ITBO20090408A1 - AUXILIARY DEVICE FOR THE SETTING OF PATIENTS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention refers to an auxiliary device intended to allow and facilitate the bedding of patients with reduced mobility. The invention described is therefore placed in the technical field of medical and orthopedic aids, and is useful both in hospitals and, in particular, in the home environment in the case of patients subject to home care.

Known art

The forced entrapment of patients who, for whatever reason, suffer from a reduction in their mobility involves considerable inconvenience to the person, as well as concrete risks of health complications. For this reason, over the years an extensive range of aids and accessories has been developed for bedridden patients, with the dual purpose of allowing them the greatest possible degree of autonomy and facilitating their assistance by healthcare personnel. .

In particular, there is the need to be able to vary the inclination of the various sections of the bed surface that support different segments of the patient's body; above all, the head-trunk segment must be able to be raised with respect to the horizontal rest position, for both physiological needs and personal ease. Always in response to the same needs, the position of the pelvis-knee and knee-foot segments should also be able to be adjusted, if possible independently. To meet this need, hospitals use orthopedic beds, which include an articulated bed base made up of different sections. These sections can be variously inclined by means of suitable crank mechanisms or low voltage electric motors.

Such a solution, while considerably facilitating the management of bedridden patients and certainly improving their quality of life, has the disadvantage of being unsuitable for use in environments other than hospital, for example in the case of of bedridden patients receiving home care.

In fact, the costs for the purchase or rental of the orthopedic bed are considerable; furthermore, it is necessary to bear in mind the inherent difficulty in transporting and arranging a structure that is however bulky within a domestic context.

However, the psychological impact that a bed replacement can have on the patient should not be overlooked. The renunciation of one's own bed, possibly conjugal, in fact negatively underlines the situation of discomfort experienced by the patient, depriving him in part of the comfort and safety deriving from the usual domestic setting.

Finally, we should also consider the lack of attention to the aesthetics of orthopedic beds, which jeopardize their harmonious insertion within a pre-existing domestic furnishing context.

For the reasons listed above, therefore, it often happens that bedridden patients do not want or cannot take advantage of an orthopedic bed. In these cases, it is necessary to meet the patient's postural needs with improvised aids: for example, cushions can be stacked to allow him to erect the torso and to support the lower limbs, or an inclined plane can be affixed under the mattress. The low efficiency and practicality of these solutions when compared with an electrically operated orthopedic bed are evident even to those without experience in the sector.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is, therefore, that of devising an auxiliary device for the bedding of patients which, while not requiring the replacement of the traditional bed, still guarantees the management advantages (autonomous or not) of mobility. resulting from the use of electrically operated orthopedic beds.

Summary of the invention

The aforementioned technical problem is solved by an auxiliary device for the bedding of a patient, comprising a main frame, at least a first support section for the bedridden patient movable with respect to the frame and motor means for moving the first support section with respect to the main frame.

The device is designed to be used with a traditional type bed; in fact, the main frame has a support base designed to rest on a bed support structure, for example the bed base.

The first mobile support section, on the other hand, possibly together with other sections, forms a support structure designed to support at least one body segment of a patient lying on the bed. Advantageously, especially in the case in which the main frame rests on the bed surface, it is advisable to place a normal mattress between the patient's body and the support section. The mattress can rest partly directly on the slatted base and partly on the mobile support section. The body segment supported by the mesh plane can be the head-trunk segment, the pelvis-feet segment, or a subsegment of these. In particular, the device can be selectively configurable in order to adapt to the different body segments to be supported.

It should be noted that the movement, by means of the motor means, of the first support section with respect to the main frame allows the body segment supported by it to be moved with respect to the support structure of the bed. In fact, therefore, the device replicates the operation of an orthopedic bed while being adaptable to bed structures not specifically designed for the hospitalization and assistance of a patient. The support section can simply be hinged to the main frame according to a hinging axis which will advantageously be transverse to the bed to which the auxiliary device is associated. The support section will therefore be rotatably movable between a minimum inclination position with respect to the aforementioned support base and a maximum inclination position with respect to said support base.

The support structure of the device can include, in addition to the first, also a second hinged support section, according to a second hinging axis parallel to the first, to the edge of the first support section opposite to the one hinged on the frame.

The presence of two support sections hinged together allows the patient's pelvis-knee and knee-foot segments to be supported in an ergonomic way.

In this case, guide means can be associated with the second support section, designed to guide its movement as the inclination of the first section varies with respect to the main frame. These guide means ensure a substantially horizontal position of the second support section, arranged to support the knee-foot segment of the resident, at a predetermined inclination of the first support section with respect to the main frame. The guide means can take the form of a simple support foot hinged below the second support section and intended to rest on a suitable seat obtained above the main frame. The support feet can also be two or more.

Note that the same auxiliary device can be structured in such a way as to be selectively configurable between a head-lifting configuration intended to support and move the trunk-head segment of a patient and a foot-lifting configuration suitable for supporting the pelvis segment. -feet.

In correspondence with the head-lifting configuration, the first support section and the second support section will then be aligned and integral with each other, so as to provide a flat support surface of considerable extension for the patient's back.

In correspondence with the foot-lifting configuration, on the other hand, the two sections will be relatively rotatable according to the second hinge axis xâ € ™ â € ™, so as to be able to respectively adapt to support the pelvis-knee segment and the knee-foot segment.

In order to allow the transition between the two described configurations, the auxiliary device can comprise locking means, adapted to block the relative rotation between the first support section and the second support section in the head lifting configuration.

The support surface required to support the entire pelvis-knee segment is, however, greater than that necessary to support the trunk-head segment alone: consequently, it is preferable that the support structure has a variable extension depending on of the configuration assumed by the device.

To allow this variation in extension, the support structure can include a third extensible support section, slidingly movable between a retracted position, in which it overlaps the second support section, and an extended position, in which it extends overhang with respect to the free edge of this second section.

The blocking means mentioned above can be mechanically connected to said third extensible support section, so as to be active at its retracted position and inactive at its extended position.

For example, the locking means can comprise a rod, integral with the third support section, sliding inside guides fixed to the second support section. Said locking means can therefore comprise at least one slot, integral with the first support section, into which the sliding rod is inserted, locking the first and second support sections together, when the third support section is retracted. .

The main frame can advantageously have a resealable box-like structure which defines an autonomous and compact unit, so as to house the motor means and any motion transmission kinematics inside it.

This box-like structure can advantageously have external gripping means, such as handles, for example, designed to facilitate its transport by an operator.

The box-like structure defined above has the advantage of providing the auxiliary device with unusual handling and portability. In fact, an operator can easily bring the aid into a home environment, after which, once placed on the bed and connected to the mains, it is ready to work.

In particular, it can be envisaged that the box-like structure is closed at the top by the mobile support section in correspondence with its position of minimum inclination, thereby defining a wedge; the hinging axis is then arranged at the vertex of said wedge.

The wedge-shaped structure is particularly advantageous as it allows to contain the dimensions of the auxiliary device, which can be easily inserted between the mattress and the slatted base at one of the ends of the bed to be adapted. If the supported body segment is the head-trunk segment, the device will then allow a physiological rest position with a slightly inclined trunk and an activity position with an upright trunk.

The motor means can comprise at least one linear actuator, connected by means of a lifting arm to the mobile support section.

The linear actuator can comprise an electric motor associated with a worm screw, a fork end of the lifting arm being hinged to a slider sliding along said worm, the opposite end of the lifting arm being hinged to the mobile support section.

This construction solution combines the advantages of reliability, economy and space saving.

On the other hand, other embodiments comprising actuators of another type, for example hydraulic ones, or motion transmission kinematics different from that described above are not excluded from the present invention.

The linear actuators can also be two, spaced apart, and respectively connected to two lifting arms associated with the support section in proximity to two opposite edges thereof. This solution has proved to be particularly effective in the handling phases of the support section, while not affecting the compactness of the device.

The auxiliary device can advantageously comprise mechanical edges with microswitches. These can be arranged along the perimeter (whole or partial) of contact between the box-like structure of the main frame and the supporting section. Preferably they are associated with a free perimeter edge of the box-like structure defined by the main frame. When pressure is exerted on them, the mechanical edges block the action of the motor vehicles. In this way, the rotation movement of the support section is interrupted, in particular towards the position of minimum inclination.

The mechanical edges act both as a limit switch and as a safety switch avoiding accidental crushing of elements interposed between the main frame and the support section.

In combination with or as an alternative to the ribs, the device can provide covering means suitable for covering the opening present between the main frame and the support section, in positions other than that of minimum inclination.

The aforementioned motor means can advantageously be remotely controlled by means of a remote control.

Further characteristics and advantages of the device according to the present invention will emerge from the description, given below, of a specific embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 represents a simplified operating diagram of the auxiliary device according to the present invention in a first operating configuration thereof, associated with a traditional type bed; Figure 2 represents a simplified operating diagram of the auxiliary device according to the present invention, in an alternative operating configuration to that illustrated in Figure 1, always associated with a traditional type bed;

Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the auxiliary device according to the present invention, in the first operating configuration illustrated in Figure 1.

Detailed description

With reference to the accompanying figures, we identify with 1 an auxiliary device for the entrapment of a patient.

The specific embodiment described here can alternatively be configured to allow, in a first configuration, here called head-lifting configuration, the movement of the head-trunk segment of a bedridden patient; in a second configuration, here called the foot-lift configuration, the movement of the pelvis-knee and knee-foot segments.

The head-lifting configuration is visible in the joined figures 1 and 3; the foot-lifting configuration in the unit figure 2.

The mechanical and electronic means which allow the transition between these operative configurations will be treated in the following of the present description.

It should be noted that the auxiliary device 1 illustrated in the attached figures is in any case always arranged according to a preferential orientation; in the remainder of this description the relative and absolute positions of the various elements that make up the device, defined by terms such as upper and lower, above and below, horizontal and vertical or other equivalent terms, must always be interpreted with reference to this orientation.

The auxiliary device 1 comprises a main frame 2 and a support structure 3 for the bedridden patient movable relative thereto. The main frame 2, as clearly visible in Figure 1, has a lower support base 2a designed to rest a bed 100 on the bed base or other support structure.

The main frame 2 has an open box-like structure, defined by the rectangular support base 2a, by two equal and opposite triangular side walls 2b and by an end wall 2c which connects said side walls 2b to each other.

Each of the walls 2b, 2c is associated with one of the sides of the support base; in correspondence with the fourth free side a first support section 3a, planar and rectangular in shape, is hinged according to a hinging axis 3a, which forms the support structure 3.

This first support section 3a is therefore rotatably movable between two end-of-stroke positions: a position of maximum inclination with respect to the support base 2a, represented in the joined figures 1 and 3, and a position of minimum inclination with respect to the base € ™ support 2a, in which it comes into contact with the free edges of the side walls 2b of the main frame 2.

In addition to this first support section 3a, the support structure 3 comprises a second support section 3b, always planar and substantially rectangular, hinged to the free edge of the second support section 3a according to a second hinging axis xâ € ™ â € ™ parallel to the first.

In the head-lifting configuration of the auxiliary device 1, the second support section 3b is planarly aligned with the first 3a and is made integral with it by means of suitable locking means 10, further described below; the two sections, on the other hand, are suitably unlocked in the foot-lifting configuration.

When the device is in the head-lifting configuration, by bringing the first support section 3a to its position of minimum inclination, the perimeter of the first 3a and of the second section 3b made integral by the locking means 10 comes into contact with the free edges of the walls 2b, 2c previously described. Consequently, the support structure 3 closes the main frame 2 and defines a wedge with it.

As can be seen in figure 1, the wedge-shaped structure is designed to be inserted at one of the ends of the base surface of the bed 100, for example with the head wall 2c leaning against the headboard and the vertex of the wedge opposed to it as shown in Figure 1.

In the head lift configuration, the two aligned and integral sections 3a, 3b define a mobile support surface for the patient's back.

In the foot-lift configuration, on the other hand, the first support section 3a supports the pelvis-knee segment of the patient; the second, on the other hand, advantageously enlarged by a third extendable section 3c, provides support for the knee-foot segment

In both cases, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is clearly preferable to place a normal mattress 101 between the support structure 3 and the patient's body.

In order to facilitate the fixing of the mattress 101 and any pillows, the first and second support sections 3a, 3b have lateral handle attachments 12.

The box-like structure of the main frame 2 described above contains inside it motor means and means for transmitting motion to the first support section 3a.

The motor means consist of two linear actuators 4 connected by means of respective lifting arms 5 to the first support section 3a.

In this case, said linear actuators 4 are worm screw electric actuators; they therefore comprise a direct current electric motor 4a and a worm screw 4b, kinematically connected thereto by means of a gearmotor. A cursor 4c is slidingly associated with the worm screw 4b.

The linear actuators 4 are associated with the support base 2a: the worm screws 4b are oriented horizontally. In particular, as can be seen in Figure 2, the electric motors 4a are arranged in proximity to the head wall 2c of the main frame 2, ie where the space of the box-like structure is greater; the worm screws are instead arranged parallel to the two side walls 2b, and in proximity to these. To protect the two worm screws from dirt and accidental contacts, they are covered at the top with 4d semi-tubular protective casings.

The lifting arms 5 are both hinged, by means of a fork end 5a, to the slider 4c. In this case, the fork end 5a carries a pin which hinges in the slider 4c below the semitubular protective casing 4d. The opposite end of the lifting arm 5 is instead hinged to the first support section 3a; given the remote position of the two linear actuators 4 and of the corresponding lifting arms 5, these are associated with the two opposite side edges of the first support section 3a.

As clearly emerges from the brief description of the two planar kinematic mechanisms consisting of slider 4c, lifting arm 5 and first support section 3a, the rotation of the worm screws 4b in one direction promotes the movement of the support section towards the position of minimum inclination, rotation in the opposite direction, on the other hand, determines a movement towards the position of maximum inclination.

Naturally, the two electric motors 4a always operate in synchrony (to ensure this condition their shafts are suitably connected by means of a rigid connection 13) and are stopped at the end-of-stroke positions of the first support section 3a.

As previously mentioned, the support structure 3 comprises a third extensible support section 3c, slidingly movable between a retracted position and an extended position projecting with respect to the free edge of the second support section 3b. The function of this section is to extend longitudinally the second support section 3b in correspondence with the foot-lifting configuration of the auxiliary device 1, so as to provide adequate support for the patient's feet. In correspondence with the head lifting configuration, or if it is desired to close the box-like structure that makes up the frame, the third support section 3c must be brought into the retracted position.

To satisfy this functional need, the locking means 10 are mechanically connected to the third extendable support section 3c so as to be active in correspondence with the retracted position of the latter and inactive in correspondence with its extended position.

In particular, the locking means 10 comprise two rods 10a, parallel and sliding inside guides 10b integral with the second support section 3b. The third extendable support section 3c is mounted on these two rods 10a, so that the sliding of the rods 10a corresponds to the extraction and retraction movements of the section itself.

The locking means therefore comprise two rigid double slots 10c, integral with the first support section, into which the rods 10a are inserted, blocking the relative orientation between the first and second support section, when the third support section 3c is carried in retracted position. Correspondingly, the extraction of the third support section 3c involves the disengagement of the rods 10a from the respective double slots 10c, thus releasing the hinge that joins the first two sections.

Analyzing now the operation of the auxiliary device 1, it is clear how in the head-lifting configuration, since the first and second support sections 3a, 3b are stopped by the blocking means 10, they rotate integrally under the action of the motor means above described.

In the foot-lifting configuration, on the other hand, the second support section 3b is free to rotate around the second hinging axis xâ € ™ â € ™.

In order to guide the movement of said second section 3b as the inclination of the first with respect to the main frame 2 varies, suitable guide means 11 are provided on the auxiliary device 1.

In particular, these guide means 11 are designed so as to bring the second support section 3b into a horizontal position in correspondence with the position of maximum inclination of the first support section 3a, indicatively equal to 40 °.

The guide means 11 consist of two support feet 11a, hinged below the second support section 3b at its two opposite sides, and in respective seats 11b obtained above the main frame 2.

When the locking means 10 are made inactive, by bringing the device into the foot-lifting configuration, the support feet 11a are brought from a rest position in which they do not interfere with the movements of the device to an active position: in particular the their free end comes to rest inside the respective seat 11b.

The rolling constraint between the seat 11b and the end of the support foot 11a which houses it effectively closes an articulated quadrilateral consisting of the main frame 2, the first and second support sections 3a, 3b, and the foot support 11a itself. This kinematic structure will therefore suitably guide the orientation of the second support section 3b as the inclination of the first varies, which occurs due to the effect of the motor means described above.

The auxiliary device 1 comprises, associated with the main frame 2, mechanical edges 6 with microswitches, arranged on the three sides of the perimeter of contact between the box-like structure of the main frame 2 itself and the supporting structure 3. In other words, they are located on the free edges of the side walls 2b and of the end wall 2c.

The mechanical edges 6 are known devices which activate a switch if pressure is exerted on them. In the present device, they are arranged to lock the motor means, interrupting the movement of the support structure 3 towards the position of minimum inclination. It should be noted that the pressure on the mechanical edges 7 may be due to the reaching of the minimum inclination position of the support section 3 or to the accidental interposition of a foreign body between the main frame 2 and the support section 3.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the opening present between the main frame 2 and the support section 3 can be covered by suitable covering means, for example a protective casing in foldable cloth. Naturally, these covering means will be folded in correspondence with the minimum inclination position. Alternatively, the perimeter defined by the free edges of the side walls 2b and by the head wall 2c of the main frame 2 can be suitably closed by means of a rigid or non-rigid cover, shaped so as not to hinder the movement of the lifting arms 5.

It should be noted once again that the box-like structure of the main frame 2, once closed by means of the support structure 3, appears as a compact and autonomous unit comprising inside it all the elements necessary for the operation of the auxiliary device 1, which only needs to be connected to an electrical power source in order to function.

To allow easy transport of the auxiliary device, external gripping means of the aforesaid box-like structure are also provided, which take the form of two handle grips 7, integrally associated with the head wall 2c, and in as many through openings 9 arranged in proximity of the hinging vertex.

To control the linear actuators 4 which raise and lower the support section 3, the auxiliary device 1 further provides a push-button panel 8 arranged externally on the head wall 2c.

The push-button panel 8 also comprises a binary selector, operated by a key, which allows you to select a desired operating mode for the device control electronics: head lift or foot lift.

In head lifting mode, the motor means are blocked if a sensor warns the electronics that the blocking means 10 are inactive, or that the first and second support sections 3a, 3b are released from each other.

On the other hand, in foot-lifting mode, if the sensor signals that the blocking means 10 are active, the motor means are only allowed to raise the first support section 3a up to the maximum inclination position; in this position, the electronics await the extraction of the third support section 3c and the consequent release of the support structure 3 before allowing further movement of the device.

The connections for the electrical power supply of the device are also provided in correspondence with the push-button panel 8, although alternative embodiments may provide an internal battery.

Furthermore, in order to allow remote control, possibly also by the bedridden patient, the device provides a remote control 20.

In the embodiment described here, the remote control has four buttons; two to control the lifting and lowering of the support section 3, the remaining to request assistance and to transmit an alarm.

The structural parts of the auxiliary device 1, in this case the main frame 2, the support section 3 and the two lifting arms 5, are suitably made of aluminum, so as not to weigh down the assembly.

We emphasize once again as the main advantage of the device described herein its great manageability, compactness, and flexibility of use, which allow an exceptional ease of use even in domestic environments, thanks also to the possibility of adapting to beds of a traditional type and not specifically designed for health care tasks.

Obviously, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, a person skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations to the invention described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Auxiliary device (1) for the bedding of a patient, comprising: a main frame (2), which has a support base (2a) designed to rest on a support structure of a bed (100) ; a support structure (3) comprising at least a first support section (3a) for the bedridden patient, said first support section (3a) being movable with respect to said main frame (2) and arranged to support at least one body segment of a patient lying on said bed (100); motor means designed to move said first support section (3a), and the body segment supported by it, between a minimum inclination position with respect to the support base (2a) and a maximum inclination position with respect to the base support (2a). 2. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 1, in which an edge of said first support section (3a) is hinged to the main frame (2) according to a first hinge axis (xâ € ™), said structure support (3) comprising a second support section (3b) hinged, according to a second hinging axis (xâ € ™ â € ™) parallel to the first, to the opposite edge of the first support section (3a). 3. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 2, further comprising guide means (11) arranged to guide the movement of the second support section (3b) as the inclination of the first support section (3a) with respect to the frame varies main (2). Auxiliary device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, said auxiliary device (1) being selectively configurable in a head lifting configuration or in a foot lifting configuration; in correspondence with said head-lifting configuration, the first support section (3a) and the second support section (3b) being aligned, integral with each other and arranged to support a trunk-head segment of the patient; in correspondence with said foot-lifting configuration, the first support section (3a) and the second support section (3b) being relatively rotatable according to the second hinging axis (xâ € ™ â € ™) and respectively intended to support the pelvis-knee segment and the patient's knee-foot segment; said auxiliary device comprising locking means (10), adapted to block the relative rotation between the first support section (3a) and the second support section (3b) in the head lifting configuration. 5. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the support structure (3) comprises a third extendable support section (3c), slidingly movable between a retracted position and an extended position projecting with respect to the free edge of the second support section (3b). 6. Auxiliary device according to claim 5, wherein said locking means (10) are mechanically connected to the third extendable support section (3c) so as to be active in correspondence with the retracted position thereof and inactive in correspondence of its extended position . 7. Auxiliary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which said main frame (2) has a reclosable box-like structure, comprising the motor means inside, said reclosable box-like structure defining an autonomous and compact unit. 8. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first support section (3a) is hinged to the main frame according to a first hinging axis (xâ € ™), the box-like structure of the main frame (2 ) being reclosable from the top by means of the support structure (3), defining with it a wedge, said hinging axis (xâ € ™) being arranged at the vertex of said wedge. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said motor means comprise at least one linear actuator (4), connected by means of a lifting arm (5) to the first movable support section (3a). 10. Auxiliary device (1) according to claim 9, wherein said linear actuator (4) comprises an electric motor (4a) associated with a worm screw (4b), a fork end (5a) of the lifting arm (5) being hinged to a cursor (4c) sliding along said worm screw (4b), the opposite end of the lifting arm (5) being hinged to the mobile support section (3).