Abstract: A method of controlling a guard tour of a thermal camera, wherein the thermal camera is a pan-tilt camera or a pan-tilt-zoom camera, comprises the steps of: obtaining a guard tour comprising a plurality of views of an area or facility and a sequence of movements and/or view times of the thermal camera for traversing the plurality of views; controlling the thermal camera to traverse the plurality of views according to the sequence of movements and view times of the guard tour; for each view: extracting a temperature profile based on thermal images from the thermal camera; based on the temperature profile, estimating whether an increased risk of overheating or overcooling exists for the view; and if so, adjusting the sequence of movements and view times of the thermal camera to show the view having an increased risk of overheating or overcooling more frequently.

Abstract: A hospital bed, trolley or lifter includes a steering wheel mounted on a wheel support arm extending from which is a ratchet mechanism which can co-operate with a tooth of an adjustment mechanism. When the tooth is engaged in the ratchet teeth of the ratchet mechanism the wheel can be raised and held in the raised position until the tooth is disengaged. The wheel adjustment mechanism also includes an eccentric wheel for raising the tooth in a periodic manner to cause periodic raising of the wheel. A damper is attached to the support arm for dampening the drop of the wheel when the tooth is disengaged. A mechanism provides a steering wheel which can be held at intermediate positions between its uppermost and lowermost positions and which can be held in an engaged position in a plurality of different positions relative to casters of the bed or trolley. The system can also make use of a small capacity drive motor whilst still retaining speed of operation.

Abstract: Patient handling equipment, such as a hospital bed, is provided with a propulsion system and a status indicator light system incorporated in the propulsion system and operable to generate at least two light beams beyond a perimeter of the bed. The light indicator, which may have different colors, shapes or intensities, can indicate the state of propulsion of the system and generates light beams which are visible all around the equipment so as to be visible to a carer from any angle. The apparatus may include an ambient light sensor disposed to detect floor level lighting conditions rather than general ambient light.

Abstract: A brake assist system for patient handling equipment such as a patient bed includes a drive wheel. The wheel includes a brake assist system operated by control of a controlled unit which is operable to sense tilt of the handling equipment and to apply partial breaking to the wheel when it is detected that the equipment is on a slope. The control unit controls a maximum speed of the equipment down the slope, in order to protect the patient and to assist a care worker. The control unit disengages the brake assist mechanism when it is detected that the equipment is on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: Patient handling equipment, such as a hospital bed, is provided with a propulsion system and a status indicator light system incorporated in the propulsion system and operable to generate at least two light beams beyond a perimeter of the bed. The light indicator, which may have different colors, shapes or intensities, can indicate the state of propulsion of the system and generates light beams which are visible all around the equipment so as to be visible to a carer from any angle. The apparatus may include an ambient light sensor disposed to detect floor level lighting conditions rather than general ambient light.

Abstract: A brake assist system for patient handling equipment such as a patient bed includes a drive wheel. The wheel includes a brake assist system operated by control of a controlled unit which is operable to sense tilt of the handling equipment and to apply partial breaking to the wheel when it is detected that the equipment is on a slope. The control unit controls a maximum speed of the equipment down the slope, in order to protect the patient and to assist a care worker. The control unit disengages the brake assist mechanism when it is detected that the equipment is on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A hospital bed, trolley or lifter includes a steering wheel mounted on a wheel support arm extending from which is a ratchet mechanism which can co-operate with a tooth of an adjustment mechanism. When the tooth is engaged in the ratchet teeth of the ratchet mechanism the wheel can be raised and held in the raised position until the tooth is disengaged. The wheel adjustment mechanism also includes an eccentric wheel for raising the tooth in a periodic manner to cause periodic raising of the wheel. A damper is attached to the support arm for dampening the drop of the wheel when the tooth is disengaged. A mechanism provides a steering wheel which can be held at intermediate positions between its uppermost and lowermost positions and which can be held in an engaged position in a plurality of different positions relative to casters of the bed or trolley. The system can also make use of a small capacity drive motor whilst still retaining speed of operation.

Abstract: A needle holding device having an elongated hollow body with first and second ends, the first end being substantially open for receiving a needle. The hollow body also has a locking member operably disposed therein or thereon. The locking member has an opening to receive and non-releasably hold a needle inserted therethrough. Preferably, the locking member has one or more protrusions directed inwardly toward said opening, the protrusions being adapted to engage a needle in a locking relationship when the needle is inserted through the opening in the locking member. Also preferably, the needle holding device has an elastomeric sealing member operably connected to the hollow body, the elastomeric sealing member also being disposed adjacent the first end of said hollow body. The elastomeric sealing member is adapted to admit and seal around a needle pierced therethrough.

Abstract: Valves are disclosed including a housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, a valve seat for at least one of the fluid inlets and fluid outlets, a diaphragm movable between a first position engaged with the valve seat and a second position disengaged from the valve seat, the diaphragm having a surface area which is greater than the size of the valve seat so that the surface area of the diaphragm is greater than the surface area necessary for abutment against the valve seat, an actuator for actuating the diaphragm between the first and second positions, and an activator for displacing the diaphragm whereby at least partially portions of the surface area of the diaphragm are exposed to the valve seat upon displacement of the diaphragm.