Abstract: A patient handling apparatus includes a patient support surface, a base, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a hydraulic cylinder operable to selectively raise or lower the patient support surface or the base. The hydraulic circuit controls flow of fluid between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir to thereby control the movement of the base or patient support surface. In addition, the hydraulic circuit may include a manual bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump in response to a manual input, which allows manual extension or retraction of the cylinder, for example, when the pump is not operational. The hydraulic circuit may also include a pump bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump to allow fluid to discharge from the cap end to the fluid reservoir for faster evacuation of fluid from the cylinder, thereby increasing retraction speed of the rod.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. One or more handle assemblies are coupled to the frame to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. The handle assemblies comprise one or more handles to be manipulated by a user. The handles are capable of being adjusted to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, such as pushing/pulling the patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, lifting the patient transport apparatus over obstacles, loading the patient transport apparatus into an emergency vehicle, and/or unloading the patient transport apparatus from the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A patient handling apparatus includes a patient support surface, a base, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a hydraulic cylinder operable to selectively raise or lower the patient support surface or the base. The hydraulic circuit controls flow of fluid between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir to thereby control the movement of the base or patient support surface. In addition, the hydraulic circuit may include a manual bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump in response to a manual input, which allows manual extension or retraction of the cylinder, for example, when the pump is not operational. The hydraulic circuit may also include a pump bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump to allow fluid to discharge from the cap end to the fluid reservoir for faster evacuation of fluid from the cylinder, thereby increasing retraction speed of the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. One or more handle assemblies are coupled to the frame to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. The handle assemblies comprise one or more handles to be manipulated by a user. The handles are capable of being adjusted to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, such as pushing/pulling the patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, lifting the patient transport apparatus over obstacles, loading the patient transport apparatus into an emergency vehicle, and/or unloading the patient transport apparatus from the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. One or more handle assemblies are coupled to the frame to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. The handle assemblies comprise one or more handles to be manipulated by a user. The handles are capable of being adjusted to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, such as pushing/pulling the patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, lifting the patient transport apparatus over obstacles, loading the patient transport apparatus into an emergency vehicle, and/or unloading the patient transport apparatus from the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. One or more handle assemblies are coupled to the frame to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. The handle assemblies comprise one or more handles to be manipulated by a user. The handles are capable of being adjusted to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, such as pushing/pulling the patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, lifting the patient transport apparatus over obstacles, loading the patient transport apparatus into an emergency vehicle, and/or unloading the patient transport apparatus from the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: A patient handling apparatus includes a patient support surface, a base, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a hydraulic cylinder operable to selectively raise or lower the patient support surface or the base. The hydraulic circuit controls flow of fluid between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir to thereby control the movement of the base or patient support surface. In addition, the hydraulic circuit may include a manual bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump in response to a manual input, which allows manual extension or retraction of the cylinder, for example, when the pump is not operational. The hydraulic circuit may also include a pump bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump to allow fluid to discharge from the cap end to the fluid reservoir for faster evacuation of fluid from the cylinder, thereby increasing retraction speed of the rod.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a frame, and a patient support surface to support a patient. One or more handle assemblies are coupled to the frame to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. The handle assemblies comprise one or more handles to be manipulated by a user. The handles are capable of being adjusted to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus, such as pushing/pulling the patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, lifting the patient transport apparatus over obstacles, loading the patient transport apparatus into an emergency vehicle, and/or unloading the patient transport apparatus from the emergency vehicle.