Abstract:
Patient handling equipment, such as a hospital bed (1), is provided with a propulsion system (4) and a status indicator light system incorporated in the propulsion system and operable to generate at least two light beams (5) beyond a perimeter (P) of the bed (1). The light indicator (5), which may have different colours, shapes or intensities, can indicate the state of propulsion of the system and generates light beams which are visible all around the equipment (1) so as to be visible to a carer from any angle. The apparatus may include an ambient light sensor disposed to defect floor level lighting conditions rather than general ambient light.
Abstract:
Person support apparatuses with selectively coupled foot sections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the person support apparatus (100) includes a base frame (102), a primary support frame (104) supported on the base frame, and a foot section (110) coupled to the primary support frame. The person support apparatus also includes a carriage (106) that is freely translatable between a head (H) end of the primary support frame and a foot end (F) of the primary support frame, the carriage comprising a torso portion (114) and a seat portion (112) having a thigh segment (146) and a gluteal segment (148). The person support apparatus further includes a selectable trunnion (610) that selectively and severally couples the foot section to the primary support frame and the thigh segment of the seat portion.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a mobility unit for attaching to a hospital bed or trolley for improving the manoeuvrability of same in either an assisted or independent fashion. Typically the unit is used in a retro-fit or add-on manner and so is attached to an existing bed or trolley.
Abstract:
Beschrieben ist ein Operationstischsystem (10) mit einer Transportvorrichtung (50) zum Transportieren einer Patientenlagerfläche (100); einer mit der Patientenlagerfläche (100) mechanisch koppelbaren Tischsäule (20), die einen Transfermechanismus (22) aufweist, der in Abhängigkeit eines Transferbefehls (T) zur Übergabe der Patientenlagerfläche (100) zwischen der Transportvorrichtung (50) und der Tischsäule (20) ansteuerbar ist; und einer Bedieneinheit (62), die zum Erzeugen des Transferbefehls (T) betätigbar ist. Die Bedieneinheit (62) weist mindestens ein an der Transportvorrichtung (50) angeordnetes Bedienelement (52, 54) und einen an der Transportvorrichtung (50) angeordneten, mit dem Bedienelement (52, 54) gekoppelten Infrarotsender (56) auf, der mit Betätigen des Bedienelementes (52, 54) den Transferbefehl (T) in Form eines Infrarotsignals aussendet. An der Tischsäule (20) ist ein Infrarotempfänger (24) angeordnet, der den Transferbefehl (T) empfängt.
Abstract:
An assisted propulsion system, method and chassis for conveying a payload along a surface are described. A plurality of wheels (62) are disposed about the chassis (60) for supporting the chassis on the surface (S). A drive (20) is arranged to provide at least assisted propulsion to the chassis (60) along the surface. At least a driving part (21) of the drive (20) is connected to the chassis (60) via a mount (30) having a resiliently sprung link (31), at least the driving part (21) of the drive (20) having a fixed orientation and being moveable independently of the chassis (60) and the plurality of wheels (62) in a direction towards the surface, the resiliently sprung link (31) being arranged to direct the at least the driving part (21) of the drive (20) onto the surface during provision of said assisted propulsion. A sensor is arranged to monitor acceleration of the drive and to communicate data on said acceleration to a controller, the controller controlling operation of the drive in dependence on the data received from the sensor.
Abstract:
A shock and vibration system for an infant care transport system with an enclosed infant care device. The shock and vibration system utilizes multiple damping systems that create a floating patient support system that allows the infant care device to move in the various axes of motion instead of being rigidly mounted to the frame or sub-frame, or any substructure.
Abstract:
A castor control unit for a swivel castor has a plurality of selectable modes of operation. The modes of operation include at least a free mode, in which the castor (14) can freely swivel about a swivel axis (26) and a wheel or wheels (30,32) of the castor can rotate about a rolling axis (28), and a direction lock mode, in which the castor is locked against swivelling about the swivel axis and the wheel or wheels of the castor can rotate about the rolling axis. The castor control unit (70) comprises a measuring means (154) for measuring motion, a processing means (150) that deduces, from the measured motion, whether there is a need to engage or disengage the direction lock mode, and an actuating means (120a) for actuating the castor to engage or disengage the direction-lock mode of operation. The actuating means is controllable by a control signal, and the control signal is determined, at least in part, from the deduction of whether there is a need to engage or disengage the direction lock mode. Also disclosed are a processing module, a control system and a method of controlling a castor.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an elevator interface module that provides communicate and control of elevator controller.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for providing assistance in the manual operation of a transport trolley (1) equipped with a drive device (3a) for driving at least one trolley rolling member (3) and an on-board power source for powering the drive device (3a). The method is characterised in that it allows the drive device (3a) to be controlled for as long as it is established (8, 9) that a force exerted manually on the trolley (1) is greater than or equal to a given threshold. The invention also relates to a trolley used to carry out said method.
Abstract:
A patient handling device, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a motor for driving one or more wheels to assist in the movement of the device. At least one proximity sensor is positioned on the device in order to detect the presence of one or more objects that may lie in the path of the device when it moves. A controller on the device determines the distance between itself and the object and automatically controls the speed of the device in a manner designed to reduce the likelihood of a collision and/or to mitigate the impact of a collision. The automatic speed control of the device may follow one or more predetermined profiles that correlate certain parameters, such as a distance to the object or relative velocity, with a maximum acceptable speed of the device.