EP3849488A1

EP3849488A1 - Patient-supporting device

Info

Publication number: EP3849488A1
Application number: EP19765214.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leonardo FOIANI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-10
Filing date: 2019-09-03
Publication date: 2021-07-21
Also published as: WO2020053027A1

Abstract

A patient-supporting device (100) comprises a support frame (S) suitable for resting on the floor, an articulated frame (A) that comprises a central portion (1) suitable for supporting the patient's pelvis, a front portion (2) suitable for supporting the patient's legs and a back portion (3) suitable for supporting the patient's chest; said supporting device (100) also comprise first connection means (M1) to connect the articulated frame (A) and the support frame (S), second and third connection means (M2, M3) to connect the front portion (2) and the back portion to the central portion (1), thus allowing the front portion (2) and the back portion (3) to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position.

Description

PATIENT-SUPPORTING DEVICE

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a patient-supporting device.

In this document, a patient is a person who is forced to lie on a bed because of a disease, injury or the like.

The reference field is the sector of stretchers, wheelchairs and mobile patient-supporting devices in general, which are suitable for supporting and transporting a patient who is unable to walk.

In particular, the invention addresses the problem of moving a patient from a bed to the supporting device and vice versa.

According to the prior art, the most popular supporting devices used for the transportation of patients or persons that are unable to stand on their legs consist in stretchers and wheelchairs.

In the following description, the term“bed” refers to a bed of a house, a bed of a hospital or a surgical bed.

Wheelchairs are used to move and support the patient in sitting position, whereas stretchers are used to move and support the patient in supine position.

Wheelchairs are used on a daily basis for the transportation of a patient not only in a hospital setting, but also in a domestic environment.

Wheelchairs have a compact structure and are very useful for moving patients around in narrow spaces.

The patient is usually transferred from the bed to the wheelchair by health operators who manually lift the patient from the bed and place him or her on the wheelchair.

This operation is extremely complicated and is sometimes impossible because of the excessive weight or of the physical conditions of the patient. On the contrary, stretchers are mainly used for transporting a patient from an operating room to a hospital room or vice versa.

Stretchers are longer than wheelchairs and they are consequently difficult to use in narrow spaces.

The transfer of a patient from the stretcher to the bed and from the bed to the stretcher is less complicated than the transfer from the bed to the wheelchair and from the wheelchair to the bed (because the patient remains in supine position), but is in any case impaired by drawbacks.

During the transfer from the bed to the stretcher or vice versa, the stretcher must be positioned next to the bed.

When placing the stretcher next to the bed, the empty space between the stretcher and the bed must be minimized in order to reduce the risk of fall for the patient that must be moved from the bed to the stretcher or vice versa.

However, in some of the cases, such an empty space cannot be eliminated because of the presence of structural elements of the stretcher or of the bed that prevent the direct contact between the stretcher and the side of the bed.

The larger said empty space, the more delicate the transfer of the patient will be.

More precisely, if the operator makes a mistake during the transfer, the patient may fall down by gravity, partially hitting the bed and the stretcher. The impact of the patient on the stretcher may move the stretcher, making the patient fall on the ground.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a patient-supporting device that is reliable, versatile and inexpensive.

An additional purpose of the present invention is to disclose a supporting device that permits to transfer the patient from the bed to the supporting device and from the supporting device to the bed in an easy, safe way, without requiring an excessive physical effort for the operator and minimizing the possibility of serious injuries or damage for the patient.

These purposes are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics of the appended independent claim 1 .

Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.

The supporting device comprises a right-hand side, a left-hand side, a front portion and a back portion.

The supporting device also comprises a support frame suitable for resting on the ground, and an articulated frame suitable for supporting the patient.

The articulated frame comprises a horizontal central portion suitable for supporting the patient’s pelvis, a front portion suitable for supporting the patient’s legs and a back portion suitable for supporting the patient’s chest; the front portion is disposed in correspondence of said front portion of the supporting device; said back portion is disposed in correspondence of the back portion of the supporting device.

The supporting device comprises:

- first connection means to connect the articulated frame and the support frame;

- second connection means to connect the front portion to the central portion of the articulated frame; said second connection means allow the front portion to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position;

- third connection means to connect said back portion to said central portion of the articulated frame; said third connection means allow said back portion to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position.

For the sake of clarity, the description of the patient-supporting device according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein: - Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of the supporting device according to the invention, wherein the front portion and the back portion of the articulated frame are disposed in inclined position;

- Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of the supporting device of Fig. 1 seen from a different angle;

- Fig. 3 is a side view of the supporting device of Fig. 1 ;

- Fig. 4 is an axonometric view of the supporting device according to the invention, wherein the front portion and the back portion of the articulated frame are disposed in horizontal position;

- Fig. 5 is a side view of the supporting device of Fig. 4;

- Fig. 6 is an axonometric view of the central portion of the articulated frame;

- Fig. 7 is an axonometric view of the back portion of the articulated frame;

- Fig. 8 is an axonometric view of the front portion of the articulated frame;

- Fig. 9 is a front view of the supporting device of Fig. 5.

With reference to Figs. 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, the patient-supporting device according to the invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral (100).

In the following description, the terms“right-hand” or“left-hand” will refer to elements that are disposed in a“right-hand” or“left-hand” position relative to the patient supported by the supporting device (100).

The supporting device (100) comprises a right-hand side, a left- hand side, a front portion and a back portion.

The supporting device (100) also comprises a support frame (S) suitable for resting on the ground, and an articulated frame (A) suitable for supporting the patient.

An axis (Y-Y) is drawn in Figs. 1 and 3, along which the device (100) is developed.

The support frame (S) comprises a first longitudinal bar (S1 ) and a second longitudinal bar (S2) that are connected by two crossbars (S3). Said first longitudinal bar (S1 ) is disposed in correspondence of the right-hand side of the supporting device (100); said second longitudinal bar (S2) is disposed in correspondence of the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

The second longitudinal bar (S2) comprises a front portion, a back portion and an intermediate portion (S4); said intermediate portion (S4) connects the front portion to the back portion and is disposed in lower position relative to the front portion and the back portion.

The support frame (S) comprises four adjustable wheels (9), which are fixed in lower position to the support frame (S) and are suitable for sliding on the floor where the support frame (S) is rested.

Two of said four adjustable wheels (9) are disposed in correspondence of the right-hand side of the supporting device (100); the other two of said four adjustable wheels (9) are disposed in correspondence of the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

The articulated frame (A) comprises a horizontal central portion (1 ) suitable for supporting the patient’s pelvis, a front portion (2) suitable for supporting the patient’s legs and a back portion (3) suitable for supporting the patient’s chest.

The front portion (2) is disposed in correspondence of the front portion of the supporting device (100).

The back portion (3) is disposed in the back portion of the supporting device (100)

With reference to Fig. 6, the central portion (1 ) comprises a first longitudinal rod (1 1 ) and a second longitudinal rod (12) in parallel opposite position, and a pair of transverse rods (13) fixed to the longitudinal rods (1 1 , 12); said first longitudinal rod (1 1 ) being disposed in correspondence of the right-hand side of the supporting device (100); said second longitudinal rod (12) being disposed in correspondence of the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

The transverse rods (13) are fixed to the longitudinal rods (1 1 , 12) in such a way that each longitudinal rod (1 1 , 12) comprises a central section (14) between the two transverse rods (13), a protruding front section (15a, 15b) and a protruding back section (16a, 16b).

The transverse rods (13) and the central sections (14) of the longitudinal rods (1 1 , 12) define a quadrangular frame with a substantially square shape.

With reference to Fig. 7, the back portion (3) comprises a quadrangular frame (35) with a substantially rectangular shape, which is defined by a first longitudinal rod (37a) and a second longitudinal rod (37b) in opposite position, a first transverse rod (38a) and a second transverse rod (38b).

The first longitudinal rod (37a) is disposed in correspondence of the right-hand side of the supporting device (100); said second longitudinal rod (37b) is disposed in correspondence of the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

The back portion (3) also comprises a first arm (39a) and a second arm (39b); the first arm (39a) and the second arm (39b) are disposed on said first transverse rod (38a) of the frame (35) of the back portion (3); said first transverse rod (38a) of the frame (35) is disposed in the proximity of the protruding back section (16a, 16b) of the first and second longitudinal rod (1 1 , 12) of the central portion (1 ).

The back portion (3) also comprises a pair of adjustable armrests (6) that comprise a front section (61 ) used to support the patient’s arms, and a back section (62) that protrudes from the back relative to the back portion, acting as handgrip for an operator who is pushing the supporting device (1 ).

With reference to Fig. 8, the front portion (2) comprises a quadrangular frame (25) with a substantially rectangular shape, a first arm (22a) and a second arm (22b) disposed in one side (23) of said frame (25) of the front portion (2); said side (23) is disposed in the proximity of the protruding front section (15a, 15b) of the first and second longitudinal rod (1 1 , 12) of the central portion (1 ). With reference to Fig. 3, the supporting device (100) comprises first connection means (M1 ) to connect the articulated frame (A) and the support frame (S); the first connection means (M1 ) comprise two tubular uprights (8); each tubular upright (8) comprises an internal channel, a lower end (81 ) fixed to the support frame (S), an upper end (82) opposite to the lower end (81 ); the upper end (82) is provided with an access to said internal channel of the tubular upright (8).

Moreover, the first connection means (M1 ) comprise two stems (85) that are slidingly inserted in said internal channels of the tubular uprights (8) and connected by means of a connection bar (86).

The connection bar (86) is fixed to the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A).

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting device (100) comprises second connection means (M2) to connect said front portion (2) to said central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A); said second connection means (M2) allow the front portion (2) to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position.

The second connection means (M2) comprise a first pin and a second pin; said first pin is engaged in a hole provided on the protruding front section (15a) of the first longitudinal rod (1 1 ) and in a hole provided on the first arm (22a) of the front portion (2); said second pin is engaged in a hole provided on the protruding front section (15b) of the second longitudinal rod (12) and in a hole provided on the second arm (22b) of the front portion (2).

The supporting device (100) also comprises third connection means (M3) that connect the back portion (3) to the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A); the third connection means (M3) allow the back portion (3) to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position.

The third connection means (M3) comprise a first pin and a second pin; the first pin is engaged in a hole provided on the protruding back section (16a) of the first longitudinal rod (1 1 ) and in a hole provided on the first arm (39a) of the back portion (3); the second pin is engaged in a hole provided on the protruding back section (16b) of the second longitudinal rod (12) and in a hole provided on the second arm (39b) of the back portion (3).

With reference to Fig. 3, the first connection means (M1 ) also comprise an actuator (T) that is disposed between the two tubular uprights (8).

Said actuator (T) comprises a first end (T1 ) fixed to the support frame (S) in correspondence of said intermediate portion (S4) of the second longitudinal bar (S2), and a second end (T2) opposite to the first end (T1 ); said second end (T2) is connected to the connection bar (86).

The supporting device (100) comprises a control unit (C) fixed to one of said tubular uprights (8) of the first connection means (M1 ); said control unit being suitable for controlling the actuator (T).

In such a configuration, the actuator (T) moves the connection bar (86) that is connected to the two stems (85) that are slidingly inserted in the two tubular uprights (8).

Given the fact that the connection bar (86) is fixed to the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A), the actuator (T) is capable of lifting or lowering the articulated frame (A) relative to the support frame (S).

The supporting device (100) also comprises locking means for the back portion (3) of the articulated frame (A), which are suitable for locking the back portion (3) in the desired inclined position.

The locking means comprise a spaced consecutive set of housings (4) disposed on the support frame (S) and a strut (5) connected to the back portion (3).

As shown in Fig. 1 , each housing of the consecutive set of housings (4) is different from the other housings of the consecutive set of housings (4), in such a way to be perfectly coupled with a lower end (51 ) of the strut (5) in any desired inclined position of the back portion (3).

The different shape of each housing of the consecutive set of housings (4) permits the perfect stop between the lower end (51 ) of the strut (5) and the housing, in such a way that the strut (5) can be firmly fitted in the housing.

With reference to Fig. 1 , the back portion (3) comprises a tubular bar (30) where the strut (5) is slidingly inserted.

In addition to the tubular bar (30), the back portion (3) comprises a stop means that stops the sliding of the strut (5) inside the tubular bar (30).

The stop means comprises a screw that is engaged in a threaded hole obtained on the tubular bar (30); the screw comprises a head (31 ) that acts as handgrip and comprises a point suitable for being stopped against an external surface of the strut (5) in order to hinder the free sliding of the strut (5) inside the tubular bar (30).

The articulated frame (A) comprises automatic fixing means (Q) that are suitably configured to automatically stop the front portion (2) when it is brought at the end of the travel in its horizontal position.

The automatic fixing means (Q) comprise a spring button (27) disposed in said protruding front section (15b) of the second longitudinal rod (12) and in a housing (28) obtained in said second arm (22b) of the front portion (2); said spring button (27) being suitable for being automatically inserted in the housing (28) when the front portion (2) is in horizontal position and the housing (28) is aligned with the axis of the spring button (27).

The simultaneous presence of the automatic fixing means (Q) and of the second moving means (M2) allows for constraining and locking the front portion (3) in horizontal position.

With reference to Fig. 6, the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A) advantageously comprises two plates (P), one being disposed in the protruding back section (16a) of the first longitudinal rod (1 1 ), and one being disposed in the protruding back section (16b) of the second longitudinal rod (12), said plates (P) acting as stop elements for the first arm (39a) and the second arm (39b) of the back portion (3) in such a way to stop the back portion (3) in horizontal position. With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the back portion (3) and the strut (5) do not protrude under the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A) when the back portion (3) is in horizontal position.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the front portion (2) does not protrude under the central portion (1 ) when the front portion (2) is in horizontal position.

The locking means of the supporting device (100) are disposed in the right-hand side of the supporting device (100).

The first locking means (M1 ) of the supporting device (100) are disposed in the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the tubular bar (30) coincides with said first longitudinal bar (37a); therefore the tubular bar (30) is integral with the frame (35) of the back portion (3).

As shown in Fig. 9, the asymmetry of the supporting device (100) generates a compartment shaped like an overturned C, when the back portion (3) and the front portion (2) are in horizontal position.

More precisely, the overturned C-shaped compartment is defined by the support frame (S) on the bottom, by the articulated frame (A) on top and by the first connection means (M1 ) on the side.

For illustrative, not limiting purpose, the front portion (2), the back portion (3) and the central portion (1 ) comprise a padding and an external cover. The padding can be obtained from molding a foam material, such as polyurethane foam. For instance, the external cover can be made of polylatex, leather or synthetic leather.

With reference to Fig. 4, the two crossbars (S3) are disposed in correspondence of the front section of the supporting device (100), in such a way that the support frame (S) has a U-shaped compartment in the back, when seen in plan view.

The advantages of the supporting device (100) according to the invention are evident: because of the provision of said overturned C- shaped compartment (when the back portion (3) and the front portion (2) are in horizontal position), the articulated frame (A) can be partially or completely disposed on a bed.

In such a condition, because of the position of the articulated frame (A) on the bed, in order to transfer the patient from the bed to the supporting device (100), the operator does not need to lift the patient manually as in the prior art.

In such a case, the patient can be transferred by means of simple operations that do not involve a high effort for the operator, with no risk of fall for the patient.

In order to transfer the patient, the operator turns the patient’s chest in such a way to change the position of the patient from the supine position to a lateral position; the articulated frame (A) is positioned on the bed in the proximity of the patient’s chest (more precisely, in the proximity of the patients back); the patient’s chest is lowered in such a way that the patient is in supine position, partially on the articulated frame (A), and finally the patient’s chest is pushed gently in central position on the articulated frame (A).

Evidently, such a procedure is safer and easier than the procedure of the prior art, according to which the patient is lifted manually by the operator, with the risk of falls or traumas.

The provision of the actuator (T) makes the supporting device (100)“universal”.

More precisely, by adjusting the height of the articulated frame (A) with the actuator (T), the supporting device (100) can be used with beds of any size.

The supporting device (100) is versatile. On one side, it facilitates the transfer of the patient from the supporting device (100) to the bed and vice versa, taking advantage of the horizontal position of the front portion (2) and of the back portion (3) of the articulated frame (A). On the other side, it facilitates the transfer of the patient in a building, taking advantage of the compactness and practically of the supporting device (100) when the front portion (2) and the back portion (3) are in inclined position, that is to say when the device (100) is in wheelchair configuration.

More precisely, during the transfer from the bed to the supporting device (100), the front portion (2) and the back portion (3) are maintained in horizontal position; after positioning the patient on the supporting device (100), the inclination of the front portion (3) and of the back portion (2) can be adjusted in such a way to move the patient in the building while sitting in an easy, simple way, just like a wheelchair.

An additional advantage of the presence invention relates to the provision of the U-shaped compartment in the support frame (S). In fact, because of such a compartment, when the front portion (2) and the back portion (3) are in inclined position, the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A) can be positioned on a WC or a sanitary fitting, thus avoiding the need to lift the patient manually and place him or her on said WC or sanitary fitting. In view of the above, the central portion (1 ) is preferably provided with a padded frame with a central hole used by the patient to defecate while sitting on the central portion (1 ).

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the appended claims.

For example, the locking means may be disposed in correspondence of the left-hand side of the supporting device (100) and the first connection means (M1 ) may be disposed in correspondence of the right-hand side of the supporting device (100).

Claims

1 ) Patient-supporting device (100), comprising:

a right-hand side and a left-hand side;

a front portion and a back portion;

a support frame (S) suitable for resting on the ground;

- an articulated frame (A) suitable for supporting said patient; said articulated frame (A) comprising a horizontal central portion (1 ) suitable for supporting the patient’s pelvis, a front portion (2) suitable for supporting the patient’s legs and a back portion (3) suitable for supporting the patient’s chest; said front portion (2) being disposed in correspondence of said front portion of the supporting device (100); said back portion (3) being disposed in correspondence of said back portion of the supporting device (100);

first connection means (M1 ) to connect the articulated frame (A) and the support frame (S);

- second connection means (M2) to connect said front portion (2) to said central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A); said second connection means (M2) allowing the front portion (2) to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position;

third connection means (M3) to connect said back portion (3) to said central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A); said third connection means (M3) allowing said back portion (3) to be in a horizontal position or in an inclined position;

characterized in that

the support frame (S) comprises a first longitudinal bar (S1 ) and a second longitudinal bar (S2) connected by two crossbars (S3), and

said two crossbars (S3) are disposed in correspondence of the front portion of the supporting device (100), in such a way that the support frame (S) has a U-shaped compartment in the back, when seen in plan view.

2) The supporting device (100) of claim 1 , comprising locking means of the back portion (3) of the articulated frame (A), which are suitable for locking the back portion (3) of the articulated frame (A) in the desired inclined position.

3) The supporting device (100) of claim 2, wherein said locking means comprise a spaced consecutive set of housings (4) disposed on the support frame (S) and a strut (5) connected to the back portion (3).

4) The supporting device (100) of claim 3, wherein said back portion (3) comprises a tubular bar (30) wherein said strut (5) is slidingly inserted; said back portion (3) comprising a stop means that stops the sliding of the strut (5) inside said tubular bar (30); said back portion (3) and said strut (5) do not protrude under the central portion (1 ) of the articulated frame (A) when said back portion (3) is in horizontal position; said front portion (2) does not protrude under the central portion (1 ) when said front portion (2) is in horizontal position.

5) The supporting device (100) of claim 4, wherein said stop means comprises a screw that is engaged in a threaded hole obtained on said tubular bar (30); said screw comprising a head (31 ) that acts as handgrip and is provided with a point suitable for being stopped against an external surface of said strut (5) in order to stop the free sliding of said strut (5) inside said tubular bar (30).

6) The supporting device (100) of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said stop means of the back portion (3) of the articulated frame (A) are disposed in the right-hand side of the supporting device (100).

7) The supporting device (100) of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first connection means (M1 ) are disposed in the left-hand side of the supporting device (100).

8) The supporting device (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first connection means (M1 ) comprise two tubular uprights (8) and two stems (85) connected to said articulated frame (A), each of them being inserted in one of the tubular uprights (8); said connection means (M1 ) also comprising an actuator (T) capable of causing the sliding of said stems (85) inside said tubular uprights (8), consequently lifting and lowering said articulated frame (A).

9) The supporting device (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said articulated frame (A) comprises automatic fixing means (Q) that are configured in such a way to automatically lock said front portion (2) in horizontal position.

10) The supporting device (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said back portion (3) comprises a pair of adjustable armrests (6), said pair of armrests (6) comprising a front section (61 ) used to support the patient’s arms, and a back section (62) that protrudes from the back relative to said back portion, acting as handgrip for an operator who is pushing the supporting device (100).

1 1 ) The supporting device (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support frame (S) comprises four adjustable wheels

(9).