Patient handling devices for transporting patients in health care settings are disclosed herein. The patient handling devices may include a support member and a torso support member. The patient handling device includes at least one articulating joint that is coupled to the support member and the torso support member. The articulating joint is selectable to arrest or allow articulation of the respective torso support member or the lower extremities support member relative to the support member through a variety of orientations.

A surgical frame and a method for use thereof facilitates transfer of a patient from and to a surgical table/gurney. The surgical table includes a main beam positionable such that a surgical table/gurney with patient laying thereon can be positioned under the main beam. The main beam includes componentry for supporting a patent thereon, and the main beam can be rotated, raised/lowered, and tilted upwardly/downwardly to afford positioning and repositioning of the main beam to facilitate transfer of a patient from the surgical table/gurney to the main beam and transfer from the main beam to the surgical table/gurney.

A support apparatus (e.g., stretcher, back board, etc.) with double roller assembly. The apparatus includes a main frame, a first housing containing at least one wheel (e.g., gear, pulley, sprocket, roller) around which a first sheet and/or a second sheet is coiled. The opposite ends of the sheets are coupled to vertically- and horizontally-displaced lead and trail rollers in the double roller assembly, one sheet for each roller. The apparatus further includes a second housing containing at least one wheel around which a chain or belt is disposed. One or both ends of the chain/belt is coupled to the double roller assembly. In operation, a patient is positioned within the main frame, and the sheets extend underneath the patient. The belt/chain mechanism can also help urge extension of the sheets. When the sheets are fully extended underneath the patient, the patient is fully supported and can be transported.

A mattress includes an inflatable pair of first panels connected to each other and defining a first air pocket therebetween; and an inflatable pair of second panels connected to each other and defining a second air pocket therebetween, wherein the pair of first panels and the pair of second panels are operatively connected to each other defining an inflatable tube containing a space to accommodate a user between the pair of first panels and the pair of second panels, and wherein the inflatable tube is rotatable upon inflation of the pair of first panels and the pair of second panels and rotation of the tube.

A manipulator arm for moving a load from a first position at a first elevation, to a second position at a second elevation, provides a base and defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A fulcrum lever link formed of a channel beam defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A first load member, and two support members extend between, and pivotally interconnect, the base plate and the fulcrum lever link and define a quadrilateral lift frame about the pivotal interconnections. An actuator operatively communicates between the first load member and the fulcrum lever link and the fulcrum lever link provides mechanical advantage to the actuator to cause the quadrilateral lift frame to change from a first configuration at the first position to a second configuration at the second position.

A patient transferring bed assembly includes hospital bed that has a mattress deck and a plurality of legs. A gurney is provided that includes a mattress panel and a plurality of legs. The gurney is positionable in a transferring position having the mattress panel being positioned adjacent to and being oriented coextensive with the mattress deck on the hospital bed. A mattress is slidably coupled to the mattress panel on the gurney and a patient lies on the mattress. The mattress slidably engages the mattress deck on the hospital bed when the gurney is positioned in the transferring position and the mattress is urged to slide laterally onto the mattress deck. In this way the mattress transfers the patient from the gurney to the hospital bed without requiring the patient to be lifted.

A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under a patient, the sheet comprising a first portion having a first handle and a second portion having a second handle. The first portion is placed under the patient and the second portion is a free portion. The method further includes providing a pulling force to the first and second handles, wherein the pulling force to the first handle and the second handle are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first handle is greater than the pulling force to the second handle whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset.

A patient transfer sheet acts as a combined sling and bed cover and includes a substantially rectangular sheet portion of a size to fit over a standard bed mattress and to which are attached a plurality of straps for coupling to a hoist. The patient transfer sheet is preferably made of a single-layered material which is breathable, strong and soft. The patient transfer sheet can act as a sling for transportation/repositioning of a patient as well as a replacement bed covering to replace conventional bed linen. The patient can thus be transported onto a bed without needing to remove the patient from the sling.

A manipulator arm for moving a load from a first position at a first elevation, to a second position at a second elevation, provides a base and defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A fulcrum lever link formed of a channel beam defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A first load member, and two support members extend between, and pivotally interconnect, the base plate and the fulcrum lever link and define a quadrilateral lift frame about the pivotal interconnections. An actuator operatively communicates between the first load member and the fulcrum lever link and the fulcrum lever link provides mechanical advantage to the actuator to cause the quadrilateral lift frame to change from a first configuration at the first position to a second configuration at the second position.

Moving an individual with limited mobility from one seated position to another requires a significant effort from the caregiver and can expose the individual and the caregiver to several injuries. The rotational support apparatus is useful in safely assisting individuals with limited mobility to move from one seated position to another with minimal effort. The apparatus is lightweight and portable. The base of the apparatus rotates so the caregiver can easily move the position of the individual. The base can be coupled with a stabilizing device that the individual with limited mobility can hold on to while the caregiver rotates them to another position.