WO2012073209A1

WO2012073209A1 - A support device

Info

Publication number: WO2012073209A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/055398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katharina Georgina Maria Antonia Badenhorst
Original assignee: Katharina Georgina Maria Antonia Badenhorst
Priority date: 2010-12-02
Filing date: 2011-12-01
Publication date: 2012-06-07
Also published as: ZA201108851B

Abstract

The present invention relates a support device which supports and transfers a patient. A support member has a back support portion and a thigh support portion which are relatively displaceably between a flat condition and a folded condition. In the flat condition, the support member is inserted underneath and removed from underneath a supine patient, and in a folded condition the back support portion is at an angle relative to the thigh support portion in order to support the patient in a seated position. An engagement arrangement secures the back support portion and thigh support portion releasably in the folded condition. The support device also includes lifting arrangements which are used to lift and move a patient to a desired location when the patient is positioned on the support member. The support device provides a cost effective and safe and comfortable manner for transporting a patient from one location to another.

Description

A SUPPORT DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a support device for supporting and transferring a patient and a method thereof.

Generally, various slings are used to transfer patients. These slings are usually detachably suspended to mechanical lifting devices such as hoists. Although this arrangement helps to move the patient, mechanical lifting devices are expensive and are not always readily available or practical, e.g. in confined areas or in remote locations. There is accordingly a need to lift and move patients manually.

Physically moving a patient with no or limited mobility is a difficult and unpleasant exercise both for caregivers such as nursing personnel and for the patient as well. Caregivers bear the risk of incurring back injuries as a result of manually lifting and moving patients.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support device which will in the Inventor's view alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a support device for supporting and transferring a patient, the support device comprising:

a support member having a back support portion and a thigh support portion which are relatively displaceably between a flat condition in which the support member can be inserted underneath and removed from underneath a supine person, and a folded condition in which the back support portion is at an angle relative to the thigh support portion to support the patient in a seated position;

an engagement arrangement configured to secure the back support portion and thigh support portion releasably in the folded condition; and

a lifting arrangement carried by the support member, whereby a patient positioned on the support member can be lifted and moved to a desired location.

A person may be a patient with limited or no mobility.

The engagement arrangement may include, on the support member, at least one engagement member connected to each side of the back support portion and another complementary engagement member connected to each side of the thigh support portion. The engagement members and the complementary engagement members are releasably engageable with each other when in their folded condition. The engagement members are configured so as to be able to be tightened to ensure that the patient is appropriately secured on the support member.

The engagement members may be selected from any one of the group comprising: a snap-fit, a buckle head and complementary buckle head receiver, a strap and a complementary buckle strap receiver and a hook and loop arrangement. Preferably, the hook and loop arrangement includes a spring clip and ring.

The device may include a securing arrangement for securing a patient on the support member. The securing arrangement may include a pair of straps protruding beyond an edge of the back support portion and configured to extend over the shoulders of the patient, securing the patient to the support member, in use. The securing arrangement may also include a locking member extending from the thigh support portion, to which the straps are releasably engageable. In one example embodiment, the securing arrangement may include a pair of locking members extending centrally from the thigh support portion. In this case, the securing arrangement will also include a pair of fastening members, each fastening member being positioned lateral to a longitudinal centre line, and in use the pair of locking members being releasably engageable with the fastening members. In this embodiment, the straps are releasably engageable to the fastening members to ensure that the patient is secured to the support member. An effective length of the locking members may also be adjustable.

Preferably, the locking members and the fastening members are detachable from the support member.

A flap may also be provided on the support member in order to cover any member not in use at any given moment. The flap may be detachable from the support member, thereby ensuring that the flap is used to cover a member located on any part of the support member.

The securing arrangement may include an adjustable belt, configured, in use, to extend across the patient's pelvis to further secure the patient being supported by the support device. The support device may include a lumbar support member attachable to the support member, to provide support to a lower back area of the patient in a seated position.

Furthermore, the support device may include a pocket and a head and neck support panel which is at least partially receivable in the pocket in order to provide support to the patient's head and neck, in use. The head and neck support panel may include a first portion which is dimensioned to be snugly receivable within the pocket and a second protruding portion. The second portion may be thicker than the first portion. The lifting arrangement may include at least two flexible lifting handle straps connected at spaced apart positions to each of the opposing sides of the support member, each strap protrudes laterally from edges of the support member so as to be able to lift and transfer the patient, in use. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting arrangement includes two pairs of straps connected to the thigh support portion and a pair of straps connected to the back support. Alternatively, there may be two pairs of lifting straps with one pair connected to the thigh support portion and another pair connected to the back support portion.

The lifting arrangement may include a centrally disposed lifting handle which protrudes beyond a top edge of the back support portion. Basically, this lifting handle may be referred to as a "grab" handle and is employed in extreme evacuation situations.

In other embodiments, the support device may include a carrier detachably attacheable to the support member, the carrier being configured to carry medical accessories such as catheters, wound suction device or the like. The carrier can be secured to the support member in a manner which resists unauthorised removal thereof.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of supporting and transferring a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a support device as defined above;

with the patient in a supine position, and the support device in its flat condition, positioning the support member under the patient;

securing the patient to the support member; and

transferring the patient to a desired location. The method may also include displacing the back support portion into the folded condition and securing it to the thigh support portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings

Figure 1 shows an oblique front view of a support device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows an oblique rear view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a person being secured to the device of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4a and 4b show a side view of the device of Figure 1 in use together with a lumbar support member;

Figure 5 shows the device of Figure 1 , in use, incorporating a carrier; Figure 6 shows an oblique view, similar to Figure 2, of another support device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 shows a view similar to Figure 3 of a person being positioned and secured on the device of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the insertion of a head and neck support panel;

Figure 9 shows a view similar to Figure 5 of the device of Figure 6; Figure 10 shows a front perspective view, similar to Figure 1 , of yet another support device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 11 shows an oblique rear view of the device of Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows the device of Figure 1 1 in its folded condition.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a support device in accordance with the invention. The device 10 comprises a support member 12, a lifting arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 14 and an engagement arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 16.

The support member 12 has a back support portion 18 and a thigh support portion 20.

The thigh support portion 20 is generally square in shape having a lower edge 20.1 , a pair of side edges 20.2 and 20.3 and a top edge 20.4. The back support portion 18 has side edges 18.1 and 18.2 and a top edge 18.3. The side edges 18.1 and 18.2 converge and hence the width of the back support portion 18 decreases away from the thigh support portion 20. The support member 12 is symmetrical about a longitudinal centre line 22 and has an operatively inner or person facing surface 24 and an opposed operatively outer surface 26.

The support member 12 is typically formed from a single piece of sheet material. However, it will be appreciated, that it could consist of two or more pieces of sheets of material which are connected together, e.g. by stitching. The back support portion 18 and the thigh support portion 20 are relatively displaceable between a flat condition (shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 of the drawings) and a folded condition (shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings). The engagement arrangement 16 is configured to retain the back support portion 18 and the thigh support portion 20 releasably in the folded condition. The engagement arrangement 16 includes two pairs of complementary engagement members 28, 30 which are connected to the support member 12. More particularly, as can best be seen in Figure 2, each of the engagement members 28 is in the form of a ring 32 which is secured to the outer surface 26 by means of a tab 34 at a position which is approximately midway along the length of the associated edge 20.2, 20.3 and inwardly therefrom. Each engagement formation 30 is in the form of a spring clip 36 which is configured releasably to engage the ring 32. The spring clip 36 is attached to the support member 12 by means of an attachment strip 38 which is connected to the top edge 20.4 approximately midway between the associated side edge 20.2, 20.3 and the back support portion 18. In use, the operation of the engagement arrangement 16 allows the support member 12 to define upstanding side walls 21 .1 , 21 .2 (see Figures 5 and 7) to allow the patient while on the support member 12, to remain in a seated condition. The support member 12 will have guidance markings 22.1 in order to define various sizes of the upstanding walls 21 .1 , 21 .2. The various sizes of upstanding walls 21 .1 , 21 .2 are associated with different sizes of patients. For example, with a small patient, the markings 22.1 will be such that the defined upstanding walls 21 .1 , 21 .2 are taller than the upstanding wall 21 .1 , 21 .2 defined as a result of a bigger person positioned on the support member 12.

The lifting arrangement 14 includes two pairs of straps 40, 42 connected to the thigh support portion 20 and a pair of straps 44 connected to the back support portion 18. As can best be seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, each strap 40, 42 is formed by a length of webbing 46 end portions of which are secured to the thigh support portion 20 by suitable stitching. Cover panels 48 are secured over the end portions of the lengths of webbing 46, each length of webbing 46 is arranged such that an intermediate portion protrudes laterally from the thigh support 20 and forms the straps. The straps 44 are formed by a single length of webbing 50 which is secured to the back support portion 18, by stitching such that it forms suitable handles or straps which protrude laterally from the back support portion 18 approximately midway along the length of the side edges 18.1 , 18.2.

The support device 10 includes a securing arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 52 for securing a person in position on the support device 10. The securing arrangement 52 includes a pair of straps 54, the one ends of which are secured to the outer surface 26, e.g. by stitching, such that the straps protrude beyond the top edge 18.3 of the back support portion 18. Spring clips 56 are connected to the other of free ends of the straps 54. Each of the straps 54 incorporates an adjuster 58 whereby the effective length of the strap 54 is adjustable. It will be appreciated that in cases where the patient is a rather tall or short person, the adjuster will ensure that the straps are adjusted accordingly in order to secure such person, thereby accommodating a patient of any particular height.

A shoulder pad 60 is connected to each of the straps 54. The securing arrangement 52 further includes a locking member 62 comprising a ring 64 with which the clips 56 are releasably engageable and a connecting strip 66 to one end of which the ring 64 is connected. The other end of the strip 66 is secured to the inner surface 24 at a position spaced inwardly from the lower edge 20.1 of the thigh support portion 20 and coincident with the longitudinal centre line 22.

In use, in order to transport a person 68, e.g. a patient with limited or no mobility, whilst the person 68 is a supine position (Figure 3) the support device 10, in its flat condition, is positioned under the patient 68 so that the longitudinal centre line 22 is aligned with the patient's spine and the patient's buttocks are positioned more or less in the middle of the thigh support portion 20.

The straps 54 are then positioned over the patient's shoulders and the clips 56 are connected to the ring 64. The lengths of the straps 54, are adjusted, if necessary, to ensure that they are a snug fit over the patient's shoulders.

By making use of the handles formed by the straps 44, the patient 68 is displaced into a seated position (Figure 4A) and the clips 36 are engaged with the rings 32 in order to retain the support device 10 in its folded condition.

If required, use can be made of an adjustable belt 70 which, whilst the patient 18 is still in a supine position, can be connected to the rings 32 such that it extends across the person's pelvis and serves further to secure the patient in position on the support device 10.

Further, if required, use can be made of a lumbar support member 72 which comprises an elongate sheet of material 74 to opposed ends of which spring clips 76 are connected. When the person is in a seated position, as illustrated in Figure 4B, the lumbar support member 72 is connected to the rings 64 so that it provides support to the lower back area of the person and reduces the risk of slouching and poor posture. The material of the lumbar support member 72 can be the same as that of the support member 12. Preferably, the material of the lumbar support member 72 is required to be substantially stiffer than that on the support member 12 so as to be able to adequately support the lower back area of the person and reduces the risk of slouching and poor posture. A stiffening element can be included in the lumbar support member 72 and may be provided of a polypropylene or other plastics material. This stiffening element must also be sufficiently flexible to provide the patient with comfort as well.

In order to transport the person from one location to another, use can be made of the straps 40, 42, 44 to pick up the person and physically transport the person to a desired location.

The support member 12 will typically be formed of sheet material such as a woven textile material of synthetic fibre, e.g. canvas and, naturally will be of sufficient strength to carry the weight of a person with whom it is intended for use. As mentioned above, the person in question may be a patient with limited mobility and it is desirable that the material be both durable and flexible to provide the patient with comfort while at the same time being able to support the patient's weight. Further, the material should be easily cleanable, so as to facilitate cleaning thereof both for the comfort of the patient and from a hygiene perspective. The material should also resist deterioration from exposure to moisture and laundering. If desired, a washable or disposable liner can be placed between the patient and the support member for hygiene purposes. The Inventor believes that a support device in accordance with the invention will provide a cost effective and safe and comfortable manner for transporting a person from one location to another.

As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, if required, a carrier 80 can be detachably attached to the support member 12. The carrier bag 80 is generally square in shape, however, the carrier bag 80 can have a rectangular or any other suitable shape. The carrier bag 80 includes a zip (not shown) which is used to open and close the carrier bag 80. Two clip formations 81 are provided towards opposite end portions of the carrier bag 80. The two clip formations 81 clip onto a pair of rings 104 (as shown on Figure 9). On Figure 5, the clip formations 81 clip onto the rings 32. The carrier bag 80 can be used to carry medical accessories such as catheters, wound suction devices or the like. Alternatively, the carrier bag is used to carry the support device 10 when not in use. The material of the carrier bag 80 is, preferably, durable, flexible and light so as to avoid discomfort when the carrier bag 80 is placed on the patient's thighs. If preferred, the carrier 80 can be secured to the support member 12 in a manner which resists unauthorised removal thereof. A pair of carrier handles 82 is also provided on the carrier bag.

Reference is now made to Figures 6 to 9 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 90 refers generally to another support device in accordance with the invention and, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.

One difference between the support device 90 and the support device 10 is that the support device 90 includes a pocket 92 which, as can best be seen in Figures 6 of the drawings, is positioned on the outer surface 26 of the back support portion 18. The pocket 92 has a mouth which opens towards the top edge 18.3. A head and neck support panel 94 is at least partially receivable in the pocket 92, as described in more detail here below, in order to provide support to the person's head and neck. The panel 94 includes a first portion 96 which is dimensioned to be snugly receivable within the pocket 92 and a second or protruding portion 98. The second portion 98 is thicker than the first portion 96.

Another difference between the support device 90 and the support device 10 is that, in the case of the support device 90, the straps 40, 42 are formed in a similar fashion to the straps 44, i.e. by a single length of webbing which extends across the entire width of the support member 12 and protrudes therefrom. In addition, a further length of webbing 100 is attached to the outer surface 26 and protrudes beyond the top edge 18.3 to form a centrally disposed additional lifting handle or strap 102. The additional lifting handle which can be referred as "a grab" handle can be used for evacuations of disabled patients by a single person dragging the patient by making use of the strap 102. In addition, in the support device 90, instead of the use of the locking member 62, the securing arrangement includes a pair of rings 104 each of which is secured by a tab 106 to the inner surface 24 at a position approximately midway along the associated side edge 20.2, 20.3 and inwardly therefrom. In addition, the one ends of two elongate thigh support straps 108 are secured to the inner surface 24 coincident with the longitudinal centre line 22 and positioned inwardly from the lower edge 20.1 . The other ends of the thigh support straps 104 are provided with spring clips 107 configured releasably and snap lockingly to engage the rings 104. Thigh pads 1 10 are secured to the support straps 108.

In use, the support device 90 is used in substantially the identical fashion to the support device 10, the main difference being that the shoulder straps 54 pass over the person's shoulders and then cross over each other and is connected to the rings 104 on the opposite sides of the support member 12. Similarly, the thigh support straps 108 extend over the person's thighs and are connected to the rings 104. The Inventor believes that this arrangement will not only hold the person securely in position on the support device 10 but will also improve comfort. If it is desired to provide the person with additional support to the head and neck, the first portion 96 of the panel 94 is inserted into the pocket 92 as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The second portion 98 protrudes from the pocket and provides support to the person's head. The person can then be raised into a sitting position and the back support portion 18 and thigh support portion 20 secured together to retain the person in position as described above.

The provision of the handle 102 permits a person, once located on the support device 90 to be dragged, e.g. in an emergency such as a fire.

Furthermore, in the support device 90, instead of the use of the engagement members 16 releasably engaging each other in a form of a ring and clip arrangement, the engagement members releasably engage one another through the use of a combination of engagement straps 1 12, 1 12 and complementary buckle strap receivers 1 14, 1 14. The length of the engagement straps 1 12, 1 12 are adjustable in order to order to define proper upstanding walls, in use. Reference is now made to Figure 10, 1 1 and 12 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 120 refers generally to another support device in accordance with the in invention and, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above refer to similar parts. In this embodiment of the invention, an aperture 122 is provided in the support member 12. A closure flap 124 which is generally trapezoidal in shape is secured along an upper edge 1 26 to an outer surface 26 of the support member 12, e.g. by stitching. Complementary releasable fasteners e.g. in the form of hook and loop fasteners such as that available under the trade mark 'VELCRO" are attached respectively to the lower edge of the flap 124 and an outer surface of the support member 12 such that the flap 124 can close the aperture 122. Another difference is that the lifting arrangement 14 includes two pairs of handle lifting straps 40, 44 in order to transfer a child patient from one location to another. It will be relatively easy to transport a child because the load of the child is relatively small, hence fewer handle lifting straps can be used during the transfer process. Furthermore, the adjustable straps 54, 54 are moved from an inoperative position to an operative position i.e. crossing the adjustable straps 54, 54 over the patient's shoulders and securing the straps 54, 54 to each other through the use of a clip-on arrangement depicted by reference B-B. The adjustable straps 54, 54 are further secured to the respective buckles rings 104, 104. The thigh support straps are lockable to the rings 104, 104 respectively. The embodiment includes two pairs of rings 104,104 each of which is secured by a tab 106, this is so as to be able to use the support device 120 for patients with varying widths. Detachable pads 128, 128 are used to cover any of the members or any formation which is not used at any given moment. In the embodiment, the pads 128, 128 are used to cover the rings and tabs (104, 104 and 106, 106).

The shape of the shoulder pads 60.1 for support device 120 is different to the shoulder pads 60 of the support devices 10 and 90. The shoulder pads 60.1 have a generally oval shape, the shoulder pads 60 have concave sides and flat ends, while the shape of the shoulder pads 60 are generally rectangular shaped. Moreover, the straps 54 include two parts 54.1 , 54.2 where the first part 54.1 is attached towards one end of the shoulder pad 60.1 and end in a hook on its free end and the second part 54.2 is attached towards another end of the shoulder pad 60.1 and its free end is attached to the outer surface of the back support portion (this is clearly shown in Figure 1 1 ). The two parts 54.1 , 54.2 of the straps 54, 54 can be attached to the shoulder pads 60.1 , 60.1 in any suitable manner, for example, e.g. stitching (see Figure 12) or by using another strip 130 and stitching the strip 130 and the end portions of the straps 54, 54 on to the shoulder pads 60.1 , 60.1 in order to define two opposite t-shaped formations.

The support device 120 will be used in substantially the identical fashion to the support device 10.

If, however, it is required that the person supported in the support device 120 must use the toilet, the support device 120 can be used to transport the person to the toilet, at which point, the flap 124 will be opened such that the aperture 122 is in register with the opening in a toilet seat permitting the person to use the toilet without the need for him or her to be removed from the support device 120.

The material of the support device 10, 90, 120 is sufficiently durable such that support device 10, 90, 120 can withstand any type of surface, e.g. rough surface, in emergency cases where a patient is dragged along the surface. The support device 10, 90, 120 can also be used to drag a patient down stairs without being torn apart.

Claims

1 . A support device for supporting and transferring a patient, the support device comprising:

a support member having a back support portion and a thigh support portion which are relatively displaceably between a flat condition in which the support member can be inserted underneath and removed from underneath a supine patient and a folded condition in which the back support portion is at an angle relative to the thigh support portion to support a person in a seated position; an engagement arrangement configured to secure the back support portion and thigh support portion releasably in the folded condition; and

2. The support device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engagement arrangement includes, on the support member, at least one engagement member connected to each side of the back support portion and another complementary engagement member connected to each side of the thigh support portion and being releasably engageable with the engagement members on the back support portion in order to secure the back support portion and thigh support portion in the folded condition..

3. The support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the effective lengths of the engagement members are adjustable to ensure that the patient is appropriately secured to the support member.

4. The support device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the engagement members are selected from any one of the group comprising: a snap-fit, a buckle head and complementary buckle head receiver , a strap and a complementary buckle strap receiver and a hook and loop arrangement.

The support device as claimed in claim any one of the preceding claims, which includes a securing arrangement for securing a patient on the support member.

The support device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securing arrangement includes a pair of straps protruding beyond an edge of the back support portion and configured to extend over the shoulders of the patient, and at least one locking member connected to the thigh support portion and to which the straps are releasably connectable to secure the patient to the support member.

The support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the securing arrangement includes a pair of locking members extending centrally from the thigh support portion of the support member.

The support device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the securing arrangement includes a pair of fastening members, each fastening member being positioned lateral to a longitudinal centre line, and in use the pair of locking members being releasably engageable with the fastening members.

The support device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein effective lengths of the locking members are adjustable.

The support device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the locking members are detachably attached to the support member. The support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fastening members are detachably attached to the support member. 12. The support device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 1 1 , wherein the securing arrangement includes an adjustable belt, configured, in use, to extend across the patient's pelvis to further secure the patient when being supported by the support device.

13. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a lumbar support member attachable to the support member, to provide support to a lower back area of the patient in a seated position. 14. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which include a pocket and a head and neck support panel which is at least partially receivable in the pocket in order to provide support to the patient's head and neck, in use. 15. The support device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the head and neck support panel may include a first portion which is dimensioned to be snugly receivable within the pocket and a second protruding portion.

16. The support device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second protruding portion is thicker than the first portion.

17. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting arrangement includes at least two flexible lifting handle straps connected at spaced apart positions to each of the opposing sides of the support member, each handle strap extending beyond an edge of the support member so as to be able to lift and transfer the patient, in use.

18. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting arrangement includes two pairs of straps connected to the thigh support portion and a pair of straps connected to the back support. 19. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting arrangement includes two pairs of lifting straps with one pair connected to the thigh support portion and another pair connected to the back support portion.

20. The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting arrangement include a centrally disposed lifting handle which protrudes beyond a top edge of the back support portion.

The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a carrier detachably attacheable to the support member, the carrier being configured to carry medical accessories such as catheters, wound suction device or the like.

The support device as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the carrier can be secured to the support member in a manner which resists unauthorised removal thereof.

The support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a flap provided on the support member in order to cover any member or formation not in use at any given moment.

A method of supporting and transferring a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims;

securing the patient to the support member; and

transferring the patient to a desired location.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, which includes, after securing the patient to the support member, displacing the back support portion into the folded condition and securing it to the thigh support portion.