A powered ambulance cot and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame and legs, each leg having a wheel. An actuator of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

A lifting system for lifting a subject (12) supported in a particular position is described. The lifting system has a platform (10) for supporting the subject (12) on an elongate platform surface (101). The platform surface (101) is selectively configurable in a flexible state allowing the elongate platform (10) to fold along a longitudinal line for positioning beneath the subject (12), and a rigid state to support the subject (12) in the desired position. The platform also has one or more attachment structures (16) and, the lifting system has a lifting device (26) for detachably engaging (18) the one or more attachment structures (16) to elevate and lower the platform (10) cantilevered from the lifting device (26).

A lifting system for lifting a subject (12) supported in a particular position is described. The lifting system has a platform (10) for supporting the subject (12) on an elongate platform surface (101). The platform surface (101) is selectively configurable in a flexible state allowing the elongate platform (10) to fold along a longitudinal line for positioning beneath the subject (12), and a rigid state to support the subject (12) in the desired position. The platform also has one or more attachment structures (16) and, the lifting system has a lifting device (26) for detachably engaging (18) the one or more attachment structures (16) to elevate and lower the platform (10) cantilevered from the lifting device (26).

Folding casing formed of intersecting arches or rings and stretched by inner traction elements.

Folding casing formed of intersecting arches or rings and stretched by inner traction elements.

Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring and treating a patient on route to a medical facility are disclosed. The system comprises a critical care unit; at least one patient monitoring device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit obtains physiological data about the patient from each patient monitoring device; at least one patient treatment device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit provides treatment instructions to each patient treatment device; a two way communications device coupled to the critical care unit; and a remote communications terminal in communication with the two way communications device. The critical care unit preferably sends the physiological data to the remote communications terminal and receives the treatment instructions from the remote communications terminal via the two way communications device.

Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring and treating a patient on route to a medical facility are disclosed. The system comprises a critical care unit; at least one patient monitoring device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit obtains physiological data about the patient from each patient monitoring device; at least one patient treatment device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit provides treatment instructions to each patient treatment device; a two way communications device coupled to the critical care unit; and a remote communications terminal in communication with the two way communications device. The critical care unit preferably sends the physiological data to the remote communications terminal and receives the treatment instructions from the remote communications terminal via the two way communications device.

A transfer mattress includes a top panel and a bottom panel. The bottom panel is engaged with the top panel to form an internal chamber. The bottom panel includes an air permeable portion and an air impermeable portion, wherein the air permeable portion is constructed from an air permeable woven material. The permeable portion and the impermeable portion are configured such that air is able to escape from the internal chamber through the permeable portion and air is not able to escape from the internal chamber through the impermeable portion.