An example assistive ambulation system is described herein. The system includes a walker including a base frame, a walker frame attached to the base frame, a plurality of rolling members attached to the base frame, and a hoist attached to the walker. The base frame includes a pair of support members and a base cross member. Each of the support members extends between forward and rearward ends of the walker. Additionally, the pair of support members are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The base cross member extends transversely between the pair of support members. The walker frame includes a pair of bent posts and a walker cross member. Each of the bent posts extends upward from the base frame. Additionally, the pair of bent posts are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The walker cross member extends transversely between the pair of bent posts.

Overhead lift units are disclosed. In one embodiment, an overhead lift unit includes a carriage having wheels engageable with a rail, a lift frame coupled to the carriage such that the lift frame is suspended from the carriage, and a pair of load beams. The lift frame includes a lift strap extending from the lift frame and a pair of connection points extending from the lift frame. Each load beam of the pair of load beams is attached to one connection point of the pair of connection points of the lift frame at an inferior end of the load beam. Each load beam of the pair of load beams is attached to the carriage at a superior end of the load beam. And each load beam of the pair of load beams comprises a strain gauge operable to register a weight supported on the lift strap.

A system and method for positioning an article under a person are provided. The system includes an apparatus having a first cover structure and a second cover structure, each having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is movable in a first direction and the second surface moves in a second opposite direction. A coupling structure couples the first cover structure and the second cover structure, spacing them to enable the article to be positioned therebetween. The first and second directions of the first and second cover structures are substantially aligned. Movement of the first surfaces of the first and second cover structures in the first direction causes the second surfaces of the first and second cover structures to move the article positioned therebetween in the second direction by the second surfaces.

A support structure and method for at least partially elevating a person via a hoist are provided. The support structure is connectable to or forms part of a retention structure secured around a person. At least two connectors are configured for connecting to the hoist, the at least two connectors being located or locatable to enable selection of a first set of positions or a second set of positions at which the hoist is connectable to the support structure. Each of the first set of positions and the second set of positions extend along a span of a longitudinal axis of the retention structure. The span of the second set of positions differs from the span of the first set of positions.

Embodiments described herein are directed to posture assistance devices that may include a motor coupled to a frame, where the frame attaches to a wheelchair. In some cases, the devices include a shaft coupled to the motor, where the motor is configured to rotate the shaft. The devices can also include an extension arm attached to the frame, where the extension arm includes a redirection surface. The extension arm can be selectively adjustable to change the distance between the redirection surface and the shaft. The devices can also include a connection line coupled to the shaft and configured to engage with the redirection surface, such that rotation of the shaft changes a length a fed-out portion of the connection line. The connection line can also include an attachment mechanism that couples the connection line to a user.

There is provided a weight bearing device for being located overhead to support the weight of a load applied to the device in use. Embodiments comprise a reel for winding up or unwinding a support belt for supporting the load, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation. An actuator element is provided for being driven about a second axis of rotation to drive a locking mechanism to lock the reel against unwinding of the support belt when the weight of the load is applied to the support belt. The reel is released by the locking mechanism when the weight of the load is removed from the support belt. Methods for use of the device are also provided.

There is in particular described a hoisting device for a patient lift apparatus, comprising first and second lifting straps configured to selectively lift or lower a patient, first and second winding spools configured to allowing winding or unwinding of the first and second lifting straps, respectively, and a driving arrangement configured to drive the first and second winding spools so as to selectively wind or unwind the first and second lifting straps. The driving arrangement comprises a first electric motor in driving connection with the first winding spool and a second electric motor sin driving connection with the second winding spool, the first and second electric motors being operable in synchronism to wind or unwind the first and second lifting straps. The hoisting device further comprises a first guide roller whose circumferential surface contacts a first side of the first lifting strap and a second guide roller whose circumferential surface contacts a first side of the second lifting strap. Each of the first and second guide rollers is supported by a one-way bearing configured such that each of the first and second guide rollers is forcibly driven into rotation upon unwinding of the associated lifting strap from the associated winding spool and is free to rotate in an opposite direction upon winding of the associated lifting strap onto the associated winding spool. Each of the first and second guide rollers is forcibly driven into rotation upon unwinding of the associated lifting strap from the associated winding spool such that a tangential speed of the circumferential surface of each of the first and second guide rollers is greater than an effective tangential speed at which the associated lifting strap is unwound from the associated winding spool.

Provided is a nursing-care device capable of easily moving a care-requiring person from the nursing-care device to medical/nursing-care equipment arranged at the side of a bed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a bed body having a floor portion at an upper surface, one and the other support bases supporting both ends of the bed body, support rods extending upward of the floor portion, and a lifting/lowering unit configured to lift/lower the bed body and the support rods. A lifting member is attached to the support rods. The support rods are lowered in a case where the bed body is lifted by the lifting/lowering unit, and are lifted in a case where the bed body is lowered. In a case where the support rods are lowered, the lowermost portion of the lifting member is moved to below the floor portion of the bed body.

A lift, a head support, and methods for use thereof for use with a surgical frame are provided. The lift and the head support can be used with the surgical frame that is capable of reconfiguration before, during, or after surgery. The surgical frame can include a main beam that can be rotated, raised/lowered, and tilted upwardly/downwardly to afford positioning and repositioning of a patient supported thereon, and the lift and the head support can be used in lifting the patient from a table/gurney and positioning the patient with respect to the main beam.

A multi-therapeutic patient lift and parallel bars system is disclosed. The multi-therapeutic patient lift and parallel bars system includes a patient lift system that is built into parallel bars, to lift patients who cannot stand. This multi-therapeutic patient lift and parallel bars system combines several devices together, for more room, convenience, decreased clutter, and more available storage with increased ease of moving patients around in an area that could already be crowded.