A patient transport apparatus comprising a support frame, a base, a bracket coupled to the support frame and comprising a channel being non-linear, a frame assembly coupled between the support frame and the base and comprising a slidable member disposed in the channel, the slidable member being moveable between a plurality of different positions in the channel to place the support frame in a plurality of different poses relative to the base. The patient transport apparatus also comprises a sensor configured to detect the slidable member in the channel and produce a reading, as well as a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the reading from the sensor, determine the position of the slidable member in the channel based on the reading, and determine the pose of the support frame relative to the base based on the determined position of the slidable member.

A braking system for a patient support apparatus includes a caster wheel assembly. The caster wheel assembly includes a caster wheel and manually operable brake operable to brake the caster wheel. The caster wheel assembly further includes a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake to move between three positions, wherein said three positions include a braking position, an un-braked position, and a steer lock position. The braking system further includes an electrically powered actuator mechanically coupled to the manual brake activation handle or pedal and to the manually operable brake. When powered, the electrically powered actuator is operable to move the manually operable brake and to move the manual brake activation handle or pedal between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in a braking mode, an un-braked mode, or a steer lock mode. And, when the actuator is unpowered, the manual brake activation handle or pedal is operable to be manually moved between two or more of the three positions to thereby manually operate the caster wheel in the braking mode, the un-braked mode, or the steer lock mode.

A surgery table load monitoring system utilizing a base member fixed to a surgery table support. The base member is connected to at least one platform structural member to determine load forces due to the weight of a patient on the platform structured member. Detectors are used to indicate particular stresses and generate a signal which may be employed to disable movement of the surgery table.

A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top. A cervical traction system is also provided.

A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top. A cervical traction system is also provided.

A system for positioning a patient before, during or after a medical procedure can include an arm assembly and a surgical drape for use with the arm assembly. The surgical drape can be configured to be placed around a surgical site where an operative procedure is to be conducted. The surgical drape includes a transparent viewing window, multiple handle covers, and an expandable opening on the top side of the surgical drape. Additionally, the surgical drape may also include adhesive components on the bottom side of the drape that may be independently removed in order to affix the drape around a surgical site.

A system for positioning a patient before, during or after a medical procedure can include an arm assembly and a surgical drape for use with the arm assembly. The surgical drape can be configured to be placed around a surgical site where an operative procedure is to be conducted. The surgical drape includes a transparent viewing window, multiple handle covers, and an expandable opening on the top side of the surgical drape. Additionally, the surgical drape may also include adhesive components on the bottom side of the drape that may be independently removed in order to affix the drape around a surgical site.

A system for supporting or positioning a patient before, during, or after a medical procedure can include a platform configured to support at least a portion of a patient. A support column can be positioned beneath the platform. A base can be positioned beneath the support column and configured to support the support column. The base can include at least one drive wheel configured to contact a ground surface and move the platform with respect to the ground surface. A drive assist user interface module can be operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be configured to permit an operator of the system to selectively control movement of the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be part of or be attached to an attachment that includes a plate having a top surface. In one configuration, the top surface of the plate can be configured to extend parallel with a top surface of the platform when the attachment is attached to the platform.

A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft extended through a handle and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, a rack extending along a portion of the shaft and operatively coupled to a knife located at the end effector, a first actuation system housed within the handle and operable to drive the rack and thereby advance or retract the knife at the end effector, the first actuation system including a sector gear engageable with the rack and including a tooth-free zone, and a second actuation system housed within the handle and operable to cause z-axis translation of the shaft through the handle. Rotating the sector gear such that the tooth-free zone faces the rack decouples the shaft from the first actuation system to allow the shaft to freely move in z-axis translation.

The invention relates to medical therapy of detrimental lesions. A system treats with non-invasive arrays of non-ionizing energy-radiation sources. The external sources focus energy dose distribution to a selected volume in a body. Energy output is directed towards a pathologic location and quenched around other sites or healthy tissue. Beam aiming is done without source movement. Targeted, volumetrically discrete energy deposition can beneficially manipulate lesions within the body. The purpose of the focused and enhanced energy deposition is to repair or disable pathologic physiology or structures, nerve pathways, extracellular fluid, and misfolded proteins. Locally augmented energy is used to enhance immunity, release pharmaceutical compounds from energy-sensitive vesicles and reconfigure or eliminate misfolded proteins and their aggregates. Targeted tissue may have enhanced sensitivity to received energy via a non-ionizing-radiation, treatment-localizing agent. This system optimizes delivery of non-ionizing, non-ablating electromagnetic or mechanical energy, degrading or repairing an abnormality upon interaction with it.