Apparatuses for supporting and monitoring a person

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein related to person support apparatuses and systems, and in particular, to such apparatuses and systems that incorporate or are used with vital signs monitoring devices.

1 . A patient support surface comprising
 a cover defining an interior region,   a support layer situated in the interior region,   a first sensing device situated in the interior region above the support layer,   a second sensing device situated in the interior region beneath the support layer,   wherein the first and second sensors are configured to provide at least one monitoring signal indicative of at least one physiological sign of a patient atop the patient support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises at least one air bladder. 
     
     
         3 . The patient support surface of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one air bladder comprises a turn bladder that is inflated to turn a patient about a central axis extending from a head end to a foot end of the cover toward one of the patient's sides. 
     
     
         4 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one air bladder that is in the interior region and that overlies the support layer and the first and second sensing devices. 
     
     
         5 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor assembly that is located inside the interior region and that is electrically coupled to the first and second sensing devices. 
     
     
         6 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensing device is coupled to a rigid support sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The patient support surface of  claim 6 , wherein the first sensing device is coupled to a rigid support sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensing device is held between a first layer of foam and a second layer of foam. 
     
     
         9 . The patient support surface of  claim 8 , wherein the first layer of foam and the second layer of foam have different durometer hardness values. 
     
     
         10 . The patient support surface of  claim 9 , wherein the first layer of foam and the second layer of foam have durometer hardness values between about 7 lbs ILD and about 78 lbs ILD. 
     
     
         11 . The patient support surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a third sensing device situated in the interior region above the support layer and spaced apart from the first sensing device. 
     
     
         12 . A patient support surface comprising
 a cover with a head end and a foot end defining an interior region,   a first sensing device situated in the interior region near the head end of the cover to underlie a patient's upper body, and   a second sensing device situated in the interior region between the first sensing device and the head end of the cover,   wherein the first and second sensors are configured to provide at least one monitoring signal indicative of at least one physiological sign of a patient atop the patient support surface.   
     
     
         13 . The patient support surface of  claim 12 , further comprising a third sensing device situated in the interior region between the first sensing device and the foot end of the cover, wherein the third sensing device is configured to provide at least one monitoring signal indicative of at least one physiological sign of a patient atop the patient support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The patient support surface of  claim 12 , further comprising an upper inflatable bladder assembly situated in the interior region. 
     
     
         15 . The patient support surface of  claim 14 , wherein the first sensing device is situated above the inflatable bladder assembly and the second sensing device is situated below upper inflatable bladder assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The patient support surface of  claim 15 , further comprising a foam base configured to receive the upper inflatable air bladder assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The patient support surface of  claim 16 , wherein the first sensing device is situated above the foam base and the second sensing device is situated below the foam base. 
     
     
         18 . The patient support surface of  claim 17 , further comprising a third sensing device situated in the interior region above the base, wherein the third sensing device is configured to provide at least one monitoring signal indicative of at least one physiological sign of a patient atop the patient support surface. 
     
     
         19 . The patient support surface of  claim 18 , wherein the third sensing device is situated between the first sensing device and the foot end of the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The patient support surface of  claim 12 , further comprising a processor assembly that is located inside the interior region and that is electrically coupled to the first and second sensing devices.