AU2020102735A4 - Stretcher - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight stretcher for transporting a patient in an aircraft is described. The lightweight stretcher is also configured for powered loading and unloading of the lightweight stretcher into a land vehicle having a powered stretcher loading system comprising a moveable stretcher loader carriage having at least one 5 stretcher lifting arm and moveable to a stretcher receiving position to lift and support the lightweight stretcher, the moveable stretcher loader carriage then moveable to a retracted position to load the lightweight stretcher into the land vehicle. 1/12 10011 110 127 121 112 149 ---- 160 148 120 . 24a 123a 147 ' 141b 141a 190 142b 135 147 13013 142a-\ 145 140 145 146 145, 145* Figure I 11 121 100 110 112 . • 160 800 141a 140 142a 120 190 130 123a 124a Figure 2

Description

1/12

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STRETCHER PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019903891 titled "STRETCHER" and filed on 15 October 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to the transport of patients by stretcher. In a particular form, the present invention relates to a stretcher for transporting and loading of patients between airborne and road vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In many cases, a sick or injured patient may require transport by both a land vehicle (eg, a road ambulance) and an aircraft (eg, an air ambulance). It is often the case that a road ambulance will be fitted with a powered stretcher loading system which operates together with a compatible stretcher to facilitate the loading and unloading of a patient from the road ambulance. These systems are very effective and not only assist in the rapid loading and unloading of stretchers but are important in preventing injuries to ambulance personnel caused from lifting and moving stretchers.

[0004] Unfortunately, a drawback with these powered stretcher loading systems is that the additional weight of both the loading system and the associated stretchers makes them unsuitable for many types of smaller aircraft who will as a consequence use a lightweight stretcher suitable for airborne operations. In these cases, there is then a need to conduct a manual "sheet transfer" of a patient between the lightweight stretcher and the power loading compatible stretcher when transitioning the patient between a road ambulance and an air ambulance. Not only are these sheet transfers potentially dangerous to patients but they can be the cause of injuries to ambulance personnel who must manually lift the patient when transferring the patient between stretchers.

SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lightweight stretcher for transporting a patient in an aircraft, wherein the stretcher is configured for powered loading and unloading of the lightweight stretcher into a land vehicle having a powered stretcher loading system comprising a moveable stretcher loader carriage having at least one stretcher lifting arm and moveable to a stretcher receiving position to lift and support the lightweight stretcher, the moveable stretcher loader carriage then moveable to a retracted position to load the lightweight stretcher into the land vehicle.

[0006] In another form, the lightweight stretcher comprises: an elongate deck portion for supporting the patient; an undercarriage assembly configured to orient the elongate deck portion in a substantially horizontal orientation when transporting the patient, the undercarriage assembly comprising: an in-vehicle wheel assembly operable to allow the stretcher to be moveable in the aircraft or land vehicle for loading and unloading the stretcher; and a retractable wheel assembly operable in an extended configuration to allow the stretcher to be moveable to and from the aircraft or land vehicle, and in a retracted position to allow operation of the in vehicle wheel assembly for loading and unloading the stretcher, wherein the undercarriage assembly is configured to receive and be supported by the at least one stretcher lifting arm of the powered stretcher loading system and comprises one or more engagement portions for engaging with the powered stretcher loading system for the powered loading and unloading of the lightweight stretcher.

[0007] In another aspect, the one or more engagement portions comprises a first engagement portion configured to engage with a stretcher latching arrangement forming part of the moveable stretcher loader carriage to allow operation of the at least one stretcher lifting arm to lift and support the lightweight stretcher for loading and unloading.

[0008] In another aspect, the one or more engagement portions comprises a second engagement portion configured to engage with a stretcher locking arrangement forming part of the powered stretcher loading system to lock the lightweight stretcher in place following loading.

[0009] In another aspect, the one or more engagement portions comprises a third engagement portion configured to engage with the least one stretcher lifting arm of the moveable stretcher loader carriage on moving the retractable wheel assembly from the extended configuration to the retracted position to restrain the lightweight stretcher with respect to the moveable stretcher loader carriage for loading of the lightweight stretcher.

[0010] In another aspect, the third engagement portion comprises a restraint bar that moves under and restrains the at least one stretcher lifting arm on moving the retractable wheel assembly from the extended configuration to the retracted position.

[0011] In another aspect, the deck portion is interchangeable.

[0012] In another aspect, the interchangeable deck portion comprises a standard stretcher assembly.

[0013] In another aspect, the interchangeable deck portion comprises a bariatric stretcher assembly.

[0014] In another aspect, the interchangeable deck portion comprises a neonatal stretcher assembly.

[0015] In another aspect, the interchangeable deck portion comprises a turntable portion configured to rotate with respect to the undercarriage assembly.

[0016] In another aspect, the retractable wheel assembly comprises a front pair of legs and a rear pair of legs, each of the legs terminating in a respective wheel, and wherein in an extended position the front pair of legs are located towards a head end of the stretcher and the rear pair of legs are located towards a foot end of the stretcher and together adopt a rectangular configuration to allow the stretcher to be wheeled to and from the vehicle, and wherein in the retracted position the front and rear pairs of legs fold upwardly and towards each other to a folded position proximate to the deck portion to allow operation of the vehicle wheel assembly.

[0017] In another aspect, the weight of the stretcher is less than 50 kg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a stretcher in accordance with an illustrative embodiment showing the retractable wheel assembly in an extended configuration;

[0020] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a stretcher illustrated in Figure 1 showing the retractable wheel assembly in a retracted configuration for loading and unloading stretcher in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the stretcher illustrated in Figure 1 in the retracted configuration showing the engagement portion deployed for engaging with a powered stretcher loading system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view similar to Figure 3 showing the engagement portion in a stowed configuration in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the stretcher illustrated in Figure 1 with the retractable wheel assembly in the extended configuration;

[0024] Figure 6 is a bottom view similar to Figure 5 showing the retractable wheel assembly of the stretcher in the retracted or folded configuration;

[0025] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a stretcher incorporating a standard stretcher assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0026] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a stretcher incorporating a bariatric stretcher assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0027] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of a stretcher incorporating a neonatal stretcher assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment showing the transportation of an intensive care unit;

[0028] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the stretcher incorporating a neonatal stretcher assembly illustrated in Figure 9 showing the turntable portion in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0029] Figure 11 is a top perspective view of stretcher incorporating a neonatal stretcher assembly illustrated in Figure 10 showing the rotational capability of the turntable portion;

[0030] Figures 12 to 17 show side views illustrating the loading sequence of the stretcher illustrated in Figure 1 using a powered stretcher loading system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0031] Figures 18 to 22 show side views illustrating the loading sequence of the stretcher illustrated in Figure 1 using an aircraft platform based stretcher loading system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

[0032] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of a platform based stretcher loader system as mounted to an aircraft in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

[0033] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring now to Figures I to 6, there are shown various views of a stretcher 100 for transporting a patient according to an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative embodiment, stretcher 100 is suitable for use with both land based (eg, ambulance) and airborne (eg, helicopter, aircraft) vehicles due to its lightweight configuration and is also configured to operate with vehicle based powered stretcher loading systems based on a moveable stretcher loader carriage that has at least one stretcher lifting arm and where the carriage is moveable to a stretcher receiving position to lift and support the lightweight stretcher and then moveable to a retracted position to load the lightweight stretcher into the land vehicle (eg, see Figures 11 to 17).

[0035] Stretcher 100 in this example comprises an elongate deck portion 110 for supporting the patient and an undercarriage assembly 120 which is configured to support and orient deck portion 110 so that it remains in a substantially horizontal orientation when transporting the patient and which is further configured to receive the one or more stretcher lifting arms of the powered stretcher loading system as will be described below.

[0036] Undercarriage assembly further comprises a in-vehicle wheel assembly 130 which allows the stretcher 100 to be moveable within a vehicle for loading and unloading stretcher 100 and a retractable wheel assembly 140 which is operable in both an extended configuration, as shown in Figure 1, for moving stretcher 100 to and from the vehicle and in a retracted position, as shown in Figure 2, to allow the operation of the in-vehicle wheel assembly 130 for loading and unloading the stretcher 100 from the vehicle.

[0037] Deck portion 110 in this example is of a generally rectangular configuration and formed from aviation grade aluminium. In another example, deck portion 110 may be formed from a suitable carbon fibre composite in order to maintain a reduced weight and as will be described below may be interchangeable to assist in supporting and transporting different types of patients. As an example, Figure 7 illustrates a deck portion 110 comprising a standard stretcher assembly 1200 for transporting patients, while Figure 8 illustrates a bariatric stretcher assembly 1300 for transporting obese patients. Figures 9 to 11 illustrate a neonatal stretcher assembly 1400 for transporting a neonatal intensive care unit containing a premature or critically ill infant.

[0038] Deck portion 110 includes a head end 111 and a foot end 112 defined by the typical orientation of a patient supported by the deck portion 110. As depicted in this example, deck portion 110 has a length of approximately 2 m and a width of approximately 0.5 m. As would be appreciated, these dimensions may be varied depending on the type of patient being transported. As would be further appreciated, while the primary function of lightweight stretcher 100 is the conveying of patients, in other examples stretcher 100 may be used to convey other medical equipment or items or general equipment and the like.

[0039] Deck portion 110 is maintained in its horizontal orientation by undercarriage assembly 120 which in this example is formed substantially from aviation grade aluminium tubing. Undercarriage assembly 120 in this embodiment includes an outer frame member 121 that extends around the periphery of deck portion 110. Undercarriage assembly 120 further includes an inner frame member 122 comprising two substantially parallel opposed beam members 122a, 122b that extend along the length of deck portion 110, spaced inwardly from the sides of outer frame member 121, and connected by cross member 122c at the head end 111, where cross member 122c is attached to outer frame member 121. The other ends of opposed beam members 122a, 122b are attached to the foot end 112 of the outer frame member 121.

[0040] Each beam member 122a, 122b includes a centrally disposed downwardly extending truss members 123a, 123b having a truncated equilateral triangle configuration with the base formed by a portion of the respective beam member 122a, 122b and a truncated apex formed by a lower rail member 124a, 124b, together forming a support structure for both the in-vehicle wheel assembly 130 and the retractable wheel assembly 140 of stretcher 100 and further forming a receiving channel 800 disposed between truss members 123a, 123b configured to receive the powered stretcher lifting arms of powered stretcher loading system as will be described below.

[0041] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle wheel assembly 130 includes a wheel set comprising four steerable wheels 135 attached to each end of lower rail members 124a, 124b having a rectangular configuration. In this example, the vertical distance between the bottoms of wheels 135 to the top of deck portion 110 is approximately 275 mm.

[0042] Retractable wheel assembly 140 in this example includes a front pair of legs 141a, 141b located towards a head end 111 of stretcher 100 and a rear pair of legs 142a, 142b located towards a foot end 112 of stretcher 100 where each of the legs 141a, 141b, 142a, 142b terminate in respective wheels 145. When extended, retractable wheel assembly 140 adopts a splayed or spread rectangular configuration to provide an extended wheel base that is positioned below stretcher 100 to allow the stretcher 100 to be wheeled on the ground to and from a vehicle. In this example, the wheels 145 on the front or head end pair of legs 141a, 141b are oriented in a forward direction and the wheels 145 on the rear or foot end pair of legs 142a, 142b are free to rotate and further include a foot operated locking mechanism 146 to prevent movement of stretcher 100 when required.

[0043] Retractable wheel assembly 140 may be retracted into a retracted position by lifting the first and second pairs of legs 141a, 141b and 142a, 142b, to fold upwardly and towards each other into a folded position (as best seen in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6) where the legs are positioned proximate and in line with deck portion 110. In this manner, the wheels 145 of the retractable wheel assembly 140 are lifted above the wheels 135 of vehicle wheel assembly 130 allowing these wheels 135 to be used when loading and unloading stretcher 100 from a vehicle.

[0044] In this example, each pair of legs (eg, 141a, 141b) is configured as a U-shaped sub-frame that is received within a cylindrical shaped saddle 127 that extends between truss members 123a, 123b so that both legs will pivotally move together with respect to the deck portion 110. In addition, the U-shaped sub-frame is slightly outwardly tapered resulting in a moderate splaying of the front and rear pairs of legs 141a, 141b and 142a, 142b.

[0045] In this embodiment, retractable wheel assembly 140 further includes a guided slot arrangement to facilitate the folding of the pairs of wheels 145 into the retracted position. Considering one side of retractable wheel assembly 140 for illustrative purposes, right hand side front and rear legs 141a, 142a each include a stay member 147 that is pivotally attached part way down a respective leg at one end and slidably and pivotably attached to respective parallel horizontally extending guide slots located on truss member 123a at the other end. In this example, the stay member 147 of front leg 141a is attached to upper horizontal guide slot 149 while the stay member 147 of rear leg 142a is attached to lower parallel guide slot 148.

[0046] In this manner, the front and rear legs 141a, 141b and 142a, 142b will be guided to fold into a compact folded position where the wheels 145 of retractable wheel assembly 140 will be located above the wheels 135 of vehicle wheel assembly 130 allowing the stretcher to be loaded onto a vehicle by the vehicle wheel assembly (as best seen in Figures 16 and 22).

[0047] Undercarriage assembly 120 in this example comprises a first, second and third engagement portions 160, 190, 170 which as will be described below are configured to engage with the powered stretcher loading system to assist in the powered loading and unloading of lightweight stretcher 100. In this example, the first engagement portion 160 is located at the head end111 of undercarriage assembly 120 and is in the form of retractable horn extension members 161a, 161b that are configured to engage with a stretcher latching arrangement forming part of the moveable stretcher loader carriage to activate the lifting arms of the power stretcher loading mechanism for loading the lightweight stretcher 100 (eg, see Figures 13 and 14).

[0048] Second engagement portion 190 in this example is located at the foot end 112 of undercarriage assembly 120 and is in the form of a downwardly extending latching plate 191 that is configured to engage with a stretcher locking arrangement that locks the stretcher 100 in the retained position following powered loading into the vehicle (eg, see Figure 17).

[0049] Third engagement portion 170 in this example is moveable and located towards the middle of undercarriage assembly 120 and is in the form of a lateral extending restraint bar 171 that is configured to engage with the stretcher lifting arms of the powered stretcher loading system. In this example, the ends of restraint bar 171 are connected to the retained ends of the stay members 147 that are connected to rear legs 142a, 142b, so that on retracting the retractable wheel assembly 140 to the retracted position, the restraint bar 171 will move with the retained ends of stay members 147 in guide slot 148 under the stretcher lifting arms to restrain the stretcher 100 to the stretcher lifting arms and in turn to the moveable stretcher loader carriage for loading of the stretcher 100 (eg, see Figures 15 and 16).

[0050] In this example, the weight of stretcher 100 depicted in Figures I to 6 is less than 50 kg making it suitable for most airborne operations. In this particular case, the weight of stretcher 100 is less than or about 35 kg. As would be appreciated, a standard stretcher that is compliant with powered stretcher loading systems found commonly in land vehicles will weigh approximately 70 kg and is unsuitable for use in a number of aircraft where any additional weight will compromise aircraft performance. Furthermore, stretcher 100 is designed for a maximum load of 300 kg making it suitable for bariatric patients.

[0051] Referring now to Figures 7 to 11, there are shown various views of stretcher 100 configured with a number of different of interchangeable deck portions 110 corresponding to a standard stretcher assembly 1200, a bariatric stretcher assembly 1300 and a neonatal stretcher assembly 1400 according to various illustrative embodiments.

[0052] Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a top perspective view of a stretcher 100 configured with a standard stretcher assembly 1200 according to an illustrative embodiment. Stretcher assembly 1200 in this example comprises an elongate planar bed portion 1290, an adjustable tiltable back rest portion 1210, a base portion 1215 and a raisable or height adjustable leg rest portion 1220. In this example, planar bed portion 1290 comprises two longitudinal slots 1291, 1292 located at the foot end and head end of bed portion 1290 respectively which accommodate the lifting mechanisms for leg rest portion 1220 and the back rest portion 1210. The back rest portion 1210, base portion 1215, leg rest portion 1220 are covered by a conformable mattress material 1240 to provide patient comfort. Stretcher assembly 1200 further includes opposed side rails 1230 which are moveable from a prone horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation as required.

[0053] As would be appreciated, stretcher assembly 1200 may be configured for the particular requirements of the patient being transported and the patient can then be loaded and unloaded from both a land vehicle incorporating a powered stretcher loading system as well as an aircraft that incorporates a manual or semi-manual stretcher loading arrangement. In this example, stretcher 100 configured with standard stretcher assembly 1200 has a weight of approximately 42 kg, ie less than 45 kg.

[0054] Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a top perspective view of a stretcher 100 configured with a deck portion 110 comprising a bariatric stretcher assembly 1300 according to an illustrative embodiment. Bariatric stretcher assembly 1300 in this example comprises an elongate planar bed portion 1390, an adjustable tiltable back rest portion 1310, a wide format base portion 1315 suitable for obese patients and foot rest portion 1325. In this example, planar bed portion 1390 comprises a single longitudinal slot 1392 located at the head end of bed portion 1390 which accommodates the lifting mechanism for the back rest portion 1310. Similar, to standard stretcher assembly 1200, back rest portion 1310, base portion 1315 and foot rest portion 1325 are covered by a padded or conformable mattress material 1340 to provide patient comfort. Stretcher assembly 1300 further includes opposed side rails 1330, a head end rail 1360 and a foot end rail 1350 which are all moveable from a prone horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation as required. Head end and foot end rails 1360, 1350 may be used to assist in changing the direction of stretcher 100 when transporting a bariatric patient.

[0055] In this example, the in-vehicle wheel assembly 360 of lightweight stretcher 100 is configured to handle higher loads as required in order to load and unload heavier patients (eg, up to 300 kg). As would be appreciated, stretcher assembly 1300 is particularly suited for transporting obese patients and which can be further loaded and unloaded from both a land vehicle incorporating a powered stretcher loading system as well as an aircraft that incorporates a manual or semi-manual stretcher loading arrangement. In this example, stretcher 100 configured with bariatric stretcher assembly 1300 has a weight of approximately 47 kg, ie less than 50 kg.

[0056] Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown atop perspective view of a stretcher 100 configured with a neonatal stretcher assembly 1400 according to an illustrative embodiment shown carrying an intensive care unit 500. Figures 10 and 11 are top views of the turntable portion 1490 of neonatal stretcher assembly 1400, first oriented centrally in line with stretcher assembly 1400 (as shown in Figure 10) and then rotated off centre (as shown in Figure 11).

[0057] Stretcher assembly 1400 in this example comprises an elongate planar base portion 1410 and an elongate turntable portion 1490 which is substantially of the same dimensions as base portion 1410 and which is rotatably mounted to planar base portion 1410. Turntable portion 1490 comprises two opposed substantially parallel rail members 1492 extending along the length of turntable portion 1490 and which function to locate intensive care unit 500 (as best seen in Figure 9). Rail members 1492 further include four inwardly extending locking extensions 1493 arranged in a rectangular configuration to prevent lateral movement of intensive care unit 500 between rail members 1492.

[0058] In this example, the underside of turntable portion 1490 comprises a turntable interface portion (not shown) that rotatably interfaces with base portion 1410 and which further includes two opposed part circular or arcuate downwardly extending guide rails 1411 having a common centre to the axis of rotation of turntable portion 1490 and which are received in corresponding arcuate guide slots 1415 located on base portion 1410. In this manner, the rotation of turntable portion 1490 is confined within guide slots 1415 when it traverses base portion 1410. Turntable portion 1490 further includes a spring loaded release actuator 1491 which when lifted allows turntable portion 1490 to be rotated with respect to base portion 1410.

[0059] As would be appreciated, stretcher assembly 1400 is particularly appropriate for carrying an intensive care unit 500 containing a premature or critically ill infant which can then be loaded and unloaded from both a land vehicle incorporating a powered stretcher loading system as well as an aircraft that incorporates a manual or semi-manual stretcher loading arrangement. In this example, stretcher 100 configured with neonatal stretcher assembly 1400 has a weight of approximately 47 kg, ie less than 50 kg.

[0060] Referring now to Figures 12 to 17, there are shown side views illustrating the loading sequence of stretcher 100 using a powered stretcher loading system 600 according to an illustrative embodiment. In this example, powered stretcher loading assembly 600 includes a moveable stretcher loader carriage 610 comprising at least one stretcher lifting arm 615 which is moveable to a stretcher receiving position A. In this example, powered stretcher loading system 600 is a Stryker TM Power-Load TM power-loading cot fastener system where the moveable stretcher loader carriage 610 is moveable along a linear transfer arrangement 620 from stretcher receiving position A to a retracted retained position B where the stretcher is retained within the vehicle (as best shown in Figure 17).

[0061] Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, the first engagement portion of stretcher 100 which is in the form retractable horn extension members 161a, 161b are manually rotated to extend downwardly from lightweight stretcher 100 for engagement with the stretcher latching arrangement 640 located at the rear and on each side of stretcher loader carriage 610. Once engaged as shown in Figure 14, powered stretcher lifter arms 615 are actuated and move upwardly to lift and support stretcher 100 so that it maintains a horizontal orientation for loading into the vehicle. Once the lifting arms 615 are in the fully deployed position, then the front and rear wheels 141, 142 or retractable wheel assembly 140 may be retracted by collapsing them upwardly and inwardly as depicted in Figure 15. In accordance with this embodiment, the third engagement portion of stretcher 100, which is in the form of restraint bar 171, is caused to move towards and below the stretcher lifting arms 615 on folding of retractable wheel assembly 140 to further retain the stretcher 100 to the moveable stretcher loader carriage 610 as best seen in Figure 16.

[0062] Once stretcher 100 is fully engaged to the powered stretcher loading system 600 following retraction of retractable wheel assembly 140, the stretcher loader carriage 610 may be moved to the retracted position B as shown in Figure 17 on the in-vehicle wheel assembly 130, at which stage second engagement portion of the stretcher 100 which is in the form of latching plate 191 will interface and latch with stretcher locking arrangement 630 which is located at the receiving end of linear transfer arrangement 620.

[0063] In this manner, lightweight stretcher 100 is conveniently loaded with the only manual operations being the manual rotation of horn extension members 161a, 161b which in this example are connected and rotate together as they form the legs of a U-shaped member and the retraction or folding of retractable wheel assembly 140 which requires minimal effort once stretcher 100 is supported by lifting arms 615 as shown in Figure 15.

[0064] In order to unload lightweight stretcher 100, the sequence of operations illustrated in Figures 11 to 17 is essentially carried out in reverse as follows: • Stretcher locking arrangement 630 is actuated to release latching plate 191 as a result allowing stretcher loader carriage 610 and stretcher 100 to be moved from the retracted position B in the vehicle to the stretcher receiving position A to allow stretcher 100 to be unloaded. • Once stretcher loader carriage 610 is in the stretcher receiving position A, the retractable wheel

assembly 140 may be unfolded to the extended configuration in the process causing the restraint bar 171 to move away from lifting arms 615. • The stretcher lifting arms 615 may then be lowered until the weight of stretcher 100 is borne by retractable wheel assembly 140 and stretcher 100 then disengaged from stretcher latching arrangement 640 at which stage horn extension members 161a, 161b may be rotated towards deck portion 110 to be stowed with the stretcher 100 then being fully unloaded.

[0065] As can be seen, lightweight stretcher 100 may be conveniently loaded and unloaded from a vehicle having a powered stretcher loading system 600 as described above but still be of suitable lightweight configuration so that it may then be used with an aircraft.

[0066] In some examples, lightweight stretcher 100 will be manually loaded into an aircraft and this activity is assisted by its lightweight configuration. In other examples, an aircraft may have a platform based loader system mounted to the side of an aircraft.

[0067] Referring now to Figures 18 to 22, there are shown side views illustrating the loading sequence of stretcher 100 onto an aircraft using a platform based stretcher loading system 700 according to an illustrative embodiment. Figure 23 shows the deployed platform based stretcher loading system 700 as mounted to a side door of an aircraft.

[0068] Stretcher loading system 700 comprises a horizontally extending platform 710 and a lifting arrangement 720 located at one end of platform 710 that engages with lifting column to raise platform 710 from a first lowered position to receive the stretcher 100 to a raised position level with the aircraft floor so that stretcher 100 may be moved off platform 710 and into the aircraft by virtue of in-vehicle wheel assembly 120.

[0069] In this example, platform 710 is configured to fit between retractable wheel assembly 140 so that stretcher 100 may be supported by in-vehicle wheel assembly 130 by positioning stretcher 100 over platform 110. In one example, platform 710 further includes wheel channels 711 (as shown in Figure 23) that assist in guiding stretcher 100 onto platform 710. In this manner, stretcher 100 may be wheeled onto platform 710 (see Figure 19) and retractable wheel assembly 140 then retracted (see Figure 20). At this stage, platform 710 may be raised until it is level with the aircraft floor (see Figure 21) and then stretcher

100 moved into the aircraft (see Figure 22) at which stage stretcher loading system 700 may be removed from the side of the aircraft.

[0070] As would be appreciated, a stretcher in accordance with the present disclosure is suitably lightweight to be used in the airborne transport of patients but can also interface with powered stretcher loading systems commonly used in land vehicles such as ambulances and the like to allow the stretcher to be loaded and unloaded from these vehicles. As can be seen from the embodiments described above, the lightweight stretcher will have a weight of at least less than 50 kg but could have a weight as low as about kg depending on its configuration. As such, it is not necessary to transfer a patient between two different types of stretchers where both airborne and land transport of a patient is required. This not only improves the likely health outcomes of the patients but also reduces the risk of workplace injuries for ambulance personnel.

[0071] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (13)

1. A lightweight stretcher for transporting a patient in an aircraft, wherein the stretcher is configured for powered loading and unloading of the lightweight stretcher into a land vehicle having a powered stretcher loading system comprising a moveable stretcher loader carriage having at least one stretcher lifting arm and moveable to a stretcher receiving position to lift and support the lightweight stretcher, the moveable stretcher loader carriage then moveable to a retracted position to load the lightweight stretcher into the land vehicle.

2. The lightweight stretcher of claim 1, wherein the lightweight stretcher comprises: an elongate deck portion for supporting the patient; an undercarriage assembly configured to orient the elongate deck portion in a substantially horizontal orientation when transporting the patient, the undercarriage assembly comprising: an in-vehicle wheel assembly operable to allow the stretcher to be moveable in the aircraft or land vehicle for loading and unloading the stretcher; and a retractable wheel assembly operable in an extended configuration to allow the stretcher to be moveable to and from the aircraft or land vehicle, and in a retracted position to allow operation of the in-vehicle wheel assembly for loading and unloading the stretcher, wherein the undercarriage assembly is configured to receive and be supported by the at least one stretcher lifting arm of the powered stretcher loading system and comprises one or more engagement portions for engaging with the powered stretcher loading system for the powered loading and unloading of the lightweight stretcher.

3. The lightweight stretcher of claim 2, wherein the one or more engagement portions comprises a first engagement portion configured to engage with a stretcher latching arrangement forming part of the moveable stretcher loader carriage to allow operation of the at least one stretcher lifting arm to lift and support the lightweight stretcher for loading and unloading.

4. The lightweight stretcher of claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more engagement portions comprises a second engagement portion configured to engage with a stretcher locking arrangement forming part of the powered stretcher loading system to lock the lightweight stretcher in place following loading.

5. The lightweight stretcher of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the one or more engagement portions comprises a third engagement portion configured to engage with the least one stretcher lifting arm of the moveable stretcher loader carriage on moving the retractable wheel assembly from the extended configuration to the retracted position to restrain the lightweight stretcher with respect to the moveable stretcher loader carriage for loading of the lightweight stretcher.

6. The lightweight stretcher of claim 5, wherein the third engagement portion comprises a restraint bar that moves under and restrains the at least one stretcher lifting arm on moving the retractable wheel assembly from the extended configuration to the retracted position.

7. The lightweight stretcher of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the deck portion is interchangeable.

8. The lightweight stretcher of claim 7, wherein the interchangeable deck portion comprises a standard stretcher assembly.

9. The lightweight stretcher of claim 7, wherein the interchangeable deck portion comprises a bariatric stretcher assembly.

10. The lightweight stretcher of claim 7, where the interchangeable deck portion comprises a neonatal stretcher assembly.

11. The lightweight stretcher of claim 7, wherein the interchangeable deck portion comprises a turntable portion configured to rotate with respect to the undercarriage assembly.

12. The lightweight stretcher of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retractable wheel assembly comprises a front pair of legs and a rear pair of legs, each of the legs terminating in a respective wheel, and wherein in an extended position the front pair of legs are located towards a head end of the stretcher and the rear pair of legs are located towards a foot end of the stretcher and together adopt a rectangular configuration to allow the stretcher to be wheeled to and from the vehicle, and wherein in the retracted position the front and rear pairs of legs fold upwardly and towards each other to a folded position proximate to the deck portion to allow operation of the vehicle wheel assembly.

13. The lightweight stretcher of any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the stretcher is less than 50 kg.