GB2432297A

GB2432297A - A lifting harness

Info

Publication number: GB2432297A
Application number: GB0622225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barbara Mary Ackley; Jo-Anne Supyk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-16
Filing date: 2006-11-07
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-07
Also published as: GB0523320D0; GB2432297B; GB0622225D0

Abstract

A harness worn by a person that is attached to any mobile hoist/lifting mechanism, to move a person for example on and off a toilet, the harness comprises a torso section and two leg supporting straps (fig Z), with means on the torso section and the leg supporting swaps to detachably attach the garment to the hoist/lifting mechanism. Preferably the leg supporting straps are adjustable and are detachably attached to the torso section 4. The harness overcomes the difficulty of placing a conventional sling underneath a person who is unable to stand. The torso section is preferably a light quilted jacket incorporating a heavy duty webbing 1 to provide an integrated support system for hoisting the wearer, with means to adjust the size the waist and chest. Once fitted, the torso section and each leg strap are attached to a hoist/lifting mechanism via loop and karabiner attachments E, 2 (C, fig 2).

Description

* 1 2432297 KLIP 2 LIFT -the slingless solution for transferring oeople

requiring a hoist.

Background

This invention relates to an alternative solution to transferring patients safely and quickly without the need for a sling. The device can be used with existing mechanical hoists and meets existing moving and handling legislation.

Recent changes in legislation surrounding the moving and handling of people with disabilities means that today, people with profound and long term disabilities resulting in the inability to weight bear through the legs are often transferred from bed to chair and chair to toilet etc using a mechanical hoist. Although hoisting meets the needs of the legislation and protects the carers and patients from injuzy, there are inherent difficulties associated with hoisting using the existing slings. Difficulties arise in fitting the slings underneath a person who is unable to stand and further difficulties arise when attempting to transfer someone on and off the toilet using the existing slings with the "toileting aperture". In order to facilitate toileting using a sling, patients are manoeuvred naked from the waist down and the complete experience is often difficult and undignified. Alternatively, patients are often toileted less frequently due to pressure on staff time and are issued with continence pads or sheets instead.

This is an inappropriate provision of equipment, demeaning to the patient, does not reinforce a rehabilitative or preventative approach to health promotion and can cause secondary problems of pressure sores and infection due to compromised tissue viability.

Statement of invention

To overcome the difficulties of fitting and removing the slings, the present invention proposes a hoisting garment comprising of a body piece and leg pieces which can be attached to any mobile or fixed track mechanical hoist to safely transfer people without the need for a conventional sling (Please refer to photographs 1 + 2).

Advantaues This hoisting garment will be easier for carers to fit and remove without the difficulties associated with the fitting and manoeuvring of a sling. This system will utilise existing mechanical hoists and therefore will be compatible to use in any healthcare environment including hospitals, nursing homes and community. The invention will enable easier access for toileting and personal self care due to it's innovative design and will reduce the necessity for patients to be transferred in a state of undress, facilitating an increase in self esteem of the patient. Easier access to clothing will help patients and carers with personal care and hygiene, reducing the need for continence pads or "adult nappies" whilst promoting a positive toileting regime, promoting confidence and minimising the risks associated with continence pads. The garment will be available in a range of designs and sizes to meet the needs of the whole community from disabled children at school to the elderly being cared for in nursing homes or allowing them to remain at home with a user friendly piece of equipment. In addition to improving transfers within the home, this invention will increase the ease of transfers from wheelchair to car and has the potential to be applied to many areas of leisure (e.g. swimming, horse riding etc) and other activities of daily living. Attention to aesthetics and the psychological implications of hoisting will ensure that the hoisting garment is less noticeable as a piece of medical equipment whilst still meeting the needs of the patient and caret within manual handling regulations.

Introduction to drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure X -shows the front of the hoisting garment body piece.

* Figure Y -shows the back of the hoisting garment body piece.

* Figure Z -shows the leg piece attachments.

* Photograph I -shows the hoisting garment fitted to lift a patient using a mobile mechanical hoist.

* Photograph 2-shows the side view of the hoisting garment in situ.

Detailed description

The hoisting garment compnses a body piece (X/Y) and two leg pieces (Z) which when fitted, enable the lift and transfer of people safely and comfortably using a mechanical hoist.

The bodice of the garment is constructed of a lightly quilted jacket incorporating a heavy duty webbing (XA and Yl) to provide an integrated support system for hoisting. Choice of colour and design will be offered for the main body of the jacket to improve the aesthetic appearance of the gannent and minimise the "clinical" look.

The garment is easily fitted and removed as it has a zip front (XF), roomy armholes and a dropped neckline. Additional comfort and fit is ensured with the front strap (XD) and adjustable chest strap (XB) which ensure a comfortable fit for male and female patients. The waist strap has built in loops (XC and Y3) to adjust the waist size to prevent the garment riding up when the patient is lifted, these can be loosened when not in lift mode to allow for comfort.

The leg straps fit around the legs above the knee and are secured with Velcro strap shown in ZR The leg pieces attach to the body garment via buckles at ZA and Y4 -all of the straps are completely detachable when not in use to reduce the risk of pressure points, increase comfort and help the patient to feel more "normal".

Once fitted, the hoisting garment is attached to the hoist via the loop and carabina attachments at XE x 2, Y2 and ZC -therefore giving the 4 attachments to the hoist.

All webbing is heavy duty and will be tested to British safety standards. * . 3

Claims

Claims I. A hoisting garment comprising a body piece (X/Y) and leg

pieces (Z) for means of attaching to any mobile or fixed track hoist to safely transfer people with disabilities without a sling.

2. A hoisting garment according to claim I, incorporating heavy duty webbing (XA + Y 1) to provide an integrated support system for hoisting in which the ease of access for toileting is provided by the 3 part hoisting garment -ie parts X/Y + Z. 3. AgarmentX/Yasclaimedinclaim I and2iseasilyfittedviaXD and XF and when used in conjunction with two leg pieces (Z) is compatible with a range of existing mechanical hoists using the unique attachments at XE, Y2 and ZC.

4. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim including unique fittings Y4 and ZA allow ease of attachment and removal of the leg pieces (Z) to the body garment (X/Y).

5. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim where the adjustable chest strap (XB) allows flexibility to facilitate comfort and best fit for male and female patients.

6. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim where XB and Y2 attach to the hoist by means of a separate detachable webbing with buckle attachment to carabena fonning 4 attachments in total to the mechanical hoist.

7. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim where the waist strap has loops XC and Y3 to allow adjustment of the waist size to prevent the garment riding up during lift and transfer.

8. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim where all components are detachable and can be removed when hoisting is not in process, leaving a garment that can be fashionable as well as practical.

9. A garment as claimed in any preceeding claim that can be offered in a choice of colour and design to improve the appearance as a fashion item rather than an assistive device.

10. A hoisting garment substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.