Devices, systems, and methods are described including a wearable lift device including a flexible material having a shape sufficient to encircle a portion of a subject's body; a fastener configured to secure the flexible material around the portion of the subject's body; at least one lift attachment element associated with the flexible material at one or more lift attachment sites, the at least one lift attachment element configured to attach the wearable lift device to a lift apparatus; a load sensor associated with at least one of the one or more lift attachment sites or along a load path between the one or more lift attachment sites; a microcontroller including circuitry configured to receive and process information regarding the measured load; and a reporting device operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to transmit one or more signals indicative of the processed information regarding the measured load.

Various implementations of a patient monitoring assembly may be useful in preventing pressure ulcers, monitoring of air cushion inflation, estimating physical activity and energy expenditure and managing body weight of a patient seated on the assembly. The patient monitoring assembly may be installed on a manual or powered wheelchair, for example, and continuously monitors and provides feedback to the patient and/or caregiver about whether the patient is engaging in pressure relief activities while seated on a cushion of the assembly, whether the patient's activities are in accordance with clinical guidelines for pressure relief, the amount of calories expended over a period of time and the weight and weight distribution of the patient seated on the assembly. The feedback may be provided in substantially real time via an interface on the wheelchair and/or via a remotely located computing device.

An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.

A braking system for a patient support apparatus includes a caster wheel assembly. The caster wheel assembly includes a caster wheel and manually operable brake operable to brake the caster wheel. The caster wheel assembly further includes a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake to move between three positions, wherein said three positions include a braking position, an un-braked position, and a steer lock position. The braking system further includes an electrically powered actuator mechanically coupled to the manual brake activation handle or pedal and to the manually operable brake. When powered, the electrically powered actuator is operable to move the manually operable brake and to move the manual brake activation handle or pedal between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in a braking mode, an un-braked mode, or a steer lock mode. And, when the actuator is unpowered, the manual brake activation handle or pedal is operable to be manually moved between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in the braking mode, the un-braked mode, or the steer lock mode.

An adjustable bed having a mattress support platform and a fixed frame base with wheels. A lift mechanism interconnects the mattress support platform and the fixed frame base to displace the mattress support platform between a fully collapsed position and a fully elevated position. The lift mechanism includes leg members pivotally connected with the fixed frame base and with the mattress support platform. A force multiplying actuating linkage interconnects an actuator and the fixed frame base. The actuating linkage includes a driving link and an intermediate link. The driving link has a first end pivotally mounted to the fixed frame base and a second end pivotally connected to the actuator. The intermediate link is pivotally connected to the driving link, and is pivotally engaged with one of the leg members and a stabilizing link. The stabilizing link interconnects one of the leg members and the fixed frame base.

According to embodiments, an overhead lift includes a lift actuator; and a control system communicatively coupled to the lift actuator. The control system may include a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions and at least one transceiver communicatively coupling the control unit to at least one of a computer, a network, and a data storage device. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine at least one operating characteristic of the overhead lift and an operating time of the overhead lift as the overhead lift is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the overhead lift based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and upload the accumulated load-time parameter to at least one of the computer, the network, and the data storage device.

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.

A system for supporting or positioning a patient before, during, or after a medical procedure can include a platform configured to support at least a portion of a patient. A support column can be positioned beneath the platform. A base can be positioned beneath the support column and configured to support the support column. The base can include at least one drive wheel configured to contact a ground surface and move the platform with respect to the ground surface. A drive assist user interface module can be operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be configured to permit an operator of the system to selectively control movement of the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be part of or be attached to an attachment that includes a plate having a top surface. In one configuration, the top surface of the plate can be configured to extend parallel with a top surface of the platform when the attachment is attached to the platform.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure comprising a base, a patient support surface, and a reference sensor arranged to sense inclination of the support structure. A drive system is coupled to the support structure and operable to propel the patient transport apparatus. A handle assembly is operable by a user to control operation of the drive system. The handle assembly comprises a handle movable relative to the base and a position sensor arranged to sense positioning of the handle. A controller is coupled to the reference sensor and the position sensor, and is adapted to control the drive system in response to signals received from the reference sensor and the position sensor.

A powered wheelchair is operated by sensor-based control pads that include force transducers to produce a variable output signal that is proportional to a varying force applied. The control pad provides an analog-type output that provides a variable speed signal to a controller to operate the wheelchair at a variable speed in both forward/reverse directions and in right or left turning directions.