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.

In a mobile stretcher, in order to change the height position of a patient support mounted on a chassis, the chassis geometry is modifiable by a hydraulic drive system. The drive system includes a linear actuator, a pressure supply unit, and a receiving space for hydraulic fluid. A manually actuatable unlocking valve unit directly connects a lifting working chamber of the linear actuator to the receiving space. The valve unit has a control space delimited by a piston element movably guided relative to the housing of the valve unit and which communicates with a lifting attachment, which communicates with the working chamber. The piston element is operatively connected to a valve body interacting with a valve seat of a relief valve between the lifting attachment and a tank attachment communicating with the receiving space. A mechanical actuation input acts on the valve body, with a spring element interposed.

In a mobile stretcher, in order to change the height position of a patient support mounted on a chassis, the chassis geometry is modifiable by a hydraulic drive system. The drive system includes a linear actuator, a pressure supply unit, and a receiving space for hydraulic fluid. A manually actuatable unlocking valve unit directly connects a lifting working chamber of the linear actuator to the receiving space. The valve unit has a control space delimited by a piston element movably guided relative to the housing of the valve unit and which communicates with a lifting attachment, which communicates with the working chamber. The piston element is operatively connected to a valve body interacting with a valve seat of a relief valve between the lifting attachment and a tank attachment communicating with the receiving space. A mechanical actuation input acts on the valve body, with a spring element interposed.

A transfer mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, an outer stringer and an inner stringer. The top panel has a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The bottom panel has a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge coupled to the perimeter of the top panel. The outer stringer and inner stringer each have a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel and a longitudinal portion that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The inner stringer is positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer.

A transfer mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, an outer stringer and an inner stringer. The top panel has a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein a central longitudinal axis extends from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The bottom panel has a plurality of perforations and a perimeter including a proximal edge and a distal edge coupled to the perimeter of the top panel. The outer stringer and inner stringer each have a superior edge coupled to the top panel and an inferior edge coupled to the bottom panel and a longitudinal portion that is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The inner stringer is positioned between the central longitudinal axis and the outer stringer.

A stretcher may include a foldable/decomposable frame. The frame may include at least two transverse frame elements and two longitudinal frame elements. Each of the longitudinal frame elements may include at least a first longitudinal member and at least a second longitudinal member that may be perpendicularly connectable at their respective first ends to the opposite transverse frame elements and may be removably connectable to each other at their second ends. The stretcher may include multiple support assemblies. Each of the multiple support assemblies may include an elongated support and two support connectors. The support connectors of each of the multiple support assemblies may be removably connectable at their first ends to the opposite longitudinal frame elements and removably connectable at their seconds ends to opposite ends of the respective elongated support.

A stretcher may include a foldable/decomposable frame. The frame may include at least two transverse frame elements and two longitudinal frame elements. Each of the longitudinal frame elements may include at least a first longitudinal member and at least a second longitudinal member that may be perpendicularly connectable at their respective first ends to the opposite transverse frame elements and may be removably connectable to each other at their second ends. The stretcher may include multiple support assemblies. Each of the multiple support assemblies may include an elongated support and two support connectors. The support connectors of each of the multiple support assemblies may be removably connectable at their first ends to the opposite longitudinal frame elements and removably connectable at their seconds ends to opposite ends of the respective elongated support.

A stretcher including a flexible base panel sized to support a person lying thereon during a rescue or extrication operation. The base panel includes a header end and an opposite footer end, and further includes a plurality of securement straps coupled to the base panel to help restrain the injured person and prevent further injury that may be caused such as by having the person roll off the sides of the stretcher. The disclosure further relates to a method of deploying the stretcher to access and remove an injured person from a confined area to provide treatment.

A stretcher including a flexible base panel sized to support a person lying thereon during a rescue or extrication operation. The base panel includes a header end and an opposite footer end, and further includes a plurality of securement straps coupled to the base panel to help restrain the injured person and prevent further injury that may be caused such as by having the person roll off the sides of the stretcher. The disclosure further relates to a method of deploying the stretcher to access and remove an injured person from a confined area to provide treatment.

A field stretcher (102) comprising a patient carrying portion (104), a region thereof being operable to form a patient retaining pocket (150) for retaining the patient on the stretcher, in use and wherein the field stretcher further comprises attachment means operable to allow attachment of a detachable base plate. The invention also extends to a detachable base plate (202) comprising attachment means (270) operable to allow attachment of the base place to the field stretcher, a sheltering means and a field stretcher assembly (302) and field stretcher kit of such.