A patient support apparatus includes a base frame and an upper frame configured to support a mattress. The upper frame has a head portion including a recessed edge. Lift arms are coupled to the upperframe and configured to adjust a position of the upperframe. A first handle is coupled to the head portion on a first side of the recessed edge. A second handle is coupled to the head portion on a second side of the recessed edge. The first and second handles are configured to pivot inboard and toward one another to a lowered position extending over the upper frame adjacent to the recessed edge. An intravenous pole is pivotally coupled to the head portion and is adjustable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The intravenous pole extends along a rear wall of the recessed edge over the upper frame when in the stowed position.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

A family of vehicles is presented which exploit dynamic controls to stabilize in-line two wheeled vehicles. The stabilization results in improved safety at high speeds and on uncooperative surfaces. Stabilization affords balance at zero speed without auxiliary support means. Transformational wheel base length affords high visibility at low speeds and low drag at high speeds. In wheel chair configurations transforming wheel base length allows navigation up and down stairs.

An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in lateral or side impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also a safety device for head-on collision protection that obviates the need for conventional seat belts and front impact airbags. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle. Side impact protection for the head and neck are proposed with airbags and aircushions.

There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame a boom portion connected to the supporting frame and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint (PJ2) allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. According to one aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member According to another aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

The invention relates to a medical ventilator (1) comprising an external housing (2), and a rigid exoskeleton structure (3) arranged around the external housing (2) and rigidly connected thereto. The rigid exoskeleton structure (3) comprises a plurality of elongate elements (4) defining a volume (5) in which the external housing (2) is housed, the greater part of the rigid exoskeleton structure (3) being spaced (7) from said external housing (2) when said external housing (2) is housed in the volume (5). A carrying handle (9) is also provided, allowing a user to manually grasp the exoskeleton structure (3) and transport the assembly (1, 3) composed of ventilator and exoskeleton structure.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper having a non-flat contour that is adapted to conform to the shape of a contact surface on the wheelchair.

A patient support apparatus includes a base frame and an upper frame configured to support a mattress. The upper frame has a head portion including a recessed edge. Lift arms are coupled to the upper frame and configured to adjust a position of the upper frame. A first handle is coupled to the head portion on a first side of the recessed edge. A second handle is coupled to the head portion on a second side of the recessed edge. The first and second handles are configured to pivot inboard and toward one another to a lowered position extending over the upper frame adjacent to the recessed edge. An intravenous pole is pivotally coupled to the head portion and is adjustable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The intravenous pole extends along a rear wall of the recessed edge over the upper frame when in the stowed position.

A patient support apparatus for traversing objects supported on ground surfaces. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck, and a base to support the patient support deck from the ground surface. At pair of caster wheel assemblies spaced from each other are coupled to the base for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes cooperating to define a reference plane. A frame guard coupled to the base defines first and second ramp surfaces each disposed at an angle relative to the reference plane. The first ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in a first direction. The second ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in an opposite, second direction.