Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure and a patient support surface. Caster assemblies are coupled to the support structure to roll about a roll axis and swivel about a swivel axis. A control system is configured to control brake mechanisms, steer-lock mechanisms, and pre-swivel mechanisms of the caster assemblies based on one or more inputs.

A personal mobility device may provide mobility assistance to a user, such a user having a disability or impairment. The personal mobility device may comprise autonomous or semi-autonomous functions permitting navigation and maneuvering within complex and dynamic environments. The personal mobility device may be operable to maneuver within an interior or exterior environment. The personal mobility device may utilize navigational data for autonomous or semi-autonomous functions.

Powered patient support apparatusessuch as beds, cots, stretchers, or the likeinclude a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, or the like, include control systems with one or more image, radar, and/or laser sensors to detect objects and determine if a likelihood of collision exists. If so, the control system controls the speed and steering of the patient support apparatus in order to reduce the likelihood of collision. The control system may be adapted to autonomously drive the patient support apparatus, to transmit a message to a remote device indicating whether it is occupied by a patient or not, and/or to transmit its route to the remote device. The remote device may determine an estimate of a time of arrival of the patient support apparatus at a particular destination and/or determine a distance of the patient support apparatus from the particular destination.

Systems for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus are provided and include user input control device that includes a mode switch selectable between a longitudinal transport mode and a multidirectional mode and a driving assist device actuatable between at least one engaged state and a non-engaged state. The mode switch generates signals based on the selected mode and the driving assist device generates engaged or non-engaged signals which are received by a controller. The controller is configured to generate an output signal sent to a lift actuator, swivel actuator, and/or a powered drive system to assist a user in propelling the apparatus in a desired manner.

A person support apparatus includes a base, wheels, a drive system, a support surface, a lift system, and a control. The control controls the drive system in response to forward/reverse forces applied thereto, and also controls the lift system in response to upward or downward forces applied thereto. In some embodiments, a controller compares a magnitude of the forward/reverse force to a magnitude of the upward/downward force and commands the drive system to drive the wheels if the magnitude of the forward/reverse force exceeds the magnitude of the upward/downward force. The control may include a user-engageable portion that is constructed to not move with respect to a force sensor when forward or reverse forces are applied to the user-engageable portion. The controller controls the drive system in response to the forward or reverse forces applied to the user-engageable portion.

Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, or the like, include control systems with one or more image, radar, and/or laser sensors to detect objects and determine if a likelihood of collision exists. If so, the control system controls the speed and steering of the patient support apparatus in order to reduce the likelihood of collision. The control system may be adapted to autonomously drive the patient support apparatus, to transmit a message to a remote device indicating whether it is occupied by a patient or not, and/or to transmit its route to the remote device. The remote device may determine an estimate of a time of arrival of the patient support apparatus at a particular destination and/or determine a distance of the patient support apparatus from the particular destination.

Techniques for a patient support apparatus are provided to assist in transferring power/data to an external electronic device, such as a smartphone. The patient support apparatus comprises a support structure, a power supply and a portable charging device. The charging device comprises an energy storage unit and a receiving element coupled to the energy storage unit. The receiving element is configured to wirelessly receive power. A receptacle is coupled to the support structure and comprises a surface including a sending element being coupled to the power supply. The surface is configured to receive the charging device. The charging device is removable from the surface. The sending element is configured to wirelessly transfer power to the receiving element of the charging device such that the energy storage unit of the charging device stores the transferred power for charging an external electronic device.

Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.