Abstract: A patient handling apparatus includes an inflatable patient cradle (10?) for holding and supporting a patient in a sitting position when inflated and an air compressor (90) connectable to the cradle to inflate the cradle. The air compressor (90) has a control system for regulating the pressure of inflation of the cradle (10?) in use and is operative in a high pressure mode to bring the cradle to a first pre-defined inflation pressure for use in transferring a patient and operable in a reduced pressure mode to bring at least part of the cradle to a second pre-defined inflation pressure lower than the first pre-defined inflation pressure. In the lower pressure mode, the cradle (10?) is more comfortable to sit on for prolonged periods whilst still providing adequate support to hold a patient upright.

Abstract: A soft-walled inflatable cradle (10) has a seat section (14), a back-support section (16), and a pair of opposed side panel sections (18, 20) extending between respective sides of the back-support and the seat. The cradle is positioned about a patient in an un-inflated condition and inflated to define a self-supporting seat structure. The cradle may be formed in at least two separable parts which can be positioned about a patient and connected together prior to inflation. The cradle may be used in co-operation with apparatus which include rollers over which the inflated cradle is moved. Methods of handling a patient using the cradle are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a control unit which controls the supply of compressed air to a plurality of inflatable devices for inflating them and for venting air from them in order to deflate them. The unit has valves which are operated by finger operable devices. The valves are arranged in two groups. The first group of valves are disposed between an inlet connected to the source of compressed air and a corresponding number of individual ports which are connected to the inflatable devices. The second group of valves are connected between a venting outlet and the ports or a corresponding number of further ports which are connected to the inflatable devices.

Abstract: Backrest support apparatus comprising an inflatable flexible bag structure which comprises two hollow limbs (11, 12) configured and connected at a junction or tethered to assume a stable configuration when fully inflated, and to collapse to a substantially planar configuration in which one limb (11) at least partially overlies the other (12) when the structure is deflated.

Abstract: Mobile medical lifting apparatus comprising a mobile support means having wheels, castors or rollers, which mobile support means supports or provides a mounting for a lifting device comprising a stack of inflatable bags for raising a seat or platform supported by the lifting device, an inflatable bag at the bottom of the lifting device is actuable to raise the wheels, castors or rollers off the ground to enable the wheels, castors or rollers, and, optionally, associated parts of the mobile support means, to be removed so that the lifting device can lower the seat or platform to very close to the ground to minimize the effort required to move a fallen person onto the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring disabled persons horizontally on a slider (11) from a first supporting surface to an adjacent supporting surface by using a cable winch (10) to apply tension to a cable (15) to drag the slider (11) (and the person thereon) from one surface to the other. The cable and/or winch is/are relocatable to drag the slider substantially horizontally in the opposite direction. Either or both of the supporting surfaces may be on platforms (beds, seats etc) supported by lifting devices (39, 60, 63) and bridging means (42) may be provided on the platforms. The apparatus can be integrated into a bed, trolley, wheelchair or a medical, nursing or sanitary installation.