Architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level

An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to architectural systems, such as headwalls, columns, and ceiling-suspended arm assemblies used in hospitals, and particularly to an architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an architectural system that is configured to deliver services, such as medical gases, to a patient and/or that is configured to support patient-care devices for delivering intensive care services to a patient.

Architectural systems, such as headwalls, columns, and ceiling-suspended arm assemblies, through which medical gases are accessible via medical service outlets are known. Headwalls, columns, and arm assemblies having rails, tracks, or brackets for attachment of patient-care devices and having electrical outlets for delivering power to the patient-care devices are also known. Patients in critical condition are oftentimes located in an intensive care unit of a hospital, whereas patients in stable condition are oftentimes located in a standard patient room. Architectural systems in intensive care units are generally configured to hold more patient-care devices and provide more types of medical services than architectural systems found in a standard patient room.

The numbers of patients in critical condition and the numbers of patients in stable condition fluctuate in a hospital over time. Thus, at any given time there may be either a shortage or excess of spaces for patients in an intensive care unit. In addition, at any given time there may be either a shortage or surplus of standard hospital rooms. Thus, there is a need for an architectural system that is adaptable to patients having high, medium, and low acuity levels so that hospitals have the flexibility to meet the needs of the patient population at any give time.

According to this disclosure, an architectural system adaptable to an acuity level of a patient supported by a hospital bed in a patient room having a wall and a ceiling is provided. The architectural system comprises a wall unit coupled to the wall and having a cavity, a ceiling unit coupled to the ceiling, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the Column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity.

Various patient-care devices and equipment are attachable to the column. Such patient care devices include, for example, IV racks, infusion pumps, ventilation equipment, heart rate monitoring equipment, and patient data acquisition equipment. In an illustrative embodiment, a number of medical service outlets, Such as gas outlets and electrical outlets, are Coupled to the column. Also in the illustrative embodiment, a number of doors are Coupled to the wall unit for opening and closing the cavity. Thus, when the column is in the cavity, the doors may be moved to closed positions shielding the column and the equipment carried by the column from view and blocking access to the medical service outlets on the Column. Opening the doors, but leaving the column in the cavity of the headwall unit, permits access to some of the medical service outlets and to some portions of the equipment carried by the column. When the column is moved out of the cavity, all of the medical service outlets and all pertinent portions of the equipment carried by the column are accessible.

Also according to this disclosure, a ceiling unit having one or more pieces of equipment coupled thereto is provided. Such equipment includes, for example, a reading light, an examination light, a display screen, air curtain generation equipment, a privacy curtain, a temperature sensor, an air quality sensor, an air purifier, aroma therapy equipment, a motion sensor, and a proximity sensor. In one illustrative embodiment, an arm assembly is coupled to the ceiling unit and Supports an overbed table. The arm assembly permits the overbed table to be moved from one side of a hospital bed to an opposite side of the hospital bed.

A mobile cart is also disclosed herein. In an illustrative embodiment, the mobile cart comprises an upstanding pedestal, a plurality of legs coupled to a bottom of the upstanding pedestal, and a plurality of wheels. Each wheel is coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs. The legs, along with the wheels coupled thereto, are each movable between a first position extending outwardly from beneath the upstanding pedestal and a second position tucked beneath the upstanding pedestal. The mobile cart is attachable to a ceiling-mounted column or an arm assembly. The mobile cart is also attachable to a hospital bed to be transported with the bed. When the mobile cart is attached to either the Column, the arm assembly, or the bed, the wheels of the mobile cart are spaced apart for the floor. A headwall unit having a cavity configured to receive the mobile cart is also disclosed. The mobile cart carries one or more pieces of patient-care equipment Such as, for example, an IV pole, an infusion pump, a ventilator control unit, a gas tank, a gas control unit, a vital signs monitor, an on-board computer, a receiver, a transmitter, and a battery.

Further according to this disclosure, a set of hospital equipment comprises a headwall, a blanket, a unit housed in the headwall, and a hose coupled to the blanket and coupled to the unit, a thermoregulation medium being moved between the blanket and the unit through the hose. The thermoregulation medium includes, for example, heated air, cooled air, a heated liquid, or a cooled liquid. In some embodiments, in which the thermoregulation medium is heated or cooled air, the blanket has a plurality of perforations through which the heated or cooled air is expelled.

Additional features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the various inventions disclosed herein as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of an architectural system30according to this disclosure comprises a headwall unit32having a first cavity34and a second cavity36, a ceiling unit38, a first column40, and a second column42as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Columns40,42hang downwardly from ceiling unit38and are each independently movable between respective storage positions situated within a respective cavity34,36and a plurality of use positions situated outside of cavities34,36. Headwall unit32is configured for attachment to a wall44of a hospital room and ceiling unit38is configured for attachment to a ceiling46of the hospital room.

A hospital bed48is situated in the hospital room such that a head end50of the bed48is near headwall unit32and a foot end52of the bed is spaced from head wall unit32as shown inFIGS. 1-4. Columns40,42are spaced apart by a sufficient distance to permit hospital bed48to occupy the space defined between columns40,42when columns40,42are situated outside of cavities34,36as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, column40is positioned alongside a first side54of hospital bed48when outside of cavity34and column42is positioned alongside a second side56of hospital bed48when outside of cavity36.

Columns40,42each carry patient-care equipment, some of which is configured to provide medical services to high acuity patients, Such as critical patients requiring intensive care. Patient-care equipment needed for medium acuity patients, Such as patients requiring medical gas to aid respiration and intravenous (IV) fluids are also carried on one or both of columns40,42. For medium acuity patients, columns40,42are usually placed in cavities34,36in the respective storage positions and the needed medical services are provided to the patient from columns40,42as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Optionally, Columns40,42may be moved out of cavities34,36for medium acuity patients. For high acuity patients, columns40,42are usually moved out of cavities34,36to positions alongside bed48so that multiple medical services are accessible to the patient and to other pieces of medical equipment as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 4. For low acuity patients that do not require medical services from columns40,42, columns40,42are usually placed in the storage positions so as to be out of the way.

Headwall unit32has a plurality of doors58that are movable between closed positions covering associated portions of columns40,42and opened positions allowing access to the associated portions of columns40,42. For low acuity patients, doors58are typically closed to conceal columns40,42from view. In the illustrative embodiment, each of doors58slides horizontally behind an associated central panel60of headwall unit32. In some alternative embodiments, doors58slide horizontally in front of the associated central panels60. In other alternative embodiments, doors58either raise or lower or pivot when moving between opened and closed positions. In the illustrative embodiment in which doors58slide horizontally behind panels60, each of panels60is large enough to accommodate both of the associated doors58therebehind. It is within the scope of this disclosure for headwall unit32to have tracks or other surfaces (not shown) on which doors58slide. It is also within the scope of this disclosure for rollers (not shown) to be coupled to doors58and for the rollers to roll on tracks or surfaces as doors58move between the opened and closed positions.

In the illustrative embodiment, three doors58are associated with cavity34to cover top, middle, and lower portions of cavity34and three doors58are associated with cavity36to cover top, middle, and lower portions of cavity36. In alternative embodiments, more or less than three doors are provided for covering respective cavities34,36. Optionally, locking mechanisms (not shown) are mounted to each door58for locking the respective door in the closed position to prevent a patient or any other unauthorized person from opening doors58to gain access to the equipment mounted on columns40,42.

Headwall unit32has a frame (not shown) to which central panels60couple. Headwall unit32has other panels or walls, such as a vertical back wall59and a pair of outer side walls61that extend from back wall in perpendicular relation therewith. In addition, headwall unit32has horizontal walls63that underlie cavities34,36and inner side walls65that are spaced from, but parallel with, walls61as shown in FIG.8. Cavities34,36are defined, in part, by walls59,61,63,65. One or more of walls59,61,63,65are coupled to the frame of headwall unit32. In the illustrative embodiment, headwall unit32includes a lower portion67that is situated between a floor69of the hospital room and the portion of headwall unit32having central panels60associated therewith as shown inFIG. 8. Aset of auxiliary medical service outlets71are coupled to lower portion67. In addition, the portions of headwall unit32in which cavities34,36are defined overhang underlying portions of floor69that are laterally outward of lower portion67.

As previously mentioned, columns40,42carry patient-care equipment. Column40is configured to have patient-care equipment attached thereto and detached therefrom, whereas column42has patient-care equipment integrated therewith as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrative example, column40has a vertical arm62and an IV rack64coupled to vertical arm62by suitable couplers such as, for example, clamps, brackets, latches, grippers, or hooks. IV rack64has one or more hooks66to which IV bags68couple and one or more poles70to which infusion pumps72couple. It is within the scope of this disclosure for any type of medical equipment capable of coupling to an IV pole to be coupled to IV rack. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, one or more medical service outlets73are mounted to arm62of column40. Services accessible via outlets73include electrical services, such as electrical power and data transfer, and pneumatic services, such as medical gases or Suction. Illustratively, electrical power is provided to infusion pump72from one of outlets73as shown in FIG.9.

In the illustrative example, Column42has a vertical arm74and a housing76coupled to arm74. A display screen78is coupled to an upper portion of housing76and a plurality of medical service outlets80are coupled to a lower portion of housing76. Services available via outlets80include similar electrical and/or pneumatic services as are available from outlets73. Service-delivery lines82are routed from each of outlets80through housing76and arm74of column42and through ceiling unit38as shown inFIGS. 5-7. In addition, service-delivery lines84are routed from each of outlets73through arm62of column40and through ceiling unit38as shown in FIG.7. In addition, lines82,84are routed into ceiling46through an opening86that is formed in ceiling above a central region of ceiling unit38.

Column40has a carriage88to which arm62is coupled and column42has a carriage90to which arm74is coupled as shown in FIG.2. In some embodiments, arm62and IV rack64(or any other patient-care equipment coupled to arm62) are pivotable about a vertical axis relative to carriage88in a first direction as indicated by arrow92, shown inFIG. 2, and in an opposite, second direction as indicated by arrow94, shown in FIG.4. In other embodiments, arm62is fixed relative to carriage88but the coupler to which IV rack64(or other patient-care equipment) couples is pivotable relative to arm64in directions92,94. Similarly, in some embodiments, arm74and housing76are pivotable about a vertical axis relative to carriage90in first and second directions and, in other embodiments, arm74is fixed relative to carriage90and housing76is pivotable relative to arm74about a vertical axis in first and second directions. Various angular orientations of columns40,42about their respective vertical axes are shown in FIG.7. In illustrative embodiments, the vertical axes about which IV rack64and housing76pivot extend through associated vertical arms62,74.

Ceiling unit38of system30has a central portion or canopy96and a pair of side portions or tracks98as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 2. Canopy96generally overlies bed48, whereas tracks98are situated laterally outward of canopy96. Canopy96has a set of lights100integrated therein. Lights100include reading lights and/or examination lights. In some embodiments, reading lights comprise standard incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, whereas examination lights comprise, for example, halogen bulbs and color-correction filters. All types of reading lights and examination lights are contemplated by this disclosure as being included in ceiling unit38. Illustrative canopy96also has a display screen110integrated therein. In other embodiments, display screen110is omitted. Various images, such as family photos and nature scenes may be displayed on screen110.

Ceiling unit38has a first or proximal end coupled to or overlying portions of headwall unit32and an opposite, distal end that is spaced apart from headwall unit32. Thus, ceiling unit38extends from headwall unit32along ceiling46of the hospital room. Canopy96comprises a housing or frame112and a cosmetic cover or panel114that couples to frame112as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Frame112includes portions (not shown) that couple to ceiling46and/or to headwall unit32with suitable couplers such as, for example, bolts, rivets, welds, clamps, tabs, and the like. The various pieces of equipment carried by ceiling unit38, including lights100and screen110, are mounted to frame112and extend through appropriately sized openings formed in panel114. In addition, portions of lines82,84loosely drape over frame112and cover114as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Lines82,84are routed through suitably sized slots or spaces116that are provided between frame112and ceiling46, or alternatively, between other portions of ceiling unit38through which lines82,84are routed.

As columns40,42move between the storage and various use positions, lines82,84move relative to ceiling unit38in a somewhat random manner. However, frame112and cover114are situated beneath portions of lines82,84to shield these portions of lines82,84from view. Other portions of lines82,84are shielded from view by columns40,42, respectively. In the illustrative embodiment, panel114has lateral side portions118that underlie portions of carriages88,90as shown inFIG. 5with respect to carriage90. Side portions118further shield lines82,84from view. Lines82,84have sufficient slack in the interior region of canopy96to permit columns40,42to move from the respective storage positions to the respective farthest use positions adjacent the distal end of associated tracks98. It is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more line management mechanisms, such as strain reliefs, hoses, conduits, cables, cable ties, articulating segmented channels, and the like, to be coupled to lines82,84either to guide or control the movement of lines82,84or to restrain the movement of lines82,84in a desired manner as columns40,42move between the storage positions in cavities34,36, respectively, and the various positions outside of cavities34,36.

Each illustrative track98comprises a track member120and a cosmetic cover or panel122coupled to the respective member120as shown in FIG.5. Suitable couplers, such as illustrative bolts123, couple track member120to ceiling46or, in alternative embodiments, to portions of frame112that overlie tracks98. The proximal ends of track members120overlie respective cavities34,36to permit carriages88,90to move along track members120into cavities34,36, respectively. Columns40,42each comprise a plurality of rollers124some of which engage a first roller-engaging surface126of the associated member120and others of which engage a second roller-engaging surface128of the associated member120as also shown in FIG.5. Surfaces126,128are each elongated and extend generally perpendicularly relative to wall44of the hospital room. Thus, surfaces126are parallel with surfaces128. In addition, surfaces126,128lie in a common horizontal plane. In some alternative embodiments, track members120are curved and in other alternative embodiments, track members120are not parallel to each other.

Carriages88,90are each somewhat U-shaped having central portions130that underlie track members120and having a pair of side portions132that extend upwardly from respective central portions130such that track members120are situated between respective side portions132. Rollers124each have shafts134that are coupled to side portions132and that extend horizontally therefrom in a cantilevered manner toward associated track members120. As columns40,42move along tracks98, such as, for example, in directions136away from respective cavities34,36as shown inFIGS. 2,4, and6-8, rollers124roll along corresponding surfaces126,128. Of course, rollers124also roll along surfaces126,128when columns40,42move along tracks98in directions opposite to directions136.

According to this disclosure, housing76carries electrical circuitry to control the operation of display screen78. In some embodiments, housing also carries electrical circuitry to control the operation of display screen110and lights100. In other embodiments, some or all of the circuitry that controls the operation of screens78,110and lights100are housed in portions of head wall unit32. Such circuitry includes for example, one or more of a microprocessor or microcontroller, input/output circuitry, signal conditioning circuitry, signal conversion (analog-to-digital and/or digital-to-analog) circuitry, power conditioning circuitry, memory circuitry, and the like. In addition, a user interface is provided on column42to permit a user to enter commands and retrieve data for display on screen78. In the illustrative embodiment, screen78is a touch screen and the user input on column42comprises user input buttons138displayed on screen78as shown, for example, in FIG.8.

In some embodiments, the electrical circuitry that controls the operation of display screen78is coupled to the hospital's computer network or ethernet. In such embodiments, any of the information available on the network is viewable on display screen78. For example, a caregiver is able to retrieve a patient's medical records (e.g. laboratory test results, medical diagnosis, patient charts, x-rays, and so on) from the network for viewing on screen78. In addition, patient point-of-care data, such as vital signs data (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, neurological activity, respiration rate, patient temperature, pulse oximetry) and data associated with the operation of patient-care equipment (e.g. data from one or more ventilators, infusion pumps, electrocardiographs, electroencephalographs), may be displayed on screen78. Thus, the circuitry associated with screen78is programmed and/or configured to receive and process various types of data signals indicative of the information to be displayed on screen78. It is within the scope of this disclosure for all types of data associated with the care of a patient to be displayed on screen78. In addition, it is within the scope of this disclosure for screen78to display multiple types of data simultaneously, such as in a split screen format. Furthermore, in those embodiments in which the hospital computer network is coupled to the Internet, then information accessible via the Internet is also able to be displayed on screen78.

An alternative IV rack164that is attachable to and detachable from vertical arm62is shown inFIGS. 8-10. IV rack164is similar to IV rack64and therefore, where appropriate, like reference numerals are used to denote components of IV rack164that are substantially similar to like components of IV rack64. As was the case with IV rack64, IV rack164couples to arm62with suitable Couplers such as, for example, clamps, brackets, latches, grippers, hooks, or the like. The main difference between IV rack164and IV rack64is that IV rack164has a horizontal plate140coupled to the lower ends of poles70. Plate140has one or more openings or sockets142as shown in FIG.8.

An arm assembly144for carrying IV rack164includes an arm146coupled to bed48for pivoting movement about a vertical axis, a horizontal plate148coupled to arm144, and a pair of posts150extending vertically upwardly from plate146. Arm146is movable to a first position extending laterally outwardly from bed48to support plate148and posts150at a location which permits coupling of IV rack164to arm assembly144as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. Vertical arm62and carriage88are movable along track98to position IV rack over plate148and posts150. In addition, IV rack164, or the combination of arm62and IV rack164, is rotatable about the vertical axis extending through arm62to orient IV rack164such that sockets142are aligned with posts150. After IV rack164is properly oriented over arm assembly144, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, IV rack164is lowered in the direction of arrow152, shown inFIG. 8, so that posts150are received in sockets142and so that plate140rests upon plate148, thereby to couple IV rack164to arm assembly144.

In some embodiments, the coupler that couples IV rack164to arm62is movable vertically relative to arm62to permit raising and lowering of IV rack164and, in other embodiments, arm62comprises telescoping segments that permit raising and lowering of IV rack164. Alternatively, IV rack164is decoupled from arm62and is lowered manually onto arm assembly144. It is also within the scope of this disclosure for an upper frame154of bed48to be lifted relative to a base156of bed48so that posts150enter into openings142and so that plate148moves into engagement with plate140. In some embodiments, additional mechanisms (not shown), such as latches on plate142or plate150, pins that extend through posts150, caps that snap or thread onto posts150, clamps that grip plates140,148, and the like, are provided to lock IV rack164to arm assembly144. After IV rack164is coupled to arm assembly144and decoupled from arm62, arm146is pivotable relative to bed48to a second position having IV rack164supported alongside bed48as shown in FIG.10. Thus, bed48and IV rack164coupled to bed48are transportable through the hospital without needing to disconnect IV lines from the patient carried by bed48.

Referring now toFIGS. 11-14, an alternative architectural system230has a headwall unit232and a ceiling unit238that are substantially similar to headwall unit32and ceiling unit38, respectively, of system30. Therefore, where applicable, like reference numerals are used to denote components of system230that are substantially similar to like components of system30. One of the differences between system230and system30is that headwall unit232of system230has a pair of auxiliary cavities234,236(seeFIGS. 12 and 14) that are laterally outboard of cavities34,36, respectively. A pair of doors235,237are each independently movable between a closed position, shown inFIG. 11, in which the respective cavity234,236and any items or equipment stored therein are inaccessible and an opened position in which the respective cavity234,236and any items or equipment stored therein are accessible. In the illustrative embodiment, doors235,237pivot about respective vertical axes when moving between the opened and closed positions. Suitable locking mechanisms are provided in some embodiments for locking doors235,237in the closed positions. As was the case with system30, doors58of system230are movable to open and close cavities34,36.

Headwall unit232has additional medical service outlets216mounted on a pair of lower vertical panels218which are situated beneath the lowermost pair of doors58as shown inFIGS. 11,14, and14. Headwall unit232also has a pair of lower doors220that are movable between respective first positions in which doors220cover the associated outlets216and respective opened positions in which outlets216are uncovered for use. It is within the scope of this disclosure for system30to also have outlets216, panels218, and doors220. In some embodiments, auxiliary outlets71and outlets216are included in the headwall unit and, in other embodiments, only one or the other set of outlets71,216are included in the headwall unit.

Another of the differences between system230and system30is that ceiling unit238of system230has tracks198which are wider than tracks98of system30. Thus, tracks198extend laterally outward from canopy96of ceiling unit238by a greater amount than tracks98extend laterally outward from canopy96of ceiling unit38. Each of tracks198have a cosmetic cover or panel210. Each panel210has a first elongated slot212and a second elongated slot214. In the illustrative embodiment, slots212are parallel with slots214. Each slot212receives a respective side portion132of the associated carriage88,90of the respective column40,42. Thus, provision of slots212in covers210allows columns40,42of system230to move without interference from panels210between the respective storage positions within cavities34,36and the various positions outside of cavities34,36.

In some embodiments, slots214are situated beneath respective track members (not shown) that are configured to support auxiliary equipment which is moved out of auxiliary cavities234,236and, in other embodiments, auxiliary equipment is situated above slots214. In the example shown inFIG. 12, a privacy curtain240is movable from a storage position in which curtain240is situated within cavity236to a use position in which a majority of curtain240is drawn out of cavity236. In the use position, curtain240hangs downwardly from substantially the entire length of the track member situated above the respective slot214. Illustrative curtain240has a flexible curtain panel242, a plurality of sliders244, and a plurality of strands246. Each strand246extends between panel242and a respective slider244. Sliders244are movable along the track member situated above slot214. Thus, when curtain240is in the storage position, all of sliders244are grouped together within cavity236and when curtain240is in the use position, sliders244are spaced apart along the length of slot214.

In the example shown inFIG. 13, a privacy curtain250is extendable downwardly out of the associated slot214to a use position and is retractable upwardly through slot214to a storage position. Curtain250has a flexible curtain panel252and a bottom member254coupled to a bottom portion of panel252. Member254adds weight to curtain250to prevent excessive movement of curtain250away from a vertical hanging configuration as shown inFIG. 13. Arotatable shaft (not shown) on which panel252winds when retracting and unwinds when extending is situated above slot214. In some embodiments, a motor (not shown) is coupled to shaft and is operated to rotate the shaft in the appropriate directions to wind and unwind panel252. In such embodiments, a user input, Such as one or more switches, buttons, levels, or the like, is accessible on headwall unit232to control the motor. In alternative embodiments, curtain250is extended and retracted manually, similar to the manner in which conventional window shades are pulled down to cover a window and are manipulated so that a spring causes an associated shaft to wind Lip the window shade.

In the example shown inFIG. 14, an auxiliary IV pole160hangs downwardly from a carriage162that is slideable along a track member (not shown) which is situated above the respective slot214. Pole160and carriage162are movable between a storage position in cavity234and a number of use positions outside of cavity234. One or more hooks166are coupled to pole160for holding IV bags68. In the illustrative embodiment, a dedicated infusion pump172is mounted to a bottom end of pole160. In alternative embodiments, infusion pumps72are attachable to and detachable from other portions of pole160. It is within the scope of this disclosure for any type of patient-care equipment that is capable of coupling to an IV pole to be coupled to pole160.

Although curtain240is shown inFIG. 12as being associated with cavity236and although pole160is shown inFIG. 14as being associated with cavity234, it is within the scope of this disclosure for curtains, IV poles, and any other type of track-mounted auxiliary equipment, such as exam lights, water hoses, suction hoses, traction devices, and the like, to be associated with either of cavities234,236. In addition, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the various walls of headwall unit232that bound cavities234,236, such as back wall259, side wall261, and bottom wall263(see FIG.14), to be appropriately sized and configured so that cavities234,236are large enough to receive the track mounted equipment to be stored therein. In addition, in those embodiments having auxiliary equipment, such as curtain250that extends and retracts out of slots214, then cavities234,236may have storage shelves therein.

Referring now toFIGS. 15 and 16, an alternative architectural system330includes a headwall unit232, that is substantially similar to headwall unit232of system230, and a ceiling unit338from which a set of air curtains270are directed downwardly around three sides of hospital bed48. In the illustrative embodiment, the set of air curtains are adjacent foot end52and sides54,56of bed48. A suitable amount of space is provided between air curtains270and bed48to permit a caregiver to stand therebetween. Air curtains270provide a modicum of environmental isolation for the patient on bed48. Thus, air borne contaminants outside the patient space bounded by air curtains270are prevented from entering the patient space. In some embodiments, air curtains270are heated and/or humidified to control the temperature and humidity of the patient space. In Such embodiments, heating equipment (not shown) and/or humidifying equipment (not shown) is housed in either ceiling unit338or headwall unit232or both.

An air curtain generator272, Such as a fan, blower, pump, or the like, is housed in canopy96of ceiling unit338as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. An air-intake opening274is formed in cover114of canopy96and an air filter276covers opening274to filter contaminants from the ambient environment. Air curtain generator272is situated in a central chamber278of canopy96and an air-inlet duct280extends from opening274to chamber278. A network of air-outlet ducts282extend from chamber278throughout ceiling unit338, including along the outer regions of lateral side portions198and including along the front distal regions of canopy96and portions198. Duct280overlies some of ducts282as shown in FIG.16. In the illustrative embodiment of system330, a plurality of air-exit openings or slots284are formed along the side and front peripheral regions of the underside of ceiling unit338. Operation of air curtain generator272moves air from the ambient environment through each of filter276, duct280, chamber278, ducts282, and openings284to form air curtains270.

A controller (not shown) housed in ceiling unit338or headwall unit232or both operates to control air curtain generator272, the heating equipment (if any), and the humidification equipment (if any). A user interface is provided on one or both of columns40,42or on headwall unit232. A user inputs operational parameters, such as, for example, fan speed (high, medium, low), air temperature, and air humidity, to the controller via the user interface. In addition, system330has various sensors, such as, for example, a fan speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor that provides feedback to the controller so that appropriate commands from the controller can be provided to air curtain generator272, the heating system, and the humidification system to adjust the operation of these devices, if appropriate.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a patient rests on a hospital bed534in an environmentally-controlled hospital room532as shown in FIG.17. Covering the patient is a disposable heating/cooling blanket536. Blanket536is coupled via a pair of heating/cooling hoses540to a heating/cooling unit538housed in a headwall542of room532. When the patient is to be cooled, unit538operates to provide a cooling medium, such as cool air or cool liquid, through one of hoses540to blanket536and the other of hoses540provides the cooling medium back to unit538after circulation of the cooling medium through blanket536. When the patient is to be heated, unit538operates to provide a heating medium, such as heated air or heated liquid, through one of hoses540to blanket536and the other of hoses540provides the cooling medium back to unit538after circulation of the heating medium through blanket536. In those embodiments having heated air or cooled air circulated through blanket536, perforations are formed in the surface of blanket536facing the patient so that a portion of the heated or cooled air being circulated through blanket536is able to escape from blanket536through the perforations and convectively heat or cool, as the case may be, the patient.

Bed534includes a pendant controller544that a patient uses to control heating/cooling unit538in a desired manner when pendant controller544is not locked out. In some embodiments, pendant controller544also is used to control other bed functions, such as articulation, raising, and lowering of the bed deck, and to control room entertainment and communication functions, such as television, radio, and nurse call. Bed534includes a footboard546having a control panel548that is used by a caregiver to control operation of unit538, to control operation of various bed functions, and to control various entertainment and communication functions. Control panel548is also used by the caregiver to lock out one or more functions of pendant controller544. For example, the caregiver can lock out the ability of pendant controller544to operate unit538.

An ceiling unit or overhead canopy550is coupled to a ceiling552of hospital room532above bed534as shown in FIG.17. Canopy550includes various systems that control the environment of room532. For example, canopy532includes an overhead temperature sensor (not shown), an overhead air quality sensor (not shown), an overhead air purifier (not shown), aroma therapy equipment (not shown), motion or proximity sensors554for detecting the presence of other people in the hospital room, examination lights556, reading lights (not shown), and a video screen558for displaying one or more preselected images. Such images may include a scene from nature or other restful scenes. Such images may also include images that transition at the appropriate times during a 24-hour period from day images, such as clouds and Sun, to night images, such as moon and stars. Images of the patients family may also be displayed on screen558.

In some embodiments of room532, the room lights are controlled to dim slowly as the daytime turns to evening. In addition, a recording of evening sounds, such as owls, night birds, crickets, and wind in the trees is played by audio equipment housed in overhead canopy550. Eventually, the room lights are turned completely off and the night sounds fade away. In other embodiments of room532, a video screen similar to or larger than video screen558is mounted to a room wall, preferably a wall that confronts the foot end of bed534. In such alternative hospital rooms, television images, internet images, educational information, patient schedule, imagery to promote relaxation, and video conferencing images are selectively displayed on the video screen.

Bed534, unit538, and ceiling unit550each have their own controllers for monitoring and controlling the various functions associated with these devices. Each of such controllers include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuitry, input/output circuitry, signal conditioning circuitry, signal conversion circuitry, power conditioning circuitry, and the like. It is within the scope of this disclosure for each of the controllers of bed534, unit538, and canopy550to be coupled to the hospital computer network to exchange data with the network. In some embodiments, parameters for controlling bed534, unit538, and canopy550are entered by computers that are located remotely from room532. Thus, for example, if a patient places a nurse call requesting the heating/cooling function of unit538and blanket536be adjusted or discontinued, the nurse receiving the call is able to adjust the amount of heating/cooling provided to the patient via blanket536.

Referring now toFIGS. 18-20, a mobile cart560includes a somewhat rectangular upstanding pedestal562, four horizontally extending support legs564coupled to the bottom of pedestal562, and a set of wheels or casters566coupled to distal ends of corresponding support legs564. Pedestal562has a fairly small depth dimension between a front face568thereof, shown best inFIG. 18, and a rear face570thereof, shown inFIGS. 19 and 20. Each Support leg564is pivotable relative to pedestal562about a respective vertical axis between a first position extending outwardly firm beneath pedestal562as shown inFIG. 18 and asecond position tucked beneath pedestal562as shown inFIGS. 18-20.

When legs564are in the second positions, legs564and casters566are positioned to lie completely under and within the foot print of pedestal562. In addition, when legs564are in the second positions, legs564extend in substantially parallel relation with front and rear faces568,570of pedestal562. When legs564are in the first positions, a majority of legs564are positioned to lie outside the foot print of pedestal562and legs564extend in substantially perpendicular relation to front and rear faces568,570of pedestal562. Suitable locking or retention mechanisms are provided either on legs564or pedestal562to lock or retain legs564in the respective first and second positions. The stability of cart560on a floor is greater when legs564are in the first positions than when legs564are in their second positions.

Mobile cart560is couplable to and transportable with a wheeled hospital bed or stretcher572from an operating room574, shown inFIG. 19, to an intensive care unit room (not shown), and then to a regular hospital room578, shown in FIG.20. Of course, rooms574,578are shown merely as examples of hospital rooms and therefore, cart560may be transported with stretcher572to any location in a hospital that stretcher572is capable of going. Cart560may also be transported by itself throughout a hospital when legs564are in their first positions having casters566rolling along the floor of the hospital.

An asset tracking system (not shown) included in a hospital includes a plurality of transmitters, receivers, and/or transmitter/receiver units576(collectively referred to as “transmitter/receiver units576”) located throughout the hospital. One such transmitter/receiver unit576is shown in FIG.36. Transmitter/receiver units576cooperate with remote equipment, such as computers, included in the asset tracking system to track the whereabouts of mobile carts560throughout the hospital. Thus, each cart560to be tracked includes a transmitter/receiver unit (not shown) that, when prompted by a signal from transmitter/received units576, emits a signal that is sensed by one or more transmitter/receiver units576in the vicinity thereof.

Cart560is couplable to hospital bed572as previously mentioned. Cart560is also couplable to arm assemblies598included, for example, in operating room574and in intensive care unit rooms (not shown). Arm assemblies598extend from the ceilings of the respective rooms, Such as room574as shown in FIG.19. When cart560is coupled to arm assemblies578, cart560is suspended from the ceiling of the respective room so that casters566of cart560are spaced apart from the floor of the respective rooms. Casters566are also spaced apart from the floor of the respective rooms when cart560is coupled to bed572. It is within the scope of this disclosure for cart560to be coupled to or included in columns40,42of any of architectural systems30,230,330, as well as any alternatives of these, described above with regard toFIGS. 1-16.

Cart560includes suitable couplers (not shown) that interface with couplers (not shown) included in bed572, with couplers (not shown) included in arm assemblies578, and with couplers (not shown) included in columns40,42. Suitable couplers may include, for example, hooks, clips, posts, latches, sockets, rails, channels, slots, bands, straps, fingers, flanges, lugs, bails, wires, magnets, plates, and the like, as well as combinations of these. Cart560includes a handle580appended to the top of pedestal562as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. A caregiver grips handle580to maneuver cart560along a floor of the hospital and to carry cart560, such as during attachment to or detachment from bed572, arm assemblies578, or columns40,42.

A headwall582of room578is formed to include a cavity584that is configured to receive cart560as shown in FIG.20. In addition, cart560is received in cavities34,36(or cavities23,236) when cart560is coupled to or included in columns40,42and columns40,42are moved to the storage positions. When cart560is situated in cavity584, legs564are in the respective second positions and casters566rest upon a ledge surface586that underlies cavity584. Pedestal562of cart560is configured to carry one or more IV poles588as shown inFIGS. 18-20. Cavity584has sufficient height to accommodate cart560and any IV poles588coupled thereto as shown in FIG.20. Hooks587are provided at the top of IV poles588for attachment of IV bags68.

Pedestal562includes recesses or compartments589that are adapted to carry various patient-monitoring and patient-care modules or equipment590, shown best in FIG.18. Such patient-care equipment includes, for example, infusion pumps, ventilator control units, vital signs monitors, and the like. Some modules590are coupled to the patient, via sensor lines, to monitor various physiological conditions and vital signs of the patient. In some embodiments, cart560includes an on-board computer system that interfaces with modules590and with a receiver/transmitter unit on cart560. In such embodiments, patient-data from modules590is either transmitted to the hospital network via the receiver/transmitter unit or the patient-data is stored in the computer system until a hard-wire or optical connection is made to the network. When the computer system is communicatively coupled to the network, a caregiver located in the hospital remote from cart560is able to access the network with a remote computer terminal, for example, to obtain the status of the patient being monitored by modules590carried by cart560. Cart560includes a battery (not shown) to provide power to any electrical components, such as modules590and the computer system, carried by cart560.

Pedestal562is formed to include service delivery ports592. Tanks (not shown) containing oxygen or other types of medical gases are situated in an interior region of pedestal562. In some embodiments, such tanks are included in a ventilator system carried by cart560. In such embodiments, hoses594, one of which is shown inFIG. 20, are coupled to respective ports592and extend from ports592either to the patient or to associated medical equipment. Cart560is configured to carry other types of medical devices, including drug infusion devices, that are associated with providing intensive care to a patient. Such devices are sometimes referred to as LSTAT (Life Support for Trauma and Transport) devices. Because cart560carries most, if not all, of the medical equipment necessary to provide intensive care to the patient and because cart560is transported with the patient throughout the hospital, the need to disconnect and reconnect IV lines, ventilator hoses, sensor lines, and the like from the patient before and after transport is avoided, as is the need to manage multiple wheeled stands or carts during transport of the patient throughout a hospital.

Referring now toFIGS. 21-23, a ceiling-mounted overbed table assembly656includes a ceiling unit or hub unit658coupled to ceiling46of a hospital room, an arm assembly660coupled to hub unit658, an overbed table662coupled to arm assembly660, and a patient-care housing664coupled to and extending downwardly from an undersurface of table662. In alternative embodiments, housing664is coupled to arm assembly660and is situated, at least in part, beneath table662. Hub unit658includes an annular upper portion666having a frustoconical shape, an annular lower portion668shaped like a disc, and an annular slot670defined between portions666,668as shown in FIG.40. Hub unit658further includes a plurality of exam and reading lights672coupled to lower portion668and arranged to direct light downwardly therefrom. In alternative embodiments, hub568has shapes other than annular, such as elliptical, polygonal (i.e., square, rectangular, triangular, and so on), and the like.

Arm assembly660includes a first arm674extending horizontally from slot670and a second arm676extending vertically downwardly from a distal end678of first arm674as shown in FIG.21. Hub unit658includes a shaft assembly (not shown) that interconnects portions666,668of hub unit658. A proximal end (not shown) of first arm674is coupled to the shaft assembly for pivoting movement about a vertical axis680. Table662and housing664are coupled to a lower end of arm676for pivoting movement about a vertical axis682, shown inFIGS. 21 and 22. Alternatively, table662and housing664are fixed with respect to arm676and arm676is coupled to arm674for rotation about axis682.

Second arm676, table662, and housing664are movable between a first position situated on a first side of a hospital bed684and a second position situated on a second side of hospital bed684as shown in FIG.23. During movement between the first and second positions, arm676, table662, and housing664move along an arcuate path, indicated by a curved double-headed arrow688shown inFIG. 23, around a foot end686of bed684. First arm674has sufficient length to allow housing664to clear foot end of bed684during movement between the first and second positions. Assembly656includes suitable locking mechanisms to lock arm assembly660and table662in the first and second positions. When in either the first position or the second position, table662extends horizontally from arm676in a cantilevered manner and is positioned, in part, over the lap of a patient supported by bed684. In some embodiments, assembly656includes drive mechanisms that operate to adjust the vertical position of table662and housing664relative to arm676.

Assembly656includes a telephone690having a handset that resides in a recess formed in the upper surface of table662. Assembly656also includes an entertainment-and-control panel692that is coupled to arm676of arm assembly660via a post694that extends horizontally away from arm676above table662as shown inFIGS. 40 and 41. Illustrative panel692is a touch screen that permits the patient to control, for example, room lighting, room temperature, television functions, nurse call functions, and the like. Panel692is also operable to display various images such as, for example, television images, internet images, educational information, patient schedule, patient billing information, and video conferencing images. Controls panels having any combination of the above-mentioned control functions and entertainment functions are within the scope of this disclosure. Telephone690is used in a conventional manner for placement of phone calls.

A plurality of medical service outlets696and a plurality of patient-monitor modules698are coupled to an end face700of housing664as shown in FIG.22. Modules698are arranged in side-by-side relation along an upper portion of end face700and medical service outlets696are arranged in side-by-side relation beneath modules698. Each of modules698receive patient-data signals via patient-data lines (not shown) that are coupled to modules698and to the patient to monitor various physiological conditions of the patient. Patient conditions to be monitored may include temperature, heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiration, brain activity, and the like. Services provided by outlets696may include, for example, medical gases, vacuum, and power. Outlets696receive the associated services via lines (not shown) that are routed to outlets696from the ceiling of the hospital room, through hub unit658, though interior regions of arms674,676, through an opening in table662, and into an interior region of housing664. Outlets696and modules698are positioned on housing664so as to be generally inaccessible to a patient lying on bed684when assembly656is in either the first position or the second position.

It is contemplated by this disclosure that table662and/or housing664, along with outlets696and modules698associated with housing664may be suspended from a ceiling of a hospital room by other types of arm assemblies or columns. For example, it is within the scope of this disclosure for table662and/or housing664to be coupled to or included in Columns40,42of any of architectural systems30,230,330described above. In Such embodiments, table662or a part thereof flips up, Such as by pivoting about a horizontal axis, thereby placing table662is in a substantially vertical orientation for storage in the associated cavity34,36,234,236of the associated headwall unit32,232. When the column40,42associated with table662is moved out of the associated cavity34,36,234,236, table662is flipped down to a substantially horizontal orientation for use.

Although various apparatus and systems have been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications of each of these apparatus and systems exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.