# US 10,869,792 B2 · Patient support apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,792 B2 - Document ID: US10869792B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/693,722 - Filed: 2017-09-01 - Published: 2018-03-08 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-02 - Assignees: Stryker Corporation - Applicants: Stryker Corporation - Inventors: Lance Erick Larsen; Christopher Ryan Sweeney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869792B2 ## CPC - A61G 5/006: {convertible to stretchers or beds} - A61G 5/14: Standing-up or sitting-down aids - A61G 7/005: tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position {(rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493)} - A61G 7/012: raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame (A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence) - A61G 7/015: divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position - A61G 7/018: Control or drive mechanisms - A61G 7/16: converting a lying surface into a chair - A61H 3/04: Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons - A61G 7/05: Parts, details or accessories of beds (devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 {; mattresses A47C27/00}) - A61G 7/0506: {Head or foot boards (head or foot boards for comfort or ergonomics A47C19/022)} - A61G 7/053: Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, {cane-like supports} - A61G 7/165: {Chair detachable from bed} - A61H 2003/043: {with a drive mechanism} - A61H 2201/0107: modular - A61H 2201/0142: Beds - A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport - A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A modular patient support system for use in ambulating a patient across a floor, comprising a primary module and a secondary module. The primary module has a primary base and a primary deck arranged for movement relative to the primary base, and the primary deck defines a first patient support area. The secondary module has a secondary base adapted for movement along the floor relative to the primary base and a secondary deck arranged for movement relative to the secondary base. The modular patient support system is operable between a docked configuration where the secondary deck cooperates with the primary deck to define a second patient support area larger than the first patient support area, and an undocked configuration where the secondary module is spaced apart from the primary module to facilitate ambulation concurrent with the secondary module across the floor away from the primary module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular patient support system for use in ambulating a patient across a floor, said modular patient support system comprising: a primary patient support module comprising a primary base and a primary support deck arranged for movement relative to said primary base, said primary support deck defining a contiguous first patient support area; and a secondary patient support module comprising a secondary base adapted for movement along the floor relative to said primary base and a secondary support deck arranged for movement relative to said secondary base; where said modular patient support system is operable between: a docked configuration where said secondary support deck cooperates with said primary support deck to define a contiguous second patient support area larger than said contiguous first patient support area, said primary support deck and said secondary support deck being movable relative to each other to support the patient in a plurality of different bed configurations including a knee brake configuration defined with said secondary support deck arranged at a reflex angle relative to an adjacent section of said primary support deck, and an undocked configuration where said secondary patient support module is spaced apart from said primary patient support module to facilitate patient egress from said primary patient support module and ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module across the floor away from said primary patient support module, said secondary support deck being movable relative to said secondary base in said undocked configuration to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an interface arranged between said primary patient support module and said secondary patient support module for operating said modular patient support system between said docked configuration and said undocked configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a coupler operatively attached to one of said primary patient support module and said secondary patient support module, and a receiver operatively attached to the other of said primary patient support module and said secondary patient support module, said coupler securing said receiver when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration to link said secondary patient support module with said primary patient support module for concurrent movement along the floor, wherein interaction of said coupler and said receiver define said interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said coupler includes a coupler connector and said receiver includes a receiver connector, with said coupler connector and said receiver connector abutting one another to facilitate electrical communication between said primary patient support module and said secondary patient support module when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said interface is configured to allow movement of said secondary support deck with respect to said primary support deck when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said interface maintains a predetermined distance defined between said primary support deck and said secondary support deck when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration to facilitate relative movement between said primary support deck and said secondary support deck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said primary patient support module further comprises a primary actuator arranged to move said primary support deck relative to said primary base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said secondary patient support module further comprises a secondary actuator arranged to move said secondary support deck relative to said secondary base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a controller disposed in communication with said primary actuator and with said secondary actuator, wherein said controller is configured to selectively drive said primary actuator and said secondary actuator to cause independent movement of said primary support deck and said secondary support deck. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to drive said primary actuator and said secondary actuator to cause coordinated movement of said primary support deck and said secondary support deck relative to each other and to said primary base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said primary support deck comprises a seat section and a back section being arranged for movement relative to each other and to said primary base, and said primary support deck is movable into a chair configuration defined with said back section arranged at an obtuse angle relative to said seat section when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration to maintain support of the patient in said chair configuration as said modular patient support system moves from said docked configuration to said undocked configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said primary support deck comprises a seat section and a back section arranged for movement relative to each other and to said primary base; and wherein said primary support deck is configured to support the patient with said back section arranged at an obtuse angle relative to said seat section when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration, and to maintain support of the patient with said back section arranged at said obtuse angle relative to said seat section as said modular patient support system moves from said docked configuration to said undocked configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said secondary support deck extends longitudinally between a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being arranged adjacent to said primary support deck in said docked configuration; and wherein movement of said secondary support deck in said undocked configuration moves said proximal end of said secondary support deck longitudinally relative to said secondary base to present a walking access region defined adjacent to said secondary base and arranged to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module. ### Claim 14 A modular patient support system for use in ambulating a patient across a floor, said modular patient support system comprising: a primary patient support module comprising a primary base, a seat section, and a back section, said seat section and said back section being arranged for movement relative to each other and to said primary base, said seat section and said back section defining a contiguous first patient support area; and a secondary patient support module comprising a secondary base and a foot section, said foot section being arranged for movement relative to said secondary base; where said modular patient support system is operable between: a docked configuration where said secondary base moves along the floor concurrently with said primary base and where said foot section cooperates with said seat section and said back section to define a contiguous second patient support area, said foot section and said back section being movable relative to each other and to said seat section in said docked configuration to support the patient in a plurality of different bed configurations including a knee brake configuration defined with said foot section arranged at a reflex angle relative to said seat section, and an undocked configuration where said secondary patient support module is spaced apart from said primary patient support module to facilitate patient egress from said primary patient support module and ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module across the floor away from said primary patient support module, said foot section being movable relative to said secondary base in said undocked configuration to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said seat section and said back section of said primary patient support module are movable between chair configurations when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration, with each of said seat section and said back section being arranged for at least partially supporting the patient in said chair configurations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said primary patient support module further comprises a primary intermediate frame coupled to said primary base and to said seat section and said back section to allow movement of said seat section and said back section relative to said primary base; and wherein said primary patient support module further comprises a primary positioning frame interposed between said primary intermediate frame and said seat section and said back section to allow movement of said seat section and said back section relative to each other and to said primary intermediate frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said primary patient support module is configured to support the patient with said back section arranged at an obtuse angle relative to said seat section when said modular patient support system operates in said docked configuration, and to maintain support of the patient with said back section arranged at said obtuse angle relative to said seat section as said modular patient support system moves from said docked configuration to said undocked configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said foot section extends longitudinally between a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being arranged adjacent to said seat section in said docked configuration; and wherein movement of said foot section in said undocked configuration moves said proximal end of said foot section longitudinally relative to said secondary base to present a walking access region defined adjacent to said secondary base and arranged to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module. ### Claim 19 A modular patient support system for use in ambulating a patient across a floor, said modular patient support system comprising: a primary patient support module comprising a primary base and a primary support deck arranged for movement relative to said primary base, said primary support deck defining a contiguous first patient support area; and a secondary patient support module comprising a secondary base, a secondary support deck arranged for movement relative to said secondary base, and a grip to support the patient for ambulation; where said modular patient support system is operable between: a docked configuration where said secondary support deck cooperates with said primary support deck to define a contiguous second patient support area, said primary support deck and said secondary support deck being movable relative to each other to support the patient in a plurality of different bed configurations including a knee brake configuration defined with said secondary support deck arranged at a reflect angle relative to an adjacent section of said primary support deck, and an undocked configuration where said secondary patient support module is spaced apart from said primary patient support module; said secondary support deck being movable relative to said secondary base when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module and to facilitate access to said grip for supporting the patient for ambulation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said secondary support deck of said secondary patient support module is movable to a stowed configuration when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said grip is arranged for movement relative to said secondary base. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The modular patient support system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said secondary patient support module is shaped to define a walking access region arranged to promote patient ambulation concurrent with said secondary patient support module when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration, wherein said walking access region is arranged at least partially beneath said grip of said secondary patient support module when said modular patient support system is in said undocked configuration.