A patient support apparatus including a patient support surface and a repositioning mechanism for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface. The apparatus including sensors for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus also includes a tilt control system for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends of the surface can be angularly repositioned, a scale and a warning system for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface, a sensor 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.

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.

A rolling footrest is provided and a method of using such by a wheelchair occupant. The footrest may optionally include a foot retainer, a platform and freely rolling castors. In some embodiments, replacing a fixed footrest will shorten the length of the wheelchair enabling the wheelchair to traverse sharp curves. In some embodiments, the footrest may include a swivel lock and/or a ratchet. In some embodiments the footrest may be used for therapeutic exercise. In some embodiments, the footrest may be used for propelling a wheelchair.

An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.

A computing device is provided to monitor or ascertain various characteristics of one or more of a wheeled mobility device securement system, a wheeled mobility device, and an occupant of the wheeled mobility device. The computing device can send any and all data available to it, including but not limited to time, dynamic information concerning the vehicle, the wheeled mobility device securement system, the wheeled mobility device, and the occupant, the actions taken by the computing device during an adverse driving condition, and when those actions were taken, to memory for use after the adverse driving event for analysis purposes to understand and recreate the event.

An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.

A computing device is provided to monitor or ascertain various characteristics of one or more of a wheeled mobility device securement system, a wheeled mobility device, and an occupant of the wheeled mobility device. The computing device can send any and all data available to it, including but not limited to time, dynamic information concerning the vehicle, the wheeled mobility device securement system, the wheeled mobility device, and the occupant, the actions taken by the computing device during an adverse driving condition, and when those actions were taken, to memory for use after the adverse driving event for analysis purposes to understand and recreate the event.