Patent Publication Number: US-10314758-B2

Title: Person support apparatus with tracking features

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present specification generally relates to systems and processes for tracking accessories and/or functions of a person support apparatus and enabling and/or disabling user functions for the apparatus. 
     Technical Background 
     In various surgical and diagnostic procedures, person support apparatuses, such as operating tables, may be configured to use different accessories and/or functionalities depending on the procedures. Depending on the functionalities being used, it might be harmful to a patient or to the surgical equipment if the support apparatus is not set up in a proper manner. Where a support apparatus is rotated or elevated to position a patient for a particular procedure, restraints may need to be attached to the apparatus and secured to keep the patient in place on the operating table. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for determining whether accessories of a person support apparatus, such as an operating table, are configured properly before enabling one or more functionalities of the apparatus. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and processes of controlling a function of a person support apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a person support apparatus adapted to support a patient. The person support apparatus comprising a controller adapted to communicatively couple with at least one removable component of the person support apparatus. The controller is adapted to determine the absence or presence of the at least one removable component. In response to the determination, the controller is further adapted to disable at least one movement of the person support apparatus in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present or enable the at least one movement in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present. 
     In another embodiment, a process of enabling or disabling at least one movement of a person support apparatus is provided. In this embodiment, the process includes: using a processor adapted to communicate with at least one removable component of a person support apparatus; determining the presence or absence of the at least one removable component of the person support apparatus; in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present, disabling at least one movement of the person support apparatus or in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present enabling the at least one movement. 
     Additional features and advantages of the embodiments described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  schematically depicts a perspective view of a person support apparatus including a person repositioning assembly according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 1B  schematically depicts a side view of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 2A  according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 1C  schematically depicts another side view of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 2A  according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts a perspective view of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 1A  repositioning a patient from a prone position to a lateral position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 3A  schematically depicts a perspective view of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with a patient in a lateral position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  schematically depicts another perspective view of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with a patient in a lateral position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts a block diagram of a control system for the person support apparatus of  FIG. 1A  according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 5  schematically depicts a perspective view of another implementation of a person support apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 6  schematically depicts a block diagram of an example control system for the person support apparatus of  FIG. 5  according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example process  400  for controlling at least one movement of a person support apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 8  schematically depicts a perspective view of another illustrative implementation of a person support apparatus that includes a tower base and patient support tops attached to the tower base by main brackets according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 9  schematically depicts a perspective view of the main brackets of the person support apparatus of  FIG. 8  according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 10  schematically depicts a an example inductive sensor system communicatively coupled to a component of a person support apparatus table top according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 11  shows an example implementation of a sensor device configured to determine the presence or absence of a removable component of a person support apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 12  schematically depicts yet another example implementation of a sensor device configured to determine the presence or absence of a removable component of a person support apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; and 
         FIG. 13  schematically depicts an example implementation of an inductive coil sensing element according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Systems and processes of controlling a function of a person support apparatus are provided. An example system includes a person support apparatus adapted to support a patient. The person support apparatus comprising a controller adapted to communicatively couple with at least one removable component of the person support apparatus. The controller is adapted to determine the absence or presence of the at least one removable component. In response to the determination, the controller is further adapted to disable at least one movement of the person support apparatus in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present or enable the at least one movement in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present. 
     Example implementations of person support apparatuses are illustrated in  FIGS. 1A through 4  of the accompanying drawings. The person support apparatuses may be used, for example, in conjunction with the methods and systems for determining whether one or more accessories of the person support apparatus are attached and/or configured properly and enabling or disabling one or more functionalities of the apparatus based on the determination described herein. The same reference numerals are generally used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of a person support apparatus is depicted in  FIG. 1A , in which the person support apparatus includes a base frame and a primary support frame supported on the base frame, where the primary support frame extends in a longitudinal direction. The person support apparatus further includes a support deck coupled to the primary support frame, the support deck including an upper segment positioned at a head end of the person support apparatus, a leg segment positioned at a foot end of the person support apparatus, and a torso segment positioned between the upper segment and the leg segment in the longitudinal direction. At least one of the upper segment, the torso segment, and the leg segment rotates with respect to the primary support frame about an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction to reposition a patient positioned on the person support apparatus. Person support apparatuses with repositioning assemblies will be described in more detail herein with specific reference to the appended drawings. 
     As used herein, the term “longitudinal direction” refers to the forward-rearward direction of the person support apparatus (i.e., in the +/−X-direction as depicted). The term “lateral direction” refers to the cross-direction of the person support apparatus (i.e., in the +/−Y-direction as depicted), and is transverse to the longitudinal direction. The term “vertical direction” refers to the upward-downward direction of the person support apparatus (i.e., in the +/−Z-direction as depicted), and is transverse to the lateral and the longitudinal directions. The terms “head end” and “foot end” refer to the relative location of components of the person support apparatus in the longitudinal direction. 
     The phrase “communicatively coupled” is used herein to describe the interconnectivity of various components of steering system and means that the components are connected either through wires, optical fibers, or wirelessly such that electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic signals may be exchanged between the components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a person support apparatus  100  is depicted. The person support apparatus  100  may include, for example, a two-column operating table with one or more patient restraints. In this particular implementation, the person support apparatus  100  generally includes a base frame  110 , a primary support frame  120  that is supported by the base frame  110 , and a support deck  130  coupled to the primary support frame  120 . 
     The base frame  110  of the person support apparatus  100  includes a forward portion  114  positioned at a head end of the person support apparatus  100  and a rearward portion  116  positioned at a foot end of the person support apparatus  100 . The forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and may be coupled to one another by a central portion  118  that extends between the forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  in the longitudinal direction. The central portion  118  may extendable and/or retractable in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  in the longitudinal direction. In embodiments, the forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  are coupled to a plurality of rollers  112 , such that the person support apparatus  100  may be moved along a surface, such as a floor. 
     The primary support frame  120  extends upward from the base frame  110  of the person support apparatus  100 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1A , the primary support frame  120  includes a forward column  122  that extends upward from the forward portion  114  of the base frame  110  in the vertical direction. The primary support frame  120  further includes a rearward column  124  that extends upward from the rearward portion  116  of the base frame  110  in the vertical direction. The forward column  122  is positioned at the head end of the person support apparatus  100  and the rearward column  124  is positioned at the foot end of the person support apparatus  100 , and the forward column  122  is spaced apart from the rearward column  124  in the longitudinal direction. In embodiments, the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  are coupled to the forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  of the base frame  110 , respectively. Alternatively, the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  may be integral with the forward portion  114  and the rearward portion  116  of the base frame  110 , respectively. 
     The primary support frame  120  includes a longitudinal frame  126  that is positioned above the base frame  110  in the vertical direction and that extends between the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  in the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1A , the longitudinal frame  126  generally extends in the horizontal plane (i.e., the X-Y plane as depicted). In other embodiments, the longitudinal frame  126  may be contoured and may include portions that extend out of the horizontal plane. The longitudinal frame  126  supports and may be coupled to the support deck  130 , which extends between the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  in the longitudinal direction. 
     The forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  may be adjustable in the vertical direction such that the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  may raise or lower the longitudinal frame  126  with respect to the base frame  110  in the vertical direction. In embodiments, at least one column actuator  121  coupled to the forward column  122  and/or the rearward column  124  and moves the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  upward and downward in the vertical direction with respect to the base frame  110 . The column actuator  121  may be a powered actuator, such as an electric motor or the like, or may be a manually powered, such as by a footpedal, a crank, or the like. The column actuator  121  include a linear actuator, such as a screw, a wheel and axle, a cam, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a pezioelectric actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in embodiments where the column actuator  121  includes an electric motor, the column actuator  121  may be communicatively coupled to an electronic controller  200 . The electronic controller  200  includes a processor and a memory storing computer readable and executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, facilitate operation of the column actuator  121 . In particular, the electronic controller  200  sends a signal to the at least one column actuator  121  to raise or lower the forward column  122  and/or the rearward column  124  in the vertical direction. A user input  210  is communicatively coupled to the electronic controller  200 . The user input  210  includes a device that allows a user to input various parameters into the electronic controller  200  to facilitate operation of the person support apparatus  100 . For example, a healthcare professional may utilize the user input  210  to send a signal to the electronic controller  200  to command the at least one actuator  121  to raise or lower the forward column  122  and/or the rearward column  124  in the vertical direction. In embodiments, the user input  210  may include various user input devices, including, but not limited to, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), keyboards, pendants, or the like. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  may be raised and lowered in the vertical direction independent of one another such that the longitudinal frame  126  may be tilted with respect to the horizontal plane (i.e., the X-Y plane as depicted). For example, the forward column  122  may be raised with respect to the rearward column  124  in the vertical direction such that the head end of the longitudinal frame  126  is positioned higher than the foot end of the longitudinal frame  126  in the vertical direction (i.e., a reverse Trendelenburg position). Conversely, the rearward column  124  may be raised with respect to the forward column  122  in the vertical direction, such that the foot end of the longitudinal frame  126  is positioned higher than the head end of the longitudinal frame  126  in the vertical direction (i.e., a Trendelenburg position). In embodiments, both the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  of the primary support frame  120  may be raised or lowered in the vertical direction simultaneously, thereby raising both the head end and the foot end of the longitudinal frame  126 . 
     The support deck  130  is coupled to the longitudinal frame  126  and includes one or more segments that are positioned between the forward column  122  and the rearward column  124  in the longitudinal direction to support a patient on the person support apparatus  100 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1A , the support deck  130  includes an upper segment  140  positioned at the head end of the person support apparatus  100  which supports the upper body and/or the head and arms of a patient. The support deck  130  further includes a leg segment  160  positioned at the foot end of the person support apparatus  100  which supports the lower body and/or the legs of a patient. The support deck  130  includes a torso segment  150  that is positioned between the upper segment  140  and the leg segment  160  in the longitudinal direction which supports a torso and/or a mid-section of a patient. 
     Each of the upper segment  140 , the torso segment  150 , and the leg segment  160  include generally planar surfaces that support a patient on the person support apparatus  100 . In some embodiments, the upper segment  140 , the torso segment  150 , and/or the leg segment  160  may include contoured or shaped surfaces that accommodate a patient. For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1A , the upper segment  140  includes a pillow portion  144 , and arm portions  142  that accommodate a patient&#39;s head and arms, respectively. The torso segment  150  and the leg segment  160  may similarly include features and/or contours that accommodate a patient&#39;s torso and lower body, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the leg segment  160  is pivotally coupled to the longitudinal frame  126  at a leg segment pivot  162 . The leg segment  160  pivots about an axis  20  at the leg segment pivot  162 , where the axis  20  extends in the lateral direction. The leg segment  160  may be coupled to the longitudinal frame  126  by one or more dampers  164  that dampen movement of the leg segment  160  about the leg segment pivot  162 . The one or more dampers  164  may include a variety of dampers, including, but not limited to, a linear damper or the like. 
     By pivoting at the leg segment pivot  162 , the leg segment  160  may be lowered in the vertical direction with respect to the torso segment  150  and the upper segment  140 . By lowering the leg segment  160  in the vertical direction, a patient&#39;s legs and lower body may be positioned lower than the torso of the patient, which may assist with aligning and orienting a patient during surgery. While the leg segment  160  is described and depicted as being pivotally coupled to the longitudinal frame  126 , it should be understood that the leg segment  160  may be rigidly coupled to the longitudinal frame  126  and the torso segment  150  and/or the upper segment  140  may be pivotally coupled to the longitudinal frame  126 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , the torso segment  150  includes one or more portions that may be selectively and severally coupled to one another. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1B , the torso segment  150  includes a first portion  152  that is severally coupled to a second portion  154 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the second portion  154  ( FIG. 1B ) is severally coupled to and may be removed from the first portion  152 . The first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  are oriented transverse to one another. The first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  facilitate repositioning of a patient on the person support apparatus  100 , as will be described in greater detail herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , a repositioning assembly  170  is coupled to the torso segment  150 . Additionally or alternatively, the repositioning assembly  170  may be coupled to the upper segment  140 . The repositioning assembly  170  facilitates repositioning of a patient on the person support apparatus  100  and includes a pair of rocker members  176  coupled to the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  and a pair of rocker members  176  coupled to the first portion  152  ( FIG. 1B ) of the torso segment  150 . While the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  depicts a pair of rocker members  176  coupled to each of the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150 , it should be understood that a single rocker member  176  or multiple rocker members  176  may be coupled to each of the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150 . 
     Ones of the rocker members  176  coupled to the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150  and ones of the rocker members  176  coupled to the second portion  154  are aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction and generally extend in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction. The rocker members  176  are movably coupled to the primary support frame  120 . In particular, the rocker members  176  are movably coupled to at least one guide  178  that is coupled to the longitudinal frame  126  of the primary support frame  120 . 
     In embodiments, the rocker members  176  and/or the at least one guide  178  have a curved or arced shape such that the rocker members  176  rotate about an axis  10  with respect to the primary support frame  120 , where the axis  10  extends in the longitudinal direction. The rocker members  176  and/or the at least one guide  178  include a radius of curvature that generally corresponds to a radius  12  extending from the axis  10  to the rocker members  176 . 
     The rocker members  176  may include a toothed member  175  that is engaged with the at least one guide  178 . The toothed member  175  may be positioned on an outer circumference of the rocker members  176 . Alternatively or additionally, the toothed member  175  may be positioned on a side face of the rocker members  176 . An actuator  180  is coupled to at least one of the guides  178  and moves the rocker members  176  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . The actuator  180  may include one or more gears or screws (not depicted) that are engaged with the toothed member  175  of the rocker members  176 , such that the actuator  180  and the rocker members  176  are engaged with one another in a fashion similar to a rack and pinion configuration. As the actuator  180  drives the one or more gears or screws meshed with the toothed member  175 , the actuator  180  moves rocker members  176  with respect to the at least one guide  178 . In embodiments, the actuator  180  may include various actuators, including, but not limited to an electric motor, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the actuator  180  is communicatively coupled to the electronic controller  200 . The electronic controller  200  sends signals to the actuator  180  which command the actuator  180  to move the rocker members  176  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . In embodiments, the actuator  180  may include various actuators including, but not limited to an electrical motor or the like. A healthcare professional may utilize the user input  210  to send a signal to the electronic controller  200  to command the actuator  180  to move the rocker members  176  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . 
     In various embodiments, the controller  200  further is communicatively coupled with one or more removable components of the person support apparatus  100  and or to one or more sensors of the person support apparatus adapted to determine the presence or absence of the one or more removable components, such as described below with respect to  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, for example, the controller  200  is adapted to communicatively couple with at least one removable component of the person support apparatus. The controller is adapted to determine the absence or presence of the at least one removable component. In response to the determination, the controller is further adapted to disable at least one movement of the person support apparatus in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present or enable the at least one movement in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the actuator  180  moves the rocker members  176  with respect to the at least one guide  178 , the actuator  180  rotates the rocker members  176  about the axis  10  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . As the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  are coupled to the rocker members  176 , when the rocker members  176  rotate about the axis  10  with respect to the primary support frame  120 , the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  rotate about the axis  10  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . 
     While the actuator  180  is depicted as being positioned proximate to the torso segment  150  and as being directly engaged with the rocker members  176 , it should be understood that the actuator  180  may be positioned at any suitable position on the person support apparatus  100  and may be engaged with the rocker members  176  through a variety of mechanical linkages. 
     The rocker members  176 , the guides  178 , the actuator  180 , and the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  are formed from materials such that the person support apparatus  100  may be suitable for use with a variety of medical equipment, such as an X-ray machine. In embodiments, each of the rocker members  176 , the guides  178 , the actuator  180 , and the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  may be formed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, polymers, composites, resins, carbon fiber or the like. 
     The person support apparatus  100 , and in particular the repositioning assembly  170  of the person support apparatus  100 , repositions a patient by rotating the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  about axis  10  with respect to the primary support frame  120 . For example, a patient may initially be positioned in a prone position, as depicted in  FIG. 1A . During a surgical procedure, such as a spinal procedure, it may be necessary to reposition the patient from the prone position to a lateral position in which the patient is laying on his or her side, as depicted in  FIG. 3A . To facilitate repositioning of the patient, the person support apparatus  100 , and in particular the repositioning assembly  170 , is repositionable between a first position and a second position and intermediate positions therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , the person support apparatus  100  is initially positioned in a first position, in which the patient may be initially in the prone position. In the first position, the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150  is substantially co-planar with the horizontal plane (i.e., the X-Y plane as depicted) and may be co-planar with the longitudinal frame  126  of primary support frame  120 . The first portion  152  of the torso segment  150  may also be substantially co-planar with the upper segment  140  and/or the leg segment  160  when the person support apparatus  100  is in the first position. The second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  is severally coupled to and is oriented transverse to the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150 . Accordingly, the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  is also oriented transverse to the longitudinal frame  126  in the first position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , to reposition the person support apparatus  100  between the first position and the second position, the actuator  180  moves one of the rocker members  176  and the first portion  152  and/or the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  that are coupled to the rocker members  176 . In particular, the actuator  180  rotates the rocker members  176  and the first portion  152  and the second portion  154  about the axis  10 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the upper segment  140  is coupled to the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150  such that the upper segment  140  rotates about the axis  10  with the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150 . In other embodiments, the torso segment  150  is not coupled to either the upper segment  140  or the leg segment  160  such that the torso segment  150  rotates about the axis  10  while the upper segment  140  and the leg segment  160  remain stationary. 
     The rocker member  176  that is coupled to the first portion  152  continues to rotate and the actuator  180  engages the rocker member  176  that is coupled to the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150 . Once engaged with the rocker member  176  that is coupled to the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150 , the actuator  180  continues to rotate the torso segment  150  to reposition the person support apparatus  100  into the second position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , the person support apparatus  100  is depicted in the second position. In the second position, the second portion  156  of the torso segment  150  is substantially co-planar with the horizontal plane (i.e., the X-Y plane as depicted), thereby positioning the patient in a lateral position. In particular, the patient&#39;s side is positioned on the second portion  156  of the torso segment  150 , which is substantially co-planar with the longitudinal frame  126  such that the patient is laying on his or her side. As described above, the second portion  154  of the torso segment  150  is oriented transverse to the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150 . Accordingly, when the person support apparatus  100  is in the second position, the first portion  152  is oriented transverse to the longitudinal frame  126 . Once the person support apparatus  100  is in the second position, the first portion  152  of the torso segment  150  may be removed from the second portion  154 . 
     While the person support apparatus  100  is described and depicted as showing the repositioning assembly  170  moving a patient between a prone position and a lateral position, it should be understood that the person support apparatus  100  may be utilized to move a patient between additional rotational positions. For example, the person support apparatus  100  may be utilized to reposition a patient between the lateral position, as shown in  FIG. 3A  and a supine position (not depicted), or between the supine position and a lateral position. Further, while the actuator  180  is depicted as rotating the torso segment  150  in the clockwise direction about the axis  10 , it should be understood that the actuator  180  may rotate the torso segment  150  in the counterclockwise direction about the axis  10 . 
       FIG. 5  schematically depicts a perspective view of another implementation of a patient support apparatus  300 . In this implementation, the person support apparatus  300  is an operating table adapted to support and secures a patient for a surgical or diagnostic procedure. In this particular implementation, the apparatus  300  comprises a dual-column operating column with one or more patient restraints. The persons support apparatus generally comprises a base frame  310 , a primary support frame  320  that is supported by a abase frame and a support deck  330  coupled to the primary support frame  320 . The base frame  310  of the person support apparatus includes a forward portion  314  positioned at a head end of the person support apparatus  300  and a rearward portion  316  positioned at a foot end of the person support apparatus  300 . The forward portion  314  and rearward portion  316  are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and may be coupled to one another by a central portion  318  that extends between the forward portion  314  and the rearward portion  316  in the longitudinal direction. The central portion may be extendable and/or retractable in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the forward portion  314  and the rearward portion  316  in the longitudinal direction. In embodiments, the forward portion  314  and rearward portion  316  are coupled to a plurality of rollers  312 , such that the person support apparatus  300  may be moved along a surface such as a floor. 
     The primary support frame  320  extends upward from the base frame  310  of the person support apparatus  300 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , for example, the primary support frame  320  includes a forward column  322  that extends upward from the forward portion  314  of the base frame  110  in the vertical direction. The primary support frame  320  further includes a rearward column  324  that extends upward from the rearward portion  316  of the base frame  310  in the vertical direction. The forward column  322  is positioned at the head end of the person support apparatus  300  and the rearward column  324  is positioned at the foot end of the person support apparatus  300 , and the forward column  322  is spaced apart from the rearward column  324  in the longitudinal direction. In embodiments, the forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  are coupled to the forward portion  314  and the rearward portion  316  of the base frame  310 , respectively. Alternatively, the forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  may be integral with the forward portion  314  and the rearward portion  316  of the base frame  310 , respectively. 
     The primary support frame  320  includes a longitudinal frame  326  that is positioned above the base frame  310  in the vertical direction and that extends between the forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  in the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the longitudinal frame  326  generally includes patient prone supports  328  and patient supine supports  330 . A plurality of safety straps  332  (and/or other safety restraints) extend at least partially around the patient prone supports  328  and patient supine supports  330  to restrain a patient to the persons support apparatus (e.g., within the longitudinal frame  326 , to at least one of the patient supports  328 ,  330  and/or to another component of the patient support apparatus  300 ) during use of the person support apparatus  300  (e.g., during a medical procedure or movement of the patient on the patient support apparatus). The longitudinal frame  326  may further extend generally in a horizontal plane and/or may include one or more contours (e.g., patient supports) that extend out of the horizontal plane (e.g., the X-Y plane as depicted with respect to the patient support apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1A ). Other supports, restraints or other components (e.g., arm, head, neck, wrist, hand, ankle, foot or other supports) may also be used depending on a medical procedure to ensure patient, medical personnel equipment position, safety and/or comfort. A removable head restraint  332 , for example, may be positioned (e.g., engaged to the person support apparatus  300 ) to support a patient&#39;s head when the patient is to be oriented in a prone position during a procedure. Other restraints, supports or the like may also be used depending on a position of the patient on the person support apparatus  300 . 
     The forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  may be adjustable in the vertical direction such that the forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  may raise or lower the longitudinal frame  326  with respect to the base frame  310  in the vertical direction. In embodiments, at least one column actuator  321  coupled to the forward column  322  and/or the rearward column  324  and moves the forward column  322  and the rearward column  324  upward and downward in the vertical direction with respect to the base frame  310 . The column actuator  321  may be a powered actuator, such as an electric motor or the like, or may be a manually powered, such as by a footpedal, a crank, or the like. The column actuator  321  include a linear actuator, such as a screw, a wheel and axle, a cam, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, or the like. 
     Another illustrative implementation of a person support apparatus  1000  is shown in  FIG. 8 . In this particular implementation, the person support apparatus  1000  includes a tower base  1012 , main brackets  1014 ,  1016  and patient support tops  1018 ,  1042  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Main brackets  1014 ,  1016  are configured to support patient support tops  1018 ,  1042  at about ninety (90) degrees relative to each other to support various patient body positions. Person support apparatus  1000  includes a head end  30 , a mid-section  32 , a foot end  34 , and left  43  and right  45  lateral sides as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this illustrative implementation, the patient support top  1018  is configured to support a patient lying in a lateral position (or supine position) and patient support top  1042  is configured to support the patient lying in a prone position. 
     Tower base  1012  supports main brackets  1014 ,  1016  for controlled translatable movement along vertical (i.e., raising, lowering and tilting when the table  1000  is in the orientation shown in  FIG. 8 ) and rotational movement about an axis  15 . Main brackets  1014 ,  1016  connect the patient support tops  1018 ,  1042  to the tower base  1012  respectively at the head end  30  and the foot end  34  of the person support apparatus  1000  as shown in  FIG. 8  to provide adaptable support to surgical patient. Each main bracket  1014 ,  1016  connects to a connection bar  1021  that is attached to the respective elevator tower  1028 ,  1029  of the tower base  1012  by a mounting post  41  for controlled rotation. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , main brackets  1014 ,  1016  each illustratively include a pair of main rails  1020 ,  1022  attached to the connection bar  1021  and a prone bracket  1024  coupled to one of the main rails  1020 ,  1022 . In the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 , the main rails  1020 ,  1022  illustratively extend vertically and attach to opposite ends of the connection bar  1021 . Each main rail  1020 ,  1022  attaches to the connection bar  1021  by receiving a connection pin  1061  inserted through the connection bar  1021  and through an attachment hole  1062  of each main rail  1020 ,  1022 . 
     The main rails  1020 ,  1022  each illustratively include a connection shelf  1050  for connection with the prone bracket  1024 . Thus, bracket  1024  can be mounted to rail  1020  on one side of table  100  or to rail  1022  on the other side of table  1000 . The connection shelves  1050  are each illustratively formed as a protrusion extending from the respective main rail  1020 ,  1022  and defining a first surface  1052  facing in an upward direction (in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 ) and a second surface  1054  facing in a direction opposite to the first surface  1052 . The first and second surfaces  1052 ,  1054  each have an attachment hole  1056  defined therein to receive a connection pin  1061  for attachment of the prone bracket  1024  to shelves  1050  of the respective rail  1020 ,  1022  of bracket  1020 . 
     The prone brackets  1024  of each main bracket  1014 ,  1016  are configured for connection to patient support top  1042 . In the illustrative implementation shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, prone brackets  1024  are selectively coupled to one of the main rails  1020 ,  1022  and extend laterally therefrom (in the orientation as shown in  FIG. 9 ). Each prone bracket  1024  illustratively includes a main body  1026  extending vertically (in the orientation as shown in  FIG. 9 ) between opposite ends  1028 ,  1030 , a pair of rail arms  1032 ,  1034  extending from the opposite ends  1028 ,  1030  for connection with one of the main rails  1020 ,  1022 , and a pair of support legs  1036 ,  1038  that extend from the main body  1026  in a direction opposite from the rail arms  1032 ,  1034  towards a prone connection end  1044 . 
     Rail arms  1032 ,  1034  illustratively connect with one of the main rails  1020 ,  1022  via connection pin  1061  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The rail arms  1032 ,  1034  illustratively extend from the main body  1026  parallel to each other and include a brace  1033  attached between the rail arms  1032 ,  1034 . The rail arms  1032 ,  1034  are illustratively spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the first and second surfaces  1052 ,  1054  of the connection shelves  1050  to engage or abut at least one of the respective surface  1052 ,  1054  upon connection with the main bracket rails  1020 ,  1022 . Each rail arm  1032 ,  1034  illustratively includes an attachment hole  1048  penetrating therethrough on an end positioned away from the main body  1026 . A user can engage the rails arms  1032 ,  1034  with the surfaces  1052 ,  1054 , respectively, and align the attachment holes  1048  of each rail arm  1032 ,  1034  with the attachment holes  1056  of the surfaces  1052 ,  1054  of the respective connection shelf  1050  to receive a connection pin  1061  inserted therethrough to connect the prone bracket  1024  to one of the main arms  1020 ,  1022  of bracket  1020 . 
     Support legs  1036 ,  1038  illustratively extend from the main body  1026  and terminate at the respective connection ends  1044  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Each support leg  1036 ,  1038  illustratively includes a stem  1040  attached to the main body  1026  and extending in an inclined manner, mostly in the vertical direction (in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 ) and a branch  1041  attached to the stem  1040  and extending therefrom mostly in the horizontal direction (again, in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 ) to the connection end  1044 . In the illustrative embodiment, the stems  1040  of each leg support  1036 ,  1038  of the same prone bracket  1024  illustratively extend from opposite ends  1028 ,  1030  of the main body  1026  in opposing directions. The connection ends  1044  illustratively define a connection space  1058  therebetween for receiving a prone pin tube  53  of the prone patient support top  1042 . 
     Each branch  1041  of the support legs  1036 ,  1038  illustratively includes an attachment hole  1046  defined therein and penetrating therethrough in the vertical direction (in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 ). A user can align the prone pin tube  53  with the attachment holes  1046  and insert the connection pin  1061  therethrough to connect the prone patient support top  1042  to the prone bracket  1024 . The prone patient support top  1042  is thus illustratively supported with a generally perpendicular orientation relative to patient support top  1018  to accommodate positioning of a patient&#39;s body between lateral and prone positions as described above. 
     In the illustrative implementation shown in  FIG. 9 , main brackets  1014 ,  1016  each attach to a respective end of the patient support tops  1018 ,  1042 . The main rails  1020 ,  1022  illustratively extend parallel and in spaced apart relation to each other from attachment with the connection bar  1021  to a connection end  1064 . Main rails  1020 ,  1022  each illustratively include an attachment hole  1066  penetrating therethrough and extending between lateral sides  43 ,  45  for receiving a connection pin  1061  therethrough to attach the patient support  1018  with the main brackets  1014 ,  1016 . 
     A connection slot  1068  is defined at the distal end of each main rail  1020 ,  1022  on an interior side  1070  thereof. The connection slots  1068  are illustratively embodied as recesses formed in the interior side  1070  and extending generally straight for a length from the connection end  1064 . Attachment holes  1066  communicate with respective slots  1068 . In the illustrative implementation, the length of extension of connection slots  1068  is oriented generally vertically (in the orientation of the main brackets  1014 ,  1016  shown in  FIG. 9 ) to allow ends of a pin tube  39  of the patient support  1018  to be received therein so as to be aligned with the attachment holes  1066  to receive the connection pin  1061  therethrough. 
     The connection slots  1068  receive the ends of the pin tube  39  when aligned with the attachment holes  1066  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). By arranging the connections slots  1068  to extend generally vertically (in the orientation as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), the pin tube  39  is blocked against resting within the connection slots  1068  without a connection pin  1061  inserted through each of the attachment holes  1066  and the pin tube  1068  in at least some positions of the surgical support  1000 , and preferably most positions of surgical support  1000 , and more preferably all positions of surgical support  1000 . For example, the connection slots  1068  are illustratively arranged at 5 degrees from vertical, but in some embodiments may be arranged with any angle from about negative (−) 89 to about 89 degrees from vertical in the orientation as shown in  FIG. 9 . This arrangement can reduce the risk of the patient support  1018  falling due to misperception by a user that a connection pin  1061  is inserted through each of the attachment holes  1066  and the pin tube  39  by eliminating an unstable rest condition between the pin tube  39  and the main bracket  1014 ,  1016 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , a distance d 1  is defined between the centerlines of the mounting post  41  and the connection pin  1061  extending through the attachment holes  1066  of the main bracket  1014 ,  1016  and a distance  62  is defined between the centerlines of the mounting post  41  and the connection pin  1061  extending through the attachment holes  1046  of the prone bracket  1024 . In the illustrative implementation, the distance d 1  is less than the distance  62  such that mistaken attachment of the patient support  1018  to the prone bracket  1024  (instead of to the connection end  1044  of the main rails  1020 ,  1022 ) causes interference between the patient support top  1018  and the base  1012 , more specifically causes a frame  1074  of the patient support top  1018  to contact a cross bar  1075  of the base tower  1012  when the prone brackets  1024  are rotated between about the about five (5) o&#39;clock and about seven (7) o&#39;clock positions relative to the axis  15 , to discourage attachment of the patient support top  1018  with the prone bracket  1024 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in embodiments where the column actuator  321  includes an electric motor, the column actuator  321  may be communicatively coupled to an electronic controller  382 . The electronic controller  382  includes a processor and a memory storing computer readable and executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, facilitate operation of the column actuator  321 . In particular, the electronic controller  382  sends a signal to the at least one column actuator  321  to raise or lower the forward column  322  and/or the rearward column  324  in the vertical direction. A user input  384  is communicatively coupled to the electronic controller  382 . The user input  384  includes a device that allows a user to input various parameters into the electronic controller  382  to facilitate operation of the person support apparatus  300 . For example, a healthcare professional may utilize the user input  384  to send a signal to the electronic controller  382  to command the at least one actuator  321  to raise or lower the forward column  322  and/or the rearward column  324  in the vertical direction. In embodiments, the user input  384  may include various user input devices, including, but not limited to, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), keyboards, pendants, or the like. Similar to the person support apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , other elements (e.g., actuators) of the persons support apparatus  300  of  FIG. 5  may also be controlled to move any number of components of the person support apparatus  300  in a similar manner. The controller  382  may also control a second actuator  380  to control the actuator  380  to move other component(s) of the person support apparatus  300 , such as to rotate the longitudinal frame  125  to a patient prone position, a patient supine position or any position in between, to angle the patient (or part of the patient) out of a horizontal position or to otherwise position a patient or one or more components of the persons support apparatus  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the controller  382  (or another controller) may also monitor for one or more components to be attached to the persons support apparatus  300  and/or properly configured on the person support apparatus. If the controller  382  fails to detect a component or detects that the component is installed incorrectly, the controller may disable one or more functionalities of the person support apparatus  300  or issue an alarm via the user interface. In one implementation, for example, the controller  382  is communicatively coupled to one or more components  388  of the person support apparatus  300  (e.g., one of the attachment components or a sensor) to detect the presence of the components  388  attached to the apparatus  300  and/or the correct installation of the components. 
     In one implementation, for example, the controller  382  is communicatively coupled (e.g., wired or wirelessly) to the components and detects their installation. A component (e.g., safety straps, patient safety support or the like) may include an RFID transmitter adapted to communicate with the controller  382 . In this implementation, the controller  382  receives a signal from the RFID transmitter when the component  388  is installed. Each component  388  may, for example, include a unique RF identifier so that the controller can distinguish between components coupled to the person support apparatus. Although RFIDs are described, other wired or wireless communications devices adapted to communicate with the controller  382  are also contemplated. A component of the person support apparatus, for example, may include Bluetooth, infrared, USB, Firewire, lightning or any other type of wired or wireless communication device adapted to communicate with the controller  382 . 
     In other implementations, the person support apparatus  300  may include one or more sensors  390  for detecting the presence or absence of one or more components being attached to the apparatus  300 . In this implementation, the controller  382  may also or alternatively be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors  390  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this implementation, the controller  382  determines whether the one or more components are properly attached to the person support apparatus  300 . The sensors for example, may include mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, electromechanical sensors or any other types of sensors. 
     Upon detection of a component, the controller may enable one or more functionalities of the person support apparatus. In the absence of the detection of the component, the controller  382  may similarly disable one or more functionalities of the person support apparatus. 
     In one implementation, for example, a person support apparatus has one or a flat table top, a prone top or a lateral top installed and a patient is on the table. If the controller  382  fails to detect safety straps attached to the table to secure the patient to the table, the controller  382  may disable the table top from tilting or rotating with the patient on the table. 
     The controller  382  may similarly detect that the person support apparatus  300  has a lateral top or prone top installed and a patient is on the support apparatus in a lateral decubitus position. In this instance, the controller  382  also detects the presence of a lateral and prone top and installed safety straps. In response to this determination, the controller  382  may allow the support apparatus  300  to rotate the patient up to 90 degrees only in the direction of the installed prone top. 
     The controller  382  may also detect that the apparatus  300  has a flat top installed and that a patient is on the flat top of the apparatus  382  in a supine position. In this instance, if the controller also detects that a head positioner support, a prone top and a plurality of safety straps are attached and properly installed to the apparatus  300 , the controller  382  may allow a “flip” mode to be engaged and the apparatus is able to be rotated until the patient is turned over. If the controller  382 , however, fails to detect the expected components installed, the controller  382  may disable the “flip” feature and prevent the person support apparatus  300  from rotating the flat top of the apparatus. 
     The controller  382  may also detect that a lateral top is installed on the apparatus  300 . In this instance, the controller  382  may enable a powered leg drop feature of the lateral table but disable a 90 degree rotation feature. 
     These are merely examples of possible features that may be enabled or disabled via a controller of a person support apparatus. By monitoring for the presence or proper connection of one or more components of a person support apparatus and responsively enabling or disabling one or more features or motions of the apparatus  300 , patient safety may be increased while still allowing a full complement of features to be available when the proper components are present and/or installed correctly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an example process  400  for enabling or disabling one or more movement of a person support apparatus is provided. A controller monitors for a signal related to removable component of a person support apparatus in operation  402 . 
     As discussed above, the controller may be adapted to communicate with the at least one removable component and/or a sensor of the person support apparatus adapted to detect the presence and/or absence of the at least one removable component via any wired or wireless communication method. The controller, for example, may include an RFID receiver for receiving an RF identifier from the at least one removable component of the person support apparatus. Similarly, the controller may be adapted to wirelessly communicate with a removable component and/or sensor via a Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared or other wireless communication method. The controller may also be adapted to communicate via a wired communication method, such as a USB communication, a Firewire communication, a lightning communication method or any other wired communications method. 
     In response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present, the controller disables at least one movement of the person support apparatus in operation  404 . Alternatively, or in addition to operation  404 , the controller may, in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present, enable the at least one movement of the person support apparatus in operation  406 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of an example sensor system  500  adapted to detect the absence or presence of one or more removable component of a person support apparatus. In this particular implementation, for example, the sensor system  500  comprises one or more individual sensor devices  502 . The individual sensor device(s)  502  may be coupled to the person support apparatus and/or one or more removable components associated with the person support apparatus. In one implementation, for example, a plurality of sensor devices  502  may be coupled to a person support apparatus generally adjacent to a plurality of locations at which removable components associated with the person support apparatus are adapted to be coupled to the person support apparatus. Each sensor device  502  is adapted to detect and/or identify the presence or absence of at least one removable component associated with the removable component(s). In one implementation, for example, the removable component(s) may include an indicator device adapted to be detected and/or identified by at least one sensor device (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 ). In another implementation, for example, the individual sensor device(s)  502  may be coupled to one or more removable components of a person support apparatus and adapted to detect and/or identify one or more indicators associated with (e.g., coupled to) the person support apparatus. 
     Each sensor device  502 , in this example, comprises one or more inductive coil  504  (e.g., a PCB inductive coil), one or more corresponding inductive sensor  506 , one or more proximity sensor  508  and one or more connector  510 . The one or more inductive coil(s)  504 , for example, may be adapted to detect to one or more indicators disposed on a person support apparatus and/or a removable component of the person support apparatus. A conductive or non-conductive indicator, for example, may be disposed on or otherwise coupled to the person support apparatus and/or removable component of the person support apparatus and affect one or more electrical property, magnetic property or other property associated with the sensor device. Although the particular implementation shown in  FIG. 10  includes an inductive coil  504  and an inductive sensor  506  that are adapted to detect one or more changes in inductance associated with the inductive coil  504 , other sensors utilizing other electrical, magnetic or other properties, such as but not limited to resistance, capacitance, electrical and/or electromagnetic fields or the like may also be used in the sensor device. Similarly, the sensor devices may be adapted to read one or more codes (e.g., RFID codes, barcodes or the like) associated with the person support apparatus and/or the one or more removable component of the person support apparatus. 
     In one particular implementation, for example, each sensor device comprises a plurality of individual sensor elements (collectively,  504 ,  506 ) (e.g., the three individual inductive sensor elements comprising inductive coils  504  and inductive sensors  506  shown in each sensor device  502  of  FIG. 10 ). The plurality of individual sensor elements  504 ,  506  may, for example, individually detect a “digital” or “analog” level of a corresponding electrical, magnetic or other property caused at the sensor due to one or more indicator associated with the opposing person support apparatus and/or removable component of the person support apparatus. Each of the individual sensor elements  504 ,  506  in one implementation, for example, may identify binary or other digit of a code associated with the respective person support apparatus and/or removable component of the person support apparatus being detected. 
     The proximity sensor  508  may further be provided and adapted to determine whether a person support apparatus and/or a removable component associated with the person support apparatus is in proximity such that a code of the apparatus and/or component may be read via the sensor elements  504 ,  506  of the sensor device  502 . In one particular implementation, the proximity sensor  508  may comprise a line-of-sight or other proximity sensor adapted to identify a reference point associated with the removable component(s) and/or person support apparatus or otherwise determine whether the component(s) and/or person support apparatus is in proximity such that a code of the apparatus and/or component may be read via the sensor elements  504 ,  506  of the sensor device  502 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , each sensor device may also include a connector  510  (e.g., wired or wireless connector) adapted to communicatively couple the sensor device(s)  502  to a connector board  512 . The connector board  512  is adapted to communicatively couple to the sensor device(s)  502  via connectors  510  (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) and receive data signals from the sensor device(s)  502 . A plurality of data signal connections are coupled to a multiplexer  514  or other logic structure of the connector board  512 . In this implementation, the connector board  512  further comprises one or more sensors  516  adapted to detect one or more additional conditions related to the person support apparatus and/or one or more removable components associated with the person support apparatus. In one implementation, for example, the sensors  516  may comprise an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial combination unit and/or other sensor adapted to provide data such as, but not limited to, orientation and tilt data) of the person support apparatus and/or removable component(s). Data outputs of the sensors  516  may also be coupled to the input of the multiplexer  514  or other logic structure. The multiplexer  514  or other logic structure may be used to select one or more data signals for transmission via a connector  518  (e.g., wired or wireless) to a controller (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). In a wired communication implementation, for example, a slip ring connector  518  (e.g., 360 degree or other rotation slip ring) or other coupling device may be used to couple the connector board  512  to the controller. By using the multiplexer or other logic structure, such as an I/O expander, the number of wired connections extending through the slip ring connector  518  may be reduced. In other implementations, however, the multiplexer or other logic structure may be omitted if the connector supports the wires or other communications links. 
       FIG. 11  shows a schematic view of an example inductive sensor system  600  communicatively coupled to a component of a person support apparatus, such as a table top  602 . In this particular implementation, for example, a sensor device  604 , such as shown in  FIG. 10 , may be coupled to a bracket  606  or other connector of the person support apparatus and be configured to detect and/or identify one or more removable components of the person support apparatus configured to couple to the bracket  606  or other connector of the person support apparatus. In this example, the sensor device  604  comprises three inductive coil sensor elements  608  disposed on or adjacent to a surface of a bracket  606  of the person support apparatus. The bracket  606  is adapted to support a connector  610 , such as a T-shaped tube  610  as shown in  FIG. 11 , of the removable component that snaps into the bracket or otherwise couples the removable component to the person support apparatus. The connector  610  of the removable component may, for example, be formed out of steel or another conductive material  612  that affects the inductive coil sensors  608  of the sensor device  604  in a first manner when placed in close proximity to a first conductive region  614 . Portions of the connector  610  may also be treated to form one or more second non-conductive region  616  by applying a non-conductive coating, tape, adhesive, layer, wrap or the like over one or more portions of the connector  610 . The one or more second non-conductive region  616  is adapted to alter the inductance or other electrical or magnetic property of the sensor element (e.g., inductive coil and inductive sensor). In another implementation, a conductive material of the connector may be removed from the connector in one or more regions  616  corresponding to a sensor element (e.g., inductive coil) of a corresponding sensor device. In this particular implementation, the presence of the conductive material in a first region  614  may provide a first state detected by the sensor element and the absence of the conductive material may provide a second state in the second region(s)  616 . Similarly, a portion of the conductive material of the connector  610  in one or more regions  616  may be removed and replaced with one or more non-conductive coating, tape, adhesive, layer, wrap or the like. 
       FIG. 13  schematically depicts one example implementation of an inductive coil sensing element  650  in which one or more inductive coils are disposed on an inductive sensing printed circuit board (PCB)  652 . In this particular implementation, an inductive coil diameter size may be tuned for a particular application in order to set a switching distance  654  (proximity of the conductive material before the sensor registers a change in state). An inductive coil with a 20 mm diameter, for example, may provide approximately 7-7.5 mm switching distance in one example. The switching distance  654  in this example may be factored from a surface of the coil on the PCB  652 , through any insulation air/plastics  656 ,  658 , out to where a target  670 , such as a connector or component surface (e.g., patient support table surface) is placed. In one particular implementation, for example, the switching distance  654  may be set at a point in which it can only be sensed if the target  660  removable component (e.g., table top) is mechanically secured/locked to the person support apparatus (e.g., a bracket of the person support apparatus). When adding up a total distance from PCB to the ideal switching point, it may be about 10 mm as an example. 
     In the example implementation shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, a T-shaped tube connector  610  is formed out of a conductive material  612  such as steel (e.g., stainless steel). In this particular example, two regions  616  of the connector opposite two corresponding sensor elements (e.g., inductive coils  608 ) comprise one or more non-conductive material (e.g., non-conductive coating, tape, adhesive, layer, wrap or the like). A third region  614  opposite a third corresponding sensor element  608  comprises a conductive material  612  (e.g., the steel of the connector). Thus, when the connector  610  is coupled to a bracket  606  on which the sensor elements  604  are disposed, the first and second conductive coils  608  of the first and second sensor elements provide a first signal level (e.g., inductance level) corresponding to a first state (corresponding to a non-conductive material detected on corresponding regions of the connector) and the third conductive coil  608  of the third sensor element provides a second signal level (e.g., inductance level) corresponding to a second state (corresponding to a conductive material detected on the corresponding region of the connector). 
     In one particular implementation, the first and second states corresponding to conductive  612  and non-conductive materials sensed near the sensor elements  604  (e.g., inductive coils  608 ) may represent a binary code or other code. The code, in turn, may be used to identify one or more of a plurality of different removable components of a person support apparatus. Thus, in the example shown in  FIG. 11  in which three different inductive coil sensor elements  608  are disposed on a bracket  606  or other region of the person support apparatus, up to eight different removable components per sensor element  604  may be assigned different codes based on the materials used on the connector and identified by identifying the corresponding code (000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, 111). Any number of components may be similarly identified by varying the number of sensor elements in a sensor device. Also, binary code is only one example of a code and other code types or identifiers are also contemplated. A near field communications (NFC) device may also be used to read component identifiers, such as passive or active tags or stickers. Further codes may be subject to encryption for security purposes. 
       FIG. 12  shows another implementation of a sensor device  700  configured to determine the presence or absence of a removable component, such as a pad or table top of a person support apparatus, as well as also detect additional information, such as but not limited to tilt, orientation, pressure mapping, temperature, patient movement, timing and the like. As shown in  FIG. 12 , for example, a first set of sensors connect when a clamp (e.g., holding the removable component to the person support apparatus) is fully engaged (e.g., clamped) into place and the removable component is secured to the person support apparatus. In one particular implementation, a battery management system (BMS)  704  and controller  706  (e.g., a microcontroller) are active, but in an energy efficient sleep state. When an accelerometer, proximity or other sensor  708  detects movement, it can alert the controller  706  and/or BMS  704  (e.g., via an interrupt state change) to wake up and look for sensor data. A material sensor  710 , for example, is configured to detect an identifier  712  (e.g., a metallic region, such as a strip, shape, layer, coating or the like) disposed on the removable component. In an imaging application, for example, the identifier  712  may comprise a conductive identifier  714  disposed on a non-conductive (e.g., carbon fiber, polymer, plastic or the like) portion of the removable component that may be outside an imaging region so as to reduce the likelihood of interference with an imaging device. In this manner, the non-conductive region of the component may be disposed within an imaging region and the conductive region corresponding to the identifier may be disposed outside of a likely imaging region in use so as to reduce the likelihood of interfering with the imaging device. In other implementations, for example, other identifiers may include non-conductive materials, combinations of conductive and non-conductive materials, color (e.g., unique color identifiers), light reflection and/or proximity, magnetic identifiers (e.g., a reed or Hall Effect switch) or the like. A communication port  716  (e.g., a wireless port such as a Bluetooth port or a wired port such as an USB port) may also be used to provide communications between the sensor device  700  and another system. 
     It should now be understood that systems and processes of controlling a movement or function of a person support apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, for example, a system includes a person support apparatus adapted to support a patient. The person support apparatus comprising a controller adapted to communicatively couple with at least one removable component of the person support apparatus. The controller is adapted to determine the absence or presence of the at least one removable component. In response to the determination, the controller is further adapted to disable at least one movement of the person support apparatus in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present or enable the at least one movement in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present. In another embodiment, a process of enabling or disabling at least one movement of a person support apparatus is provided. In this embodiment, the process includes: using a processor adapted to communicate with at least one removable component of a person support apparatus; determining the presence or absence of the at least one removable component of the person support apparatus; in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is not present, disabling at least one movement of the person support apparatus or in response to a determination that the at least one removable component is present enabling the at least one movement. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.