Abstract: An automated system and methods are provided for coordinating a transfer of a patient between patient support apparatuses. The method can include establishing communication between a transferring patient support apparatus and a receiving patient support apparatus. The method can further include adjusting a position of at least one of the receiving patient support apparatus and the transferring patient support apparatus. The method can include locating and aligning the receiving patient support apparatus adjacent the transferring patient support apparatus.

Abstract: An automated system and methods are provided for coordinating a transfer of a patient between patient support apparatuses. The system includes first and second patient support apparatuses having a patient support surface supported by an adjustable frame. A controller is provided and is configured to communicate with at least one of the first and second patient support apparatuses. The controller includes programmable instructions to coordinate automated movements of at least one of the patient support apparatuses in order to couple the support apparatuses at a preferential transfer position, engage or monitor at least one safety feature, and provide an indication that it is safe to transfer the patient between the first and second patient support apparatuses.

Abstract: An automated system and methods are provided for coordinating a transfer of a patient between patient support apparatuses. The system includes first and second patient support apparatuses having a patient support surface supported by an adjustable frame. A controller is provided and is configured to communicate with at least one of the first and second patient support apparatuses. The controller includes programmable instructions to coordinate automated movements of at least one of the patient support apparatuses in order to couple the support apparatuses at a preferential transfer position, engage or monitor at least one safety feature, and provide an indication that it is safe to transfer the patient between the first and second patient support apparatuses.

Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on at least one of an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs and a condition of the stairs.

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading apparatus includes a base for mounting to an emergency vehicle deck and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, which is configured for engaging an ambulance cot. A drive mechanism is provided for raising the arm, which is configured in the presence of an applied force with a first magnitude on the arm to raise the arm at a first speed and in the presence of an applied force on the arm with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude to raise the arm at another speed or speeds lower than the first speed.

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading apparatus includes a base for mounting to an emergency vehicle deck and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, which is configured for engaging an ambulance cot. A drive mechanism is provided for raising the arm, which is configured in the presence of an applied force with a first magnitude on the arm to raise the arm at a first speed and in the presence of an applied force on the arm with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude to raise the arm at another speed or speeds lower than the first speed.

Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot having a base frame configured for support on a surface, a litter frame configured for supporting thereon a patient and an elevating mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the litter frame and configured to interconnect the litter frame and the base frame in order to facilitate movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward and away from each other. A control mechanism is provided on the cot which is configured to facilitate the movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward each other and at differing speeds predicated on at least one of whether the base frame is supported on the surface and the litter frame is supported by an external support separate from the elevating mechanism.

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading apparatus includes a base for mounting to an emergency vehicle deck and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, which is configured for engaging an ambulance cot. A drive mechanism is provided for raising the arm, which is configured in the presence of an applied force with a first magnitude on the arm to raise the arm at a first speed and in the presence of an applied force on the arm with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude to raise the arm at another speed or speeds lower than the first speed.

Abstract: A patient support includes a base, a patient support surface supported by the base, an electrically powered device, and a rechargeable power storage device for powering the electrically powered device. Further, the patient support includes a receiving coil that is electrically coupled to the rechargeable power supply for inductive coupling with a transmitting coil, the receiving coil for recharging the rechargeable power supply when the receiving coil is inductively coupled to the transmitting coil.

Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot having a base frame configured for support on a surface, a litter frame configured for supporting thereon a patient and an elevating mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the litter frame and configured to interconnect the litter frame and the base frame in order to facilitate movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward and away from each other. A control mechanism is provided on the cot which is configured to facilitate the movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward each other and at differing speeds predicated on at least one of whether the base frame is supported on the surface and the litter frame is supported by an external support separate from the elevating mechanism.

Abstract: A patient support includes a base, a patient support surface supported by the base, an electrically powered device, and a rechargeable power storage device for powering the electrically powered device. Further, the patient support includes a receiving coil that is electrically coupled to the rechargeable power supply for inductive coupling with a transmitting coil, the receiving coil for recharging the rechargeable power supply when the receiving coil is inductively coupled to the transmitting coil.

Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot having a base frame configured for support on a surface, a litter frame configured for supporting thereon a patient and an elevating mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the litter frame and configured to interconnect the litter frame and the base frame in order to facilitate movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward and away from each other. A control mechanism is provided on the cot which is configured to facilitate the movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward each other and at differing speeds predicated on at least one of whether the base frame is supported on the surface and the litter frame is supported by an external support separate from the elevating mechanism.

Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot has, if desired, a wheel supported base and a litter raisable and lowerable by a powered elevating mechanism oriented between the base and the litter. The ambulance cot also has wireless communication capability to facilitate communication between the ambulance cot and a loading system on an ambulance as well as facilitating wireless troubleshooting via a handheld wireless unit. The ambulance cot also has a longitudinally extendable head section. The ambulance cot also has several accessories, such as an accessory hook mounted to the underside of the fowler, and a collapsible pouch accessory fastened to the retractable head section and the litter frame.