A patient positioning element is provided for fitting to a patient support device having a base portion and a patient support deck which may support a mattress with a sheet thereon. The patient positioning element includes at least one fixing element for fixing to a patient support deck, a bar element for holding a sheet in position and at least one connector element transverse to the bar for connecting or coupling the bar to the fixing element. The connector element is adjustable such that the bar may take up a first storage position adjacent or near the fixing element and a second deployed position adjacent or near the upper surface of a mattress. The patient support deck is moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to the base portion. The patient is repositioned by a method comprising: locating the head end of a sheet on the mattress under a bar at the head end of the patient support device and adjacent the head end of the mattress; fixing the head end of the sheet to the head board or head frame; and then lowering the head end of the patient support deck such that the sheet is pulled under the bar and then upwards and away from the head end of the mattress.

An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.

A number of patient beds are disclosed. Some patient beds have siderails that are movable by a patient so that the patient can egress from the bed without interference from the siderails. Various caregiver control panels and patient control panels for controlling features and functions of a patient bed are also disclosed. For example, a cart with caregiver control inputs, including hand inputs on a graphical user interface (GUI) and foot inputs, is disclosed. Patient positioning and transfer devices are also disclosed. Various types of in-bed physical therapy devices are also disclosed.

A lift system has a back panel and a seat panel to provide a seat for a user. The back panel is slidably mounted on a support column via slider so that the back panel can be moved up and down to adjust the seat height. The seat panel can be flipped back to accommodate a user in a standing posture. With the support column, the lift system can be attached to a wheeled frame, a pole, a rotatable arm, a wall or a ceiling depending on the need of the user.

A transfer device includes a device body, and an articulated transfer platform. The articulated transfer platform include a distal platform segment and a plurality of intermediate platform segments. A distal locking mechanism is releasably securable to a locking mechanism of a lead intermediate platform segment, and locking mechanisms of successive intermediate platform segment are releasably securable to locking mechanisms of preceding intermediate platform segment. In a stowed position, the successive intermediate platform segments are positioned below the lead intermediate platform segment. In an extended position, the distal platform segment is located laterally away from the device body, the distal locking mechanism is secured to the locking mechanism of the lead intermediate platform segment, and the locking mechanism of a successive intermediate platform segment is secured to the locking mechanism of the lead intermediate platform segment.

A magnetic conveyance system comprising a support structure having a ferromagnetic capacity and a trolley moveable upon the support structure in a plurality of directions. The trolley may include a trolley frame and at least one attractor cell disposed on the trolley frame. The at least one attractor cell may comprise a housing and at least one magnet, at least one friction reducing load spreading device, and a load transfer member disposed within the housing. The magnet may provide a magnetic attraction force between the trolley and the support structure. The friction reducing load spreading device may comprise a plurality of bearing balls circulating within a reservoir and a channel formed by the load transfer member disposed within the housing. The load transfer member may also include a bearing surface wherein a portion of the plurality of bearing balls is disposed between the bearing surface and the support structure.

A seat lift for a bath that includes a seat, a seat back hingedly connected to the seat, a torsion spring, and a guide means for guiding the seat in reversible movement between lower and upper positions. The guide means is configured so that movement between the lower and upper positions comprises both vertical and lateral movement of the seat relative to a base of the bath. The seat back may move between a first seat back position in which the seat back is substantially upright and a second seat back position in which the seat back is orientated so that a user is leaning backwards. The torsion spring biases the seat back to rotate around the hinge connecting the seat back to the seat toward the first seat back position. The torsion spring torque is smaller when the seat is in the lower position than in the upper position.

A transfer apparatus for receiving the chair seat of a wheelchair and supporting the chair seat in the base of a washing enclosure. The transfer apparatus has a chair support member including a chair support track section that can be positioned in the washing enclosure base, a bridge portion with a bridge track section that is movably mounted to the chair support member. The transfer apparatus includes a lock system usable to secure the bridge portion in an in-use position and engaged with the wheelchair. A first lock inhibits rotational motion of the bridge portion. The first lock includes a retractable locking member that is biased to an extended, locking position. A second lock is usable to prevent longitudinal separation of the bridge portion and the wheelchair. The first and second lock can be automatically engaged when the bridge portion is moved to the in-use position.

The invention relates to the field of medical technology, and more particularly to multi-functional hospital beds. The claimed structure comprises a vertical stand in the shape of an inverted L, which is connected to a folding bed. The bed has two sections, one of which can be folded onto the other, whereupon both sections can be folded to the vertical stand. A movable frame is disposed in the top corner of the stand, wherein said frame can be fastened in two positions: to the top part of the stand, and also at an angle of 45 degrees to the stand. A motor is provided, which pulls a cable. Said cable passes through the stand and the end of the movable frame. This provides two operating modes: Mode 1 is that of a bed. In this case, the frame is fastened to the stand, and the bed is unfolded. Traction or fixation can be applied to individual parts of a patient's body. Mode 2 is that of a standing aid. In this case, the bed is folded, and the frame is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees. The legs of the bed form a support, and the patient can be verticalized with the aid of the cable and a harness. The invention is simple and universal and is also capable of replacing several pieces of hospital equipment at once.

An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.