EP2536375A1

EP2536375A1 - Device and method for the lateral positioning of persons

Info

Publication number: EP2536375A1
Application number: EP11704547A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ralf Matschurek
Original assignee: Ekamed & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Ekamed & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 2010-02-17
Filing date: 2011-02-11
Publication date: 2012-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-11
Also published as: DE102010008358B4; WO2011101109A1; DE102010008358A1; DK2536375T3; EP2536375B1; US20120317714A1; EP2536375B8

Abstract

The invention relates to a lateral positioning device for the variable lateral positioning of a recumbent person (6), having the following features: at least one actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96) acting on a resting surface (5) for the person (6), wherein, by means of the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96), the angle (α_L, α_R) between the transverse axis (Q) of the resting surface (5) and the horizontal (H) can be varied, at least one sensor (7, 9) having an output signal which represents the respective angle (α_L, α_R) between the transverse axis (Q) and the horizontal (H), and at least one electronic control device (11) which is connected to the sensor (7, 9) and the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) and is equipped i) to determine an actual inclined position from the output signal of the sensor (7, 9), ii) to adjust the angle (α_L, α_R) between the transverse axis (Q) of the resting surface (5) and the horizontal (H) by actuating the actuator such that the actual inclined position is set to a predetermined target inclined position. The invention further relates to a method for the variable lateral positioning of a recumbent person.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SIDE STORAGE OF PERSONS

The invention relates to a side storage device for variable lateral storage of a person lying down according to claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for variable lateral storage of a person lying down according to claim 12.

Generally, the invention relates to the field of decubitus prophylaxis and therapy in long term individuals. In this area, so-called alternating pressure mattresses have long been known in which automatically the pressure distribution in the mattress and thus the contact pressure at the individual body parts of a person lying on the mattress - hereinafter also referred to as a patient - is varied. Such a system is known for example from DE 40 23 289 C2. Recent findings, however, show that the frequently changing pressure distribution to which the patient's body is exposed can also be associated with disadvantages. For example, some patients complain of disorientation as a result of changing pressure distribution. The more recent findings are therefore to rearrange the patient laterally and thereby avoid the unwanted sore spots on the body of the patient. However, a manual transfer of a patient by caregivers has the disadvantage that this is usually associated with relatively great physical effort of the caregiver and can lead to damage to the health of the caregiver.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a contrast improved device with which an effective decubitus prophylaxis and therapy is possible. The invention is also based on the object of specifying an advantageous method for this purpose.

CONFIRMATION COPY This object is achieved by the invention specified in claims 1 and 12. The dependent claims indicate advantageous developments of the invention.

According to the invention, a lateral support device for variable lateral support of a person lying is proposed, which has the following features:

At least one actuator acting on a lying surface for the person, wherein by means of the actuator the angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal is variable,

At least one sensor with an output signal representing the respective angle between the transverse axis and the horizontal,

At least one electronic control device connected to the sensor and the actuator, which is set up

i) for determining an actual skew from the output signal of the sensor,

ii) for adjusting the angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal by controlling the actuator such that the actual skew is set to a predetermined target skew.

Such a system advantageously permits an automatic transfer of a lying person from one lateral position to the other or from a supine position to a lateral position and correspondingly back to the supine position. By using at least one sensor, the exact lateral inclination of the lying surface and thus of the person lying down can be detected. In this case, the sensor detects a measure which represents the respective angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal, ie permits a conclusion on the angle. By means of an electronic control of the actuator, the oblique position can thus be adjusted to a desired, therapeutically suitable value. For this purpose, in an electronic control device, the actual Skew determined, compared with a predetermined desired skew and adjusted by appropriate control of the actuator as a result, the actual skew to the predetermined desired skew. Advantageously, the actual skewed position of the lying surface is determined. When

Oblique position is understood here as meaning any measure which unambiguously indicates the lateral inclination of the lying surface and which can be detected by a sensor, for example the vertical distance between a reference point of the lying surface and an associated reference point of a horizontal reference surface, or the respective angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal , What is needed is a sensor that is capable of detecting a measure representing the respective angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal. In this case, the electronic control device can determine the inclined position directly as an angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal. However, the electronic control device can also determine the inclined position internally as another variable and compare it with a corresponding desired value. By means of the invention, a position control of the inclined position of the lying surface and thus the person lying on the lying surface can be realized. This has the advantage that the desired inclination of the patient can be adjusted with high precision, as there is feedback on the actual skew via the sensor. In addition, the reproducibility of the required obliquity of the patient during transfer can be significantly improved. The side storage device according to the invention is thus independent of the particular characteristics of the patient, such as the weight of the patient, and the nursing bed to operate with said high reproducibility of the tilt. Due to the feedback via the sensor, such environmental parameters have no decisive influence on the precise and reproducible adjustment of the inclination. Another advantage is that the side storage device according to the invention is particularly well suited for retrofitting to existing care beds, the attachment is basically possible on any nursing bed. As a result, the side storage device according to the invention is particularly universally applicable.

As a sensor is basically any type of sensor in question, which allows a determination of the inclination of the bed surface and thus directly or indirectly, a determination of the actual angle. For example, an angle-measuring angle sensor may be used, e.g. a potentiometric sensor. Advantageously, the determination of the inclined position of the lying surface can also take place by means of a sensor detecting the vertical distance of a reference point of the lying surface to an associated reference point of a horizontal reference surface. The sensor may in this case be designed as a distance sensor, e.g. as a displacement sensor. Advantageously, e.g. an ultrasonic sensor or a capacitive sensor can be used. On the measurement of the vertical distance between the reference points can be concluded in conjunction with other geometric data of the arrangement on the inclination of the bed surface and thus on the actual skew.

According to the invention, the sensor is designed as an acceleration sensor. This allows a simple and cost-effective detection of the actual skew position based on the output from the sensor acceleration signal. The output acceleration signal corresponds to a proportion of the gravitational acceleration, which also changes as a result of the changing inclination of the lying surface according to a cosine function. This allows a simple and fast determination of the actual skew. The use of an acceleration sensor has the further advantage that the sensor is available in a relatively small design and is therefore easy to attach to a nursing bed. According to the invention, a first sensor is provided with an output signal representing the respective angle in the case of left-hand rotation of the lying surface and a second sensor with an output signal representing the respective angle in the case of a right-hand rotation of the lying surface. This has the advantage that a detection of the inclined position with high accuracy is also possible with arrangements in which no rigid lying surface is present or the lying surface is not pivoted as a whole by the actuator. In particular, an actuator can advantageously be used with which the left and the right side of the lying surface can be lifted separately from each other, such as a two-chamber air chamber system.

As an actuator is basically any kind of actuator in question, which is suitable to pivot the lying surface laterally, that is to cause an angular change about the longitudinal axis of the lying surface. Suitable are, for example, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated actuating cylinder, electric motor drives or hydraulically or pneumatically fillable flexible chamber systems. According to the invention, the actuator comprises at least one inflatable air bellows and at least one pump for supplying air into the pneumatic bellows. The use of an air bellows, which may have one or more chambers, has the advantage that the actuator can easily be retrofitted to an existing nursing bed, for example by attachment between the slatted frame and the mattress. The use of compressed air as a medium for filling the bellows is advantageous environmentally friendly and not harmful to health. A flexible air bladder also has the advantage that it adapts flexibly to the body shape of the patient and to the surrounding parts of the nursing bed. In addition, a soft change in the tilt of the patient can be performed via a compressed air control, which has the advantage that the sleep of the patient is not disturbed. In an advantageous embodiment, a largely noiseless pump is used, for example a diaphragm pump. The pump is advantageously suspended freely swinging on the bed frame, whereby noise emission be further minimized. In addition, the transmission of disturbing vibrations to the bed frame is minimized.

According to the invention, the sensor is arranged between the lying surface and the actuator. This allows a simple and effective attachment of the sensor. Advantageously, the sensor may be formed integrally with other components. For example, the sensor can be integrated in the actuator, for example in the air bellows. The sensor can also be integrated into the mattress of the nursing bed. The sensor can also be attached, for example, via a belt pulled over the pneumatic bellows or the mattress. Advantageously, the sensor or sensors is arranged approximately at shoulder height of the patient. A further advantageous arrangement possibility of the sensors is that they are sewn in a cover, which is pulled over the pneumatic bellows. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the sensor additionally generates an output signal which represents the respective angle of the longitudinal axis of the lying surface relative to the horizontal. The sensor can be advantageously designed as a multi-axis acceleration sensor. Hereby, advantageously, the oblique position in the longitudinal direction, ie about the transverse axis, can be taken into account when using only one sensor module by the electronic control device. For example, with a nursing bed with a variably adjustable backrest, the respective angle of the backrest can be detected. If the electronic control device recognizes the achievement or exceeding of a certain inclined position of the back rest on the basis of the output signal, a control of the actuator to increase the actual skew is prevented in the transverse direction or even the actual skew position is reduced in the transverse direction. As a result, an undesirable tipping over of the patient can be avoided. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air bellows in a provided for the arrangement of the first and second sensor Be rich each of the left and the right air chamber each have a stabilizing plate. The stabilizing plates may be formed either as single, separate plates or as a continuous plate. The plates can also be hinged together. The stabilizing plates advantageously enlarge the area of application of the side storage device according to the invention to virtually any desired type of care bed. There are no special requirements for the size, shape and rigidity of the slatted frame or bed frame. The stabilization plates in the area of the left and right sensors create a defined contact surface for the sensors, so that they can provide reproducible data almost independently of the design of the bed used. In addition, the calibrability of the sensors is improved to a zero position. According to an advantageous embodiment, the stabilizing plates are designed as rigid foam plates. In this case, the stabilizing plates may also contain other constituents, but at least one hard foam layer is provided.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the stabilization plates are arranged on the slatted base of the nursing bed facing side of the pneumatic bellows. As a result, the stabilizing plates are arranged on one side of the pneumatic bellows, which faces away from the side of the pneumatic bellows on which the first and the second sensor are arranged. As a result, the stabilizing plates allow a defined calibration of the zero position of the actual oblique position detected by the sensors, if the respective air chamber is substantially free of overpressure and thus lying flat.

The stabilizing plates can in principle be connected in any way with the air bellows. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a non-detachable connection is provided for this purpose, for. B. by gluing. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing plates are incorporated into the material of the pneumatic bellows, z. B. by Einvulka- nize. The firm connection of the stabilizing plates with the pneumatic bellows has the advantage that the stabilizing plates are already arranged by the manufacturer in the correct position, so that when attaching the lateral support device in a nursing bed, the stabilizing plates are correctly positioned without further measures.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pump is arranged for sucking air from the left air chamber and the right air chamber. This has the advantage that the respective air chamber can be actively emptied by the pump, so that the emptying rate and the emptying speed do not depend on the weight acting on the air chamber. In this way, an unloaded side storage device can be safely vented. In addition, the ventilation of the air chambers is not dependent on the weight of the patient thereon, so that the same, defined ventilation times and gradients can always be achieved independently of the patient weight. In particular, a complete emptying of the air chamber is possible. This results in the further advantage that the side storage device does not have to be specified for specific minimum patient weights. Rather, the side support device can be used for any patient.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pump is connected via a respective electrically actuated inlet valve with its compressed air outlet side with the left and the right air chamber. In addition, the pump can be connected with its suction side via a respective electrically actuatable outlet valve with the right or the left air chamber. This has the advantage that any filling and aspiration conditions can be set by the various valves, so that the pump can be used optionally for filling an air chamber or for emptying an air chamber. Depending on the valve arrangement, simultaneous filling of both air chambers or simultaneous emptying of both air chambers is possible. It is also possible To fill the air extracted from one air chamber into the other air chamber. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the suction side of the pump is connectable via a further electrically actuated valve with the atmosphere. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compressed air outlet side of the pump is connected to an electrically actuated valve with the atmosphere. By connected to the atmosphere valves can exchange air with the environment when filling and emptying the air chambers of your choice. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrically actuated valves are designed as 2/2-way valves.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrically actuated valves are designed as 3/2-way valves. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, three electrically operable 3/2-way valves are combined to form a valve block, in which the 3/2-way valves are pneumatically connected in series, such that the valve block has a connection provided for connection to the pump which is connected to a first of the 3/2-way valves. This valve is connected to a second 3/2-way valve, which in turn is connected to the third 3/2-way valve. In each case a connection of the first and the third 3/2-way valve of a valve block is provided for connection to an air chamber of the pneumatic bellows. A port of the second, middle 3/2-way valve is provided for connection to the atmosphere.

The said electrically actuated valves can be actuated by the electronic control device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic control device and the pump are designed as a one-piece electromechanical unit with a common housing. In the common housing can additionally be arranged, the electrically actuated valves. This allows the realization of the side storage device with a very compact structure. In addition to the air bellows, which is to be arranged in the area of the lying surface, and the sensors, which are provided in the region of the air bellows, in addition, only the one-piece electromechanical unit to be attached to the nursing bed. This allows a simple and quick attachment of the side storage device to a nursing bed. In particular, a user is free to provide a plurality of individual pneumatic connections between the pump, the electrically operable valves, and the air chambers. Only the two separate compressed air connections to the air chambers have to be laid.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first and / or the second sensor is detachably fastened to the surface of the pneumatic bellows. The attachment can z. B. by means of a Velcro fastened to the air bellows. This allows a simple fine positioning of the sensors at the desired location and an adjustment of the position of the sensors to the size of the body of a patient. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air bellows mounting surfaces for the first and the second sensor, which are arranged in the region of the shoulders of a patient lying on the mattress of a nursing bed. By positioning the sensors in the area of the shoulders of a patient, a meaningful and practical determination of the actual skew position is possible. In an advantageous embodiment, the attachment surfaces are provided with the aforementioned hook and loop fastener, z. B. with Velcro. This allows the sensors z. B. adjusted to the shoulder width of the patient. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the air chambers extend in the longitudinal direction of the mattress over the shoulder and torso one patient, but not down to the area of the lower leg. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the air chambers also do not extend into the region of the legs of a patient. Both developments have the advantage that a patient is not completely displaced, ie with his entire body to the side, but only the shoulder and trunk area as well as the head. This prevents the entire body of a patient from slipping sideways when a certain angle is reached. In particular, a lateral slippage of the legs is avoided. In addition, an unpleasant feeling of lateral lateral force, which a patient tries to compensate intuitively, is also avoided. Overall, this can be a more pleasant side storage can be achieved than in systems in which the entire bed frame is shifted laterally.

In this way, an advantageous side storage device can be realized, which can be used regardless of the weight class of a patient and is also suitable for patients up to 300 kg weight. In addition, a monitoring of the inclination of the head portion of the bed can be done, whereby an undesirable Nachvornutenfall a lying patient can be avoided. A significant advantage of the lateral storage device according to the invention is the possibility of being able to use existing care mattresses, in particular relatively expensive softening mattresses and heavy weight mattresses. The air chamber system of the pneumatic bellows can be realized in various embodiments. Thus, for extremely wide patients an air bladder with increased width can be provided. At the same time, even extremely light-weight persons can be relocated by means of the lateral positioning device according to the invention. The side storage device allows a gentle and slow filling of the air chambers, which allows a very pleasant rearrangement, especially in pain patients. An advantageous method for the variable lateral storage of a person lying down comprises the following steps: a) determining a desired skew with respect to the transverse axis of a lying surface for the person and the horizontal,

b) actuating an actuator for changing the angle between the transverse axis of the lying surface and the horizontal,

c) determining an actual skew from the output signal of a sensor, wherein the output signal represents the respective angle between the transverse axis and the horizontal,

d) Ending the actuator actuation when the actual skew has reached the target inclination.

According to the invention, the target skew can be stored in a learning mode in an electronic control device. In the learning mode, it may be provided, for example, that a caregiver sets a desired oblique position by means of manual actuation of the actuator and notifies the electronic control device of this inclination as desired desired oblique position, for example by actuating a key. The electronic controller then stores the desired skew and uses the desired skew from now on for the automatic rearrangement of the patient.

Such a method advantageously allows a defined setting of a desired inclined position with high reproducibility.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an automatic see rearrangement of the person from one side to the other side by means of temporal control. Advantageously, a particular page storage time can be selected, eg 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. After the time has elapsed, the electronic control device then effects an automatic transfer of the patient to the opposite side position by actuating the actuator. As a result, a continuous rearrangement is guaranteed. As a result, on the one hand a reliable decubitus prophylaxis is possible, on the other hand a decubitus therapy until decubitus grade 4.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the desired skew position is automatically varied starting from a starting value in a predefined range. In this way, different inclinations can be set during automatic repositioning, which has the advantage that different parts of the body of the patient are pressure-loaded. The desired inclinations can be determined in particular according to a random pattern.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, an automatic limitation of the oblique position set by the actuator takes place to a maximum value. As a result, an undesired lateral tilting of the patient can be avoided automatically.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control device automatically sets within predetermined limits different desired inclinations with different storage times. In particular, it may be provided that the desired skew positions and / or the storage times, which are set automatically by the control device, are determined by means of a random number generator. As limits for the desired skew z. For example, values of 0 degrees may be used as the lower limit and 15 degrees as the upper limit. As limits for the storage time z. B. 30 minutes as the lower limit and 60 minutes are used as the upper limit.

The random number generator can, for. B. in the control device by means of software programming in the form of a pseudo-random number generator can be realized.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is an adjustable Starting position of the desired skew position programmable. The controller provides after a predetermined time after a manual change in the desired skew, the z. B. can be entered via an operating means, by means of the actuator again the starting position. As a result, changes made by the patient himself of the desired skew are automatically changed back to a desired starting position after a certain time.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an intensive program is provided in the control device, which is designed for use in the intensive care. In the intensive program, the control device actuates the actuator only on the basis of manual actuations on an operating means of the lateral support device. An automatic migration does not take place in this mode. As a result, the side storage device is also suitable for use in an intensive care unit, if a manually controlled via an operating means repositioning is necessary, for. B. in respiratory patients or patients with drainages.

As an operating means, the side storage device may have one or more switches or buttons. The operating means are advantageously integrated in the housing in which the control device and the pump are provided.

Further advantages of the invention are: a) Large-scale pressure relief

b) Healing of existing decubitus

c) No disturbance of sleep

d) Low noise

e) Even heavyweight patients are gently relocated, thus sparing the health of the nursing staff

f) Maintaining orientation, as the patient can always rest on the back of a soft care mattress g) Gentle storage also for pain patients, resulting in more time for nursing staff for other care.

h) promotion of microclimate and circulation

i) Robust, durable and reliable.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments using drawings.

Show it

Figure 1 - a nursing bed in a lateral view and

Figures 2 to 4 - the nursing bed of Figure 1 in a cross section along the line A-A and

Figure 5 - another nursing bed in a side view and a schematic representation of a side storage device. a nursing bed in a side view with another embodiment of the side storage device and the nursing bed of Figure 7 in a cross section along the line A-A and a schematic representation of another embodiment of the side storage device and

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the

Side storage device. In the figures, like reference numerals are used for corresponding elements.

1 shows a nursing bed 1 with a horizontal bed frame 2. On the bed frame 2, a slatted frame 3 is arranged. On the slatted frame 3, in turn, a mattress 5 is arranged. On the mattress 5 a lying person 6 is shown. Between the mattress 5 and the slatted frame 3, an air bellows 4 is arranged as part of the actuator. At the top of the air bellows 4, below the mattress 5, an acceleration sensor 7 is arranged. Furthermore, an electronic control device 11 and as further parts of the actuator, a pump 10 and a valve assembly 12 are shown in a highly schematic representation. The air bellows 4 is connected via a compressed air line with the valve assembly 12 and herewith the pump 10. The acceleration sensor 7, the valve assembly 12 and the pump 10 are connected via electrical lines with the electronic control device 11. The electronic control device 11 is set up to receive the output signal of the acceleration sensor 7. In addition, the electronic control device 11 is configured to control the valve assembly 12 and the pump 10 via electrical control signals. The pump 10 may be formed, for example, as an electrically driven diaphragm pump. The pump 10 is adapted to suck air from the atmosphere and to pump via the valve assembly 12 in the air bladder 4. About the valve assembly 12, the air bladder 4 can be selectively connected to the pump 10 or to the atmosphere or shut off from the atmosphere and the pump 10. As a result, controlled by the electronic control device 1 1, the amount of air in the air bladder 4 can be increased, maintained or reduced.

The figure 1 also shows the longitudinal axis L, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the nursing bed.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the nursing bed 1 along that in FIG. 1 represented line AA. FIG. 2 also shows the transverse axis Q, which runs in the transverse direction of the lying surface. The mattress 5 in this case represents the lying surface of the patient. FIG. 2 shows an actuator with an air bellows, which has a right air chamber 4 and a left air chamber 8. The air chambers 4, 8 are connected via separate compressed air lines via the valve assembly 12 to the pump 10 or the atmosphere. Further, in addition to the already mentioned acceleration sensor 7, which is arranged in the region of the right air chamber 4, a second acceleration sensor 9 is provided, which is provided in the region of the left air chamber 8. About the acceleration sensor 7, the

Oblique position of the lying surface can be detected when turning to the left. About the second acceleration sensor 9, the skew of the bed surface can be detected in clockwise rotation.

FIG. 3 shows the cross-section according to FIG. 2, wherein a left-hand rotation of the lying surface is carried out by filling the air chamber 4 with an air quantity. As can be seen, the lying surface 5 on an inclined position, which is characterized by an angle ai, which is formed between the transverse axis Q of the lying surface 5 and the horizontal H.

FIG. 4 shows, analogously to FIG. 3, the lying surface in the case of clockwise rotation. The clockwise rotation is effected by air filling the air bellows 8. The air bellows 4 is vented in this case. As can be seen, the inclined position of the lying surface is characterized by an angle a _R , which is formed between the transverse axis Q and the horizontal H.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the nursing bed 1, in which the lying surface 5 can be adjusted longitudinally by an adjustable backrest region of the slatted frame 3. The respectively set oblique position in the longitudinal direction is characterized by an angle β, that between the longitudinal axis L and the horizontal H is formed.

FIG. 6 shows the construction of a lateral support device in a schematic representation. As can be seen, the electronic control device 11 is connected via electrical lines to the acceleration sensors 7, 9 and via further electrical lines with electrically actuated pneumatic valves 13, 14 of the valve assembly 12. The pneumatic valves 13, 14 can, for example, have the switching states, which can be set by electrical actuation, passage, blocking and venting to the atmosphere. The pump 10 is connected via compressed air lines via the pneumatic valves 13, 14 with the respective air chambers 4, 8.

In the event of a power failure, an alarm signal is triggered and / or the air chambers 4, 8 are automatically vented. For this purpose, normally used as pneumatic valves valves opening to the atmosphere.

The invention is particularly suitable for immobile and severely impaired persons. Regarding the control, e.g. a specific page storage time of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes can be selected. The side-storage device spends the patient in a certain period of time, e.g. about 7 minutes, to a predetermined angle, e.g. a 30 ° side bearing. Thereafter, during the previously selected lateral storage time, the patient remains in the set angle and is then gently transferred to another lateral incline within about 15 minutes, e.g. in the opposite 30 ° inclined position.

The installation of the air chambers 4, 8 and the other elements of the side storage device can be done in any nursing bed, preferably in nursing beds with side grid protection. The air chambers 4, 8 may be made of polyurethane, for example. The air chambers 4, 8 are installed according to an installation guide between the slatted frame and the mattress 5. After that, the connection to the control device 11 and the pump 10 takes place.

Other functions may be provided: certain page storage programs (left-neutral-right,

Left-Right, Left-Neutral, Right-Neutral (Neutral means patient's supine)). Here the homepage is selectable.

The page storage times and the transfer times can be selected. Thus, e.g. set a time interval of 10 minutes to 120 minutes in 5-minute increments for the page storage time. The lateral storage time can be set separately for each storage position (left-neutral-right). The rearrangement time, i. the time for switching from one slant to another can be set. The transfer time should be about 7 minutes, but not lower than 6 minutes.

The migration can also be automatically logged and evaluated by a computer program. Advantageously, the automatically generated protocol of the stock transfer can thus be integrated into the nursing documentation in a simple manner. For this purpose, the control device 11 a

Interface 15 on. Via the interface 15, the controller 11 can be connected to a computer 16. For example, the log data for logging the stock transfer can be stored on the computer 16. The logging can, for example, be carried out in such a way that the storage intervals carried out are recorded with information about the patient and the respective times and transmitted to the computer 16 or stored on a storage medium provided in the electronic control device 11, eg an SD memory card. The skew or filling time can be learned using a memory mode selected from the control panel. Likewise, the skew can be specified via an input on a control panel of the electronic control device. As an option, a different inclination can be specified for each storage side.

For each page storage time of a cycle, a separate time can be optionally set. For example, you can set Left-Neutral-Right for one cycle: The left-side position should be 30 minutes, the supine position 60 minutes and the legal position 120 minutes.

The electronic controller 11 also checks whether the desired skew is within a predetermined time, e.g. 10 minutes, was reached. If the target skew has not been reached within the predetermined time, the controller 11 detects an error and displays this error.

In the learning mode, for example, by pressing a programming key, it can be triggered that the control device 11 fills an air chamber by actuating the pump 10. If the desired inclined position is reached, the control device 1 is informed by actuating the programming key that the present inclined position is to be stored as the desired angular position. The electronic control device 11 then stores the actual skew as a desired skew. FIG. 7 shows a nursing bed in a lateral view with a lateral support device, similar to FIG. 1. The lateral support device according to FIG. 7 additionally has stabilization plates 17, which are arranged on the rear side of the air bellows 4, 8 between the air bellows and the slatted frame 3. FIG. 8 shows the position and arrangement of the stabilizing plates 17 on the basis of an on view, which corresponds to FIG. 3, that is to say based on the example of a left-hand rotation of the lying surface. The stabilization plates 17 are designed as rigid foam plates. educated. Each stabilizing plate 17 may, for. B. have a thickness of 3 mm at a length of 300 mm and a width of 150 mm.

FIGS. 7 and 8 also show on the pneumatic bellows attachment surfaces 18 for the first and the second sensor 7, 9, which are arranged in the region of the shoulders of the patient 6 lying on the mattress 5. The attachment surfaces 18 may be e.g. be realized by glued to the bellows Velcro.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the side support device in a similar representation to FIG. 6. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the pump 10 is provided on both sides, i. both at a suction side 90 and at a compressed air outlet side 91, via electrically actuated valves 92, 93, 94, 95 with the air chambers 4, 8 is connectable. In addition, the suction side 90 is connectable via an electrically operable valve 96 to the atmosphere, represented by an atmosphere port 98. The compressed air outlet side 91 is connectable via an electrically operable valve 97 with the atmosphere.

The compressed-air outlet side 91 can be connected to the air chamber 4 via a first electrically actuatable inlet valve 92 and can be connected to the air chamber 8 via a second electrically actuatable inlet valve 94. The suction side 90 can be connected to the air chamber 4 via a first electrically actuatable outlet valve 93 and to the air chamber 8 via a second electrically actuatable outlet valve 95. The compounds mentioned are realized as pneumatic connections, z. B. in the form of hoses or pipes. The electrically actuatable valves 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 can each be designed as 2/2-way valves, which have the function of transmitting or shutting off an air flow. The said valves can be designed in particular as solenoid valves. For electrical actuation, the valves 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 are connected via a respective electrical line to the electronic control device 1 1. The electronic control device 1 1 controls the valves 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 individually or in combination as needed.

FIG. 9 also shows an operating means 19, which is provided for the manual operation of the lateral support device. The operating means 19 has keys or switches 20 via which operating commands can be entered and settings can be made. In addition, a display device 21, z. B. in the form of an LCD display provided. On the display device 21 operating data of the side storage device can be displayed.

The electronic control device 11, the operating means 19, the electrically actuated valves 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and the pump 10 are arranged in a common housing 99. FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the lateral support device, which corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 9 except for the differences described below. In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, six electrically actuatable directional control valves in the form of solenoid valves are likewise provided. However, the directional control valves are designed as 3/2-way valves. In each case three of the directional control valves are combined to form a valve block 102, 103. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the three directional control valves a, b, c are pneumatically connected in series in a valve block 102, 103, so that a series connection is formed. In each case provided for connection to the pump 10 pneumatic connection 104, 107 of a valve block 102, 103 is connected via a pneumatic line to the pump 10. The valve block 102 is used for emptying each one of the air chambers 4, 8. The port 104 of the valve block 102 is therefore connected to the suction side 90 of the pump 10. The valve block 103 is used to fill each one of the air chambers 4, 8. The terminal 107 of the valve block 103 is therefore connected to the compressed air outlet side 91 of the pump 10. The first in the series connection after the connection 104 or 107 arranged directional valve a On the one hand, it is connected to the following directional valve b and, on the other hand, to the air chamber 4. The directional control valve b is connected, on the one hand, to the subsequent directional control valve c and, on the other hand, to a connection 100 or 101 connected to the atmosphere. The last in the series connection arranged directional control valve c is on the one hand connected to the air chamber 8. Another connection of the directional control valve c is closed by a respective plug 100, 106.

Claims

claims:

1 . Side storage device for variable lateral storage of a person lying (6) with the following features:

a) at least one acting on a mattress as a surface for the person (6) mattress (5) acting actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97), wherein by means of Actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) of the angle (a _L , a _R ) between the transverse axis (Q) of the mattress (5) and the horizontal ( H) is changeable,

b) wherein the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) at least one Luftbalg with a right air chamber (4), a left air chamber (8) and at least one Pump (10) for supplying air into the air bladder (4, 8), wherein the right air chamber (4) for counterclockwise rotation of the mattress (5) is arranged by the right air chamber (4) is filled with an amount of air, and wherein the left air chamber (8) is adapted for clockwise rotation of the mattress (5) by filling the left air chamber (8) with an amount of air; c) the air bladder (4, 8) between the slatted frame and the mattress (5) of a nursing bed is attachable,

d) at least one sensor (7, 9) with an output signal representing the respective angle (ot _L , cc _R ) between the transverse axis (Q) and the horizontal (H),

e) wherein a first sensor (7) with a respective angle (aj at left rotation of the mattress (5) representing output signal and a second sensor (9) provided with the respective angle (OCR) in clockwise rotation of the mattress (5) output signal representative is

f) wherein the first sensor (7) and the second sensor (9) are each designed as acceleration sensors, g) wherein the first sensor (7) and the second sensor (9) each between the mattress (5) and the air bellows (4, 8) is arranged, h) at least one with the first and the second sensor (7, 9) and the electronic control device (11) connected to the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97), which is arranged

i) for determining an actual skew from the output signal of the first and the second sensor (7, 9),

ii) for adjusting the angle (αι_, cc _R ) between the transverse axis (Q) of the mattress (5) and the horizontal (H) by controlling the actuator such that the actual skew is set to a predetermined desired skew.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (7, 9) additionally generates an output signal which represents the respective angle (β) of the longitudinal axis (L) of the mattress (5) relative to the horizontal (H).

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air bellows (4, 8) each have a stabilizing plate (17) in a region of the left and the right air chamber provided for the arrangement of the first and the second sensor (7, 9).

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the stabilizing plates (17) are designed as hard foam plates.

Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the stabilizing plates (17) on the slatted frame (3) of the nursing bed (1) facing side of the pneumatic bellows (4, 8) are arranged.

Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the stabilizing plates (17) with the air bellows (4, 8) are not detachable connected or incorporated into the material of the pneumatic bellows (4, 8).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (10) for sucking air from the left air chamber (8) and right air chamber (4) is arranged.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control device (11) and the pump (10) as a one-piece electromechanical unit (99) are formed with a common housing.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second sensor (7, 9) is releasably attached to the surface of the pneumatic bellows (4, 8), for. B. by means of the air bellows (4, 8) attached Velcro.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air bellows fastening surfaces (18) for the first and the second sensor (7, 9), in the region of the shoulders of a patient lying on the mattress (5) of a nursing bed ( 6) are arranged.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air chambers (4, 8) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the mattress (5) over the shoulder and trunk area of a patient (6), but not in the field of Lower leg, extend.

12. A method for variable lateral support of a recumbent person (6) comprising the steps of:

a) determining a desired skew with respect to the transverse axis (Q) of a lying surface (5) for the person (6) and the horizontal (H), b) actuating an actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) for changing the angle (αι, CIR) between the transverse axis (Q) of the lying surface (5 ) and the horizontal (H),

c) determining an actual skew from the output signal of a Sen sors (7, 9), wherein the output signal represents the respective angle (a _L , CCR) between the transverse axis (Q) and the horizontal (H), d) terminating the Aktorbetätigung when the actual skew has reached the desired skew,

e) wherein in addition a learning mode is provided, in which the desired skew in the electronic control device (1 1) can be stored by by pressing a programming key of the control device (1 1) is informed that a present skew are stored as a desired skew should, whereupon the electronic control device (1 1) stores the actual skew as a desired skew.

3. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that an automatic table rearrangement of the person (6) takes place from one side to the other side by means of time control.

4. The method of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the target skew is automatically varied starting from a start value in a predetermined range, in particular according to a random pattern.

5. The method according to any one of claim 14, characterized in that the electronic control device (1 1) automatically sets within predetermined limits different target inclinations with different storage times.

6. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the Target skew positions and / or storage times, which are set automatically by the electronic control device (11), are determined by means of a random number generator. 17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that an automatic limitation of the angle set by the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) ( a _L , a _R ) to a maximum value. 18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that an adjustable starting position of the desired skew is programmable and the electronic control device (11) after a predetermined time after a manual change in the desired skew by means of the actuator (4, 8 , 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97) again sets the starting position.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that in the electronic control device (11) an intensive program is provided, which is designed for use in the intensive care, in which the electronic control device (11) only due to manual Actuations on an operating means (19) of the side storage device actuates the actuator (4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97).