A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. The sensor can include one or more of bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, magnetometers and altimeters as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose. In some embodiments, the sensor can be self-contained in that it can detect orientation and suggest repositioning independent of a host.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

An inventory tracking system includes storage modules that hold one or more items. Each item is positionable at locations within the storage modules independent of physical characteristics of the item. Inventory monitoring modules are included to monitor storage modules for adding an item, retrieving an item, consuming of the item, returning an unused item, discarding at least a portion of a consumed item, or combinations thereof. Each act is used to determine information about items utilized in the act, including the location within the storage modules of the items. Each storage module updates a central inventory database about a location of the storage module, a revised inventory of the items stored within the storage modules, or both. The location of the storage modules, the revised inventory of the items stored within the storage modules, or both, is used to order a replenishment of the items held within the storage modules.

An assistance system includes a storage section configured to store usage record data in which usage information as to a use of an assistance device configured to assist an operation of a care receiver is recorded in association with time information as to a date and time when the assistance device is used and user identification information used to identify a user using the assistance device, an extracting section configured to extract the usage information and the time information as to a specific user based on the user identification information included in the usage record data, and a display section configured to display a time series change in the usage information as to the specific user in a graspable manner.

A person lifting apparatus includes a first lifting strap feeding device including a first drum and a first lifting strap wound on the first drum. A second lifting strap feeding device includes a second drum and a second lifting strap wound on the second drum. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first lifting strap feeding device and to the second lifting strap feeding device. The controller includes logic that controls operation of the first lifting strap feeding device and the second lifting strap feeding device based on a comparison of current draws of the first lifting strap feeding device and the second lifting strap feeding device.

This specification describes an adaptive robotic nursing assistant for physical tasks and patient observation and feedback. In some examples, the adaptive robotic nursing assistant includes an omni-directional mobile platform; a footrest on the omni-directional mobile platform; a handlebar located above the footrest such that a user standing on the footrest can grasp the handlebar; a display above the handlebar and at least one user input device; a robot manipulator comprising a robotic arm and an end effector on the robotic arm; and a control system coupled to the omni-directional mobile platform, the control system comprising at least one processor and memory storing executable instructions for the at least one processor to control the omni-directional mobile platform.

Systems and methods for detecting a pinch event or obstruction to a movable component of a patient support. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus may include a control system capable of controlling one or more actuator systems coupled to one or more movable components of the patient support apparatus. The control system may operate according to one or more modes of operation in controlling the actuator system to move a component from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the control system may receive sensor feedback indicative of one or more operating characteristics of an actuator system, and analyze the sensor feedback differently in one mode than in another. In one embodiment, the controller may receive sensor feedback indicative of both a speed of a component coupled to the movable component and a current of power supplied to an electric motor of the actuator system.

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 includes a plurality of primary sensors adapted to measure different parameters used in the control of the patient support apparatus. One or more suites of secondary sensors are added to the patient support apparatus to provide data about the primary sensors. The secondary sensors may be used to detect errors in the primary sensors, to modify outputs from the primary sensors, and/or to provide usage and/or diagnostic data about the use of the patient support apparatus. The suite(s) of secondary sensors may measure parameters that affect the outputs of one or more of the primary sensors. In some embodiments, the suite(s) of secondary sensors include one or more dormant sensors that are not used on the patient support apparatus until a code modification is received from one or more external sources instructing the control system of the patient support apparatus to begin using the dormant sensor(s).

A system for loading a patient transport apparatus into a vehicle is described. The system includes a loading and unloading system including a track and a trolley supporting a receiver movable between locked and unlocked configurations. The system also includes a patient transport apparatus for attachment to the loading and unloading system including a base, a litter, and a lift mechanism to facilitate arranging the litter at different heights relative to the base with an actuator movable between fully-retracted and fully-extended configurations, a coupler for engaging the receiver to secure the patient transport apparatus, first and second sensors configured to output a first signal and second signal and a controller to determine a target lift configuration during unloading from the emergency based on first and second values and to drive the actuator to the target lift configuration to limit relative movement between the patient transport apparatus and the trolley.