ES2869334T3 - Stretcher - Google Patents

Abstract

Stretcher comprising: - a frame (1), - a rest surface (2) supported on the frame (1) that has an opening (3) in correspondence with the area intended to support the user's trunk, characterized in that the The stretcher additionally comprises: - a support element arranged in the opening (3) that has a contact surface (6, 60) adaptable in height to the shape of the user's trunk, - a height modification device (5, 50) of the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, - one or more pressure sensor(s) (7) located on the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, intended to detect the pressure exerted by the support element on the user's trunk, and - a control unit (8) that receives signals from the pressure sensors (7) and based on them acts on the height modification device (5, 50) of the contact surface (6, 60), modifying the height of the contact surface cto (6, 60) of the support element depending on the pressure and therefore on the shape of the user's trunk.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Stretcher

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a stretcher for people with different trunk shapes, making it ideal for pregnant women or obese people, although it can be applied to all types of people.

The stretcher is designed so that it has a support element whose contact surface is adaptable in height to the shape of the user's trunk in a satisfactory way as a function of the contact pressure of the user on the support element of the stretcher.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Therapeutic treatment of obese, pregnant or with special needs on a stretcher is difficult when they are in the prone position, since the situation is uncomfortable for the patient and sometimes it is impossible to carry out any action on the patient. patient. This situation determines the need for the patient to adopt another position that is not the most appropriate for the treatment that is being carried out on it.

Faced with this problem, there is therefore the need to develop a stretcher that facilitates the adjustment in the appropriate position of part of the volume of the patient, either for example the size of the abdomen or the midsection of the obese patient, pregnant person or with special needs, or the breasts.

In document US7636967 for example a massage table is shown that includes a pair of openings configured to receive the breasts of a person face down on the table.

Document US20130283526 shows a treatment table capable of being used for a massage or providing chiropractic, medical, therapeutic or other treatment to a patient, which includes an upper torso support cushion having a plurality of chest recesses. configured to accommodate breasts; and an abdominal support cushion having a recess configured to accommodate a midsection of an obese person or pregnant woman.

Other solutions contemplate the possibility of adapting the shape and size of the cushion to the shape of the patient's trunk, as is the case of the mattress described in document US5819348, which consists of an adjustable and modular maternity mattress designed to accommodate a pregnant woman, incorporating an inflatable abdominal cushion composed of a series of independently inflatable cells, the overall lengths of which increase as they rise, and in which each cell has an inflator inlet and a deflator outlet.

Document ES2288329 describes a device that incorporates an adaptable balloon or pillow for a filling process with water, air or other non-polluting elements, remotely controlled by an electronic system according to the prescription of the requested service in the areas described as facial, abdominal and back in supine and prone position.

On the other hand, US3988793 shows an inflation ring instead of an inflation cushion that is filled at an air pressure that provides body support that compensates for the heavier weight around the midsection of the patient.

Document US2015 / 128352 discloses a stretcher comprising a frame, a resting surface supported on the frame, a support element having a height-adjustable contact surface. To adjust the height, it comprises an air pump pressure regulator and valves and additionally the stretcher comprises at least one sensor and a control unit that receives the signal from the pressure sensor and acts on the height modification elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The stretcher that constitutes the object of the present invention, as defined in claim 1, is intended for patients who are placed in a prone position on it, and stands out mainly because it incorporates a support element that has a surface of contact that is adaptable in height to the shape of the patient's trunk. For this purpose, the support element incorporates one or more pressure sensor (s) that control / n the pressure exerted on the patient by the support element, to optimally regulate the shape and height that the contact surface will adopt depending on from the shape of the patient's trunk.

The pressure sensor (s) will be / are located in contact with the contact surface of the support element, without ruling out other positions.

In this way, depending on the pressure values obtained, the stretcher is adapted to the different log shapes of the different users of the stretcher, resulting therefore of special application for obese people, pregnant during their different stages of gestation and for people with special needs.

The stretcher incorporates a frame and a resting surface in which an opening is defined in correspondence with the area intended to support the patient's trunk, the support element being arranged in said opening.

The support element may consist of an inflatable cushion provided with an upper surface that constitutes the contact surface. Preferably, the cushion is pneumatic, configured to be inflated with air, but in the same way it can be inflated by another fluid, such as water. Alternatively, the support element can consist of cushions of different diameters and concentric with each other, of a tubular annular configuration that can be elliptical or circular, for example, having an upper face, inner and outer lateral faces and a lower face. , which are provided with relative vertical displacement between them, and where the contact surface of the support element is the upper face of the cushions.

Associated with these support elements, the stretcher also includes a device for modifying the height of the contact surface of the support element.

The stretcher also includes a device for modifying the height of the contact surface of the support element.

In the first case, for the production of the pneumatic cushion, the device for modifying the height of the contact surface of the support element comprises a filling valve and a drain valve connected to the pneumatic cushion and to a compressor.

In this case, the height adjustment of the contact surface of the pneumatic cushion is carried out by regulating the air flow (flow) in the cushion. Both inflation and deflation are controlled. Depending on the pressure determined by the pressure sensors, the compressor acts by introducing or extracting air, thereby regulating the inflation of the cushion.

For this purpose, the stretcher incorporates a control unit that receives signals from the pressure sensors and, depending on them, acts on the device for modifying the height of the contact surface, in this case on the compressor and on the valves. Depending on the pressure values, it sends a command to open or close the valves depending on whether you want to inflate, deflate or keep the air in the air cushion, for example: - Inflate: the filling valve is opened and the turns on the compressor. The drain valve is closed.

- Maintain air: the compressor stops and the filling valve closes. The drain valve is closed.

- Deflate: the compressor stops and the drain valve opens. The filling valve is closed.

The data from the pressure sensors can be displayed on a display device that can be integrated into the stretcher or external, such as a mobile phone. On the other hand, the connection of the sensors with the control unit can be wired or wireless.

The cushion can incorporate one or more air chambers for a better adaptation of the cushion to the trunk of the user of the stretcher. Specifically, it has been envisaged that it could have a single air chamber and a single pressure sensor, or a single air chamber and several sensors, or several air chambers and at least one sensor per air chamber.

For the second embodiment, in which the support element is formed by cushions of different diameters and concentric with each other, the device for modifying the height of the contact surface comprises:

- a pusher designed to push the concentric cushions on their underside,

- a raising and lowering mechanism that acts on the pusher by modifying its height,

- retention elements, which can be tapes, which associate the concentric cushions with each other and facilitate retention between the concentric cushions in their relative downward movement, and are linked to the resting surface preventing the concentric cushions from falling.

Preferably, the pusher is linked to the concentric cushion with a smaller diameter, and comprises two arms arranged in the shape of a cross, long enough to contact the lower face of all the concentric cushions, in such a way that, during the upward movement of the pusher, this pushes the smaller diameter cushion and as the pusher rises it also pushes the rest of the cushions upwards.

On the other hand, in a possible embodiment it has been envisaged that the raising and lowering mechanism incorporates both lateral linear actuators and scissor structures that join the actuators with the pusher, in which the scissor structures transform the horizontal linear movement of the actuators into a vertical movement of the pusher.

The stretcher can work in two modes to control the vertical position or height of the trunk area of the stretcher, it can be done in "manual" or "automatic" mode:

- Manual: the user of the stretcher or the masseuse have two buttons to raise or lower the height of the trunk area of the stretcher. In this way, the user of the stretcher or the masseuse is the one who determines the height of the trunk area of the stretcher based on their needs or comfort. In the same way, it could be done with an additional control or included in the control for raising or lowering the entire stretcher.

- Automatic: through the control unit the vertical position of the trunk area of the stretcher is regulated until the pressure exerted on the user of the stretcher is considered adequate. Once an automatic adjustment has been made, it is possible to carry out a manual adjustment for the comfort of the user of the stretcher or the masseuse.

Thus, the stretcher object of the present invention has a series of advantages, among which the following stand out:

- Improves the ergonomics of both the masseur and the user of the stretcher. The user of the stretcher will rest on their hips and shoulders, but the delicate areas are effortlessly supported.

- It is possible to avoid the overpressures to which people are subjected when they receive massages in the prone position, not compromising the health of the user of the stretcher, nor of the fetus if the user of the stretcher is a pregnant woman.

- Adaptability to different trunk shapes and different stages of gestation, in case the user of the stretcher is a pregnant woman.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the stretcher that incorporates an air cushion. Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the stretcher with the concentric cushions extended.

Figure 3.- Shows a schematic view of the height modification device associated with the pneumatic cushion of the first embodiment.

Figure 4.- Shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the stretcher with the concentric cushions in the upper position retracted.

Figure 5.- Shows a detailed perspective view of the second embodiment in which the pusher linked to the smaller diameter cushion is observed.

Figure 6.- Shows a detailed bottom view of the second embodiment in which the extended cushions are appreciated.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures, two preferred embodiments of the stretcher constituting the object of this invention are described below.

In a general way, it can be seen in Figure 1 or in Figure 2 that the stretcher comprises, for either of the two embodiments represented, a frame (1) that supports a resting surface (2) that has an opening (3) in correspondence with the area intended to support the user's trunk, in which there is a support element that has a contact surface (6, 60) adaptable in height to the shape of the user's trunk.

Likewise, it is observed in said figures that the stretcher has pressure sensors (7) located at different points of the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, intended to detect the pressure exerted by the support element on different points of the user's trunk.

On the other hand, the stretcher incorporates a height modification device (5, 50) of the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, the height modification device (5) being shown in Figure 3 for the first embodiment, and in FIG. 4 the height modification device (50) for the second embodiment. In both cases, the stretcher incorporates a control unit (8) that receives signals from the pressure sensors (7) and, depending on them, acts on the height modification device (5, 50), modifying the height of the surface contact (6, 60) of the support element as a function of the pressure and therefore the shape of the user's trunk.

According to the first embodiment shown in figure 1, the support element comprises an inflatable pneumatic cushion (4) provided with an upper surface that constitutes the contact surface (6), and the height modification device (5 ), shown in figure 3, comprises a filling valve (9), an emptying valve (10) connected to the pneumatic cushion (4), and a compressor (11) to which the filling valve (9) is connected and the drain valve (10).

According to the second embodiment represented in Figures 2 and 4, the support element comprises concentric cushions (40) of different diameters, of tubular annular configuration that have an upper face, inner and outer lateral faces and a lower face, which they are provided with relative vertical displacement between them, and where the contact surface (60) of the support element is the upper face of the concentric cushions (40).

For this second embodiment of the stretcher, the height modification device (50), partially represented in figure 4, comprises a pusher (12), shown in figure 5, intended to push the concentric cushions (40) on its lower face, a lifting and lowering mechanism (13) that acts on the pusher (12) by modifying its height, and retention elements, consisting of tapes (16), represented in figure 5 or 6, which they associate the concentric cushions (40) and facilitate the retention of the concentric cushions (40) with each other during their relative downward movement and their connection with the resting surface (2) to limit their descent in height and prevent their fall.

In figure 5 it can be seen that the pusher (12) is linked to the concentric cushion of smaller diameter and is formed by two arms arranged in the shape of a cross of sufficient length to contact the lower face of all the concentric cushions (40).

On the other hand, the raising and lowering mechanism (13) incorporates two separate lateral linear actuators (14) and scissor structures (15) that join the actuators (14) with the pusher (12), through crossbars (17 ), which are shown in Figure 6, in which the scissor structures (15) transform the horizontal linear movement of the actuators (14) into a vertical movement of the pusher (12).

Claims (14)

1. - Stretcher comprising: - a frame (1), - a resting surface (2) supported on the frame (1) that has an opening (3) in correspondence with the area intended to support the user's trunk, characterized in that the stretcher additionally comprises: - a support element arranged in the opening (3) that has a contact surface (6, 60) adaptable in height to the shape of the user's trunk, - a device for modifying the height (5, 50) of the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, - one or more pressure sensor (s) (7) located on the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element, designed to detect the pressure exerted by the support element on the user's trunk, and - a control unit (8) that receives signals from the pressure sensors (7) and, depending on them, acts on the height modification device (5, 50) of the contact surface (6, 60), modifying the height of the contact surface (6, 60) of the support element as a function of the pressure and therefore of the shape of the user's trunk. 2. - Stretcher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element comprises an inflatable cushion equipped with an upper surface that constitutes the contact surface (6). 3. - Stretcher according to claim 2, characterized in that the inflatable cushion is a pneumatic cushion (4). 4. - Stretcher according to claim 3, characterized in that the height modification device (5) comprises a filling valve (9), an emptying valve (10) connected to the pneumatic cushion (4), and a compressor (11) to which the filling valve (9) and the drain valve (10) are connected. 5. - Stretcher according to claim 3, characterized in that the pneumatic cushion (4) comprises a single air chamber and at least one pressure sensor (7). 6. - Stretcher according to claim 3, characterized in that the pneumatic cushion (4) comprises several air chambers and at least one pressure sensor (7) for each air chamber. 7. - Stretcher according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element comprises concentric cushions (40) of different diameters, of tubular annular configuration that have an upper face, inner and outer lateral faces and lower face, which they are provided with relative vertical displacement between them, and where the contact surface (60) of the support element is the upper face of the concentric cushions (40). 8. - Stretcher according to claim 7, characterized in that each concentric cushion (40) has an elliptical configuration. 9. - Stretcher according to claim 7, characterized in that each concentric cushion (40) has a circular configuration. 10. - Stretcher according to claim 7, characterized in that the height modification device (50) comprises: - a pusher (12) intended to push the concentric cushions (40) on their underside, - a raising and lowering mechanism (13) that acts on the pusher (12) by modifying its height, and - Retention elements that associate the concentric cushions (40) and facilitate the retention of the concentric cushions (40) with each other during their relative downward movement and are linked to the resting surface (2) to limit their descent in height and avoid its downfall. 11. - Stretcher according to claim 10, characterized in that the pusher (12) is linked to the concentric cushion of smaller diameter. 12. - Stretcher according to claim 10, characterized in that the lifting and lowering mechanism (13) comprises respective lateral linear actuators (14) and scissor structures (15) that join the actuators (14) with the pusher ( 12) through crossbars (17), in which the scissor structures (15) transform the horizontal linear movement of the actuators (14) into a vertical movement of the pusher (12). 13. - Stretcher according to claim 10, characterized in that the retention elements are tapes (16). 14. - Stretcher according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the pusher (12) comprises two arms arranged in the shape of a cross of sufficient length to contact the lower face of all concentric cushions (40).