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 allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. The patient lift apparatus can include 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. The patient lift apparatus can include a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

A collar with a relieved area (3) strategically placed in-between the upper and lower wheelchair leg-rest attachments (2) so a leg-rest can still be removed and installed and where the leg-rest locking arm (6) can lock into place unimpeded. A second collar (4) attached directly below the lower wheelchair leg-rest attachment (2). Both collars (3 and 4) are locked into place using flat-head screws (5). Collars (3 and 4) are of sufficient size to extend horizontally beyond the typically exposed mainframe leg-rest attachments (2). When installed at both leg-rest attachment areas (2) the invention protects a wheelchair user from a laceration injury.

Apparatuses and method are disclosed for use with a furniture for providing protection to a user against injuries. An apparatus for use with the furniture for providing protection to a user against injuries includes an inflatable unit including an exterior surface including a number of housing elements. The inflatable unit also includes an airtight chamber capable of being filled with a filler. The inflatable unit also includes a valve attached to an orifice present on the airtight chamber. The valve is configured to secure the filler into the airtight chamber. The apparatus further includes at least one strapping element configured to securely mount the inflatable unit to the furniture. The apparatus also includes at least one fastener configured to attach to the at least one strapping element while mounting the inflatable unit to the furniture.

A calf bumper that covers an exposed metal bracket used to hold a leg rest on a wheelchair. The protective device is made of a flexible elastomeric material and is separable on one side with a cavity for the leg rest bracket plate and a central hole to encompass the leg post and the bracket pin. When deployed the bumper provides protective buffer surrounding the exposed bracket reducing the risk of injuries such as scrapes and skin tears caused by exposed wheelchair leg rest brackets.

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 collar with a relieved area (3) strategically placed in-between the upper and lower wheelchair leg-rest attachments (2) so a leg-rest can still be removed and installed and where the leg-rest locking arm (6) can lock into place unimpeded. A second collar (4) attached directly below the lower wheelchair leg-rest attachment (2). Both collars (3 and 4) are locked into place using flat-head screws (5). Collars (3 and 4) are of sufficient size to extend horizontally beyond the typically exposed mainframe leg-rest attachments (2). When installed at both leg-rest attachment areas (2) the invention protects a wheelchair user from a laceration injury.

A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).

An ambulance cot platform system allows variably raising a cot platform to many different positions to accommodate patients with varying weights. After a cot with a patient is placed on the cot platform, the weight of the patient is determined, and a desired position of multiple defined positions of the cot platform is determined from the patient's weight. The multiple defined positions may be a function of air pressure in air bladders, or the physical location of the platform itself. The air bladders are then inflated or deflated until the desired position of the cot platform is achieved. The result is a cot platform that has different positions to accommodate patients of different weights, thereby providing a ride with comfort that is optimized according to the weight of the patient being transported.

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 system includes a first trolley and a second trolley movably suspended from a support track. The first trolley includes a patient attachment mechanism configured to support a first patient. The first trolley is configured to move relative to the support track. The second trolley includes a patient attachment mechanism configured to support a second patient. The second trolley is configured to move relative to the support track such that the movement of the second trolley is independent of the movement of the first trolley. A collision management assembly is configured to be coupled to one of the first trolley and the second trolley. The collision management assembly includes a bumper that is configured to prevent the first trolley from directly contacting the second trolley.