GB2161705A - Improvements relating to bedpans - Google Patents

Abstract

An inflatable body 3 which, when inflated, defines an annular opening 4 at the base of which a shallow sump 5 is defined in rigid member 2. The bedpan can be slid under a patient in a deflated state and then pumped up by a foot pump or compressor and liquids collecting within the sump 5 during use can be drawn off through a passageway 7. After use the body 3 can be deflated and eased out from beneath the patient. The area 6 is of sufficient size to support the back of a patient. The device can also be used as a portable bidet. In this application water is pumped to a spray head from a water container 14 and pumped from the sump 5 into a second container 9, both containers and the power supply for the pumps are carried on a trolley 13 (figures 4 and 5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to bedpans This invention relates to bedpans as used, for example, in hospitals. Use of a conventional bedpan presents a number of difficulties. The main problem resides in achieving adequate raising of a person lying in a bed so that the bedpan can be placed under that person and subsequently removed without spillage. This can be a serious problem if the patient is attended by a single nurse.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bedpan which will ease problems of insertion of a bedpan below a patient.

Accordingly, from one aspect this invention provides a bedpan comprising a rigid base portion defining a shallow sump, the base portion being provided, on its top surface with an inflatable member which, when inflated, will substantially surround the sump region of the base.

The bedpan can therefore be slid under a patient in a relatively flat state and inflation of the inflatable member will then both raise the patient automatically and create the necessary container portion. Liquids will be retained in the shallow sump and if this is provided with an outlet having a pipe extending therefrom it can be readily emptied before the bedpan is deflated and removed from beneath the patient. Any such outlet pipe could incorporate a bulb pump to exhaust liquids within the sump, the other end of the pipe being connected to a detachable collection container.

It is preferred that the inflatable member should define a generally annular surround. Indeed, the inflatable member itself may be of a substantially annular shape. However, there may be advantages in certain instances in raising the whole of the body of the patient, in which case the inflatable member could extend for up to a distance equivalent to the torso region of a human body.

The base portion of the bedpan may with advantage be formed from fibreglass.

It is useful to provide a bedpan with a separate dished cover to fit within the inflatable member and cover the sump region so as to minimise the chances of spillage whilst the bedpan is being withdrawn.

As a further aspect of the invention there is provided equipment comprising the inflatable bedpan as defined above, together with a hand-held shower unit which may be used for washing purposes in such a way that the water will run off into the bedpan during use and can then be drawn off through the outlet pipe. In particular the equipment may comprise a portable pump in conjunction with a water supply container from which water will be fed to the shower unit. The pump, together with a battery or other power source and the water container could be carried on a trolley which may additionally carry the further container for collecting waste liquid drawn off from the bedpan. The pump could incorporate a miniature heater to heat the water to an acceptable temperature. The supply of water within the container may be dosed with antiseptic or soap solution.

The invention may be preferred in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of bedpan of this invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on line Il-Il of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of the bedpan of Figure 1 in a deflated condition, and Figures 4 to 6 are side, front and rear views respectively of a trolley carrying ancillary equipment for the bedpan.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the bedpan essentially comprises a generally flat fibreglass base formed in two parts 1, 2 to the outer edge of which is attached an inflatable body 3. The inflatable body defines an annular opening 4 to the central part of the base part 2 which, in this region forms a shallow sump 5. The bedpan in this version extends well beyond the portion defining the annular opening 4 to define a region 6 to support the whole of the back of a patient.

The sump 5 has an outlet 7 from which leads a flexible pipe 8 (Figures 4 to 6) the end of which is directed into a detachable collection container 9. A bulb pump (not shown) is provided to enable liquids within the sump 5 to be exhausted and passed into the collection container 9. The inflatable member 3 incorporates an inlet 10 connected by a hose 11 to a compressor or air pump 12 enabling the whole of the inflatable member 3 to be inflatedafterthe bedpan has been inserted below the body of a patient for use. After use the inflatable member can be emptied through the pipe 8 and deflated by opening a valve, whereupon the bedpan can be slid relatively easily from beneath the patient.If desired a dished cover (not shown) may be slid into position over the sump 5 immediately before the bedpan is removed from the patient so as to prevent spillage of any materials still within the sump 5.

As illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the container 9 is carried by a trolley 13 which also carries a water supply container 14 from which water may be pumped by a submersible pump within the container 14 through a flexible hose 15to a handheld shower unit (not shown). A battery 16 is provided to supply the pump in the container 14 via a cable 17.

In use the shower unit may be used to wash a patient, the run off water being collected within the sump 5 within the opening 4 of the bedpan 1. The collected water can then be transferred to the container 9 by operating the bulb pump. If desired, of course, liquid within the bedpan could be drawn off by a powered pump unit. Operating switches in a switchbox associated with the battery 16 are provided for the or each pump. These switches are controlled through air cables 18 from foot switches 19 on a stand which can be folded away about a pivot 21 during wheeled transportation of the trolley 13.

Claims (15)

1. A bedpan comprising a rigid base portion defining a shallow sump, the base portion being provided, on its top surface, with an inflatable member which, when inflated, will substantially surround the sump region of the base.

2. A bedpan according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable member defines a generally annular surround.

3. A bedpan according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inflatable member extends for up to a distance equivalent to the torso region of a human body.

4. A bedpan according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base portion is formed from fibreglass or rigid plastics material.

5. A bedpan according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including a dished cover to fit within the inflatable member and cover the sump region.

6. A bedpan according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sump has an outlet with a pipe extending therefrom.

7. A bedpan according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the pipe is connected to a detachable collection container.

8. A bedpan according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the pipe incorporates a bulb pump to exhaust liquids within the sump.

9. A bedpan according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inflatable member is connected to a foot pump or a manuaily operated pump.

10. A bedpan substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Equipment comprising a bedpan according to any one of claims 1 to 10 together with a hand-held shower unit.

12. Equipment according to claim 11 including a portable pump and water supply connected to the shower unit.

13. Equipment according to claim 12, wherein the water supply is provided with a heater.

14. Equipment according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein parts of the equipment remote from the bedpan are mounted on a trolley.

15. Equipment according to claim 11 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.