A method of rotating a subject includes arranging a lifting aid underneath the subject such that a midline of the subject is off center from a centerline of the lifting aid in a direction opposite of the rotation direction. The lifting aid includes a first loop extending in the rotation direction and a second loop extending in the opposite direction. The method further includes connecting the loops to a sling bar coupled to an overhead lift and directing the overhead lift to raise, where the subject rotates towards the direction of rotation due to the off center location of the subject. The method further includes repositioning the subject when the subject has rotated to a lateral recumbent position and directing the overhead lift to lower, thereby causing the subject to continue rotating.

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 balance assist and fall prevention assembly for preventing falls and providing balance assistance includes a plurality of rails and a harness. The rails are mountable to a ceiling of a structure and are selectively interconnectable so that respective rails are extend along an associated route in the structure that is routinely traversed by a user. A trolley is rollably engaged to the plurality of rails. The harness can be selectively donned by the user so that the harness is removably engaged to the user. A tether is engaged to and extends between the harness and the trolley. The tether is selectively length adjustable so as to extend substantially linearly between the harness and the trolley with the user standing substantially upright and beneath the trolley. The tether thus improves balance of the user and to prevents falling of the user.

A lift system includes a trolley member defining an aperture extending through the trolley member, a locking unit coupled to the trolley member, the locking unit including a locking unit body and a pin that extends outward from the locking unit body, where the pin is repositionable between an engaged position, in which the pin extends through and outward from the aperture of the trolley member, and a disengaged position, a cable extending between and terminating at an actuator end that is engaged with the actuator and a subject lift end positioned opposite the actuator end, where the cable is selectively drawn to the trolley member or paid out from the trolley member upon actuation of the actuator, and a subject lift connecting member coupled the subject lift end of the cable.

A mounting assembly for a cross-rail of an overhead rail system includes a mounting rail, an attachment bracket, and a spring-loaded pin. The mounting rail is configured to mount to a sidewall and includes a bracket receiving recess. The attachment bracket includes an attachment portion and an extension portion, wherein the attachment portion is shaped to correspond to the bracket receiving recess such that the attachment portion is positionable within the bracket receiving recess. The spring-loaded pin is coupled to the attachment bracket and includes a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the spring-loaded pin is biased to the extended position to lock the cross-rail to the extension portion of the attachment bracket.

Disclosed is a patient transfer system for transferring a user between a bed and a purposefully designed mobile sitting device that is aligned and berthed alongside the bed, wherein, the bed is adaptable to a seated arrangement and includes an interleaf structure of cushions and platforms, the platform including: a padding, a rail, restricted path, or track, and means for transferring the padding in a direction parallel to the ground away or towards the bed; the bed further includes means to raise or lower the top of the cushions or the padding; and the mobile sitting device includes a receiving rail, restricted path or track to receive the padding.

A modular patient lift system includes a ceiling grid, a plurality of rails, a gantry configured to traverse the ceiling grid via the plurality of rails, and a patient lift coupled to the gantry and configured to traverse the ceiling grid with the gantry. The modular patient lift system further includes one or more sensors provided on at least one of the plurality of rails, the gantry, and the patient lift, the one or more sensors configured to collect at least one of environmental data and position data.

Disclosed is a system or kit for forming an assembly comprising a rail trolley engageable with a rail to be moveable therealong, the system or kit comprising: at least one portion which a body of the trolley is to comprise (“body portion”), the body portion(s) being configured to define at least one slot in said body; and one or more wheels connectable or connected to at least one said body portion, or connectable to said body, the system or kit including at least one component connectable to the body through at least one said slot in the body and/or in one or more said body portions, or connected to at least one said body portion through at least one said slot therein, such that the position of a resulting interconnection between the/each component and the body in the assembly is variable along the slot(s) through which that component is connected.

A locking arrangement for a patient lift configured to selectively lock the vertical movement of a patient support mounting device connected to a lifting device of the patient lift via a load bearing member. The locking arrangement including a shape memory alloy element and a locking device. The shape memory alloy element is connected to the locking device and arranged to selectively actuate the locking device to control a locking force on an engagement member mechanically connected to a motor and the load bearing member of the patient lift. The present invention further relates to a patient lift including the locking arrangement.

A patient lift system includes a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor. A housing surrounds at least the motor and the drum. A load-bearing member is provided that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to at least one of the housing and the drum. The second end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to a patient support assembly. An electrically conductive member can be positioned within the load-bearing member. A user interface is configured to actuate the patient support assembly in vertical and horizontal directions.