POWERED PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS

摘要

Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

主权项

1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
a base; a plurality of wheels coupled to the base; a spherical wheel coupled to the base; a motor adapted to drive the spherical wheel; a litter having a patient support surface adapted to support a patient; a lift coupled between the base and the litter, the lift adapted to change a height of the litter with respect to the base; a force sensing system adapted to detect forces exerted by a user; and a controller adapted to control the motor and to drive the spherical wheel based upon forces detected by the force sensing system.