Patent ID: 7472439
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
1. A patient support structure comprising: a base unit; a plurality of lifts coupled to said base unit; a frame secured to said plurality of lifts, said lifts configured to raise and lower the frame with respect to said base unit; a patient lying surface coupled to said frame, said patient lying surface including a head section and a seat section; an actuator for pivoting said head section with respect to said seat section; a load sensor operatively coupled to the frame and adapted to output a signal indicative of a force exerted from said frame onto said load sensor; a tilt sensor operatively coupled to said frame and adapted to output data representative of a tilt of said frame with respect to a direction of a force of gravity; a controller in communication with said load sensor and said tilt sensor, said controller adapted to use said data from said tilt sensor to process said signal from said load sensor such that said controller is able to calculate a weight of a patient supported by said lying surface when said frame is tilted to different orientations; a footboard having a touch screen display attached to the footboard, said touch screen display adapted to allow a person to control a plurality of aspects of said patient support structure; and a horizontal support bar connected to said footboard at a location lower than said control panel whereby a piece of hospital equipment may be mounted on said support bar without obstructing access to said control panel.