An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.

A patient support apparatus includes a base frame and an upper frame configured to support a mattress. The upper frame has a head portion including a recessed edge. Lift arms are coupled to the upper frame and configured to adjust a position of the upper frame. A first handle is coupled to the head portion on a first side of the recessed edge. A second handle is coupled to the head portion on a second side of the recessed edge. The first and second handles are configured to pivot inboard and toward one another to a lowered position extending over the upper frame adjacent to the recessed edge. An intravenous pole is pivotally coupled to the head portion and is adjustable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The intravenous pole extends along a rear wall of the recessed edge over the upper frame when in the stowed position.

Emergency vehicle patient transport systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an emergency vehicle patient transport system includes: a loading passage providing access to an interior of an emergency vehicle; one or more tracks coupled to a floor of the emergency vehicle, a ceiling of the emergency vehicle, a wall of the emergency vehicle or combinations thereof wherein, a travel path is delineated by the one or more tracks; and a chair slidingly engaged with the one or more tracks, and vertically positioned between the floor and the ceiling. The chair locks in one or more set positions. And, the one or more set positions are selected from a group consisting of an airway care position, an extended airway care position, a procedural care position, a responder position, a patient care position, and a patient load position.

An apparatus includes a drive mechanism, a patient support mechanism, and an electronic system. The drive mechanism is included in a trolley and is configured to suspend the trolley from a support track. The drive mechanism includes a first sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the drive mechanism. The patient support mechanism couples to the trolley and includes a tether and a second sensor. The tether can be operatively coupled to a patient such that the patient support mechanism supports the patient. The second sensor is configured to sense an operating condition of the patient support mechanism. The electronic system is included in the trolley and has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a gait characteristic of the patient based at least in part on a signal received from the first sensor and a signal received from the second sensor.

There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame a boom portion connected to the supporting frame and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint (PJ2) allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. According to one aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member According to another aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

A transfer system includes a first mechanical element including a portion of a one of a support platform and a transfer device; a second mechanical element including a portion of a one of the support platform and the transfer device; and a sacrificial element including a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the second end removably connected to the first mechanical element with a first connecting fastener, and the first end removably connected to the second mechanical element with a second connecting fastener.

A pre/post-tensioning controller system for a wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system (“WTORS”) will be a comprehensive energy management system for controlling excessive excursions of a wheeled mobility device during various adverse driving scenarios. The system uses multiple pre-tensioning and post-tensioning events during a front, side, or rear impact crash or rollover scenario—and effectively controls excursions by the tensioning of the WTORS equipment at specific and ideal moments. The system also uses tensioning events on the tie-down equipment during a long duration turn or other aggressive maneuvers. The system may also use tensioning events on the occupant restraints. The energy management system can be adapted for use with traditional four-point tie-downs and newer three- and two-point tie-down systems that incorporate fixed or movable bumpers, as well as compressive-type securement systems, and other systems as well, including docking systems.

There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a boom portion connected to the supporting frame, and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. The patient lift apparatus can include a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member. The patient lift apparatus can include a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

A patient support apparatus for traversing objects supported on ground surfaces. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck, and a base to support the patient support deck from the ground surface. At pair of caster wheel assemblies spaced from each other are coupled to the base for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes cooperating to define a reference plane. A frame guard coupled to the base defines first and second ramp surfaces each disposed at an angle relative to the reference plane. The first ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in a first direction. The second ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in an opposite, second direction.

A computing device is provided to monitor or ascertain various characteristics of one or more of a wheeled mobility device securement system, a wheeled mobility device, and an occupant of the wheeled mobility device. The computing device can send any and all data available to it, including but not limited to time, dynamic information concerning the vehicle, the wheeled mobility device securement system, the wheeled mobility device, and the occupant, the actions taken by the computing device during an adverse driving condition, and when those actions were taken, to memory for use after the adverse driving event for analysis purposes to understand and recreate the event.