Patient litter basket with spin control

Abstract

A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

1 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly comprising:
 a wind deflector unit for producing an air stream to counter ambient air movements;   sensors associated with the wind deflector unit for sensing ambient air movements, the wind deflector unit producing the air stream in response to input from the sensors.   
     
     
         2 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sensors comprise at least one gyroscope. 
     
     
         3 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wind deflector unit comprises a thruster unit containing fans, the fans producing the air stream which flows in a direction approximately opposite to a direction prevalent in the ambient air movement. 
     
     
         4 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a patient litter basket, and a connection member for connecting the thruster unit to the patient litter basket. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wind deflector unit comprises a generally flat wing member having opposing side surfaces mounted on a shaft such that the wing member is rotatable about the axis of the shaft, wherein the wing member presents according to its angular position a greater or lesser side surface to a downwash from an overhead helicopter. 
     
     
         7 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the sensors cause the shaft to rotate incrementally according to the spin of a patient litter basket. 
     
     
         8 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket, the assembly comprising:
 a thruster unit for discharging an air stream and mounted on or near the patient litter basket;   at least one sensor associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket;   a power source for powering the thruster unit and the sensor;   a clamp member for mounting on the patient litter basket and for releasably receiving the thruster unit;   wherein the sensor modulates the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.   
     
     
         9 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the sensors comprise a plurality of gyroscopes. 
     
     
         10 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein two thruster units are provided, each discharging the air stream in a substantially opposite direction. 
     
     
         11 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the thruster unit comprises a housing of generally tubular shape having a central portion and opposing end portions, a pair of fans mounted in the housing each near an opposing end portion and each for discharging the air stream in a substantially opposite direction, the housing comprising a series of inlets at about the central portion thereof, wherein air intake for the fan is through the opposing end portion and the series of inlets. 
     
     
         12 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the clamp member comprises a first connector portion for connecting to the patient litter basket and a second connecting portion for connecting to the thruster unit, the first connecting portion comprising a pair of arms pivotable with respect to each other between an open and locked position and defining a space for receiving the patient litter basket, and the second connecting portion comprises a receiving slot and guide rails for releasably receiving and holding a fastening panel on the patient litter basket. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a grate protector wherein the grate protector comprises a outer perimeter portion defining a central space and a plurality of slats extending through the central space, the slats having a depth or length in the direction of the air stream and facilitating the focusing of the air stream entering or emerging from the thruster unit as it passes over the slats, to increase efficiency of the air stream. 
     
     
         15 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the thruster unit comprises a housing, the housing having a compartment for accommodating the sensors, electronics and interchangeable batteries. 
     
     
         16 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket raised and lowered by a helicopter using a cable, the assembly comprising:
 a deflector wing having a pair of opposing surfaces, the deflector wing for mounting on or near the cable so that it will be positioned in a downwash of the helicopter;   a shaft upon which the deflector wing is mounted, the deflector wing being pivotable about the shaft so as to move the opposing surfaces between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation;   a motor for rotating the shaft;   at least one sensor for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket;   wherein the sensor modulates the angular position of the deflector wing between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation to deflect the downwash to produce an air stream so that the air stream counters or neutralizes the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by reducing or preventing the spin.   
     
     
         17 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the sensors are one or more gyroscopes. 
     
     
         18 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a power source in the form of at least one battery for powering the motor, the battery being removable and replaceable and rechargeable. 
     
     
         19 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising a main frame having a first end connectable to the cable and a second end connectable to the patient litter basket, wherein the motor, sensors and battery are contained in a housing attached to the main frame, and the shaft is mounted on the main frame and connected to the motor. 
     
     
         20 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the motor has a drive gear, and the shaft has a pivot gear, the shaft being rotated when the drive gear of the motor turns the pivot gear on the shaft. 
     
     
         21 . A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the sensor modulates the angular position of the deflector wing incrementally and constantly in real time to be reactive to rotational movement of the patient litter basket based on current ambient conditions. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)