Patient Lifts

What Are The Different Types

Vitality Medical carries a wide variety of top of the line patient lifts manufactured by Graham-Field, Invacare, Medline, Drive Medical, and Hoyer. Also, known as medical lifts, these patient lifting devices are used in hospitals, care centers, and homes to lift non-ambulatory patients to make them mobile and to protect them from fall injuries. Some individuals may be ambulatory but unable to assume a standing position from a sitting or lying down. Therefore, a patient lifting device is ideal when needing to transfer a patient from one place to the next.

Shop by Category

Hydraulic Manual Patient Lifts

Power and Electric Patient Lifts

Patient Lift Slings

Bath Lifts

Patient Floor Lifts

Pool Lifts

Sit to Stand Patient Lifts

Heavy Duty Bariatric Lifts

Wheelchair Lifts

Standard Product Components

support base
wheels
upper frame
hoisting mechanism
sling

What are the Different Types?

Manual Lift

This type of patient lift uses a crank to lift and lower patients safely. Manual lifts do not require batteries or power. These hoists do not require much energy due to the gearing mechanisms they employ, but do require cranking.

Examples:

Hoyer Advance Professional Manual, HOYADVANCEH, 341 pound capacity.
Medline Manual, MDS88200D, 400 pound capacity.

Power Liftt

Powered lifts are also referred to as electric or battery lifts. They use an electric motor that is either DC/ battery operated or AC operated. Battery powered lifts are rechargeable from an AC outlet. These are larger, but there are also smaller ones, offering easy portability from room to room.

Examples:

Hoyer Advance Professional Electric, HOYADVANCEE, 341 pound capacity.
Drive Medical Electric, 13240, 450 pound capacity.

Hydraulic Patient Lift

Hydraulic lifts may be manual or powered that use hydraulic fluid to move the lift. They require less cranking energy, making it very easy to raise the patient. This type has become so popular that they have become the standard.

Sit To Stand Lift

This patient lift serves as an aid in transitioning the patient from a sitting to a standing position. Sometimes referred to as "Stand-Up lifts" these devices use straps or belts. The individual uses their own strength to pull themselves up into position. Most have minimal width to allow passage through narrow doorways. Most of these are smaller and weigh less than a standard lift.

Examples:

Graham-Field Stand Assist, LF1600, 400 pound capacity.
Invacare Get-U-Up, GHS350, 350 pound capacity.

Heavy-Duty Lift

Also know as bariatric lifts, they are designed to accommodate individuals weighing more than 500 pounds. They are constructed with heavy gauge steel and built extra wide. The casters are larger and stronger to support heavier loads, too. Some fold for easy storage and come equipped with a 6-point cradle for increased stability.

Examples:

Drive Medical Heavy Duty Bariatric, 13244, 600 pound capacity.
Medline Powered Base 700, JBS802, 700 pound capacity.

Pool Lift

Disabled or handicapped individuals who want to get in and out of a swimming pool can use a waterproof, pool side lift. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) specify the requirements for these lifts.

Examples:

Power EZ,F-03PEZ, 400 pound capacity.
Pro Pool Lift, F-004PLB-AT1, 450 pound capacity.

Bath Lift

Waterproof bath lifts assist mobility impaired individuals to get in and out of a bath tub. They are often placed into the tub with suction cups on the bottom to keep the lift in place. The patient sits on the bath lift and is easily lowered into or out of the tub. Many of these bath hoist are portable and disassemble/assemble without tools. Upon dis-assembly, they are easily stored out of the way until needed.

Examples:

Body Up Evolution, BU1000, 220 pound capacity.
Drive Bellavita Auto Tub Chair, 477200432, 300 pound capacity.

Wheelchair Lift

These are mini elevators that allow a wheelchair patient to go from one level to the next. They are used to traverse difficult pathways, platforms or porches. These hoisting devices use electrical power to operate and require regular maintenance. They are usually controlled by a electrical control box or a remote. Another type of wheelchair lift is a wheelchair transfer device that lifts the individual off or on a wheelchair seat. Wheelchair lifts provide for a smoother and easier transition from or to a wheelchair. This type of lift requires very little maintenance.

Examples:

Homecare Products Passport, PL52SP3651, 72 inch lifting height.
Body Up Evolution, BU1000, 220 pound capacity.

Lift Slings

This type utilize slings to hold and stabilize the individual during the lifting process. Slings connect to the cradle to directly support the patient. Selecting the right sling depends upon the type of hoist your are using and the size of the patient. More detailed information can be viewed at Patient Lift Slings.

Top Five Comparison Chart

Top Five Comnparison Chart