Patient support with energy transfer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10561551-B2
Application number	US-201615040593-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 10, 2016
Priority date	Jun 28, 2006
Publication date	Feb 18, 2020
Grant date	Feb 18, 2020

Abstract

A patient support including a base; a patient support surface supported by the base; an electrically powered device; a rechargeable power storage device for powering the electrically powered device; and a receiving coil electrically coupled to the rechargeable power supply for inductive coupling with a transmitting coil. The receiving coil is for recharging the rechargeable power supply when the receiving coil is inductively coupled to the transmitting coil.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A patient support system comprising:
a patient support apparatus having an electrically powered device or electrically powered subsystem and an electrical circuit including a receiving coil for powering said electrically powered device or electrically powered subsystem; and
a transmitting coil for inductively coupling and transferring electrical energy to said receiving coil when said receiving coil is in proximity to said transmitting coil.

2. The patient support system according to claim 1 , wherein said patient support apparatus includes an electrically powered subsystem, said electrically powered subsystem comprising a mattress, and said mattress including at least one device chosen from a group consisting of a blower, a pump, a valve actuator, a sensor, a control circuit, and a battery.

3. The patient support system according to claim 2 , wherein said receiving coil is mounted to said mattress.

4. The patient support system according to claim 1 , wherein said patient support apparatus includes a base and a frame supported by said base, said frame for supporting a mattress or a pad.

5. The patient support system according to claim 4 , wherein said receiving coil is mounted to said frame.

6. The patient support system according to claim 1 , wherein said transmitting coil transfers power and data to said receiving coil.

7. The patient support system according to claim 1 , further comprising an alignment structure to align said receiving coil with said transmitting coil.

8. The patient support system according to claim 7 , wherein said alignment structure comprises alignment structures on housings for said coils.

9. The patient support system according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator to move one of said coils between an extended position and a retracted position.

10. The patient support system according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller, said controller configured to detect when said coils are aligned or inductively coupled with each other.

11. The patient support system according to claim 10 , wherein said controller is configured to initiate a signal in response to a status of the inductive coupling.

12. The patient support system according to claim 11 , wherein said signal comprises a message to an off-board controller regarding the status of the inductive coupling.

13. The patient support system according to claim 11 , said patient support apparatus including a rechargeable battery, said electrical circuit for recharging said battery, and said signal indicating when said rechargeable battery is charged.

14. The patient support system according to claim 1 , further comprising an indicator at said patient support apparatus, said indicator providing a human-perceptible signal to a caregiver when said coils are aligned or inductively coupled.

15. The patient support system according to claim 14 , wherein said indicator comprises a light or an image on a display screen.

16. A patient support apparatus comprising:
a base;
a frame supported by said base;
an electrically powered device or electrically powered subsystem; and
an electrical circuit including a receiving coil for powering said electrically powered device or electrically powered subsystem, said receiving coil for inductively coupling and receiving electrical energy from a transmitting coil when said receiving coil is in proximity to the transmitting coil.

17. The patient support apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising an alignment structure for aligning said receiving coil with the transmitting coil.

18. The patient support apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising a controller, said controller configured to detect when said receiving coil aligned or inductively coupled with the transmitting coil.

19. The patient support apparatus according to claim 18 , further comprising a brake, said controller only allowing inductively coupling when said brake is activated.

20. The patient support apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising an actuator, said actuator configured to automatically move said receiving coil to an extended position when said brake is activated.

21. The patient support apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said patient support apparatus comprises a chair, a bed, a stretcher, a cot, or a surgical table.

22. The patient support apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said receiving coil inductively receives electrical energy from one or more transmitting coils that occupy a greater area than said receiving coil.

Assignees

• Stryker Corp

Inventors

• Lambarth Clifford Edwin
• Souke Chad Conway
• Hayes Michael Joseph
• Furman Aaron Douglas
• Plante Martin

Classifications

• A61G3/029

  by powered support · CPC title

• A61G2203/42

  for inclination · CPC title

• A61G2205/60

  using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags · CPC title

• A61G3/0875

  Securing stretchers, e.g. fastening means · CPC title

• A61G7/1046

  Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels · CPC title