EP4684771A1

EP4684771A1 - Ergonomic assistive device for the mobility of patients with impaired mobility of the lower limbs

Info

Publication number: EP4684771A1
Application number: EP25191987.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raffaella Silvestri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-07-26
Filing date: 2025-07-25
Publication date: 2026-01-28

Abstract

The invention relates to an ergonomic assistive device for the mobility of pediatric and non-pediatric individuals with impaired mobility of the lower limbs, including: a seat (20), a support base (30) for fractured or impaired limbs, wherein the support base (30) for the fractured or impaired limb is connected to the seat (20) to form an integrated support structure (40) for the patient, and the aforementioned support structure (40) for the patient is equipped with an upper side (42) and a lower side (44), wherein a plurality of wheels (50) is mounted on the lower side (44) of the support structure (40) for the patient and it is arranged to facilitate the movement of the patient (10).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ergonomic assistive device for the mobility of pediatric and non-pediatric subjects with impaired mobility of the lower limbs. It is an assistance device for patients, in especially (but not exclusively) children, with any kind of motor deficit (fractures, functional-motor deficits) in the lower limbs.

BACKGROUND

Current seating solutions are not well optimized for the needs of patients with lower limb fractures/motor deficits, especially children. These patients often require specific support for their injured leg(s), as well as tools to facilitate their mobility. Traditional chairs lack adequate orthopaedic support for fractured or impaired limbs as well as easy-to-use movement mechanisms, thus forcing patients or their caregivers to lift or move the patient manually, with the risk of further injury or discomfort. The relevant technical note includes CN212547442 U , US 2011291374 A1 , and CN 108836655 A patent applications. The CN212547442 U patent application relates to a leg and foot protection device for wheelchairs. The device consists of castor wheels and a frame body, which includes a seat and a backrest arranged symmetrically and horizontally in the center of two support frames, in which the mounting seats are arranged symmetrically on support columns on a vertical side of the support frames. The US 2011291374 A1 patent application relates to a wheeled crutch supporting an injured human lower limb, with the injured limb stretched forward in front of the user who uses it while standing. The CN 108836655 A patent application relates to a wheelchair with an assistance function for an orthopaedic patient. One of the goals of the present invention is therefore to solve these issues by providing an integrated solution for the support and mobility of patients, especially children with fractures / motor deficits in the lower limbs. This device would allow the child to move independently. A further purpose of the invention is to provide an assistive device with high ergonomics.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide an assistive device that can be easily managed both in a hospital environment and in a domestic environment. Last but not least, the invention also aims to achieve the above-mentioned results in a practical and economical way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned purposes are achieved thanks to an assistive device for patients with fractures/motor deficits in the lower limbs including:- a seat;- a single or double support base for the fractured or impaired lower limb (or limbs);- the support base is connected to the seat to form an integrated support structure for the patient;- the aforementioned patient's support structure has an upper side and a lower side; and wherein- a plurality of wheels is mounted on the lower side of the support structure for the patient, these wheels being shaped to make easier to move the patient without having to lift the assistive device. An advantage of the invention is that the integrated support structure of the ergonomic assistive device combines a support base and a seat for the patient, providing continuous ergonomic support for sitting, both for the injured limb(s) or for the limb with motor deficits. The plurality of wheels facilitates the mobility of the assistive device, allowing the patient to move independently or to be moved about easily without having to be lifted, thereby reducing the risk of further injuries.
Furthermore, in pediatric patients, the device allows the child to independently use the potty instead of the toilet. In fact, given its handiness and limited height from the ground, the child can easily move the torso by leaning on their arms, thus minimizing the movement of the leg(s) from the device.
According to one implementation of the invention, the support base for the fractured limb/ or for limbs with motor deficits features the seat's asymmetrical configuration so as to leave space for the healthy lower limb if only one limb is affected by fracture/deficits.
One advantage of the asymmetrical configuration of the support base with regards to the seat is that it provides free space for the healthy limb, thus allowing the patient to maintain a more natural and comfortable posture, improving circulation and reducing the possibility of further discomfort. Another advantage of the asymmetrical configuration is that it allows the healthy limb to move, thus keeping muscle mobility and tone active and push the device for independent mobility to prevent the limb from slipping to the ground. The device features, at the base of support for the fractured/impaired limb, side rails designed to prevent the limb from slipping to the ground.
Advantageously, the rails provide lateral support to the fractured/impaired limb, preventing unwanted movements or tilting, contributing to faster and more stable healing.
This reduces the need for additional supports or bandages.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the side rails could be removable from the aforementioned support base for the fractured limb.
The possibility to remove the rails from the support base offers more flexibility, allowing to adjust the device to the patient's specific needs during different moments of their healing process, thus improving the versatility of the orthopaedic device.
Further features of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will be clarified by the following description provided by way of example and not limitation, with the aid of the figures illustrated in the attached table, in which:

Fig. 1 shows, in an axonometric view from above, an ergonomic assistive device for the mobility of pediatric and non-pediatric subjects with impaired mobility of the lower limbs, according to one implementation of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows, in an axonometric view from below, the device shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows, in an axonometric view from above, a variant of the device of the invention; and
Fig. 4 shows, in an axonometric view from below, the device of Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described with particular regard to the attached figures, where an ergonomic auxiliary device is shown, according to one implementation of the invention, comprehensively designated by reference number 10.
Fig. 1 also shows orthopaedic chair 10, which includes seat 20, backrest 25, and support base 30 for the fractured/impaired limb.
In the example shown in Fig. 1, the seat is placed on the upper side 42 of the support structure 40. Seat 20 stretches out along two dimensions and is positioned perpendicular to backrest 25.Although seat 20 shown in Fig. 1 has a square base, the base can also take other shapes, such as rectangular or circular.
As shown in Fig. 1, support base 30 is also arranged on upper side 42 of support structure 40 and it is in contact with seat 20. The base 30 extends along one of the two dimensions of seat 20, so as to form an integrated support structure for the patient, in such a way that the support base 30 is arranged parallel and adjacent to the seat 20.Again, with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the seat 20 has an upper surface arranged to accommodate the patient's seat, and base 30 has an upper portion to accommodate at least one leg of the patient.
With reference to Fig. 2, the support structure 40 includes a lower side 44, which in turn includes a lower face of the seat 20 and a lower portion of the base 30. Therefore, the lower face of the seat 20 and the lower portion of the base 30 represent an integrated structural continuum i.e., they are integrated into a single piece.
As an option, seat 20 and base 30 can be bolted, screwed, welded, or integrated into each other so to form a single support structure for the leg and to allow the patient to sit. As the figures show, both seat 20 and base 30extend parallel to the ground. In this way, unlike ordinary wheelchairs, the patient can keep their leg parallel to the ground and avoid bending their knee. Furthermore, it is particularly important to note that the position with the leg outstretched and parallel to the ground reduces the risk for pediatric patients to attempt to put their feet on the ground to get out of the chair, an action which could jeopardize their recovery. In one example, the distance (height) between the lower side 44 and the ground is equal to twice the diameter of a wheel of the plurality of wheels 50.In other examples, the distance between the lower side 44 and the ground is equal to the sum between the diameter of one wheel of the plurality of wheels 50 and the height of a quick coupling/release system of said wheels. This distance preferably falls between 2 cm and 20 cm, depending on the terrain and the wheels 50 used. This ensures that seat 20 is low, unlike the seat of a standard wheelchair. Low seat 20 of the present invention and base 30 provide an integrated support structure 40 placed at a height from the ground that allows the patient, particularly pediatric patients, to move independently, becoming able to move device 10 either by using their hands or by pushing it with their healthy lower limb. Conveniently, the device 10 has no bulky parts and can be free of knobs for movement by third parties, promoting the functional recovery of the patient and stimulating their autonomy.
According to one implementation of the invention, support base 30 for the fractured/impaired limb is connected to seat 20 of the auxiliary device 10 by means of 7 to 20 screws to form an integrated support structure 40 for the patient. The support structure 40 for the patient has an upper side 42 and a lower side 44. The wheels 50, which are quick-release interchangeable and have different diameters depending on the type of terrain/pavement, are mounted on the lower side 44 of the support structure 40 for the patient and are configured to facilitate the movement of the patient, without requiring chair 10 to be lifted. The patient can therefore push themselves with their hands alone or with their healthy limb, independently. Specifically, the support base 30 for the fractured limb can be either asymmetrical with regards to the seat so as to leave a free space for the healthy lower limb, or symmetrical with regards to the seat, in the event that both lower limbs are fractured/impaired. This fact allows three types of orthopaedic chair 10, all included in the general concept of the invention, namely a right-hand version, designed to support a fractured/impaired right lower limb, and leaving free space for the healthy left lower limb; a left-hand version, designed to support a fractured/impaired left lower limb, leaving space for the healthy right lower limb; and a central version, designed to support both lower limbs that are fractured/impaired, while leaving in all cases the possibility of mobility via the upper limbs. These three versions guarantee ergonomic support for all three types of patients, reducing the risk of further lesions and improving their mobility and comfort. In one example, the base 30 stretches out from the seat 20 towards a direction which moves away from the backrest 25, from a first end to a second end in which the second end of the base 30 is tapered.
The tapering process is such as to allow for the support of the only leg to be kept unloaded, or in a position almost parallel to the ground, leaving free space for the healthy leg, with which the patient can move device 10. At the base of support 30 for the fractured/impaired limb, there are side rails 32,34, designed to provide lateral support for the fractured/impaired limbs.
The rail 32 on the side of the fractured/impaired limb is preferably higher than the opposite rail 34 on the side of the healthy limb.
The rail 32 which is higher on the side of the fractured/impaired limb provides additional support and greater protection for the injured limb, while rail 34, which is lower on the side of the healthy limb, allows for greater freedom of movement, improving overall comfort.
Furthermore, the side rails 32, 34 can be removed from the base 30 of the support for the fractured/impaired limb. Specifically, side rail 32 has a 32' hole to facilitate transportation of the device. Device 10 has at least three wheels 50 mounted on the lower side 44 of the support structure 40 for the patient. Furthermore, at least one (the front one) of the at least three wheels 50 mounted on the lower side 44 of the support structure 40 for the patient is steerable. The three wheels 50 mounted on the lower side 44 of support structure 40 for the patient can be removed by use of quick coupling/release systems or screw mechanisms and replaced with wheels suitable for other floors/ surfaces.
For greater comfort, the device 10 can be equipped with an ergonomic reclining backrest, complete with a single padding 80 from the backrest to the leg support, but it can also include padding that can be mounted individually or in the most suitable combination for the patient, i.e., for backrest, seat, and leg(s).
Fig. 3 shows, in an axonometric view from above, a variant of the device of the invention.
In this case, as mentioned above, the invention presents a central version of the device, globally referred to as reference number 10', designed to support both fractured/impaired lower limbs, while leaving unaffected the possibility of mobility via the upper limbs. This version therefore features a support structure 40 for the patient equipped with an upper side 42' and a lower side 44' sufficiently outstretched as to support both patient's fractured/impaired lower limbs. Furthermore, this version features a 25' curved backrest to improve the patient's comfort.
There is also a tilting rod 70 (with optional handle) enabling a person other than the patient to push the device 10' and the rod 70 can be retracted into a housing 72.
Fig. 4 shows, in an axonometric view from below, the device of Fig. 3.
The device 10' can also be equipped with a small table that can be attached to the seat for eating or writing (not shown for simplicity). The invention as described may be modified or improved for occasional or specific reasons without deviating from the purpose of the invention.

Claims

An ergonomic assistive device (10) for patients with lower limb fractures including:
- a seat (20);

- a support base (30) for the fractured/impaired lower limb; wherein
the support base (30) is connected to the seat (20) to form an integrated support structure (40) for the patient; and

the aforementioned support structure (40) for the patient is equipped with an upper side (42) and a lower side (44); and wherein

a plurality of wheels (50) is mounted on the lower side (44) of the support structure (40) for the patient, the aforementioned wheels (50) being configured to facilitate the movement of the patient without having to lift the device (10).
The device of claim 1, wherein the support base (30) for the fractured/impaired lower limb has an asymmetrical configuration, so as to leave a free space for the healthy lower limb, symmetrical to the seat (20).
The device of claim 1, wherein the support base (30) for the fractured/impaired lower limb is symmetrical to the seat (20), so as to receive both of the patient's limbs.
The device of claim 1, wherein at the base of the support base (30) for the fractured/impaired lower limb there are side rails (32, 34) designed to laterally support the fractured/impaired lower limb.
The device of the preceding claim, wherein the rail (32) located on the side of the fractured/impaired limb is higher than the opposite rail (34) placed on the side of the healthy limb.
The device of claim 4, wherein the side rail (32) has a hole acting as a carrying handle.
The device of claim 1, wherein there is a tilting rod (70) enabling a person other than the patient to push the device, wherein the rod (70) is retractable into a housing(72).
The device of claim 1, in which a small table can be attached to the seat for eating or writing.
The device of claim 1, wherein at least three wheels (50) are mounted on the lower side (44) of the support structure 40 for the patient.
The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the at least three wheels (50) mounted on the lower side (44) of the support structure (40) for the patient is steerable.
The device of claim 9, wherein the at least three wheels (50) mounted on the lower side (44) of the support structure (40) for the patient are removable by means of quick coupling/release systems or screw mechanisms.