A patient support apparatus includes a load frame, a support frame, and a plurality of load cells supporting the load frame on the support frame such that a load supported by the load frame is supported by the load cells, each load cell configured to produce a signal indicative of a load weight bearing upon that load cell. The load cells are calibrated after installation.

Person support apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a person support apparatus comprises a base frame and a primary support frame supported on the base frame. A carriage is freely translatable at least between a head end of the primary support frame and a foot end of the primary support frame. A support surface is supported on the carriage such that the support surface translates with the carriage. The support surface includes a support section which is collapsible in a length direction of the support surface. The support section may include an air bladder and a control valve fluidly coupled to the air bladder that regulates air pressure within the air bladder. The control valve has a normally closed position and a vent position, wherein the person support apparatus comprises an exercise configuration wherein the control valve is in the vent position and the air bladder is vented to atmosphere.

A method of using a transfer system includes: supporting a first docking cone of the transfer system by a first support platform to orient a docking cone axis of the first docking cone with a vertical axis; inserting the first docking cone into a first docking cup of a transfer device of the transfer system; and locking the first docking cone within the first docking cup by a security mechanism of the transfer device, the security mechanism comprising a first security lever and a second security lever.

A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.

A braking system for a patient support apparatus includes a caster wheel assembly. The caster wheel assembly includes a caster wheel and manually operable brake operable to brake the caster wheel. The caster wheel assembly further includes a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake to move between three positions, wherein said three positions include a braking position, an un-braked position, and a steer lock position. The braking system further includes an electrically powered actuator mechanically coupled to the manual brake activation handle or pedal and to the manually operable brake. When powered, the electrically powered actuator is operable to move the manually operable brake and to move the manual brake activation handle or pedal between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in a braking mode, an un-braked mode, or a steer lock mode. And, when the actuator is unpowered, the manual brake activation handle or pedal is operable to be manually moved between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in the braking mode, the un-braked mode, or the steer lock mode.

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.

A patient support apparatus comprises a litter and a base configured to receive and support the litter when the litter is docked to the base in a docked state. A foot end extension is coupled to a foot end of an intermediate frame of the base, with the foot end extension defining an extended position wherein at least a portion of the foot end extension extends outwardly beyond the foot end of the litter in a direction opposite the head end of the intermediate frame when the litter and base are in the docked state. The foot end extension includes a top surface that is axially aligned with a substantially flat configuration of the litter in the extended position. The foot end extension can be fixedly coupled in the extended position or movably coupled to the intermediate frame and movable between the extended position and a non-extended position.

A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck and a base to support the patient support deck from a ground surface, with a first frame assembly comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the base, and a second frame assembly with one or more lift arms coupling the base to the second frame assembly. A load cell assembly to sense weight applied to the first frame assembly by the second frame assembly comprises a load cell support assembly coupled to the first frame assembly, and a load cell element coupled to the second frame assembly and mounted onto the load cell support assembly such that the second frame assembly is movable with respect to the first frame assembly along two axes of translation and is pivotable with respect to the first frame assembly about three axes of rotation.

A stationary communication unit is adapted to be mounted to a headwall of a healthcare facility and enable wireless communication between a patient support apparatus and a nurse call system. The unit also performs one or more additional functions, such as, but not limited to: determining when a healthcare worker enters/exits the room; determining when the patient support apparatus exits/enters the room; storing/retrieving medical device data associated with a patient; directing medical device data to one or more displays in the room; auto-updating, auto-retrieving, and/or auto-displaying data upon healthcare worker entry into the room; auto-muting room sounds during nurse-patient communication; and auto-directing a healthcare workers electronic device to data associated with the patient in that room. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these additional functions are incorporated into a patient support apparatus.

A system and a method for managing patient therapy protocols are disclosed. The system includes a patient support apparatus for supporting a patient, a first input device for use by a first caregiver, a location system for determining a location of the first caregiver, and a therapy management system. The therapy management system receives a location of the first caregiver and a selection of a patient therapy protocol, which includes a location requirement. The therapy management system then determines whether the first caregiver location input signal satisfies the location requirement before initiating the selected patient therapy protocol or notifying the second caregiver if the location of the first caregiver does not satisfy the location requirement.