Hoyer lift
| Product type | Patient lifts |
|---|---|
| Owner | Joerns Healthcare |
| Introduced | c. 1950 |
| Related brands | Patient lift |
| Website | www |
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A Hoyer lift (also called a Hoyer hoist) is a type of patient lift used to transfer people with limited mobility between surfaces such as a bed, wheelchair, chair, toilet, or the floor. Although originally a brand name, the term "Hoyer lift" has become widely used as a generic name for mobile floor-based patient lifts in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care settings.
History
The Hoyer lift was invented by Ted Hoyer (Theodore Robert Hoyer), an American who became a quadriplegic at the age of 16 after a car accident in 1936. Seeking greater independence, Hoyer worked with his cousin, Victor Hildemann, to develop a mechanical lifting device.[1]
In 1949, they built the first powered prototype. The first commercial Hoyer patient lift was sold in March 1950. Ted Hoyer & Company was formally established in September 1951 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A dedicated factory opened at 2221 Minnesota Street in 1953. Ted Hoyer died in March 1954, less than a year after the factory opened. The business continued under his family and associates.[2]
The design proved highly influential. Over time, the name "Hoyer lift" entered common usage as a generic term for patient lifts, similar to other brand names that became genericized (such as Kleenex or Xerox).
The Hoyer brand was later acquired and is currently owned and manufactured by Joerns Healthcare.[3]
Design and operation
A typical Hoyer lift consists of several main components:
- A wheeled U-shaped base with adjustable legs
- A vertical mast
- A pivoting boom (arm)
- A spreader bar (also called a cradle) that holds a fabric sling
The patient is placed in a specially designed sling, which is then attached to the spreader bar. The boom is raised either by a manual hydraulic pump or an electric motor, lifting the patient clear of the surface. The lift can then be moved, and the patient lowered onto another surface.
Modern Hoyer lifts are designed with ergonomics in mind for both the patient and the caregiver, with features such as powered bases, emergency lowering systems, and various sling attachment options.
Types
Hoyer lifts are generally divided into two main categories:
- Passive (full-body) lifts – Designed for patients who cannot bear weight. These use full-body or hammock-style slings.
- Active (sit-to-stand) lifts – Designed for patients who can partially bear weight. These assist the patient into a standing position.
Models vary in weight capacity, lifting
References
- ↑ "The Story of Ted Hoyer and the Birth of the Modern Patient Lift". My Hoyer Lift. 2026-08-21. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ US2821406A, Hoyer, Theodore R. & Victor R. Hildemann, "Adjustable base invalid lift", issued 1958-01-28
- ↑ Healthcare, Joerns. "Joerns Healthcare Awarded Premier Safe Patient Handling Contract for Hoyer® Brand". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
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