FR2559056A1 - TRANSFER DEVICE INTENDED PARTICULARLY FOR HOSPITAL TRANSFER OF PATIENTS AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

ADVANCED PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE AND KIT INCLUDING THIS DEVICE AND SLEEPING SURFACE FOR EASY TRANSFER OF A PATIENT FROM ONE SUPPORT TO ANOTHER. THE PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE 10 INCLUDES A RECTANGULAR CENTRAL SECTION 11 IN PLASTIC MATERIAL PROVIDED WITH OPENINGS 12 WHICH MAKES IT EXTENDABLE IN AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION, AND WHICH PRESENTS A LOWER SURFACE WITH LOW FRICTION COEFFICIENT. AT LEAST ONE EXTENSION SECTION 14 IS ARTICULATED TO ONE OF THE LARGE SIDES OF THE CENTRAL SECTION. HANDLES 16, 17 ARE PROVIDED FOR GRABING THE TRANSFER DEVICE AND MOVING IT. THE SLEEPING SURFACE 1 CONSISTS OF TWO FLEXIBLE SECTIONS 2, 8 OF A SINGLE END, THE FIRST OF WHICH HAS THE HEAD PARTS 3 AND FEET 4 OF GREATER THICKNESS THAN THE CENTRAL PART 5. THE SECOND SECTION 8 IS PERMEABLE TO GAS AND TO LIQUIDS, AND IT FITS ON CENTRAL PART 5 OF FIRST SECTION TO FORM A SLEEPING SURFACE OF UNIFORM THICKNESS.

Description

The present invention relates to transfer devices and

  assemblies comprising such a device as well as a sleeping surface, in particular, for

  to be used in a hospital setting.

  When admitted to a hospital or a

  other care facility for patients, the patients

  generally a variety of transfers from one

  face or a patient support to another surface or to another support. Since most of the time spent in such environments is spent in a hospital bed, frequent transfers to a bed or bed, where the patient spends prolonged periods, are frequently performed. . Typically, a patient arriving at a hospital may initially be transferred to a wheeled stretcher and then to a hospital bed. It may be necessary

  to then make transfers to or from sur-

  X-ray faces, operating tables, scales,

  examination surfaces or other hospital supports.

  These transfers frequently involve a displacement of one

  surface of a certain width to a surface of another

  for example, from a stretcher to a hospital bed in a

surgical service.

  Transferring patients to hospitals and patient care environments requires a lot of

  time and effort and usually requires the intervention of

  two or more members of the hospital staff,

  who are thus removed from their duties and responsibilities.

  during normal times. Transport of patients requiring uninterrupted access to life support devices frequently requires that these devices be moved or transported at the same time as the patient

  and these transfers can be complicated and troublesome.

  Patients and hospital staff may experience undesirable movements that may result in injury or, in the case of the patient, excessive inconvenience or inconvenience. The continual insertion and removal of a temporary transfer surface accentuates the suffering

and patient discomfort.

  Frequent transfers of patients to

  usually used patient faces or supports

  the risk of transmission of infections' (loss of control of septic status) and increase

  cleaning of the hospital, for example, by requiring a change in

  more frequent bed sheets of the patient.

  An object of the present invention is therefore to facilitate

  the transfers suffered by an inpatient.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  an advanced patient transfer device that can be used by a single person from the hospital staff to transfer a patient from a patient support

to another.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  a sleeping surface that is light but complies

  table and that can be easily transferred from a support

  from one patient to another and can be used in combination

  its with the transfer device according to the invention.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  a sleeping surface combined with a patient transfer device which can be easily transferred from a patient support to another support and also a

  support from one width to another with a

different kind.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  a combined assembly comprising a coating surface

  and a patient transfer device that can be equipped with life support devices of the patient and that can be easily transferred with such devices.

life support fixed on him.

  Another object of the present invention is to

  a single sleeping surface that can be

  to a single patient upon admission to the hospital or other care facility and who is

  with the patient during his entire stay in this establishment.

  is lying. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is directed to a patient transfer device capable of easily passing a patient from a surface or a carrier to another surface or another

  support. It consists of a central section in

  plastic frame, rectangular in shape.-LTa section

  central has a sleeping surface or surface area

  ception of the upper patient and a bottom surface substantially parallel and adapted to move adjacent to a patient support. The bottom surface has

  features of low coefficient of friction that allow

  make it easy for the device to be

  patient port to another. The central section has a series of openings and is preferably at least partly made of, for example, a plastic fabric

  which is extensible in at least one direction and preferably

in two directions.

  In a position adjacent to one of the long sides of the central section, there is at least one section and preferably two extension sections which are attached thereto.

  central section by mobile links.

  Means for gripping are provided for printing a

  movement to the transfer device.

  The extension sections of the transfer device may be provided with slotted portions designed to pass

  protruding patient supports when the sec-

  extensions are moved in relation to the section

centrale.-

  Handles can be attached to the device

  transfer or may have come from subject matter with this

  tif. Handles can also be placed on

  one or more end parts of the central section

trale or extension sections.

, 59056

  The transfer device can be used in

  combination with a sleeping surface easily moved

  can be placed on this device or attached to it. The

  transfer device is preferably used in combination with

  its with a sleeping surface that can be easily

  transferred from a patient support to another patient support

  is holding. The sleeping surface is constructed of materials light enough to allow easy transfer and

  it comprises two flexible sections in one piece suitable for

  to form a surface that has a generally

  uniformly and rectangular upper and lower surfaces. The first section includes a head portion, a foot portion and a central portion. The head and foot portions have a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the central portion. The second section is made of a material capable of being passed through by the gases and capable of allowing liquids located on

  its upper surface to flow through, from top to bottom.

  The second section is intended to adjust to the

  center of the first section and in an adjacent position

  to this one and it can be easily separated for

  replacement, cleaning and equivalent. When the

  section is placed in the central part of the first

  In the first section, the sleeping surface has a thickness that is approximately uniform throughout its entire extent. In this set

  combined the sleeping surface rests on the upper surface

  of said patient transfer device such that said sleeping surface moves in parallel

  device-transfer device when it is im-

  premium a movement. In this way, it is possible to

  to have a light but comfortable sleeping surface that

  can be attributed to a single patient during the entire

lity of his hospital stay.

  The upper surface of the patient transfer device may be removably attached to the lower surface of said first section of said coating surface. The life support devices may be placed close to the patient by attaching or mounting these devices directly to the coating surface or the transfer device, or to fixed mounting modules at the coating surface, the transfer device or at

  seems of this surface and this device.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will appear in the following description.

  In the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a

  sleeping surface and a device for transferring

according to the invention.

  FIG. Fig. 2 is a top view of a patient transfer device according to the present invention; 3A and 3B are perspective views

  of a combined sleeping surface assembly and

  tif of patient transfer while it is used consistently

  the invention for transferring a patient from a

  patient at a stretcher with wheels.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the surface

  this coating and the patient transfer device according to the invention used on a stretcher with wheels, - FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the patient's sleeping surface and transfer device

  according to the invention, in combination with a variety of

  positive life support devices adapted to be mounted on the-

  said sleeping surface; FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a hospital bed that can be used in combination with the sleeping surface and the patient transfer device

according to the invention.

  According to the present invention, an improved coating surface and a device for transferring

  advanced patient. The sleeping surface and the

  Tif transfer are shown in Figs. 1 and 3A to 5 in combination with different aspects of use. Fig.2 shows the transfer device alone and Fig.6

  represents a bed on which the sleeping surface and the

  Positive transfer can be used.

  In Figure 1, the sleeping surface

  it is represented as a whole in 1. The surface

  takes a first flexible section 2 in one piece. The first section has three parts, namely a head portion 3, a foot portion 4 and a central portion 5. The section 2 has a flexible lower surface, approximately horizontal, adapted to be placed on a patient support such as a bed, a stretcher or an examination table, and

against this support.

  The leading portion 3 and the foot portion 4 of the first

  section 2 of the sleeping surface, have a

  thicker than the thickness of the central part

  5. Typically, the thickness of the head part 3 and

  the foot part 4 will be about 50 mm but this thick

  may vary according to the particular building materials

  used and according to the particular end use

  to which the sleeping surface is intended.

  The first section 2 of the sleeping surface can be made of a wide variety of materials normally used in the construction of sleeping surfaces or

  mattress. The outer cladding of section 2 is

  made of a flexible plastic material such as

  as vinyl, nylon or urethane. The outer coating

  Section 2 is in its most preferred form an opaque vinyl material. The inner padding 6 of the

  first surface of section 2 may be constituted by a

  any appropriate condition that gives a certain level of comfort and support to a patient placed on the sleeping surface. The inner padding 6 is preferably foam and, in a particularly preferred construction,

a urethane foam.

  Central part 5 of section 2 is of

  significantly lower than that of the head part 3 or

  of the feet part 4. The central part 5 is preferably

  made of the same material as the coating used to

  head part 3 and part of feet 4. In addition, the part

  The central section 5 is preferably contiguous with the inner cladding.

  of the head and foot parts 3 and 4 and only one

  the room with this lower covering. Alternatively, the

  5 may contain padding or other

  SPECT. The upper surface of the central portion 5 and the adjacent vertical surfaces of the head portion 3 and

  the part of feet 4 are preferably impermeable to

  LIQUIDS. The central part 5 can be equipped with means of

  fastener 7 for fixing the second section 8 of the

  coating face 1 in a position above the central portion 5 of the first section 2 of the surface of

  sleeping 1 and it is adjacent to this central part.

  Fastening means 7 are preferably a close button.

  sion or eyelet, which is built to cooperate and enter

  engaged in order to secure the fastening, with a button

  or a corresponding eyelet (not shown) attached to the lower surface (not shown) of the second section 8 of the coating surface 1 and fastening means (not shown) are also fixed, projecting downwards,

  to the lower lining of the first section 2 of the over-

  coating face 1, to engage with fastening means 13 of the transfer device 10. In addition, the fastening means 7 could be another device such as

  Velcro fastening tape or other means of fastening

any appropriate

  The second section 8 of the sleeping surface 1 is

  a flexible, one-piece section built for cooperation

  adjust with the first section 2 to form a

  lying surface 1 having a substantially uniform thickness

  form. Section 8 has about the same shape (that is,

  the same perimeter) as the central part 5 of the first

  first section 2. Preferably, the second section 8 is

  square or rectangular shape and extends over the entire

  Sleeping surface 1. The second section 8 and the central portion 5 of the first section 2 together have a total thickness which is generally equal to the thickness

  of the head part 3 and the foot part 4 of the first

  first section. It goes without saying that although the thickness of the

  The sleeping surface 1 is generally uniform, it is possible

  aiming to make changes to the thickness of any part of the sleeping surface 1 to fit parts of the body, or that can be brought to the surface

  sleeping 1 any other custom modification.

  The second section 8 of the sleeping surface 1 is made of a flexible material. This material is capable of allowing the gases to pass through the second section 8 in the direction leading to or coming from its upper surface.

  upper surface. The material is also capable of

  liquids on the upper surface of the

  8, flow in a generally downward direction,

  towards the bottom surface of Section 8. In a general way,

  neral, these liquids will gather in the area of the

  lower face of the second section 8 and the upper surface

  of the central portion 5 of the first section 2, where the liquids can be easily cleaned or removed. The second section 8 is preferably made of foam and, in a particularly preferred construction, a cross-linked polyurethane foam with open cells, which is washable.

  and recyclable. The ability of this material to breathe (ie

  to let the gases pass through the material in the direction

  to its upper surface) or from that sur-

  upper side) and wicking liquids (ie letting the liquids pass in a generally downward direction towards the lower surface of the material) helps to reduce the risk of infection in bed decubitus (bedsores) and other adverse conditions that may occur when a patient is lying on

  a conventional sleeping surface coated with plastic material

  only for a prolonged period.

  In a variant, the material of which section 8 is made

  could be a disposable material.

  The sleeping surface 1 may be provided with any hospital bed sheets appropriate to the condition of the patient. In FIG. 1, an adjusted sheet (a fitted sheet) 9 is shown above the coating surface 1. It is envisaged that the fitted sheet 9 will be placed in a position which covers the upper and lateral faces of the coating surface 1 after the implementation of section 8. The fitted sheet 9 is

  folded to cover part of the outer perimeter

  The cover sheet 9 is held in place, for example, by an elastic band (not shown) sewn into the fitted sheet 9. The sleeping surface 1 may be of any suitable dimensions in length and width. Typically, the surface

  bed 1 will have a width compatible with a bed of hOpi-

  conventional tal, for example a width of about 91 cm. We

  may also consider that the sleeping surface 1 possesses

  gripping means, for example handles (not shown).

  sent from one piece with her or attached to it. In modern hospital beds, electric or manually operated, the surface of the bed frame can

  typically be positioned in an orientation other than

  not rectilinear orientation. For example, the surface of the

  mature the bed can have a head part or a part of

  which can be raised or lowered in relation to the

  rizontale. Alternatively, the surface of the bed frame can be placed in a contoured position, in which

  parts of the frame surface of the bed are in a

  rite of orientations in relation to the horizontal. With mattresses in normal hospital beds, moving the bed frame surface away from a rectilinear orientation results in compression or compression

  mattress which causes additional discomfort for the

  holds, especially when the patient remains in this position for a prolonged period. The surface

  Sleeping means less cups

  compression and, in this way, gives comfort

additional to the patient.

The sleeping surface can be

  used alone or in combination with the trans-

  according to the invention. When used alone, the coating surface according to the invention can be used to

  replace a normal mattress or a normal domestic bed. Lors-

  that it is used in this way, the sleeping surface according to the invention makes it possible to replace the normal mattress (which

  is usually about 125 mm thick) by a

  telas much thinner (eg about 75 mm

  thickness) while allowing better mobility of the upper sleeping surface and to obtain better access to this surface, and to give greater comfort to

the user.

  As can be seen by referring to FIG. 1, the

  The patient transfer device according to the present invention is generally designated 10. The device comprises a central section 11 of generally rectangular shape made of plastics material. The central section 11 has an upper receiving surface of generally flat shape and a surface

  less than flat, roughly parallel to the sur-

  upper face and adapted to be adjacent to another

  surface, for example to a patient support. The central section

  It has a series of apertures 12 which make the central section extensible in at least one direction and preferably in two directions. Preferably, the section

  It is composed of a woven material or the

  let, for example a mesh material based on polyethylene.

  The fastening means 13 are shown distributed over the upper surface of the central section 11. Any suitable fastening device can be used.

  (as discussed above in connection with the means of

  xation 7). The fastening means 13 are constructed to

  to puncture and engage for fixation with means of 2d59056 it

  additional fastenings (not shown) provided on the

  lower garment of the first section 2 of the sleeping surface 1. The lower surface of the central section 11 (and extension sections 14) is composed of a low friction material, i.e. of a material

  having a coefficient of friction sufficiently low to

  make it easy to transfer the transfer device

  patient according to the invention from a patient support to a patient

be.

  The patient transfer device 10 comprises

  also at least one, and preferably two, section (s) of

  14. This section or sections is or is adjacent to

  (s) at one or both sides of the section

  central of rectangular general shape and is or are

* Stained (s) movably to this section 15. Said or said extension section (s) 14 is or are capable (s) of movement relative to the central section 11. The sections

  14 are preferably fixed in a

  in the middle section 11 and able to turn around

  an axis which constitutes the joining edge between the

  11 and the extension sections 14. FIGS. 1

  and 2 show the central section ll and the extension section

  14 in horizontal relative positions. Fig.4 shows an extension section 14 raised in one position

  approximately perpendicular to the central section

the 11th.

  The extension sections 14 may be made of any suitable material provided that this material

  gives them sufficient strength to facilitate -trans-

  patient's fertility. Extension sections 14 are preferably

  made of linear polyethylene. It is expected that the patient transfer device 10 will also include means for grasping the transfer device.

  to give him a movement. The setting means 16 can

  wind preferably be handles come from material with

  extension section 14 or attached to this section.

  Alternatively, openings could be provided

  in extension section 14 to serve as a means of

  is. In addition, it is envisaged that gripping means may be integral with the central portion 11 or attached to this central portion. Such a form of embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a small portion of the central section 11 is made of a solid material, for example solid linear polyethylene. It can be provided means

  additional shots (not shown) that can be

  removably to the transfer device. For example,

  we can fix units that extend along the length

  the transfer device to move the patient. In this way, patient transport is facilitated over

great distances.

  Extension sections 14 can also be

  provided with cuts or notches 18 arranged along their length.

  These cuts or notches may be designed to cooperate with protrusions provided on patient supports, for example

  example, with side rails of a stretcher, for

  put a relative displacement. This is exposed with more than

  details in the part of the description relating to FIG.

  The central section ll and the extension sections

  14 are movably fixed at 15. This ring surface

  this joint can be constructed in any way

  appropriate. The seal or articulation 15 is preferably

  made of a cotton or canvas tube which is sewn at the central portion 11 and the extension section 14, or

  it is made of a plastic material, for example polyethylene

  and it is in one piece with those sections adjoining

  11 and 14 or attached to these adjacent sections. Gasket

  or the articulation 15 preferably extends over the entire length

  transfer device 10. In general, it is

  since the materials used for the construction of the pre-

  this invention may be capable of retarding fire or

  may have other physical properties that are generally

  usually desirable for a hospital or other environ-

care.

  Although it is preferable that the transmission device

  patient in accordance with the present invention can be used

  In combination with the sleeping surface as described above, it is also envisioned that the device

  advanced transfer system, can be used generically

  with any sleeping surface or any mattress light enough for easy transfer

convenient to patients.

  Figs. 3A and 3B show the sleeping surface and the patient transfer device according to the invention used in combination to enable rapid transfer of a patient from a patient support (not shown), for example, a bed of The sleeping surface, which is covered with a fitted sheet, is shown at 20. The patient is easily transferred from the patient support to the patient.

  trolley 19 by the force of a single nurse who uses

  take the grips 16 and pull the patient and the sleeping surface on the cart without interposing any surface of

  transfer or otherwise disturb the patient. Fig. 4 shows a patient who has been transferred to a rolling cart

19. Extension sections 14 of

  transfer device 10 are shown in an orientation

  approximately vertical and the notches 18 are

  to cooperate with the guardrail 21 to allow

  raise the guardrail 21 in a safety position of the

  is holding. The parts of the flexible coating surface coated

  20 which were adjacent to the extension sections 14 when the latter were horizontal are now placed in a raised orientation, which gives the patient additional padding and protection. When the

  extension sections 14 are folded into a green position

  downwardly and that the coating surface 20 coated with a sheet is straightened as shown, the effective width of the entire coating surface / transfer device has been reduced to about the width of the carriage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of

this cart is about 60 cm.

  In FIG. 5, the whole composed of the surface of

  sleeping and patient transfer device according to the

  vention is shown in combination with a variety of life support equipment or apparatus. To reduce the number of people required to transfer a patient and to increase physical control of the means of support

  during the transfer (for example to avoid

  uncontrolled maintenance devices during transfer, or to provide more space in limited areas such as elevators), the present invention provides in combination the patient transfer device of the present invention as described above. , with the

  sleeping surface as described above (or other

  sleeping surface) and at least one life support device.

  It is contemplated that at least one life support device is attached or mounted, either directly on the sleeping surface or on the patient transfer device (not shown), or on support means attached or mounted on the surface. Sleeping. This apparatus or life support apparatus may be fixed directly to the sleeping surface by any suitable means. The device

  contemplated life support may be constituted by

  dules or shells 22a, b. Each of these modules or shells is adapted to be fixed by a detachable connection to the

  sleeping surface, transfer device or

  combination composed of this surface and this device. The module 22a comprises an upper surface configured to

  maintain or support one or more hand-held

  keep alive. For example, a cell 23 is configuration

  suitable for supporting syringe pumps 24, a

  vole 25 is of suitable configuration to support a unit 26. The lower surface 27 of the module 22a is joined to the upper section 23, 25, by a vertical member 28 forming a module or unitary shell. The module 22a is fixed to the coating surface by the insertion of locking means 29 into an opening 30 and by rotation of the locking means. Any suitable locking means may be used. The module 22a is placed on the coating surface so that its upper part rests on the coating surface in the region designated as a whole by 31. The module 22a is of configuration

  such that the head of a patient can be placed in a

General in Area 32.

  A similar module 22b can be placed in the region of the feet or legs of the patient and this module rests on the sleeping surface in the region indicated generally by the trace 33. The module 22b is of a configuration such that the feet or the legs of the patient may be placed generally in regions 34a, 34b. The module 22b is of configuration similar to that of the module 22a and it

  is fixed to the sleeping surface in the same way as the

  dule 22a The module 22b may be of suitable configuration to hold, for example, a life support device such as

  that flow-collecting devices 35, a bottle of

  oxygen 36, pumps or control members 37, a pump 38 and infusion bottles or containers 39.

  Fig. 6 represents a hospital bed 40 in combination with

  with which, the improved sleeping surface and the

  advanced patient transfer device according to the

  vention can be used. The bed is preferably of the type described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 06 / 454,000. on December 28, 1982, in which there is provided a series of sets 41 of force distribution, type to

  levers to support the patient on transverse slats

  42, the description of which is incorporated in this

  by reference. Each set 41 comprises a pair of lever modules 43 spaced transversely (only one lever module 43 of each set 41 being shown in Fig.6). Each lever module comprises a first lever 44 that can oscillate about a first transversely extending axis 45, which is disposed between the ends of the first lever, and a pair of second levers 46 mounted to oscillate on the first lever, from and further the first axis 45. In addition, four third levers 47 are mounted oscillating on the ends of the second levers 46. Slats 42 are mounted oscillating at the ends of the

  third levers. Such a mechanism for allocating

  these gives the patient a high degree of comfort, so he

  it is not necessary to use a thick mattress. On the contrary

  a replacement foam cushion can be used instead.

latively thin and light.

  The bed described in FIG. 6 comprises an armature and a series of support assemblies mounted on this armature and

  spaced in the front-back direction of the bed. Each set

  The carrier includes a series of elongate support members extending transversely to said direction.

  fore-aft and spaced in this direction before-

  rear, and a pair of modules at the spaced spacers transver-

  Salty, which carry the ends; Dosages said transverse support elements. Each 3 'ejiers module includes a

  first lever that can oscillate beyond the first axis.

  transversely extending and disposed between these ends and a pair of second levers mounted on the first lever

  on either side of the first axis, each of the second

  viers can oscillate relative to the first lever around a

  second transversely extending axis which is disposed

  these ends. The first and second levers of

  that lever module of said pair of modules can oscillate

  relative to the first and second levers correspon-

  respectively, of the other lever module of said pair. The frame comprises a fixed seat section, a head section and a thigh section, which are mounted by hinges at opposite ends of said section.

  forming a seat, and a leg section connected by a joint

  tion to said thigh section. Means are provided for

  rotate the head, thigh and leg sections

  port to the headquarters section. The support assemblies are mounted

  on said sections, head, thighs and legs. Each set

  The support consists of a series of slats that extend

  versalement to the front-rear direction of the bed and a pair of transversely spaced lever modules which bear the opposite ends of said slats. Each lever module

  includes a first lever that can oscillate around a first

  first axis extending transversely, arranged between these

  tremities, and a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever, on either side of said first axis. Each

  second levers may oscillate with respect to said first

  first levers around a second transverse axis extending

  which is arranged between these ends. A pair of

  third levers is mounted on each of the second

  on both sides of the second axis. Each of the three

  lever seats can oscillate relative to the second levers,

  around a third axis extending transversely,

  between its ends. Two of the slats are mounted on each

  one of the third levers. Each slat can oscillate relative to said third levers, around a fourth axis extending transversely. The first, second and third levers of each lever module of the pair of modules can rotate relative to the first, second

  and corresponding third levers, respectively, of the

  lever module of the pair of modules.

  When the combined assembly formed of the surface of cou-

  and the patient transfer device according to the invention.

  tion, are used in combination with such a bed, one obtains

  holds a suitable hospital bed unit in a new way

  the. The central section 11 of the transfer device 10 is sufficiently flexible or expandable to accommodate offsets or changes in the patient's weight distribution by settings of the pressure distribution hospital bed. If, for example, the polyethylene fabric is replaced by

  solid polyethylene sheet, changes or changes

  of the patient's weight distribution are not

  Well, since the transverse laths are continuous along their length, approximately the entire width of the bed, generally in approximately the direction in which

  the combined transfer device / surface unit is moved

  this sleeping, one can get a transfer of patients without

  shaking without being disturbed by the surface of the bed.

1 9

Claims (11)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S   1 - Patient transfer device intended to be used in particular in a hospital environment, characterized   in that it comprises: a) a central section (11) made of   a generally rectangular plastic surface having a substantially planar upper receiving surface, a substantially planar lower surface approximately parallel to said upper surface and adapted to be adjacent to a patient support, said surface lower having a coefficient of friction low enough to allow easy evacuation of said patient transfer device   said patient support, and said central section (11)   sensing a series of openings (12) which make this central section expandable in at least one direction; b) at least one extension section (14) which is adjacent to one of the   sides of said central section (11) of general shape   Rale rectangular, and fixed movable to this central section and able to move relative thereto; and c) means for grasping said transfer device to give him a movement.   2 - Transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that said series of openings (12) is constituted by a mesh material, polyethylene, which   is expandable in two directions.   3 - Transfer device according to the claim   1, characterized in that it comprises two extension sections   sion (14), each of which is adjacent to long sides of   said central section (11), each extension section   both composed of linear polyethylene.   4 - Transfer device according to the claim   3, characterized in that each of said extension sections   sion (14) is attached by articulation to the central section   trale (11) approximately the entire length of the   transfer and able to turn around an axis that is con-   staked by said edge which joins said central section (11) at said extension section (14).   - Transfer device according to the claim   4, characterized in that said extension sections pre-   have one or more notches (18) for the purpose of   pawing with projections of a patient support to allow relative movement between said extension sections and said projections.   6 - Transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for grasping said transfer devices comprise one or more   handle (16) which are integral with each of the said extension sections (14).   7 - Transfer device according to the claim   4, characterized in that said means for grasping the   said transfer device comprise one or more   set (16) which are attached to each of said extension sections. 8 transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for grasping the   transfer device comprise one or more   (s) (17) attached to said central portion (11) and in that   a small part of said central section (11) which   takes said handle or handles (17) is made of a solid material. 9 transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is used in combination with a coating surface (1) of generally rectangular shape, and which is light enough to facilitate the transfer convenient of a patient.   10 - Combined assembly characterized in that it com-   takes a patient transfer device (10) according to the   any of the preceding claims and a surface   coating (1), said sleeping surface (1) having   upper and lower surfaces of general shape   tangular and approximately uniform in thickness, this   seems to be able to be easily transferred from a support   from one patient to another, this set comprising: a first   a flexible section (2) in one piece, adapted to be placed on a patient support, said first section comprising a head portion (3), a foot portion (4), and a central portion (5), said portions head and feet (3, 4) having a sufficiently small thickness and being made   matter sufficiently light to allow   conveniently disposing said sleeping surface from one patient support to another and having a thickness much greater than the thickness of said central portion (5); a second, integrally flexible section (8) made of a material capable of allowing the gases to pass therethrough in the direction to or from the upper surface and capable of letting the liquids on its upper surface pass towards the lower surface in   a generally downward direction, said second sec-   in one piece (8) being adapted to be conveniently   placed above the central portion (5) of said first section (2) and adjacent to this central portion   and be capable of being separated and of sufficient thickness   to give an almost uniform thickness to the   said improved coating surface (1), said coating surface (1) resting on the upper surface of said patient transfer device (10) such that said coating surface moves parallel to said patient transfer device when he prints a movement. 11 - Combination assembly according to claim 10,   characterized in that said upper surface of said device   Patient Transfer System (10) is loosely   on the lower surface of said first section (2) of said sleeping surface (1).   12 - Combined assembly according to claim 10,   characterized in that it further comprises means for   can be detachably attached to said transfer device (10) to facilitate transportation   of a patient on said combined set on large   stances. 13 - Combination assembly according to claim 10,   characterized in that said transfer device is ar-   ticulé to be able to pass from a first width approximately equal to that of a hospital bed to a narrower width, approximately equal to that of a rolling carriage (19) and in that said sleeping surface (1) is sufficiently flexible to be folded around the long sides of said   sleeping surface, generally upwards.   14 - Combined assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises at least one module   (22, 23) adapted to be supported by said surface of   chage (1), said module being capable of supporting one or more life sustaining devices (26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39). Combination assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that two modules (22, 23) are adapted   to be carried by said sleeping surface (1), the first   first module (22) comprising a plastic shell adapted to be mounted in a position adjacent to the head section (3) of the sleeping surface and the second   module (23) comprising a plastic shell adapted to   to be mounted in a position adjacent to the   feet (4) of the sleeping surface.   16 - Combined assembly according to claim 10,   characterized in that it is used in combination with a bed   pressure distribution, wherein said bed (40) comprises   takes a frame, a series of support assemblies (41)   on this frame and spaced from each other in the front-back direction of said bed, each support assembly   comprising a series of support members (42) of   which extend transversely to the said direction   front-back and are spaced in this direction before   a pair of spaced transversely spaced lever modules (43)   badly, which carry the opposite ends of said elements   transverse supports (42), each lever module comprises   nant: a first lever (44) able to oscillate about a first axis (45) extending transversely and disposed between its ends, a pair of second levers (46) mounted on said first lever (44) of part and of other of that first   first axis, each of said second levers (46) being able to   in relation to said first levers by turning   a second axis extending transversely and disposed between these ends, the first and second levers (44, 104) of each lever module of said pair of modules   may oscillate with respect to the first and second   corresponding ones, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair and in that said transfer device (10) cooperates with said coating surface (1) and with said bed to allow variations of the pressure exerted on said surface to be transmitted to that bed and   allow said bed to adjust in response to said trans- pressure missions.   17 - Combined assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that said bed comprises a frame which comprises a fixed seat section, a head section and a thigh section which are connected by joints at the opposite ends of said seat section, and a leg section connected by articulation to said thigh section,   means of printing articulation movements   said sections head, thighs, and legs, compared to-   said seat section, a series of support assemblies (41)   on said head, thigh and leg sections, each support assembly comprising a series of slats (42) which extend transversely to the front-rear direction of the   a pair of spaced transversely spaced lever modules (43)   that carry the opposite ends of said lat-   (42), each lever module comprising a first   (44) which can oscillate about a first axis (45) which   extends transversely and is arranged between   a pair of second levers (46) mounted on said first lever, on either side of said first axis, each   said second levers being able to oscillate with respect to   said first levers around a second transversely extending axis which is disposed between its ends, a pair of third levers (47) mounted on each of said second levers (46), on either side of said second axis, each of said third levers (47) that can oscillate   relative to said second levers (46) around a third   sth axis extending transversely and disposed between its ends, and two of said slats (42) being mounted on each of said third levers (47), each slat being oscillatable relative to said third lever around a   fourth axis extending transversely, the former,   second and third levers (44, 46, 47) of each lever module of said pair of rotatable modules relative to the first, second and third levers respectively of the other lever module of said pair of modules.