A patient sling is formed of plastics sheet or moulded plastics or textile material having a back support portion and a patient seat support portion. Two straps are coupled to respective side flanges of the back rest support, while two straps are coupled to respective side flanges the seat support portion and connect to the straps. The straps can be adjusted in length and also detached from the upper straps in order to adjust the configuration of the seat portion. The seat support portion includes a cut out for assisting a patient in effecting bodily functions and fold lines can also enable the seat support portion to be either partially folded or fully folded back in order to assist a patient in dressing and undressing, while continuing to be retained and supported by the back rest support portion.

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 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.

Systems and methods for use with haptic devices. A control system for haptic devices determines a first course of action based on a user's motion. Prior to implementing the first course of action, the control system determines if the first course of action would lead to instability in the haptic device which could cause an unsafe situation such as failure of its components. If the first course of action would lead to instability, the control device determines a second course of action that would not lead to instability and implements this second course of action. To assist in this second course of action and to prevent potential oscillation in the haptic device, the control system also selectively dampens a projected action of the haptic device. A haptic device using such a control system is also disclosed.

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 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 standing wheelchair device includes a wheeled base for enabling the device to move on a supporting surface. A harness assembly includes a plurality of braces for attaching to parts of a body of a user of the device, at least some adjacent braces of being connected by joints. A lifting unit mounted on the base, supports a hip joint of the harness assembly, and is configured to raise or lower the hip joint. When the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a sitting position, raising a height of the hip joint causes the user to assume a standing position. When the when the user is attached to the harness assembly and is in a standing position, lowering the hip joint causes the user to assume a sitting or reclining position.

A device may be provided for preventing fatal bathroom accidents relating to falls. Such a shower fall prevention device may be attached to a fixing point on a ceiling of a shower and may have two arm pit hooks pivotably connected to the fixing point. It may further comprise a rod connected between the fixing point and a bar, where arm pit hooks may be connected on right and left ends of the bar. The device may further comprise a strong rubber band or an extendable and retractable belt, connected between the fixing point and the rod. The device may further comprise a handle next to the rod and connected to the bar via an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks, and may further comprise a cushion formed on an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks.

A door security system and method may increase the home security for elderly people without limiting the privacy of or convenience for residents. The method comprises detecting closing of a door; keeping a first locking mechanism of said door in an open position for a first predetermined period of time after said closing; after said predetermined period of time, changing said first locking mechanism into a locked position. The re-entry time frame permits a user to re-enter without a key, immediately after realizing they forgot it. The method may further comprise recognizing motion of a person on a door of a house through a camera provided in or near the door; producing streaming footage; sending the streaming footage to a central processing server; processing the streaming footage for face recognition purpose and checking against several; and storing all data on the server.

A robot system for assisting a patient in standing up and/or sitting down is provided. The robot system includes the following elements. A drive mechanism executes a drive pattern for assisting the patient in standing up and/or sitting down. An instruction input device receives an instruction to cause the drive mechanism to execute the drive pattern. A state acquirer acquires an execution state of the drive mechanism which is executing the drive pattern. A controller decides whether or not to cause the drive mechanism to execute the instruction received by the instruction input device, on the basis of the execution state acquired by the state acquirer, and controls the driving of the drive mechanism.