AU2020210222A1

AU2020210222A1 - Patient support suitable for X-ray

Info

Publication number: AU2020210222A1
Application number: AU2020210222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Darren Rowland
Original assignee: Modsel Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Modsel Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-01
Filing date: 2020-07-29
Publication date: 2021-02-18

Abstract

A patient stretcher for use in a hospital, particularly an emergency room, is disclosed. The stretcher has two layers: a layer on which a patient can lie and a supporting layer underneath. An air gap is provided above the supporting layer into which an X-ray cassette can be moved. The stretcher has a mechanism for raising and lowering a patient's head without impacting on the X-ray cassette space. 1/2 0 48 1 4 10 2 22 44 6 184. 16 42 Fig. 1 24 . 18 -... 30 22 42 4 12 8 40 52 48 .... 50 10-. 46 . 28 . 1 60 Fig. 2 44 2 4

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"PATIENT SUPPORT SUITABLE FOR X RAY"

Applicant:

MODSEL PTY LTD

Associated provisional applications: Provisional Application Number 2019902762 filed 1 August 2019

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"PATIENT SUPPORT SUITABLE FOR X-RAY"

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to supports and conveyances for medical patients, such as stretchers used in hospitals and other medical facilities.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Diagnosis of patients can be difficult, particularly in trauma-related situations. One common method used in the diagnosis of trauma patients is the taking and studying of X-ray images.

[0003] Where patients are immobile or unconscious, it is often impractical or impossible to transfer them onto supports arranged to be used in conjunction with X-ray machines. Rather, portable X-ray cassettes are used to take X-ray images of a patient in-situ on a stretcher or other patient support.

[0004] Frequently, it is necessary to take an X-ray image of a patient's hip region. This presents difficulties, as many stretchers have a back rest which is arranged to pivot at this region so as to be able to elevate a patient's head and upper body. The mechanism associated with the backrest pivot can significantly limit access of a portable X-ray cassette into this region. Moreover, even when an X-ray cassette can be inserted it may be liable to damage due to operation of the back rest mechanism.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a patient stretcher or similar support which allows access for an X-ray cassette in a patient's hip region.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a patient support, the patient support having: a generally horizontal access surface; and a patient resting surface; the patient support having a centre line extending in a longitudinal direction; wherein there is a gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface along the centre line.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a patient support, the patient support having: a generally horizontal access surface; and a patient resting surface; the patient support having a nominal hip line extending in a transverse direction; wherein there is a gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface along the nominal hip line.

[0008] Advantageously, the gap allows for insertion and manipulation of an X-ray cassette beneath the patient resting surface.

[0009] Preferably, the gap extends from either side of the centre line in a transverse direction to encompass at least half of a width of the patient support.

[0010] More preferably, the gap extends from either side of the centre line in the transverse direction to encompass at least 80% of the width of the patient support.

[0011] The patient resting surface maybe moveable between a generally flat lowered configuration; and a partially raised configuration, whereby a head or torso region of the patient resting surface is angled relative to a leg portion about a transverse axis. In the raised configuration, the head or torso region of the patient resting surface may be supported by at least one support arm extending from the access surface. The support arm is preferably located near a lateral side of the patient support.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the patient resting surface is supported by a generally U-shaped supporting bracket. The support arm may be connected to one side arm of the U-shaped supporting bracket.

[0013] The patient support may have side arms on its lateral sides. It is preferred that the access surface is located beneath the side arms, whereby the gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface can be directly accessed beneath the side arms.

[0014] Height adjustable side rails maybe attached to the sidearms.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 is an upper perspective of a patient support in accordance with the present invention, shown in a lowered configuration;

[0017] Figure 2 is an upper perspective of the patient support of Figure 1, shown in a raised configuration;

[0018] Figure 3 is a close view of a head region of the patient support of Figure 1, shown in the raised configuration;

[0019] Figure 4 is a side view of the patient support of Figure 1, shown in the raised configuration; and

[0020] Figure 5 is a close side view of the head region of Figure 3, shown in the lowered configuration.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0021] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a patient support being a stretcher 10. It will be understood that the stretcher 10 is arranged to be fixed to a wheeled support frame (not shown).

[0022] The stretcher 10 has a flat base 12 which is generally rectangular, having a longitudinal direction 14 and a transverse direction 16.

[0023] The stretcher 10 has a centre line 18 extending in the longitudinal direction 14.

[0024] The stretcher 10 has a patient resting surface formed by an upper cushioned portion 20 having two regions: a head region 22 and a legs region 24. The head region 22 and the legs region 24 meet at a nominal hip line 26. The nominal hip line 26 is oriented in the transverse direction 16.

[0025] The head region 22 and the legs region 24 are each formed by a generally planar supporting member 28 onto which a cushion 30 is mounted.

[0026] The planar supporting member 28 of the head region 22 is supported in turn by a U-shaped bracket 32 which extends across an outer end of the head region 22 remote from the nominal hip line 26 and down each transverse side of the head region 22.

[0027] The flat base 12 is supported by a generally rectangular frame 40. The frame 40 has upright flanges 42 located at each of its four corners. Elongate side arms 44 extend along each lateral side of the stretcher 10, the side arms 44 being mounted atop the upright flanges 42.

[0028] It will thus be appreciated that the side arms 44 are vertically spaced from the flat base 12 by the height of the upright flanges 42, leaving a vertical gap 46 between.

[0029] Side rails 48 are affixed to each of the side arms 44. The side rails 48 can be raised and lowered in a standard manner.

[0030] The legs region 24 of the upper cushioned portion 20 is mounted atop the side arms 44. The end points of the U-shaped bracket 32 are mounted to the side arms 44 at a hinge, such that the head region 22 is able to pivot relative to the legs region 24 about the nominal hip line 26 (causing some compression of the cushions 30).

[0031] A head elevating mechanism 50 is located on one transverse side of the flat base 12, longitudinally spaced from the nominal hip line 26. The head elevating mechanism 50 has an operating arm 52 and an arcuate attachment bracket 54. The operating arm 52 has an inner end 56 which is arranged for longitudinal movement along the transverse side of the flat base 12. The arcuate attachment bracket 54 is connected between an outer end 58 of the operating arm 52 and a location along the U-shaped bracket 32.

[0032] The arrangement is such that movement of the inner end 56 of the operating arm 52 along the transverse side of the flat base 12 causes rotation of the U-shaped bracket 32 and thus the head region 22 relative to the legs region 24, about the nominal hip line 26. The stretcher 10 can thus be moved between a lowered configuration as shown in Figure 1 and a raised configuration as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] It will be appreciated that in both the raised and lowered configurations there is an air gap between the flat base 12 and the upper cushioned portion 20. The gap extends from one end of the stretcher 10 to the other, and from one side of the stretcher 10 to the head elevating mechanism 50. In particular, a gap exists along either side of the longitudinal centre line 18, including along the nominal hip line 26. In the embodiment of the drawing, this gap represents at least 80% of the width of the stretcher. It is considered that while any gap around the centre line will be useful, a gap representing at least half the width of the stretcher will be particularly useful. It will be further appreciated that the gap 46 extends along the entire length of the nominal hip line 26, from one transverse side of the stretcher 10 to the other.

[0034] In use, a patient can be comfortably supported on the stretcher 10, with the head and torso able to be raised and lowered in accordance with patient comfort and medical need. At the same time, an X-ray cassette can be easily passed through the gap between the flat base 12 and the cushioned portion 20, and is thus able to take X-ray images as required. The flat base 12 provides a horizontal access surface on which the X-ray cassette can be placed as required. The X-ray cassette can, as required, be inserted within the gap 46 directly beneath the hip line 26, and moved along the hip line 26 to a desired position.

[0035] The head elevating mechanism 50 has a hinged safety flap 60 on an inner side thereof. The hinged safety flap 60 is arranged to move between a lowered position slightly above the flat base 12 to a generally vertical raised position as can be seen in Figure 2.

[0036] When the hinged safety flap 60 is in the raised position of Figure 2 it prevents an X-ray cassette from impacting the head elevating mechanism 50.

[0037] When the hinged safety flap 60 is in the lowered position, it rests adjacent a power-cut switch (not-shown). When an X-ray cassette passes over the hinged safety flap 60, it activates the power-cut switch which prevents activation of the head elevating mechanism 50. This ensures that the X-ray cassette is not damaged due to inadvertent conflict with the mechanism 50.

[0038] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A patient support, the patient support having: a generally horizontal access surface; and a patient resting surface; the patient support having a centre line extending in a longitudinal direction; wherein there is a gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface along the centre line.
2. A patient support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap extends from either side of the centre line in a transverse direction to encompass at least half of a width of the patient support.
3. A patient support as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gap extends from either side of the centre line in the transverse direction to encompass at least % of the width of the patient support.
4. A patient support, the patient support having: a generally horizontal access surface; and a patient resting surface; the patient support having a nominal hip line extending in a transverse direction; wherein there is a gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface along the nominal hip line.
5. A patient support as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the patient resting surface is moveable between a generally flat lowered configuration; and a partially raised configuration, whereby a head or torso region of the patient resting surface is angled relative to a leg portion about a transverse axis.
6. A patient support as claimed in claim 5, whereby, in the raised configuration, the head or torso region of the patient resting surface is supported by at least one support arm extending from the access surface.
7. A patient support as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support arm is located near a lateral side of the patient support.
8. A patient support as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the patient resting surface is supported by a generally U-shaped supporting bracket, and the support arm is connected to one side arm of the U-shaped supporting bracket.
9. A patient support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the patient support has side arms on its lateral sides.
10. A patient support as claimed in claim 9, wherein the access surface is located beneath the side arms, whereby the gap between the access surface and the patient resting surface can be directly accessed beneath the side arms.
11. A patient support as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein height adjustable side rails are attached to the side arms.

MODSEL PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP

P2324AU01