NZ244406A - Apparatus for turning patient in bed, patient sandwiched between two controlled cushioned frames - Google Patents

Description

24f406 Priority Date(s): I TV.... 1? | J Cou.^ieie Specification Filed: .l?!".1!'."? I CH.«: .fljfe.l.

Publication Date: ...NfiX .!??§ P.O. Journal No: J. rT. ...

Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DISABLED PERSONS AID WE, JOSEPHINE FERNANDEZ-HANNS and GARRY HANNS, both citizens of Australia of Lot 424, Hamley Bridge Road, Templers, State of South Australia, AUSTRALIA hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - 1 - t (followed by page la) ;• _.,r; 1 O, DISABLED PERSONS AID This invention relates to a disabled persons aid and in particular to a means and method for effecting a turning of a person whilst supported in a vertical or inclined position.

The problem to which this invention is directed relates to difficulties associated with turning disabled persons who may be confined to a bed.

Generally it necessary to periodically turn a person who is confined to a bed and unable to turn themselves. Such turning is necessary in order to minimise bed sores or simply to provide increased comfort to the patient.

Turning a patient can be achieved manually and conventionally requires more than one person. This may be either too expensive or extremely inconvenient as two or more people have to be employed or available on a regular basis to provide turning assistance. Furthermore, this may cause injury or strain to a person's back who assists in turning the patient.

Turning aids are known but previous devices are relatively expensive and require equipment dedicated for turning only. Furthermore, such equipment of which we are presently aware is not suitable or convenient for all patients.

It is the object of this invention to alleviate one or more of the abovementioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

According to one form of this invention there is provided an apparatus for turning a patient including: a first base having a first cushioning means adapted to support a patient; a second base having a second cushioning means adapted to 25 support a patient; a locking means having a mechanical relationship with the first and second bases, the locking means being adapted to lock one of the cushioning means above the other cushioning means to sandwich the patient therebetween; and a rotation means adapted to provide a rotation of both bases such (followed by page 2) that support of a patient is transferred from one of the cushioning means to the other cushioning means.

In preference, both of the cushioning means are adapted to supporrt the patient in a prone position.

In preference, the edges of the cushioning means protrude above the rest of the cushioning means so as to provide an enclosing effect when the patient is sandwiched between both cushioning means.

In preference, at least one of the cushioning means has an aperture adapted to allow the patient to breath whilst sandwiched between both cushioning means.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided an arrangement for effecting a turning of a patient confined to a bed, which includes a first frame and a second frame, each of the frames being adapted to support a cushioning means, means to hold respective frames with supported cushioning means so that one is located above the other with a patient engageable space therebetween, and means at each end of the respective frames to interengage with a support means so as to allow the respective frames to rotate as a composite body with a patient encaptured therebetween.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided a method of turning a patient including the steps of: supporting the patient upon a first cushioning means; sandwiching the patient between the first cushioning means and a second cushioning means; rotating the cushioning means so the support of the patient is transferred from the first cushioning means to the second cushioning means; and removing the first cushioning means so that the patient is no longer sandwiched between both cushioning means.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided a method of turning a patient confined to a bed including the steps of: encapturing the patient between two cushioning means supported by respective frames one above the other, supporting from respective ends, the said frames so that the said frames are lifted together, rotating the frames as a composite body so that a first of the frames together with its attached 5 cushioning means changes position from being below the patient to being above the patient, and the second frame with attached cushioning means changes its position from being above the patient to below the patient, and then lifting the uppermost frame together with its cushioning means away from the patient.

In preference the frames are adapted to be lifted by lifting means to allow for the turning action.

A number of advantages arise from this arrangement and method. Firstly, there is some advantage in having two cushioning means so that a first of the cushioning means lies beneath the patient for only a part of the period 15 allowing the other mattress to be fully aired from time to time.

Secondly, the two cushioning means, which can be appropriately shaped in difficult cases to conform to the body shape of a patient, have the purpose of providing safe rotation for weak patients or those with difficult limb distortions, body distortions or tender skin conditions.

Finally, the turning of the patient can be achieved by one person.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided a bed including: support means adapted to support the bed in relation to a floor; two cushioning means frames each having a major axis which is parallel to 25 the major axis of the other frame; two arm means supported by the support means, each supporting one of the frames and both having a common axis of rotation parallel to the major axes of the frames; means to selectively effect, separately or together, rotation of the two arm 30 means about the said common axis; means to effect, for each arm means and associated frame, linear movement of the frame along the arm means; and, means to selectively establish substantially fixed spatial relationships between the frames.

In preference the support means include two stands between which the frames are supported such that the said common axis passes through the stands; each stand support two arms one being associated with one of the two arm means and the other arm being associated with the other arm means, and each stand includes part of the means to effect rotation of the two arm means and each part is linked with a drive means.

Preferably, the means to effect linear movement of the frame along the arm 10 means includes a rack along each arm means and a pinion driven by a worm drive.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided a bed including: two stands in a spaced apart relationship, each stand supporting two coaxial axles and the axis which one pair of axles are coaxial with is the same axis with which the other pair of axles are coaxial; each axle supporting an arm such that rotation of the axle effects rotation of the arm; two frames each supporting a cushioning means and each frame being 20 supported between the stands by different arms at each stand; each arm having a rack along or partly along the length of the arm; each frame supporting a worm drive gearbox engaged with an axle at each end of which is a pinion, the pinions of the axle being engaged with the racks of the arms supporting the frame thereby adapted to effect linear movement of 25 the associated frame along the associated arm, and there is a crank engaged with each worm drive gearbox; each stand supporting a gearbox selectively engaging the axles supported by that stand; two belt drives each engaged with one of the said gearboxes of the stands 30 and each belt drive being engaged with opposite ends of a drive shaft extending between the stands; and, at least one main crank engaged with one of the gearboxes such that rotation of the main crank or cranks effect rotation of the arms.

Alternatively, in another form of this invention there is provided a bed including: a support means including and supporting at least two coaxial axles; each axle supporting an arm such that rotation of the axle effects rotation of the arm; two frames each supporting a cushioning means and each frame being supported by different arms; means to selectively effect, separately and together, rotation of the two arm means by rotation of the axles; and, means to effect, for each arm and associated frame, linear movement of the 10 frame along the arm.

Preferably, the support means is comprised of two stands in a spaced apart relationship; there being two pairs of the two coaxial axles, one pair being supported by one stand the other pair being supported by the other stand; each axle supporting an arm such that rotation of the axle effects rotation of the arm so that there are two pairs of arms; two frames each supporting a cushioning means and each frame being supported by different arms of each pair of arms; means to selectively effect, separately and together, rotation of the two arm 20 means by rotation of the axles; and, means to effect, for each arm and associated frame, linear movement of the frame along the arm.

In preference there are manually powered drive means to effect the said rotation of the arms and movement of the frames. A crank drive engaging a 25 gearbox and the axles which is turned by hand is just one example of the manually powered drive means.

In a further preferred form there is an electrically powered drive means to effect the said rotation of the arms and movement of the frames.

In preference there are control means adapted control of the said rotation of 30 the arms and movement of the frames by effecting the drive means. The control means can take a number of forms. It can be a sliceable cog of a gearbox used to select which of the arms are rotated or even if both are rotated at the same time. In another form, a microprocessor can be used to control electric motors which effect the rotation of the arms and movement of 6 the frames.

In any of the above forms the cushioning means is preferably a mattress.

The invention will be better understood when described with reference to the preferred embodiments which will now be described with the assistance of 5 drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an end view of the embodiment showing the respective frames in a patient encapturing position, FIG. 2 shows the two frames in a conventional after use condition, FIG. 3 shows the same arrangement as in FIG. 1 in which the respective frames are being held together so as to act in consort in a patient encapturing position and are being lifted proprietary to rotation, FIG. 4 is the same view as in Figure 3 except that the respective frames have now been turned and are being lowered onto the bed 15 base, FIG. 5 is a schematic of a side view of a second preferred embodiment, FIG. 6 is a schematic of the cross section of the gearbox in the stand of the second embodiment, and FIGs 7 to 11 illustrate a third embodiment.

Referring in details to the drawings, there is shown a bed base 1 onto which there is located a first frame 2 which provides a perimeter frame for supporting a cross webbing (not specifically shown). The cross webbing is affixed to a 25 cushioning means 3 and provides a supporting means for the cushioning means 3 upon which a patient may lie. 7 The same structural arrangement is shown for the second frame 4 in which there is a perimeter frame constructed in this case with an overlaying webbing cross structure providing for support and being affixed to a cushioning means 5.

The first frame 2 and second frame 4, with their attached cushioning means 3 and 5, are adapted to be held in a relative relationship by lever arms 6 and 7. These are pivotally secured to each other at 8 so as to allow relative positioning of the frames 2 and 4 from a position as shown in FIG. 1 to typically a position as shown in Figure 4. Other position are available ( as shown in for 10 example in FIG. 2) noting that the lever arms 6 and 7 are located a first set at one end of the frames 2 and 4 and a second set at the other end. The lever arms in each case are rigidly secured relative to the respective frames 2 or 4 so that they are not pivotally attached to their respective frames 2 or 4.

At each end of the respective frames 2 and 4 there are outstanding spigots 15 shown at 9 and 10. The spigots 9 and 10 are at both ends of the frames 2 and 4. These are secured in relative relationship by plate 11 which has a further spigot 12. The plate 11 can have a number of holes ( not shown) so that the spigots 9 and 10 can be located in the plate so as to sandwich patients of differing physical sizes. Note other mechanisms are possible such as 20 providing a slot in the plate 11 and replacing the spigot with a nut and bolt means.

Finally, at the side of the respective frames 2 and 4 further from the lever arms 6 and 7 are fingers 13 and 14 and tie straps 15.

What is not shown in the drawings is a hoist with a lift frame. However, a hoist 25 of a type that is generally standard within hospitals is used and the lift frame having two outermost supported loops are respectively engaged about the spigots 12 at one end and the other spigot at the opposite end. the whole of the assembly can be lifted relative to the bed base 1 such that a patient will be appropriately captured or sandwiched between the cushioning means faces. 30 To allow the patient to breath there is an aperture in at least one of the cushioning means so that when the patient is sandwiched the patient's nose or mouth or both are not covered by the cushioning means 3 or 5.

The lifting by the hoist is then achieved through appropriate lifting 8 mechanisms such as hydraulic lifting action and the turning of the patient is manually achieved by the nurse or other attendant simply manually pulling the composite assembly of the frames 2 and 4 and the other pieces around so that as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The frame that was uppermost then becomes 5 lowermost with its attached cushioning means and finally then as in Figure 4, the straps 15, the plate 11 can be disengaged and allow the frame to be swung away around the pivot 8.

Any appropriate support technique can be used which can include the arrangement of a permanently affixed support frame located at the respective 10 ends of the frames . For instance, a first frame can be swung across and joined with a removable pin, which replaces spigot 9. The uppermost frame is then released from capture and swung away leaving the patient in the turned condition on the lowermost frame.

Turning now to the second embodiment as shown in FIGs 5 and 6, it will be 15 appreciated that the diagrams are for illustrative purposes only. The bed 16 includes two cushioning means 17 and 18 secured to two frames 19 and 20 respectively. A patient would for example lie on cushioning means 17, the other cushioning means 18 is normally located underneath the cushioning means 17. Through the rotation process the patient is transferred from 20 cushioning means 17 to cushioning means 18 with the cushioning means 17 and 18 swapping locations.

Two stands, one being marked as 21, support the bed 16 in a stable upright manner with respect to the floor 22. The stand 21 has a foot 23 upon the floor 22. Between the stands a box beam 24 provides structural rigidity to the bed 25 16. Within the box beam 24 there is a drive shaft 25 which is used to transfer drive from one stand to the other. The gearbox 26 will be described further later.

A the top of the stand 21 is a gearbox 26 and two coaxial axles 27 and 28. Drive to and from the gearbox 26 is transmitted to or from the drive shaft 25 by 30 belts 29. Note a chain drive could be used if desired.

To each coaxial axle is attached an arm 31 or 30. Arm 30 supports frame 19 and arm 31 supports frame 20. The arms 31 and 30 each have an extension 32 or 33 which are used to prevent rotation, by acting against plate 34, of the 9 frames 19 and 20 through more than a ninety degree arc from the horizontal. Locking means are provided to secure the arms 30 and 31 in a downward location, as illustrated, when not turning a patient.

Each arm has a rack one being shown at 35 which in conjunction with a 5 pinion, one shown as 36, allows for linear movement of the frame 19 up the arm 30. A sliding attachment is formed by the frame 19 to the arm 30 at 37. The other frame 20, has a similar arrangement with arm 31 and the arrangement is also used at the other stand, not shown.

Each frame 19 and 20 supports a worm drive gearbox, one being shown at 38 10 which drives drive shaft, one being shown at 39. At each end of these drive shafts, one being 39, are the pinions which engage the racks of the arm, one being pinion 36. By rotation of a crank inserted at 40 into the worn drive gearbox 38 the frame 19 can be linearly moved along the arm 30.

The worm drive gearbox of frame 20 is connected to the other side of frame 15 20, when referring to FIG. 5, so that when the frame 20 is rotated to a vertical position both worm drive gearboxes are accessible from the same side of the bed. When in this position, the frame 20 can be lowered to the patient and so form a secure holding of the patient during the process of rotating the patient. If desired, the position of the frames 19 and 20 can be adjusted so that the 20 axis of rotation is along the body of the patient. Note both frames can be operated in such a fashion so that in one configuration frame 19 is above frame 20 and in the other configuration frame 20 is above frame 19.

It will be appreciated that the worm drives are adapted to prevent unintentional downward movement of the frame which is supporting the 25 patient due to the weight of the patient. Further, the gearbox can be constructed with a lock to prevent movement of the frames along the arms.

The gearbox 26 of the stand 21 is shown in more detail, but in a schematic form, in Figure 6. It will be understood that this is not an engineering drawing but is intended to illustrate the general concepts of the apparatus.

A crank 41 is used to drive the gearbox 26 by rotating axle 42. This causes belt drive 29 to rotate. Further, cog 43 rotates causing cog 44 to rotate and so axle 45. Axle 45 can be slid in a limited fashion into and out of the stand 21 which causes cog 46 to engage either or both cogs 47 and 48. Cog 47 is attached to axle 28 and so rotation of it effect rotation of arm 30. Likewise, cog 48 effects rotation of arm 31.

Using this embodiment it can be seen that a patient can be sandwiched 5 between the cushioning means and turned. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment breathing apertures must be provided to allow the patent to breath whilst being turned.

Referring to the third embodiment as illustrated in FIGs 7 to 11 there is illustrated a first base 49 supporting a first cushioning means 50 supported 10 upon the arms 58 and 59 which are pivotally attached one to stand 55 and the other to stand 56. The second base 51 supports the second cushioning means upon the arms 60 and 61 which are pivotally attached one to stand 55 and the other to stand 56. the two stands 55 and 56.

Referring to FIG. 7 the first base 49 is below the second base 51. In operation 15 there would generally be a patient upon the second cushioning means 52. Referring to FIG. 8 the first base 49 is moved in a downward direction (as illustrated) along the arms 58 and 59. The first base 49 is the rotated to the position shown in FIG. 9 such that the first base 49 is now above the second base 51. When in this position both cushioning means 50 and 52 are facing 20 each other. The a pin may then be inserted into one of the desired pin holes 63 to provide a safety mechanism to reduce the possibility of crushing the patient. The base 49 and cushioning means 50 can then be moved in towards the base 51 and cushioning means 52 and there fore sandwich the patient therebetween (as illustrated in FIG. 10). The breathing hole 62 allows 25 the patient to breath whilst sandwiched between the cushioning means 50 and 52. Both bases and their respective cushioning means are then rotated as illustrated in FIG. 11. As a further safety feature the sides of both cushioning means protrude to provide an enclosing effect and therefore this reduces the possibility of a patient falling out of the sandwich position whilst 30 the bases and their respective cushioning means are being rotated.

As a consequence of rotation the patient has been transferred between the cushioning means and is also facing another direction. The second cushioning means then moves away from the first cushioning means so that the patient is no longer sandwiched. The second cushioning means then 11 rotates and is positioned under the first cushioning means in a similar fashion to that as described above. Finally when the patient is required to be transferred again between cushioning means a similar operation occurs again.

The embodiment as illustrated in FIGs 7 to 11 may be either manually powered or driven by an electric motor or other means of providing power.

Other embodiment are also possible for instance the crank handles of the second embodiment can be replaced by electric motors. Furthermore control means can be provided to control the electric motors and also the selection of the arms to be rotated at any one time. It will be appreciated that the details this embodiment would be apparent to a skilled addressee as controlled electric motors are well known. The control can further be undertaken with a microprocessor running a program if desired. 244406

Claims (5)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A bed including: support means adapted to support the bed in relation to a floor; two cushioning frames, the frames being arranged so as to have their major axes parallel; two arm means supported by the support means, each arm means supporting one of the frames, the arm means having a common axis of rotation parallel to the major axes of the frames; means to selectively effect, separately or together, rotation of the two arm means about the said common axis; means to effect, for each arm means and associated frame, linear movement of the frame along the arm means; and, means to selectively establish substantially fixed spatial relationships between the frames.

2. A bed as claimed in claim 1 in which the support means is comprised to two stands between which the frames are supported such that the said common axis passes through the stands; each stand supporting two arms, one being associated with one of the two arm means and the other arm being associated with the other arm means, and each stand includes part of the means to effect rotation of the two arm means and each part is linked with a drive means.

3. A bed as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the means to effect linear movement of the frame along the arm means includes a rack along each arm means and a pinion driven by a worm drive.

4. A bed according to claim 3 wherein each worm drive is engaged with an axle at each end of which is a pinion, the pinions of the axle being engaged with the racks of the arms supporting the frame thereby adapted to effect linear movement of the associated frame along the associated arm, and there is a crank engaged with each worm drive gearbox; each stand supporting a gearbox selectively engaging the axles supported by that stand; N,Z. PATENT OFFICE 21 MAR 1995 244406 1 3 two belt drives each engaged with one of the said gearboxes of the stands and each belt drive being engaged with opposite ends of a drive shaft extending between the stands; and, at least one main crank engaged with one of the gearboxes such that rotation of the main crank or cranks effect rotation of the arms.

5. An apparatus substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. JOSEPHINE FERNANDEZ AND GARRY HANNS BAL'DWIN, i SON & CAREY N.Z. PATENT OFFICE