Dual patient support control system

A medical device control system for controlling a first patient support having a first articulated frame and a second patient support having a second articulated frame, the medical device control system comprising:

• a housing;
• a frame control input device coupled to the housing and configured to generate an input signal in response to activation by a user;
• and
• a selector coupled to the housing and configured to be placed in any one of at least three modes of operation including a first mode of operation which places the input device in communication with the first patient support, a second mode of operation which places the input device in communication with the second patient support, and a third mode of operation which places the input device in communication with both the first patient support and the second patient support.

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a first patient support including a first frame having a plurality of first frame sections movable relative to each other to position the first frame in a plurality of different frame configurations, and a first frame drive mechanism configured to drive the first frame in motion;
• a second patient support table including a second frame having a plurality of second frame sections movable relative to each other to position the second frame in a plurality of different frame configurations, the second frame positioned longitudinally adjacent to the first frame, and a second frame drive mechanism configured to drive the second frame in motion;
• and
• a controller coupled to both the first patient support and the second patient support and configured to activate simultaneously both the first frame drive mechanism and the second frame drive mechanism.

A patient support system comprising:

• a first articulated frame defining a first longitudinal axis;
• a first frame drive operably coupled to the first articulated frame and configured to drive the first articulated frame in motion;
• a second articulated frame defining a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second articulated frame configured for articulating movement independently from the first articulated frame;
• a second frame drive operably coupled to the second articulated frame and configured to drive the second articulated frame in motion;
• a user input device operably connected to the first and second frame drives;
• and
• a multiple unit control device in communication with the user input device and the first and second frame drives, the multiple unit control device configured to control simultaneous movement of the first and second articulated frames through first and second paths of travel to first and second desired frame configurations, the multiple unit control device having a synchronization device configured to synchronize movement of the first and second articulated frames such that the configurations of the first and second articulated frames are maintained substantially the same throughout the first and second paths of travel.

A patient support system comprising:

• a first articulated frame defining a first longitudinal axis;
• a first frame drive coupled to the first articulated frame and configured to drive the first articulated frame in motion;
• a second articulated frame defining a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second articulated frame configured for articulating movement independently from the first articulated frame;
• a second frame drive coupled to the second articulated frame and configured to drive the second articulated frame in motion;
• a frame control input device operably coupled to the first and second frame drives and configured to generate an input signal;
• and
• a selector in communication with the frame control input device and configured to be placed in any one of at least three modes of operation including a first mode of operation which places the input device in communication with the first frame drive, a second mode of operation which places the input device in communication with the second frame drive, and a third mode of operation which places the input device in communication with both the first frame drive and the second frame drive.

A method of moving first and second patient supports in substantially synchronized motion, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first patient support including a first articulated frame, the first articulated frame including a plurality of movable sections and defining a first longitudinal axis;
• providing a second patient support including a second articulated frame, the second articulated frame including a plurality of movable sections and defining a second longitudinal axis;
• placing the first patient support and the second patient support proximate each other such that the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis;
• simultaneously driving in motion both the first articulated frame and the second articulated frame to first and second desired frame configurations;
• and
• synchronizing movement of the first and second articulated frames such that the first desired frame configuration is substantially the same as the second desired frame configuration.

A medical device control system for controlling a first patient support having a first articulated frame and a second patient support having a second articulated frame, the medical device control system comprising:

• means for generating an input signal in response to activation by a user;
• means for generating a control signal in response to the input signal;
• and
• means for simultaneously driving the first and second articulated frames to first and second desired frame configurations in response to the control signal.