Present Technology
Problems with Gurneys
Currently in hospitals, patients are
transported by gurneys from their beds to
exam rooms or other locations in the
hospitals. A major problem is that patients
are jarred as the gurney is wheeled through
the hallways.

Injuries
Also, the patient must be transferred from the
bed to the gurney to the exam table, and
back again to return to his or her room.
During the transfers nurses are strained by
lifting the patient from one platform to another
and patients can be injured.

Ergonomic Handling
At present there are several devices that offer
a better way to transfer patients. Click here
for examples. However sensitive patients,
such as patients with spinal cord injuries or
severe burns, are still at risk during transfers.
Superconductors
A superconductor is a material that,
when kept at a certain temperature,
can conduct electricity without
suffering a loss of charge, even if the
source of electricity is removed.

Currently the highest temperature
superconductors are made of mercury,
thallium, barium, calcium, copper and
oxygen, and can perform at 138 degrees K
(-135degreesC). Superconductors are
currently used in maglev trains, SQUIDS
(device used in brain research), and MRI
machines. They have limited usage
because they have to be kept in liquid
nitrogen, are very brittle, and expensive.

Click on this picture
of the PCS to return
to the Home page.