초록

A patient-support apparatus has a nozzle to provide forced air to the patient. The nozzle is coupled to a siderail or another portion of the patient-support apparatus. The orientation and flow volume of the nozzle is adjustable.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A siderail of a patient-support apparatus, the siderail comprising a main siderail portion including a cavity there within and a nozzle integrated into the main siderail portion such that the nozzle is an essential element of the main siderail portion, at least a portio

The invention claimed is: 1. A siderail of a patient-support apparatus, the siderail comprising a main siderail portion including a cavity there within and a nozzle integrated into the main siderail portion such that the nozzle is an essential element of the main siderail portion, at least a portion of the nozzle being positioned within the cavity, the nozzle being configured to expel air toward a patient on the patient-support apparatus. 2. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is moveable with respect to the siderail to a plurality of orientations along a curved path. 3. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the nozzle provides for the adjustment of the air flow volume. 4. The siderail of claim 1, further comprising a filter to filter the air being expelled. 5. The siderail of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control apparatus to cool the air being expelled. 6. The siderail of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control apparatus to heat the air being expelled. 7. The siderail of claim 1, wherein a source of air is coupled to the patient-support apparatus. 8. The siderail of claim 1, wherein a source of air is coupled to the siderail. 9. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the siderail further comprises user inputs that are used to control functions of the patient-support apparatus. 10. A patient-support apparatus comprising a frame adapted to support a patient thereon, a first structure coupled with the frame and configured to define at least a portion of a perimeter barrier, a second structure including a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion positioned adjacent the patient, the second portion including a cavity therein, and a nozzle integrated into the second portion of the second structure such that the nozzle is an essential element of the second structure, at least a portion of the nozzle being positioned within the cavity, the nozzle being configured to expel air toward the patient on the patient-support apparatus. 11. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nozzle provides for the adjustment of the air flow volume. 12. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a filter to filter the air being expelled. 13. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a temperature control apparatus to cool the air being expelled. 14. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a temperature control apparatus to heat the air being expelled. 15. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the source of air is coupled to the second structure. 16. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the source of air is coupled to the patient-support apparatus. 17. An apparatus for providing air to a patient on a patient-support, the apparatus comprising a source of air including an inlet and an outlet, the source of air providing a flow of air, a filter coupled to the source of air, a temperature control apparatus in communication with the flow of air, a conduit configured to conduct the flow of air, and an adjustable nozzle coupled to the patient-support and in communication with the conduit, the adjustable nozzle being adapted to move along a curved path with respect to the patient-support to a plurality of orientations and configured to direct the flow of air toward a patient supported on the patient-support. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the filter is coupled to the inlet of the source of air. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the temperature control apparatus is a chiller. 20. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the siderail is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. 21. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the nozzle protrudes from the main siderail portion. 22. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes a curved portion that is adapted to interface with the main siderail portion, the curved portion cooperates with the main siderail portion to move the nozzle with respect to the main siderail portion along a curved path. 23. The siderail of claim 1, wherein the main siderail portion includes an opening that defines a plane, the nozzle moving with respect to the main siderail portion along a curved path having a center of curvature located a predetermined distance from the plane. 24. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nozzle includes a curved portion adapted to interface with the second portion of the second structure, the curved portion cooperating with the second portion of the second structure to move the nozzle to a plurality of orientations with respect to the second structure. 25. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nozzle is adapted to move with respect to the second structure to a plurality of orientations along a curved path. 26. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nozzle protrudes from the second portion of the second structure. 27. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second structure includes an opening that defines a plane, the nozzle moving with respect to the second structure along a curved path having a center of curvature located a predetermined distance from the plane. 28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the nozzle includes a curved portion that is adapted to interface with the patient-support, the curved portion cooperates with the patient-support to move the nozzle with respect to the patient-supp oil along a curved path. 29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the nozzle includes a base portion coupled to the patient-support and a protruding portion that protrudes from the patient-support.