A device for inserting a support beneath an object is provided that includes an eversible tubular membrane with a closed end and an open end with the open end sealably connected to a container enclosing a pressurized fluid, wherein the closed end is connected such that it can be retracted under tension through the inside of the tube formed by the radially outward facing aspect of the membrane, and wherein with pressure and/or tension changes the membrane can be eversibly extended and retracted between two surfaces. In addition, the membrane may be co-everted with a sling or draw sheet such that the sling or draw sheet can be inserted between two surfaces along with the membrane. Further, multiple eversible membranes may be inserted between two surfaces or beneath an object or a patient in accordance with the disclosed invention.

A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home position and an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to the carriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downward position in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position having no contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extended position with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneath the object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates are separated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains resting upon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position while supporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tables separated. The device may operate in a bidirectional manner.

A powered, personal lifting apparatus, and specifically a lift apparatus, specially adapted for personal use in the entry into and exit from a standard bathtub. The apparatus includes an electric motor powered lifting gantry that slides on a pillar that extends from the floor to ceiling, next to the tub. The gantry raises or lowers an attached chair, or includes a sling. The gantry lowers a user into or out of the bathtub, while rotating automatically to provide for easy entry into or exit from the bathtub, with a locking guide for the gantry that utilizes a square-to round feature of the pillar to allow a 90 degree rotation of the gantry, and then lock it in place as it is lowered.

A device may be provided for preventing fatal bathroom accidents relating to falls. Such a shower fall prevention device may be attached to a fixing point on a ceiling of a shower and may have two arm pit hooks pivotably connected to the fixing point. It may further comprise a rod connected between the fixing point and a bar, where arm pit hooks may be connected on right and left ends of the bar. The device may further comprise a strong rubber band or an extendable and retractable belt, connected between the fixing point and the rod. The device may further comprise a handle next to the rod and connected to the bar via an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks, and may further comprise a cushion formed on an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks.

A personal mobility device comprising a base plate having a top surface, a rotating platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of rollers are coupled to the bottom surface of the rotating platform and configured to support the rotating platform upon the top surface of the base plate, a motor coupled to the base plate and the rotating platform and configured to rotate the rotating platform with respect to the base plate, and a support structure coupled to the rotating platform and extending upward from the top surface of the rotating platform.

A portable, lightweight emergency lifting device for downed persons that is intended for use by paramedics/emergency personnel as well as medical facilities and private owners. The lifting device has a redundant, fail safe lifting system utilizing twin electric screw jacks. It has a seat with a ramped front edge that extends to the ground when the device is in its collapsed configuration to aid in loading the patient. The vertical legs open only to an acute angled position so as to leave the immediate area under the seat open and uncluttered. The frame is on casters and the seat resides between the horizontal frame members when the device is in its collapsed configuration thus allowing the lowest possible pick up of a patient.

An inflatable device for lifting a patient includes an inflatable body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between, and a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device. The inflatable device is configured to be inflated while being lifted by the hoist.

Apparatus and methods for providing therapeutic treatment for symptoms associated with GERD and/or other digestive disorders and/or other medical conditions are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a support element and a conformable riser element adjacent the support element. The riser element and the support element collectively form a body support member configured to support a user and define a receiving portion configured to receive a portion of the user's arm. The riser element and the support element are each disposed within a casing formed at least in part with a stretch material. In some embodiments, the riser element includes a polyester filler material and the stretch material includes a four-way stretch material. The four-way stretch material in combination with the polyester filler material enables the riser element to be conformable.

Provided are fabrics and lifting devices that are high performance and skin friendly, for patient care, including as bed linens upon which a patient may sleep and/or rest, as well as patient slings for lifting and/or repositioning a patient.

A robot includes a motion mechanism capable of operating in accordance with each of a first motion pattern for supporting a user with a first motion representing a standing-up motion and a second motion pattern for supporting a user with a second motion representing a sitting-down motion, a battery that supplies electric energy to the motion mechanism, a control unit that determines a multiple-motion availability index indicating the availability of an operation in accordance with a multiple-motion pattern including the first and second motion patterns on the basis of the battery level and the amounts of energy charge in the battery required for the operations performed by the motion mechanism in accordance with the first and second motion patterns if the control unit detects that the battery level is a first threshold value or lower, and a presentation unit that presents the multiple-motion availability index determined by the control unit.