A patient transport apparatus operable by a user for transporting a patient along stairs. A seat section is coupled to a support structure supporting a track assembly having a belt. A motor selectively generates torque to drive the belt. A user interface is arranged for engagement by the user, and has a direction input control for selecting a drive direction of the motor, and an activation input control for operating the motor to drive the belt. A controller in communication with the motor and the user interface is configured to limit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control preceding engagement of the direction input control to prevent driving the belt, and to permit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control following engagement of the direction input control to drive the belt in a selected drive direction.

The present disclosure relates to a system and method of detecting activity by a wheelchair user. In one aspect, a method comprises collecting motion data of a user device located on an appendage of the user; detecting, by a processor circuit, that one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred based on the motion data; calculating, by a processor circuit, an energy expenditure by the user based the one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred; and outputting, by a processor circuit, the energy expenditure estimation.

A patient support apparatus includes a computer supported thereon that acts as a thin client for at least one network service available on a remote network to which the patient support apparatus has access. The thin client architecture of the patient support apparatus enables the patient support apparatus to dynamically change its functions, algorithms, features and other aspects more easily. The thin client architecture may be applied to generating alerts, performing maintenance functions, analyzing sensor data—including, but not limited to—weight sensors used to detect weight distributions on the patient support apparatus, implementing patient care protocols, performing patient assessments, accumulating information for billing, and monitoring patient movement. The patient support apparatuses may also function as local WiFi hotspots and/or as software access points to the healthcare network and/or the Internet. One or more Software-as-a-Service applications may run on the patient support apparatus.

Assembly or kit which is adaptable to an ordinary manually driven wheelchair, comprising one or two devices comprising a guide (1) provided with quick attachment means, a wheel slide (15) having a transverse bearing for a rear wheel which rotates between an advanced position and a retracted position, in which the rear wheel does not project beyond the side of the seat, an articulated elongate lever (28) having snap-fitting elements (23, 25) which are spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the advanced and retracted positions, and which can be snap-fitted with a complementary snap-fitting element (10) in these positions, and a means (10) for holding the lever in a non-snap-fitted position, the movement of the slide (15) releasing it automatically from the holding means (10).

A seat assembly for wheelchair of the type having a structure expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded position comprises a pair of tubular members connected to the structure. Each tubular member has a main tubular body, a secondary tubular body parallel to and inside the main tubular body, and an elongated slit extending along both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body and common to both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body. The slits open into an inner channel of the secondary tubular body. The main tubular body and the secondary tubular body form a hollow integral piece of composite material. A panel, e.g., of non-rigid material has rods on its opposite edges, the rods having a diameter smaller than that of the secondary tube and larger than a width of the slit to be held captive in the secondary tube, whereby the panel extends through the slit.

A seat assembly for wheelchair of the type having a structure expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded position comprises a pair of tubular members connected to the structure. Each tubular member has a main tubular body, a secondary tubular body parallel to and inside the main tubular body, and an elongated slit extending along both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body and common to both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body. The slits open into an inner channel of the secondary tubular body. The main tubular body and the secondary tubular body form a hollow integral piece of composite material. A panel, e.g., of non-rigid material has rods on its opposite edges, the rods having a diameter smaller than that of the secondary tube and larger than a width of the slit to be held captive in the secondary tube, whereby the panel extends through the slit.

A wheelchair includes a lower assembly including a lower frame having wheels rotatably mounted thereto, an upper assembly including an upper frame supporting a seat, a backrest and at least one movable armrest, and a lift mechanism configured to move the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein a user can move sideways out of the seat in the raised position with the movable armrest lowered.

Provided is a hand rim which is not slippery even when the surface is wet. A hand rim 7 includes a base material 70 and an anti-slippage layer 71 formed on the surface of the base material 70. The anti-slippage layer 71 includes an adhesive layer 71a formed on the surface of the base material 70 and particles 71b which are fixed through the adhesive layer 71a. The particles 71b are fixed so as to protrude from the adhesive layer 71a.

The present disclosure describes a system for providing an assistive driving force to a wheelchair. The system comprises a power assist system which includes a motion sensing system that is configured to detect the motion of the power assist system, and hence of the wheelchair, and a power assist drive system that is configured to provide an assistive drive force. The system also comprises a sensor, such as may be embedded in a wearable wristband, that is configured to detect the motion of a user's hand and that is in communication with the power assist system. The system may be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually pushed based at least in part on the user motion, and to activate an assistive drive force in response to a manual push. The system may also be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually braked based at least in part on the user motion, and to deactivate an assistive drive force in response to a manual brake.

The present invention provides a wheelchair transfer handrail for use in connection with a wheelchair and a door striker on a vehicle pillar. The invention includes a clamp assembly connected to the wheelchair, and a handrail tube extending from the clamp assembly to the door striker.