IP Library Granted Patent US 11,389,120
Granted Patent B2
US 11,389,120 · App. 16/877,561 · Granted Jul 19, 2022

Mattress having selectable patient weight valve, inductive power, and a digital x-ray cassette

Inventors: Frank E. Sauser (Cincinnati, OH); Charles A. Lachenbruch (Batesville, IN); Kathryn R. Smith (Batesville, IN); Jnanesha Ramegowda (Batesville, IN); Jason B. Grace (Cincinnati, OH); Douglas E. Borgman (Brookville, IN); Nolan D. Wanner (Milan, IN); Steven D. Baker (Beaverton, OR); Douglas A. Seim (Okeana, OH)
Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
A61B6/0407A47C27/007A47C27/15A61G7/0509A61G7/0527A61G2203/12A61G2203/34A61G2203/44
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,389,120
App. No.
16/877,561
Granted
Jul 19, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A patient support apparatus may include a foam frame defining a space. A bladder assembly may be positioned in the space. The bladder assembly may include a plurality of foam filled bladders. Each of the foam filled bladders may be interconnected by a manifold. A plurality of mutually exclusively selectable pressure relief valves may be provided to release air from the bladder assembly.

Claims (53)

1. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a foam frame defining a space,

a bladder assembly positioned in the space, the bladder assembly including a plurality of foam filled bladders, each of the foam filled bladders interconnected by a manifold,

a plurality of mutually exclusively selectable pressure relief valves, wherein a selected pressure release valve of the plurality of selectable pressure release valves is configured to release air from the bladder assembly if a pressure in the bladder assembly exceeds a predetermined limit of the selected pressure relief valve, wherein each selectable pressure release valve releases air at a different predetermined limit,

a cover that encases the foam frame and the bladder assembly,

an electronic component positioned within the cover,

an inductive power receiver positioned within the cover, and

an inductive power transmitter position outside of the cover,

wherein the inductive power transmitter transmits a power signal to the power transceiver to supply power to the electronic component.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control knob to select the selected pressure release valve.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the control knob is manually operated.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a weigh scale, wherein the selected pressure relief valve is selected based on a weight of a patient measured by the weigh scale.

5. The patient support apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the selected pressure relief valve is automatically selected based on the weight of the patient measured by the weigh scale.

6. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of selectable pressure relief valves includes:

a first pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a first weight of a patient,

a second pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a second weight of a patient, and

a third pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a third weight of a patient.

7. The patient support apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:

the first weight of a patient is within a range of 70 pounds to 250 pounds,

the second weight of a patient is within a range of 251 pounds to 400 pounds, and

the third weight of a patient is within a range of 401 pounds to 500 pounds.

8. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the bladder assembly includes a first plurality of foam filled bladders and a second plurality of foam filled bladders, and

the plurality of selectable pressure release valves includes a first plurality of selectable pressure relief valves in fluid communication with the first plurality of foam filled bladders and a second plurality of selectable pressure relief valves in fluid communication with the second plurality of foam filled bladders.

9. The patient support apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

a first selected pressure release valve of the first plurality of selectable pressure release valves is configured to release air from the first plurality of foam filled bladders if the pressure in the first plurality of foam filled bladders exceeds a predetermined limit of the first selected pressure relief valve, and

a second selected pressure release valve of the second plurality of selectable pressure release valves is configured to release air from the second plurality of foam filled bladders if the pressure in the second plurality of foam filled bladders exceeds a predetermined limit of the second selected pressure relief valve.

10. The patient support apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined limit of the first selected pressure relief valve is different than the predetermined limit of the second selected pressure relief valve.

11. The patient support apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined limit of the first selected pressure relief valve is the same as the predetermined limit of the second selected pressure relief valve.

12. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component includes a digital x-ray cassette.

13. The patient support apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the electronic component wirelessly transmits signals to devices positioned outside of the cover.

14. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a frame, wherein the foam frame and the bladder assembly are positioned on the frame,

a side rail coupled to the frame,

an inductive power transmitter positioned on the frame, and

an inductive power receiver positioned on the side rail,

wherein the inductive power transmitter transmits a power signal to the inductive power receiver to power an electronic component on the side rail.

15. The patient support apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the side rail is moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the inductive power transmitter transmits a power signal to the inductive power receiver when the side rail is in the lowered position or the raised position.

16. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a foam frame defining a space,

a bladder assembly positioned in the space, the bladder assembly including a plurality of foam filled bladders, each of the foam filled bladders interconnected by a manifold,

a plurality of mutually exclusively selectable pressure relief valves, wherein a selected pressure release valve of the plurality of selectable pressure release valves is configured to release air from the bladder assembly if a pressure in the bladder assembly exceeds a predetermined limit of the selected pressure relief valve, wherein each selectable pressure release valve releases air at a different predetermined limit,

a frame, wherein the foam frame and the bladder assembly are positioned on the frame,

a side rail coupled to the frame,

an inductive power transmitter positioned on the frame, and

an inductive power receiver positioned on the side rail,

wherein the inductive power transmitter transmits a power signal to the inductive power receiver to power an electronic component on the side rail.

17. The patient support apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the side rail is moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the inductive power transmitter transmits a power signal to the inductive power receiver when the side rail is in the lowered position or the raised position.

18. The patient support apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a weigh scale, wherein the selected pressure relief valve is selected based on a weight of a patient measured by the weigh scale.

19. The patient support apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of selectable pressure relief valves includes:

a first pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a first weight of a patient,

a second pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a second weight of a patient, and

a third pressure relief valve having a predetermined limit that corresponds to a third weight of a patient.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 2, 2020
From: SAUSER, FRANK E.; SMITH, KATHRYN R.; RAMEGOWDA, JNANESHA; GRACE, JASON B.; BORGMAN, DOUGLAS E.; WANNER, NOLAN D.; BAKER, STEVEN D.; SEIM, DOUGLAS A.
To: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 053669/0502 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62854497 · May 30, 2019
Related Publication 20200375551A1 · Dec 3, 2020