Invented by Joseph Adam Upchurch, John P. Zerbel, Richard A. Derenne, Stryker Corp

The market for medical support apparatus has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and an increasing demand for personalized healthcare solutions. Medical support apparatus refers to a wide range of devices and equipment that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various medical conditions. One of the key factors driving the growth of this market is the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders. These conditions require continuous monitoring and management, which can be facilitated by medical support apparatus. For instance, glucose monitoring devices and insulin pumps are widely used by individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels and administer insulin as needed. Furthermore, the aging population is also contributing to the expansion of the medical support apparatus market. As the elderly population increases, the demand for devices that assist in mobility, such as wheelchairs and walkers, is growing. Additionally, there is a rising need for devices that aid in the management of age-related conditions, such as hearing aids and vision correction devices. Advancements in technology have played a crucial role in the development of innovative medical support apparatus. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms has enabled the creation of smart devices that can analyze and interpret medical data in real-time. This has led to the emergence of wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, that can monitor vital signs, track physical activity, and provide personalized health recommendations. Moreover, the increasing adoption of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring has further fueled the demand for medical support apparatus. These technologies allow healthcare professionals to remotely monitor patients’ health conditions and provide timely interventions, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits. As a result, there is a growing demand for devices such as home monitoring kits, remote patient monitoring systems, and telehealth platforms. The market for medical support apparatus is highly competitive, with numerous players ranging from established medical device manufacturers to start-ups focusing on developing innovative solutions. Companies are investing heavily in research and development to introduce technologically advanced products that offer improved accuracy, ease of use, and patient comfort. Additionally, collaborations between healthcare providers and technology companies are becoming more common, leading to the development of integrated solutions that seamlessly connect medical support apparatus with electronic health records and other healthcare systems. In conclusion, the market for medical support apparatus is witnessing significant growth due to factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the aging population, technological advancements, and the adoption of telemedicine. As the demand for personalized healthcare solutions continues to rise, the development of innovative medical support apparatus will play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

The Stryker Corp invention works as follows

A medical chair has a base, seat section and leg rest that are pivotally mounted to the seat. The leg rest can be moved between a fully extended and a fully retracted position. The chair also includes a scissor system coupled to the legs rest that extends and contracts the legrest, and an actuator mounted at one end of the seat section with an extendible drive end attached to the legrest. When the extendible drive end extends, the extendible driver end pivots around the pivot axis to extend the scissor mechanisms.

Background for Medical Support Apparatus

Accordingly, one embodiment provides a medical seat that includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a control panel. The first actuator tilts the seat in relation to the base, and the second actuator lifts the seat relative to the base. The controller controls both the first and the second actuators in order to move the chair from a sitting position to a standing one. The controller controls the movement so that the seat is lifted and tilted simultaneously as it moves from the seating position to the stand-up position.

A medical chair with a wheel attached to the base and a seat is described in another embodiment. The control system includes a brake on the wheel. The control system can move the seat from a sitting to a standing position based on a user’s input. The control system can also be adapted to check the brake status automatically in response to a user input before moving the seat to a standing position.

Accordingly, another embodiment provides a medical seat that includes a base and comprises a seat, backrest and controller. The controller can be used to move the seat from a sitting to a standing position, so that it is tilted and raised at the same moment. The controller can also be used to pivot the backrest in relation to the seat so that when the seat in a sitting position is positioned, the backrest forms a first angle with the seat and vice versa when it is in a standing position. The second angle is larger than the first.

According to other aspects, a medical chair can remain substantially vertically-oriented even when it is in a standing position.

The arm rests can be positioned in a way that they remain in the same orientation when the seat is moved from the sitting to the standing position. Each arm rest has a forward and a backward portion. The forward portion is higher than the rearward section.

The controller can be configured to move the backrest so that the upper body of a person remains aligned vertically with their hips when the seat is moved from the sitting to the standing position.

The medical chair can also include a wheel attached to the base and a brake for it, as well as a brake sensing device. The controller communicates with the brake sensor and is adapted to determine whether the brake is in an unbraked state before moving the seat to the standing state. If the brake is not in the unbraked condition, the controller will prevent the movement from the seating position to standing position. The controller can also or alternatively be configured to automatically switch the brake from an unbraked state to a braked one before moving the seat to the standing position.

The seat can be tilted inwards when it is moved from a sitting to a standing position by a leg pivotally mounted to the base.

The controller can drive the first actuator and the second actuator in such a way that a virtual pivot is created for the seat between the back edge and the front edge.

In other aspects, the system will prevent the movement of the seat to the standing position when the brake is not braking. The control system can also be adapted to change the brake automatically from an unbraked to a braked state upon user input and then move the seat to a standing position.

According to another embodiment, the medical chair comprises a base with a pair arm rests that are supported by the base. The armrests can be moved between a raised and a lower position. One of the armrests is raised upwards and forwards (relatively to the footprint on the base) in comparison to its lowered position, to support the patient as they exit the chair.

In one aspect, the armrests are raised to a position which is up and forward when compared to their lowered position. This provides support for a patient exiting the chair. Each of the armrests can be mounted by a slide at the base, for example a linear one.

In other aspects, the arm rest cushions have an orientation for each one. The arm rest cushions’ orientations remain largely unchanged as the armrests move between their raised and lowered positions.

In another aspect, the chair can include a pair locking mechanisms in which each arm rest is lockable at least in one position.” Each of the armrests can be locked in multiple positions between the lowered position and the raised position, including the raised one.

In another aspect, the chair includes a manual release to release each locking mechanism.” The chair can include two manual releases for the locking mechanisms.

In any of these chairs, there may be one or more safety release that is configured to release each locking mechanism or the locking mechanisms when the armrest or armrests are lowered into contact with an object. Each armrest may include a release that is configured to release the locking mechanism if the armrest is lowered, and the object is sufficiently stiff to trigger the release. Each safety release may, for example, comprise a mechanical device, such as bar or rod, which is supported at the lower end of each arm rest, and optionally extends along the entire length of that arm rest.

In any of these chairs, the armrests include a spring assistance to reduce the weight of at least one of them to ease movement. The spring assist can be a constant force, coiled-plate spring or a constant force spring. Each armrest may also include a spring to reduce the weight of the armrest to make it easier to move.

The chair may also include a lift that can be used to raise or lower the chassis in relation to the base. The chassis supports arm rests or rests, and a seating section.

In any of the cases above, the base is a baseframe, which may include a wheeled frame.

According to a third embodiment, the chair has a base with an armrest that is supported by the base to move between a raised and a lower position. The chair also includes a locking device that can lock the armrest in one of the two positions (raised or lowered) and a safety release system to prevent locking of the locking mechanism when the armrest encounters an object as it is being lowered.

The safety release mechanism can include, for example, a bar or rod at the lower end of an arm rest. The rod or bar can also extend the entire length of the lower armrest.

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