Abstract: A patient transfer tube and method for manufacturing the same. In a polyethylene embodiment of the tube, there is at least a base layer that contains at least 85% by weight of polyetheylene, has an overall density of at least 0.935 g/cm3, and has a thickness in the range of 33-64 microns.

Abstract: A patient transfer device adapted to be a component of a patient transport stretcher, chair or gurney is disclosed. A rigid articulated support having a head portion and a lower portion hinged to one another is adapted to be attached to a stretcher having a Fowler mechanism. A self locking reversible gearbox which can be manually driven from either side of the transport device is attached to the support. The gearbox drives an articulated output shaft to which rollers are attached. The rollers drive an endless belt beneath the support. The endless belt has finite lengths of low friction webbing attached. The low friction webbing wraps around the support and across the top thereof between the support and a flexible semirigid transfer sheet. The low friction webbing is attached to the semirigid sheet such that when the gearbox is activated the transfer sheet is moved across the rigid support to extend outwardly from either side of the rigid support.