The invention relates to a support arm system (10) for movably holding at least one medical device, including at least one movably supported support arm (18, 20, 22, 24) which is configured to hold the at least one medical device, having at least one load detection device (26) which is configured to detect the respective load data of the support arm system (10) during usage thereof; in particular configured by moving the support arm (18, 20, 22, 24), and which is formed with at least one storage device (46) which is configured to store the detected load data. Further, the invention relates to a method for operating a support arm system (10) and method for designing a support arm system (10).

A patient transport apparatus for use with a vehicle, comprising a lift mechanism between a base and a support frame to move between an extended configuration defining a first distance and a retracted configuration defining a second distance. An interface generates a user signal. A sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to force acting on the base relative to the support frame. A controller determines if the user signal corresponds to an extend or retract command; determines if the force acting on the base has exceeded a predetermined threshold value based on the sensor signal; drives the lift mechanism toward the extended configuration where the user signal corresponds to the extend command and toward the retracted configuration where the user signal corresponds to the retract command; and interrupts driving the lift mechanism to stop motion of the lift mechanism in response to the sensor signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base supported by caster assemblies with each caster assembly comprising a stem, a caster wheel, and a caster wheel axle. A patient support surface is coupled to the base and is configured to receive a load. One or more load sensors are integrated with at least one of the stem, the caster wheel, or the caster wheel axle for measuring the load. One or more of the caster assemblies can be coupled to a steering motor, which controls orientation of the caster assembly. A controller can control the steering motors based on analyzing the measurements of the load sensor. The load sensors can produce measurements indicative of both vertical load and non-vertical load applied to the caster assembly. The controller can also analyze the measurements of the load sensor to determine the load received by the patient support surface by negating the non-vertical load.

An exit prediction system for a support apparatus receives data inputs from one or more force sensors without zeroing the one or more force sensors. Changes in the data inputs are detected to determine whether the detected changes indicate a movement trend. An exit prediction is determined based at least partially on the movement trend, and without combining the data inputs from the one or more force sensors to determine the occupant's weight. A notification is generated based on the exit prediction.

A mattress including: an elastic body; a sheet that is disposed at least above the elastic body and made of any of a conductive sheet and a conductive fiber; and a measurement unit that is configured to measure a change of capacitance of the sheet observed when the elastic body is deformed.

A person lifting apparatus includes a strap movement system. The person lifting device includes a housing and a lifting strap feeding device located in the housing. The lifting strap feeding device includes a motor connected to a drum and a lifting strap wound on the drum. A sensor provides a signal indicative of force on the lifting strap. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller controls operation of the motor based on the signal. A user input is used to place the strap movement system in a fast mode during which the controller speeds up operation of the motor from a normal operating speed.

Described herein are multifunctional smart beds and methods of operating thereof. Specifically, a multifunctional smart bed comprises a controller, configured to receive input from various sensors (e.g., load cells positioned in bed legs, thermometers, and/or microphones) and/or user. These inputs are analyzed and used to control various bed components to improve the sleep quality, to monitor users' health, score couple's relationship, and the like. For example, these inputs may be used to control the firmness of different mattress portions, change orientations of the head, torso, and/or leg sections, adjust the light, and the like. In some examples, the smart bed generates a report indicating one or more sleep duration, sleep depth profile, sleep scope, heart rate, breath rate, environment conditions, couple's relationship, and the like. Furthermore, in some examples, a multifunctional smart bed is also configured to control external devices in the same environment, e.g., smart switches, smart thermostats.

A user-wearable sensor device may be configured to be directly or indirectly secured to a user or to an article worn by the user. The user-wearable sensor device may include at least one sensor configured to collect sensor data associated with an orientation of the user, a display unit including at least one LED or other visual indicator, a battery configured to provide power to at least the display unit, and a control system. The control system may be configured to determine the orientation of the user based on sensor data collected by the at least one sensor, maintain the display unit in a deactivated state in the absence of a defined activation input, detect a defined activation input, activate the deactivated display unit in response to detecting the defined activation input, and control the activated display unit based on the determined orientation of the user.

An apparatus and method of calibrating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus may include a scale platform, a warming therapy device comprising a bassinet and at least one electrical device, the warming therapy device being disposed on the scale platform, the scale platform disposed between the warming therapy device and the base; and a conductor assembly adapted to (a) supply electrical power between a power supply and at least some of the at least one electrical device, and (b) enable the transmission of electrical signals from the at least one electrical device to the computer system, the conductor assembly comprising a scale platform cable assembly comprising a plurality of conductors, the scale platform cable assembly having a first connector end and a second connector end, the first connector end being rigidly affixed to the load cell carrier and the second connector end being rigidly affixed to the scale platform cover.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame, support surface, cable interface, switches, a location detector, and a controller. The switches are electrically coupled to the interface and the controller selects a configuration for the plurality of switches based on a current location of the patient support apparatus within a healthcare facility. Alternatively or additionally, a user interface may display a plurality of identifiers that each identifies a predefined configuration for the switches wherein the controller configures the switches according to an identifier selected by the user. A transceiver on board the patient support apparatus may communicate with different fixed transmitters and the controller may implement different switch configurations based on messages from the different fixed transmitters.