A body lifting device for a bed is provided with a support unit, having a predetermined height, connected to a fixing part of a bed. A movable bed part adjusts an angle between the fixing and movable parts. A driving force transfer member of the device is connected to the movable part at one end, the other end extending toward the fixing part, and has a support point therebetween supported by the support unit. A length between the support point and the other end varies depending on an angle adjustment of the movable part. A lifting unit of the device supports a portion of a user's body, and is connected to the other end of the driving force transfer member. The lifting unit selectively lifts up the user's body depending on movement of the driving force transfer member, which is caused by adjusting an angle of the movable part.

There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame a boom portion connected to the supporting frame and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint (PJ2) allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. According to one aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member According to another aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

A system for turning a patient supported on a patient support apparatus includes a U-shaped frame and a rectangular frame pivotably coupled to the U-shaped frame. The rectangular frame includes first and second sheet grippers configured to removeably couple a plurality of sheets to the system and secure the patient between the sheets. The rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are configured to rotate at least 180 degrees relative to the U-shaped frame after the U-shaped frame, the rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are raised at least a clearance distance above the patient support apparatus.

This invention relates to a linear actuator, comprising an electric motor (10), a worm gear (13, 14), a transmission (15, 16, 19), an outer tube (2) and a spindle (12), said spindle (12) being in connection with the transmission (15, 16, 19), a spindle nut (11) on the spindle (12), a thrust bearing (20) for supporting a shaft end (21) of the spindle (12), wherein the connection between the shaft end of the spindle (12) and the transmission (15, 16, 19) allows a mutual axial movement so that axial forces are only lead through the spindle (12) bypassing the transmission (15, 16, 19) and directly to the thrust bearing (20), wherein a support structure (17, 18, 24, 28) fixedly connects the outer tube (2) and a lower bracket (20, 22), wherein said worm gear (13, 14) drives a shaft (19) included in said transmission (15, 16, 19), which shaft (19) has a driving gear wheel (15) fixedly attached thereto, arranged to transmit torque to a driven gear wheel (16) fixedly attached to the spindle (12), wherein said transmission (15, 16, 19) is arranged to allow axial displacement of the driven gear wheel (16) in relation to the driving gear wheel (15).

A bedside unit provides assistance and/or services to a patient in a bed. The unit includes a first vertical tubular shaft fixed to the floor and a second tubular shaft arranged around the first shaft and moveable relative to the first shaft under the action of a height adjustment mechanism. The apparatus for providing assistance and/or services includes drawers, an overbed table and an egress bar which are arranged to be controllably pivotable about the second shaft. The unit also includes a patient transfer arm at the top of the first shaft and rotatable thereabout.

An assembly and a method for covering a Hoyer Lift sling. The sling assembly includes a cover positioned over a top side of a Hoyer lift sling. The cover has a hole therethrough which is positioned over the hole of the sling. A retaining sheet is attached to the cover and also has a hole therethrough which is positioned in alignment with the hole of the sling. In addition, a pad having a corresponding hole therethrough is preferably positioned between the sling and the cover. At least a portion of the retaining sheet is received through the hole of the pad and through the hole of the sling so that this portion of the retaining sheet is positioned beneath the bottom side of the sling. The cover on top of the sling and the portion of the retaining sheet beneath the sling each extend beyond the width of the sling and have outer edge portions which are attached together so that the sling and the pad are thereby retained between the cover and the retaining sheet.

A device, for grasping a limp body, such as a paraplegic or a quadriplegic patient (19), and transferring the body to another location or moving it into a different position, comprises two pivotally connected sections (12,13), one positioned to grasp the torso portion (18), the other the pelvic one (17). The sections can be kept in line with each other or pivoted toward each other to place the patient in a seated position. Each section comprises an upper frame (14) from the opposite longitudinal edges of which extends a pair of articulated grasping members positioned to move astride the torso or pelvis of the patient. The members include series of transversal cantles which can be directed to curl inwardly toward each other and securely enwrap and grab the load. The frame and the supported patient can then be hoisted, moved and deposited into a supine or seating position. Each member includes a series of successively hinged segments tilted by pulling cables.

A portable, lightweight emergency lifting device for downed persons that is intended for use by paramedics/emergency personnel as well as medical facilities and private owners. The lifting device has a redundant, fail safe lifting system utilizing twin electric screw jacks. It has a seat with a ramped front edge that extends to the ground when the device is in its collapsed configuration to aid in loading the patient. The vertical legs open only to an acute angled position so as to leave the immediate area under the seat open and uncluttered. The frame is on casters and the seat resides between the horizontal frame members when the device is in its collapsed configuration thus allowing the lowest possible pick up of a patient.

An inflatable device for lifting a patient includes an inflatable body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between, and a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device. The inflatable device is configured to be inflated while being lifted by the hoist.