A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston.

A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston.

A hydraulic drive unit for a stretcher has a hydraulic circuit with a differential cylinder, a pump, a tank and a valve assembly. The differential cylinder includes a rod working chamber and a piston working chamber. The valve assembly is switchable into at least a first state and a second state, wherein the rod working chamber is connected to the tank in the first state and to the pump in the second state, and wherein the piston working chamber is connected to the pump in the first state and to the tank in the second state. The tank is a tank separated from the atmosphere with a variable tank volume, so that the hydraulic circuit is configured as a closed hydraulic circuit. A stretcher having such a hydraulic drive unit is also provided.

Emergency mobile labor cot [20] inside ambulance is disclosed. The emergency mobile labor cot for providing healthcare to pregnant women at their doorstep according to the invention comprises a mainframe, adjustable headrest [1], a base structure with wheels [7,9,15], an actuator lever [4] for folding the legs, and an IV fluid stand [17]. The method of providing healthcare to the patient, comprises the steps of bringing the equipment down to the floor; strapping the patient with strap belts; lifting the equipment to convert it into a labor cot; putting in place the side guards; wheeling the patient into the ambulance; pressing the actuating lever to align the legs of the COT to sit inside the rails fitted inside the ambulance; locking of the mobile labor cot inside the ambulance van using the automatic locking mechanism; fitting the foot straps into the slop; adjusting the sterilized tray; opening the screen for privacy; taking the delivery kit out and performing the delivery with the doctor.