Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include 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 powered ambulance cot and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame and legs, each leg having a wheel. An actuator of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.

In one embodiment, a rolling transport cot may include an elongate frame, one or more support linkages, an arcuate coupling member, and a swivel caster. The one or more support linkages may include a pivoting link that is in rotatable engagement with the elongate frame, a traveling link that is in sliding and rotatable engagement with the elongate frame, and an equalizing link that is in rotatable engagement with the traveling link. The arcuate coupling member can be in rotatable engagement with the pivoting link and the equalizing link. The swivel caster may include a wheel that rotates along a surface and a swivel mechanism that can rotate around an axis that is aligned with the surface at a swivel angle φ. When the traveling link is urged along the elongate frame, the swivel angle φ of the swivel mechanism can be substantially constant.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

A patient trolley configured for transporting a patient to a target modality includes a top portion having a top surface and an overhang area along at least one side of the top portion, a bottom portion supporting the top portion, and a side rail coupled to the top portion for movement between a deployed position and a stowed position. The patient trolley is configured to dock adjacent the target modality such that the overhang area is capable of extending over at least a portion of the target modality. The patient trolley may be combined with a patient transfer device to facilitate transfer of a patient from the top surface of the patient trolley to the patient support surface of the target modality. Methods of docking the patient trolley adjacent a target modality and transferring a patient from the patient trolley to the target modality are also provided.

A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. The patient transport apparatus also includes a first and a second caster assembly respectively coupled to the support structure to facilitate movement of the support structure along a floor surface, with the first caster assembly comprising a first brake assembly and the second caster assembly comprising a second brake assembly. The patient transport apparatus also includes an actuator assembly operatively coupling the first and second brake assemblies, with the actuator assembly comprising a first and second actuator respectively operatively coupled to the first and second brake assemblies. The actuator assembly further comprises a cable assembly interconnecting the first and second actuator that places the operatively coupled first and second brake assemblies in the braked state or the unbraked state.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. A wheel drive system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel to rotate the auxiliary wheel relative to the base at a rotational speed. A throttle assembly having a throttle operably coupled to the actuator. The throttle is movable in a first position, a second position, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel changes in a non-linear manner with respect to movement of the throttle.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, operating table, stretcher, or the like, includes a control panel with multiple controls for controlling functions of the patient support apparatus. A control system disables at least a first control and changes an illumination state of a backlight when the patient support apparatus is in a particular state. In some embodiments, the particular state is the arming of an exit detection system and/or the deactivation of a brake on the patient support apparatus. The particular state may also or alternatively be tied to a particular mode of the patient support apparatus, such as a diagnostic mode, a maintenance mode, and/or a normal mode. The control system may also never illuminate a first icon on the patient support apparatus if it was initially configured in a particular manner, such as being intended for sale in a particular geographic market.

A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure comprising base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. The apparatus also includes at least one caster assembly coupled to the support structure, with each one of the caster assemblies comprising a wheel, a wheel support coupled to the wheel, and a steer lock assembly movable relative to the wheel support. An actuator is operatively coupled to the steer lock assembly to move the steer lock assembly between a non-steer locked and steer locked state to permit or prevent the wheel support and coupled wheel from swiveling about a swivel axis. The caster assemblies can also include a brake assembly coupled to the wheel, with the actuator operatively coupled to the brake assembly to move the brake assembly between a braked and unbraked state.