GB2492837A - Portable apparatus for lifting a patient from the ground to a seated position - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable patient lifting apparatus comprises: a main stem 22 which, in use is vertically orientated; a support member 24 having two spaced-apart parallel arms 26 and which is mounted to the stem for vertical movement along the stem; a seat member [see 30, Figure 3] which can be detachably connected to the arms 26 of the support member; and drive means, e.g. a motor 14, which is arranged to move the support member along the stem. Preferably the arms 26 of the lifting device are L-shaped and are joined by a straight tubular section 28 that runs along a groove formed in the stem. The stem 22 preferably includes a base 12 with stabilising means, e.g. telescopic extensions 20. The seat [30, Figure 3] may take the form of a flexible support band suspended between the L-shaped support arms. A cushion for supporting the back of a patient may be provided [see Figure 4]. A method of lifting a patient to a seated position, e.g. from a prone position after a fall, is also disclosed. The apparatus is portable and can be easily assembled or disassembled in situ, e.g. by paramedics.

Description

Patient lifting apparatus The present invention relates to patient lifting apparatus. More especially the invention relates to portable and light weight apparatus that can be assembled on site and used to lift a person to a seated 900 position.

Current social and economical conditions have increased pressure on many emergency services across the country and indeed much of the world. Paramedics are, for example, increasingly being called out to lift elderly or otherwise vulnerable people to an upright position after they have fallen. In many cases, that person is not injured and once lifted to a position whereby they can move unaided the paramedics are no longer reguired.

Of course, for every such visit, there is the risk that a person needing treatment is not treated as quickly as may be necessary.

Often the person requiring lifting are obese or are in vulnerable state whereby lifting them to a seated position whereby they can then stand is a delicate and timely process requiring several paramedics to maintain stability of the person during the lifting process.

Portable lifting apparatus are known. One such apparatus comprises essentially an inflatable cushion branded as an ELK "Emergency Lifting Cushion".

Following extensive research the Applicants have found the ELK to suffer from several disadvantages.

In many cases the inflating means can fail rendering the cushion unusable. Furthermore, the ELK provides a simple inflatable surface on which the patient sits while the cushion is inflated. The patient though is unstable and one or several paramedics are often required to hold the patient stable while the cushion underneath them is being inflated. On some occasions patients have been known to fall off the cushion during inflation causing further injury.

The present invention seeks to provide portable lifting apparatus for a prone patient which can be assembled easily on site and provides patient stability and comfort during lifting.

According to a first aspect, there is provided portable lifting apparatus for lifting a person to a seated position from which they can stand, the apparatus comprising a main stem inclined vertical during use, a support member having spaced-apart parallel arms with a seat member connectable therebteween and detachable therefrom, the support member being connected to the stem so to be slidable at least partially along its length, and means to move the support member along the stem.

By "seated position" it is meant a position whereby the patient has their feet flat on the floor and their knees bent to approximately 9Q°.

Preferably the support member comprises two L-shaped sections connected by a straight section.

Preferably the straight section of the support member is connected to the stem in a perpendicular manner.

Preferably the moving means comprises a motor.

A kit of components for assembly in accordance with this invention may comprise a stem, at least support member, a seat member and a motor.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided, a method of lifting a patient to a seated position from which they can stand, the method comprising, assembling lifting apparatus on site, the apparatus comprising a stem, a support member having two spaced-apart parallel arms and being attachable to the stem so to be slidable there along and a motor for driving the support member along the stem; manoeuvring the patient, or the apparatus, to a position whereby the patient is sitting upright between the arms of the support member; placing the a seat member under the posterior of the patient; connecting ends of the seat member to respective arms of support member; and raising the support member upwardly along the stem to in turn raise the patient to the seated position.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures in which Figure 1 illustrates lifting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a lifting component of lifting apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a support belt for connection to the lifting component of Figure 2; and Figure 4 illustrates the part of the lifting component of Figure 2 with the support belt of Figure 3 attached.

Referring first to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a main tubular stem section 10 connected in use to a tubular base member 12 such that the stem 10 stands vertical and perpendicular to the base section 12. The stem section 10 has attached thereto a motor 14. The motor 14 has means to receive the end of a drill 16 or a manual crank handle which can be used to directly drive the mechanical gears of the motor should the normal power fail.

Referring now to Figure 2, both the stem 10 and base member 12 are sguare in cross section.

Each end of the base member 2 is capable of receiving an extension piece 18 having a tubular stabiliser 20 extending outwardly from the section at an angle thereto.

The apparatus may have other alternative stabilising means.

The extension pieces are held at the desired extension length using standard tightening bolts 21 or other known tightening means. The stabilisers 20 may be telescopic allowing their length to increase or decrease depending on the stability force reguired and/or the room available.

S

The main stem 10 has a recessed groove 22 along its length. The support member 24 comprises two L-shaped arms 26 connected by a straight section 28. The support member 24 is connected to the stem 10 orientated in such a way that the arms 26 extend outwardly from the stem 10 in a horizontal manner, perpendicular to the stem 10.

The straight section 28 of the arm support 24 is slidable within the groove 22, with respect to the stem 10.

The effective width of the support member 24 may be increased by removing one arm 26 and replacing it with one or more further straight sections. The arm 26 piece is then connected to the distal end of the last straight section. This may be required if the apparatus needs to be used to lift a bariatric or obese person.

The upward and downward motion of the support member 24 is driven by a motor 14 which is connected to the back of the stem 10.

Figures 3 and 4 show a seat member in the form of a support band 30 which, in use, is connected across the ends of the arms 26 of the support member 24. The band 30 is simply attached over the support 24 by extending the end of each arm 26 through apertures 32 in the band 30. Alternatively the band 30 may be connected using, for example, clips, poppers, or even Velcro.

The band 30 is made from a suitable material to provide comfortable support to the posterior of the patient during lifting.

A bag rest or pad 34 may be clipped onto the straight section 28 of the support member 24 to provide support and comfort to the patient's back (or front) during use.

All the components of the lifting apparatus are designed to be lightweight and easy to assemble. This allows the apparatus to be stored and transported in a disassembled state to be assembled on site in the immediate vicinity of the patient requiring lifting.

Once assembled, the patient is manoeuvred to a sitting position between the arms 26 of the support member 24.

Once in position, the support band 30 is placed underneath the posterior of the patient. A motor 14 then gently raises the support member 24 up the stem 10 thereby lifting the patient to a 90° seated position.

The patient may hold on to the arms 26 of the support member 24 during the lifting process for added stability.

Should the motor 14 fail for any reason, its shaft may be rotated by using a standard drill 16 or manual crank shaft inserted directly into the mechanical gears.

The lifting mechanism could be pneumatic.

The components are designed to allow them apparatus to be assembled or moved to the correct position around the patient should it not be possible to manoeuvre the patient to the correct location.

Under some circumstances the patient may sit between the arms 26 of the support member 24 but facing the stem 10 rather than facing outwardly. It will still be possible to lift the patient in such a situation.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely an example of an embodiment and just some examples of its use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. I portable lifting apparatus for lifting a person to a seated position from which they can stand, the apparatus comprising a main stem inclined vertical during use, a support member having spaced-apart parallel arms with a seat member connectable therebetween and detachable therefrom, the support member being connected to the stem so to be slidable at least partially along its length, and means to move the support member along the stem.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Portable lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises two L-shaped sections connected by a straight section. r</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Portable lifting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the straight section of the support member is connected CQ to the stem in a perpendicular manner.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Portable lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving means comprises a motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Portable lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising stabilising means to maintain the apparatus stable during use.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Portable lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a base from which the stem extends vertically.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. Portable iif-iing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stabilising means comprises at least one tubuiar extension extending outwardly from the base.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. Portable lifting apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the or each extension is telescopic.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Portable lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the stem has a recessed groove along its length and the straight section of the support member has a part that is slidable along the groove.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Portable lifting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat member takes the form of a support band extendible between the parallel arms of the support member.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Portable lifting apparatus according to any o preceding claim, further comprising a cushioning member attachable to the support member to support the back of a user during use.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A portable lifting system comprising a number of components for assembly on site, the components including a stem, at least one support member, a seat member and a motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A method of lifting a patient to a seated position from which they can stand, the method comprising, assembling lifting apparatus on site, the apparatus comprising a stem, a support member having two spaced-apart parallel arms and being attachable to the stem so to be slidable there along and a motor for driving the support member along the stem; marioeuvring the patient, or the apparatus, to a position whereby the patient is sitting upright between the arms of the support member; placing the a seat member under the posterior of the patient; connecting ends of the seat member to respective arms of support member; and raising the support member upwardly along the stem to in turn raise the patient to the seated position.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. Portable lifting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying Figures r Co</claim-text>