AU2010238545A1 - A stretcher assembly - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Sound Medical Solutions Actual Inventors: Danny Dragan Voyka Neal Taylor Richardson Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, Level 3, 303 Coronation Drive, Milton 4064, Queensland. Invention Title: "A stretcher assembly" Details of Associated Provisional Applications No: Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2009905302 filed on 29 October 2009 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: r.~fn...tjflr~C U~i1,1O I lr - 'ifljnfl C NRPM CM 26%61_2DOC-10292010 A STRETCHER ASSEMBLY Background of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a stretcher assembly for transporting an infant, and to an associated method of securing an infant for transport. Description of the Prior Art 10 Reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to 15 which this specification relates. When infants are required to be transferred for medical emergencies or similar medical situations, they are generally placed in an infant carrier capsule, which typically positions the infant in a semi-recumbent supine position, with the capsule strapped to a standard ambulance 20 stretcher, trolley or gurney. The stretcher, trolley or gurney is then secured inside an emergency transport vehicle for transportation. The known methods of infant transport are resource-heavy and rely on apparatus generally developed to accommodate adults. 25 Summary of the Present Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a stretcher assembly for transporting an infant, said stretcher assembly including: C :RIIdbl\DCCGMSG26%61_2DOC-10/29/2010 -2 a frame configured for releasable attachment to a stretcher; and at least two mountings arranged on the frame, each mounting configured to demountably mount an infant carrier capsule to the frame so that at least two infant carrier capsules are simultaneously transportable on the stretcher. 5 Typically, the frame includes two longitudinal substantially parallel side bars joined by at least one cross member. Typically, the mounting includes a back plate hingedly fixed to a cross member, and two wing 10 plates each hingedly fixed to a respective side bar, wherein the back and side plates are hingable into a storage position, in which said plates lie substantially coplanar within the frame, and an open position, in which the plates protrude from the frame to accept an infant carrier capsule. 15 Typically, the back plate is configured to hinge in a plane substantially perpendicular to the cross member. Typically, the wing plates are configured to hinge in opposite directions in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side bars. 20 Typically, the back and wing plates of each mounting are configured to cooperate in the open position to retain an infant carrier on the frame. Typically, the wing plates of each mounting define a slot for receiving complementary 25 protrusions of the infant carrier capsule in order to retain the infant carrier capsule on the frame when in the open position. Typically, the back plate of each mounting is configured to urge the protrusions of the infant carrier capsule into the slots of the wing plates when in the open position.

C:\NtR~OlCCGM5026%661_1DOC- I /29/20 10 -3 Typically, a cross member is configured to detain the back plate when in the open position, and the side bars are configured to detain the wing plates when in the open position. 5 Typically, the back plate and wing plates each define a detent configured to abut a cross member and side bars, respectively, when said plates are in the open position. Typically, the frame is configured for attachment to a stretcher by being shaped and dimensioned for fitment onto said stretcher and for attachment by means of belts or straps. 10 According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing an infant for transport, said method including: placing the infant in an infant carrier capsule; mounting the infant carrier capsule on a stretcher assembly having a frame configured 15 for releasable attachment to a stretcher, and at least two mountings arranged on the frame, each mounting configured to demountably mount an infant carrier capsule to the frame so that at least two infant carrier capsules are simultaneously transportable on the stretcher; and attaching the stretcher assembly to a stretcher. 20 Typically, the method includes mounting two infant carrier capsules to the stretcher assembly. Typically, the method includes securing the stretcher inside an emergency transport vehicle. Brief Description of the Drawings 25 An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of an example of a stretcher assembly; CR P lDC\GM526%61_2DOC- 10129/210 -4 Figure 2A shows a further perspective schematic representation of the stretcher assembly of Figure 1; Figure 2B shows a mounting of the stretcher assembly in closer detail; Figure 2C shows a bottom perspective view of the stretcher assembly of Figure 2A; 5 Figure 2D shows a front end view of the stretcher assembly of Figure 2A; Figure 3 shows a further front end perspective schematic representation of the stretcher assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side perspective schematic representation of the stretcher assembly of Figure 1; 10 Figure 5 shows a further perspective schematic representation of the stretcher assembly of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the stretcher assembly with mountings in a storage position; Figure 7 shows a further perspective schematic representation of the stretcher assembly of Figure 6; 15 Figure 8 shows a closer further perspective schematic representation of a mounting in a storage position; and, Figure 9 shows an example of a stretcher assembly having two infant carrier capsules mounted thereon. 20 Detailed Description of Preferred Examples With reference now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown one example of a stretcher assembly 10 for transporting an infant. The stretcher assembly 10 generally includes a frame 12 which is configured for releasable attachment to a stretcher (not shown). The frame 12 is 25 typically configured for attachment to a stretcher by being shaped and dimensioned for fitment onto said stretcher and for attachment by means of belts or straps. The stretcher is typically a standard hospital or emergency services stretcher used in the transport of patients. Typically, such stretchers are sized to accommodate adult patients.

C:\Po l\DCCGMSU26961_2 DOC-10/29/2010 -5 As mentioned above, the known methods of infant transport are resource-heavy and typically rely on apparatus generally developed to accommodate adults, e.g. infant carrier capsules are simply strapped or similarly secured to adult stretchers for transport via an emergency transport vehicle. It is to be appreciated that such an emergency transport vehicle may include 5 an ambulance, an emergency transport aircraft, such as a helicopter or airplane, etc. One problem associated with the known methods is that only a single infant carrier capsule can be accommodated on an adult stretcher. Accordingly, in the case where more than one infant requires medical transport, it is necessary to use more than one emergency transport 10 vehicle. This effectively doubles the cost, time and manpower required when transporting, for example, twin babies. The current arrangement of the stretcher assembly 10 includes at least two mountings 14 arranged on the frame 12, with each mounting 14 being configured to demountably mount an 15 infant carrier capsule (not shown) to the frame 12. This allows at least two infant carrier capsules to be simultaneously transportable on one stretcher. It is also to be appreciated that further examples of the stretcher assembly 10 can include additional mountings 14, and/or different arrangements of the mountings 14 on the frame 12, or the like. 20 In the shown example, the frame 12 includes two longitudinal and substantially parallel arranged side bars 16.1 and 16.2 joined by at least one cross member 18. In this example, the side bars 16 are joined by a number of cross members 18. Each mounting 14 includes a back plate 20 hingedly fixed to one of the cross members 18, as 25 shown, along with two wing plates 22 each hingedly fixed to a respective side bar 16. In the current arrangement, wing plates 22.1 and 22.3 are hingedly fixed to side bar 16.2, and wing plates 22.2 and 22.4 are hingedly fixed to side bar 16.2. One example of a hinged connection is generally indicated by reference numeral 28. The back 20 and side plates 22 are hingable into a storage position (shown in Figures 6 to 8) in which the plates 20 and 22 lie substantially A CiANRPolrDCCLM5,326966l_2DOC-29l0O -6 coplanar within the frame 12, and into an open position (shown in Figures 1 to 5) in which the plates 20 and 22 protrude from the frame to accept an infant carrier capsule. The back plate 20 of each mounting 14 is generally configured to hinge in a plane 5 substantially perpendicular to the cross member 18 on which it hinges, as shown. Similarly, the wing plates 22 are generally configured to hinge, in opposite directions to each other, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side bars 16. As such, the back and wing plates 20 and 22 of each mounting 14 are configured to cooperate in the open position to retain an infant carrier on the frame 12. The plates 20 and 22 operatively collapse into the storage position for 10 storage purposes. In the current example, the wing plates 22 of each mounting 14 define a slot 24 for receiving complementary protrusions of the infant carrier capsule in order to retain the infant carrier capsule on the frame 12 when in the open position. To facilitate in mounting the carrier 15 capsule, the back plate 20 of each mounting 14 is further configured to urge the protrusions of the infant carrier capsule into the slots 24 of the wing plates 22 when in the open position. This urging by the back plate 20 is typically achieved by positioning the back plate 20 on the cross member 18 so that an upper part of the back plate must be elastically deflected to fit the capsule inside the mounting 14. In one example, the back plate further defines a flange at an 20 upper part thereof to facilitate engagement of the carrier capsule. The cross member on which the back plate 20 is fixed is typically configured to detain the back plate 20 when in the open position. Similarly, the side bars 16 are configured to detain the wing plates 22 when they are in the open position. To this end, the back plate 20 and wing 25 plates 22 each generally define a detent 26 configured to abut the cross member 18 and side bars 16, respectively, when said plates 20 and 22 are in the open position. This ensures that the plates 20 and 22 are maintained in the open position to accept the carrier capsule.

C:WRPrhhDCCMS126%61_2LDOC-IW292010 -7 The stretcher assembly 10 is typically manufactured from metal, such as stainless steel, but any suitable material can be used. It is to be appreciated that other examples may include the frame 12 being configured to hinge 5 between the two shown mountings 14 so that it is foldable onto itself for storage purposes. Alternatively, the side bars 16 of the frame 12 may be configured to be easily detachable from the cross members 18 so that the stretcher assembly 10 can be easily broken down into constituent parts for easy transport and/or storage. Similarly, the stretcher assembly 10 may be configured so that the mountings 14 form modular attachments to the frame 12, e.g. it is 10 possible to attach a single mounting to the frame 12, or a plurality of mountings to the frame 12, etc. The current arrangement also includes a method of securing an infant for transport, using the stretcher assembly described above. The method generally includes the steps of placing the 15 infant in an infant carrier capsule, and mounting the infant carrier capsule on the stretcher assembly 10. The stretcher assembly 10 is then attached to a stretcher. An illustrative example of a stretcher assembly 10 in use will now be described with reference to Figure 9. In this example, the stretcher assembly 10 is attached to a stretcher 40 of a 20 collapsible trolley type, although it will be appreciated that the stretcher assembly 10 may be attached to any suitably configured stretcher. The stretcher assembly 10 is secured to the stretcher 40 using straps 50, however any other suitable securing method may be used. Two infant carrier capsules 30 are mounted upon the stretcher assembly 10 in the open 25 position. Each infant carrier capsule 30 is supported via a respective back plate 20 and a respective pair of wing plates 22, with protrusions 31 of the infant carrier capsule 30 being urged into the slots 24 of the wing plates 22 by the back plate'20. It should be appreciated that any suitably configured infant supports, such baby seats or cribs, can be mounted to the stretcher assembly in a similar fashion.

C:VJRPonbnlDCCGMS|25%66..26DOC-102/aV2IO -8 Furthermore, at least the wing plates 22.2 and 22.4 may optionally be adapted to support ancillary equipment, such as an IV drip pole 60 as shown in Figure 9. It is regarded as advantageous that the stretcher assembly 10 of the current arrangement allows 5 safe and secure transport of more than one infant on a single stretcher, trolley or gurney. The stretcher assembly enables at least two infant carrier capsules to be secured on a standard stretcher, trolley or gurney for transport purposes. The stretcher assembly 10 folds into the open position to accept such carrier capsules, and into the storage position for easy and convenient storage when not required. 10 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention broadly appearing and described in more detail herein. 15 It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention is not made in an exclusive sense. Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit 20 the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Features that are common to the art are not explained in any detail as they are deemed to be easily understood by the skilled person. Similarly, throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning, 25 unless the context of use clearly indicates otherwise.

Claims (16)

1. A stretcher assembly for transporting an infant, said stretcher assembly including: 5 a frame configured for releasable attachment to a stretcher; and at least two mountings arranged on the frame, each mounting configured to demountably mount an infant carrier capsule to the frame so that at least two infant carrier capsules are simultaneously transportable on the stretcher. 10

2. The stretcher assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame includes two longitudinal substantially parallel side bars joined by at least one cross member.

3. The stretcher assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting includes a back plate hingedly fixed to a cross member, and two wing plates each hingedly fixed to a respective side 15 bar, wherein the back and side plates are hingable into a storage position, in which said plates lie substantially coplanar within the frame, and an open position, in which the plates protrude from the frame to accept an infant carrier capsule.

4. The stretcher assembly of claim 3, wherein the back plate is configured to hinge 20 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the cross member.

5. The stretcher assembly of claim 3, wherein the wing plates are configured to hinge in opposite directions in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side bars. 25

6. The stretcher assembly of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the back and wing plates of each mounting are configured to cooperate in the open position to retain an infant carrier on the frame. CMRPrthDCClGMSu266t2.DOC-l/2n9f 2 l -10

7. The stretcher assembly of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the wing plates of each mounting define a slot for receiving complementary protrusions of the infant carrier capsule in order to retain the infant carrier capsule on the frame when in the open position. 5

8. The stretcher assembly of claim 7, wherein the back plate of each mounting is configured to urge the protrusions of the infant carrier capsule into the slots of the wing plates when in the open position.

9. The stretcher assembly of any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a cross member is 10 configured to detain the back plate when in the open position, and the side bars are configured to detain the wing plates when in the open position.

10. The stretcher assembly of claim 9, wherein the back plate and wing plates each define a detent configured to abut a cross member and side bars, respectively, when said plates 15 are in the open position.

11. The stretcher assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the frame is configured for attachment to a stretcher by being shaped and dimensioned for fitment onto said stretcher and for attachment by means of belts or straps. 20

12. A method of securing an infant for transport, said method including: placing the infant in an infant carrier capsule; mounting the infant carrier capsule on a stretcher assembly having a frame configured for releasable attachment to a stretcher, and at least two mountings arranged on the frame, 25 each mounting configured to demountably mount an infant carrier capsule to the frame so that at least two infant carrier capsules are simultaneously transportable on the stretcher; and attaching the stretcher assembly to a stretcher. :\NRPon~bnDCCGMS\126%6It_2DOC- I0/29/20 10 - 11

13. The method of claim 12, which includes mounting two infant carrier capsules to the stretcher assembly.

14. The method of either one of claims 12 or 13, which includes securing the 5 stretcher inside an emergency transport vehicle.

15. A stretcher assembly and a method of securing an infant, substantially as hereinbefore described 10

16. A stretcher assembly and a method of securing an infant, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.