Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
  • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
  • A61G7/1013—Lifting of patients by
  • A61G7/1017—Pivoting arms, e.g. crane type mechanisms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
  • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
  • A61G7/104—Devices carried or supported by
  • A61G7/1046—Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
  • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
  • A61G7/1073—Parts, details or accessories
  • A61G7/1082—Rests specially adapted for
  • A61G7/109—Lower body, e.g. pelvis, buttocks
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
  • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
  • A61G7/1073—Parts, details or accessories
  • A61G7/1082—Rests specially adapted for
  • A61G7/1092—Rests specially adapted for the arms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2200/00—Information related to the kind of patient or his position
  • A61G2200/30—Specific positions of the patient
  • A61G2200/34—Specific positions of the patient sitting
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2200/00—Information related to the kind of patient or his position
  • A61G2200/30—Specific positions of the patient
  • A61G2200/36—Specific positions of the patient standing
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2200/00—Information related to the kind of patient or his position
  • A61G2200/50—Information related to the kind of patient or his position the patient is supported by a specific part of the body
  • A61G2200/52—Underarm
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
  • A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering
  • A61G2203/12—Remote controls
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H2003/006—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about with forearm rests, i.e. for non-used arms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
  • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
  • A61H2201/1614—Shoulder, e.g. for neck stretching

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to an apparatus for lifting, lowering, and self-propelled transit of a person having limited use of their legs.
• a conventional device for the transit of partially incapacitated persons includes U.S. Patent No. 5,785,070, entitled Dual Handle Walking and Uprisal Assist Device, to Block et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Block et al. provides an apparatus having a first set of handles used to assist the person when in a standing position and a second set of handles provided in a position beneath the first set of handles. The second set of handles arc used to push against when the user wants to rise into a standing position.
• Kuntz entitled Walker Device with Power Assisted Lift, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Kuntz provides a device having a compressed air assembly and a support sling to lift the user from a seated position.
• the device of Kuntz does not require use of upper body strength to achieve a standing position.
• the device requires use of a compressed air cylinder for power, which is inconvenient to a user due to the weight, cost and impracticality of having to transport and refill compressed air tanks.
• An additional limitation of Kuntz and other conventional devices is that a user is lifted along a path that differs from a natural standing motion. The unnatural lift motion makes conventional device uncomfortable to use and reduces stability.
• Conventional devices fail to provide a user with a stable lifting apparatus that can be repeatedly used without fatigue. Conventional devices also fail to lift a user from a link that moves along a natural path and remains uniformly oriented throughout the lifting process.
• the present invention provides a six-bar lifting apparatus that lifts a person along a natural path and maintains a constant orientation, i.e. a parallel motion, of the link of the apparatus that lifts the user.
• the constant orientation refers to an orientation that remains uniform and unchanged in relation to a frame of the apparatus and the user.
• the apparatus can support the user ' s weight at the buttocks and the armpit region while maintaining stabi lity throughout the entire range of motion.
• the user of the apparatus of the present invention can also utilize a sling thereof as a seat when used as a walker.
• the present invention provides li fting/lowering assistance between seated/standing positions, and also functions as a standard walker and/or gait trainer. Conventional devices do not provide this dual functionality.
• the present invention provides in a preferred embodiment a portable li fting apparatus that includes an actuator and a lifting mechanism, which includes a parallel bar. a first coupler, a second coupler, a first rocker, a second rocker, and a frame that are each rotatably connected, so that operation of the actuator moves the parallel bar in a J-shaped path while maintaining a constant orientation of the parallel bar.
• a portable li lting apparatus is prov ided that includes a frame with first and second parallel lifting mechanisms affixed to the frame hav ing a free space therebetween.
• An actuator and wheels affixed to an underside of the frame are also provided, allowing the apparatus to assist a user between seated and standing positions, while also assisting the user when in the standing position to propel both the user and the apparatus without bearing the user's entire weight on the either foot by swinging a foot through the free space.
• a method of lilting a user of a portable lifting apparatus includes sitting a user on a chair, positioning the chair in a partial free space between a first and second lifting mechanisms of the apparatus that are each affixed to opposite sides of a frame of the apparatus, operating an actuator that equally assists the user between seated and standing positions, and providing a harness or sling as a seat for use in the events the user tires while using the apparatus as a walker or arrest the accidental fal l of the user while being lifted or lowered.
• FIG. 1 is a profile view of a parallel six bar lifting mechanism of an embodiment of the present invenlion
• FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a collapsible frame to assist storage;
• Fig. 3 is a simplified stick diagram of the six bar li fting mechanism of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , with the six bar mechanism in a retracted mode;
• FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , with the six bar mechanism in an extended mode;
• FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , with the six bar mechanism in the retracted mode;
• FIG. 7 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 being utilized as a walker, after a user is lifted to the standing position;
• Figs. 8a and 8b show travel paths of the user's shoulder and hip, respectively, obtained by utilizing long exposure photography, while moving from a seated to standing position.
• a user is lifted via connection to or support by a parallel bar 1 10. with forearm and underarm crutches (320, 340), and height adjustment 360 (See Fig. 5), provided to assist lifting and balance.
• orientation of the parallel bar 1 10 remains unchanged throughout the lifting process. Compare the position and orientation of parallel bar 1 10 in Fig. 4, showing the six bar lift mechanism in a retracted mode, to the position of parallel bar 1 10 in Fig. 5, showing the six bar lift mechanism 105 in an extended mode.
• the six bars of the lift mechanism 105 are the paral lel bar 1 10, a first coupler 120, a first rocker 130, a second rocker 140, a second coupler 150 and the frame 160.
• an actuator preferably an electro-mechanical actuator 1 80, provides a force that changes the relative position of the bars.
• a first end 182 of actuator 180 rotatably connects to a point on second rocker 140.
• the first end 182 preferably rotatably connects to a midpoint 146 of the second rocker 140.
• first coupler 120, first rocker 130, second rocker 140, second coupler 150 and actuator 180 have first and second ends, at each of which a rotatable connection is provided about a respective axis.
• parallel bar 1 10 is rotatably attached only at a first end 1 12 and midpoint 1 16 thereof, with a second end 1 14 of parallel bar 1 10 utilized for lifting of the user, with forearm crutch 320, underarm crutch 340 and securing point 3 10 provided at second end 1 14, as show in Fig. 5.
• the parallel bar 1 10 rotatably connects at the first end 1 12 thereof to a first end 152 of second coupler 1 50.
• a second rotatable connection is provided, rotatably connecting parallel bar 1 10 about axis "D" to a first end 122 of first coupler 120. It will be recognized by those of skil l in the art that the midpoints are not necessarily positioned at a precise middle of the respective bars, rather the midpoint is positioned between the first and second ends of the respective bar.
• a second end 154 of second coupler 1 50 rotatably connects to a first end
• a midpoint 146 of second rocker 140 rotatably connects to a midpoint 126 of the first coupler 120, rotatable about axis "F”.
• a second end 144 of second rocker 140 rotatably attaches to frame 160 at a second anchor 1 74. rotatable about axis "C” (see Fig. I ).
• first end 122 of first coupler 120 rotatably connects to parallel bar 1 10 about axis "D".
• a second end 1 24 of first coupler 1 20 rotatably connects to a first end 132 of first rocker 130. about axis "G”.
• a second end 134 of first rocker 130 connects to a first anchor 1 72. rotatable about axis "B”.
• first rocker 130, second coupler 150 need each only be provided with two rotatable connections.
• each of second rocker 140 and first coupler 120 are provided with three rotatable connections. That is, second rocker 140 includes rotatable connections that rotate about axes "C”, “F” and “1 1". and first coupler 120 includes rotatable connections that rotate about axes "D", "F” and "G”. as shown in Fig. 3.
• actuator 180 connects at a first end 182 thereof to the midpoint 146 of second rocker 140 (Fig. 1 ). and connects at a second end 1 84 thereof to anchor 1 76. rotatable about axis "A" ( Fig. 2 ). The second end 144 of second rocker 140 connects to the second anchor 1 74, w ith each of the anchors 1 72. 174 and 1 76 being fixedly positioned on the frame 160.
• actuator 180 results in the parallel bar 1 10 traveling along a J-shaped path (Fig. 8) while maintaining a constant orientation.
• the J-shaped path replicates a typical path of travel of a user's shoulder joint as the user moves from seated to standing position.
• the user may also be supported at the hips via a harness 315 (Fig. 7) and/or forearm and underarm crutches 320, 340 (Figs. 5-7).
• Actuator 1 80 is in a preferred embodiment provided as a linear actuator, such as an electro-mechanical actuator or a pneumatic or hydraulic piston, rotatably coupled at opposite ends to the frame 160 at anchor 176 and to midpoint 146 of second rocker 140. Extension or retraction of the actuator will supply a force acting along a longitudinal direction thereof that moves the interconnected six bars around their respective axes, thereby moving the parallel bar 1 10 in the J-shaped path.
• the relative position of the bars is changed by applying a torque to the second rocker 140, e.g. via a stepper motor.
• a rotational motor is aftlxed on frame 160.
• a controller 200 is provided to user 400, as shown in Fig. 7, with up/down buttons to operate the actuators/rotational motor, thereby lifting/lowering the user 400 to the standing/seated position.
• Limit switches are also preferably provided to indicate fully retracted/extended positions.
• parallel first and second six bar lifting mechanisms ( 106 and 107 in Figs. 2 and 5 ) are provided on opposite sides of frame 160, creating a free space S therebetween, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 7.
• the user 400 When the user 400 is supported by the apparatus 100, the user swings his/her foot 420 in an unimpeded fashion through free space S, thereby propelling both the portable lifting apparatus 100 and the user.
• the user 400 can propel himself or herself and the lifting apparatus without bearing the user's weight on either foot 420, via wheels, e.g. casters 164, positioned on an underside of frame 160.
• Casters 1 64 can. in a preferred embodiment, be unidirectional and/or controllable, including braking, by the controller 200. allowing the user 400 to advance in a desired direction.
• the opposite sides of the frame 168, 169 have separate actuators 1 80 for each of the first and second six bar lifting mechanism 106. 107, and a closed loop control is provided to adjust for unbalanced loading conditions by providing greater amperage to a controller upon detection of uneven actuator loading.
• a rechargeable onboard direct current twenty-four volt battery 1 90 was found in a prototype to be preferable to power actuator 1 80. The prototype included two actuators each rated for 2500 N ( ⁇ 560 lbs), which lifted a user weighing up to three hundred pounds at a fully loaded speed of approximately 0.4 inches per second, for a twenty second lifting process.
• the free space S can be reduced or eliminated by pushing opposite sides of frame 1 60 together, via telescoping frame members 161 , 162 ( Fig. 2) and a telescoping extension 133 joining each of first ends 132 of first couplers 132.
• the second end 1 14 of parallel bar 1 10 is provided with a securing point 3 10 (Figs. 2, 4-7).
• harness 3 15 When seated, the user positions harness 3 15 around his/her upper thighs or buttocks 410, as shown in Fig. 7.
• the harness 3 15 is removably secured to the securing point 3 10 located at the second end 1 14 of parallel bar 1 10.
• Lifting by harness 3 1 5 provides a lower metacentric height, thereby improving stability.
• a forearm crutch 320 with grip and an underarm crutch 340 are also optionally provided to assist or facilitate lifting during the
• the weight of user 400 is distributed between harness 315, forearm crutch 320 and underarm crutch 340.
• the path through which the user is lifted i.e. the lift path, follows the natural motion of the J-shaped path, 820 in Fig. 8, followed by a user's shoulder joint that is typically traveled during unassisted standing.
• the preferred embodiments match a change in height of the user's shoulder joint, i.e. change in vertical distance ( ⁇ ) between 810 and 830, with the change in vertical height of the six bar mechanism.
• Fig. 8 also shows a path of hip motion 850 during standing.
• the invention is not limited to the disclosed preferred embodiments, and should be construed to cover all such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-08-24 EP EP11820601.0A patent/EP2608757A4/de not_active Withdrawn

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