EP3760177A1

EP3760177A1 - Stretcher

Info

Publication number: EP3760177A1
Application number: EP19184410.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Campani
Original assignee: Olmedo Special Vehicles SpA
Current assignee: Olmedo Special Vehicles SpA
Priority date: 2019-07-04
Filing date: 2019-07-04
Publication date: 2021-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-04
Also published as: ES2909106T3; EP3760177B1

Abstract

Stretcher (1) comprising a spinal board (2), an extrication device (4) and connection means (5) interposed between the spinal board (2) and the extrication device (4). The connection means (5) is configured for connecting in a rotatable fashion the extrication device (4) to the spinal board (2) in such a way that the extrication device (4) is movable in a plurality of operational configurations between a flat configuration wherein the extrication device (4) is positioned substantially parallel to the spinal board (2) and an inclined configuration wherein the extrication device (4) defines with the spinal board (2) a predetermined angle of inclination and forms a backrest for the patient. This connection means (5) is removably connected to respective connection portions (5a) of the spinal board and the extrication device (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a stretcher.
The term stretcher, or litter, refers to a device for supporting a person, generally infirm, configured to allow the suitable movement of the same. Stretchers are widely used in the medical and paramedical field in order to allow the transfer of a patient from the location in which she/he is located, to a location suitable for the administration of adequate medical support.
In particular, stretchers are part of the basic equipment with which a common ambulance is equipped in order to allow paramedic staff to provide the necessary aid to people in need, for example at the location of a road accident or at the location where a person has fallen ill.
In some of these situations, the staff assigned to the intervention provide first aid through the use of an extrication device that allows preserving the clinical conditions of the patient.
In particular, the extrication device is a first aid device that is used to allow the movement of the infirm person while maintaining the alignment of his/her spine during for example the extraction of a person from a vehicle after an accident.
In particular, this device secures the head, neck and torso in a rigid position, allowing the immobilisation of the spine in order to reduce the risk of secondary damage to the spine during the extraction from the vehicle.
In a subsequent step, the person is placed lying down on a spinal board, in a position suitable for limiting the occurrence of complications, in order to be able to transport the person onto the ambulance, and also to transport the patient to a facility designed to provide suitable health care, for example a hospital.
Stretchers are generally connected to suitable transport frames configured to allow the support of the patients and facilitate their movement.
In particular, the aforementioned structures have movement modules equipped with wheels which allow the responsible staff to move the stretcher by exerting a reduced force on the frame.
At the end of the transport procedure, the patient is subjected to preliminary analyses to determine his/her health condition so as to have a basic clinical picture from which to set a more thorough analysis or to provide the first medical treatments.
The assembly comprising the extrication device, spinal board and stretcher is currently somewhat inconvenient to use during the transport operations, requiring the use of several operators.
A further disadvantage of the assembly comprising the extrication device, spinal boards and stretcher is their overall dimensions and the need to provide suitable spaces in the rescue means for stowing each element when they are not used.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a stretcher which allows placing the patient in a plurality of positions that are suitable for the conferment of varying medical treatments.
A further object of the present invention is to improve the transportability of the stretcher and the volumes which it occupies.
The stated technical task and specified object are substantially achieved by a stretcher comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the claims.
The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a stretcher.
This description will be set out below with reference to the appended drawings, which are provided solely for indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a stretcher in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of the stretcher of figure 1 in accordance with a particular embodiment.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 has been used to generally designate a stretcher, indicated hereinafter as stretcher 1.
The stretcher 1 has a substantially planar conformation which defines a supporting surface for one person to be transported.
In particular, the stretcher 1 comprises a spinal board 2 configured to support a person during a use configuration.
Advantageously, the person is placed on the spinal board 2 according to a suitable position so as to limit the occurrence of complications due to the transport procedure.
As illustrated in figure 1, the spinal board 2 has a plurality of gripping portions 3 configured to allow the movement of the stretcher 1.
In accordance with a particular embodiment, these gripping portions 3 have an ergonomic coating in rubber configured to facilitate their gripping by a user.
Advantageously, the spinal board 2 can be coupled to an external transport frame, preferably equipped with wheels, configured to support the stretcher 1 during the transport operations of the person. Preferably, this frame can comprise movement means which allows changing the orientation of the spinal board 2 with respect to the ground in a plurality of operational conditions.
The spinal board 2 can be made of a composite material which comprises, preferably, a polymeric portion.
Advantageously, this material contributes to increasing the level of safety and comfort of the stretcher 1 by limiting the occurrence of splintering and cracking due to wear.
In accordance with alternative embodiments, the spinal board 2 can be made of different materials without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.
The spinal board 2 can comprise a coating made of foam rubber.
This coating offers high comfort to the patient during the transport steps.
Preferably, the coating of the spinal board 2 is made of non-absorbent material which is resistant to chemicals.
Advantageously, this coating makes the spinal board 2 easy to clean and limits the possibility of biological contamination.
As shown in figure 1, the stretcher 1 also comprises an extrication device 4 coupled to the spinal board 2.
In particular, the extrication device 4 is a first aid device that is used when it is necessary to move the person in situations in which mobility is reduced and the movements imposed on the person could worsen his/her clinical conditions.
In particular, the extrication device 4 is widely used when it is necessary to extract a person for example from a vehicle after an accident or more generally from narrow and confined spaces.
In fact, the extrication device 4 fixes the head, neck and torso in a rigid position, allowing the immobilisation of the spine. This device is then applied to the person to reduce the risk of damage to the head-neck-torso region during the extraction from the vehicle.
The extrication device 4 is connected to the spinal board 2 by connection means 5 interposed between the spinal board 2 and the extrication device 4. The connection means 5 is configured for connecting in a rotatable fashion the extrication device 4 to the spinal board 2 in such a way that the extrication device 4 is movable in a plurality of operational configurations between a flat configuration wherein the extrication device 4 is positioned substantially parallel to the spinal board 2 and an inclined configuration wherein the extrication device 4 defines with the spinal board 2 a predetermined angle of inclination.
In particular, the extrication device 4, in an inclined configuration, forms a backrest for the patient.
Advantageously, the connection means 5, furthermore, is removably connected to respective connection portions 5a of the spinal board 2 and the extrication device 4. The connection means 5 thus realised allows a reversible coupling between the spinal board 2 and the extrication device 4 which can be performed rapidly and is intuitive for a user.
In order to improve the operational flexibility of the stretcher 1, the connection means 5 is made of flexible material so as to be adaptable to a variety of configurations.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment and as illustrated in figure 2, the connection means 5 comprises a belt structure 6 configured to provide a connection between the spinal board 2 and the extrication device 4.
In particular, this belt structure 6 comprises a supporting belt 7 removably connected to the spinal board 2 and a pair of connection belts 8 fixed to the supporting belt 7.
Preferably, the supporting belt 7 is positioned transversally, preferably perpendicular, to a longitudinal extension of the spinal board 2.
The connection belts 8 are fixed to the supporting belt 7 at a respective first end thereof and are removably connected to a connection portion 5a of the extrication device 4.
As illustrated in figure 1, the supporting belt 7 is positioned transversally, preferably perpendicular to the connection belts 8, which are positioned parallel to each other and preferably spaced from each other.
In particular, the supporting belt 7 and/or the connection belts 8 are made of fabric, preferably of aramid type fabric.
Advantageously, the aramid fabric gives the belts high mechanical strength and durability.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in figure 2, the connection means 5 comprises a plurality of connection elements 9 fixed to the connection belt 8 and the supporting belts 7.
These connection elements 9 are configured for coupling the connection belt 8 and the supporting belts 7 to a respective connection portion 5a of the spinal board 2 or the extrication device 4.
In particular, the connection elements 9 comprise a buckle 10 fixed to one end of the connection belt 8 or the supporting belt 7.
This buckle 10 is configured for engaging in a respective seat of the spinal board 2 or extrication device 4, wherein said seat defines a connection portion 5a so as to realise a reversible shape coupling between the belt and the spinal board 2 or the extrication device 4.
According to alternative embodiments of the present invention not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the connection elements 9 can be realised differently, such as for example snap hooks and/or hooks and/or quick connectors without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.
As shown in figure 1, the stretcher 1 can comprise locking means 11 configured for locking the extrication device 4 in a predetermined inclined configuration with respect to the spinal board 2.
In particular, the aforementioned locking means 11 comprises at least one locking belt 12 having a first end connectable to the extrication device 4 and a second end connectable to the spinal board 2. This belt 12 is operated in traction under the thrust action of the weight of the patient resting on the spinal board 2 and on the extrication device 4 and, in the operational configuration, is positioned at a side of the patient, to serve as a protective armrest.
Preferably, these locking means 11 also comprises respective connection elements 9 arranged at the ends of the aforementioned locking belt 12 and adapted to define a removable connection between the locking belt 12 and the respective locking seats 13 formed in the extrication device 4 and/or the spinal board 2.
Advantageously, these locking means 11 allows locking the extrication device 4 in a plurality of operational configurations (inclinations) for the stretcher 1 so as to adjust the positioning of the transported patient in a plurality of conditions suitable for the preservation of his/her clinical conditions.
In accordance with further embodiments not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the connection means 5 can be realised in different shapes from said belt structure 6, as long as they are removably connectable to the spinal board 2 and the extrication device 4, allowing a predetermined orientation of the latter.
In use, the extrication device 4 is, in a first step, disconnected from the spinal board 2 and is applied to the person who must be moved to receive medical treatment. In this way, the extrication device 4 ensures the preservation of the clinical conditions of the patient throughout the rescue procedure. The patient is then placed, by the medical staff adapted to provide aid, on the spinal board 2 of the stretcher 1 and the latter is then positioned on the transport frame. In this step the extrication device can be connected to the spinal board 2 by means of the aforementioned connection means 5. In particular, the supporting belt 7 and the connection belts 8 are respectively connected to the spinal board 2 and to the extrication device 4 by means of the buckles 10. In a subsequent step, the extrication device 4 can be locked in an inclined position with respect to the spinal board 2 by means of locking means 11 to keep the patient in an inclined position suitable for receiving predetermined medical treatments.
It is therefore observed that the present invention achieves the proposed object thanks to a stretcher able to position the patient in a plurality of positions suitable for the conferment of adequate medical treatments thanks to the presence of connection means adapted to removably and rotatably connect the spinal board to the extrication device.
Advantageously, the extrication device defines a backrest for the patient who can be positioned inclined with respect to the spinal board in order to ensure an adequate administration of the medical treatments.
Advantageously, the locking means allows maintaining the extrication device in a particular inclination condition with respect to the spinal board without the need for the intervention of additional rescue staff.
Advantageously, the stretcher guarantees an accurate positioning of the transported person in both a movement condition of the stretcher and in the condition in which the stretcher is positioned inside an ambulance.
Advantageously, the extrication device can be removed and connected to the spinal board in a simple and intuitive manner.
Advantageously the assembly of the stretcher, extrication device and spinal board have a smaller volume than the conventional systems present on the market, improving the transportability and minimizing the stowage volumes inside the emergency vehicles.

Claims

A stretcher (1) comprising:
- a spinal board (2) and an extrication device (4);

- connection means (5) interposed between the spinal board (2) and the extrication device (4) and configured for connecting in a rotatable fashion the extrication device (4) to the spinal board (2) in such a way that the extrication device (4) is movable in a plurality of operational configurations between a flat configuration wherein the extrication device (4) is positioned substantially parallel to the spinal board (2) and an inclined configuration wherein the extrication device (4) defines with the spinal board (2) a predetermined angle of inclination and forms a backrest for the patient;
wherein the connection means (5) are removably connected to respective connection portions (5a) of the spinal board and the extrication device (4).
The stretcher according to claim 1, wherein the connection means (5) comprise at least one belt structure (6) adapted to connect the extrication device (4) to the spinal board (2).
The stretcher according to claim 2, wherein the belt structure (6) comprises a supporting belt (7) removably connected to the spinal board (2) and a pair of connection belts (8) fixed to the supporting belt (7), preferably at a first end of the connection belts (8), wherein each connection belt (8) is removably connected to a connection portion (5a) of the extrication device (4).
The stretcher according to claim 3, wherein the supporting belt (7) and the connection belts (8) is/are made of fabric, preferably aramid type fabric.
The stretcher according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the supporting belt (7) is positioned transversally, preferably perpendicular to the connection belts (8) positioned parallel to each other.
The stretcher according to claim 5, wherein the supporting belt (7) is positioned transversally, preferably perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the spinal board (2).
The stretcher according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, wherein the connection means (5) comprise at least one connection element (9) fixed to the connection belt (8) or to the supporting belt (7) and configured for coupling it to a respective connection portion (5a) of the spinal board (2) and/or the extrication device (4).
The stretcher according to claim 7, wherein the connection element comprises a buckle (10) fixed to an end of the connection belt (8) or of the supporting belt (7) and configured for engaging in a respective seat defining the connection portion (5a) in such a way as to form a removable coupling.
The stretcher according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising locking means (11) configured for locking the extrication device (4) in one or more predetermined configurations inclined with respect to the spinal board (2).
The stretcher according to claim 9, wherein the locking means (11) comprise at least one locking belt (12) having a first end connectable to the extrication device (4) and a second end connectable to the spinal board (2) and in traction under the thrust action of the weight of the patient resting on the spinal board (2) and on the extrication device (4).