A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.

A patient transport apparatus for use with a vehicle, comprising a lift mechanism between a base and a support frame to move between an extended configuration defining a first distance and a retracted configuration defining a second distance. An interface generates a user signal. A sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to force acting on the base relative to the support frame. A controller determines if the user signal corresponds to an extend or retract command; determines if the force acting on the base has exceeded a predetermined threshold value based on the sensor signal; drives the lift mechanism toward the extended configuration where the user signal corresponds to the extend command and toward the retracted configuration where the user signal corresponds to the retract command; and interrupts driving the lift mechanism to stop motion of the lift mechanism in response to the sensor signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

The invention relates to a stretcher intended for transporting patients, comprising a frame including poles, the ends of which act as carrying handles, said frame being equipped with at least one attachment system making it possible to attach at least one piece of equipment for providing assistance to a patient being transported, as well as a series of trays constituting a lying surface which can be articulated according to the desired positions for the patient, said articulated trays being attached via articulation systems to the frame, said trays being provided with a system for holding the patient. Stretchers for transporting patients.

The invention relates to a stretcher intended for transporting patients, comprising a frame including poles, the ends of which act as carrying handles, said frame being equipped with at least one attachment system making it possible to attach at least one piece of equipment for providing assistance to a patient being transported, as well as a series of trays constituting a lying surface which can be articulated according to the desired positions for the patient, said articulated trays being attached via articulation systems to the frame, said trays being provided with a system for holding the patient. Stretchers for transporting patients.

A person support apparatus includes a deck with a seat section, a leg section, and a back section. The back section is pivotally mounted to the seat section. The leg section has a proximal end pivotally mounted to the seat section and a cantilevered end spaced a first distance from its proximal end. The seat section, the leg section, and the back section are arranged to lie in a common plane when the deck is in a supine configuration to support a person in a supine position. A lift is mounted to the seat section of the deck, with the lift being configured to raise the deck relative to a supporting floor surface to a maximum height less than the first distance.

A person support apparatus includes a deck with a seat section, a leg section, and a back section. The back section is pivotally mounted to the seat section. The leg section has a proximal end pivotally mounted to the seat section and a cantilevered end spaced a first distance from its proximal end. The seat section, the leg section, and the back section are arranged to lie in a common plane when the deck is in a supine configuration to support a person in a supine position. A lift is mounted to the seat section of the deck, with the lift being configured to raise the deck relative to a supporting floor surface to a maximum height less than the first distance.

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 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 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).