The present invention provides a combined patient handling and surgical positioning system for use with a mechanical lift for positioning a patient on a surgical table. A pad assembly has a base with a top surface. The base has a plurality of handles attached thereto. The handles have openings defined therein. A foam top is fixedly mounted to the top surface of the base. At least one strap is attached to the pad assembly. The pad assembly is configured to prevent bunching when lifting or repositioning the patient during surgical table positioning changes required during surgery and the pad assembly is configured for movement in multiple directions during surgery. An elongate support member is configured to extend through the openings in the plurality of handles on the pad assembly. A plurality of lifting slings are configured to removably attach to the elongate support bar to the mechanical lift in a surgical theater.

A strain gauge assembly includes a member and a strain gauge supported by the member spaced. The strain gauge further includes a bearing surface and a contact surface spaced from the bearing surface. When the member is subject to a predetermined bending force, the bearing surface contacts the contact surface wherein at least a portion of the bending force bypasses the strain gauge and instead is transferred from the bearing surface to the contact surface.

A strain gauge assembly includes a member and a strain gauge supported by the member spaced. The strain gauge further includes a bearing surface and a contact surface spaced from the bearing surface. When the member is subject to a predetermined bending force, the bearing surface contacts the contact surface wherein at least a portion of the bending force bypasses the strain gauge and instead is transferred from the bearing surface to the contact surface.

A hospital bed having foot egress, including a foot section with a pair of foot panels that can pivot upward and be locked into place to provide a support structure for standing and ambulation. Each of the pair of foot section panels can include a grab handle for assistance in standing. The foot end of the frame of the bed includes a retractable crossbar which supports the foot panels, and which can be reversibly retracted towards the middle of the bed frame and beneath the seat section of the bed to provide a clearing at the distal foot end of the bed for the patient to stand and exit the bed safely and efficiently.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and system for the insertion and extrication of a person, particularly a disabled person, to and from the water wherein the board allows for compact storage in a stowed configuration, rescue use in an extended configuration, and seated use in a seated configuration. The system further comprises a rolling frame to further enable access and allow a user to sit at a common seated height.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and system for the insertion and extrication of a person, particularly a disabled person, to and from the water wherein the board allows for compact storage in a stowed configuration, rescue use in an extended configuration, and seated use in a seated configuration. The system further comprises a rolling frame to further enable access and allow a user to sit at a common seated height.

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.

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 stretcher which comprises a bed, and a frame having first and second parallel frame members coupled to first and second lateral frame members is disclosed. A securement track is define by an upper surface of at least one of the first parallel frame member, the second parallel frame member, the first lateral frame member, and the second lateral frame member, the securement track having a plurality of alternating open regions and necked down regions along a length. A bed mount configured to both support the bed and be releasably secured in the securement track in a secure condition, and configured to be repositionable along the length of the securement track in an unsecured condition.