support apparatuses with navigation and guidance systems
US10406045B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/01
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, or the like, include control systems with one or more image, radar, and/or laser sensors to detect objects and determine if a likelihood of collision exists. If so, the control system controls the speed and steering of the patient support apparatus in order to reduce the likelihood of collision. The control system may be adapted to autonomously drive the patient support apparatus, to transmit a message to a remote device indicating whether it is occupied by a patient or not, and/or to transmit its route to the remote device. The remote device may determine an estimate of a time of arrival of the patient support apparatus at a particular destination and/or determine a distance of the patient support apparatus from the particular destination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.