Patient transport method and apparatus

Abstract

A transport method and apparatus is provided capable of reducing the accelerations encountered by an item or patient due to an external energy input to the transport device, by utilizing an active control system adapted to input a second energy to offset the effect of the external energy input.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a transport device and methods, and particularly to reducing the effects and damage to items or patients being transported as a result of certain energy inputs to the transport device and resulting acceleration-related inputs to the patient or item. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Patient transport devices, often referred to as gurneys, stretchers, and the like, have long been used to transport people having injuries from one place to another, such as from an accident site to a hospital, or from hospital to hospital, etc. In addition to being themselves mobile, many patient transport devices may be adapted for use with a number of different transport vehicles, including ambulances, airplanes, helicopters, snow machines, and the like. When these vehicles are transporting patients from one location to another, they inevitably encounter disturbances such as bumps, potholes, turbulence, or other inconsistenc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When these vehicles are transporting patients from one location to another, they inevitably encounter disturbances such as bumps, potholes, turbulence, or other inconsistencies in the transport medium, which in turn causes a sudden change in position of the patient transport device.

This abrupt change in position is transmitted to the patient, and can cause the patient to be subject to accelerations in various directions.

The magnitude of these external energy inputs and the resulting accelerations of the patient in different directions can have a severe and oftentimes detrimental impact on the patient being transported, particularly if the patient has head, neck, and/or spinal trauma, for example.

Any undue energy input cannot only further aggravate an existing injury, but may ultimately result in death.

Oftentimes being several weeks if not months premature, the biological systems within the neonatal patient, particularly the vascular system, has not fully developed and is extremely susceptible to damage.

Even the smallest amount of vib

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