Patient support apparatus with physical therapy system

Abstract

A patient support apparatus configured to enable an occupant of the patient support apparatus to perform a physical therapy routine while being supported by the patient support apparatus.

1 . A patient support apparatus for providing physical therapy to an occupant, the patient support apparatus comprising:
 a processor,   a sensor unit operable to sense the position and motion of limbs of the occupant in the patient support apparatus and to transmit information representing the position and motion of the limbs of the occupant to the processor,   a graphical display coupled to the processor and configured to display graphics based upon feedback from the processor,   a memory device coupled to the processor and containing information representing an idealized set of positions and motions of limbs of an occupant to be achieved by the occupant while performing a physical therapy routine,   wherein the processor is configured to update the graphical display based upon (i) the information representing the position and motion of the limbs of the occupant performing the physical therapy routine received from the sensor unit and (ii) a comparison between the information representing the position and motion of limbs of the occupant and the information representing the idealized set of positions and motions of the limbs of an occupant performing a physical therapy routine stored in the memory device.   
     
     
         2 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to update the graphical display to display graphics instructing the occupant to move the limbs of the occupant with at least one of a first speed, a first range of motion, and a first force to progress the physical therapy. 
     
     
         3 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to update the graphical display to display graphics instructing the occupant to move the limbs of the occupant with at least one of a second speed, a second range of motion, and a second force to progress the physical therapy, and the one of the second speed, second range of motion, and second force are determined by the comparison between the information representing the position and motion of limbs of the occupant and the information representing the idealized set of positions and motions of the limbs of an occupant performing a physical therapy routine stored in the memory device. 
     
     
         4 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the information representing the idealized set of positions and motions of limbs of the occupant are based upon a length of a limb of the occupant. 
     
     
         5 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the information representing the idealized set of positions and motions of limbs of the occupant are based upon an age of the occupant. 
     
     
         6 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is wirelessly connected to an assigned patient support apparatus and the sensor unit sounds an audible alarm if the sensor unit is moved to a position outside of a specified range of the assigned patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1  further including at least one physiological sensor, the physiological sensor configured to transmit information representing one of a heart rate, respiration rate, calories burned, and temperature of the occupant to the processor. 
     
     
         8 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit includes a number of weight sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is mounted on a member of the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical display is positioned to be visible to the occupant. 
     
     
         11 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical display is mounted on a member of the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical display is included in the sensor unit. 
     
     
         13 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit includes an image recording device. 
     
     
         14 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit includes at least one accelerometer. 
     
     
         15 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit includes at least one switch, the at least one switch having an inactive and an active position, and the occupant is enabled to move the at least one switch between the inactive position and the active position. 
     
     
         16 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one switch is configured to offer a resistance against moving between the inactive and active position. 
     
     
         17 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resistance offered by the switch is variable. 
     
     
         18 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit includes a radio frequency sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further creates data relating to statistics of the occupant while performing the physical therapy routine, the data stored in the memory device. 
     
     
         20 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the data is automatically transmitted to a computer network of a hospital.