A patient lift is an assistive device for patients who lack sufficient strength or muscle control to be transferred between a wheelchair and a toilet or other places. Patient lifts of two kinds are commonly used: overhead lifts and mobile lifts. Nevertheless, because of its size and weight, carrying even a mobile lift with a wheelchair is difficult when leaving home. This study examined a novel portable patient lift that is small and light, sufficient to be carried using a wheelchair in a folded state. It is compact, light, and portable because it has no actuator. Moreover, its operation is simple. It is useful not only at home or in a nursing home but on any flat surface during daily excursions and activities, even in a conventional lavatory. A caregiver can transfer a user with a small force because this lift has a sliding mechanism that brings the fulcrum closer to the patient's center of mass. Experimental results underscore the effectiveness of the proposed patient lift.
Enhancement of posture sway with backpack weight carrying by eye closure and reduced support polygon surface
