A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

A pull-type body turning aid includes a slide rail unit and a drive mechanism. The slide rail unit is disposed above a patient and has at least one slide rail assembly. The slide rail assembly includes a slide rail having a length extending across the patient, and a sliding block slidable along the slide rail and connected to one side of the patient. The drive mechanism is connected to the slide rail assembly and is configured to drive the sliding block to move along the slide rail from the one side of the patient to the other side thereof for turning the patient to the other side thereof.

A patient support apparatus and a method of notifying persons within a vicinity of the patient support apparatus are disclosed. The patient support apparatus includes a patient support structure for supporting a patient, an actuator for moving the patient, a notification system, and a controller coupled to the notification system and the actuator. The controller receives a selection of a remote control function via a communication network, generates a notification in response to receiving the selection of the remote control function, and transmits an output signal to the actuator based on the selection of the remote control function. The notification system executes the notification prior to the controller transmitting the output signal to the actuator.

A transfer device, such as a patient transfer device, includes a device body, a transfer platform supported by the device body, a plurality of subsystems, a plurality of subsystem controllers, each configured to control operation of one of the plurality of subsystems, and a system processor in communication with the plurality of subsystem controllers. The transfer platform has at least one conveyor belt configured to move an object. Each subsystem is configured to implement a function of the transfer device. The system processor is configured to monitor and communicate with the plurality of subsystem controllers, receive operator inputs from a transfer device operator, make decisions about a transfer operation based on inputs received from a transfer device operator and/or inputs received from the plurality of subsystem controllers, and send commands to the plurality of subsystem controllers to accomplish various transfer operation routines.

A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a powered device mounted relative to the patient support apparatus and an electrical circuit to power the powered device, with the electrical circuit having a wireless power receiver to inductively couple to and transfer electrical energy from a wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter.

A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base and a patient support deck coupled to the base. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface capable of articulating to adjust positioning of a patient supported thereon, a lift system configured to adjust a height of the patient support deck relative to the base, and a user interface system coupled to the support structure and comprising an elongated member and a user interface coupled to the elongated member. The user interface is configured to receive inputs from a user to control a function of the patient support apparatus.

A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a powered device mounted relative to the patient support apparatus and an electrical circuit to power the powered device, with the electrical circuit having a wireless power receiver to inductively couple to and transfer electrical energy from a wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter.

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.