A method of rotating a subject includes arranging a lifting aid underneath the subject such that a midline of the subject is off center from a centerline of the lifting aid in a direction opposite of the rotation direction. The lifting aid includes a first loop extending in the rotation direction and a second loop extending in the opposite direction. The method further includes connecting the loops to a sling bar coupled to an overhead lift and directing the overhead lift to raise, where the subject rotates towards the direction of rotation due to the off center location of the subject. The method further includes repositioning the subject when the subject has rotated to a lateral recumbent position and directing the overhead lift to lower, thereby causing the subject to continue rotating.

An overhead lift system may include a motor and a lift strap connected to the motor. The motor raises and lowers the lift strap. A hand controller may be communicatively connected to the motor. The hand controller includes a force sensor associated with the body of the hand controller such that force applied to the body is detected with the force sensor. An orientation sensor may also be arranged within the body and determines an orientation of the hand controller. A control unit may be communicatively connected with the motor, the force sensor, and the orientation sensor. The control unit detects a force applied to the hand controller with the force sensor, determines a direction of motion of the hand controller with the orientation sensor, and provides a signal to the motor to raise or lower the lift strap based on the force and orientation of the hand controller.

A transfer assembly for a hoist unit for a patient includes a motor base, a first frame secured to the motor base for rotation about a pitch axis. The first frame includes one or more first suspension wheels rotatably affixed thereto for rotation about a laterally extending axis. The transfer assembly also includes a second frame secured to the first frame for rotation about a yaw axis. The second frame includes one or more second suspension wheels each of which is rotatably affixed thereto for rotation about a laterally extending axis. The transfer assembly also includes a drive wheel assembly rotatably mounted on the motor base for rotation about a laterally extending drive wheel axis. The transfer assembly also includes a motor assembly secured to the motor base and operatively connected to the drive wheel assembly such that operation of the motor rotates the drive wheel assembly.

An apparatus for facilitating cardiovascular rehabilitation and training has an overhead rigging attachable to a harness worn by a user, wherein the overhead rigging is in communication with an upper translatable member slidably joined atop a lower translatable member slidably joined to an upper support of a frame assembly. Columns of the frame assembly retain a plurality of spaced weights to which said overhead rigging is attached via cables. In this arrangement, a user may wear the harness and, via the overhead rigging and weights, have his or her weight against the ground dramatically reduced while being permitted to move about an area substantially defined by the frame assembly. As configured, the upper and lower translatable members move orthogonally to one another providing a tremendous range of motion to the user within the area substantially defined by the frame assembly.

An overhead lift unit includes a carriage, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an actuator. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel coupled to the carriage through a first support arm. The second wheel assembly includes a second wheel coupled to the carriage through a second support arm. The actuator is coupled to the second wheel assembly and is configured to shift the second wheel assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first wheel assembly between an expanded position and a retracted position. Lift systems including the overhead lift unit and methods of transporting the overhead lift unit to and from an overhead rail are also described.

An overhead lift system for supporting a person with a lift unit includes an overhead rail and an elevator track. The overhead rail includes a subject support portion and a docking portion. An end of the docking portion is removably coupled to an end of the subject support portion. The elevator track is coupled to the docking portion of the overhead rail. The elevator track is configured to convey the docking portion of the overhead rail from a height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail toward a position below the height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail.

A sling for supporting a subject such as a patient includes a panel assembly including a left flank with a left end, a right flank with a right end, and an interflank panel. The interflank panel has a left extremity permanently joined to the left end of the left flank and a right extremity permanently joined to the right end of the right flank. The sling also includes a left closure element and a right closure element which are securable to each other and releasable from each other to adjust an effective dimension of the sling. In another embodiment, the sling includes a frangible closure member which secures the left flank to the right flank.

An orthopedic standing and walking aid and a method of supporting a person with such an orthopedic standing and walking aid. The orthopedic standing and walking aid comprises a carriage which is displaceably mounted on a running rail, an approximately C-shaped frame suspended from the carriage by a suspension device and a saddle which is arranged on the shaped frame approximately in linear alignment below the suspension device. The orthopedic standing and walking aid can be distinguished by a spring element arranged in the area between the carriage and the saddle so that the saddle is elastically supported in the vertical direction. The orthopedic standing and walking aid may also be distinguished by a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the saddle, which has a height adjustment spring element which exerts an upward preload on the saddle. This height adjustment mechanism can be designed to be lockable with one hand by means of a locking unit.

A motive system for a patient lifting assembly, a patient lifting assembly and a method of operating a patient lifting assembly. The motive system includes an electric motor, numerous sensors and an adaptive control unit cooperative with one another so that a memory and processor that are part of the control unit that can respectively store and execute a computer readable and executable instruction set. By comparing collected data from the sensors during operation of the motor to corresponding reference values associated with one or more motor operational parameters—such as accumulated motor wear over time or differences in operating temperature of the motor—the system can selectively adjust the maximum amount of current available for use by the motor. In this way, changes in motor efficiencies that arise with these parametric changes can be taken into consideration when determining an upper limit on how much electrical current may be delivered to the motor for a given load.

A bathing system, includes a transfer system having a carrier base and a transfer seat. A sliding of the transfer seat relative to the carrier base may facilitate transfer of the transfer seat toward or away from the tub. A first arm and a second arm of the carrier base extends into and overlaps with a first support surface and a second support surface of the tub respectively. A controller may be in operative communication with a plurality of sensors and determine whether the bathing system is in a state where it is permissible to transfer the transfer seat toward or away from the tub and if so, actuate components of the transfer system to permit the transfer of a patient in the transfer system.