EP3738569A1

EP3738569A1 - Adapter device for loading a patient transport means and medical device on a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP3738569A1
Application number: EP20175206.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Cesare Pizzi Spadoni
Original assignee: Roberts Srl
Current assignee: Spencer Italia SRL
Priority date: 2019-05-17
Filing date: 2020-05-18
Publication date: 2020-11-18
Also published as: IT201900006946A1

Abstract

Adapter device that can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, said vehicle comprising a loading surface on which a lower loading interface is provided for movably connecting a given type of patient and medical device transport means, wherein the adapter device is configured to be fixed on the loading surface in a position overlying the lower loading interface and comprises a supporting body defining upper engagement means for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicles used for transporting patients, in particular ambulances. In particular, the invention relates to an adapter device for adapting the loading surface of the vehicle to different types of patient and medical device transport means, for example different types of stretchers.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles for transporting patients such as ambulances are known in the state of the art.
Said vehicles generally comprise loading surfaces adapted to receive corresponding patient and medical device transport means.
The patient and medical device transport means can be, for example, stretchers, trolleys for incubators, etc.
In particular, below reference will be made to ambulance stretchers.
There are numerous manufacturers of equipment for setting up said vehicles. Part of said items of equipment are not unified and therefore each manufacturer makes different solutions.
Both the loading surfaces and the patient and medical device transport means comprise respective interface means which are adapted to engage only with each other and not with those of different manufacturing brands.
In particular, the manufacturing companies equip the vehicle for example with loading surfaces on which specific interfaces are installed, configured to receive corresponding patient and medical device transport means from the same manufacturing company.
Therefore, it is not possible to install patient and medical device transport means or stretchers with an interface of a specific manufacturer on the loading surface from other manufacturers. In order to be able to adapt the loading surface of an ambulance to a stretcher from a different company, it is necessary to replace the interface, through mechanical disassembly from the loading surface, and replace it with the specific one compatible with the patient and medical device transport means and medical devices or stretchers from said different company.
Said operation is complex and cannot be carried out quickly and adequately for the needs of patient rescue operations.
This greatly limits the flexibility of use of said items of equipment. Furthermore, it significantly constrains the purchase of new equipment to the same types already in use to avoid having to change more than is strictly necessary.

EXPOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of making available an adapter device that can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, structurally and functionally designed to overcome one or more of the limits set out above with reference to the known prior art.
In the context of the aforesaid problem, a main object of the invention is that of devising an adapter device which can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance that allows loading/unloading a patient transport device and medical devices different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface provided on the vehicle loading surface.
A further object of the invention is also that of making an adapter device available to the art which can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance as part of a simple rational solution with a rather low cost.
These and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.
In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes an adapter device available which can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance that allows to movably connect a given type of patient and medical device transport means, said adapter device being configured to be fixed on the loading surface in a position overlying the lower loading interface and it comprises a supporting body defining upper engagement means for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface.
Thanks to this solution on the loading surface with interface of a specific manufacturing company, it becomes possible to install patient and medical device transport means or stretchers of other manufacturing companies.
Another aspect of the invention is that of making available a solution which allows a simple and fast adaptation since it does not imply the replacement of the existing interface, by mechanical disassembly from the loading surface.
In fact, the supporting body of the adapter device comprises lower engagement means adapted to be engageable and disengageable on corresponding connection means installed on the loading surface or adapted to be engageable and disengageable on the lower loading interface.
A further advantage of the invention is given by the fact that the loading/unloading of the patient and medical device transport means takes place in a simple, quick and safe way, according to the normal operating procedures since the adapter device comprises upper engagement means which comprise an upper loading interface configured to movably engage and disengage in respective connection means of a corresponding patient and medical device transport means by a sliding movement in the direction of the long side of said patient and medical device transport means.
Thanks to this solution, the adapter device also engages/disengages on the loading surface, through simple procedures carried out by the operator similar to those for loading/unloading the patient and medical device transport means.
In fact, the lower engagement means are configured to movably engage and disengage in the corresponding connection means and/or in the corresponding lower interface of the loading surface, by a sliding movement in the direction of the long side of said loading surface.
To facilitate the correct positioning of the adapter device, the lower engagement means preferably comprise centering elements configured to engage in the corresponding centering counter-elements of the connection means and/or of the lower interface.
Further to ensure the safety of the fixing of the adapter device, the lower engagement means and the corresponding connection means comprise locking/unlocking means made according to the sector safety regulations.
Said objects and advantages are all achieved by the adapter device that can be installed on a vehicle, object of the present invention, which is characterized by what is provided in the claims below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other features will be more apparent from the following description of some of the embodiments, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

- Figure 1: illustrates an axonometric view from above of an adapter device according to the invention;
- Figure 2a: illustrates an axonometric view from below of the adapter device on which lower engagement means are installed;
- Figure 2b: illustrates a section view of the adapter device on which lower engagement means are installed;
- Figure 2c: illustrates an axonometric view from above of an adapter device in which upper engagement means are installed;
- Figure 3a: illustrates an axonometric view of the loading surface with corresponding connection means;
- Figure 3b: illustrates an axonometric view of the loading surface with lower loading interface;
- Figure 4a: illustrates an exploded axonometric view of the loading system comprising a loading surface, an adapter device for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface;
- Figure 4b: illustrates an axonometric exploded below view of the loading system comprising a loading surface, an adapter device for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface;
- Figure 4c: illustrates an exploded axonometric side view of the loading system comprising a loading surface, an adapter device for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface;
- Figure 5a: illustrates an axonometric view of a loading surface for patient and medical device transport means and medical devices according to the prior art;
Figure 5b: illustrates an axonometric view of an adapter device with patient and medical device transport means according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to figure 5a, a system for loading a patient and medical device transport means 30 onto a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, according to the prior art is shown.
In the following reference will be often made to the ambulance as a vehicle and to the stretcher as a patient and medical device transport means 30, without said meaning being limiting for the invention. Consequently, also medical device transport means such as for example incubators, fall within the scope of protection of the invention.
For simplicity of representation, a stretcher is generally shown in the drawings, that is to say a patient transport means 30 with wheels suitable for being loaded/unloaded on an ambulance.
Known ambulances generally comprise a loading surface 20' for the movable connection of said patient and medical device transport means.
The term loading surface means the vehicle floor itself or a suitable apparatus comprising a substantially flat surface which may comprise container means for medical equipment and/or handling means to adapt the position of said surface to the needs of the vehicle and patient management by the operator.
It is known that a loading interface 22' is generally installed on the loading surface 20', which is configured to allow the movable engagement and disengagement of a specific type of patient and medical device transport means 30 and therefore for example of a specific stretcher.
Preferably, said loading interface 22' is a device which acts simultaneously on both the front and rear side of the stretcher with respect to the direction of insertion into the vehicle which generally occurs by pushing the stretcher parallel to its long side. Said interface has the purpose of allowing the installation of the patient and medical device transport means 30 in a simple way and with reduced effort for the operator.
The loading interface 22' preferably comprises locking and unlocking systems for the patient and medical device transport means 30 configured to prevent involuntary actuations.
Generally, each manufacturing company makes loading interfaces 22' and respective patient and medical device transport means 30 with very specific characteristics which do not make them interchangeable with those from other manufacturing companies.
According to the prior art, the loading surface 20' comprises a loading interface 22', integrally connected thereto, on which connection means 31' of a corresponding patient and medical device transport means 30' are engaged and disengaged for the loading/unloading thereof from the vehicle. Not all the loading interfaces 22' and the connection means 31' of the patient and medical device transport means 30' are compatible with each other, that is, they can be engaged/disengaged with each other; in fact, they can comprise, for example, different guide, connecting and locking systems.
Therefore, in order to be engageable/disengageable with each other, they must preferably be produced by the same manufacturing company.
In fact, for said type of loading interfaces 22' and relative connection means 31' there are directives which unify the safety devices, but there is no unification relating to the mechanical construction of the couplings.
To facilitate flexibility of use and to allow to load, unload patient and medical device transport means 30 also from different manufacturers on the same loading surface 20, the invention provides for an adapter device 10 of which an example of installation is shown in figure 5b.
In fact, said adapter device 10 can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance.
Said vehicle comprising a loading surface 20 on which a lower loading interface 22 is provided for movably connecting a given type of patient and medical device transport means 30; the adapter device 10 is configured to be fixed on the loading surface 20 in a position overlying the lower loading interface 22.
Said adapter device 10 comprises a supporting body 15 defining the upper engagement means 11 for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means 30 different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface 22.
Therefore, given that the lower loading interface 22 is not compatible with the different patient and medical device transport means 30, but is designed to allow the loading and unloading only of a specific patient and medical device transport means 30, the invention provides for interposing between said lower loading interface 22 and the different patient and medical device transport means 30, the adapter device 10 comprising a supporting body 15 on which movable upper engagement means 11 are adapted to engage/ disengage said different patient and medical device transport means 30 during loading/unloading operations.
Thanks to this solution, it is possible to allow the loading/unloading of patient and medical device transport means 30 different from those directly engageable on the lower loading interface 22 installed on the loading surface 20.
The adapter device 10, according to the invention, further provides that the supporting body 15 is arranged to install different upper engagement means 11 configured to movably engage and disengage different corresponding patient and medical device transport means 30, i.e. for loading/unloading, for example, different types of stretcher from the same ambulance carrying out the normal operations of an operator in the sector.
In particular said upper engagement means 11 comprise an upper loading interface 13 configured to engage and disengage in respective connection means 31 of a corresponding patient and medical device transport means 30.
Therefore the upper loading interface 13 must be compatible with said connection means 31.
Said upper loading interface 13 is preferably configured to engage and disengage in respective connection means 31 by a sliding movement in the direction of the long side of said patient and medical device transport means 30.
Thanks to this solution, the stretcher is loaded onto the ambulance by carrying out the normal operations that take place when the lower loading interface 22 of the loading surface 20 is directly compatible and therefore can be engaged in the connection means 31 of the patient and medical device transport means 30.
A preferred embodiment provides that the supporting body 15 of the adapter device 10 comprises lower engagement means 12 adapted to be movably engaged and disengaged in corresponding connection means 21 of the loading surface 20. A possible embodiment of said connection means 21 is represented in figure 3a.
In this way, connection means 21 suitable for cooperating with the lower engagement means 12 will be arranged on the lower loading surface 20, independently of the lower loading interface 22, installed on the loading surface 20. Therefore the adapter device 10 is fixed to the loading surface 20 and positioned so as not to interfere with the lower loading interface 22, since it is preferably configured to host it below the supporting body 15.
This solution simplifies the design operations of the lower engagement means 12, also allowing their possible unification, having released them from the mechanical configuration of the lower loading interface 22.
Furthermore, the safety when coupling and uncoupling the adapter device 10 to the loading surface 20 is further guaranteed, since the connection means 21 and the lower engagement means 12 are designed to cooperate according to the safety regulations of the sector.
Alternatively or simultaneously, the supporting body 15 can comprise lower engagement means 12 adapted to be engageable and disengageable directly on the lower loading interface 22.
This solution exploits the presence of the existing lower loading interface 22.
The advantage of this solution is to reduce the number of pieces to be supplied since connection means 21 are not necessary; however, the limits described above remain with respect to this solution.
In particular, a preferred embodiment provides that the supporting body 15 is configured to allow the installation of different lower engagement means 12 engageable and disengageable for example in different lower loading interfaces 22 and/or connection means 21.
In this way, the correct type of lower engagement means 12 compatible with the corresponding lower loading interface 22 and/or connection means 21 will be installed on the support body 15.
As shown in figure 2a, the lower engagement means 12 preferably comprise engaging-centering elements 14 for engaging in the corresponding centering counter-elements of the connection means 21 and/or in the corresponding lower loading interface 22.
Said engaging-centering elements 14 can comprise for example a pin 14a adapted to engage in a corresponding recess 21a, 22a of the connection means 21 or of the lower loading interface 22.
In the case in which the connection means 21 are made as shown in figure 3a, the lower engagement means 12 preferably comprise pins 14a which engage respectively in each pair of the connection means 21.
In particular, the pins 14a are inserted in the recesses 21a thus pressing on a mobile element of the connection means 21 and causing it to lower. Said connection means 21 can in fact be equipped with an automatism which is activated when the engaging-centering elements 14 hit or press them, for example a compression spring, or even a mechanism electrically actuated by a magnet, or other technologies.
The engaging-centering elements 14 can further comprise either a centering pin 14b for positioning and centering respective paths 21b, 22b of the connection means 21 or the lower loading interface 22.
What is shown in figure 2a is only a non-binding example in that the conformation of the engaging-centering elements 14 is closely linked to the type of the lower loading interface 22 and/or of the connection means 21.
According to an aspect of the invention, the lower engagement means 12 and the corresponding connection means 21 and/or lower loading interface 22 comprise locking/unlocking means for the safety of the fixing of the adapter device 10 to the loading surface 20.
According to another aspect of the invention, the lower engagement means 12 are configured to engage in the connection means 21 and/or in the corresponding lower loading interface 22, by a sliding movement in a direction parallel to the long side of said loading surface 20 .
Thanks to this solution, the adapter device 10 is loaded on the loading surface 20 of the ambulance by carrying out the normal operations that take place for loading/unloading the patient and medical device transport means 30 from the vehicle.
A possible embodiment provides that the lower engagement means 12 comprise sliding elements 18 for positioning the adapter device 10 on the loading surface 20.
Thanks to said sliding elements 18, a better sliding of the adapter device 10 is guaranteed when it is installed on the loading surface 20, without there being metal-metal rubbing of the respective surfaces.
Said sliding elements 18 can be, for example, plastic shoes as shown in figure 2a.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the supporting body 15 is substantially flat and preferably comprising two opposite surfaces of which an upper surface 15a and a lower surface 15b.
When the adapter device 10 is in the operating configuration, i.e. interposed between the loading surface 20 and the patient and medical device transport means 30, the upper surface 15a is facing the patient and medical device transport means 30, while the lower surface 15b is facing the loading surface 20.
According to a preferred embodiment shown in figure 1c, the supporting body 15 comprises reinforcing ribs 15c which distance and connect the upper surface 15a to the lower surface 15b.
Further preferably, the supporting body 15 is made of aluminium.
The supporting body 15 can for example be made by means of aluminium profiles of a type known to a person skilled in the art. Said profiles have the characteristic of being light, but at the same time they have a good resistance to mechanical stresses such as bending and torsion.
Therefore they combine the characteristics necessary to be easily installed on the loading surface 20 with the characteristics of robustness necessary to support the weight of the patient and medical device transport means 30 and of the patient himself.
However, it is understood that what described above has an exemplifying and non-limiting value, therefore any detail variations that may become necessary for technical and/or functional reasons, are considered to be from now on within the same protective scope; therefore, for example, the supporting body 15 can be made of a different material or made for example by means of a single shaped sheet.
An embodiment of said supporting body 15 provides that it comprises first fixing elements 16 placed on the upper surface 15a and configured to connect it mechanically to different upper engagement means 11.
Preferably the supporting body 15 can also comprise second fixing elements 17, placed on the lower surface 15b and configured to mechanically connect it to different lower engagement means 12.
Said first fixing elements 16 as well as said second fixing elements 17 can comprise, for example a plurality of holes or slots.
As shown in Figure 1, said holes or slots are placed respectively on the upper surface 15a and on the lower surface 15b and adapted to fix respectively different upper and lower engagement means 11, 12 by means of screws or bolts.
Thanks to this plurality of holes or slots, the supporting body 15 is compatible with different upper and lower engagement means 11, 12.
In particular, for example, the first fixing means 16 will be made taking into account the conformation of the upper loading interfaces 13 of different manufacturing companies, so that they can be installed on the same upper surface 15a.
Likewise, the second fixing elements 17 will be made taking into account the conformation that the lower engagement means 12 so that they can be installed on the same lower surface 15b and be compatible with the lower loading interfaces 22 of different manufacturing companies and/or with corresponding connection means 21 specially installed on the loading surface 20.
Therefore the patient and medical device transport means 30 does not engage/disengage directly in the lower loading interface 22 of the loading surface 20, but engages/disengages in the upper loading interface 13 of the upper engagement means 11 installed on the adapter device 10. Instead, the lower engagement means 12 of the adapter device 10 engage/disengage in the lower loading interface 22 and/or in respective connection means 21 mechanically connected to the loading surface.
Therefore even if the lower loading interface 22 is not compatible with a given patient and medical device transport means 30, it will be possible to load/unload said patient and medical device transport means 30, thanks to the interposition of the adapter device 10, on which upper engagement means 11 that are compatible therewith will be installed.
Thanks to this solution, the adapter device 10 is directly connected to the loading surface 20 and no further means are required to be interposed for loading/unloading the patient and medical device transport means 30.
The invention also relates to a loading system 1 for loading a patient transport means and devices 30 onto a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, comprising a loading surface 20; said loading system 1 further comprises an adapter device 10 configured to be fixed on the loading surface 20 in a position overlying the lower loading interface 22 and comprising a supporting body 15 defining upper engagement means 11 for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means 30 different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface 22.
Further object of the invention is an ambulance for loading a patient and medical device transport means 30, comprising a loading surface 20 on which a lower loading interface 22 is provided for movably connecting a given type of patient and medical device transport means 30. Said ambulance further comprises an adapter device 10 configured to be fixed on the loading surface 20 in a position overlying the lower loading interface 22 and comprising a supporting body 15 defining upper engagement means 11 for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means 30 different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface 22.
It is understood however that what is described above has a value of non-limiting example, therefore, possible variants of detail that may be necessary for technical and/or functional reasons, are considered from now falling within the same protective scope defined by the claims indicated below.

Claims

Adapter device (10) which can be installed on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, said vehicle comprising a loading surface (20) on which a lower loading interface (22) is provided for movably connecting a given type of patient and medical device transport means (30), characterized in that the adapter device (10) is configured to be fixed on the loading surface (20) in a position overlying the lower loading interface (22) and comprises a supporting body (15) defining upper engagement means (11) for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means (30) different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface (22).
Adapter device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the supporting body (15) comprises lower engagement means adapted to be engageable and disengageable on corresponding connection means (21) installed on the loading surface (20).
Adapter device (10) according to the preceding claim 2, wherein the adapter device (10) is configured to host the lower loading interface (22) below the supporting body 15 without interfering therewith.
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting body (15) comprises lower engagement means (12) adapted to be engageable and disengageable on the lower loading interface (22).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper engagement means (11) comprise an upper loading interface (13) configured to movably engage and disengage in respective connection means (31) of a correspondent patient and medical device transport means (30) by a sliding movement in a direction parallel to the long side of said patient and medical device transport means (30).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower engagement means are configured to movably engage and disengage in the corresponding connecting means (21) and/or in the corresponding lower interface (22) of the loading surface (20), by a sliding movement in a direction parallel to the long side of said loading surface (20).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower engagement means (12) comprise centering elements (14) configured to engage in the corresponding centering counter-elements of the connection means (21) and/or of the lower interface (22) for the correct positioning of the adapter device (10).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower engagement means (12) and the corresponding connection means (21) comprise locking/unlocking means.
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting body (15) is substantially flat and preferably comprising two opposite surfaces of which an upper surface (15a) and a lower surface (15b), which are respectively facing towards the patient and medical device transport means (30) and towards the loading surface (20), when the adapter device (10) is in an operative position or in other words interposed between the patient and medical device transport means (30) and the loading surface (20).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting body (15) comprises reinforcing ribs (15c) which distance and connect the upper surface (15a) to the lower surface (15b).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting body (15) is configured to allow the installation of different upper engagement means (11) configured to engage and disengage different corresponding patient and medical device transport means (30).
Adapter device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the supporting body (15) is configured to allow the installation of different lower engagement means (12) configured to engage and disengage different connection means (21) and/or lower interfaces (22).
Adapter device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower engagement means (12) comprise sliding elements (18) for positioning the adapter device (10) on the loading surface (20).
Ambulance for loading a patient and medical device transport means (30), comprising a loading surface (20) on which a lower loading interface (22) is provided for movably connecting a given type of patient and medical device transport means (30), characterized in that it further comprises an adapter device (10) configured to be fixed on the loading surface (20) in a position above the lower loading interface (22) and comprising a supporting body (15) defining upper engagement means (11) for movably connecting a type of patient and medical device transport means (30) different from that directly connectable to the lower loading interface (22).
Loading system (1) for loading a patient and medical device transport means (30) on a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, comprising a loading surface (20), characterized in that said loading system (1) further comprises an adapter device (10) configured to be fixed on the loading surface (20) in a position above the lower loading interface (22) and comprising a supporting body (15) defining upper engagement means (11) for movably connecting a different type of patient and medical device transport means (30) from that connectable directly on the lower loading interface (22).