WO2003068124A2

WO2003068124A2 - Aid to the movement of patients having disorders of the locomotor system

Info

Publication number: WO2003068124A2
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gino Parolin
Original assignee: Gino Parolin
Priority date: 2002-02-11
Filing date: 2003-01-21
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: WO2003068124A3; AU2003207995A1; ITPD20020031A1; AU2003207995A8

Abstract

Aid to the movement of patient having disorders of the locomotor system, comprising a base (2; 31) from which at least one upright (3a, 3b, 3c; 32) extends upwards, carrying handles (4; 33) which are configured so that the patient holds on to them in order to lift himself into an erect position, wherein the base includes a foot-rest (5) and the upright element comprises at least two handles at different distances from the base so that the patient, counterbalanced by the force exerted by his feet on the foot-rest, holds on to the handles in different positions while lifting himself into an erect position.

Description

Aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders DESCRIPTION Technical field

The present invention relates to an aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders of the type comprising the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim. Technological background

A number of debilitating disorders of the faculty of movement cause in the patient an unpleasant state of dependence on third parties in order to exercise even the minimum locomotive faculty. Typical in this sense are compromised movements linked to Parkinson's disease, some forms of sclerosis, etc., in which the patient loses the faculty of taking up, without any aids, the erect position. In fact, the compromised movements, once the patient is correctly on his feet, can often be effectively mitigated by means of adequate supports. However, the difficulties in taking up an erect position can sometimes appear insurmountable, especially when the patient is unable to help himself during the lifting action with all his muscular effort, including that of the upper limbs. In order to overcome the problem, the prior art has developed special aids, significant examples of which are described in DE 198 44240, WO00/54722, US 5007618 and GB2190004.

Both the devices described in US 5007618 and GB2190004 are particularly intended to facilitate the movement of the patient to and from sanitary facilities which, though representing a substantial aspect of the motive independence of the individual, amounts to only a fraction of the activities in which the capacity for independence is required during the day. The device of the US patent further requires an unnatural effort from the arms in a backward direction and does not allow progression of the movement of the upper limbs whilst rising into an erect position. On the other hand, the device of the British patent is relatively unstable, so much so that, when used to lift oneself into an erect position, it must be associated with a fixed foot- rest. Statement of invention

The principal technical problem addressed by the invention is to provide an aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders which is structurally and functionally designed to overcome all of the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the above prior art.

Within the scope of this problem, a primary objective of the invention is to provide a versatile aid which is suitable for facilitating both the lifting of the patient and his walking and other activities, such as dining, physical exercise, etc.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an aid which is particularly stable under any conditions of use.

This problem, with these and other objectives, is solved by the invention by means of an aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders which is constructed according to the claims below.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the detailed description of two preferred embodiments which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views from the front and rear, respectively, of the aid of this invention;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the aid in the preceding Figures which is provided with a small table;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the aid according to the invention;

- Figures 5 to 7 are schematic views which illustrate the unfolding of the aid in Figure 4 from the non-operative position to the operative position. Preferred embodiments of the invention

In Figures 1 to 3, an aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders which is brought about according to the present invention is generally designated 1. The aid 1 is principally intended to facilitate the action of lifting oneself into an erect position for those persons in whom debilitating disorders of the muscular or nervous system inhibit muscular control, in particular of the lower limbs. In this case, it has been found that by providing the patient with the faculty for holding himself at positions (handles) at gradually increasing levels during the lifting process, given that the stability of the aid is guaranteed, his capacity for movement, independence and safety in respect of managing his own requirements with total independence are unexpectedly increased.

The aid 1 comprises a base 2, from which a plurality of uprights 3a,b,c extend upwards, carrying handles 4 which are configured so that the patient holds on to them in order to lift himself into an erect position. The base 2 includes a foot-rest 5 which is mounted near the uprights 3a-c above a forked construction whose prongs 6a, 6c which are firmly fixed to the foot of the corresponding upright extend beyond the foot-rest 5 at the side remote from the uprights themselves. The central upright is also provided with a prong 6b which is preferably shorter and does not protrude beyond the foot-rest 5. One or more of the prongs may be provided with an extension 6d that is retractable and extensible at the side remote from the foot-rest so as to counteract backward overturning of the aid 1. The extension 6d is normally retracted in a suitable housing, which is provided in the prong itself, and is drawn telescopically from the housing when needed.

The foot-rest 5 acts both as an element for the structural interconnection of the prongs 6a-c in order to strengthen the structure of the aid 1, and as a support for the feet of the patient. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the force exerted by the patient on the handles when lifting himself into an erect position is counterbalanced because the force exerted by his feet on the foot-rest generates a turning moment which is proportional to the extent of the prongs 6 projecting beyond the foot-rest itself. This ensures the stability of the aid under all conditions of use. This stability is further increased with the extension drawn out.

The base is preferably provided, in the zone immediately underneath the uprights, with rollers (not illustrated) which facilitate the movement of the aid 1 with moderate effort.

In the technical solution of the first embodiment, the uprights extend upwards from the base in a mutually spaced-apart arrangement and the handles are provided on cross-pieces 4a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h which extend in a mutually spaced- apart arrangement transversely relative to the vertical development of the uprights in the manner of gymnastics wall bars.

There is also provision for the aid 1 to carry a single central upright, as will be better described in relation to the second embodiment, and for the cross- pieces which constitute handles to extend bilaterally from the upright itself or for the handles to be constructed in the form of openings which are located above each other at intervals in the upright.

Owing to the provision of multiple cross-pieces, which are located vertically above each other in a mutually spaced-apart arrangement, the patient is offered, in addition to the possibility of holding on at increasingly high levels during the lifting operation into an erect position (which affords the patient greater safety because he is always gripping at the level at which he best exerts his own force with his upper limbs), also the possibility of carrying out gymnastic exercises in order to improve his own muscular control and development.

Finally, a shelf-like element 7 is proposed which can be connected removably so as to project from the uprights in the form of a small table. The second embodiment of the invention is generally designated 30. It has been constructed as a portable version and is therefore- configured to take up an operative position, illustrated in Figure 7, and a transport position, illustrated in Figure 5.

With reference to the operative position in Figure 7, the aid 30 comprises a base 31 and a single upright 32 in two (or more) sections 32a, b, whose section that is remote from the base 31 is provided with openings 33 above each other. The two sections of the upright are connected to each other by means of a hinge 34 so as to be foldable one on top of the other in the manner indicated, but so that opposing abutting faces 35 of each section are joined end to end when the upright extends in an operative position. In this position, therefore, the upright 32 is rigid in the direction of forces which are directed towards the base, but can be folded in the opposite direction. It is also provided that the upright can be dismounted and reassembled by other means, for example, by means of rapid couplings between the contiguous ends of the two sections.

In turn, the upright 32 is connected to the base removably, for example, so as to be able to pivot about a hinge 36. This connection can be locked both by geometric means, as indicated above, and by the optional provision of arresting means which are not illustrated (for example, of the bolt type), whose operation makes the upright rigid relative to the base. The invention thereby overcomes the problem addressed, achieving a number of advantages over the prior art. Firstly, it is suitable for providing a firm support for patients who, by means of the support, can use both their lower limbs and upper limbs to move themselves out of and into an erect position. Secondly, it is versatile in fulfilling diverse functions, such as acting as an effective support for gymnastic activities, ease of being converted to provide a small table, the possibility of ease of movement, etc.

Claims

1. Aid to the movement of patients having ambulatory disorders, comprising a base (2; 31) from which at least one upright (3a, 3b, 3c; 32) extends upwards, carrying handles (4; 33) which are configured so that the patient holds on to them in order to lift himself into an erect position, characterized in that the base (2; 31) includes a foot-rest (5) and in that the at least one upright comprises at least two handles at different distances from the base so that the patient, counterbalanced by the force exerted by his feet on the foot-rest, holds on to the handles in different positions while lifting himself into an erect position.

2. Aid to the movement of patients according to claim 1, wherein the base (2) extends beyond the zone of support of the feet on the foot-rest at the side remote from the at least one upright.

3. Aid to the movement of patients according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handles (4) are located vertically above each other.

4. Aid to the movement of patients according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least two uprights (3a, 3b, 3c) extend upwards from the base in a mutually spaced-apart arrangement, the handles being provided on cross-pieces (4a - 4h) which extend between or from the uprights in a mutually spaced-apart arrangement.

5. Aid to the movement of patients according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises a forked construction.

6. Aid to the movement of patients according to claim 5, wherein the forked construction comprises prongs (6a, 6b, 6c) which extend in the same direction from the respective uprights.

7. Aid to the movement of patients according to claim 6, wherein the prongs of the forked construction are interconnected transversely by the foot- rest.

8. Aid to the movement of patients according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the prongs of the forked construction extend beyond the foot-rest at the side remote from the uprights.

9. Aid to the movement of patients according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a configuration having a shelf-like element (7) which can be connected removably so as to project from the at least one upright in the form of a small table.

10. Aid to the movement of patients according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one upright (32) comprises a plurality of sections which are joined to each other and which are connected in order to take up a first transport configuration, in which they are brought together one on top of the other, and an operative position, in which they extend from the base (31) as extensions of each other in an erect configuration.

11. Aid to the movement of patients according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises extensions (6d) which can be drawn from the side that is remote from the foot-rest relative to the upright in order to stabilize the base with regard to accidental overturning backwards.