DK2617404T3

DK2617404T3 - Bed with a fold-down grille provided with a point for technical assistance for rolling

Info

Publication number: DK2617404T3
Application number: DK13305058.3T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Roux David Le; Julien Billaud; Fabrice Nouvel
Original assignee: Medicatlantic Sa; Centre Hospitalier Univ De Nîmes
Priority date: 2012-01-20
Filing date: 2013-01-18
Publication date: 2017-08-14
Also published as: EP2617404B1; FR2985904A1; ES2634312T3; EP2617404A1; PL2617404T3; FR2985904B1

Description

The invention relates to the domain of medical beds, and more specifically to the domain of medical beds fitted with barriers .

Medical beds are found both in the homes of people requiring home care and in specialist establishments such as hospitals, clinics and retirement homes.

Medical beds perform a range of different functions to provide relief to patients. As such, the functions depend on the pathologies suffered by the patients for whom the bed is intended. Nonetheless, most medical beds include the following: • castors enabling the bed to be moved easily, • a system for adjusting the height of the bed base to help patients to get into and out of the bed, • an articulated bed base designed to raise the patient's chest or feet, • electric control means for the bed for use by the patient, • barriers on either side of the bed base to prevent the patient from falling out.

The barriers are often retractable, i.e. they can adopt a raised position, in which they are raised above the bed base, and a retracted position, in which they are stowed beneath the bed base, thereby allowing the patient to get out of the bed or enabling medical staff to easily access the patient in the bed and to provide care.

Various designs of barriers for obtaining the retracted position exist.

For example, the barrier comprises a panel mounted so as to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the bed, such that a rotation of the barrier rocks the panel to one side or the other of the surface of the bed for lying on. The document US 2006/0195984 (HAKAMIUN) presents an example of such a barrier.

In a variant, the barrier can comprise a panel and an arm articulated about longitudinal axes on the panel, for the one part, and on a side member of the bed, for the other part. Thus, by rotation of the arm, the panel retains substantially the same orientation with respect to the bed, and can be moved either above the surface for lying on, or below. The documents US 5,732,423 (LAGANIERE) and DE 199 00 602 (WISSNER) present an example of a barrier designed in this way.

Although such barriers can take up the retracted position, in this position they take up space on the side of the bed when they are in the retracted position, the panel blocking access to beneath the surface for lying on. However, medical beds frequently have equipment, particularly electrical equipment, under the surface for lying on. Thus, it is not desirable to limit access thereto.

The document EP 1 970 038 (SCHELL) proposes combining a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis of the bed with a translational movement of the barrier, making it possible to move a panel of the barrier into a raised position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the surface for lying on, and above said surface, and a retracted position in which the panel is substantially parallel to the surface for lying on, and positioned beneath said surface. Thus, the panel no longer blocks access to beneath the surface for lying on.

However, medical beds, as has already been described, have equipment beneath the surface for lying on, and so, for space minimization reasons, it is not always possible to additionally position the panel there.

Therefore, retractable barriers that reduce the space taken up both on the side of the bed and under the surface for lying on have been developed.

Such barriers can be in the form of deformable parallelograms. Therefore, they are formed of uprights that are mounted so as to pivot about transverse axes for example on a side member of the bed and are connected together by barriers that are parallel to the side member and are also mounted so as to pivot on the uprights about transverse axes. Thus, in the raised position, the uprights are substantially perpendicular to the bars, the barrier having a maximum vertical dimension in order to protect the edges of the surface for lying on; in the retracted position, the uprights are flapped down against the bars, the vertical dimension of the barrier then being at a minimum, and so the space it takes up is also at a minimum. The documents CA 2 454 931 (TEKNION CONCEPT) and EP 1 721 550 (HILL ROM) illustrate examples of such barriers.

Such barriers can also be telescopic, cf. for example the document DE 20 2008 009355 Ul, which describes a telescopic barrier moreover provided with an articulated bar that makes it possible, for the one part, in a vertical position, to lift the barrier and, for the other part, in a horizontal position, to hang a towel.

When care needs to be provided to a patient on the surface for lying on, it is thus easier for the care staff to put the barrier into the retracted position in order to have access to the patient.

However, it may be necessary for the care staff to have access to the patient's back. However, the patient generally lies on their back, and so it is necessary for them to roll to the side, or to be rolled. When the patient has reduced mobility, in particular elderly people, the rolling movement may be tricky, or even impossible, without a grip. For this reason, most patients who have to execute a rolling movement seek to grip whatever is available to them. In general, this is a side member of the bed, or a portion of the barrier in the retracted position.

However, the side member or the portion of barrier in question are not suitable for easy gripping by the patient, and so the latter has to carry out additional effort in order to find a grip and then to carry out the rolling movement.

For example, the side member or the portion of barrier is not always visible to the patient, or the visible portion is not easy for the patient to reach. This is the case particularly for the articulated bar in the abovementioned document DE 20 2008 009355 Ul, in which, in the retracted position of the barrier, the bar extends against a lateral face of the mattress and is consequently particularly difficult to reach, if the patient considers gripping it.

It is thus known to position on the bed means for making it easier for the patient to carry out the rolling movement on the bed. These means are generally in the form of a handle secured to the bed, positioned at the edge of the bed and protruding with respect to the surface for lying on.

However, such means are permanently available to the patient, and so the latter may seek to roll even though they have to remain immobile.

Furthermore, when they are not necessary, such means still protrude with respect to the surface for lying on, and so they can injure the patient if they happen to make a sudden movement.

Moreover, such means cannot always be fitted on account of the presence of the barrier, and so it is not always possible to provide a bed that has both a barrier and means for making it easier to roll, even if both functionalities are required.

There is therefore a need to provide a bed that makes it possible to provide both a barrier and means for making it easier to roll, which overcomes in particular the abovementioned drawbacks. A first objective of the invention is to provide a bed, particularly a medical bed, which comprises a barrier that allows the patient to roll on the bed when necessary. A second objective of the invention is to provide a bed, particularly a medical bed, which comprises a barrier and means for making it easier to roll that are easily reachable by the patient. A third objective of the invention is to provide a bed, particularly a medical bed, which comprises a barrier and means for making it easier to roll that limit the risk of injury to the patient. A fourth objective of the invention is to provide a bed, particularly a medical bed, which comprises a barrier and means for making it easier to roll that do not increase the costs of manufacturing the bed.

The invention proposes a bed, according to Claim 1, particularly a medical bed, comprising a surface for lying on, bordered by a longitudinal edge and two transverse edges, referred to as the head edge and the foot edge, the bed further comprising a head barrier placed along the longitudinal edge, the head barrier comprising a front end and a rear end, the front end being closer to the head edge than the rear end, the bed comprising a frame on which a surface for lying on is fixed, the head barrier being articulated to the frame and is retractable, the head barrier comprising a handle to aid rolling the patient on their side.

According to different embodiments, the bed has the following features, which may be combined if necessary: the handle to aid rolling the patient on their side is mounted articulated to the head barrier; the handle is positioned longitudinally with respect to the bed at a distance of between 25 cm and 60 cm from a head edge of the bed. the head barrier comprises a handle to aid getting the patient up, this handle being essentially square; the handle to aid getting the patient up comprises a top section forming an angle of approximately 30° with the horizontal; the handle to aid getting the patient up is placed a longitudinal distance of between 50 cm and 75 cm away from the head edge; the bed has a gap between the rear end of the head barrier and the foot edge, the gap extending over a longitudinal distance greater than 40 cm; the handle to aid getting the patient up is positioned at a height of 25 to 50 cm above the surface for lying on; the bed includes at least one foot barrier; the foot barrier is articulated to the frame and is retractable; the bed comprises a surface for lying on, the surface for lying on comprising a head-end portion that is articulated to the frame and moveable between two positions: a lying-down position in which the head-end portion is substantially horizontal and a sitting-up position, in which the head-end portion forms an angle with respect to the horizontal, the articulation being positioned at a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm from the head edge, as measured along the longitudinal edges .

Other objectives and advantages of the invention are set out in the description of a preferred embodiment, provided below with reference to the attached drawings, in which: • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed, with a patient lying down on the bed and holding a first handle arranged on a side barrier, • Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the patient having moved to the sitting-up position on the bed, • Figure 3 is a detailed side view of the bed shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the retractable barrier shown using a dotted line in the deployed position and using an unbroken line in the folded position, • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bed shown in Figures 1 to 3, with a patient lying on the bed and holding a second handle placed on the head-end half-barrier of the bed.

Figure 1 shows a medical bed 1 on castors 2. The bed 1 comprises a chassis comprising a lower frame 3, an upper frame 4 on top of the lower frame, and a device 5 for adjusting the height of the upper frame 4.

The lower frame 3 comprises side members and cross members, with castors 2 positioned substantially at the four corners of the lower frame.

The upper frame 4 has a structure to which a surface for lying on is attached. The surface for lying on may include two articulated portions, specifically one portion for the legs of a user and one portion for the chest.

The upper frame 4 may include equipment for users such as a solution stand or a bedhead and a footboard (not shown).

The adjustment device 5 has two crosspieces 5a, 5b and a crosspiece actuation system, such as an electric cylinder.

The bed 1 includes, at least on one of the large lateral sides of same, two retractable barriers: a first retractable head barrier 6 and a second retractable foot barrier 7.

Advantageously, the bed 1 includes one retractable head barrier 6 and one retractable foot barrier 7 on each of the longitudinal edges of same.

The first barrier 6 is retractable from an upright or deployed position, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, to a folded-down or retracted position, shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The first barrier 6 is mounted articulated to the upper frame 4 and is formed of tubular elements articulated to one another .

The head barrier 6 includes a first tubular element 8 articulated to the upper frame 4 about a transverse axis 9 and a second tubular element 10 articulated to the upper frame 4 about a transverse axis 11.

The head barrier 6 also includes tubular linking elements 12, 13, 14; each one articulated, firstly in relation to the first tubular element 8 about a respective transverse axis 15, 16, 17, and secondly in relation to the second tubular element 10 about a respective transverse axis 18, 19, 20.

When the head barrier 6 is in the upright position, the first tubular element 8 is substantially vertical and the tubular linking elements 12, 13, 14 are substantially horizontal. A first tubular linking element 12 forms the upper edge of the head barrier 6 and extends, for example, to a height of 35 cm above the bed base.

The upper portion of the second tubular element 10 includes a first handle 21.

The colour of the first handle 21 is advantageously different from the colour of all of the first barrier 6. For example, the first handle 21 is blue, and the rest of the first barrier 6 is a grey colour typical of a metal part, such as aluminium. The user of the bed 1 thereby has his attention drawn to the handle 21, the colour of which is different from the rest of the head barrier 6 and different from the white colour normally used in hospitals.

In one embodiment, the first handle 21 is covered with a phosphorescent material. Advantageously, the first handle 21 has a non-slip surface. For example, the first handle 21 is coated with an elastomer or provided with ribs or embossing. The user of the bed 1 is therefore drawn to this part of the head barrier 6 by his sense of touch.

The first handle 21 is advantageously generally ring-shaped with a substantially square outline, enabling same to be grasped in at least six different ways: with a single hand on one of the four sides of the first handle 21, or with two hands on the first handle 21.

Advantageously, the first handle 21 is positioned approximately 25 to 50 cm above the bed base and one third of the way along the length of the bed 1. This arrangement enables a person lying down on the bed 1 on his back or side to grasp, without having to make any significant chest movement: a first handle 21 positioned to his right (i.e. on the left-hand side of the bed 1 from the point of view of a person looking from the foot of the bed 1) using his right hand with the palm turned upwards, as shown using dotted lines in Figure 1, or a first handle 21 positioned to his left (i.e. on the right-hand side of the bed 1 from the point of view of a person looking from the foot of the bed 1) using his left hand, also with the palm turned upwards.

This arrangement is comfortable to use, in particular for the elderly or for people suffering from joint problems.

The first handle includes, in the embodiment shown, four tubular portions preferably forming a trapezoidal outline, specifically: a lower tubular portion 21a, an upper portion 21b and two lateral portions 21c, 21d. The lower portion 21a forms an angle A of approximately 30° with the horizontal when the head barrier 6 is in the upright position, while the upper portion 21b forms an angle B of approximately 30° with the lower portion 21a (and therefore of approximately 60° with the horizontal ). These values are indicative.

When in the lowered or retracted position, the head barrier 6 extends beneath the top plane of a mattress 40 and above the lower frame 3, and consequently the first barrier 6 does not obstruct the movement of the patient or the people around the bed 1 in any way. Stops are provided to limit the pivoting movement of the head barrier 6 in the retracted position. A usage method of the first handle 21 when the first barrier 6 is in the upright position is described below.

In a first stage, the patient uses his right hand to grasp the first handle 21 positioned to his right (i.e. on the left-hand side of the bed 1), for example the lower portion 21a. The position of the first handle 21 (height above the bed base, position one third of the way along the length of the bed) and the angle of approximately 30° formed by the lower portion 21a or the upper portion 21b of the handle 21 limit the movement of the patient's shoulder, such shoulder movements being potentially difficult or painful for the elderly. Consequently and advantageously, the patient does not have to lift his arm or elbow to grasp the first handle 21. The foot barrier 7 has been previously retracted. Advantageously, when this lower portion 21a of the handle 21 is grasped, the patient's hand is oriented with the palm turned upwards. If necessary, as shown in Figure 1, the patient can grasp the handle 21 with two hands by grasping the upper portion 21b with his left hand. This arrangement is comfortable to use, in particular for the elderly or for people suffering from joint problems.

In a second stage, the patient, without releasing his grip of the first handle 21, in particular of the lower portion 21a of the handle 21, begins to move his legs over the side of the bed.

In a third stage, the patient is seated on the bed 1 and continues to hold the first handle 21, with one or two hands, as shown using dotted lines in Figure 2.

In a fourth stage, the patient can stand up. It should be noted that no elements of the barrier are positioned directly behind the patient's knees or calves, which enables him to position his feet in line with his centre of gravity without having to exert any tractive force on his arms.

In order to optimize the ergonomics of the bed, the first handle 21 is preferably positioned at a longitudinal distance from the head edge of the bed of between 50 cm and 75 cm, i.e. level with or beneath most patients' elbows. A second handle 22 is mounted articulated to the first tubular element 8 of the first barrier 6. As shown in Figure 3, when the first barrier 6 is in the retracted position, this second handle 22 extends substantially next to the top plane of the mattress 40 and can help the patient to move, in particular for repositioning or for tilting to the side, for example when care is being provided. For this purpose, the handle 22 is positioned longitudinally in relation to the bed 1 at a distance of between 25 cm and 60 cm from a head edge of the bed 1, which corresponds to the shoulder of a patient of average size lying on the bed 1.

The colour of the second handle 22 is advantageously different from the colour of all of the head barrier 6. For example, the second handle 22 is blue, and the rest of the first barrier 6 is a grey colour typical of a metal part, such as aluminium. The user of the bed 1 thereby has his attention drawn to the handle 22, the colour of which is different from the rest of the barrier 6and different from the white colour normally used in hospitals.

In one embodiment, the second handle 22 is covered with a phosphorescent material. Advantageously, the second handle 22 has a non-slip surface. For example, the second handle is coated with an elastomer or provided with ribs or embossing. The user of the bed is therefore drawn to this part of the first barrier by his sense of touch.

The second handle 22 is advantageously retractable by being articulated to the tubular element 8 about an axis coinciding with this element 8 or parallel to same, as shown in the figures. Thus, in the example embodiment shown, the handle 22 is articulated by each of the ends of same about a pivot to the end of a pin 22a rigidly connected to the tubular element 8.

In the retracted position of same, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and using a dotted line in Figure 4, the second handle 22 does not obstruct the movement of the patient when getting out of or into the bed. In the raised position of same, shown using an unbroken line in Figure 4, the second handle 22 can be used to help the patient roll over.

The shape of the second handle 22 is preferably a curve, an arc or an elliptical arc and therefore has a section that is substantially horizontal and parallel to the bed base when the second handle 22 is in the upright position.

This second handle 22 can be used when the head barrier 6 is in the lowered position, as shown in Figure 4 and the patient needs to be tilted onto his side. Rather than helping the patient to perform this movement, the care staff tilt the handle from the retracted position to the upright position, as shown by the arrow in Figure 4.

With the head barrier 6 in the retracted position, the tubular element 8 about which the handle 22 is articulated extends substantially horizontally or slightly obliquely beneath the top surface of the mattress 40. In the upright position, the handle projects at least partially above the mattress 40, such that the patient need only grasp the handle 22 using his hand on the other side of the bed to the handle 22, and pull himself using his arm to tilt onto his side, as shown by the arrow in Figure 4. To enable the patient to grasp the handle 22, the handle may be provided with a stopping system that locks same in the upright position. This system may for example work using a ratchet or friction. In a variant, the care staff can hold the handle 22 in the upright position.

The handle 22 allows the patient both to move onto his side and to hold himself there while he is laying on the bed 1, in a position referred to as lateral roll, facilitating certain care actions and preventing necrosis. Access to this second handle 22 facilitates autonomy and rehabilitation, while reducing the workload of care staff in terms of patient mobility.

The means for locking the first barrier 6 in the deployed and retracted position are positioned advantageously at the working height of the caregivers, who do not need to lean over or stretch their arms to actuate same. These locking means are for example known friction latches.

The second barrier 7 is retractable from an upright or deployed position, shown in Figure 4, to a folded or retracted position, shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The second barrier 7 is articulated to the upper frame 4 and is formed by tubular elements articulated to one another. The second barrier 7 includes a first tubular element 23 articulated to the upper frame 4 about a transverse axis 24 and a second tubular element 25 articulated to the upper frame 4 about a transverse axis 26.

The second barrier 7 also includes tubular linking elements 27, 28, 29, each of the linking elements being articulated firstly to the first tubular element 23 about a transverse axis 30, 31, 32, and secondly to the second tubular element 25 about a transverse axis 33, 34, 35.

When the second barrier 7 is in the upright position, the first tubular element 23 is substantially vertical and the tubular linking elements 27, 28, 29 are substantially horizontal. A first tubular linking element 29 forms the upper edge of the foot barrier 7 and extends, for example, to a height of 35 cm above the bed base.

In the lowered or retracted position, the foot barrier 7 extends beneath the top plane of the mattress 40 and above the lower frame 3, and consequently the barrier 7 does not obstruct the movement of the patient or the people around the bed 1 in any way. Stops are provided to limit the pivoting movement of the second barrier 7 in the retracted position.

The means for locking the foot barrier 7 in the deployed and retracted position are positioned advantageously at the working height of the caregivers, who do not need to lean over or stretch their arms to actuate same. These locking means are for example known friction latches.

In one embodiment, the structure of the barriers 6 and 7 are essentially identical, except for the handles 21, 22 attached to the first barrier 6. The elements of the bed 1 are for example made of metal, such as aluminium, or an alloy, such as stainless steel. Decorative wood boards can be affixed detachably to the side members and cross members.

Claims

A bed (1), in particular a medical bed, comprising a lying plane bounded by a longitudinal edge and two transverse edges called the head and foot edges, the bed (1) further comprising a mattress (40), a main grid (6) located along it. a longitudinal edge, the main grating (6) comprising a front end and a rear end, the front end being closer to the main edge than the rear end, the bed (1) comprising a frame (4), to which is mounted a lying surface, - the main grating (6) comprising a first tubular member (8) articulated to the frame (4) about a transverse axis (9), a second tubular member (10) articulated to the frame (4) about a transverse axis (11), and tubular connecting members (12, 13, 14), each being articulated with both the first tubular member (8) and the second tubular member (10) about transverse axes (15-20); the main grid (6) is articulated to the frame (4) and is foldable in a position where it extends below the upper plane of the mattress (40); - the main grille (6) comprises a handle (22) in the form of a circular arc to aid in lateral rolling of the patient, said grip (22) being mounted articulated to the main grating (6) between a downturned position in which the grip (22) extends over the mattress (40) upper surface when the main grille (6) is in the folded position and a folded position in which the grip (22) is at least partially projecting over the mattress (40) when the main grille (6) is in the folded position.

Bed (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (22) is placed longitudinally with respect to the bed (1) at a distance between 25 cm and 60 cm from a head edge of the bed (1).

Bed (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main grating (6) comprises a grip (21) for assisting the patient, which grip (21) is approximately square.

Bed (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the handle (21) is located at a longitudinal distance from the main edge of between 50 cm and 75 cm.

Bed (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the bed (1) has a clearance between the rear of the main grid (6) and the foot edge, which clearance extends over a longitudinal distance of more than 40 cm.

Bed (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the handle (21) is placed at a height of from 25 to 50 cm relative to the lying plane.

Bed (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one foot grille (7).

Bed (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the foot grille (7) is articulated with the frame (4) and is foldable.

Bed (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bed (1) comprises a reclining surface, said reclining surface comprising a body portion and a foot portion, the body portion being articulated in relation to the foot portion between two positions: a lying position where the body portion and the base portion are approximately parallel to the lying plane; - a seated position where the foot portion forms an angle with the main body, the joint joining between the two parts being at a distance from the main edge, measured along the longitudinal edges, between 60 cm and 80 cm.