JPS636220B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a birthing bathtub for pregnant women.

It is important to relieve the tension of the pregnant woman during the advanced stages of labor before delivery, as this is the most important step in minimizing complications and ensuring a successful delivery of the newborn. This is especially true in the case of natural birth methods. In the past, little effort has been made to assist these patients, other than through the use of drugs, and such measures should be avoided in the interest of more natural childbirth methods.

It is widely accepted that hot water baths are more effective in promoting relaxation if the hot water is agitated by the now common method of vortex devices known as gacuzzi.

Therefore, there is a need for a convenient means for immediately switching to delivery measures while taking a stress-relieving bath at the end of labor. The present invention is directed to a practical and effective apparatus for accomplishing this objective.

In accordance with the present invention, a birthing bath and related devices are provided for use during childbirth to promote relaxation of tension and reduce pain associated with labor and delivery.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a specialized tank or bathtub and related equipment for use in supporting a pregnant woman during labor and delivery.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a bathtub with facilities for supporting the lower half of a pregnant woman's body in warm water during labor to facilitate her ability to obtain optimal comfort and relaxation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing pregnant women who can easily move from a position where most of the pregnant woman's body is immersed in warm water during labor to an elevated position where the pregnant woman's body is lifted above the surface of the warm water during labor. A movable platform for body support is built into the bathtub.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a special tank or bathtub in a movable configuration so that it can be easily moved from one room, such as a private room in which it is placed during labor, to another room, such as a delivery room. be.

It is a further object of the present invention to incorporate into this specialized tank structure a pair of leg supports that are adjustable and movable from a storage position to a position used during labor.

It is a further object of the present invention to incorporate a device for controlling or regulating the temperature of the water into the tank or bathtub structure.

Another object of the invention is to incorporate within the tank or bathtub a device for creating or agitating the hot water to the required degree.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tank or bathtub with a water filtration device that maintains hot water in a sanitary condition each time it is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide push-button control of the platform position prior to delivery.
Also included is an actuator connected to a platform for supporting a pregnant woman during labor within a tank structure.

Yet another object of the invention is to incorporate a low voltage accumulator into the tank or bath structure for use as a power source to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, and the novel features which characterize the invention will be particularly apparent in the claims appended as a part of this application. .

The invention will now be described more clearly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

To explain in more detail with regard to the attached drawings, the first
The figures show a delivery bath in the form of a movable rectangular bath 11 supported on four wheels 12, 12'. A movable body support platform 13 is located in the center of the bathtub 11, and 2
The vehicle is mounted on a pair of rails 14 by a rear wheel 16 mounted on one axle and a front wheel 17 mounted on two axles. Two adjustable leg rests 15 are arranged, one at each of the two front corners of the bathtub 11.

The bathtub 11 has a rectangular shape, and wheels 12,1
2' is placed below each of the four corners. Two wheels at either end are pivotally mounted on the structure to allow steerability, while the other two wheels are fixed. A rail 14 disposed on the inner surface of the bathtub 11 is inclined obliquely in an arc from the top of the front edge of the bathtub to a point near the center of its base. Inside the bathtub 11, extending in the longitudinal direction from the center to the rear are shelf sections 18, one on each side of the bathtub. The space between these shelves is slightly larger than the overall dimensions of the platform 13 at a point adjacent its wheels 16.

Each legrest 15 has a U-shaped saddle 15'' at its free end and a laterally extending portion 15 at its other end.
It has an arm 15' supported by. This arm portion 15 is rotatable and slidably supported in a hollow bore within the bathtub. The two leg rests are rotatably mounted to be stored in the horizontal position shown in solid lines in FIG.

The platform 13 has a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly bent in the transverse direction so that the lower end of the platform 13 serves as a seat for the user. The rear wheel 16 is supported at both ends of an axle 19 which is fixed to the bottom of the platform by two orthogonally extending columns 21. The column is fixed at its upper end to the lower surface of the rear end of the platform 13. Transverse fins 20 are provided to strengthen the column.
The front wheel 17 is mounted on the underside of the platform slightly behind its leading edge and in its center. The distance between the two front wheels 17 is such that the front wheels can ride on the inclined rail 14. When the platform 13 is installed in the bathtub 11, the rear wheels 17
are positioned such that the shelves cooperating with the inclined rails 14 are confined between the shelves 18 to ensure and maintain the aligned position of the platform within the bathtub 11.

Two small shelves 23, 24 are arranged in the corners of the end of the bathtub opposite to the shelf 18, which are designed in this way in order to provide a clearance below them for the front wheel 12'. It is configured.

Further functional accessories of the birthing bathtub device 10 are arranged in a storage compartment 25 located at the rear of the bathtub 11, these include a storage battery 26, a water strainer 27,
It consists of a hot water heater 28 and a pump 29. The operator's controls are located on a control panel 31 located on the top of the compartment 25, and another control is located on a separate control panel 32 located on one side of the bathtub 11 for patient operation. Ru. A piston-shaped actuator 33 is provided for moving the platform 13 along the rail 14. This actuator consists of a cylinder 33A having a hydraulically actuated piston and a piston rod 33B inside. One end of the cylinder 33A of the actuator 33 is pivotally attached to the lower inside of the rear part of the bathtub 11.
The free end of the piston rod 33B is pivoted to the front underside of the platform 13. When piston rod 33B is extended in response to fluid pressure within cylinder 33A of actuator 33, platform 13 is moved upwardly along rail 14. When the platform 13 reaches its fully forward position, its wheels 17 rest in cylindrical recesses 35 in the front end of the rails 14.
This recess 35 serves to secure the forward position of the platform 13.

During use of the bathtub 10 during the labor period prior to delivery, the platform 13 is moved manually to its retracted position. The patient sits or lies on the platform 13 with the legs resting on the shelves 23,24.
The bathtub 11 is substantially filled with warm water covering most of the patient's body. The hot water supplied by the pump 29 flows through a duct in the wall of the bathtub 11 and reaches the opening 3.
6 into the bathtub 11, and then the bathtub 11
The filter 2 is removed from the bathtub through the opening 37 in the rear wall of the bathtub.
7 and returns to the pump 29 via the heater 28.

A battery 26 is used as a low voltage energy source for operation of pump 29, heater 28, and associated solenoids and controls. This low voltage source is preferable to regular AC power because there is no risk of electrical shock to the patient.

During labor, the patient can adjust the flow control 38 on the control panel 32. This control section 38 controls the pump 2
9 and thereby control the velocity and turbulence of the hot water flowing out of the openings 36. A jacuzzi effect is thus obtained, which complements the relaxing effect of a warm water bath. The patient can also access a temperature control 39, also located on the control panel 32. This control unit 39 adjusts the temperature of the hot water by controlling the current flowing from the storage battery 26 to the electric heater 28. The patient can thus control both the temperature and turbulence of the water to the extent that he feels comfortable and relieved.

The importance of maintaining the hygiene of the bathtub 11 will be immediately recognized. The continuous recirculation of hot water through the filter 27 serves this purpose well.

When delivery is imminent, the delivery tub 10 is moved to the delivery room and the platform 13 is moved to a raised position in front to serve as a delivery table. To move the platform 13 to the forward position,
The nurse or attendant lifts the patient's legs above the front end of the bathtub 11. The next attendant is the control panel 25
The upper switch 41 is operated to energize a solenoid valve (not shown) that switches the outlet of the pump 29 from the duct supply device 36 to the cylinder of the actuator 33. Actuator 33 responds by driving point 34 and platform 13 forward so that front wheel 16 moves on rail 14 and finally rests in recess 35. The legrests are then raised and adjusted to comfortably support the patient's legs during delivery.

After delivery, the patient is removed from the platform 13 and the platform is manually returned to the lower retracted position.

When the bathtub 10 is not in use, a power ON/OFF switch 42 on the control panel 25 disconnects all loads from the storage battery.

Thus, a versatile birthing bath and associated apparatus is provided in accordance with each of the above objects of the present invention. Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to only one embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a birthing bathtub embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the birthing bathtub taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a support in an elevated position during childbirth. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the birthing bathtub device showing the leg hooks of the platform in the position used during childbirth; FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view showing the front of the platform FIG. 6 is a plan view of the platform assembly, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the hanger in a position to support the legs of a pregnant woman during childbirth. 10... Bathtub device, 11... Bathtub, 13... Platform, 14... Truck, 16... Rear wheel, 17... Front wheel, 27... Filter, 33...
Moving device, 35...locking device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A bath for holding warm water for sedating a pregnant woman in labor; a track installed in the bath so as to extend in its longitudinal direction; and a track for moving along the track. a tilting platform mounted on said track such that a pregnant woman lying on said platform immerses her lower body in warm water in said bathtub from a first position in said bathtub; A birthing bathtub, characterized in that it is provided with a device for moving the platform to a second raised position, and a locking device for holding the platform in the second position. 2. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein said track is tilted to said second position. 3. A bathtub according to claim 1, characterized in that said platform is provided with wheels for moving along said track. 4. A bathtub according to claim 1, further comprising a device attached to the bathtub for circulating hot water into the bathtub for therapeutic benefit. 5. A bathtub according to claim 1, wherein said locking device comprises a recess in the tube wall at one end of said track. 6. The bathtub of claim 1, further comprising a device attached to the outside of the tube for filtering and heating the hot water in the bathtub. 7. further comprising a control device mounted on the tube in a position for operation by a pregnant woman in labor lying on the platform to control the operation of the device for heating water in the bathtub; A bathtub according to claim 6. 8. Claim further comprising a pair of spaced apart leg rests attached to the ends of the track on the tub adjacent the second location for holding the legs of a pregnant woman during labor. The bathtub described in item 2 of the range. 9. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein said track is a pair of spaced apart rails.