The invention includes a medical technology station and a method for using the medical technology cart. The station can be a portable cart that can be movable, such as rollable, and has a computer system. Attached to the cart is a housing that communicates with the computer system. Insertable in the housing is a cassette system that includes a series of drawers. The drawers are openable and preferably closeable on command from a user. The drawers have a readable unique drawer identifier that is readable by sensors in the cassette. The cassette also preferably includes proximity sensors, while the drawers contain a target for the proximity sensors. In use, an operator, with proper credentials, can, though the computer system, identify a drawer to be opened by the computer system. The cassette and drawers can be removed from the housing and transported to another location for filling of the drawers with medications or other supplies.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a patient support surface, and a nurse call cable interface adapted to communicatively couple to a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow the patient to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. One or more sensors are included that detect when the cable is plugged into the nurse call outlet and/or when the bed is communicatively coupled to the nurse call system. The controller may activate an indicator when the sensor detects that the bed is not coupled to the nurse call system outlet, automatically select whether to communicate with the nurse call system via a wireless transceiver or via the nurse call cable interface based on the sensor output, and/or inform the caregiver when a headwall module spaced from the bed is not communicatively coupled to the nurse call system outlet.

A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.

A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Tracking a pose of a portion of an anatomical structure using a bi-directional electromagnetic navigation system may include generating a signal comprising a plurality of frequencies. The signal may be received at a bi-directional coil array that comprises a plurality of bi-directional micro coils configured to both generate electromagnetic fields and detect electromagnetic fields generated by neighboring bi-directional micro coils. Each of the plurality of bi-directional micro coils may be coupled to a portion of a structure. In response to receiving the signal, an electromagnetic field may be generated at each of the plurality of bi-directional micro coils. At least one of the generated electromagnetic fields may be detected at a neighboring bi-directional micro coil of a bi-directional micro coil that is generating the at least one detected electromagnetic field. A pose of the bi-directional micro coil that is generating the at least one detected electromagnetic field may be determined.

An incontinence detection pad has an RFID tag in which an authentication code, such as an electronic product code (EPC), is stored. A reader in wireless communication with the RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad verifies that the incontinence detection pad is an authorized detection pad. Thus, unauthorized incontinence detection pads that do not have the proper authentication code are not able to be used in an incontinence detection system.

A person lift system includes a lift unit, a sling bar that is coupled to the lift unit, where the sling bar includes a plurality of attachment points each having coupling sensors and an electronic control unit that is communicatively coupled to the coupling sensors. The person lift system also includes a lifting accessory having a plurality of lifting points that are adapted to be selectively coupled to the plurality of attachment points of the sling bar. The electronic control unit comprises a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set which, when executed by the processor detects with the coupling sensors whether the lifting accessory is installed in a proper manner and projects an indication when the lifting accessory is installed in the proper manner.

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 wheelchair system may include vehicles including docking systems for a wheelchair. The wheelchair and the docking system may be coupled to controllers in communication with one another via a secure communication channel. A user may use a computing device to send signals to and receive signals from the controllers and a data processing system to select the docking system to which the wheelchair may be secured.

An incontinence detection system monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. The system has a pad that includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. Portions of the system are included in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.