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. In some embodiments, the system can further include a support surface having one or more sensors incorporated therein either in addition to sensors affixed to the patient or as an alternative thereof. The support surface is, in some embodiments, capable of responding to commands from the host for assisting in implementing a course of action for patient treatment. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, 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.

Catheter monitor integration with patient support systems, such as patient beds, and with other healthcare communication systems including hand hygiene systems is provided. A patient bed that transmits bed data and catheter monitor data is disclosed. When catheter tubing is connected to a catheter monitor integrated into a patient bed, the bed automatically implements a falls prevention protocol. A countdown timer pertaining to removal of catheter tubing from a patient is displayed on one or more display devices. Monitoring for caregiver handwashing compliance in connection with use of a catheter monitor or a catheter kit is also provided.

A surgical room power system including at least one source of power wired to a power source for a surgical room, the at least one source of power being wired to the surgical room; at least one power receiver; and a surgical power consumer wired to the at least one power receiver, the surgical power consumer being configured to assist a surgeon during a surgical procedure on a patient. The at least one source of power wirelessly transfers power to the at least one power receiver for powering the surgical power consumer.

A system for supporting or positioning a patient before, during, or after a medical procedure can include a platform configured to support at least a portion of a patient. A support column can be positioned beneath the platform. A base can be positioned beneath the support column and configured to support the support column. The base can include at least one drive wheel configured to contact a ground surface and move the platform with respect to the ground surface. A drive assist user interface module can be operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be configured to permit an operator of the system to selectively control movement of the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be part of or be attached to an attachment that includes a plate having a top surface. In one configuration, the top surface of the plate can be configured to extend parallel with a top surface of the platform when the attachment is attached to the platform.

A mattress system is provided that is optimized for the hospital setting and includes a guiderail system that accepts a variety of accessories for attachment thereto. The guiderail system may have integrated data lines, power lines, gas lines, and/or fluid lines. Also provided are radioabsorbant shields, trays and other components designed for optimal use with the mattress system.

An incontinence detection system includes an incontinence detection pad for placement beneath a person to be monitored. The incontinence detection pad has a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. A reader is provided and a plurality of antennae is coupled to the reader. The reader includes a bistatic radio frequency (RF) switch matrix which is operable to establish a first antenna of the plurality of antennae as a transmit antenna that is used to wirelessly energize the passive RFID tag and to establish a second antennae of the plurality of antennae as a receive antenna that is used to read backscattered data that may be emitted from the passive RFID tag. The first and second antennae are situated in respective housings that are spaced apart from each other. An arrangement of first and second electrodes on an electrical sheet of an incontinence pad is also provided.

A portable alert communication system for use in a health care facility comprising a local display device for use by a healthcare administrator, with the local display device having a level-of-care mechanism, a display screen, and an acknowledgment indicator; and a remote display device for use by a healthcare provider, with the remote display device having a level-of-care indicator and an acknowledgment mechanism; and whereby the healthcare administrator can use the local display device to send a level-of-care alert relating to the needs of a patient to the remote display device, which can display the level-of-care alert to the healthcare provider, who can then use the acknowledgement indicator to send an acknowledgment response to the local display device, which can use the acknowledgment indicator to display the acknowledgment response from the healthcare provider to the healthcare administrator, indicating whether the healthcare provider accepts or declines the healthcare administrator's request to attend to the needs of the patient.

A patient-support status system includes a patient support apparatus adapted to support a patient thereon. A user interface is coupled to the patient support apparatus to move therewith and configured to receive a user input associated with a status of the patient. A location-detection system is configured to provide location data associated with a location of the patient support apparatus in a healthcare facility. A communication unit is coupled to the patient support apparatus and configured to communicate the status and the location data to a remote computer in response to receipt of the user input.

Methods and systems for registering a manipulator assembly and independently positionable surgical table are provided herein. In one aspect, methods include reading a fiducial marker on the surgical table with a sensor associated with the manipulator assembly and localizing the manipulator assembly and surgical table with respect to a common reference frame. Methods may further include translating a 3D configuration of the surgical table to a 2D frame of reference so as to estimate a 3D pose of the surgical table relative the manipulator assembly for use in coordinating movements therebetween.

A support panel (16) is provided comprising a base member (11), the base member (11) being the mechanically stabilizing component of the support panel (11), at least one mechanical coupler (18) on the base member (11), an identifier which can electronically be read out through the at least one second electrical connector (28), at least one second electrical connector (28) located on the base member (11), and at least one functional module (34) selected from a sensor, an actuator, a control unit, an electrical link, and a power supply, wherein the at least one mechanical coupler (18) and the at least one second electrical connector (28) are designed for reversible mechanical and electrical connection to a bed frame assembly (30), and wherein a top surface (17) of the support panel (16), opposite to the bottom surface (15), is designed to be applied with a mattress (20).