EP4041172A1

EP4041172A1 - Mechanized bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients

Info

Publication number: EP4041172A1
Application number: EP20829698.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sonny Wilson MERIOLES
Original assignee: Kinetic Medical Aid Innovations Inc
Current assignee: Kinetic Medical Aid Innovations Inc
Priority date: 2019-10-08
Filing date: 2020-10-08
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Also published as: WO2021071369A1; PH12019000384A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients. The bed assembly comprises a rectangular bed frame defined by a pair of side frame members and a pair of end frame members, a plurality of spaced pusher assemblies arranged transversely within said bed frame, and a mattress provided on top of said plurality of pusher assemblies. The spaced pusher assemblies are adapted to be simultaneously rotated by a drive motor through a gear box, a drive shaft and a chain link assembly, and a programmable controller controls the activation of the drive motor. Weight detectors, a temperature sensor, and a moisture detector are further provided and are all in electrical communication with the controller and serve to provide input parameters for the activation of the drive motor. The spaced pusher assemblies are arranged in alternating manner, such that, every area of the mattress is moved in alternating pattern for every simultaneous rotation of the pusher assemblies.

Description

MECHANIZED BED ASSEMBLY FOR THE PREVENTION AND THE TREATMENT OF

DECUBITUS ULCERS OR BEDSORES ON IMMOBILE PATIENTS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatus for reducing the risk of bedfast patients developing decubitus ulcers or bedsores, and more particularly, to a mechanized bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients.

The present invention is an improvement to a previously filed and granted invention to the same inventor having a Patent No. 1-2014-000155.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that patients who are confined to a bed or chair for extended periods of time are at risk of developing decubitus ulcers, i.e. , pressure sores, or bed sores as they are more commonly known. These ulcers are often seen to develop within soft tissue that is compressed between a bed or chair surface and a patient's weight bearing bony prominences, the compressed tissue being at least partially deprived of oxygenated blood flow. A continued lack of blood flow, and resultant lack of oxygen, can result in cell death which may be evidenced in the form of pressure sores. Pressure sores do not develop immediately, but rather form over time, with the development speed depending on a number of factors including the firmness and friction of the supporting surface against the patient's skin, the patient/ambient temperature, the amount of moisture in contact with the skin, and the health and susceptibility of the skin due to age or illness.

One venerable and generally accepted means of reducing the risk of decubitus ulcer development in bedfast patients is to turn them regularly, usually at approximately two hour intervals. For example, a patient in a back rest position might be periodically rolled to one side or the other, such motion helping to maintain blood to flow to soft tissue that is under compression. Similar strategies are employed for patients that are confined to a chair for long periods of time. Obviously, an assisted-movement strategy relies to a large extent on the vigilance of the attending staff to insure that the patient is properly relocated. Further, it is far too easy for the busy care giver to let the time for turning the patient slip by in the press of other daily emergencies. To the extent that the caregiver is too busy or forgets to perform this service, this method can fail to achieve its purpose. Further, this sort of strategy can be counterproductive for use with the patient that has some capacity for self-movement. More particularly, the process of moving a patient to another position is admittedly disruptive to the patient and this is especially true at night, since the patient - if he or she were sleeping - will be awakened for the purpose of relocation. The typical two-hour movement interval must be observed around the clock if the method is to be effective, so it is necessary to rouse the patient - who might be sleeping soundly at the time to make the required adjustment in position. Further, this adjustment might not have even been necessary if the patient had recently moved of his or her own volition. Thus, in many situations it would be advantageous for the caregiver to know if and when the patient last moved his or herself. Then, if the last movement were within a prescribed period of time, it might be possible to spare the patient an unnecessary interruption in his or her healing sleep. The caregiver would then relocate the sleeping patient, only if that relocation were actually required. Further, knowing which patients do not need to be moved could result in a substantial savings in labor costs, as the time that would otherwise be devoted to moving the patient that did not actually need to be moved could be productively applied elsewhere. That being said, as useful as this sort of information might be to the health care provider, however, the present state-of-the-art in patient management does not provide this sort information.

Philippine Patent No. 1-2014-000155 issued to the same inventor disclosed an apparatus for reducing the risk of developing decubitus ulcers on bedfast or immobile patients and adjunct to the treatment thereof. Said apparatus comprises a bed frame, a plurality of spaced apart pusher assemblies transversely disposed on said bed frame, each said pusher assemblies being defined by a hollow shaft being rotatably secured to said bed frame and pusher members securely held by said shaft. The pusher assemblies are rotated either manually or by a drive motor to rotate the pusher members, wherein said pusher members are arranged alternately such that a mattress placed above the apparatus where immobile patients rest is repetitively reconfigured with the rotation of the pusher members. This approach actually prevents the development of decubitus ulcers or bedsores at the back of the patient or may help in the treatment of such if the patient has already said decubitus ulcers or bedsores.

However, further studies have proven that formation of bedsores is different from patient to patient. For example, bigger or heavier patients are more likely to contract bedsores faster that smaller and lighter patients as the weight adds pressure to the back or other body parts of the patient that are constantly in contact with the bed. Another parameter that may affect the quick formation of decubitus ulcers or bedsores is the temperature and humidity of the environment. Considerable temperature will cause the body to sweat which will hasten the formation of bedsores if not attended to. Since the apparatus of 1-2014-000155 is activated or rotated manually or by using a preset timer, one patient may have to wait until the set time has elapsed, usually between 1 and 2 hours, before the body is flipped by the movement of the pusher members, although movement should have been completed way before the elapsed time. In addition, manual operation of the apparatus involves human intervention that an attending doctor or nurse must be in constant reminder to activate the rotational movement of the pusher members. With this practice, it is not hard to imagine that said attending doctor or nurse may forget or may unintentionally delay the required operation of the apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients that aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention proposes a mechanized bed assembly wherein the rotational movement of the pusher assemblies is initiated by a drive motor which is activated by a programmable controller. The programmable controller obtains input parameters from temperature and moisture sensors provided with the mechanized bed so that activation of the drive motor may be initiated at a faster rate than the pre-set time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanized bed for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients that is provided with a weight monitoring device which is also in communication with the programmable controller, such that the measured weight may be used as a parameter for determining the pre-set time required to activate the drive motor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanized bed for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients wherein the mattress is provided with spaced holes to permit ventilation of the patient’s body from below the mattress. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanized bed for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients that is provided with a blower fan that provides ventilation to the body of the patient through the holes of the mattress. The blower fan is in communication with the programmable controller so that automatic operation thereof is dictated by the input parameters being inputted by the different sensors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanized bed for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients that is provided with tiltable support frame structure to facilitate tilting or inclining and reclining of the pusher assemblies and the mattress that complies with the regulations of hospitals to permit the patient in inclined position without getting up from the mattress.

Before proceeding to a description of the present invention, however, it should be noted and remembered that the description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the invention to the examples (or preferred embodiments) shown and described- This is so because those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be able to devise other forms of this invention within the ambit of the appended claims.

These and other object and advantages of said invention will come to light upon a reading of the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanized bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of the mechanized bed shown without the mattress;

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of a pusher assembly of the mechanized bed assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged isolated view of a pusher member; FIG. 4 is a top view of the mechanized bed shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mechanized bed assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mechanized bed in a tilted configuration;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged and detailed view of the gear connection of the pusher assembly; FIG. 8 is an isolated top plan view of the bed frame with tiltable support structure;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bed frame of FIG. 8 in tilted configuration; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the mechanized bed assembly of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the several views of the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate same parts throughout, shown is the invention for a mechanized bed assembly for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients, the bed assembly generally designated as reference numeral 10. The bed assembly 10 comprises a rectangular bed frame 12 defined by a pair of side frame members 121 and a pair of end frame members 122, corner footings 14 provided at the bottom of the bed frame proximate the corners thereof, a head guard rail 16 on top of one of the end frame members 122 of said rectangular bed frame 12, a foot guard rail 18 on top of the opposite end frame member, and a pair of side guard rails 20 on top of the side frame members 121. As is conventional in hospital beds or beds for patients, the guard rails 16, 18 and 20 can be made removable or foldable as they can be hindrances in facilitating transfer of immobile patients. The corner footings 14 are provided with caster wheels 141 to facilitate easy movement of the bed assembly 10 when necessary, and adjustable foot base 142 when it is necessary to avoid movement of the bed assembly 10 as well as to provide stability when set on uneven floor surface. The rectangular bed frame 12 can also be provided with a meter stick 22 fixed at the side frame member 121.

A plurality of spaced pusher assemblies 24 is arranged transversely within said bed frame 12 and a mattress 26 is provided on top of said plurality of pusher assemblies 24. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, each pusher assembly 24 is defined by a square shaft 28, a plurality of pusher members 30 fixed along the length of said square shaft 28 in a spaced manner, and a pair of pillow blocks 32 supporting the ends of said square shaft. Each pusher member 30 is defined by a generally triangular pusher body 301 having a square hole 302 at the vertex thereof. The square hole 302 is adapted to fit into the square shaft 28 of the pusher assembly 24. Preferably, the triangular pusher body 301 includes an inner body 303 being made of metal and an edge 304 being made of engineering plastic material. Preferably, the inner body 303 is made of light metal such as aluminum.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the spaced pusher assemblies 24 are adapted to be simultaneously rotated by a drive motor 34 through a gear box 36, a drive shaft 38 and a chain link assembly 40 (shown in dotted lines) that connects the drive shaft 38 with the spaced pusher assemblies 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, chain link assembly 40 can be defined by pulleys and belt, but it can also be defined by toothed gears or sprockets 401, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown, the spaced pusher assemblies 24 are arranged in alternating manner, such that, a first row of spaced pusher members 30 is aligned with the spaced pusher members 30 of the third, fifth, seventh rows, etc. and a second row of spaced pusher members 30 is aligned with the spaced pusher members 30 of the fourth, sixth, eighth rows, etc. The triangular shape of each pusher member 30 will provide a different elevation as they rotate, and the alternate arrangement will ensure that every area of the mattress 26 will have altered or moved in alternating pattern for every simultaneous rotation of the pusher assemblies 24 through the drive motor 34.

The spacing of the pusher members 30 can be adjusted to ensure that engagement of the pusher members with the back of the patient is optimized. The chain link assembly 40 is provided with cover plates 402, and the drive motor

34 is provided with a motor cover 341. The cover plates 402 can be made of any suitable material such as stainless steel or rigid plastic.

In accordance with the advantages of the present invention, the drive motor 34 is activated by a programmable controller 42. Unlike the manual rotation of the pusher assemblies of the prior art, or the fixed and preset time activation of the drive motor, the controller 42 of the present invention can be programmed to activate the drive motor through different parameters. As shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10, the bed assembly 10 of the subject invention further includes weight detectors 44 and a temperature sensor 46. In addition, the bed assembly 10 can also include a moisture detector 48 arranged within the bed frame 12 and proximate the mattress 26. The weight detectors 44, temperature sensor 46, and moisture detector 48 are all in electrical communication with the controller 42 and serve to provide input parameters for the activation of the drive motor 34. For example, when the immobile patient is heavier than average, the controller 42 can be programmed to activate the drive motor 34 at a faster rate than ordinary as a bigger individual may be more prone to bedsores than smaller and lighter patients. If the temperature in the room is hotter, the controller 42 can be programmed to activate the drive motor 34 at a faster rate since the patient may sweat faster and sweat may cause faster formation of bedsores. And in case the moisture detector 48 senses moisture or wetness, the controller 42 can be programmed to instantly activate the drive motor 34 to rotate the spaced pusher assemblies 24.

In accordance with another advantage of the present invention, the bed assembly 10 can be further provided with at least one blower fan 50, preferably arranged below the mattress 26 and the mattress 26 is provided with a plurality of spaced ventilating holes 52. Similarly, the at least one blower fan 50 can be activated by the controller 42 using the input parameters from the temperature sensor 46 and the moisture detector 48. When heat and moisture are detected, the controller 42 will activate the blower fan 50 to deliver ventilating air through the spaced ventilating holes 52 of the mattress 26, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 5, thus preventing or reducing formation of bedsores caused by heat and sweat of patients.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the rectangular bed frame 12 further includes a tiltable support frame structure 54 which supports the chain link assembly 40 and the plurality of pusher assemblies 24. The tiltable support frame structure facilitates tilting or inclining and reclining of the pusher assemblies 24 and the mattress 26 that complies with the regulations of hospitals to permit the patient in inclined position without getting up from the mattress. As shown, the tiltable support frame structure 54 includes transverse braces 56 which are linked to gear boxes 58. The gear boxes 58 are linked to a hand wheel 60 which protrudes at the foot portion of the bed frame 12, to facilitate manual tilting of the support frame structure 54.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described herein is exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The invention accordingly includes all the means constituting technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients, the bed assembly (10) comprising a rectangular bed frame (12) defined by a pair of side frame members (121) and a pair of end frame members (122), corner footings (14) provided at the bottom of the bed frame (12) proximate the corners thereof, a plurality of spaced pusher assemblies (24) arranged transversely within said bed frame (12), and a mattress (26) provided on top of said plurality of pusher assemblies (24), each pusher assembly (24) being defined by a square shaft (28), a plurality of pusher members (30) fixed along the length of said square shaft (28) in a spaced manner, and a pair of pillow blocks (32) supporting the ends of said square shaft (28), the spaced pusher assemblies (24) adapted to be simultaneously rotated by a drive motor (34) through a gear box (36), a drive shaft (38) and a chain link assembly (40), the spaced pusher assemblies (24) arranged in alternating manner, such that, every area of the mattress (26) is moved in alternating pattern for every simultaneous rotation of the pusher assemblies (24) through the drive motor (34), characterized in that, a programmable controller (42) controls the activation of said drive motor (34) through different parameters, the bed assembly (10) further comprising weight detectors (44), a temperature sensor (46) and a moisture detector (48) arranged within the bed frame (12) and proximate the mattress (26), wherein the weight detectors (44), temperature sensor (46), and moisture detector (48) are all in electrical communication with the controller (42) and serve to provide input parameters for the activation of the drive motor (34). 2. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein each pusher member (30) is defined by a generally triangular pusher body (301) having a square hole (302) at the vertex thereof adapted to fit into the square shaft (28), said triangular pusher body (301) including an inner body (303) being made of metal and an edge (304) being made of engineering plastic material. 3. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 2, wherein the inner body (303) of said triangular pusher body (301) is made of aluminum.

4. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, further comprising at least one blower fan (50) arranged below the mattress (26), and said mattress

(26) provided with a plurality of spaced ventilating holes (52), said at least one blower fan (50) being activated by the controller (42) using the input parameters from said temperature sensor (46) and said moisture detector (48).

5. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein the corner footings (14) are provided with caster wheels (141) and adjustable foot base (142).

6. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein the rectangular bed frame (12) is provided with a meter stick (22) fixed at the side frame member

(121).

7. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein the chain link assembly (40) is provided with cover plates (402), and the drive motor (34) is provided with a motor cover (341).

8. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 1, wherein the rectangular bed frame (12) further includes a tiltable support frame structure (54) which supports the chain link assembly (40) and the plurality of pusher assemblies (24). 9. The bed assembly (10) for the prevention and the treatment of decubitus ulcers or bedsores on immobile patients according to claim 8, wherein said tiltable support frame structure (54) includes transverse braces (56) which are linked to gear boxes (58), the gear boxes (58) being linked to a hand wheel (60) which protrudes at the foot portion of the bed frame (12), to facilitate manual tilting of the support frame structure (54).