A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, or the like, includes a patient support surface, a display, a plurality of indicators and/or controls, an ambient light sensors, and a controller. The display is adapted to be illuminated at multiple illumination levels, and the controller is adapted to receive ambient light level readings from the ambient light sensor, to use the ambient light level readings to automatically select a particular brightness level for the display, and to cause the display to display information at the particular brightness level. In some embodiments, multiple ambient light sensors are included and the readings of those within a valid range are averaged together to determine the particular brightness level. Machine learning algorithms may also be included for selecting the brightness level based on a user's prior history of manually selecting a brightness level.

A person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.

A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

A method for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed, the method comprising: detecting a presence of the patient on the bed, upon detection of the patient on the bed, monitoring an indication that the patient has moved from a predetermined patient area on a patient receiving surface of the bed to outside the predetermined patient area, upon detection that the patient has moved outside the predetermined patient area, activating a bed alarm to indicate to a user that an exit of the patient from the hospital bed has been detected, and after monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area and further upon receiving a pause command, suspending monitoring the indication that the patient has moved from the predetermined patient area. There is also provided a system for detecting an exit of a patient from a hospital bed.

A system for safely containing an infant on a mattress is described. The system includes a plurality of panels that extend upwardly from a base that supports the mattress, wherein the plurality of panels and the base form an enclosure around the mattress, and wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is configured to have a locked position and an unlocked position. The system also includes a detection system that detects when the at least one of the plurality of panels is in the unlocked position and a lighting system operatively coupled to the detection system, wherein the lighting system is configured to emit light when the at least one of the plurality of panels is detected to be in the unlocked position. Furthermore, the system includes a power system that provides energy to the lighting system for emitting the light.

A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.

The material contained in this disclosure pertains to robotics related to convertible robots incorporating telecommunication elements. Embodiments of the system and apparatuses described can facilitate instant communication with family and friends, health status monitoring and support from caregivers; and promote optimal health, longevity, and independent living by providing high-tech economical solutions at each stage of the aging process. Embodiments of the system and apparatuses may be converted from an independent telecommunications robot, to a robotic walker, to a robotic wheelchair.

A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.

A ceiling lift assembly includes first and second motor units which can be operated together in a dual mode configuration and which can be operated in a single mode operation, in which only one of the motor units is operative with the other motor unit being dormant. The system provides routines for switching between the single and dual modes of the assembly and which ensure that in each mode the necessary parts of the apparatus are in an operative condition, whereas those parts of the apparatus which are not used are placed in a storage condition to avoid inconvenience or injury to personnel and patients. The apparatus also includes a motor unit support device of a structure which can accommodate asymmetric loads, on one motor unit only without causing deformation of the support structure.

A medical station includes a movable cart and a cassette system. The cassette system including a frame, a plurality of lockable drawers slidably mounted to the frame, and a graspable handle configured for movement between a closed position where the handle is not accessible or graspable by a user and a released position.