A patient support apparatus supports a patient and includes a litter. The litter includes a patient support deck and extends longitudinally between first and second ends. The apparatus includes a litter lift device coupled to the litter and configured to raise and lower the patient support deck. The apparatus includes a care station coupled to the litter adjacent one of the first and second ends. The care station includes a docking frame coupled to the litter and defining an angle between the docking frame and the axis. The docking frame is arranged to pivot relative to the litter between a folded position an upright position. The angle in the folded position less than the angle in the upright position. The care station includes a utility module configured for use by a caregiver and arranged to selectively mount to the docking frame.

A patient support apparatus supports a patient and includes a litter. The litter includes a patient support deck and extends longitudinally between first and second ends. The apparatus includes a litter lift device coupled to the litter and configured to raise and lower the patient support deck. The apparatus includes a care station coupled to the litter adjacent one of the first and second ends. The care station includes a docking frame coupled to the litter and defining an angle between the docking frame and the axis. The docking frame is arranged to pivot relative to the litter between a folded position an upright position. The angle in the folded position less than the angle in the upright position. The care station includes a utility module configured for use by a caregiver and arranged to selectively mount to the docking frame.

Mattresses for human stabilization may include a mass of foam material. A cover including a fabric material may at least partially surrounding the mass of foam material. Head blocks including a foam material may be located proximate to one end of the mattress. The fabric material of the cover may at least partially cover the head blocks, and the head blocks may be foldable relative to the mass of foam material to enable the head blocks to be positioned against lateral sides of a person's head. Human stabilization platforms may include a litter having a surface sized and shaped to support a person thereabove. Straps may be configured to restrain a person's head, the straps having releasable connectors at ends thereof. A track may be located on the surface of the litter, and may be configured to receive the connectors to affix the straps to the litter.

Mattresses for human stabilization may include a mass of foam material. A cover including a fabric material may at least partially surrounding the mass of foam material. Head blocks including a foam material may be located proximate to one end of the mattress. The fabric material of the cover may at least partially cover the head blocks, and the head blocks may be foldable relative to the mass of foam material to enable the head blocks to be positioned against lateral sides of a person's head. Human stabilization platforms may include a litter having a surface sized and shaped to support a person thereabove. Straps may be configured to restrain a person's head, the straps having releasable connectors at ends thereof. A track may be located on the surface of the litter, and may be configured to receive the connectors to affix the straps to the litter.

A patient transport apparatus for use with a vehicle, comprising a lift mechanism between a base and a support frame to move between an extended configuration defining a first distance and a retracted configuration defining a second distance. An interface generates a user signal. A sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to force acting on the base relative to the support frame. A controller determines if the user signal corresponds to an extend or retract command; determines if the force acting on the base has exceeded a predetermined threshold value based on the sensor signal; drives the lift mechanism toward the extended configuration where the user signal corresponds to the extend command and toward the retracted configuration where the user signal corresponds to the retract command; and interrupts driving the lift mechanism to stop motion of the lift mechanism in response to the sensor signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

A stretcher comprising a hollow body made in one piece and extending longitudinally is described. In the stretcher there is an upper seat, intended to accommodate a patient in pronated position that includes a flexible bearing plane surrounded by perimetric retaining side walls. The retaining side walls are tilted with respect to the bearing plane and the lower surface of the hollow rigid body include continuous convex curved struts extending at least under the retaining side walls.

A stretcher comprising a hollow body made in one piece and extending longitudinally is described. In the stretcher there is an upper seat, intended to accommodate a patient in pronated position that includes a flexible bearing plane surrounded by perimetric retaining side walls. The retaining side walls are tilted with respect to the bearing plane and the lower surface of the hollow rigid body include continuous convex curved struts extending at least under the retaining side walls.

A transfer mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, an outer stringer and an inner stringer. The top panel has a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The bottom panel has a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge coupled to the perimeter of the top panel. The outer stringer and inner stringer each have a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel and a longitudinal portion that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The inner stringer is positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer.

A transfer mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, an outer stringer and an inner stringer. The top panel has a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The bottom panel has a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge coupled to the perimeter of the top panel. The outer stringer and inner stringer each have a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel and a longitudinal portion that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The inner stringer is positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer.

A stretcher including a flexible base panel sized to support a person lying thereon during a rescue or extrication operation. The base panel includes a header end and an opposite footer end, and further includes a plurality of securement straps coupled to the base panel to help restrain the injured person and prevent further injury that may be caused such as by having the person roll off the sides of the stretcher. The disclosure further relates to a method of deploying the stretcher to access and remove an injured person from a confined area to provide treatment.