A patient support apparatus includes an inflatable mattress for supporting a patient and an air supply for supplying air to the inflatable mattress. A control system controls the air supply and inflatable mattress to provide therapeutic functions. The control system is configurable to make a subset of the therapeutic functions available to a user. A control panel containing controls for therapeutic functions is provided. An interchangeable bezel covers the control panel to provide access to controls for the subset of available therapeutic functions.

A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.

A variable width support system includes an adjustable width person support apparatus (PSA), an adjustable width person support surface (PSS), and first and second controllers. The first controller controls a function of the PSA and receives a first input corresponding to a function of the PSA via a first user interface. The second controller controls a function of the PSS and: a) receives a second input corresponding to a function of the PSS via a second user interface when the first controller is not in communication with the second controller, and b) receives a third input corresponding to a function of the PSS via the first controller when the first controller is in communication with the second controller. The second controller controls a function of the PSS in accordance with the third input when the first controller is in communication with the second controller.

A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.

A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface to support a patient. The patient support surface has at least one air bladder that is inflated and/or deflated to achieve a turn assist function and/or a therapy function of the patient support surface. A graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to receive user inputs from a caregiver to initiate the turn assist or therapy functions. The patient support apparatus has control circuitry coupled to the GUI. The GUI is controlled by the control circuitry to display information indicating that the patient is improperly positioned on the patient support surface for either the turn assist function or the therapy function. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry indicates that the patient is improperly positioned for raising a head section of a bed frame.

A system for changing the width of a person support apparatus includes a bed controller for receiving a command signal indicating a command for width alteration, a first motor controlled by the bed controller for driving an extension of a first deck section of the support apparatus thereby altering the width of the first deck section, and a second motor controlled by the bed controller for driving an extension of a second deck section of the support apparatus thereby altering the width of the second deck section. The bed controller controls the first motor and the second motor in a manner that causes the first deck section to reach a first deck section width alteration limit at a first time and the second deck section to reach a second deck section width alteration limit at a second time, wherein the first time and the second time are not equal.

An air distribution pad comprises an upper layer, a lower layer, and a spacer material located between the upper layer and the lower layer, the spacer material configured to allow air to pass therethrough. An air distributor is configured to distribute air to the spacer material, wherein the air distributor comprises a port configured to receive an air hose, wherein the port is directed laterally sideways from the air distributor. At least one joining structure is coupled to the upper layer and the lower layer, the at least one joining structure providing one or more channels formed through the spacer material in fluid communication with the air distributor. The one or more channels are configured to direct generally laterally flowing air from the port of the air distributor to a generally longitudinal direction along the at least one channel.

A patient positioning apparatus for use with a mattress has a first lateral tilt bladder and a third lateral tilt bladder underlying a first side of the mattress, and a second lateral tilt bladder and a fourth lateral tilt bladder underlying a second side of the mattress. The tilt bladders are inflatable to alter the position of a patient lying on the mattress, and inflation and/or deflation of the lateral tilt bladders is controllable by a controller. A first check valve allows fluid communication in one direction from the third lateral tilt bladder to the first lateral tilt bladder, and a second check valve allows fluid communication in one direction from the fourth lateral tilt bladder to the second lateral tilt bladder.

A patient support apparatus pneumatic system may include a mattress defining an interior and a pneumatic enclosure in fluid communication with the interior and comprising an inlet and an outlet. A blower may be in fluid communication with the interior and the pneumatic enclosure. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure at the outlet. A controller may be configured to monitor a speed of the blower and the pressure at the outlet for detecting at least one of an intake blockage condition and an exhaust blockage condition.