Patient transport apparatus with handle assembly for controlling drive system
AssigneeStryker Corporation
InventorMaksym Kloka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure comprising a base, a patient support surface, and a reference sensor arranged to sense inclination of the support structure. A drive system is coupled to the support structure and operable to propel the patient transport apparatus. A handle assembly is operable by a user to control operation of the drive system. The handle assembly comprises a handle movable relative to the base and a position sensor arranged to sense positioning of the handle. A controller is coupled to the reference sensor and the position sensor, and is adapted to control the drive system in response to signals received from the reference sensor and the position sensor.
Claims18
A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface, the patient transport apparatus comprising:
- a support structure comprising a base, a patient support surface, and a reference sensor arranged to sense inclination of the support structure;
- a drive system coupled to the support structure and operable to propel the patient transport apparatus;
- a handle assembly operable by a user to control operation of the drive system, the handle assembly comprising a handle movable relative to the base and a position sensor arranged to sense positioning of the handle;
- and
- a controller coupled to the reference sensor and the position sensor, and adapted to control the drive system in response to signals received from the reference sensor and the position sensor.
A method for controlling a drive system to propel a patient transport apparatus along a floor surface, the patient transport apparatus having a support structure with a base, a patient support surface, and a handle operable by a user to operate the drive system, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing inclination of the support structure;
- sensing positioning of the handle;
- and
- controlling the drive system in response to the sensed inclination of the support structure and the sensed positioning of the handle to propel the patient transport apparatus along the floor surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.