FR2752727A1 - Posture support apparatus for invalids, for preventing involuntary movements due to spasticity - Google Patents

Abstract

The support apparatus consists of four cushions (3', 3") which are fitted to a flat surface such as a bed by fastenings (8, 14) and are located on either side of the person's neck and trunk. The cushions are shaped to fit the curves of the body and can be adjusted on the fastenings, which are in the form of straps which go round a mattress, one on a level with the person's neck and the other on a level with the trunk. Other straps (20', 20") can be fitted on either side of the patient.

Description

APPARATUS FOR POSTURE AND HOLDING A PERSON ON
A FLAT SURFACE SUCH AS A BEDDING
The present invention relates to an apparatus ensuring posture and the maintenance of a person on a flat surface such as bedding.

 Various devices or devices are known which are suitable for maintaining the posture of a person on a bed with a view, in particular, to avoiding joint deformations due to spasticity (involuntary contractions due to damage to the central nervous system).

These devices are used in particular for children or adults who suffer from multiple expression neuromotor deficits. They generally consist of postural splints made of plaster or other material, which are quite complex, heavy, difficult to position and remove and therefore relatively restrictive.

 The present invention aims to provide a posture apparatus of simple design, light and not very restrictive both for the bedridden person and for the entourage responsible for its establishment or its removal.

 Another object of the invention is to design a device which allows the support of the trunk of the user subject in order to maintain the latter in a determined position, without great constraints.

 According to the invention, this apparatus consists of four postural structures arranged on a support; two of these postural structures are adapted to be placed on either side of the neck above the trapezoids of the user, and the other two postural structures are adapted to be placed on either side of his trunk.

 Preferably, the different postural structures are made up of cushions whose shape and dimensions are adapted to the curvatures of the corresponding body lines. These cushions can consist of a block of foam covered with a contact and cleanliness material, of the hypo-allergenic type.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the positioning of the postural structures can be adjusted at will on their support, in order to optimize the versatility of the apparatus.

 Preferably also, this support comprises means for fixing to the mattress of the bedding to avoid its displacement and the adjustment of the postural cushions relative to the patient.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the support of the postural structures consists of two straps fixed around the mattress of the bedding, in the width direction. A first strap, called the upper strap, is placed at the level of the person's neck and a second strap, called the lower strap, is placed at the level of his trunk.

The postural neck and trunk structures are slidably mounted, respectively on the upper strap and on the lower strap. This sliding assembly is carried out by means of passers-by systems arranged under said postural neck and trunk structures.

 According to an advantageous characteristic, each postural structure comprises removable blocking means which make it possible to lock their positioning on the support straps.

 According to another characteristic, the posture apparatus comprises two complementary straps, called vertical, which connect the postural structures of the neck and trunk, on each side of the person. Preferably, each vertical strap is fixed under one of the postural neck structures and joins the corresponding postural trunk structure by sliding under it. On the other hand, the postural trunk structures include removable blocking means to lock their positioning on the vertical straps.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the posture apparatus includes an additional device for maintaining the legs of the user. This device consists of a rigid base in the form of
Tee on the vertical bar of which is fixed a crotch fin and on the horizontal bar of which are arranged two transverse cushions, on either side of said fin, on which will be able to come to rest the legs of the person.

The lower end of the fin is provided with retractable lateral structures forming toe clips and the two transverse cushions have a notch or a recess at their upper surface, for positioning the person's knees.

 However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a general view of above which shows the posture apparatus according to the invention, adapted on a bedridden patient; - Figure 2 is a perspective view which shows the underside of one of the postural neck structures - Figure 3 is a perspective view which shows the bottom of one of the postural trunk structures; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the complementary device for holding the patient's legs.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the invention is fixed to the mattress 1 of bedding in order to ensure the posture and the maintenance of a person or a patient 2 lying down.

 This posture apparatus consists of two upper structures 3 'and 3 ", each in the form of a cushion, arranged laterally on either side of the patient's neck 2, and two lower structures 4' and 4", also in shape cushions, arranged on either side of its trunk.

These four postural structures 3 ′, 3 ″, 4 ′ and 4 ″ are carried by a support device made up of a plurality of straps, some of which are fixed around the mattress of the bedding 1 to ensure the holding and the maintenance of the apparatus. .

 On the other hand, the positioning of the postural cushions 3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4" is provided adjustable on the support straps to allow the adaptation of the device according to the needs of each patient, as well as according the size and morphology of the patient.

The four postural cushions are made of synthetic foam, the density value of which will be adapted according to the desired resistance. As
As an indication, a foam density close to 34 / 100mu will be suitable in the majority of cases. Preferably, each foam block is covered with a cleanliness material, removable or not, made of plastic, leather, leatherette or the like ...

This covering material is advantageously washable and hypoallergenic. It can be covered with removable washable covers in fabric, sponge or other to avoid perspiration.

 The 3 'and 3 "neck postural structures have a general trapezoidal shape, Figure 2. Their thickness a is of the order of 10 cm. The length of their large base b is close to 5 to 7 cm; the length of their small base c is close to 4 to 6 cm and the distance ~ between the large base and the small base can be of the order of 10 to 15 cm.

 The underside of the cushions 3 ′ and 3 ″ has a passer-by arrangement 6 oriented lengthwise d and secured by pitting on the foam covering material.

 The loops 6 allow the passage of an upper support strap 8 which is fixed around the mattress 1 in the width direction and which is positioned substantially under the neck of the patient 2. The strap 8 is fixed around the mattress 1 by means of 'a loop 9 or any other equivalent tightening or blocking means.

The two postural neck cushions 3 'and 3 "are slidably mounted on the support strap 8 so that their small bases c are arranged opposite.

 The postural trunk structures 4 'and 4 "have a general triangular shape, Figure 3. Their thickness e is around 10 cm.

Their base f can have a dimension of the order of 5 to 7 cm and their long sides g can have a length of the order of 15 cm or more. The underside of the cushions 4 ′ and 4 ″ has a pass-through arrangement 12 to allow them to be slidably mounted on a lower support strap 14. This strap 14 is fixed around the mattress 1 of the bedding in the width direction, by means of a tightening loop 15. The tapered points 16 which correspond to the angle formed by the two long sides g of the cushions 4 'and 4 "are oriented towards the patient's armpits.

 The lower strap 14 extends parallel to the upper strap 8; it is adjusted substantially to the size of the patient.

 The support structure of the postural cushions 3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4" is completed by two straps 20 'and 20 ", called vertical straps, which are arranged laterally on either side of the patient.

The strap 20 'is fixed by sewing or the like, under the neck cushion 3' and it joins the trunk cushion 4 'by sliding under it. To this end, the strap 20 'cooperates with a passer-by 21 arranged under the trunk cushion 4', perpendicular to the passer-by 12.

On the other side of the patient, the strap 20 "secures the cushions 3" and 4 "in an identical manner.

 Once the straps 8 and 14 are suitably fixed on the mattress 1 and the cushions 3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4" adjusted on these straps, removable clamp-type fastening systems are used (clips, suspender clips or the like. ..) to maintain said cushions in their position. These removable clips are attached to the base of the posture cushions.

 For the postural neck cushions 3 'and 3 ", the clamps 22 are provided on the large bases b, that is to say on the outer sides relative to the patient. For the postural trunk cushions 4' and 4" , clamps 23 are provided on the bases f for blocking on the strap 20 ′, 20 ", and clamps 24 are provided on one of the long sides g for blocking on the strap 14.

 Note that the various passers-by 6, 12 and 21 are stitched onto the largest possible surface of the various cushions in order to obtain great strength and good retention of the cushions on their bases.

 The two upper postural structures 3 'and 3 "have a shape which is adapted to the curvatures of the lines of the neck and the shoulders. They make it possible to limit the movements of the head and to maintain its alignment. They also make it possible to avoid the lifts of the patient and balance the shoulders gently without rigid and binding blocking.

 The two lower postural structures 4 'and 4 "maintain the base of the sides and the alignment of the trunk. The thickness and the nature of the support straps 8, 14, 20' and 20" are adapted so as not to disturb the bedridden patient.

This posture and support device allows the patient's trunk to be taken care of, which can thus be maintained in the lying position without great constraints. It also allows symmetrical or asymmetrical lateral control of the trunk.

 This apparatus also allows flexible, easy and rapid adjustment of the two postural neck cushions relative to one another, the two postural trunk cushions relative to each other and the two neck cushions relative to each other to the two trunk cushions.

To complete maintaining the patient in position, an additional device 25 can be provided which is suitable for maintaining the legs. This device which is shown in isolation in Figure 4, consists of a rigid base 26 in the shape of a T, made of wood or plastic, for example. The central bar of the tee 26 serves as a support for a vertical fin 27 fixed by any suitable means. On both sides of this fin 27, extend two transverse cushions 28 fixed on the horizontal bar of the tee 26. These two cushions 28 have a notch or a recess 29, on their upper face, for positioning and receiving of the patient's legs. At the other end,
The fin 27 has lateral structures 30 in the form of hooks, intended to serve as retractable footrests or not to prevent the feet from falling on the sides.

 The fin 27 and the transverse cushions 28 are made of dense foam; they are advantageously covered with a hypo-allergenic and washable material for cleaning. The recess 29 arranged in the cushions 28 can be more or less marked to adapt according to the desired setting.

 This device 25 is positioned at the lower end of the patient; The fin 27 serves as a median structure disposed between the two legs; the recesses 29 under the knees and the toe clips 30 serve to maintain the lower limbs and the feet in a predetermined position.

 The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims are intended only to facilitate the understanding of the latter and in no way limit their scope.

Claims (10)

- CLAIMS  1.- Apparatus for posture and maintenance of a person (2) on a flat surface such as bedding (1), characterized in that it consists of four postural structures (3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4 ") arranged on a support (8, 14, 20 ', 20"), two of said postural structures (3' and 3 ") being adapted to be placed on either side of the person's neck, and the two other postural structures (4 'and 4 ") being adapted to be placed on either side of its trunk.  2.- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the postural structures (3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4") consist of cushions whose shape is adapted to the curvatures of the corresponding body lines.  3.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises postural structures (3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4") whose positioning is adjustable on their support (8,14 , 20 'and 20 ").  4.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (8, 14, 20 ', 20 ") of the postural structures (3', 3", 4 'and 4 ") comprises fixing means on the mattress (1) of the bedding.  5.- Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the support of the postural structures (3 ', 3 ", 4', 4") consists of two straps (8, 14) fixed around the mattress (1) of the bedding , in the width direction, a first strap (8), called upper, being arranged at the level of the neck of the person (2) and a second strap (14), called lower, being arranged at the level of the trunk of the person , the postural neck (3 'and 3 ") and trunk (4' and 4") structures being slidably mounted, respectively on the upper strap (8) and on the lower strap (14).  6.- Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the postural neck structures (3 ', 3 ") and trunk (4', 4") have fittings in the form of loops (6, 12) for their mounting sliding on their support straps (8,14).  7.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the postural structures (3 ', 3 ", 4' and 4") include removable locking means (22, 24) which allow to lock their positioning on the support straps (8,14).  8.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises two complementary straps (20 ', 20 "), said vertical, which connect the postural neck structures (3', 3") and trunk (4 ', 4 "), on each side of the person.  9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that each vertical strap (20 ', 20 ") is fixed under one of the postural neck structures (3', 3") and joins the postural trunk structure (4 ', 4 ") corresponding by sliding under it, and in that said postural trunk structures (4', 4") include removable locking means (23) to lock their positioning under said vertical straps (20 'and 20 " ).  10.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an additional device (25) for maintaining the legs of the person, which device consists of a rigid base (26) in T-shape on the vertical bar of which is fixed a crotch fin (27) and on the horizontal bar of which are arranged two transverse cushions (28), on either side of said aileron (27), on which go be able to come and rest the person's legs, the lower end of said fin (27) being provided with lateral structures (30) retractable or not forming toe clips and the two transverse cushions (28) being provided with a notch or d 'A recess (29) at their upper surface, for receiving and positioning the person's knees.