IP Library Granted Patent US 8,117,701
Granted Patent B2
US 8,117,701 · App. 11/994,478 · Granted Feb 21, 2012

Control unit for patient support

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,117,701
App. No.
11/994,478
Granted
Feb 21, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure describes a control unit for a patient support, such as a mattress. One embodiment of the control unit includes a base portion and a display portion pivotably coupled to the base portion. The control unit may also include one or more communication ports for sending or receiving data from one or more remote devices over a network. The control unit may also include a memory port into which memory may be removably inserted. The control unit may also include a visual indicator configured to be activated by a triggering event, such as a patient exiting the mattress. The display unit may include a touchscreen user interface. The display unit may also be configured to display audiovisual material.

Claims (36)

1. A control unit for a patient support, the control unit comprising:

a housing adaptable to be removably coupled to a patient support, the housing defining an interior region including

a controller,

an air supply including a first portion operably coupled to the controller to provide high volume, low pressure air to a first interior portion of the patient support, and a second portion operably coupled to the controller to provide low volume, high pressure air to a second interior portion of the patient support,

a user interface coupled to the housing, and

a light bar coupled to the housing, the light bar being controllable by the controller to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of modes,

wherein each of the plurality of modes includes a color indicative of a different operating condition of the control unit.

2. The control unit of claim 1 , wherein the first air supply portion includes a blower and the second air supply portion includes a compressor.

3. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a hose connector coupled to the air supply.

4. The control unit of claim 3 , wherein the hose connector includes a first connector portion coupled to the first air supply portion and a second connector portion coupled to the second air supply portion.

5. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a display portion pivotably coupled to the housing.

6. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of communication ports including a wireless connectivity port.

7. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a memory port configured to receive a removable memory card.

8. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising an identification tag coupled to the housing.

9. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a display portion pivotably coupled to the housing, the display portion being movable with respect to the housing between a raised position and a lowered position, the display portion including a video display and a touchscreen user interface.

10. The control unit of claim 9 , wherein the display portion includes a wireless access port.

11. The control unit of claim 9 , wherein the display portion includes a memory port configured to receive removable memory.

12. The control unit of claim 9 , further comprising a friction hinge coupled between the display portion and the housing.

13. The control unit of claim 9 , wherein the angle of the display portion with respect to the housing when the display portion is in the raised position is at least 180 degrees.

14. The control unit of claim 9 , further comprising a detent configured to hold the display portion in the lowered position.

15. The control unit of claim 9 , wherein the user interface includes a graphical depiction of a patient support which varies based on the presence or absence of a patient on the patient support.

16. The control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a display portion configured to display a graphical user interface including at least one graphical depiction that automatically changes in response to a change in an operating condition of the patient support.

17. The control unit of claim 16 , wherein the graphical depiction is of a patient support and the graphical depiction changes automatically in response to a person being positioned on the patient support.

18. The control unit of claim 16 , wherein the graphical depiction is of a patient support and the graphical depiction changes automatically in response to articulation of a portion of the patient support.

19. The control unit of claim 16 , wherein the graphical depiction is of a patient support and the graphical depiction changes automatically in response to a change in inflation of the patient support.

20. The control unit of claim 16 , wherein the graphical depiction is of a pressure map for a patient support and the pressure map changes automatically in response to patient movement.

21. A control unit for a patient support, the control unit comprising:

a housing adaptable to be removably coupled to a patient support, the housing defining an interior region including

a controller,

an air supply including a first portion operably coupled to the controller to provide high volume low pressure air to a first interior portion of the patient support and a second portion operably coupled to the controller to provide low volume, high pressure air to a second interior portion of the patient support,

a user interface coupled to the housing, and

a light bar coupled to the housing, the light bar being controllable by the controller to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of modes,

wherein the light bar illuminates in a first mode if the patient support is in CPR position.

22. The control unit of claim 21 , wherein the light bar illuminates in a second mode if the control unit is in need of service.

23. The control unit of claim 22 , wherein the light bar illuminates in a third mode if the control unit is powered on and operating normally.

24. The control unit of claim 23 , wherein the light bar illuminates in a fourth mode if an alarm is activated.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 050260/0644 Recorded Dec 14, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: BREATHE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.; ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; WELCH ALLYN, INC.; HILL-ROM, INC.; VOALTE, INC.; BARDY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.; HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058517/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 4, 2019
From: HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.; HILL-ROM, INC.; HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.; ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; ANODYNE MEDICAL DEVICE, INC.; VOALTE, INC.; WELCH ALLYN, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050260/0644 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.; ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; WELCH ALLYN, INC.; HILL-ROM COMPANY, INC.; HILL-ROM, INC.; ANODYNE MEDICAL DEVICE, INC.; MORTARA INSTRUMENT, INC.; MORTARA INSTRUMENT SERVICES, INC.; VOALTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 26, 2016
From: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.; ASPEN SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; WELCH ALLYN, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040145/0445 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2015
From: ALLEN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.; ASPEN SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.; WELCH ALLYN, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036582/0123 →
CHANGE OF STATE OF INCORPORATION FROM DELAWARE TO INDIANA Recorded Jan 19, 2012
From: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC. (DELAWARE CORPORATION)
To: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC. (INDIANA CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 027557/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2008
From: BOBEY, JOHN A.; DOUGLAS, STEPHEN L.; MEYER, ERIC R.; MUELLER, JONATHAN H.; PETROSENKO, ROBERT; SCHULTE, STEPHEN R.; SKINNER, ANDREW F.; SLEVA, MICHAEL Z.; STACY, RICHARD B.; STEVENS, DANIEL K.; YERMANENI, MAYUR
To: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 021692/0743 →