GB2515728A

GB2515728A - Improvements in or relating to support apparatus for use with a human body

Info

Publication number: GB2515728A
Application number: GB201309253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anna Waugh; Neil Waugh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-22
Filing date: 2013-05-22
Publication date: 2015-01-07
Also published as: GB201309253D0

Abstract

Support apparatus for a human lying with the pelvis rolled to one side relative to the supine position comprising a sloping surface 14 on which an upper leg can be rested so that a users knee is higher than their ankle and an abutment portion 26 to stop the uppermost leg from moving down the sloping surface. There may be a second abutment portion 30 which forms a channel with the first and the portions may be shaped to conform to a users leg and hold the knee in flexion so that it cant contract. Overhangs 38 and 40 may be provided to limit upward movement of both a users legs and there may be a further surface 34 arranged to conform with a users other leg such that it is positioned forward of the first leg. The device is designed to help with good posture for those with limited movement and may be made of memory foam.

Description

Improvements in or relating to Support Apparatus for use with a Human Body Examples of the present invention concern improvements in or relating to support apparatus for use with a human body.

A number of human conditions exist in which it is desirable to assist a person in maintaining good posture, for example when in a lying position for long periods of time. Children, adults and older people who have limited movement, for various reasons, are at risk of developing changes in their body shape if they lie in a fixed or limited number of positions over long periods of time. These body distortions may include changes in body shape, particularly chest and hip distortion and may result in the need for increasingly complex patient handling equipment, or surgical intervention. Changes in body shape associated with poor posture or care are also known to be associated with premature death for children and young people. Various secondary complications may also arise in addition to skeletal problems, such as respiratory and digestive problems, pressure sores, difficulty with personal hygiene, sleep deprivation and other issues.

Examples of the present invention provide support apparatus for use with a human body lying with the pelvis rolled to one side relative to the supine position, comprising: a sloping surface on which the upper leg is rested, in use, the surface having an upper extremity which is positioned, in use, so that the surface slopes downwardly in a direction away from the knee to support the uppermost leg with the knee higher than the ankle and with the hips in abduction, and at least a first leg abutment portion positioned to block the uppermost leg from moving down the sloping surface.

The first abutment portion may be positioned to engage the rear of the uppermost leg, in use. The first abutment portion may be shaped to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg. The first abutment portion may be shaped to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg in the region of the knee. The first abutment portion may extend upwardly, away from the sloping surface, and comprise an overhang which, in use, limits upward movement of the uppermost leg.

The apparatus may further comprise a second abutment portion positioned to block the uppermost leg from moving up the sloping surface. The second abutment portion may be positioned to engage the front of the uppermost leg, in use.

The first and second abutment portions may define between them a channel in which the uppermost leg is contained. The first and second abutment portions may define a channel which is shaped to maintain the uppermost leg with the knee in flexion. The first and second abutment portions may define a channel shaped to hold the knee against contracture.

The sloping surface may be provided by a block of material having a lowermost surface which is supported, in use, on the surface on which the body is lying.

The apparatus may further comprise a lower leg surface to engage the rear of the lowermost leg, in use. The lower leg surface may be shaped to conform with the rear of the lowermost leg. The lower leg surface may be shaped to conform with the rear of the lowermost leg in the region of the knee. The lower leg surface may be positioned, relative to the first leg abutment portion, to place the knee of the lowermost leg, in use, forward of the knee of the uppermost leg. The apparatus may further provide an overhang which, in use, limits upward movement of the lowermost leg.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of support apparatus in accordance with the present invention, from a first direction; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, from a reverse direction; Fig. 3 is a view of the base of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3, during use.

Overview The drawings illustrate support apparatus 10 for use with a human body 12 (Fig. 4) lying with the pelvis rolled to one side relative to the supine position.

Further description of this attitude will be set out below.

The apparatus 10 comprises a surface 14 on which the upper leg 16 is rested, in use. The surface 14 slopes down from an upper extremity 18 which is positioned, in use, so that the surface 14 slopes downwardly in a direction away from the knee 20. The surface 14 is positioned, in use, to support the uppermost leg 16 with the knee 20 higher than the ankle 22, and with the hip 24 in abduction, as will be described.

The support 10 also has a first leg abutment portion 26 positioned to block the uppermost leg 16 from moving down the sloping surface 14.

Detailed DescriQtion

In more detail, the form of the support 10 can be considered in three portions.

These are a base 28 which provides the sloping surface 14, the first leg abutment portion 26 and a second leg abutment portion 30.

The base 28 provides the surface 14 as its uppermost face. The surface 14 is bounded by a lower edge 32 and a sloping curved edge 34. The edges 32, 34 define the surface 14 generally in the shape of a circular segment. The edge 34 rises from the edge 32, to the upper extremity 18, and then falls again, so that the segment forming the surface 14 is sloping, as noted above.

The base 28 can therefore be thought of as a wedge shape having a curved outer face 35.

The first leg abutment portion 26 runs generally along the lower edge 32. At this position, the portion 26 will engage the rear of the uppermost leg 16, in use, as will be described. The portion 26 has a face 36 which rises from the surface 14 and is shaped to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg 16. In particular, the face 36 is shaped to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg 16 in the region of the knee 20. This is achieved by an appropriate curved shape for the face 36, when viewed from above. The dimensions of the curve are chosen to suit the dimensions of the leg of the user.

The portion 26 carries an overhang 38 along that edge of the face 36 which is furthest from the surface 14. In use, as will be described, the support 10 is oriented so that the face 36 extends up from the surface 14, with the overhang 38 uppermost on the face 36. The overhang 38 serves, in use, to limit upward movement of the uppermost leg 16, as will be described.

The second leg abutment portion 30 forms an upstand along part of the curved, sloping edge 34 of the base 28. The second portion 30 extends out beyond the edge 34 to form a second overhang 40 along the top of the outer face 35. The abutment portions 26, 30 form between them a channel 42, with the exposed part of the surface 14 as a floor. Consequently, the channel 42 slopes with the surface 14.

The base 28 has a lowermost surface 44 (Fig. 3) which is supported, in use, on the surface on which the body is lying. This may be a bed, for example. In the example being described, the base 28 is hollow (Fig. 3) so that the lowermost surface 44 defines the mouth 46 of an internal cavity. The mouth 46 may be covered by a mesh material 48. For example, the mesh material 48 may have non-slip properties, to assist in retaining the support 10 in position, during use.

The base 28 and the abutment portions 26, 30 are all formed in this example from shaped pieces of soft, self-supporting material such as a foam or fibre, preferably soft and supporting and also preferably wicking for moisture management. A suitable memory foam may be used. The purpose of this choice of material is to provide comfortable support without excess pressure such as may cause pressure sores to develop. The support 10 may be covered with a washable, removable cover of a woven or non-woven fibre, such as a scrim material and/or towelling. This provides several beneficial properties. These include properties for dissipating heat and moisture from the body, to help maintain normal skin temperature and condition. This can be helpful for individuals whose powers of thermal regulation have been compromised. Furthermore, the material is machine washable for hygiene purposes. The support 10 may have a waterproof cover, if desired, but this will negate the comfort benefits of wicking or absorbent material.

The Support Apparatus in use Apparatus according to the example described above can now be described in use, with particular reference to Fig. 4. The description of the use of the apparatus 10 will also provide further clarity of the significance of various structural features described above.

Fig. 4 illustrates a user in a lying position on a bed 50. The user is not supine.

In the supine position, the back of the torso lies flat on the bed 50, with the pelvis oriented parallel with the shoulders, so that the direction from hip to hip is horizontal. In Fig. 4, the user 52 has rolled to one side (the right side), relative to the supine position. It is to be noted that one shoulder 54 (the left shoulder) has lifted up from the bed 50, and the pelvis has rolled to one side, lifting one hip 24 (the left hip) up from the bed 50. The angle of the line from one hip joint to the other is at approximately 45° to the horizontal.

In the absence of any support, the hips are generally not stable in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. The pelvis will tend to roll back toward the supine position. This will either cause the torso to roll back to the supine position, or will leave the torso twisted relative to the pelvis. Alternatively, an unaided user might rotate the pelvis further, until one hip is directly above the other, in order to achieve stability without being supine. This is found to place significant pressure on the lower of the two hips, with potential to create pressure sores and even to create risk of fracture or dislocation of the hips, particularly in frail persons, the elderly, sufferers from osteoporosis or the like.

However, when the apparatus 10 is introduced, it may be positioned on the bed 50 in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, with the uppermost (left) leg 16 placed in the channel 42, and the other (right) leg 58 around and against the curved outer face 35. This places the knee 20 of the uppermost leg 16 in the region of the upper extremity 18, so that the surface 14 slopes downwardly in a direction away from the knee 20 and in particular, this supports the knee 20 higher than the ankle 22. This results in the hips of the user being placed in abduction. Suitable dimensions can be chosen for the support 10 to result in the hips being placed at approximately 30° of abduction. The rear of the uppermost leg 16 rests against the face 36 of the abutment portion 26, thus preventing the uppermost leg 16 from sliding further down the surface 14. In particular, the back of the knee 20 lies along the face 36. The uppermost leg 16 is also held against lifting away from the surface 14, by the overhang 38.

Furthermore, the degree of flexion of the knee 20 is dictated by the dimensions of the channel 42, particularly by the separation of the face 36 and the second abutment portion 30. This holds the uppermost leg 16 gently at the required position, and with the desired degree of flexion of the knee 20.

Holding the leg in the channel 42 helps avoid knee flexion contracture occurring in relation to the knee 20. The position of the leg 16 between the surface 14 and the overhang 38 also helps maintain the required hip abduction, discouraging hip flexion contracture.

The other leg 58 extends around the face 35, which gently holds the lower knee 60 against knee flexion contracture. The face 35 forms a lower leg surface to engage the rear of the lowermost leg 58, in use. The face 35 may be shaped to conform with the rear of the leg 58. The lower surface 35 may be shaped to conform with the rear of the leg 58 in the region of the knee 60.

In addition, it can readily be seen from Fig. 4 that the presence of the second abutment portion 30 results in the knee 60 being positioned forward of the knee 20 by virtue of the position of the face 35 relative to the abutment portion 30.

The relative positions of the knees 20, 60 encourage the pelvis of the user to maintain the attitude illustrated in Fig. 4. The presence of the support 10 discourages the pelvis from rolling further from the supine position and in particular, discourages the pelvis from adopting a position with one hip directly above the other. Conversely, the pelvis is gently supported against rolling back to the supine position, particularly by the presence of the first abutment portion 26. The result is that the pelvis has not rolled over sufficiently to place the user's weight primarily on the lower hip, but maintains the weight of the user across substantially the whole of the illium of the user, i.e. across the whole of the wing of the pelvis above and behind the hip. Adopting this attitude is known to help avoid pressure sores, damage to the hips and other complications. The hips are also maintained with a desired angle of abduction. Comfort for the user is provided by the chosen materials for the apparatus 10.

Accordingly, the user can comfortably maintain a desired position, being comfortably stable in that position.

The apparatus 10 has been described above in use with the user rolled onto their right hand side. The apparatus 10 can also be used with a user who has rolled onto their left hand side. This is achieved by turning the apparatus 10 around (rotating it about a vertical access). The user can then place their right leg into the channel 42, with the left leg extended around the face 35.

The pelvis is then gently supported with the hips in abduction, as described above.

Concluding Comments Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many different shapes, sizes and relative shapes and sizes could be used according to body size and physical condition of the user. Various different materials could be used to achieve adequate support, adequate comfort and adequate hygiene properties.

It will readily be understood that the apparatus which has been described is with a user rolled onto their right hand side. The device can be used in the reverse condition and with the other leg of the user, to allow them to lie on their left side.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Support apparatus for use with a human body lying with the pelvis rolled to one side relative to the supine position, comprising: a sloping surface on which the upper leg is rested, in use, the surface having an upper extremity which is positioned, in use, so that the surface slopes downwardly in a direction away from the knee to support the uppermost leg with the knee higher than the ankle and with the hips in abduction, and at least a first leg abutment portion positioned to block the uppermost leg from moving down the sloping surface.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first abutment portion is positioned to engage the rear of the uppermost leg, in use.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first abutment portion is shaped to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg.o
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first abutment portion is shaped ("sJ20 to conform with the rear of the uppermost leg in the region of the knee.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first abutment portion extends upwardly, away from the sloping surface, and comprises an overhang which, in use, limits upward movement of the uppermost leg.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second abutment portion positioned to block the uppermost leg from moving up the sloping surface.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second abutment portion is positioned to engage the front of the uppermost leg, in use.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, and any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second abutment portions define between them a channel in which the uppermost leg is contained, in use.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and second abutment portions define a channel which is shaped to maintain the uppermost leg with the knee in flexion.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first and second abutment portions define a channel shaped to hold the knee against contracture.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sloping surface is provided by a block of material having a lowermost surface which is supported, in use, on the surface on which the body is lying.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lower leg surface to engage the rear of the lowermost leg, in use.o
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lower leg surface is shaped to (\,j 20 conform with the rear of the lowermost leg.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lower leg surface is shaped to conform with the rear of the lowermost leg in the region of the knee.
15. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14 and any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lower leg surface is positioned, relative to the first leg abutment portion, to place the knee of the lowermost leg, in use, forward of the knee of the uppermost leg.
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the apparatus further provides an overhang which, in use, limits upward movement of the lowermost leg.
17. Support apparatus substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. LtD (4