WO2025137017A1

WO2025137017A1 - Patient restraint system with restraints and patient transport system including the same

Info

Publication number: WO2025137017A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/060633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Donald BAKER, Jr.; Connor Feldpausch ST. JOHN; William Dwight CHILDS; Jeffrey Alan KENNEDY
Original assignee: Stryker Corp
Current assignee: Stryker Corp
Priority date: 2023-12-19
Filing date: 2024-12-18
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-19

Abstract

A patient restraint system for restraining a patient to a patient transport apparatus having a receiver. The system includes a cuff portion defining adjustment openings. The cuff portion includes a shoulder distal the adjustment openings. A tab extends from the shoulder and defines a lock opening. A strap portion extends from the cuff portion that engages the receiver. The cuff and strap portions are operable in a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuffed portion defines a cuff loop engaging a limb of a patient. In the cuffed state, the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening. The cuff and the strap portions are operable in a released state in which the adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

Description

PATIENT RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITH RESTRAINTS AND PATIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/611,962 filed on December 19, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Caretakers often desire that patients remain still while in their care. For example, a patient may be unruly or subject to a treatment that causes involuntary physical reactions. Accordingly, patient restraints are commonly used to prevent patients from moving relative to a patient transport apparatus in healthcare settings.

[0003] However, there are challenges with securing patient restraints to patient transport apparatuses, particularly when only one caretaker is available. Often, conventional patient restraints are comprised of a flaccid strap that is secured to the patient transport apparatus with a fastening device. These fastening devices can be challenging to manipulate with one hand, and it can be difficult fort caretakers to simultaneously hold the patient in place and attach the restraint to the patient transport apparatus without assistance.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for patient restraint systems that address one or more of the challenges above.

SUMMARY

[0005] One general aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a patient restraint system for restraining a patient to a patient transport apparatus having a receiver. The patient restraint system includes a cuff portion extending from a first cuff end to a second cuff end. The cuff portion defines a plurality of adjustment openings proximal the second cuff end. The cuff portion includes a shoulder distal the plurality of adjustment openings from the second cuff end. A tab extends from the shoulder to the first cuff end and defines a lock opening. The system also includes a strap portion extending from the cuff portion. The strap portion is configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus to secure the strap portion to the receiver. The cuff and strap portions are operable in a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuffed portion defines a cuff loop configured to engage a limb of a patient. In the cuffed state the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening that receives the tab. The cuff and the strap portions are operable in a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

[0006] Another general aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a patient transport system for assisting a caregiver in restraining a patient. The patient transport system includes a patient transport apparatus including a support structure and a patient support deck. The system also includes a patient restraint for restraining a patient relative to the patient support deck. The patient restraint including a cuff portion for engaging the patient and a strap portion coupled to the cuff portion. The system also includes a receiver operatively attached to the support structure of the patient transport apparatus. The receiver is engageable with the strap portion to secure the patient restraint to the support structure. The system also includes a restrictor coupled to the support structure. The restrictor defines a restrictor opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver for preventing the patient from manipulating the receiver while the patient is engaged by the cuff portion.

[0007] Another general aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system with a patient restraint including a strap portion and a cuff portion defining a plurality of adjustment openings. The method includes bending the cuff portion around a limb of the patient. The method also includes receiving, by one of the plurality of adjustment openings, the strap portion to define a cuff loop around the limb of the patient. The method also includes receiving, by the lock opening, the strap portion to define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop. The method also includes coupling the strap portion to a receiver coupled to the support structure of the patient transport system to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

[0008] Another general aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system including a receiver. The method includes cuffing a limb of the patient with the cuff portion of the patient restraint. The method also includes receiving, through a restrictor opening of the restrictor, the strap portion of the patient restraint. The method also includes coupling, by the receiver, a section of the strap portion that has been received by the restrictor opening to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a patient transport system including a patient transport apparatus and a patient restraint.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of one patient restraint.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first configuration of the patient restraint in a released state.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first configuration of the patient restraint in a cuffed state. [0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second configuration of the patient restraint in a released state.

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second configuration of the patient restraint in a cuffed state.

[0015] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of one configuration of a receiver.

[0016] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the receiver of Figure 7.

[0017] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the receiver of Figure 5 including one example of the patient restraint including an engagement section of a strap portion of the patient restraint spaced from the receiver.

[0018] Figure 10A-10C are cross-sectional representations of a sequence of inserting the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint into the receiver of Figure 5 in a first direction and removing the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint from the receiver in a second direction.

[0019] Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another configuration of the receiver.

[0020] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the receiver of Figure 11.

[0021] Figure 13A is a top perspective view of the receiver of Figure 11 including another example of a patient restraint including the engagement section of the strap portion spaced from the receiver.

[0022] Figure 13B is a top perspective view of the receiver of Figure 11 including the patient restraint including the engagement section of the strap portion engaged with the receiver.

[0023] Figures 14A-18B include cross-sectional representations of a sequence of inserting the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient into the receiver of Figure 11 in the first direction and removing the engagement section of the strap portion from the receiver in the second direction.

[0024] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the receiver and a restrictor coupled to a support structure of the patient transport system.

[0025] Figure 20A is a perspective view of the receiver and restrictors coupled to a support structure of the patient transport system with the patient restraint coupled to the receiver.

[0026] Figure 20B is a perspective view of the receiver and the restrictor coupled to a support structure of the patient transport system with the patient restraint coupled to the receiver.

[0027] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the receiver coupled to a headboard of the patient transport system.

[0028] Figure 22A is a perspective view of another configuration of the receiver.

[0029] Figure 22B is an exploded perspective view of the receiver of Figure 22A.

[0030] Figure 23 is a top side plan view of the receiver of Figures 22A-22B.

[0031] Figure 24A is a sectional view of the receiver taken along line 24-24 in Figure 23, shown having a lock member arranged in a locked position.

[0032] Figure 24B is another sectional view of the receiver of Figure 24A, shown with the lock member arranged in an unlocked position, and shown with a portion of a patient restraint arranged adjacent to the receiver.

[0033] Figure 24C is another sectional view of the receiver of Figures 24A-24B, shown with the portion of the patient restraint disposed in the receiver with the lock member arranged in the unlocked position. [0034] Figure 24D is another sectional view of the receiver of Figures 24A-24C, shown with the portion of the patient restraint disposed in the receiver and secured by the lock member, with the lock member arranged in the locked position.

[0035] Figure 25A is a schematic side view of a configuration of the patient transport system, shown having an ankle restraint routed through a restrictor into a receiver on a patient support deck, and a wrist restraint routed through two other restrictors into another receiver on the patient support deck.

[0036] Figure 25B is another schematic side view of the patient transport system of Figure 25 A, shown with the wrist restraint routed through a different restrictor into another receiver on a headboard.

[0037] Figure 25C is a schematic side view of another configuration of the patient transport system, shown having an ankle restraint routed through a restrictor into a receiver on a patient support deck, and a wrist restraint routed through another restrictors into another receiver on the patient support deck.

[0038] Figure 25D is a schematic side view of another configuration of the patient transport system, shown having an ankle restraint routed through a restrictor into a receiver on an intermediate frame, and a wrist restraint routed through two other restrictors into another receiver on the intermediate frame.

[0039] Figure 25E is a schematic side view of another configuration of the patient transport system, shown having an ankle restraint routed through a restrictor into a receiver on a patient support deck, and a wrist restraint routed through another restrictor into another receiver on the patient support deck. [0040] Figure 25F is another schematic view of the patient transport system of Figurer 25F, shown with the wrist restraint routed through a different restrictor on the patient support deck into the other receiver.

[0041] Figure 25G is a schematic side view of another configuration of the patient transport system, shown having an ankle restraint routed through a restrictor into a receiver on an intermediate frame, and a wrist restraint routed through another restrictor into another receiver on the intermediate frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Referring to Figure 1, a patient transport system 28 for assisting a caregiver in restraining a patient is shown. The patient transport system 28 includes a patient transport apparatus 30 for supporting the patient in a health care setting. The patient transport apparatus 30 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a hospital bed. In other versions, however, the patient transport apparatus 30 may comprise a stretcher, cot, table, wheelchair, chair, or similar apparatus utilized in the care of a patient.

[0043] A support structure 32 provides support for the patient. The support structure 32 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a base 34 and an intermediate frame 36. The base 34 comprises a base frame 35. The intermediate frame 36 is spaced above the base frame 35 in Figure 1. The support structure 32 also comprises a patient support deck 38 disposed on the intermediate frame 36. The patient support deck 38 provides a patient support surface 40 upon which the patient is supported. The patient support deck 38 includes a plurality of deck sections (see Figures 25A- 25G) such as a fowler section 38A, a seat section 38B, a leg section 38C, and a foot section 38D, some of which are pivotable relative to the intermediate frame 36 and/or to each other. [0044] The patient transport apparatus 30 may also include a lift mechanism 37 that operates to lift and lower the intermediate frame 36 and/or the patient support deck 38 relative to the base 34. The lift mechanism 37 may be configured to move the intermediate frame 36 and/or the patient support deck 38 between a plurality of vertical configurations relative to the base 34, or to any desired position in between. Any suitable lift mechanism 37 capable of moving the intermediate frame 36 and/or the patient support deck 38 between a plurality of vertical configurations relative to the base 34 is contemplated.

[0045] A mattress 41 is disposed on the patient support deck 38 during use. The mattress 41 comprises a secondary patient support surface upon which the patient is supported. The base 34, intermediate frame 36, patient support deck 38, and patient support surfaces each have a head end and a foot end corresponding to designated placement of the patient’s head and feet on the patient transport apparatus 30. The construction of the support structure 32 may take on any known design and is not limited to that specifically set forth above. In addition, the mattress 41 may be omitted in certain versions, such that the patient rests directly on the patient support surface 40.

[0046] Patient barriers, such as side rails are coupled to the intermediate frame 36 and/or patient support deck 38 and are thereby supported by the base 34. A first side rail 42 is positioned at a right head end. A second side rail 44 is positioned at a right foot end. A third side rail 46 is positioned at a left head end. A fourth side rail 48 is positioned at a left foot end. If the patient transport apparatus 30 is a stretcher or a cot, there may be fewer side rails. The side rails are movable to a raised position in which they block ingress and egress into and out of the patient transport apparatus 30, one or more intermediate positions, and a lowered position in which they are not an obstacle to such ingress and egress. Such side rails and the manner in which they may be raised/lowered are shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0172829 filed on December 15, 2016 and entitled “Powered Side Rail For A Patient Support Apparatus.'' the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0047] A headboard 50 and a footboard 52 are coupled to the intermediate frame 36. The headboard 50 and footboard 52 may be coupled to any location on the patient transport apparatus 30, such as the intermediate frame 36 or the base 34. In still other versions, the patient transport apparatus 30 does not include the headboard 50 and/or the footboard 52.

[0048] Caregiver interfaces 54, such as handles, are shown integrated into the headboard 50, footboard 52, and side rails 42, 44, 46 to facilitate movement of the patient transport apparatus 30 over a floor surface. Additional caregiver interfaces 54 may be integrated into other components of the patient transport apparatus 30. The caregiver interfaces 54 are graspable by the caregiver to manipulate the patient transport apparatus 30 for movement, to move the side rails 42, 44, 46, and the like.

[0049] Other forms of the caregiver interface 54 are also contemplated. The caregiver interface may comprise one or more handles coupled to the intermediate frame 36. The caregiver interface may simply be a surface on the patient transport apparatus 30 upon which the caregiver logically applies force to cause movement of the patient transport apparatus 30 in one or more directions, also referred to as a push location. This may comprise one or more surfaces on the intermediate frame 36 or base 34. This could also comprise one or more surfaces on or adjacent to the headboard 50, footboard 52, and/or side rails 42, 44, 46. In other versions, the caregiver interface may comprise separate handles for each hand of the caregiver. For example, the caregiver interface may comprise two handles.

[0050] Wheels 56 are coupled to the base 34 to facilitate transport over a floor surface.

The wheels 56 are arranged in each of four quadrants of the base 34 adjacent to corners of the base 34. In the version shown, the wheels 56 are caster wheels able to rotate and swivel relative to the support structure 32 during transport. Each of the wheels 56 forms part of a caster assembly 58. Each caster assembly 58 is mounted to the base 34. It should be understood that various configurations of the caster assemblies 58 are contemplated. In addition, in some versions, the wheels 56 are not caster wheels and may be non-steerable, steerable, non-powered, powered, or combinations thereof. Additional wheels are also contemplated. For example, the patient transport apparatus 30 may comprise four non-powered, non-steerable wheels, along with one or more powered wheels. In some cases, the patient transport apparatus 30 may not include any wheels.

[0051] In other versions, one or more auxiliary wheels (powered or non-powered), which are movable between stowed positions and deployed positions, may be coupled to the support structure 32. In some cases, when these auxiliary wheels are located between caster assemblies 58 and contact the floor surface in the deployed position, they cause two of the caster assemblies 58 to be lifted off the floor surface thereby shortening a wheelbase of the patient transport apparatus 30. A fifth wheel may also be arranged substantially in a center of the base 34.

[0052] In some versions, the patient transport apparatus 30 may include a plurality of brakes (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) arranged to brake the wheels 56. For example, each of the wheels 56 may have an associated brake, but in some versions, fewer than all the wheels 56 may have an associated brake, e.g., only one, two, or three of the four wheels 56 have an associated brake. One exemplary braking device for operating the plurality of brakes is described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2021 138176 Al entitled “Patient Transport Apparatus With Electro-Mechanical Braking System ” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, other configurations are contemplated. [0053] As shown in Figures 1 -4, the patient transport system 28 also includes a patient restraint system 60 for restraining a patient relative to the patient support deck 38. The patient restraint system includes a patient restraint 62 including a cuff portion 64 for engaging the patient and a strap portion 66 coupled to the cuff portion 64. The patient restraint system 60 also includes a receiver 68 operatively attached to the support structure 32 of the patient transport apparatus 30. The receiver 68 is engageable with the strap portion 66 to secure the patient restraint 62 to the support structure 32. In some versions, aspects of the patient restraint system 60 may be similar to as is described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2024/035694 filed on June 27, 2024 and entitled “Patient Restraint System And Patient Transport System Including The SameS the disclose of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, as will be appreciated from the subsequent description below, other configurations are contemplated.

[0054] Referring to Figures 2-4, one configuration of the patient restraint 62 is shown. The cuff portion 64 extends from a first cuff end 64a to a second cuff end 64b. The cuff portion 64 defines a plurality of adjustment openings 70 proximal to the second cuff end 64b. The adjustment openings 70 may be defined as slots. It is contemplated that the adjustment openings 70 may be defined otherwise. The cuff portion 64 includes a shoulder 72 distal the plurality of adjustment openings 70 from the second cuff end 64b. A tab 74 extends from the shoulder 72 to the first cuff end 64a and defines at least one lock opening 76. The lock openings 76 may be defined as slots. It is contemplated that the lock openings 76 may be defined otherwise.

[0055] The strap portion 66 extends from a first strap end 66a to a second strap end 66b. The first strap end 66a may extend from the second cuff end 64b of the cuff portion 64. The strap portion 66 may comprise a hinge 78 at the first strap end 66a coupled to the second cuff end 64b of the cuff portion 64. The hinge 78 of the strap portion 66 assists the user in flexing or bending the rest of the strap portion 66 relative to the cuff portion 64. The hinge 78 may include any number or combination of features to make the strap portion 66 better suited to flex orbend relative to the cuff portion 64. For instance, in one configuration, the hinge 78 may be a living hinge. In another configuration, the hinge 78 may define a relief 80. The hinge 78 may be narrower in width than the cuff portion 64 and/or other sections of the strap portion 66. The strap portion 66 may further comprise a head 82 disposed between the hinge 78 and the second strap end 66b of the strap portion 66. The head 82 is used to prevent self-tightening or overtightening of the patient restraint 62 as described in greater detail further below. The head 82 is sized to be larger than the lock openings 76. Said differently, the head 82 is sized such that the head 82 cannot pass through the lock openings 76.

[0056] The strap portion 66 further comprises an engagement section 84 extending from the second strap end 66b of strap portion 66 toward the head 82. In some configurations, the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 may extend between the second strap end 66b of the strap portion 66 and the head 82 of the strap portion 66. The engagement section 84 is configured to engage the receiver 68 coupled to the patient transport apparatus 30. The engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 may define one or more catches 86 configured to engage the receiver 68 of the patient transport apparatus 30 for preventing release of the strap portion 66 relative to the receiver 68 as described in greater detail below. The engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 is sized to be received by the lock opening 76. In one configuration, the hinge 78 has a first width, the head 82 has a second width, and the engagement section 84 has a third width. The second width may be greater than the first and third widths. The first width may be less than the third width. The cuff and strap portions 64, 66 may have a uniform thickness. The cuff and strap portions 64, 66 may have rectangular cross sections. The strap portion 66 may be fixed to the cuff portion 64. The cuff and strap portions 64, 66 may be of unitary construction. In other words, the cuff and strap portion may be monolithic.

[0057] The cuff and strap portions 64, 66 are operable in a cuffed state (Figure 4). In the cuffed state, one of the adjustment openings 70 receives the tab 74 such that the cuffed portion 64 defines a cuff loop 88. The cuff loop 88 is configured to engage a limb (e g., an arm, a wrist, an ankle, etc.) of the patient. The size of the cuff loop 88 may be made larger or smaller to accommodate different limbs of the patients and/or a range of patient limb sizes based on which adjustment opening 70 receives the tab 74. In the cuffed state, one of the lock openings 76 receives the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 to prevent the tab 74 from exiting the adjustment opening 70 that receives the tab 74. As the head 82 is sized to be larger than the lock openings 76, the head 82 abuts the tab 74 in the cuffed state to prevent the remaining section of the strap portion 66, including the hinge 78, to pass through the lock opening 76, which may result in self-tightening. Preventing self-tightening permits the size of the cuff loop 88 to remain the same as selected by the caregiver. When the lock opening 76 receives the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66, the cuff and strap portions 64, 66 collectively define a hinge loop 90 separate from the cuff loop 88 in the cuffed state. When the tab 74 defines more than one lock opening 76, the size of the cuff loop 88 may also be made larger or smaller based on which lock opening 76 receives the strap portion 66. In some configurations, the spacing between the adjustment openings 70 may be larger than the spacing between the lock openings 76. Such a configuration allows for large adjustments in cuff loop 88 size to be made with selection of one of the adjustment openings 70 and small adjustments to be made with the selection of one of the lock openings 76.

[0058] Referring to Figure 3, the cuff and the strap portions 64, 66 are also operable in a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings 70 are free of the tab 74 and the lock opening 76 is free of the strap portion 66. In the released state, the cuff and strap portions 64, 66 may be disposed in a flat or planar configuration. In the released state, the cuff and strap portions 64, 66 may extend linearly. In some configurations, the relief 80 of the hinge 78 may be arranged transverse to the adjustment openings 70 when the cuff and strap portions 64, 66 are in the released state.

[0059] In one exemplary configuration, a caregiver may place the cuff portion 64 on the limb of a patient and bend the cuff portion 64 around the limb. The caregiver may then feed the strap portion 66 through one of the adjustment openings 70 to define the cuff loop 88 around the limb of the patient. The head 82 and hinge 78 of the strap portion 66 may pass through the adjustment opening 70. The adjustment opening 70 may be selected so that the cuff loop 88 approximates the size of the patient’s limb and the shoulder 72 abuts the cuff portion 64 while the tab 74 is received in the adjustment opening 70. Then the caregiver may bend the strap portion 66 back on itself so that the strap portion 66 may be inserted into the lock opening 76 and establish the hinge loop 90 separate from the cuff loop 88. The strap portion 66 may be continued to be inserted into the lock opening 76 until the head 82 abuts the tab 74 to prevent self-tightening by the patient after the strap portion 66 is secured to the support structure 32. The caregiver may then engage the strap portion 66 to the receiver 68 coupled to the support structure 32 of the patient transport apparatus 30 to restrain the patient to the patient support deck 38.

[0060] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, another patient restraint 162 is shown. The alternative patient restraint 162 is substantially similar to the patient restraint 62 described above in connection with Figures 2-4. For this patient restraint 162, the numerals are increased by 100 to refer to similar parts as the previously described patient restraint 62. One difference between the configurations of the patient restraints 62, 162 is that the first strap end 166a of the strap portion 166 of the patient restraint 162 extends from a central section of the cuff portion 164 between the first and second cuff ends 164a, 164b of the cuff portion 164 rather than at one of the cuff ends 164a, 164b of the cuff portion 164. More specifically, the first strap end 166a may extend from the cuff portion 164 such that the first strap end 166a of the strap portion 166 is disposed between the lock opening 176 and the adjustment openings 170 of the cuff portion 164. Instead of using a head 182 to prevent overtightening or self-tightening, the configuration of extending the strap portion 166 from a central section of the cuff portion 164 mitigates overtightening because a tensile force applied to the strap portion 166 from the second strap end 166b would not cause strap portion to continue being fed through the lock opening 176 and the adjustment opening 170 and thus, would not cause the cuff loop 188 to shrink. It is contemplated that the first strap end 166a may extend from the second cuff end 164b of the cuff portion 164. Instead of a rectangular crosssection, the strap portion 166 of the patient restraint 162 may have a cylindrical cross-section. Likewise, the lock opening 176 of the tab 174 of the cuff portion 164 may define a cylindrical opening to accommodate the cylindrical cross-section of the strap portion 166. The strap portion 166 may include a core comprising a polyester material. The strap portion 166 may comprise a coating of at least one material selected from a thermoplastic polyurethane and a polyvinyl chloride. The coating may surround the core.

[0061] In the versions of the patient restraint 62, 162 described above and illustrated in Figures 1-6, the engagement section 84, 184 (as well as other portions of the patient restraint 62, 162) may be formed from relatively “stiff’ materials so as to define at least a part of the strap portion 66, 166 as a stiff tang, such as with a flexural modulus that is configured so as to not buckle in the absence of tension, whereby the strap portion 166 is configured to resist deflection along its length in response to applied force acting on the second strap end 66b, 166b and configured to resist flexion in a direction transverse to its length. In other words, the engagement section 84, 184 may include a stiff tang configuration which may be inserted into one of the receivers 68, 168 without collapsing.

[0062] In the version depicted in Figures 1-4, the patient restraint 62 may be manufactured from a single relatively stiff material. However, other configurations are contemplated, such as the version depicted in Figures 5-6 where different relatively stiff materials are utilized for the strap portion 166 and for the cuff portion 164 of the patient restraint 162. In some versions, at least a portion of the patient restraint may be manufactured from a relatively flexible material, such as a flexible webbing or another flexible material which buckles in the absence of tension. It is contemplated that a flexible webbing style of patient restraint may be provided with a stiff tang configuration for the engagement section of the strap portion (not shown). Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the use of a stiff tang configuration for at least a part of the strap portion 66, 166 (e.g., the engagement section 85, 184) resists collapsing during insertion, which allows a caregiver to insert the stiff tang of the patient restraint 62, 162 into the receivers described herein using one hand rather than requiring that two hands be used (e.g., one hand to align the patient restraint with the receiver and another hand to pull the restraint through the receiver and lock the receiver). However, other configurations are contemplated, and in some versions of the patient transport system 28, flexible patient restraints may be utilized, such as is described in greater detail below in connection with Figures 22A-24D.

[0063] Referring to Figures 7-10C, an exemplary configuration of the receiver 68 and engagement between the receiver 68 and the strap portion 66 of the patient restraint 62 is shown. In some configurations, the patient transport system 28 comprises a plurality of receivers 68. The receiver 68 is configured to be operatively attached to the support structure 32 of the patient transport apparatus 30. The receiver 68 may be generally configured to receive the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in a first direction DI. The receiver 68 is generally configured to permit movement of one of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the first direction DI, and to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in a second direction D2, opposite the first direction DI, to restrain the patient relative to the patient support deck 38. Exemplary configurations of the receiver 68 is described in further detail below. Other exemplary receivers are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2024/035694 filed on June 27, 2024 and entitled “Patient Restraint System And Patient Transport System Including The Same ” previously referenced. However, other configurations of the receiver are contemplated.

[0064] The receiver 68 includes an inlet 92. The receiver 68 may include a housing 94 that defines the inlet 92. The receiver 68 also includes a lock member 96 supported for movement about a shaft 97 coupled to the housing 94. For example, the lock member 96 may be disposed within the housing 94. The lock member 96 may be arranged to engage the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 to permit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 in the first direction DI, and to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 in the second direction D2. The lock member 96 may be configured or otherwise supported for movement between a locked position 96L and an unlocked position 96U. In the locked position 96L, the lock member 96 engages the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the second direction D2. In the unlocked position 96U, the lock member 96 permits movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 in the second direction D2. In some configurations, the lock member 96 may be supported for rotational movement relative to the housing 94 between the locked position 96L and the unlocked position 96U. The lock member 96 may be supported for rotational movement relative to the housing 94 between the locked position 96L (best shown in Figure 10B) and the unlocked position 96U (best shown in Figure IOC). For example, the lock member 96 may be supported for rotation relative to the housing 94 via bushings, but other configurations are contemplated. In other configurations, the lock member 96 may be supported for translational movement relative to the housing 94 between the locked position 96L and the unlocked position 96U. In some configurations, the lock member 96 may include at least one tooth 98 arranged to engage or otherwise grip the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 in the locked position 96L to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the second direction D2.

[0065] The patient transport system 28 may include any suitable number of receivers 68 for receiving a corresponding number of patient restraints 62. The receivers 68 may generally be aligned with a patient’s head, hands, torso, legs, ankles, or any other suitable location in which restraining the patient is desired. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the receivers 68 may be operatively attached to any suitable component of the patient transport apparatus 30. For example, while the receivers 68 extend from the intermediate frame 36 in Figures 1, 7 and 8, in other instances, the receivers 68 may extend from other components of the patient transport apparatus 30. For example, the receivers 68 may extend from the patient support deck 38 and/or the base 34 of the patient transport apparatus 30. As another example, the receivers 68 may extend from or be integrally formed with the side rails 42, 44, 46, the headboard 50 (Figure 9), and/or the footboard 52 of the patient transport apparatus. [0066] In some configurations, the receiver 68 may further include a biasing member 100 (e.g., a torsion spring) operatively attached to the lock member 96 to urge the lock member 96 toward the locked position 96L. More specifically, the biasing member 100 may urge the lock member 96 to the locked position 96L in response to movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 into the inlet 92 of the respective receiver 68 to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 in the second direction D2. In other words, when a caregiver inserts the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 into the inlet 92 in the first direction DI, the biasing member 100 urges the lock member 96 to the locked position 96L to engage the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 such that the lock member 96 permits movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 further into the inlet 92 in the first direction DI, but inhibits movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 out of the inlet 92 (for example, due to the patient thrashing) in the second direction D2.

[0067] Additionally, in some configurations, the receiver 68 may further include a release member 102. The release member 102 may be arranged for user engagement and operatively attached to the lock member 96 to move the lock member 96 from the locked position 96L to the unlocked position 96U to permit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the second direction D2. In other words, when a caregiver engages the release member 102, the release member 102 moves the lock member 96 to the unlocked position 96U such that the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 may be removed from the inlet 92 in the second direction D2 to decouple the patient restraint 62 from the receiver 68. In some versions, one or more release biasing elements 103 arranged to urge the release member 102 away from the lock member 96. [0068] With continued reference to Figure 8 and the sequence between Figures 10A-10C, the lock member 96 may further include one or more teeth 98 arranged to grip the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 received by the inlet 92 when the lock member 96 is in the locked position 96L to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the second direction D2. In this example, the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 defines the one or more catches 86 and the tooth 98 is arranged to engage one of the one or more catches 86 when the lock member 96 is in the locked position 96L to inhibit movement of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 in the second direction D2. Notably the one or more catches 86 may be defined on both sides of the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 such that the engagement section 84 of the strap portion 66 may be inserted into the receiver 68 with either side facing the lock member 96.

[0069] Referring to Figures 11-18B, another version of the receiver 168 for the another version of the patient restraint 162 is shown. This version of the receiver 168 is similar to the receiver 68 described above in connection with Figures 7- 10C. For this version of the receiver 168 and the patient restraint 162, reference numerals are increased by 100 to refer to similar parts as the previously described receiver 68 and patient restraint 62. In this configuration, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 may be comprised of a resilient material. For example, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 may comprise a stiff material coated with a resilient material. In other examples, a single resilient material is used. The material of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in this example is not particularly limited. Additionally, with continued reference to Figures 11-18B in some examples, the at least one tooth 198 may be further defined as a plurality of teeth 198. In these examples, one or more of the plurality of teeth 198 may be arranged to grip the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the locked position 196L to inhibit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2. For example, as best shown in Figures 14A-18B, where the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 is comprised of the resilient material, one or more of the plurality of teeth 198 may compress the resilient material of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 when the lock member 196 is in the locked position 196L to inhibit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2.

[0070] As best shown in Figures 13 A and 13B, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 of the illustrated patient restraint 162 is generally cylindrical in shape. Accordingly, the inlet 192 defined by the receiver 168 in this example is generally a frustoconical shape, but other configurations are contemplated. As broadly described above, in some configurations, the lock member 196 may be further defined as a first lock member 196A and a second lock member 196B arranged for concurrent translation between the locked position 196L and the unlocked position 196U. In the configuration of Figures 11-18B, the housing 194 defines a wedge void 212 in communication with the inlet 192 (best shown in the exploded view of Figure 12). The first lock member 196A and the second lock member 196B may be disposed in the wedge void 212 for concurrent translation between the locked position 196L and the unlocked position 196U.

[0071] The wedge void 212 may be defined by a first contact surface 212A and a second contact surface 212B, opposite the first contact surface 212A. The first lock member 196A may be disposed in sliding contact with the first contact surface 212A, and the second lock member 196B may be disposed in sliding contact with the second contact surface 212B. As best shown in Figures 12 and 14A-18B, in some examples, the first contact surface 212A and the second contact surface 212B may be arranged relative to each other at an oblique angle such that concurrent movement of the first lock member 196A along the first contact surface 212A and the second lock member 196B along the second contact surface 212B causes the spacing between the first lock member 196A and the second lock member 196B to change. In other words, as best illustrated in sequence between Figures 14A-18B, as the first and second lock members 196A, 196B translate along the first and second contact surfaces 212A, 212B, respectively, the distance between the first and second lock members 196A, 196B becomes larger or smaller.

[0072] Accordingly, as best shown in Figures 16A and 16B, when the first and second lock members 196 A, 196B are in the locked position 196L, the first and second lock members 196A, 196B are positioned toward the narrower, top end of the wedge void 212 such that at least one of the plurality of teeth 198 of the first and second lock members 196A, 196B engage the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to inhibit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2. Advantageously, the wedge void 212 causes a selftightening effect when the first and second lock members 196 A, 196B are in the locked position 196L. If the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 is pulled in the second direction D2, the first and second lock members 196A, 196B are pulled further into the narrow portion of the wedge void 212, causing the teeth 198 to dig further into the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to increase the grip of the first and second lock members 196A, 196B on the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to inhibit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2. However, conversely, because the wedge void 212 becomes wider at the bottom, further insertion of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the first direction DI is permitted, because the first and second lock members 196A, 196B will separate enough to allow further insertion of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the first direction DI. As best shown in Figures 17A and 17B, when the first and second lock members 196A, 196B are in the unlocked position 196U, the first and second lock members 196 A, 196B are positioned toward the wider, bottom end of the wedge void 212 and are thus spaced from the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to permit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2.

[0073] Referring to Figures 12 and 14A-18B, the illustrated configuration also includes another configuration of the biasing member 200. Here, the biasing member 200 is disposed within the housing 194 and contacts both the first lock member 196A and the second lock member 196B to concurrently urge both the first lock member 196A and the second lock member 196B to the locked position 196L. With continued reference to Figures 12 and 14A-18B, the illustrated configuration further includes another configuration of the release member 202. Here, the housing 194 may include a first shell portion 214A and a second shell portion 214B that are joined to cumulatively define the wedge void 212. The housing 194 may further include a front plate 216 operatively attached to the first shell portion 214A. As shown best in Figure 12, the release member 202 may be at least partially disposed between the first shell portion 214A and the front plate 216. In this example, the release member 202 may include engagement projections 218 extending past the front plate 216 and arranged for user engagement in the first direction DI . The release member 202 may also include abutment projections 220 extending into the housing 194 to abut the first lock member 196A and/or the second lock member 196B to concurrently move the first lock member 196A and the second lock member 196B from the locked position 196L to the unlocked position 196U in response to user engagement with the release member 202.

[0074] Figures 14A-18B include cross-sectional representations of a sequence of inserting the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 into the illustrated receiver 168 in the first direction DI and subsequently removing the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 from the receiver 168 in the second direction D2. Referring first to Figures 14A and 14B, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 is shown initially inserted into the inlet 192 of the housing 194 in the first direction DI . Additionally, the first and second lock members 196 A, 196B are shown in the locked position 196L due to being biased by the biasing member 200. As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, as the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 continues to be inserted into the receiver 168 in the first direction DI, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 abuts the first and second lock members 196A, 196B and displaces the first and second lock members 196A, 196B from the locked position 196L. As shown in Figures 16A and 16B, once the biasing member 200 urges the first and second lock members 196A, 196B into the locked position 196L, one or more of the plurality of teeth 198 may compress the resilient material of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to inhibit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2. At this point, the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 is inhibited from being moved in the second direction D2 but may be further inserted in the first direction DI as described above. Figures 17A and 17B illustrates movement of the first and second lock members 196A, 196B from the locked position 196L to the unlocked position 196U in response to user engagement with the release member 200 (as generally indicated by arrow 222). Here, the abutment projections 220 of the release member 202 abut the first and second lock members 196A, 196B to move the first and second lock members 196A, 196B from the locked position 196L to the unlocked position 196U. At this point, the first and second lock members 196A, 196B are spaced from the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 to permit movement of the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 in the second direction D2. Figures 18A and 18B shows the engagement section 184 of the strap portion 166 being removed from the receiver 168 in the second direction D2 while the user continues to engage the release member 202 (as generally indicated by arrow 222). In this example, the biasing member 200 may urge the first and second lock members 196A, 196B back to the locked position 196L after the user engagement with the release member 202 has ended.

[0075] Referring to Figures 22A-24D, another version of the receiver 268 for another version of the patient restraint 262 is shown. This version of the receiver 268 is substantially similar to the receiver 68 described above in connection with Figures 7-10C. For this version of the receiver 268 and the patient restraint 262, reference numerals are increased by 200 to refer to similar parts as the previously described receiver 68 and patient restraint 62. In this configuration, the engagement section 284 of the strap portion 166 may be comprised of a resilient material. For example, the engagement section 284 of the strap portion 266 may include a relatively flexible configuration, such as via manufacture from a coated or uncoated webbing, strap, and the like (see Figures 24B-24D; not shown in detail). However, the material of the engagement section 284 of the strap portion 266 in this example is not particularly limited and may be similar to the versions described herein in connection with Figures 1-4. Here too, other portions of the patient restraint 262, such as the cuff portion (not shown in this version) may be relatively flexible. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0076] With continued reference to Figures 22A-24D in this version, the housing 294 has a larger (e.g., taller in the dimension defined by a thickness of the engagement section 284 of the strap portion 266 of the patient restraint 262) inlet 292 which helps to receive the engagement section 284 of the patient restraint 262 in versions where a the engagement section 284 includes a flexible configuration with a flexible material or construction (e g., the end of a flexible strap), and which likewise receives engagement sections 284 which include a stiff tang configuration (not shown in detail in this version). Here, the biasing member 300 urges the lock member 296 towards the locked position 296L (see Figures 24A and 24D), and engagement of the release member 302 effects abutment between the release member 302 and the lock member 296 which, in turn, moves the lock member 296 towards the unlocked position 296U (see Figures 24B-24C) so as to allow the engagement section 284 of the patient restraint 262 to be inserted into the inlet 292 and retained by the one or more teeth 298 of the lock member 296. In this version, and as is best depicted in Figure 22B, the lock member 296 includes a plurality of teeth 298, which are shaped and arranged to engage the material of the engagement section 284 of the strap portion 266 of the patient restraint 262 against a housing plate 295 of the housing 294.

[0077] Referring to Figures 19-21, the patient transport system 28 may also include a restrictor 104 coupled to the support structure 32. The restrictor 104 may define a restrictor opening 106 for receiving the strap portion 66 while the strap portion 66 is engaged with the receiver 68 for preventing the patient from manipulating the receiver 68 while the patient is engaged by the cuff portion 64. In other words, the restrictor 104 may be used to prevent the patient from releasing themselves from the receiver 68. While Figures 19-21 illustrate the patient restraint 62 being used in connection with the receiver 68, it is contemplated that the alternative patient restraint 162 and the alternative receiver 168 may be employed instead.

[0078] In some configurations, the strap portion 66 extends along a first length between the first strap end 66a coupled to the cuff portion 64 and the second strap end 66b configured to engage the receiver 68. The restrictor 104 may be disposed at a second length from the receiver 68. The second length may be at least half the first length such that the strap portion 66 is too short for the patient to reach the release member 102 of the receiver 68.

[0079] In some configurations, the restrictor 104 may be integrated with the support structure 32. In some configurations, the restrictor 104 may be integrated with a caregiver interface. In some configurations, the restrictor 104 may be integrated with the headboard 50 (Figure 21), the footboard 52, the intermediate frame 36, and/or a side rail 42, 44, 46. With reference to Figures 19-20A, the restrictor 104 may be further defined as a first restrictor 104 and the patient transport system 28 may further include a second restrictor 108 separate from the first restrictor 104 disposed between the first restrictor 104 and the receiver 68. The second restrictor 108 may define a second opening 110 for receiving the strap portion 66 while the strap portion 66 is engaged with the receiver 68. In some configurations, the second restrictor 108 may be disposed closer to the receiver 68 than to the first restrictor 104. The second restrictor 108 may provide increased rigidity for when the strap portion 66 is engaged with the receiver 68. In some configurations, the second restrictor 108 may serve as a guide for the inlet 92 of the receiver 68. In other configurations, such as is depicted in Figure 20B, the patient transport system 28 may include the restrictor 104 but may omit the second restrictor 108 (compare Figure 20B with Figure 20A). Other configurations are contemplated.

[0080] In one exemplary configuration, the caregiver may begin by cuffing a limb of the patient with the cuff portion 64 of the patient restraint 62. The caregiver may then insert the second strap end 66b of the strap portion 66 through the restrictor opening 106 to such an extent that the second strap end 66b of the strap portion 66 may be received by the receiver 68. The caregiver may then couple the second strap end 66b of the strap portion 66 to the receiver 68 so that the patient is restrained relative to the patient support deck 38. The length of the strap portion 66 disposed between the restrictor 104 and the receiver 68 may be greater than the length of the strap portion 66 disposed between the cuff portion 64 and the restrictor 104 so that the patient is prevented from actuating the release member 102 of the receiver 68 to decouple themselves from the receiver 68. [0081] Referring now to Figures 25A-25G, schematic depictions of the patient transport system 28 are shown to illustrate different ways that various versions of the patient restraints, the receivers , and the restrictors described above and in connection with Figures 1-24D can be arranged about the patient transport apparatus 30. In Figures 25A-25F, the patient restraint system 60 includes one or more wrist restraints 62W for securing to one or more of the patient’s wrists, and one or more ankle restraints 62A for securing to one or more of the patient’s ankles (only one wrist restraint 62W and one ankle restraint 62A are shown).

[0082] Figures 25A-25G each schematically depict versions of the patient transport system 28 where the ankle restraint 62A is routed through an ankle restrictor 104A into engagement with an ankle receiver 68 A. While a single ankle restrictor 104A is shown, it will be appreciated that multiple ankle restrictors 104A could be utilized. In Figures 25A-25C and 25E-25F, the ankle restrictor 104 A and the ankle receiver 68 A are both operatively attached to the foot deck section 38D of the patient support deck 38. In Figures 25D and 25G, the ankle restrictor 104A and the ankle receiver 68 A are both operatively attached to the intermediate frame 36. It will be appreciated that other configurations are contemplated, and the ankle restrictor 104A or the ankle receiver 68A could be operatively attached to different components from each other, or to other components of the patient transport apparatus 30.

[0083] Figures 25A-25G also each schematically depicts versions of the patient transport system 28 where the wrist restraint 62W is routed through one or more wrist restrictors 104W, 108W into engagement with one or more wrist receivers 68W, 222W as described in greater detail below.

[0084] In Figure 25 A, the wrist restraint 62W is routed into the wrist receiver 68W through first and second wrist restrictors 104W, 108W which are depicted as being operatively attached to the patient support deck 38 (e g., to the leg deck section 38C or to the seat deck section 38B). This configuration is similar to the version described above in connection with Figures 19-20A.

[0085] Figure 25B is similar to Figure 25A, but instead of routing to the wrist restraint 62W through the first and second wrist restrictors 104W, 108W, the wrist restraint 62W is routed into a headboard wrist receiver 222W through a headboard wrist restrictor 224W. This configuration is similar to the version described above in connection with Figure 21.

[0086] Figure 25C is similar to Figure 25 A, but instead of routing the wrist restraint 62W through the first and second wrist restrictors 104W, 108W, the wrist restraint 62W is routed to the wrist receiver 68W through a single wrist restrictor 104W operatively attached to the patient support deck 38 (e g., to the leg deck section 38C or to the seat deck section 38B). This configuration is similar to the version described above in connection with Figure 20B.

[0087] Figure 25D is similar to Figure 25 A, but the first and second wrist restrictors 104W, 108W are operatively attached to the intermediate frame 36 rather than to the patient support deck 38 (e.g., to the leg deck section 38C or to the seat deck section 38B).

[0088] Figures 25E-25F each depicts a version which utilizes a single wrist receiver 68W that is arranged longitudinally between the first and second wrist restrictors 104W, 108W. In the version depicted in Figures 25E-25F, the wrist receiver 68W and the second wrist restrictor 108W are each operatively attached to the fowler deck section 38A of the patient support deck 38, and the first wrist restrictor 104W is operatively attached to a different deck section of the patient support deck 38 (e g., to the seat deck section 38B or to the leg deck section 38C). In this version, the wrist restraint 62W can be arranged in different configurations to support the patient’s wrist in correspondingly-different ways. Here, Figure 25E depicts the wrist restraint 62W as being routed to the wrist receiver 68W through the first wrist restrictor 104W to arrange the wrist restraint 62W in a first configuration (e g., a configuration similar to as is depicted in Figures 25 A and 25B-25D; compare with Figure 25E), and Figure 25F depicts the wrist restraint 62W as being routed to the same wrist receiver 68W but through the second wrist restrictor 108W to arrange the wrist restraint 62W in a second configuration (e.g., a configuration similar to as is depicted in Figure 25B; compare with Figure 25F). It will be appreciated that this version affords opportunities for supporting the patient’s wrists (or other portions of the patient's body) in different configurations while utilizing the same receiver 68. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of the receiver 68 longitudinally between the first and second restrictors 104, 108 in this version helps to prevent patient access to the receiver 68 because of how the patient restraint 62 is routed to the receiver 68 relative to the limb being restrained (e.g., see routing in Figure 25E).

[0089] Figure 25G depicts a version which affords advantages relating to the routing of the wrist restraint 62W which are similar to as described above in connection with Figure 25E, but in this version the wrist receiver 68W and the first wrist restrictor 104W are each operatively attached to the intermediate frame 36 rather than to the patient support deck 38. However, as noted above, other configurations are contemplated.

[0090] It will be further appreciated that the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising.” Moreover, it will be appreciated that terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like are used herein to differentiate certain structural features and components for the non-limiting, illustrative purposes of clarity and consistency.

[0091] Several configurations have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the configurations discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0092] The present disclosure also comprises the following clauses, with specific features laid out in dependent clauses, that may specifically be implemented as described in greater detail with reference to the configurations and drawings above.

CLAUSES

I. A patient transport system for assisting a caregiver in restraining a patient, the patient transport system comprising: a patient transport apparatus including a support structure and a patient support deck; a patient restraint for restraining a patient relative to the patient support deck, the patient restraint including a cuff portion for engaging the patient and a strap portion coupled to the cuff portion; a receiver operatively attached to the support structure of the patient transport apparatus, the receiver engageable with the strap portion to secure the patient restraint to the support structure; and a restrictor coupled to the support structure, the restrictor defining a restrictor opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver for preventing the patient from manipulating the receiver while the patient is engaged by the cuff portion.

II. The patient transport system of clause I, wherein the strap portion extends along a first length between a first strap end coupled to the cuff portion and a second strap end configured to engage the receiver; and wherein the restrictor is disposed at a second length from the receiver, and wherein the second length is at least half the first length. III. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-II, wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the support structure.

IV. The patient transport system of clause III, wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the patient support deck.

V. The patient transport system of clause IV, wherein the receiver is operatively attached to the patient support deck.

VI. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-II, wherein the support structure includes a headboard; and wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the headboard.

VII. The patient transport system of any of clauses I- VI, wherein the restrictor is further defined as a first restrictor; and further comprising a second restrictor separate from the first restrictor, the second restrictor disposed between the first restrictor and the receiver and defining a second opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver.

VIII. The patient transport system of clause VII, wherein the second restrictor is arranged closer to the receiver than to the first restrictor.

IX. The patient transport system of any of clauses I- VIII, wherein the receiver includes: an inlet to receive the strap portion of the patient restraint in a first direction, and a lock member arranged to engage the strap portion to permit movement of the strap portion received by the inlet in the first direction, and to inhibit movement of the strap portion received by the inlet in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to restrain the patient relative to the patient support deck. X. The patient transport system of clause IX, wherein the lock member of the receiver is supported for movement between: a locked position where the lock member engages the strap portion to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction, and an unlocked position where the lock member permits movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XI. The patient transport system of clause X, wherein the receiver further includes a release member arranged for user engagement and operatively attached to the lock member to move the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position to permit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XII. The patient transport system of any of clauses X-XI, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus; and wherein the lock member is configured to engage the engagement section to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XIII. The patient transport system of clause XII, wherein the lock member includes at least one tooth arranged to engage the engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XIV. The patient transport system of clause XII, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a stiff tang configuration; and wherein the lock member includes at least one tooth arranged to engage the stiff tang engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction. XV. The patient transport system of clause XII, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a stiff tang configuration defining one or more catches; and wherein the lock member is configured to engage one of the one or more catches of the strap portion to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XVI. The patient transport system of clause XII, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a flexible configuration; and wherein the lock member includes a plurality of teeth arranged to engage the flexible engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

XVII. The patient transport system of any of clauses IX-XVI, wherein the receiver further includes a housing defining the inlet; and wherein the lock member of the receiver is disposed in the housing.

XVIII. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-XVII, wherein the support structure of the patient transport apparatus includes: an intermediate frame supporting the patient support deck, a base configured to engage a floor surface, and a lift mechanism extending between the intermediate frame and the base for moving the intermediate frame relative to the base between a plurality of vertical configurations.

XIX. The patient transport system of clause XVIII, wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the intermediate frame.

XX. The patient transport system of clause XIX, wherein the receiver is operatively attached to the intermediate frame. XXI. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-XX, wherein the restrictor is further defined as a first restrictor; and further comprising a second restrictor separate from the first restrictor and defining a second opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver.

XXII. The patient transport system of clause XXI, wherein the receiver is arranged longitudinally between the first restrictor and the second restrictor such that routing the patient restraint through the receiver opening of the first restrictor and into the receiver arranges the patient restraint in one configuration, and routing the patient restraint through the second opening of the second restrictor arranges the patient restraint in different configuration.

XXIII. The patient transport system of clause XXII, wherein the patient support deck includes a plurality of deck sections; wherein the first restrictor is operatively attached to one of the plurality of deck sections; and wherein the second restrictor is operatively attached to a different one of the plurality of deck sections.

XXIV. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-XXIII, wherein the cuff portion extends from a first cuff end to a second cuff end; wherein the cuff portion defines a plurality of adjustment openings proximal the second cuff end; and wherein the cuff portion includes: a shoulder distal the plurality of adjustment openings from the second cuff end, and a tab extending from the shoulder to the first cuff end and defining a lock opening. XXV. The patient transport system of clause XXIV, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable between: a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuff portion defines a cuff loop configured to engage a limb of a patient, and in which the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening that receives the tab; and a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

XXVI. The patient transport system of clause XXV, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the second cuff end of the cuff portion; and wherein the strap portion includes a hinge at the first strap end of the strap portion coupled to the second cuff end of the cuff portion.

XXVII. The patient transport system of clause XXVI, wherein the hinge is a living hinge. XXVIII. The patient transport system of clause XXVI, wherein the hinge defines a relief.

XXIX. The patient transport system of clause XXVIII, wherein the relief is arranged transverse to the adjustment openings in the released state.

XXX. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXVI-XXIX, wherein the hinge is narrower than the cuff portion.

XXXI. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXVI-XXX, wherein the strap portion includes a head disposed between the hinge and the second strap end of the strap portion; and wherein the head abuts the tab in the cuffed state to prevent self-tightening.

XXXII. The patient transport system of clause XXXI, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section extending from the second strap end of the strap portion toward the head, the engagement section being configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus.

XXXIII. The patient transport system of clause XXXII, wherein the hinge defines a first width, the head defines a second width, and the engagement section defines a third width; and wherein the second width is larger than the first width and the third width.

XXXIV. The patient transport system of clause XXXIII, wherein the first width is smaller than the third width.

XXXV. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXXII-XXXIV, wherein the lock opening is sized to receive the engagement section of the strap portion; and wherein the lock opening is sized to prevent the head from passing through the lock opening.

XXXVI. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXXII-XXXV, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion defines one or more catches configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for preventing release of the strap portion relative to the receiver.

XXXVII. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XXXVII, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion have a uniform thickness.

XXXVIII. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XXXVII, wherein the plurality of adjustment openings are further defined as slots.

XXXIX. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XXXVIII, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a slot. XL. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XXXVIII, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a cylindrical opening.

XLI. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XL, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a first lock opening; and wherein the tab defines a second lock opening spaced from the first lock opening.

XLII. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLI, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion extend linearly in the released state.

XLIII. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLII, wherein the strap portion is fixed to the cuff portion.

XLIV. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLII, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are of unitary construction.

XLV. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLIV, wherein the strap portion is cylindrical.

XL VI. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLV, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; and wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the cuff portion between the first and second cuff ends of the cuff portion.

XL VII. The patient transport system of clause XL VI, wherein the first strap end of the strap portion is disposed between the lock opening and the adjustment openings.

XL VIII. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XL VII, wherein the strap portion includes a polyester material. XLIX. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-XLVIII, wherein the strap portion includes a coating of at least one material selected from a thermoplastic polyurethane and a polyvinyl chloride.

L. The patient transport system of any of clauses XXV-L, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop in the cuffed state when the strap portion is received in the lock opening.

LI. The patient transport system of any of clauses I-L, wherein the patient restraint is further defined as a wrist patient restraint; wherein the receiver is further defined as a wrist receiver including a wrist cuff portion for engaging a wrist of the patient and a wrist strap portion coupled to the wrist cuff portion; wherein the restrictor is further defined as a wrist restrictor defining a wrist restrictor opening; and further comprising: an ankle patient restraint for restraining the patient relative to the patient support deck, the ankle patient restraint including an ankle cuff portion for engaging an ankle of the patient and an ankle strap portion coupled to the ankle cuff portion; an ankle receiver operatively attached to the support structure of the patient transport apparatus, the ankle receiver engageable with the ankle strap portion to secure the patient restraint to the support structure; and an ankle restrictor coupled to the support structure, the ankle restrictor defining an ankle restrictor opening for receiving the ankle strap portion while the ankle strap portion is engaged with the ankle receiver for preventing the patient from manipulating the ankle receiver while the patient is engaged by the ankle cuff portion. LIT. The patient transport system of clause LI, wherein the wrist restrictor is further defined as a first wrist restrictor; wherein the wrist restrictor opening is further defined as a first wrist restrictor opening; and further comprising a second wrist restrictor separate from the first wrist restrictor and defining a second wrist restrictor opening for receiving the wrist strap portion while the wrist strap portion is engaged with the wrist receiver.

LIII. The patient transport system of clause LII, wherein the wrist receiver is arranged longitudinally between the first wrist restrictor and the second wrist restrictor such that routing the wrist patient restraint through the first wrist restrictor opening of the first wrist restrictor and into the wrist receiver arranges the wrist patient restraint in one configuration, and routing the wrist patient restraint through the second wrist restrictor opening of the second wrist restrictor arranges the wrist patient restraint in different configuration.

LIV. The patient transport system of clause LIII, wherein the patient support deck includes a plurality of deck sections; wherein the first wrist restrictor is operatively attached to one of the plurality of deck sections; and wherein the second wrist restrictor is operatively attached to a different one of the plurality of deck sections.

LV. A patient restraint system for restraining a patient to a patient transport apparatus having a receiver, the patient restraint system comprising: a cuff portion extending from a first cuff end to a second cuff end, the cuff portion defining a plurality of adjustment openings proximal the second cuff end, and the cuff portion including: a shoulder distal the plurality of adjustment openings from the second cuff end, and a tab extending from the shoulder to the first cuff end and defining a lock opening; and a strap portion extending from the cuff portion, the strap portion configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for securing the strap portion to the receiver; wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable in a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuffed portion defines a cuff loop configured to engage a limb of a patient, and in which the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening that receives the tab; and wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable in a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

LVI. The patient restraint system of clause LV, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the second cuff end of the cuff portion; and wherein the strap portion includes a hinge at the first strap end of the strap portion coupled to the second cuff end of the cuff portion.

LVII. The patient restraint system of clause LVI, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

LVIII. The patient restraint system of clause LVI, wherein the hinge defines a relief.

LIX. The patient restraint system of clause LVIII, wherein the relief is arranged transverse to the adjustment openings in the released state.

LX. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LVLLIX, wherein the hinge is narrower than the cuff portion. LXI. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LVI-LX, wherein the strap portion includes a head disposed between the hinge and the second strap end of the strap portion; and wherein the head abuts the tab in the cuffed state to prevent self-tightening.

LXII. The patient restraint system of clause LXI, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section extending from the second strap end of the strap portion toward the head, the engagement section being configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus.

LXIII. The patient restraint system of clause LXII, wherein the hinge defines a first width, the head defines a second width, and the engagement section defines a third width; and wherein the second width is larger than the first width and the third width.

LXIV. The patient restraint system of clause LXIII, wherein the first width is smaller than the third width.

LXV. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LXI LXIV, wherein the lock opening is sized to receive the engagement section of the strap portion; and wherein the lock opening is sized to prevent the head from passing through the lock opening.

LXVI. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LXI LXV, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion defines one or more catches configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for preventing release of the strap portion relative to the receiver.

LXVII. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXVI, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion have a uniform thickness.

LXVIII. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXVII, wherein the plurality of adjustment openings are further defined as slots. LXIX. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXVIII, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a slot.

LXX. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXVIII, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a cylindrical opening.

LXXI. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXX, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a first lock opening; and wherein the tab defines a second lock opening spaced from the first lock opening.

LXXII. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXI, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion extend linearly in the released state.

LXXIII. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXII, wherein the strap portion is fixed to the cuff portion.

LXXIV. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXII, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are of unitary construction.

LXXV. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXIV, wherein the strap portion is cylindrical.

LXXVI. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXV, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; and wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from a central section of the cuff portion between the first and second cuff ends of the cuff portion.

LXXVII. The patient restraint system of clause LXXVI, wherein the first strap end of the strap portion is disposed between the lock opening and the adjustment openings.

LXXVIII. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXVII, wherein the strap portion includes a polyester material. LXXIX. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXVIII, wherein the strap portion includes a coating of at least one material selected from a thermoplastic polyurethane and a polyvinyl chloride.

LXXX. The patient restraint system of any of clauses LV-LXXIX, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop in the cuffed state when the strap portion is received in the lock opening.

LXXXI. A method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system with a patient restraint including a strap portion and a cuff portion defining a plurality of adjustment openings, a shoulder spaced from the adjustment openings, and a tab extending from the shoulder and defining a lock opening, the method comprising: bending the cuff portion around a limb of the patient, receiving, by one of the plurality of adjustment openings, the strap portion to define a cuff loop around the limb of the patient, and receiving, by the lock opening, the strap portion to define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop, coupling the strap portion to a receiver coupled to the support structure of the patient transport system to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

LXXXII. The method of clause LXXXI, wherein the strap portion includes a head, and wherein the method includes feeding the head of the strap portion through the one of the plurality of adjustment openings.

LXXXIII. The method of clause LXXXII, further comprising abutting the head against the tab to prevent self-tightening after the strap portion is fed through the lock opening. LXXXIV. A method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system including a receiver, a restrictor spaced from the receiver, and a patient restraint having a strap portion and a cuff portion, the method comprising: cuffing a limb of the patient with the cuff portion of the patient restraint, receiving, through a restrictor opening of the restrictor, the strap portion of the patient restraint, coupling, by the receiver, a section of the strap portion that has been received by the restrictor opening to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

LXXXV. The method of clause LXXXIV, wherein the section of the strap portion received by the restrictor opening is further defined as a first section having a first length; wherein the strap portion includes a second section having a second length smaller than the first length; and wherein the step of receiving the strap portion includes receiving the first section of the strap portion through the restrictor opening such that the first section of the strap portion is on one side of the restrictor opening and the second section of the strap portion is on another side of the restrictor opening.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A patient transport system for assisting a caregiver in restraining a patient, the patient transport system comprising: a patient transport apparatus including a support structure and a patient support deck; a patient restraint for restraining a patient relative to the patient support deck, the patient restraint including a cuff portion for engaging the patient and a strap portion coupled to the cuff portion; a receiver operatively attached to the support structure of the patient transport apparatus, the receiver engageable with the strap portion to secure the patient restraint to the support structure; and a restrictor coupled to the support structure, the restrictor defining a restrictor opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver for preventing the patient from manipulating the receiver while the patient is engaged by the cuff portion.

2. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the strap portion extends along a first length between a first strap end coupled to the cuff portion and a second strap end configured to engage the receiver; and wherein the restrictor is disposed at a second length from the receiver, and wherein the second length is at least half the first length.

3. The patient transport system of claim 1 , wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the support structure.

4. The patient transport system of claim 3, wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the patient support deck.

5. The patient transport system of claim 4, wherein the receiver is operatively attached to the patient support deck.

6. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a headboard; and wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the headboard.

7. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the restrictor is further defined as a first restrictor; and further comprising a second restrictor separate from the first restrictor, the second restrictor disposed between the first restrictor and the receiver and defining a second opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver.

8. The patient transport system of claim 7, wherein the second restrictor is arranged closer to the receiver than to the first restrictor.

9. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes: an inlet to receive the strap portion of the patient restraint in a first direction, and a lock member arranged to engage the strap portion to permit movement of the strap portion received by the inlet in the first direction, and to inhibit movement of the strap portion received by the inlet in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to restrain the patient relative to the patient support deck.

10. The patient transport system of claim 9, wherein the lock member of the receiver is supported for movement between: a locked position where the lock member engages the strap portion to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction, and an unlocked position where the lock member permits movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

11. The patient transport system of claim 10, wherein the receiver further includes a release member arranged for user engagement and operatively attached to the lock member to move the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position to permit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

12. The patient transport system of claim 10, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus; and wherein the lock member is configured to engage the engagement section to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

13. The patient transport system of claim 12, wherein the lock member includes at least one tooth arranged to engage the engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

14. The patient transport system of claim 12, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a stiff tang configuration; and wherein the lock member includes at least one tooth arranged to engage the stiff tang engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

15. The patient transport system of claim 12, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a stiff tang configuration defining one or more catches; and wherein the lock member is configured to engage one of the one or more catches of the strap portion to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

16. The patient transport system of claim 12, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion of the patient restraint includes a flexible configuration; and wherein the lock member includes a plurality of teeth arranged to engage the flexible engagement section of the strap portion in the locked position to inhibit movement of the strap portion in the second direction.

17. The patient transport system of claim 9, wherein the receiver further includes a housing defining the inlet; and wherein the lock member of the receiver is disposed in the housing.

18. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the support structure of the patient transport apparatus includes: an intermediate frame supporting the patient support deck, a base configured to engage a floor surface, and a lift mechanism extending between the intermediate frame and the base for moving the intermediate frame relative to the base between a plurality of vertical configurations.

19. The patient transport system of claim 18, wherein the restrictor is operatively attached to the intermediate frame.

20. The patient transport system of claim 19, wherein the receiver is operatively attached to the intermediate frame.

21. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the restrictor is further defined as a first restrictor; and further comprising a second restrictor separate from the first restrictor and defining a second opening for receiving the strap portion while the strap portion is engaged with the receiver.

22. The patient transport system of claim 21, wherein the receiver is arranged longitudinally between the first restrictor and the second restrictor such that routing the patient restraint through the receiver opening of the first restrictor and into the receiver arranges the patient restraint in one configuration, and routing the patient restraint through the second opening of the second restrictor arranges the patient restraint in different configuration.

23. The patient transport system of claim 22, wherein the patient support deck includes a plurality of deck sections; wherein the first restrictor is operatively attached to one of the plurality of deck sections; and wherein the second restrictor is operatively attached to a different one of the plurality of deck sections.

24. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the cuff portion extends from a first cuff end to a second cuff end; wherein the cuff portion defines a plurality of adjustment openings proximal the second cuff end; and wherein the cuff portion includes: a shoulder distal the plurality of adjustment openings from the second cuff end, and a tab extending from the shoulder to the first cuff end and defining a lock opening.

25. The patient transport system of claim 24, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable between: a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuff portion defines a cuff loop configured to engage a limb of a patient, and in which the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening that receives the tab; and a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

26. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the second cuff end of the cuff portion; and wherein the strap portion includes a hinge at the first strap end of the strap portion coupled to the second cuff end of the cuff portion.

27. The patient transport system of claim 26, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

28. The patient transport system of claim 26, wherein the hinge defines a relief.

29. The patient transport system of claim 28, wherein the relief is arranged transverse to the adjustment openings in the released state.

30. The patient transport system of claim 26, wherein the hinge is narrower than the cuff portion.

31. The patient transport system of claim 26, wherein the strap portion includes a head disposed between the hinge and the second strap end of the strap portion; and wherein the head abuts the tab in the cuffed state to prevent self-tightening.

32. The patient transport system of claim 31, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section extending from the second strap end of the strap portion toward the head, the engagement section being configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus.

33. The patient transport system of claim 32, wherein the hinge defines a first width, the head defines a second width, and the engagement section defines a third width; and wherein the second width is larger than the first width and the third width.

34. The patient transport system of claim 33, wherein the first width is smaller than the third width.

35. The patient transport system of claim 32, wherein the lock opening is sized to receive the engagement section of the strap portion; and wherein the lock opening is sized to prevent the head from passing through the lock opening.

36. The patient transport system of claim 32, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion defines one or more catches configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for preventing release of the strap portion relative to the receiver.

37. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion have a uniform thickness.

38. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of adjustment openings are further defined as slots.

39. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a slot.

40. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a cylindrical opening.

41. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a first lock opening; and wherein the tab defines a second lock opening spaced from the first lock opening.

42. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion extend linearly in the released state.

43. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion is fixed to the cuff portion.

44. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are of unitary construction.

45. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion is cylindrical.

46. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; and wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the cuff portion between the first and second cuff ends of the cuff portion.

47. The patient transport system of claim 46, wherein the first strap end of the strap portion is disposed between the lock opening and the adjustment openings.

48. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion includes a polyester material.

49. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the strap portion includes a coating of at least one material selected from a thermoplastic polyurethane and a polyvinyl chloride.

50. The patient transport system of claim 25, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop in the cuffed state when the strap portion is received in the lock opening.

51. The patient transport system of claim 1, wherein the patient restraint is further defined as a wrist patient restraint; wherein the receiver is further defined as a wrist receiver including a wrist cuff portion for engaging a wrist of the patient and a wrist strap portion coupled to the wrist cuff portion; wherein the restrictor is further defined as a wrist restrictor defining a wrist restrictor opening; and further comprising: an ankle patient restraint for restraining the patient relative to the patient support deck, the ankle patient restraint including an ankle cuff portion for engaging an ankle of the patient and an ankle strap portion coupled to the ankle cuff portion; an ankle receiver operatively attached to the support structure of the patient transport apparatus, the ankle receiver engageable with the ankle strap portion to secure the patient restraint to the support structure; and an ankle restrictor coupled to the support structure, the ankle restrictor defining an ankle restrictor opening for receiving the ankle strap portion while the ankle strap portion is engaged with the ankle receiver for preventing the patient from manipulating the ankle receiver while the patient is engaged by the ankle cuff portion.

52. The patient transport system of claim 51, wherein the wrist restrictor is further defined as a first wrist restrictor; wherein the wrist restrictor opening is further defined as a first wrist restrictor opening; and further comprising a second wrist restrictor separate from the first wrist restrictor and defining a second wrist restrictor opening for receiving the wrist strap portion while the wrist strap portion is engaged with the wrist receiver.

53. The patient transport system of claim 52, wherein the wrist receiver is arranged longitudinally between the first wrist restrictor and the second wrist restrictor such that routing the wrist patient restraint through the first wrist restrictor opening of the first wrist restrictor and into the wrist receiver arranges the wrist patient restraint in one configuration, and routing the wrist patient restraint through the second wrist restrictor opening of the second wrist restrictor arranges the wrist patient restraint in different configuration.

54. The patient transport system of claim 53, wherein the patient support deck includes a plurality of deck sections; wherein the first wrist restrictor is operatively attached to one of the plurality of deck sections; and wherein the second wrist restrictor is operatively attached to a different one of the plurality of deck sections.

55. A patient restraint system for restraining a patient to a patient transport apparatus having a receiver, the patient restraint system comprising: a cuff portion extending from a first cuff end to a second cuff end, the cuff portion defining a plurality of adjustment openings proximal the second cuff end, and the cuff portion including: a shoulder distal the plurality of adjustment openings from the second cuff end, and a tab extending from the shoulder to the first cuff end and defining a lock opening; and a strap portion extending from the cuff portion, the strap portion configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for securing the strap portion to the receiver; wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable in a cuffed state in which one of the adjustment openings receives the tab such that the cuffed portion defines a cuff loop configured to engage a limb of a patient, and in which the lock opening receives the strap portion to prevent the tab from exiting the adjustment opening that receives the tab; and wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are operable in a released state in which the plurality of adjustment openings are free of the tab and the lock opening is free of the strap portion.

56. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from the second cuff end of the cuff portion; and wherein the strap portion includes a hinge at the first strap end of the strap portion coupled to the second cuff end of the cuff portion.

57. The patient restraint system of claim 56, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

58. The patient restraint system of claim 56, wherein the hinge defines a relief.

59. The patient restraint system of claim 58, wherein the relief is arranged transverse to the adjustment openings in the released state.

60. The patient restraint system of claim 56, wherein the hinge is narrower than the cuff portion.

61. The patient restraint system of claim 56, wherein the strap portion includes a head disposed between the hinge and the second strap end of the strap portion; and wherein the head abuts the tab in the cuffed state to prevent self-tightening.

62. The patient restraint system of claim 61, wherein the strap portion includes an engagement section extending from the second strap end of the strap portion toward the head, the engagement section being configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus.

63. The patient restraint system of claim 62, wherein the hinge defines a first width, the head defines a second width, and the engagement section defines a third width; and wherein the second width is larger than the first width and the third width.

64. The patient restraint system of claim 63, wherein the first width is smaller than the third width.

65. The patient restraint system of claim 62, wherein the lock opening is sized to receive the engagement section of the strap portion; and wherein the lock opening is sized to prevent the head from passing through the lock opening.

66. The patient restraint system of claim 62, wherein the engagement section of the strap portion defines one or more catches configured to engage the receiver of the patient transport apparatus for preventing release of the strap portion relative to the receiver.

67. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion have a uniform thickness.

68. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the plurality of adjustment openings are further defined as slots.

69. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a slot.

70. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a cylindrical opening.

71. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the lock opening is further defined as a first lock opening; and wherein the tab defines a second lock opening spaced from the first lock opening.

72. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion extend linearly in the released state.

73. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion is fixed to the cuff portion.

74. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion are of unitary construction.

75. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion is cylindrical.

76. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion extends from a first strap end to a second strap end; and wherein the first strap end of the strap portion extends from a central section of the cuff portion between the first and second cuff ends of the cuff portion.

77. The patient restraint system of claim 76, wherein the first strap end of the strap portion is disposed between the lock opening and the adjustment openings.

78. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion includes a polyester material.

79. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the strap portion includes a coating of at least one material selected from a thermoplastic polyurethane and a polyvinyl chloride.

80. The patient restraint system of claim 55, wherein the cuff portion and the strap portion define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop in the cuffed state when the strap portion is received in the lock opening.

81. A method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system with a patient restraint including a strap portion and a cuff portion defining a plurality of adjustment openings, a shoulder spaced from the adjustment openings, and a tab extending from the shoulder and defining a lock opening, the method comprising: bending the cuff portion around a limb of the patient, receiving, by one of the plurality of adjustment openings, the strap portion to define a cuff loop around the limb of the patient, and receiving, by the lock opening, the strap portion to define a hinge loop separate from the cuff loop, coupling the strap portion to a receiver coupled to the support structure of the patient transport system to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the strap portion includes a head, and wherein the method includes feeding the head of the strap portion through the one of the plurality of adjustment openings.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising abutting the head against the tab to prevent self-tightening after the strap portion is fed through the lock opening.

84. A method of restraining a patient to a support structure of a patient transport system including a receiver, a restrictor spaced from the receiver, and a patient restraint having a strap portion and a cuff portion, the method comprising: cuffing a limb of the patient with the cuff portion of the patient restraint, receiving, through a restrictor opening of the restrictor, the strap portion of the patient restraint, coupling, by the receiver, a section of the strap portion that has been received by the restrictor opening to restrain the patient to the patient transport system.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the section of the strap portion received by the restrictor opening is further defined as a first section having a first length; wherein the strap portion includes a second section having a second length smaller than the first length; and wherein the step of receiving the strap portion includes receiving the first section of the strap portion through the restrictor opening such that the first section of the strap portion is on one side of the restrictor opening and the second section of the strap portion is on another side of the restrictor opening.