WO2019220478A2

WO2019220478A2 - Patient transfer apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2019220478A2
Application number: PCT/JO2019/050001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dina AL QODAH; Wa’il TYFOUR; Ruba KNOUF
Original assignee: Jordan University Of Science And Technology
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2019-01-06
Publication date: 2019-11-21
Also published as: WO2019220478A4; JOP20180051A1; WO2019220478A3

Abstract

A patient transfer apparatus and method for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface regardless any difference of elevation between the first surface and the second surface, the apparatus includes an adjustable-height pedestal with two free members; and a support board configured to slide over the first surface, second surface, and adjustable height pedestal.

Description

PATIENT TRANSFER APPARATUS AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for transferring patients from a first surface to a second surface in a convenient manner, and more particularly to those apparatuses and methods that enable transfer of supine patients from the first surface to the second surface regardless of their heights.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Patient handlers, such as registered nurses, radiologists, and other health care workers are frequently subjected to twisting or bending their body during repositioning, moving, and sitting the patient while their body segments are subjected to load due to the required physical demand during patient transfer from one lying surface to other lying surface. Therefore, patient lateral transfer activities induce the risk factors of lower back pain among patient handlers.

During manual lateral transfer, at least two patient handlers are required to lift the patient which prompts the mechanical stress on the lower back and increases the risk factors of lower back pain. Lower back pain leads to awkward handling movement which results in significant clinical consequences, including loss of patient dignity during lifting procedure, patient falling, and affecting the pained area after any medical treatment.

In order to reduce such risks, patents and patent applications were filed for apparatuses and devices used for transferring patients from a first surface to a second surface. For instance, the US patent number 5152016 discloses a transfer board comprising a flat board member having tapered opposite ends to enable a patient to transfer from a chair to a bed or the like. The board has a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon which support the buttocks of the patient to enable the transfer of patient easily from one end of the board to the other. The board is also provided with a plurality of openings formed in the upper surface of the board into which a handle may be inserted to enable the patient to pull herself from one end of the board to the other.

The United States patent number 6374435 discloses a patient conveyor in the form of a continuous belt which reduces friction beneath the patient to enable lateral patient transfer from one patient support surface to another. With the belt positioned beneath the patient, a caregiver can readily grip circumferencial handles on the belt to help pull the patient sideways from one surface to another, while borasilicate glass micro-bubbles or other lubricants are dispersed on the interior of the sleeve-like belt to further minimize friction during patient transfer.

The United States patent number 6584626 provides a patient transfer device for aiding in the comfortable and easy transfer of incapacitated persons from a bed to a gurney, or vice versa. The transfer device has a stationary board having a number of roller assemblies, and a movable board having a number of channels for accommodating the roller assemblies. When the movable board is mounted on top of the stationary board, the roller assemblies allow the movable board to slide thereover. Each roller assembly has a column of balls secured within a track. The movable board channels are interlocked with the tracks.

The United States patent number 6854137 discloses a patient transfer and transport device for transferring a patient from a bed to the transport device and for moving the patient, the device includes a base with one or more wheels; a frame coupled to the base; a transfer platform moveably coupled to the frame, the transport platform including a roller frame and a conveyor surface disposed around the roller frame, the roller frame having a plurality of rollers including at least one drive roller; a pair of extendable transfer arms coupled to the frame, the extendable transfer arms including a slotted channel for slidably mating with the transfer platform and including at least one contact sensor for contacting the bed; and an electrically powered linear actuator having a gear connected to at least one of the extendable transfer arms for extending the transfer arms laterally from the device.

The United States patent number 7478444 discloses a patient transfer device for transferring patients between two horizontal surfaces such as from bed to bed, bed to stretcher, stretcher to gurney. The device includes a generally flat and semi-rigid support member adapted to be orientated in a generally horizontal disposition, apertures or other non-protruding handles along the sides of the support member spaced shoulder-width apart, fasteners for securing the patient on the support member, and omnidirectional rollers positioned on the lower surface of the support member for translating the support member across the generally horizontally disposed surface and transferring the patient to or from one horizontal surface to another. The United States patent number 4012799 discloses a sled board for transferring a patient from one bed to another. In a first embodiment, a plurality of sled boards are placed beneath a patient and the sled boards are simultaneously slid from one bed to another. The patient remains on top of the sled boards, and the sled boards carry the patient from one bed to the other. In a second embodiment, the sled boards, each having a transverse fin projecting from its bottom surface, extend from one bed to the other. The fins are inserted between the beds to prevent longitudinal movement of the sled boards. One end of the sled boards is placed beneath the patient, and the patient is slid from one bed to the other on the top surface of the sled boards.

The conventional devices and apparatuses for transferring patients are not capable of transferring patients from a surface to another one unless the elevation of those two surfaces is substantially equal. Also, in those devices, the patient slides directly over slide board or rollers. This sliding will affect the patient back, and it will increase the pressure sores.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus of transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface regardless of the first and second surfaces’ heights in a convenient manner to both the patient and his caregiver and without affecting the patient’s back.

In aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a patient transfer apparatus that allows the transfer of a supine patient from a first surface to a second surface regardless any difference of elevation between the first surface and the second surface, the apparatus may include: an adjustable-height pedestal with two free members; and a support board configured to slide over the first surface, second surface, and adjustable height pedestal.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the adjustable height pedestal may include two base bars with a plurality of wheels and two vertical telescoping poles. In some aspects, the two telescoping poles may be connected to a roller through roller holders.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the two telescoping poles may be connected to two free members using hinges.

In some aspects, each of the two free members may be configured to angularly rotate about the hinges in a confined angle.

In aspects of the present disclosure, each of the two free members may include a plurality of rollers with a plurality of roller holders.

In other aspects, each of the two free members may be configured to be in a substantial contact with either the first surface or the second surface when the apparatus is in use.

In some aspects, each of the two telescoping poles comprises a first pole that may be configured to receive a second pole.

In some aspects, the first pole may include a pass-through hole.

In other aspects, the second pole may include a plurality of pass-through holes.

In yet other aspects, the pass-through holes of the first pole and the second pole may be configured to receive a pin to fix the elevation of the adjustable-height pedestal.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the adjustable-height pedestal can be made of made of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid and has light weight.

In some aspects, the adjustable-height pedestal may further include two bars configured to receive the support board when the apparatus is not in use.

In other aspects, the adjustable-height pedestal may be configured to be positioned between the first surface and the second surface during a patient transfer process.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the support board may be configured to support a patient body during a patient transfer process from the first surface to the second surface.

In some aspects, the support board may have an elliptical shape. In aspects of the present disclosure, the support board may include a plurality of apertures configured to receive two or more straps.

In some aspects, each of the straps may include a grip handle and fastening means.

In other aspects, each of the straps may be configured to fix a patient body to the support board when the fastening means are connected.

In some aspects, the grip handle may be configured to allow a caregiver to pull and slide the support board over the two free members.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the support board may be made of plastic, fiber glass, aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid, has low coefficient of friction, and has light weight.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface using a patient transfer apparatus, the process may include the following steps: providing a first care giver; a second caregiver; a patient lying on a first surface; a second surface adjacent to the first surface; a support board with straps and grip handles; an adjustable-height pedestal with a roller, a first free member and a second free member, each of the free members has a plurality of rollers;

turning the patient by the first caregiver by pulling his back away from the first surface; inserting the support board, by the second caregiver, between the patient and the first surface;

circumfusing, by the first caregiver, the patient with the straps and fastening such straps with fastening means to secure the patient over the support board;

inserting the pedestal between the first surface and the second surface and adjusting the height of the pedestal, then allowing a substantial part of the first and the second free members of the pedestal to be in contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively; and

allowing, by the second caregiver, the support board to slide over the first and second free members to reach the second surface. In some aspects, the second caregiver allows the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pulling the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members using grip handles provided on the straps.

In other aspects, the first caregiver may assist the second caregiver in allowing the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pushing the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, without restricting the scope and spirit thereof, and in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a support board of a patient transfer apparatus with fastening means disconnected, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support board of a patient transfer apparatus with fastening means connected, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a support board of a patient transfer apparatus with a patient lying on the support board, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a support board of a patient transfer apparatus configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pedestal of a patient transfer apparatus configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a patient transfer apparatus in a storage condition configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first and second caregivers using a patient transfer apparatus to transfer a patient from a first surface to a second surface, the apparatus being configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an apparatus for transferring supine patients from a first surface 3 to a second surface 4 in a convenient and safe manner to both the caregivers 5a, 5b, and the patient 6, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus may include a support board 1 with a plurality of apertures lOa, lOb, lOc, lOd, and two or more straps 1 la, 1 lb; an adjustable height pedestal 2 with base bars 20, 21 and a plurality of wheels 200a, 200b, 2l0a, 210b, two vertical telescoping poles 22a, 22b, two free members 23a, 23b, a roller 24, and two or more bars 25a, 25b that may be configured to hold the support board 1 when the apparatus is not in use.

The support board 1 may be configured to support the patient’s body during the transfer process, wherein such support board may be instated between the patient’s body and the surface on which the patient lies. The apertures lOa, lOd may be configured to receive the strap 1 la, and the apertures lOb, lOc may be configured to receive the strap 1 lb. The strap 1 la may have a grip handle l2a and fastening means l3a, l3b, while the strap l lb may have a grip handle l2b and fastening means l3c, 13d. The straps 11 a, l lb may be configured to circumfuse parts of the patient’s body and the fastening means 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13d may be configured such that when fastened, they secure the patient’s body against the support board 1 during the transfer process.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the support board may have an elliptical shape, and may be configured to be movable over the first surface, the free members 23a, 23b, and the second surface.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the grip handles l2a, l2b may be configured to enable the caregiver to pull the patient lying over the support board 1 over the first surface, free members 23a, 23b, and the second surface.

The support board 1 may be made of plastic, fiber glass, aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid, has low coefficient of friction, and has light weight. Each of the base bars 20, 21 has a telescoping pole 22a, 22b, respectively, extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to each of the base bars 20, 21. Each of the telescoping poles 22a, 22b may include two coaxial poles 220a, 220b and 22 la, 22 lb, wherein the poles 22 la and 22 lb may be substantially inserted inside the poles 220a, 220b respectively. Each of the poles 220a, 220b, may have one or more pass-through holes 2200a, 2200b, respectively, and the poles 22 la, 22 lb may include a plurality of pass-through holes 22l0a, 2210b, wherein the height may be adjusted by allowing the poles 22la, 22lb to slide within a substantial part of the poles 220a, 220b, and wherein the required height may be temporarily fixed by inserting a pin 26a or 26b inside each of the pass-through holes 2200a, 2200b when one hole of the plurality of holes 2210a, 2210b is collinear with those holes 2200a, 2200b.

The poles 22 la, 22 lb may be connected to the roller 24 through two roller holders 24a, 24b, and a roller base 24c, wherein the roller 24 may be substantially perpendicular to the poles 22la, 22lb and may be free to rotate within the roller holders 24a, 24b.

The two free members 23a, 23b may be hinged at the roller base 24c using pin joints 230a, 230b, 230c, 23 Od or any suitable single degree-of-freedom joint and may be free to move between an open position (adapted for use, as shown in FIG. 5) and a closed position (adapted for storage, as shown in FIG. 6). Each of the free members 23a, 23b may include two or more rollers 23 la, 23 lb, 23 lc, 23 ld, 23 le, 23 lf that may facilitate the sliding of the support board 1 over the free members 23a, 23b during the patient transfer process from the first surface 3 to the second surface 4.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the rollers 23 la, 23 lb, 23 lc, 23 ld may be configured to be attached to the free members 23a, 23b using corresponding roller holders 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d, 232e, 232f, 232g, 232h, wherein each of the rollers 23 la, 23 lb, 23 lc, 23ld may be configured to freely rotate within its corresponding roller holders 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d, 232e, 232f, 232g, 232h.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the rollers 24, 23 la, 23 lb, 23 lc, 23 ld may be configured to rotate about their corresponding roller holders 24a, 24b, 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d, 232e, 232f, 232g, 232h when the support board 1 slides over the free members 23a, 23b in a patient transfer process. As depicted in FIG. 5, during a patient transfer process each of the free members 23a, 23b may be substantially in contact with the first surface 3, and the second surface 4.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the wheels 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d may include caster wheels or omnidirectional wheels with locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms may be activated by a caregiver to prevent the pedestal 2 from moving during a patient transfer process.

In embodiments of the present invention, the pedestal 2 may be made of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid and has light weight.

In the apparatus of the present disclosure, the configuration of the pedestal 2 and the free members 23a, 23b may allow the transfer of patients from the first surface 3 to the second surface 4 even if the heights of the first and second surfaces 3, 4 do not match.

Reference is now being made to FIG. 8, which illustrates a flowchart of a process for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface using a patient transfer apparatus, the process may include the following steps: a. Providing a first care giver; a second caregiver; a patient lying on a first surface; a second surface adjacent to the first surface; a support board with straps and grip handles; an adjustable-height pedestal with a roller, a first free member and a second free member, each of the free members has a plurality of rollers (process block 8-1); b. Turning the patient by the first caregiver by pulling his back away from the first surface (process block 8-2);

c. Inserting the support board, by the second caregiver, between the patient and the first surface (process block 8-3);

d. Circumfusing, by the first caregiver, the patient with the straps and fastening such straps with fastening means to secure the patient over the support board (process block 8-4);

e. Inserting the adjustable-height pedestal between the first surface and the second surface and adjusting the height of the adjustable- height pedestal, then allowing a substantial part of the first and the second free members of the pedestal to be in contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively (process block 8-5); and f. Allowing, by the second caregiver, the support board to slide over the first and second free members to reach the second surface (process block 8-6).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the second caregiver may allow the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pulling the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members using grip handles provided on the straps.

In other embodiments, the first caregiver may assist the second caregiver in allowing the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pushing the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members.

It should be appreciated that the number of caregivers needed in the process of the present disclosure is exemplary only, and is not limited to two caregivers. More than one caregiver may be needed based on the weight and the medical condition of the patient.

Although the process steps are expressed in series in FIG. 8, one or more steps can be performed simultaneously.

As used herein with respect to an identified property or circumstance,“substantially” refers to a degree of deviation that is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the identified property or circumstance. The exact degree of deviation allowable may in some cases depend on the specific context.

While the present disclosure has been made with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it should be apparent to a one skilled in the art that various additions, omissions, and/or modifications can be made to the apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A patient transfer apparatus that allows a transfer of a supine patient from a first surface to a second surface regardless any difference of elevation between the first surface and the second surface, the apparatus comprises: an adjustable-height pedestal with two free members; and a support board configured to slide over the first surface, second surface, and adjustable height pedestal.

2. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable height pedestal comprises two base bars with a plurality of wheels and two vertical telescoping poles.

3. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the two telescoping poles are connected to a roller through roller holders.

4. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the two telescoping poles are connected to two free members using hinges.

5. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the two free members are configured to angularly rotate about the hinges in a confined angle.

6. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the two free members comprises a plurality of rollers with a plurality of roller holders.

7. The patient transfer apparatus of claims 1 or 4, wherein each of the two free members are configured to be in a substantial contact with either the first surface or the second surface when the apparatus is in use.

8. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the two telescoping poles comprises a first pole configured to receive a second pole.

9. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first pole comprises a pass through hole.

10. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second pole comprises a plurality of pass-through holes.

11. The patient transfer apparatus of claims 1, 9, or 10, wherein the pass-through holes are configured to receive a pin to fix the elevation of the adjustable-height pedestal.

12. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable-height pedestal can be made of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid and has light weight.

13. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable-height pedestal further comprises two bars configured to receive the support board when the apparatus is not in use.

14. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable-height pedestal is configured to be positioned between the first surface and the second surface during a patient transfer process.

15. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support board is configured to support a patient body during a patient transfer process from the first surface to the second surface.

16. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support board comprises an elliptical shape.

17. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support board comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive two or more straps.

18. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the straps comprises a grip handle and fastening means.

19. The patient transfer apparatus of claims 17 or 18, wherein each of the straps is configured to fix a patient body to the support board when the fastening means are connected.

20. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1 or 18, wherein the grip handle is configured to allow a caregiver to pull and slide the support board over the two free members.

21. The patient transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support board is made of plastic, fiber glass, aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material that is rigid, has low coefficient of friction, and has light weight.

22. A process for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface using a patient transfer apparatus, the process comprises: providing a first care giver; a second caregiver; a patient lying on a first surface; a second surface adjacent to the first surface; a support board with straps and grip handles; an adjustable-height pedestal with a roller, a first free member and a second free member, each of the free members has a plurality of rollers; turning the patient, by the first caregiver, by pulling his back away from the first surface; inserting the support board, by the second caregiver, between the patient and the first surface; circumfusing, by the first caregiver, the patient with the straps and fastening such straps with fastening means to secure the patient over the support board; inserting the adjustable-height pedestal between the first surface and the second surface and adjusting the height of the adjustable-height pedestal, then allowing a substantial part of the first and the second free members of the adjustable-height pedestal to be in contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively; and allowing, by the second caregiver, the support board to slide over the first and second free members to reach the second surface.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein the second caregiver allows the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pulling the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members using grip handles provided on the straps.

24. The process of claim 22, wherein the first caregiver may assist the second caregiver in allowing the support board to slide over the first and second free members by pushing the support board over the rollers of the first and second free members.