PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT WEIGHT MONITORING

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a scale system adapted to automatically monitor changes in a patient's weight over the course of a patient's stay within a healthcare facility. A controller onboard the patient support apparatus is configured to take an initial weight reading of the patient when he or she is first assigned to the patient support apparatus, and to thereafter repetitively compare the patient's current weight to that initial weight reading. If the difference exceeds a threshold, the controller issues a notification. The threshold may be user-customizable and/or it may be adaptive based on s statistical analysis of the patient's weight fluctuations. A control panel may be included to allow a caregiver to select between using a non-adaptive threshold or an adaptive threshold, and/or to select a value for the non-adaptive threshold. The notification may be transmitted to the caregiver's smart phone.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, or the like. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses that include a scale system.

Existing hospital beds and/or stretchers often include a scale system that is used for weighing the patient. Many healthcare facilities require that a caregiver periodically use the scale system to take a weight reading of the patient and record that weight reading. In many instances, the bed or stretcher will provide the caregiver with an indication of how much the patient's weight has changed since the last time the patient's weight was recorded. Often, however, the bed or stretcher will not provide an indication of how much the patient's weight has changed since the patient first entered the healthcare facility, or since the patient was first assigned to the bed or stretcher. The caregiver may therefore only be presented with incremental weight change information (i.e. weight changes since the last weight was recorded), rather than cumulative weight change information (i.e. total weight change since the patient was admitted to the healthcare facility).

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, an improved patient support apparatus is provided that helps caregivers receive notifications regarding the cumulative weight change of a patient since he or she was first admitted to a healthcare facility, and/or since he or she was first assigned to a particular patient support apparatus. Additionally, the patient support apparatus is provided with one or more notification options regarding the patient's cumulative weight change. For example, the patient support apparatus allows the caregiver to select what criteria are used to trigger a notification regarding the patient's cumulative weight change. In some embodiments, the caregiver can specify that the notification occurs when the cumulative weight change exceeds a threshold selected by the caregiver. Alternatively, or additionally, the notification may be set to occur when the cumulative weight change exceeds a statistical value derived from measured fluctuations in the patient's weight over a period of time. Still further, in some embodiments, the caregiver can receive notifications of cumulative patient weight changes that exceed a threshold on his or her smart phone. Still other features and aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the accompanying drawing and the following written description.

A patient support apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a support surface, a plurality of force sensors, a memory, a control, a display, and a controller. The support surface is adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of force sensors are adapted to detect downward forces exerted on the support surface. The control is adapted to record a patient weight when activated by a caregiver. The controller is adapted to record in the memory an initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a particular patient's weight. The controller is also adapted to thereafter automatically compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and to provide a notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than a threshold. The controller is further adapted to display a threshold selection screen on the display that allows the caregiver to adjust the threshold.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the patient support apparatus further includes a new patient control adapted to be activated by the caregiver when a new patient is assigned to the patient support apparatus. The controller is adapted to erase the initial patient weight of the particular patient when the new patient control is activated.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to store in the memory a new initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a new patient's weight, and to thereafter automatically compare a current weight of the new patient to the new initial patient weight and to provide the notification to the caregiver if the current weight of the new patient differs from the new initial patient weight by more than the threshold.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to display a patient weight gain/loss indicator on the display that provides an indication to the caregiver of a difference between the current patient weight and a last saved patient weight. The last saved patient weight corresponds to the weight of the patient recorded when the caregiver most recently activated the control.

The patient support apparatus, in some aspects, includes a network transceiver adapted to communicate with a server hosted on a healthcare facility computer network, and the controller is further configured to send a notification message to the server if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the threshold.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to display an adaptive threshold option on the display. If the caregiver selects the adaptive threshold option, the controller is further adapted to switch to providing the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than an adaptive threshold.

The controller, in some aspects, is adapted to select a value for the adaptive threshold that is based on fluctuations in the patient's weight over a time period.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to determine a mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations and to select the value for the adaptive threshold based on the mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations.

The controller may, in some aspects, select a value for the adaptive threshold that is greater than the mean absolute deviation.

In some aspects, the controller is adapted to increase the time period.

The threshold selection screen, in some aspects, includes a slider icon displayed thereon adapted to be repositioned by the caregiver. The user can adjust the threshold by sliding the slider icon.

The slider icon, in some aspects, is adapted to slide within a range of values that includes values between at least one and two kilograms.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a support surface, a plurality of force sensors, a control, a memory, a display, and a controller. The support surface is adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of force sensors are adapted to detect downward forces exerted on the support surface. The control is adapted to record a patient weight when activated by a caregiver. The controller is adapted to record in the memory an initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a particular patient's weight. The controller is further adapted to thereafter automatically compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and to provide a notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than an adaptive threshold. The controller is adapted to select a value for the adaptive threshold that is based on fluctuations in the patient's weight over a time period.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the controller is further adapted to determine a mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations and to select the value for the adaptive threshold based on the mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to select the value for the adaptive threshold that is greater than the mean absolute deviation.

The controller may be adapted to increase the time period.

The patient support apparatus, in some aspects, includes a new patient control adapted to be activated by the caregiver when a new patient is assigned to the patient support apparatus. The controller is adapted to erase the initial patient weight of the particular patient when the new patient control is activated.

The controller is further adapted, in some aspects, to store in the memory a new initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a new patient's weight, and to thereafter automatically compare a current weight of the new patient to the new initial patient weight and to provide the notification to the caregiver if the current weight of the new patient differs from the new initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to display a patient weight gain/loss indicator on the display that provides an indication to the caregiver of a difference between the current patient weight and a last saved patient weight. The last saved patient weight corresponds to the weight of the patient recorded when the caregiver most recently activated the control.

The patient support apparatus, in some aspects, also includes a network transceiver adapted to communicate with a server hosted on a healthcare facility computer network. The controller may be further configured to send a notification message to the server if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to perform the following: (i) during the time period, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and to provide the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than a non-adaptive threshold; and (ii) subsequent to the time period, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and to provide the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to display a threshold selection screen on the display that is adapted to allow the caregiver to adjust the non-adaptive threshold.

The threshold selection screen, in some aspects, includes a slider icon displayed thereon adapted to be repositioned by the caregiver in order for the caregiver to select the non-adaptive threshold.

The slider icon, in some aspects, is adapted to slide within a range of values that includes values between at least one and two kilograms.

In some aspects, the patient support apparatus further includes a selection control in communication with the controller. The selection control is adapted to allow the caregiver to select between a first patient monitoring technique and a second patient monitoring technique, wherein the controller is further adapted to perform the following: (i) when the caregiver has selected the first patient monitoring technique, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and provide the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than a non-adaptive threshold; and (ii) when the caregiver has selected the second patient monitoring technique, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and provide the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a support surface, a plurality of force sensors, a control, a selection control, and a memory. The support surface is adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of force sensors are adapted to detect downward forces exerted on the support surface. The control is adapted to record a patient weight when activated by a caregiver. The selection control is adapted to allow the caregiver to select between a first patient monitoring technique and a second patient monitoring technique. The controller is adapted to record in the memory an initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a particular patient's weight. The controller is further adapted to thereafter automatically perform the following: (i) when the caregiver has selected the first patient monitoring technique, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and provide a notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than an adaptive threshold; and (ii) when the caregiver has selected the second patient monitoring technique, compare a current patient weight to the initial patient weight and provide the notification to the caregiver if the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than a non-adaptive threshold.

The controller, in some aspects, is adapted to select a value for the adaptive threshold that is based on fluctuations in the patient's weight over a time period.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to determine a mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations and to select the value for the adaptive threshold based on the mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to select a value for the adaptive threshold that is greater than the mean absolute deviation.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to increase the time period.

The patient support apparatus, in some aspects, further includes a new patient control adapted to be activated by the caregiver when a new patient is assigned to the patient support apparatus. The controller is further adapted to erase the initial patient weight of the particular patient when the new patient control is activated.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to store in the memory a new initial patient weight corresponding to a first time the caregiver uses the control to record a new patient's weight, and to thereafter perform the following: (i) when the caregiver has selected the first patient monitoring technique, compare a current weight of the new patient to the new initial patient weight and provide the notification to the caregiver if the current weight of the new patient differs from the new initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold; and (ii) when the caregiver has selected the second patient monitoring technique, compare a current weight of the new patient to the new initial patient weight and provide the notification to the caregiver if the current weight of the new patient differs from the new initial patient weight by more than the non-adaptive threshold.

The controller, in some aspects, is further adapted to display a patient weight gain/loss indicator on the display that provides an indication to the caregiver of a difference between the current patient weight and a last saved patient weight. The last saved patient weight corresponds to a weight of the patient recorded when the caregiver most recently activated the control.

In some aspects, the patient support apparatus further includes a network transceiver adapted to communicate with a server hosted on a healthcare facility computer network. The controller may be further adapted to send a notification message to the server if either if following occurs: (i) the caregiver has selected the first patient monitoring technique and the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the adaptive threshold; or (ii) the caregiver has selected the second patient monitoring technique and the current patient weight differs from the initial patient weight by more than the non-adaptive threshold.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to display a threshold selection screen on the display. The threshold selection screen is adapted to allow the caregiver to adjust the non-adaptive threshold.

The threshold selection screen, in some aspects, includes a slider icon displayed thereon adapted to be repositioned by the caregiver to enable the caregiver to select the non-adaptive threshold.

In some aspects, the slider icon is adapted to slide within a range of values for the non-adaptive threshold that includes values between at least one and two kilograms.

The slider icon, in some aspects, may specify a percentage of the patient's weight.

In some aspects, the controller is adapted to display a cumulative weight change of the patient wherein the cumulative weight change corresponds to a change in the patient's weight between a time when the patient's weight is first measured on the patient support apparatus and the present time.

In some aspects, the controller displays both the cumulative weight change of the patient and a most recent weight change, wherein the most recent weight change corresponds to a change in the patient's weight between the last time the patient's weight was recorded and the present time.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a support surface, a plurality of force sensors, a memory, a high precision control, a display, and a controller. The support surface is adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of force sensors are adapted to detect downward forces exerted on the support surface. The controller is adapted to determine a current weight of the patient supported on the support surface based on outputs from the plurality of force sensors. The controller is further adapted to display, by default, the current weight of the patient on the display with a low level of precision, and to temporarily display the current weight of the patient on the display with a higher level of precision in response to a caregiver activating the high precision control.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the controller is further adapted to display a patient weight gain/loss indicator on the display. The patient weight gain/loss indicator provides an indication to the caregiver of a difference between the current patient weight and a last saved patient weight. The controller is further adapted, by default, to display the patient weight gain/loss indicator with the low level of precision and to temporarily display the patient weight gain/loss indicator with the higher level of precision in response to the caregiver activating the high precision control.

In some aspects, the controller is further adapted to display an object weight log indicator on the display that indicates a total weight of objects that have been added to the patient support, and the controller is further adapted, by default, to display the object weight log indicator with the low level of precision and to temporarily display the object weight log indicator with the higher level of precision in response to the caregiver activating the high precision control.

The controller, in some aspects, is adapted to display the current weight of the patient with the higher level of precision for a fixed amount of time after the caregiver activates the high precision control.

In some aspects, the high precision control is a touchscreen control displayed on the display, and the controller is adapted to display an icon at the location of the touchscreen control and to temporarily change an appearance of the icon after the caregiver activates the high precision control.

The controller, in some aspects, is adapted to change the appearance of the icon by displaying a varying portion of a circle at the icon.

The controller, in some aspects, is adapted to vary the portion of the circle until the fixed amount of time expires.

The controller may further be adapted to decrease the portion of the circle during the fixed amount of time such that the portion of the circle disappears when the fixed amount of time expires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative patient support apparatus20that may incorporate one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown inFIG.1. Although the particular form of patient support apparatus20illustrated inFIG.1is a bed adapted for use in a hospital or other medical setting, it will be understood that patient support apparatus20could, in different embodiments, be a cot, a stretcher, a gurney, a recliner, a residential bed, or any other structure capable of supporting a patient, whether stationary or mobile and/or whether medical or residential.

In general, patient support apparatus20includes a base22having a plurality of wheels24, a pair of lifts26supported on the base, a litter frame28supported on the lifts26, and a support deck30supported on the litter frame28. Patient support apparatus20further includes a footboard34, and a plurality of siderails36. Siderails36are all shown in a raised position inFIG.1but are each individually movable to a lower position in which ingress into, and egress out of, patient support apparatus20is not obstructed by the lowered siderails36. In some embodiments, siderails36may be moved to one or more intermediate positions as well.

Lifts26are adapted to raise and lower litter frame28with respect to base22. Lifts26may be hydraulic actuators, electric actuators, or any other suitable device for raising and lowering litter frame28with respect to base22. In the illustrated embodiment, lifts26are operable independently so that the tilting of litter frame28with respect to base22can also be adjusted, to place the litter frame28in a flat or horizontal orientation, a Trendelenburg orientation, or a reverse Trendelenburg orientation. That is, litter frame28includes a head end38and a foot end40, each of whose height can be independently adjusted by the nearest lift26. Patient support apparatus20is designed so that when an occupant lies thereon, his or her head will be positioned adjacent head end38and his or her feet will be positioned adjacent foot end40.

Litter frame28provides a structure for supporting support deck30, footboard34, and siderails36. Support deck30provides a support surface for a mattress (not shown), or other soft cushion, so that a person may lie and/or sit thereon. Support deck30is made of a plurality of sections, some of which are pivotable about generally horizontal pivot axes. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, support deck30includes at least a head section42, a seat section44, a thigh section46, and a foot section48, all of which generally form flat surfaces for supporting the mattress. Head section42, which is also sometimes referred to as a Fowler section, is pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a generally horizontal orientation (not shown inFIG.1) and a plurality of raised positions (one of which is shown inFIG.1). Thigh section46and foot section48may also be pivotable about generally horizontal pivot axes.

In some embodiments, patient support apparatus20may be modified from what is shown to include one or more components adapted to allow the user to extend the width of patient support deck30, thereby allowing patient support apparatus20to accommodate patients of varying sizes. When so modified, the width of deck30may be adjusted sideways in any increments, for example between a first or minimum width, a second or intermediate width, and a third or expanded/maximum width. Notionally, the first standard width may be considered a 36 inch width, the second intermediate width may be considered a 42 inch width and the third more expanded width may be considered a 48 inch width, although these numerical widths may be varied to comprise different width values.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to a direction parallel to an axis between the head end38and the foot end40. The terms “transverse” or “lateral” refer to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to a surface on which the patient support apparatus20rests.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that patient support apparatus20can be designed with other types of mechanical constructions, such as, but not limited to, that described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 10,130,536 to Roussy et al., entitled PATIENT SUPPORT USABLE WITH BARIATRIC PATIENTS, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, the mechanical construction of patient support apparatus20may be the same as, or nearly the same as, the mechanical construction of the Model 3002 S3 bed manufactured and sold by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This mechanical construction is described in greater detail in the Stryker Maintenance Manual for the MedSurg Bed, Model 3002 S3, published in 2010 by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that patient support apparatus20can be designed with still other types of mechanical constructions, such as, but not limited to, those described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,059 issued to Lemire et al., and entitled HOSPITAL BED; and/or commonly assigned U.S. Pat. publication No. 2007/0163045 filed by Becker et al. and entitled PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE INCLUDING LOCAL STATUS INDICATION, ONE-TOUCH FOWLER ANGLE ADJUSTMENT, AND POWER-ON ALARM CONFIGURATION, the complete disclosures of both of which are also hereby incorporated herein by reference. The mechanical construction of patient support apparatus20may also take on still other forms different from what is disclosed in the aforementioned references.

FIG.2illustrates in greater detail litter frame28separated from lifts26and base22. Litter frame28is also shown inFIG.2with support deck30removed. Litter frame28is supported by two lift header assemblies50. A first one of the lift header assemblies50is coupled to a top52(FIG.3) of a first one of the lifts26, and a second one of the lift header assemblies50is coupled to the top52of the second one of the lifts26. Each lift header assembly50includes a pair of force sensors54, which may be load cells, or other types of force sensors. The illustrated embodiment of patient support apparatus20therefore includes a total of four force sensors54, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that different numbers of force sensors may be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Force sensors54are configured to support litter frame28. More specifically, force sensors54are configured such that they provide complete and exclusive mechanical support for litter frame28and all of the components that are supported on litter frame28(e.g. support deck30, footboard34, the headboard, siderails36, etc.). Because of this construction, force sensors54are adapted to detect the weight of not only those components of patient support apparatus20that are supported by litter frame28(including litter frame28itself), but also any objects or persons who are wholly or partially being supported by support deck30. The outputs of force sensors54are fed into a scale system described in greater detail below.

Patient support apparatus20further includes a plurality of control panels56(FIG.1) that enable a user of patient support apparatus20, such as a patient and/or an associated caregiver, to control one or more aspects of patient support apparatus20. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, patient support apparatus20includes a footboard control panel56a, a pair of outer siderail control panels56b(only one of which is visible), and a pair of inner siderail control panels56c(only one of which is visible). Footboard control panel56aconcealed by a lid inFIG.1, but is otherwise visible and accessible to a caregiver when the lid is lifted. In some embodiments, the lid is eliminated from patient support apparatus20and the control panel56ais always visible. Footboard control panel56aand outer siderail control panels56bare intended to be used by caregivers, or other authorized personnel, while inner siderail control panels56care intended to be used by the patient associated with patient support apparatus20. Each of the control panels56includes a plurality of controls58(see, e.g.FIGS.4-5), although each control panel56does not necessarily include the same controls and/or functionality.

Among other functions, controls58of control panel56aallow a user to control one or more of the following: change a height of support deck30, raise or lower head section42, activate and deactivate a brake for wheels24, take measurements of the patient's weight, arm and disarm one or more patient monitoring functions, change various settings on patient support apparatus20, view the current location of the patient support apparatus20as determined by a location detection system, and perform still other actions. One or both of the inner siderail control panels56calso include at least one control58that enables a patient to call a remotely located nurse (or other caregiver).

Control panel56aincludes a display60(FIG.4) configured to display a plurality of different screens thereon. Surrounding display60are a plurality of navigation controls58a-fthat, when activated, cause the display60to display different screens on display60. For example, when a user presses navigation control58a, control panel56adisplays an exit detection control screen on display60that includes one or more icons that, when touched, control an onboard exit detection system. The exit detection system is adapted to issue an alert when a patient exits from patient support apparatus20. Such an exit detection system may include any of the same features and/or functions as, and/or may be constructed in any of the same manners as, the exit detection systems disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application 62/889,254 filed Aug. 20, 2019, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE EXIT DETECTION ZONES, and/or the exit detection system disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,432 issued to Travis and entitled PATIENT EXIT DETECTION MECHANISM FOR HOSPITAL BED, the complete disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When a user presses navigation control58b(FIG.4), control panel56adisplays a patient support apparatus monitoring control screen that includes a plurality of control icons that, when touched, control an onboard monitoring system that monitors one or more components, features, and/or other aspects of patient support apparatus20. Further details of one type of monitoring system that may be built into patient support apparatus20are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/864,638 filed Jun. 21, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH CAREGIVER REMINDERS, as well as commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/721,133 filed Dec. 19, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH MOTION CUSTOMIZATION, the complete disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other types of monitoring systems may be included within patient support apparatus20for monitoring parameters of the patient support apparatus20.

When a user presses navigation control58c, control panel56adisplays a scale control screen that includes a plurality of control icons that, when touched, control the scale system of patient support apparatus20. In addition to various features of the scale system that are discussed in greater detail below, the scale system of patient support apparatus20may include any of the same features, components, and/or and functions as the scale systems disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application 62/889,254 filed Aug. 20, 2019, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE EXIT DETECTION ZONES, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/885,954 filed Aug. 13, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH EQUIPMENT WEIGHT LOG, the complete disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The scale system may utilize the same force sensors that are utilized by the exit detection system, in some embodiments, or it may utilize one or more different sensors. Further details regarding the scale system are described in greater detail below.

When a user presses navigation control58d, control panel56displays a motion control screen that includes a plurality of control icons that, when touched, control the movement of various components of patient support apparatus20, such as, but not limited to, the height of litter frame28and the pivoting of head section42. In some embodiments, the motion control screen displayed on display60in response to pressing control58dmay be the same as, or similar to, the position control screen216disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/885,953 filed Aug. 13, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH TOUCHSCREEN, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other types of motion control screens may be included on patient support apparatus20.

When a user presses navigation control58e(FIG.4), control panel56adisplays a motion lock control screen that includes a plurality of control icons that, when touched, control one or more motion lockout functions of patient support apparatus20. Such a motion lockout screen may include any of the features and functions as, and/or may be constructed in any of the same manners as, the motion lockout features, functions, and constructions disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/721,133 filed Dec. 19, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH MOTION CUSTOMIZATION, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other types of motion lockouts may be included within patient support apparatus20.

When a user presses on navigation control58f, control panel56adisplays a menu screen that includes a plurality of menu icons that, when touched, bring up one or more additional screens for controlling and/or viewing one or more other aspects of patient support apparatus20. Such other aspects include, but are not limited to, diagnostic and/or service information for patient support apparatus20, mattress control and/or status information, configuration settings, location information, medical device association information, and other settings and/or information. One example of a suitable menu screen is the menu screen100disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/885,953 filed Aug. 13, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH TOUCHSCREEN, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other types of menus and/or settings may be included within patient support apparatus20. In at least one embodiment, utilization of navigation control58fallows a user to navigate to a screen that enables a user to configure the communication settings between patient support apparatus20and one or more wall units. Examples of the type of communication settings that may be configured in this manner are disclosed in, and illustrated inFIGS.9-15of, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/26,937 filed May 19, 2020, by inventors Alexander Bodurka et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH HEADWALL COMMUNICATION, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

For all of the navigation controls58a-f(FIG.4), screens other than the ones specifically mentioned above may be displayed on display60in other embodiments of patient support apparatus20in response to a user pressing these controls. Thus, it will be understood that the specific screens mentioned above are merely representative of the types of screens that are displayable on display60in response to a user pressing on one or more of navigation controls58a-f. It will also be understood that, although navigation controls58a-fhave all been illustrated in the accompanying drawings as dedicated controls that are positioned adjacent display60, any one or more of these controls58a-fcould alternatively be touchscreen controls that are displayed at one or more locations on display60. Still further, although controls58a-fhave been shown herein as buttons, it will be understood that any of controls58a-fcould also, or alternatively, be switches, dials, or other types of non-button controls.

As shown inFIG.5, patient support apparatus20includes a control system62that controls various aspects of patient support apparatus20. Control system62includes control panels56(only one of which—56a—is shown inFIG.5), force sensors54, a motion controller64, a plurality of motorized actuators66, a network transceiver68, and a main controller70. Main controller70includes a memory72. Main controller70and force sensors54together act as both a scale system and an exit detection system. When acting as an exit detection system, main controller70and force sensors54are adapted to determine when an occupant leaves patient support apparatus, or moves in a way indicative of an imminent departure from the patient support apparatus. In such situations, main controller70is configured to issue an alert and/or notification to appropriate personnel so that proper steps can be taken in response to the occupant's departure, or imminent departure, in a timely fashion.

Force sensors54are adapted to detect downward forces exerted by an occupant of support deck30. Thus, when an occupant is positioned on support deck30and remains substantially still (i.e. not moving in a manner involving accelerations that cause forces to be exerted against support deck30), force sensors54will detect the weight of the occupant (as well as the weight of any components of patient support apparatus20that are supported—directly or indirectly—by force sensors54). In at least one embodiment, force sensors54are load cells. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that force sensors54may be implemented as other types of sensors, such as, but not limited to, linear variable displacement transducers and/or any one or more capacitive, inductive, and/or resistive transducers that are configured to produce a changing output in response to changes in the force exerted against them.

Main controller70and motion controller64are constructed of any electrical component, or group of electrical components, that are capable of carrying out the functions described herein. In many embodiments, controllers64and70are conventional microcontrollers, although not all such embodiments need include a microcontroller. In general, controllers64and70include any one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, systems on a chip, volatile or nonvolatile memory, discrete circuitry, and/or other hardware, software, or firmware that is capable of carrying out the functions described herein, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such components can be physically configured in any suitable manner, such as by mounting them to one or more circuit boards, or arranging them in other manners, whether combined into a single unit or distributed across multiple units. Indeed, in some embodiments, main controller70and motion controller64are combined with each other and/or with other circuitry or controllers that are present on patient support apparatus20. The instructions followed by controllers64and70in carrying out the functions described herein, as well as the data necessary for carrying out these functions, are stored in one or more memories that are accessible to them (e.g. memory72for main controller70).

Although patient support apparatus20includes a total of four force sensors54, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that different numbers of force sensors54may be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Force sensors54, in at least one embodiment, are configured to support litter frame28. When so configured, force sensors54are constructed to provide complete and exclusive mechanical support for litter frame28and all of the components that are supported on litter frame28(e.g. deck30, footboard34, and, in some embodiments, siderails36). Because of this construction, force sensors54are adapted to detect the weight of not only those components of patient support apparatus20that are supported by the litter frame28(including litter frame28itself), but also any objects or persons who are positioned either wholly or partially on support deck30. By knowing the weight of the components of the patient support apparatus20that are supported on litter frame28, controller70is able to determine a tare weight that, when subtracted from a total weight sensed after a patient is supported on support deck30, yields a patient weight.

In some embodiments, the physical location of the force sensors54on patient support apparatus20may be modified to be located on the base frame, such as shown in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/889,254 filed Aug. 20, 2019, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE EXIT DETECTION ZONES, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the physical location of the force sensors54on patient support apparatus20may be the same as the position of the load cells disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/266,575 filed Sep. 15, 2016, by inventors Anuj Sidhu et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH EXIT DETECTION SYSTEMS, the complete disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. In still other embodiments, the physical location of the force sensors54may be the same as the position of the load cells disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,981 issued to Lemire et al. and entitled HOSPITAL BED, the complete disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. In still other embodiments, force sensors54may be positioned on patient support apparatus20at still other locations.

Motion controller64(FIG.5) is adapted to control the movement of a plurality of components of patient support apparatus20. These components includes, but are not limited to, a head end lift actuator66a, a foot end lift actuator66b, a gatch actuator66c, and a Fowler actuator66d. Each of these actuators66a-dmay comprise a linear actuator with a motor built therein. In some embodiments, the linear actuator may be of the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/449,277 filed Mar. 3, 2017, by inventors Anish Paul et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH ACTUATOR FEEDBACK, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, other types of powered actuators may be used, such as, but not limited to, hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators.

In some embodiments, motion controller64operates in the same or similar manners to the main microcontroller58and its associated circuitry disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 10,420,687 issued Sep. 24, 2019, to inventors Aaron Furman et al. and entitled BATTERY MANAGEMENT FOR PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments, motion controller64controls the sending of pulse width modulated (PWM) signals to the motors contained within actuators66a-d, thereby controlling both the speed and the direction of movement of these actuators. Motion controller64may take on other forms as well.

Motion controller64is in communication with control panel56and receives signals from control panel56indicating when a user wishes to move one or more components of patient support apparatus20. That is, control panel56includes one or more controls58that are adapted, when activated, to instruct motion controller64to carry out the desired movement of the various movable components of patient support apparatus20, as well as one or more controls for stopping such motion. Such movement includes, but is not limited to, raising and lowering the height of litter frame28, pivoting the Fowler section42up and down about a generally horizontal axis (extending laterally from one side of the patient support apparatus20to the other), and/or lifting and lowering a knee gatch on patient support apparatus20.

Head end lift actuator66ais configured to change the height of the head end38of litter frame28. Foot end lift actuator66bis configured to change the height of the foot end40of litter frame28. When both of these actuators66aand66bare operated simultaneously and at the same speed, the height of litter frame28is raised or lowered without changing the general orientation of litter frame28with respect horizontal. When one or more of these actuators66aand/or66bare operated at different times and/or at different speeds, the orientation of litter frame28is changed with respect to horizontal. Lift actuators66aand66bare therefore able to tilt litter frame28to a variety of different orientations, including, but not limited to, a Trendelenburg orientation and a reverse-Trendelenburg orientation.

Gatch actuator66cis adapted to raise and lower the joint that couples together the thigh section46and the foot section48of support deck30, thereby raising and lowering the portion of the support deck30that is positioned close to the patient's knees. Fowler actuator66dis adapted to raise and lower the head section (or Fowler section)42of the support deck30.

Control panel56(FIG.4) communicates with main controller70and is adapted to allow a user to control the various functions performed by main controller70, including, but not limited to, the scale function and the exit detection function carried out by main controller70(and force sensors54). The plurality of controls58of control panel56may be implemented as buttons, dials, switches, icons on a touchscreen, or other devices. Display60of control panel56may be a touchscreen that displays one or more controls and/or one or more control screens, some of which are discussed in greater detail below. Display60may comprise an LED display, OLED display, or another type of display.

Control system62may include additional components beyond those shown inFIG.5. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the components shown inFIG.5may be omitted from patient support apparatus20, or replaced by other components. In some embodiments, control system62is configured to automatically maintain a weight log of non-patient items added to, and removed from, the patient support apparatus, thereby making it easier for the caregiver to take accurate readings of the patient's weight. In some such embodiments, control system62includes any of the additional components and/or functionality of the scale systems disclosed in the following commonly assigned U.S. patent references: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/255,211 filed Oct. 13, 2021, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SCALE FUNCTIONALITY; U.S. Pat. No. 10,357,185 issued to Marko Kostic et al. on Jul. 23, 2019, and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH MOTION MONITORING; U.S. Pat. No. 11,033,233 issued to Michael Hayes et al. on Jun. 15, 2021, and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/992,515 filed Aug. 13, 2020, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH EQUIPMENT WEIGHT LOG, the complete disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Network transceiver68(FIG.5) is adapted to communicate with a hospital's local area network78. In some embodiments, network transceiver68is a conventional WiFi transceiver (i.e. IEEE 802.11 . . . ) adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more wireless access points80of a hospital's local area network78. In other embodiments, network transceiver68may be a wireless transceiver that uses conventional 5G technology to communicate with network78, one or more servers hosted thereon, and/or other devices. In some embodiments, network transceiver68may include any of the structures and/or functionality of the communication modules56disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 10,500,401 issued to Michael Hayes and entitled NETWORK COMMUNICATION FOR PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other types of wireless network transceivers may be utilized.

In other embodiments, network transceiver68may be a conventional Ethernet transceiver electrically coupled to a conventional Ethernet port (i.e. RJ-45 jack, or the like) built into patient support apparatus20that allows a conventional Ethernet cable to be coupled to the patient support apparatus20. In these embodiments, patient support apparatuses20may be coupled to the hospital's local area network78by a wired connection. In still other embodiments, patient support apparatus20may have both wired and wireless transceivers68. Still further, in some embodiments, transceiver68may take on yet a different form (e.g. a wireless ZigBee transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, etc.).

Patient support apparatus20uses transceiver68, in some embodiments, to communicate with a patient support apparatus server82. Patient support apparatus server82may be adapted to receive status information from patient support apparatuses20and distribute that information to one or more other servers and/or other devices coupled to local area network78. In at least one embodiment, patient support apparatus server82includes a caregiver assistance software application84that is adapted to communicate information between both patient support apparatuses20and one or more portable electronic devices86. The portable electronic devices86includes, but are not limited to, smart phones, tablets, laptops, Computers on Wheels (COWs), and the like. Each portable electronic device86includes a display88on which various screens may be displayed, including, in some embodiments, portions of one or more of the screens discussed below. In some embodiments, caregiver assistance application84allows authorized users to remotely configure and remotely control various aspects of the patient support apparatuses20using their portable electronic device86. Still further, caregiver assistance application84may be adapted to display information about the scale systems of the patient support apparatuses20, including any of the information discussed in greater detail below regarding the scale system.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, caregiver assistance application84(FIG.5) may be configured to include any of the same features or functions as—and/or to operate in any of the same manners as—the caregiver assistance software applications described in the following commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/826,097, filed Mar. 29, 2019 by inventors Thomas Durlach et al. and entitled PATIENT CARE SYSTEM; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/832,760 filed Mar. 27, 2020, by inventors Thomas Durlach et al. and entitled PATIENT CARE SYSTEM; and/or PCT patent application serial number PCT/US2020/039587 filed Jun. 25, 2020, by inventors Thomas Durlach et al. and entitled CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, the complete disclosures of which are all incorporated herein by reference. Thus, server82may be configured to share with one or more electronic devices86any of the information shared with the electronic devices disclosed in these aforementioned patent applications. For example, server82may be configured to not only share the location of patient support apparatuses20(and any devices that may be associated with them) with electronic devices86, but it may also forward any of the data generated by patient support apparatuses20to the electronic devices86, thereby letting the caregivers associated with these patient support apparatuses20know if, for example, the patient has exited patient support apparatus20, what the patient's current weight is, whether the patient's cumulative weight change has exceeded a threshold or not, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, patient support apparatus server82may forward other patient support apparatus status data (e.g. current siderail position, bed exit status, brake status, height status, scale data, etc.) and/or caregiver rounding information (e.g. when the last rounding was performed for a particular patient, when the next rounds are due, etc.), and/or object data from any objects supported on patient support apparatus20to one or more electronic devices86, thereby providing the caregivers associated with the devices86a consolidated portal (e.g. a single software application) for sharing this various information.

It will be understood that, although caregiver assistance application84is shown inFIG.5to be executed solely by server82, this may be modified so that caregiver assistance application84is executed, either partially or wholly, on one or more of the mobile devices86as a mobile app that is downloaded to these devices86. Similarly, caregiver assistance application84may be implemented as an app that executes on server82in conjunction with another specialized app that is downloaded to each of the mobile electronic devices86. Still other variations of caregiver assistance application84are possible.

In some embodiments, patient support apparatus server82is also configured to determine the location of each patient support apparatus20, or receive the location of each patient support apparatus20from the patient support apparatuses20. In some embodiments, patient support apparatus server82determines the room number and/or bay area of each patient support apparatus20that is positioned within a room, as well as the location of patient support apparatuses20that are positioned outside of a room, such as, those that may be positioned in a hallway, a maintenance area, or some other area. In general, patient support apparatus server82may be configured to determine the position of any patient support apparatus20by communicating with one or more nearby wall units (not shown). Further details regarding several manners in which patient support apparatus20may be constructed in order to carry out such location communication, as well as the construction and/or operation of such wall units, are disclosed in the following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 63/245,245 filed Sep. 17, 2021, by inventors Kirby Niehouser et al., and entitled SYSTEM FOR LOCATING PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES; Ser. No. 63/245,289 filed Sep. 17, 2021, by inventors Madhu Sandeep Thota et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS COMMUNICATION AND LOCATION SYSTEM; Ser. No. 63/026,937 filed May 19, 2020, by inventors Alexander Bodurka et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH HEADWALL COMMUNICATION; and Ser. No. 63/193,778 filed May 27, 2021, by inventors Krishna Bhimavarapu et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS AND HEADWALL UNIT SYNCHING; the complete disclosures of all of which have already been incorporated herein by reference.

It will be understood that the architecture and content of local area network78will vary from healthcare facility to healthcare facility, and thatFIG.5merely shows a generic example of the type of network a healthcare facility may be employ. Typically, one or more additional servers will be hosted on network78and one or more of them may be adapted to communicate with patient support apparatus server82. For example, an electronic health record server will typically be present in any healthcare facility, and in some embodiments discussed herein, it will be in communication with patient support apparatus server82in order to receive patient data that is to be recorded in a patient's health record (e.g. weight readings taken from the scales built into patient support apparatuses20; therapies provided to patients using a powered mattress onboard patient support apparatuses20, etc.).

FIG.6illustrates a scale screen100that controller70may be configured to display on display60in response to the user pressing on scale control58c. Scale screen100includes a patient weight indicator102, a gain/loss indicator104, a weight log icon106, an object number108, an object total weight indicator110, a zero control112, a save weight control114, a scale history control116, an information icon118, and a cumulative patient weight change indicator120. Patient weight indicator102indicates the currently measured patient weight, which is determined by subtracting the weight of any objects that have been placed on patient support apparatus20and entered by controller70into a weight log from the current total weight on force sensors54(after the force sensors have been zeroed). Gain/loss indicator104indicates the total patient weight loss or gain since the patient's weight was last saved by the user. As is discussed in more detail below, controller70is configured to store in memory72each of the patient weight readings that a caregiver saves for a particular patient. The gain/loss indicator104displays the difference between the current patient weight and the last saved patient weight reading in memory72.

Log icon106is an icon that corresponds to a weight log that is maintained by controller70in some embodiments. That is, log icon106corresponds to a weight log that controller70may maintain of all of the objects that may be added to the litter frame28of patient support apparatus20. If the user presses on weight log icon106, controller70is configured to display a screen that provides more information about the weight log, such as a screen like those shown inFIGS.8-11,13,15, and/or16of commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/255,211 filed Oct. 13, 2021, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SCALE FUNCTIONALITY, the complete disclosure of which has already been incorporated herein by reference. Object number108indicates the number of objects that are currently in the weight log. Thus, in the example shown inFIG.6, the weight log currently has three objects recorded therein that are positioned on litter frame28. Object weight total indicator110indicates the total weight of the objects currently stored in the weight log. Thus, in the example ofFIG.6, the three objects stored in the weight log have a total cumulative weight of 3.5 kg, as indicated by indicator110.

Screen100(FIG.6) also includes a save weight control114and a zero control112. If the user presses on the save weight control114, controller70is configured to store the currently measured patient weight (as indicated by indicator102) within memory72. That stored patient weight is then used as a baseline for future patient weight readings when controller70computes the value to be shown by the gain/loss indicator104. In other words, when the user presses the save weight control114, controller70zeroes the gain/loss indicator104. In the example ofFIG.6, after the user presses the save weight control114, controller70would change indicator104to zero and thereafter only show non-zero values if the patient's weight deviated from 105.5 kg.

Every time a caregiver presses the save weight control114, controller70is configured to store the currently measured patient weight in memory72. This is illustrated more clearly inFIG.5, which shows a plurality of patient weight readings90stored therein. In this particular example, memory72includes a first patient weight reading90a, a second patient weight reading90b, a most-recent patient weight reading90c, and an unspecified number of patient weight readings between the second patient weight reading90band the most-recent patient weight reading90c. First patient weight reading90acorresponds to the initial patient weight reading that a caregiver saves for a particular patient after the patient is assigned to patient support apparatus20. Thus, for example, after a patient is first admitted to a healthcare facility, or first assigned to a patient support apparatus20, the very first time the caregiver uses the save weight control114for that particular patient, controller70stores the initial patient weight reading as the first patient weight reading90a.

During the course of the patient's stay at the healthcare facility, the caregiver may periodically take additional patient weight readings90and save them via control114. These additional saved patient weight readings correspond to the weight readings90b,90cshown inFIG.5(as well any that occur between readings90band90c). The gain/loss indicator104displays a weight value that corresponds to the difference between the current patient weight reading (as shown by indicator102) and the most-recently saved patient weight reading90c. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the difference between the current patient weight reading and the initial patient weight reading90acorresponds to the cumulative patient weight change.

If the user presses on zero control112(FIG.6), controller70is configured to zero (i.e. tare) the scale system. That is, in response to control112being activated by a user, controller70takes a snapshot of the current total weight readings recorded by force sensors54and considers that weight value to be equal to the empty weight of patient support apparatus20(i.e. the weight on the scale system when no patient is present and no objects of interest are present). Typically, a caregiver uses control112to zero the scale system when the patient is absent, but a mattress, a pillow, bedding, and other standard items (if any) are present on the patient support apparatus20. In this manner, the weight of the mattress, pillow, bedding, etc., as well as the structural weight of the support deck30and litter frame28, are zeroed out. In some embodiments, after the user has zeroed the scale system using control112, controller70is configured to erase any items that were stored in the weight log.

Scale screen100also includes a scale history control116. When a user presses on control116, controller70is configured to display a different screen that graphically shows a history of the patient's weight readings. The graph may have time on the X-axis and the patient's weight on the Y-axis. The patient weight history screen gives the caregiver a visual overview of changes in the patient's weight while they were assigned to that particular patient support apparatus20. The weight readings that are displayed on the graph correspond to the weight readings90that are stored in memory72. In some embodiments, scale history control116is displayed in a first color (and/or with a first configuration) when there is data contained within the scale history, and in a second color (and/or with a second configuration) when there is no data contained within the scale history. Thus, for example, if the caregiver has never saved a weight reading of the patient, controller70might display control116with a first color until the caregiver saves the first patient weight reading90a, at which point controller70will switch to displaying control116in a second color so that the user knows that at least one previous patient weight reading has been taken.

Scale screen100(FIG.6) may also include an information icon118. Controller70is configured to display additional information about the scale system when icon118is pressed by a caregiver. In some embodiments, the additional information includes any one or more of the following items: the last time the scale system was zeroed using control112, a current software version, a date when the scale system was last calibrated, an indication of whether the scale is automatically detecting the addition and removal of objects or not, and/or information regarding the scale's compliance with, and/or class within, the Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments (NAWI) scale standards required by the European Union and/or their member states.

Cumulative patient weight change indicator120(FIG.6) provides a notification to the caregiver when the patient's weight, since the time the patient was first admitted to the healthcare facility and/or assigned to that particular patient support apparatus20, has changed by more than a threshold. Cumulative patient weight change indicator120is therefore adapted to provide a notification to the caregiver when large weight changes occur that might not otherwise be apparent to the caregiver, and that may be of clinical interest to the caregiver. Such large cumulative weight changes may not be evident to the caregiver because gain/loss indicator104only displays a change in weight between the patient's current weight and the last saved (i.e. most recent) patient weight reading90c. As a result, there are situations where a patient's weight might change dramatically over the course of a few days, yet the gain/loss indicator104may never provide an indication of a weight change more than half a kilogram. For example, if caregivers are saving patient weight readings90twice a day, and the patient's weight for each reading drops by no more than half a kilogram, the patient may end up losing a significant amount of weight over the course of a few days or a week (e.g. the patient may lose up to seven kilograms within a week). Such a seven kilogram weight loss, however, will never be indicated by patient weight indicator102. Instead, indicator102will be reset to zero after each patient weight reading is saved. As a result, caregivers will have to consult a patient's medical records to see a patient's cumulative weight loss since being admitted to the healthcare facility. Accordingly, in order to avoid requiring caregivers to consult the patient's medical records, patient support apparatus20is configured with cumulative patient weight change indicator120.

Cumulative patient weight change indicator120is configured to change to a different state, such as a different color, size, and/or shape, when controller70detects that the patient's current weight has changed by more than a threshold value from the patient's initial weight reading90a.FIG.7illustrates one example of this change.FIG.7illustrates scale control screen100at a time when cumulative patient weight change indicator120has changed to a different color and includes an arrow indicator122. Arrow indicator122either points in an up direction or a down direction, depending upon whether the patient's total cumulative weight has increased by more than the threshold, or decreased by more than the threshold. Thus, in the example ofFIG.7, the patient's total cumulative weight has decreased by more than the threshold. Accordingly, controller70has changed the cumulative patient weight change indicator120inFIG.7to include a downward pointing arrow122.

It will be understood that the manner in which controller70informs a caregiver that the patient's cumulative weight change has exceeded the threshold may vary from embodiment to embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, controller70is configured to not display any cumulative patient weight change indicator120when the patient's cumulative weight change is less than the threshold, and to only display the cumulative patient weight change indicator120(with or without arrow122) when the patient's cumulative weight change is greater than the threshold.

Controller70may also inform the caregiver of cumulative weight changes exceeding the threshold in the manner illustrated inFIG.8.FIG.8illustrates a modified scale screen100ain which the cumulative patient weight change indicator120has changed to a numeric indicator120a. Numeric indicator120aprovides a numeric value that is equal to the patient's cumulative weight change. In the example shown inFIG.8, numeric indicator120ashows that the patient has lost a total of thirty kilograms since the patient's initial weight reading90a. In some embodiments, controller70is configured to change the color of cumulative patient weight indicator120ato a different color when the patient's cumulative weight change exceeds the threshold. In other embodiments, controller70may be configured to add an icon, or another indicator (such as, but not limited to arrow122) to screen100awhen the patient's cumulative weight change exceeds the threshold. In still other embodiments, controller70may be configured to simply provide the numeric value of the patient's cumulative weight change without comparing it to a threshold, and instead leave it to the caregiver to see this numeric value and act appropriately.

FIG.9illustrates an example of a threshold selection screen130that is displayed by controller70on display60in some embodiments of patient support apparatus20. Controller70may be configured to display threshold selection screen130in response to the user pressing on cumulative patient weight change indicator120, and/or in response to the user pressing on other controls58of patient support apparatus20. Regardless of how a user navigates to screen130, screen130includes a back icon132, an adaptive threshold selector134, a threshold value indicator136, a slider bar138, and a current threshold indicator140. In response to a caregiver pressing on the back icon132, controller70is configured to display whatever screen it was previously displaying on display60. Adaptive threshold selector134is adapted to allow a caregiver to choose between an adaptive threshold and a non-adaptive threshold. When the caregiver wishes to use an adaptive threshold, he or she presses on selector134and controller70is configured to put a check mark, or other icon, in selector134indicating that he or she has selected the adaptive threshold. If the caregiver thereafter presses the selector134again, controller70removes the check mark, or other icon, and switches back to using a non-adaptive threshold. Selector134therefore acts as a toggle switch, in at least one embodiment, toggling between an adaptive threshold and a non-adaptive threshold.

If the caregiver selects the non-adaptive threshold via selector134, screen130allows the user to select a numeric value for the non-adaptive threshold. Numeric value indicator136displays the currently selected numeric value for the threshold. In the example ofFIG.9, the current value is two kilograms. Slider bar138is adapted to allow the user to change the value of the threshold by sliding a current threshold indicator140along the length of slider bar138. Thus, if the user slides indicator140all the way to the left end of slider bar138, controller70will display a value of 0.5 kilograms at numeric value indicator136and use that value in its comparisons of the patient's cumulative weight change to his or her current weight. If the user slides indicator140all the way to the right end of slider bar138, controller70will display a value of 3.0 kilograms at numeric value indicator136and use that value in its comparisons of the patient's cumulative weight change to his or her current weight.

Slider bar138(FIG.9) includes a plurality of gradations142at different values. Gradations142provide visual feedback to the user of where current threshold indicator140is currently located along the slider bar138. In the example shown inFIG.9, a gradation indicator142is provided for every half kilogram along slider bar138. Other spacing between gradations142may, or course, be used. Still further, other ranges for slider bar138may be used that include values higher than three kilograms and/or that include values lower than 0.5 kilograms along slider bar138.

In some alternative embodiments, controller70is configured to modify slider bar138so that, instead of displaying absolute values of weight, it displays percentages. In such a case, the user is able to slide current threshold indicator140to a desired percentage, rather than to a desired weight. When implemented in this fashion, controller70uses a percentage of the patient's initial weight reading90aas the threshold for its comparisons. For example, if the user selects a value of two percent along slider bar138, and the patient's initial weight reading90ais 100 kilograms, controller70will provide a notification to the user (e.g. via indicator120and arrow122ofFIG.7) if the patient's current weight ever exceeds 102 kilograms or drops below 98 kilograms (2% of 100 kilograms=2 kilograms).

It will be understood that, regardless of whether the user selects an adaptive threshold or a non-adaptive threshold via selector134(FIG.9), controller70is configured to use the selected threshold (adaptive or non-adaptive) in its comparisons of the patient's current weight to the patient's initial weight reading90a. Further, as noted, controller70issues a notification—such as the notification of changing the color, size, and/or configuration of indicator120(e.g. adding arrow122)—whenever the patient's current weight reading changes by more than the selected threshold.

When the user selects an adaptive threshold via selector134, controller70is configured to utilize an adaptive threshold for its comparisons between the patient's current weight and his or her initial weight reading90a. The adaptive threshold may be calculated by controller70in a variety of different manners, depending upon the particular embodiment of patient support apparatus20. In some embodiments, controller70is configured to take automatic patient weight readings over a time period and determine the mean absolute deviation of the patient weight readings taken over that time period. Once the mean absolute deviation is calculated, controller70selects a weight value based on that mean absolute deviation and uses that selected weight value as the threshold. For example, suppose that controller70calculates that the mean absolute deviation of the fluctuations in a patient's weight over a given time period is equal to 1.0 kilograms. Once this is calculated, controller70is configured to select a threshold value that is based on this mean absolute deviation, such as by multiplying the mean absolute deviation by a scale factor. In this particular example, with the mean absolute deviation of 1.0 kilogram, controller70might be configured to multiply it by 1.5 to yield a value of 1.5 kilograms to use as the threshold. In general, in order to avoid providing an excessive number of cumulative weight change notifications, controller70is configured to select a value for the threshold that is higher than the mean absolute deviation of the weight fluctuations.

The time period over which the fluctuations in the patient's weight are analyzed by controller70may vary. In at least one embodiment, controller70is configured to take repetitive readings of the patient's weight over a period of about six to twenty-four hours (although other time periods may be used), typically starting at the moment the patient first enters patient support apparatus20(which may be before the first patient weight reading90ais recorded). The patient weight readings that are taken over this time period may be made at a variety of different frequencies. In one example, controller70is configured to automatically take patient weight readings every minute throughout this time period. More or less frequent weight readings may, or course, be implemented.

It will be understood that the weight readings taken by controller70over the time period are taken automatically by controller70without requiring any user intervention. That is, unlike the patient weight readings90that are stored in memory and that require a caregiver to activate the save weight control114, the patient weight readings that are taken in order to determine an adaptive weight threshold are done without requiring the caregiver to take any weight readings using control114, or any other controls on patient support apparatus20(other than using selector134to select the adaptive threshold). These automatically taken weight readings, in some embodiments, are not displayed to the user, but instead are used internally by controller70to calculate the mean absolute deviation, or another statistical parameter. Thus, these automatically-taken weight calculations will not show up on display60when a user presses on the weight history control116(seeFIG.8). However, in other embodiments, one or more of these automatically-taken weight readings may be added to this weight history and displayed in response to the activation of weight history control116.

In some embodiments, controller70is adapted to allow a user to choose one or more characteristics of the threshold based on the statistical analysis it carries out on the patient's weight fluctuations. For example, in some embodiments, the user is able to select how much over or under the mean absolute deviation the threshold should be set. In some such embodiments, the user may be able to specify a particular value over or under the mean absolute deviation to use as the threshold (e.g. 1.0 kg above the mean absolute deviation). Alternatively, or additionally, controller70may provide one or more controls on display60that allow the user to specify a percentage (or other scale factor) of the mean absolute deviation that should be used as the threshold (e.g. set the threshold to be equal to 140% of the mean absolute deviation). Controller70may be further configured to allow the user to input other information regarding how the statistical analysis is to be used in setting the threshold.

In some embodiments, controller70is configured to automatically use a non-adaptive threshold during the time period when controller70is gathering statistics of the patient's weight fluctuations. Thus, for example, controller70may use a non-adaptive threshold (e.g. 2.0 kilograms) for the first eight to twenty-four hours, or so, that a patient is positioned on a patient support apparatus20. Once the time period has expired, controller70performs the statistical analysis of the patient weight readings taken during that time period, calculates the adaptive threshold based on that statistical analysis, and then automatically switches from using the non-adaptive threshold to the adaptive threshold for the remainder of the patient's stay on the patient support apparatus. The non-adaptive threshold that is used during the time period when controller70is gathering statistical data about the patient's weight fluctuations may be a fixed value set by patient support apparatus20, or it may be a value that the user can control (e.g. using slider bar138).

In some embodiments, controller70is configured to allow the patient to choose the time period during which controller70takes readings of the patient's weight fluctuations. In such embodiments, controller70may display a slider similar to that shown inFIG.9in which the user can select the number of hours that controller70will gather statistical data for before calculating a statistical analysis of the patient's weight fluctuations. Once the time period is reached, controller70performs its statistical analysis of the patient's weight readings, determines the adaptive threshold, and then automatically switches from using the non-adaptive threshold to the adaptive threshold for the remainder of the patient's stay on the patient support apparatus20.

Once the time period expires, in some embodiments, controller70is configured to stop taking automatic weight measurements. In other embodiments, controller70may be configured to continue to take automatic measurements of the patient's weight, and to use the automatic measurements to periodically update the results of the statistical analysis it previously performed, and then, as appropriate, update the adaptive threshold. Thus, suppose, for example, that controller70determines after seven hours of automatic weight measurements that the patient's mean absolute weight deviation is 1.5 kg, and controller70is configured to select an adaptive threshold of 2.0 kg as a result of that calculation. Controller70would then switch to using the adaptive threshold of 2.0 kg in its comparisons of the patient's current weight to the initial weight reading90a. However, in some embodiments, controller70might continue to take additional automatic weight measurements such that at, say, eight hours, it would recalculate the mean absolute deviation of the patient's weight fluctuations and adjust the threshold, as appropriate. It can therefore be seen that, in some embodiments, the time period during which controller70gathers statistical data about the fluctuations in the patient's weight may extend beyond an initial set time period. Indeed, in some embodiments, controller70may be configured to perform statistical analyses of the patient's weight during the patient's entire stay on patient support apparatus20.

In some embodiments, controller70is configured to use both an adaptive threshold and a non-adaptive threshold in combination with each other. For example, in some such embodiments, controller70is configured to compare the difference between the patient's current weight and the patient's initial weight90ato both an adaptive and a non-adaptive threshold. If the difference exceeds either one of these thresholds, controller70is configured to issue a notification to the user (e.g. add arrow122to screen100FIG.7). In such embodiments, controller70may be configured to adjust the adaptive threshold in a manner that is based on the amount of time of that controller70has been able to gather automatic measurements of the patient's weight. In other words, the adaptive threshold may be adjusted automatically based on how much data controller70has at its disposal for statistically analyzing.

It will be understood that, although the statistical analysis performed by controller70on the automatic patient weight readings has been primarily described herein as a mean absolute deviation analysis, controller70may be configured to perform other types of statistical analyses on the automatically gathered patient weight readings. As but one example, controller70may be configured to determine the standard deviation of the automatically gathered patient weight readings, and to then select a threshold that is based on the standard deviation (e.g. a threshold that is 1.5 standard deviations).

It will also be understood that, although the discussion herein has focused on using the same threshold (whether adaptive or non-adaptive) for both cumulative patient weight gains and cumulative patient weight losses, it will be understood that controller70could be configured to select—or to allow the user to select—different thresholds for gains and for losses in the patient's weight. For example, controller70is configured in some embodiments to use a first threshold for gains in the patient's weight, and to use a second and different threshold for losses in the patient's weight. If either of these thresholds are exceeded, then controller70issues a notification to the user.

In addition to, or in lieu of, the notifications provided on display60by controller70of cumulative patient weight changes that exceed the threshold, controller70is configured in some embodiments to send a message to patient support apparatus20whenever a patient's cumulative weight change exceeds the threshold. Controller70sends this message via transceiver68. Patient support apparatus server82, in some embodiments, is configured to forward this information to one or more portable electronic devices86that are associated with the caregiver(s) assigned to the particular patient in that particular patient support apparatus20. In some embodiments, the portable electronic devices86are configured to display one or more screens that are the same as, or similar to, the screens100,100a, and130shown inFIGS.6-9. Still further, in some embodiments, the portable electronic device86is configured to send one or more commands to patient support apparatus server82that get forwarded to patient support apparatus20. The commands may instruct controller70to perform any of the actions that the user is able to take on any of the screens ofFIGS.6-9. Thus, a remotely positioned caregiver can, for instance, use his or her portable electronic device86to select a threshold using slider bar138ofFIG.9, or to save a patient weight using save weight control114ofFIG.7. Controller70may be configured to carry out still other commands from one or more portable electronic devices86.

Controller70is configured, in at least some embodiments, to automatically remove the effects of objects added to, or removed from, patient support apparatus20when it is determining an adaptive threshold, as well as when it is comparing a patient's current weight reading to the patient's initial weight reading. In such embodiments, controller70automatically detects when an object is added or removed from patient support apparatus20, enters or deletes the weight of the object in its weight log, and adjusts the weight readings from the force sensors54in a manner that removes the object's weight from the calculations and comparisons described herein. In some embodiments, this automatic detection of the addition and/or removal of objects from patient support apparatus20is carried out in any of the manners disclosed in the following commonly assigned U.S. patent references: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/255,211 filed Oct. 13, 2021, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SCALE FUNCTIONALITY; U.S. Pat. No. 10,357,185 issued to Marko Kostic et al. on Jul. 23, 2019, and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH MOTION MONITORING; U.S. Pat. No. 11,033,233 issued to Michael Hayes et al. on Jun. 15, 2021, and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/992,515 filed Aug. 13, 2020, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH EQUIPMENT WEIGHT LOG, the complete disclosures of all of which have already been incorporated herein by reference.

FIG.10illustrates an example of a new patient control screen150that controller70may display on display60in response to a user selecting the zero control112(e.g.FIGS.6-8), and/or in response to other triggers (e.g. a user using other controls to navigate to screen150). New patient control screen150includes a cancel control152, a no control154, and a yes control156. Screen150also includes a message area158in which is displayed a message asking the caregiver to confirm that the patient assigned to patient support apparatus20is a new patient. If the user presses cancel control152, controller70neither zeros the scale system nor concludes that a new patient has been assigned to patient support apparatus20. If the user presses the no control154, controller70proceeds to zero the scale system, but does not conclude that a new patient has been assigned to the patient support apparatus. If the user presses the yes control156, controller70proceeds to both zero the scale and conclude that a new patient has been assigned to patient support apparatus20.

When a caregiver informs controller70that a new patient has been assigned to patient support apparatus20, controller70is configured to erase the saved patient weight readings90from memory72. If controller70was previously using an adaptive threshold, controller70also erases the statistical analysis (including the data used in the statistical analysis) from memory72. Thus, when a new patient is assigned to patient support apparatus20, first patient weight reading90ais set to zero (or is deemed empty) until the caregiver first uses the scale system to record a weight for that patient (e.g. using control114ofFIG.6). All of the other patient weight readings90are also set to zero until they are populated by patient weight readings that are made for that specific patient. Similarly, in some embodiments, to the extent patient support apparatus20had gathered statistical data regarding the previous patient's weight readings, those too are erased from memory72and controller70must take new automatic patient weight readings to calculate a new adaptive threshold for the new patient. The new automatic patient weight readings are performed in the manner previously described, and the statistical analysis of these readings may be performed in any of the same manners previously described. In an alternative embodiment, controller70may be configured to retain the statistical analysis of each patient's weight fluctuations in memory and to utilize that information in automatically selecting the threshold for a particular patient.

FIG.11illustrates another example of a scale screen100bthat may be displayed by controller70on display60in response to a user pressing on scale control58c, and/or in response to other actions undertaken by the user. Scale screen100b, like scale screen100(FIGS.6-7), includes a number of items that are the same as found in scale screen100, that operate in the same manner as was previously described, and that have the same reference number as found in scale screen100. Such items include patient weight indicator102, gain/loss indicator104, weight log icon106, object number108, object total weight indicator110, zero control112, save weight control114, and scale history control116. These items are not described further herein.

Scale screen100bdiffers from scale screen100in that it includes a high precision control160. High precision control160, when pressed, causes controller70to temporarily display weight readings with a higher level of precision than it normally displays by default. Thus, for example, in the example shown inFIG.11, controller70is displaying the patient's current weight as 100.0 kg, as shown by patient weight indicator102. Although not visible inFIG.11, controller70is rounding the current patient's weight to the nearest half of a kilogram. The same is true for the weight that the patient has lost or gained (gain/loss indicator104) and for the total weight of the items in the equipment log (total weight indicator110). When the user presses on high precision control160, controller70temporarily displays these weights with a higher level of precision. An example of this is shown inFIG.12.

FIG.12illustrates scale screen100bmoments after the user has pressed on the high precision control160ofFIG.11. As can be seen therein, controller70has changed the patient's weight from being rounded to the nearest half of a kilogram (100.0 kg, as shown inFIG.11by patient weight indicator102) to being rounded to the nearest 0.1 kilograms (100.1 kg, as shown inFIG.12by patient weight indicator102). Similarly, controller70has changed the patient's weight loss indicator104from being rounded to the nearest half of a kilogram (0.5 kg, as shown inFIG.11) to being rounded to the nearest 0.1 kilogram (0.7 kg, as shown inFIG.12). Controller70has also changed the total weight indicator110from being rounded to the nearest half of a kilogram (17.0 kg, as shown inFIG.11) to being rounded to the nearest 0.1 kilogram (16.8 kg, as shown inFIG.12).

Controller70is configured to display the higher precision weight readings shown inFIG.12for a temporary amount of time. In some embodiments, this temporary amount of time is a fixed amount of time that starts at the moment the user presses on high precision control160. For example, in some embodiments, controller70is configured to display higher precision weight readings, such as those shown inFIG.12, for a time period of approximately ten seconds following the pressing of high precision control160. After the expiration of this ten second time period, controller70automatically reverts to displaying the lower precision weight readings (e.g. what is shown inFIG.11). It will be understood, of course, that the temporary time period can vary widely from the ten second example mentioned herein.

In some embodiments, controller70is configured to change the manner in which high precision control160is displayed on display60after the user presses on it. For example, as shown from a comparison ofFIG.11toFIG.12, controller70is configured to display control160with a dark magnifying glass icon162having a solid white background when the user has not recently pressed on control160(FIG.11). After the user presses on control160, controller70is configured to change the dark magnifying glass icon162to a white, or lighter colored, icon having a solid black (or dark) background. In addition, controller70, in some embodiments, is further configured to display a circle icon164around the magnifying glass icon162, wherein the amount of the circle icon164that is shown varies in accordance with the time remaining for the display of the high precision weight readings.

In other words, in some embodiments, controller70is configured to display circle icon164as a full circle when a caregiver first presses control160, and to thereafter reduce the amount of circle icon164that is displayed. As a result, smaller and smaller portions of the circle icon164are displayed until, eventually, circle icon164is not displayed at all. At that moment, controller70is configured to revert back to displaying the lower precision weight readings (e.g.FIG.11). Controller70is therefore configured to reduce the amount of the circle icon164that is displayed at a rate that matches the time remaining for the display of the high precision weight values. Thus, for example, if the high precision weight values are automatically displayed for ten seconds after the control160is pressed, controller70is configured to reduce the portion of circle icon164at a rate such that it completely disappears after ten seconds. In this manner, the varying portion of circle icon164that is displayed provides a visual indication of the amount of time remaining that the high precision values ofFIG.12will continue to be displayed. The user needs only look at the portion of the circle icon164that is currently being displayed to get an idea of the amount of time remaining until controller70stops displaying the high precision weight values and instead switches to displaying the lower precision weight values.

In some embodiments, controller70is adapted to allow a user to manually deactivate the display of the high precision weight values (FIG.12) prior to the time period expiring. This manual deactivation can be accomplished by the user pressing on high precision control160a second time. High precision control160can therefore act like a toggle switch for switching between higher and lower precision weight values. Controller70is also configured to stop displaying the higher precision weight values whenever the user navigates away from screen100band/or whenever display60goes to sleep.

As can be seen inFIG.12, the save weight control114and zero control112are both grayed out and non-functional. Controller70is configured to temporarily disable these controls112and114in response to the user pressing on control160. Consequently, the user cannot save a patient's weight and/or tare the scale system when the high precision weight values are being used. Instead, the user must either wait until controller70stops displaying the high precision weight values, or the user manually terminates the display of the high precision weight values (e.g. by pressing control160a second time). Once controller70reverts back to displaying the lower precision weight values, it automatically re-enables zero control112and save weight control114so that the user is then able to use these controls.

It will also be understood that controller70may be configured to also monitor the outputs of force sensors54for implementing a patient exit detection system that may be armed and disarmed by a caregiver. When armed, the exit detection system is configured to issue an alert when the patient exits patient support apparatus20, or moves beyond one or more boundaries. In some embodiments, the exit detection functions may be carried out in any off the manners disclosed in the following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 62/889,254 filed Aug. 20, 2019, by inventors Sujay Sukumaran et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE EXIT DETECTION ZONES, and/or Ser. No. 15/266,575 filed Sep. 15, 2016, by inventors Anuj K. Sidhu et al. and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUSES WITH EXIT DETECTION SYSTEMS, the complete disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It will also be understood that controller70may be configured to adjust the outputs of force sensors54to take into account the tilting of litter frame28. That is, in some embodiments, force sensors54are load sensors whose outputs do not reflect the true load placed thereon when the load applied to the load cell is tilted, such as may happen when litter frame28is tilted out of a horizontal orientation. In such cases, the level of tilt is detected by one or more sensors onboard patient support apparatus20and a simple trigonometric calculation (based on the detected tilt angle) is applied to the outputs of the load cells54by controller70to remove this error in the load measurement. These tilt-adjusted load cell readings are then processed and used to compute more accurate readings of the patient's weight.

Various additional alterations and changes beyond those already mentioned herein can be made to the above-described embodiments. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described embodiments may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.