Techniques For Power Transfer Through Wheels Of A Patient Support Apparatus

A patient support apparatus for interacting with an energizable power transfer device, said patient support apparatus comprising:

• a support structure having a base and a patient support surface for a patient;
• an energy storage device operatively attached to said support structure;
• and
• a wheel coupled to said base to facilitate movement of said patient support apparatus over a floor surface relative to the power transfer device, said wheel having a power receiver integrated therewith and disposed in electrical communication with said energy storage device, said power receiver of said wheel being configured to interact with the power transfer device to facilitate power transfer from the energized power transfer device to said power receiver through said wheel to provide transferred power to said energy storage device.