WO2016027138A1

WO2016027138A1 - Adaptable bed for obtaining different positions

Info

Publication number: WO2016027138A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065886
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alejandro Velasquez Lopez; Mauricio ARAMBURO LONDOÑO; Camilo IZA VELEZ; Lisa Maria JARAMILLO ESTRADA; David VELASQUEZ RENDON; Luis Miguel ZAPATA HENAO; Ana Maria ALMONACID SUAREZ
Original assignee: Universidad Eafit
Priority date: 2014-08-19
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2016-02-25
Also published as: JP2017525541A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptable bed for different positions, comprising a column, a supporting surface located above the column, comprising a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, on which different supports are provided for obtaining different positions, a knuckle joint and rotating mechanisms operatively arranged between the column and the support surface and a movement mechanism operationally arranged to rotate the support surface.

Description

ADAPTABLE BED FOR OBTAINING DIFFERENT POSITIONS

Field of the invention The instant invention relates to furniture for hospital use, specifically, hospital beds that adapt to positions such as Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, transfer, Fowler and/or semi-Fowler.

Description of the prior art

Hospital beds are the most basic furniture in a health institution, this is where care is given to patients, as well as treatment, safety and comfort. Over the years, hospital beds have evolved thinking about the welfare of the sick and the staff providing care to patients, evolving in their functions, features, materials, design and control. It is therefore necessary that such essential furniture such as hospital beds evolve along with new clinical practices and treatments, thereby generating the greatest possible benefit for different types of users.

Within the art, hospital beds which adapt to anatomical positions such as those disclosed in patent documents US 8701229 and US4847929 are identified.

Document US8701229 discloses a hospital bed comprising a patient support, a base and a control system. The support for the patient includes a head section, a chair section and a foot section. The bed comprises an elevation mechanism whereby the height of the bed can be adapted. The elevation mechanism is comprised of interconnected arms, which are activated by actuators. Additionally, this mechanism is the connection between the base and the patient support. The disclosed bed can take positions of semi- Fowler, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg. By proper activation of the elevation mechanism, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions can be obtained. The elevation device disclosed in this document can exhibit stability problems, sudden movements, block and stresses that generate faults or fractures to the structure, if the actuators are not moved at the same speed and exerting the same force on the displacement. Additionally, these inconveniences can make the patient uncomfortable and generate feelings of insecurity or lack of confidence in bed. Another aspect is that the bed requires a complex control system to control the synergistic movement of at least two actuators that must work at the same speed and force at the same time.

US4847929 discloses a hospital bed comprising a base support, a vertical support, a bed support from which two supports are fixed connected by joints. One of the supports fixed by joints on the bed support is hinged in two brackets connected by a joint, forming a support for thighs and leg support. The bed support is connected to the floor support via the vertical support and an arrangement of actuators, through which the Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg can be adopted. The vertical support comprises a cardan joint for connection with the support bed, therefore by operating actuators, it is possible to adapt the transfer positions. The bed allows to obtain Fowler position by actuators arranged between the floor support and brackets disposed between the bed support, and brackets arranged between the bed support and the vertical support, and a guide disposed on one of the supports which displaced when one of the actuators is activated. The guide can be a risk of an accident. The bed requires at least 5 actuators to perform all movements. An important aspect of this bed is that the vertical support does not allow modification of the height of the bed.

The possibility to change the height of the bed generate safety benefits both the patient and the caregivers. Pulling down the level of the bed when patients get down from it prevents dangerous falls or other accidents. Furthermore, either the possibility of varying the height of the bed to suit the height of the caregiver is a doctor or nurse helps making maneuvering easier and avoid problems of occupational health personnel.

Hence, a bed that can perform movements Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, semi- Fowler, Fowler and transfer, and further modify the height of the bed is necessary, but at the same time avoids performing sudden movements, avoid instability, and avoid components which have no risk of accident, and finally comprising a minimum of elements to be controlled. Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention is related to beds which can be set to different anatomic positions; specifically, the bed of the present invention can adopt semi-Fowler, Fowler, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg and transfer anatomical positions. Additionally, the bed of the present invention can vary its height.

For the understanding of the instant invention, the expression bed includes likewise any support system for one person, for example a chair, reclining chair, massage tables and beds for hospital use.

The bed is made up of a stability frame, a column, rotating mechanisms, a knuckle joint, moving mechanisms, a support surface and four supports consisting of: a back support, a sacral support, a thigh support and a leg support.

Through the stability frame, the bed is set on a surface or floor. The column is provided on the frame, which is comprised of lower and higher ends. Through the lower end, the column is set on the stability frame. The rotating mechanisms are operationally arranged at the higher end.

The knuckle joint is set on the rotating mechanisms. The knuckle joint is a semi-sphere comprising a flat surface, which is fixed to the support surface.

The backrest support, sacral support, thigh support and leg support are set on the support surface. The sacral support is set in the central zone of the support surface. The backrest support is set at the upper end of the sacral support, which is rotatable relative to a pivot. The thigh support is set on the lower end of the sacral support, which can rotate about a pivot. The leg support articulates with the lower end of the thigh support, which in turn is articulated by a pivot at its lower end with the support surface. When the thigh support rotates, the leg support does too, and vice versa. In order to rotate the supports, movement mechanisms between the supports and supporting surface are provided. The bed adopts Fowler and semi-Fowler positions upon rotation of the supports.

In order to obtain Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions, the bed comprises movement mechanisms operatively disposed between the column and the supporting surface, which when operated cause the knuckle joint to rotate relative to the rotating mechanisms and consequently the surface support.

In order to modify the height of the bed, a moving mechanism is provided inside the column which moves the top end relative to the lower end.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 corresponds to isometric views of the invention, in which Figure 1 (a) is a top isometric view of the bed and Figure 1 (b) is an isometric view of the bottom view of the bed.

Figure 2 corresponds to a scheme of the bed of the present invention from a side view, in which the arrangement of the surface support over the knuckle joint is shown, the knuckle joint over the rotating mechanisms, and these on the column.

Figure 3 corresponds to a scheme in which the arrangement of the backrest support, the sacral support, the thigh support and the leg support on the supporting surface is shown,. Figure 4 corresponds to a scheme in which the bed of the invention is adapted for semi- Fowler's position by rotating the backrest support relative to the support surface.

Figure 5 corresponds to a scheme in which the bed of the present invention is adapted for obtaining Fowler's position by rotating the backrest support relative to the support surface, and rotating the thigh support and the leg support relative to the support surface. Figure 6 corresponds to a scheme in which the bed of the invention is adapted for obtaining the transfer position.

Figure 7 corresponds to a scheme in which the bed of the invention is adapted for obtaining the Trendelenburg position.

Detailed description of invention

The present invention relates to an adaptable bed in order to obtain transfer positions, semi-Fowler, Fowler, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions. According to FIG 1 and FIG 2, the bed comprises:

A support surface (1),

A backrest support (2),

A sacral support (3)

A thigh support (4),

A leg support (5),

Rotating mechanisms (6),

A knuckle joint (7),

A column (8), and

A stability frame (9).

According to FIG 1 , through the stability frame (9) the bed is provided on a surface or floor. The stability frame (9) may comprise or not, wheels for its movement. Such stability frame (9) may be circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular and polygonal. The column (8) is fixed to the stability frame (9), preferably in the center point of the shape conformed by the stability frame (9).

According to FIG 2, the column (8) comprises a lower end (10) and a higher end (11). The lower end (10) is fixed to stability frame (9). The higher end (11) and the lower end (10) are operationally arranged so that the higher end (11) moves respect to the lower end (10). Inside the column (8) it is disposed a movement mechanism (12) which moves the higher end (11) with respect to the lower end (10). The moving mechanism (12) is selected from the group comprising linear actuators, motors, transmissions, power transmission mechanisms and a combination of these. The height of the bed varies when moving the higher end (11) relative to the lower end (10). According to FIG 2, the higher end (11) of the column (8) is operationally disposed of rotating mechanisms (6). According to FIG 2, the knuckle joint (7) is provided with three rotating mechanisms (6). In one embodiment of the invention (not shown) rotating mechanisms (6) are more than three, for example four rotating mechanisms (6). Rotating mechanisms (6) are selected from the group consisting of wheels, spheres, needles, cylinders, cylindrical barrels, bearings and a combination thereof; for example in the embodiment illustrated in FIG 2, the rotating mechanisms (6) are omnidirectional wheels.

According to FIG 2, the knuckle joint (7) is a semi-sphere, which comprises a flat surface (13). The knuckle joint (7) may be a solid semi-sphere, or a semi-sphere formed by a sheet. When the knuckle joint (7) is a sheet, it can be closed or opened in the plane surface (13). In the latter case the flat surface (13) would be described by the circumference. Additionally, the semi-sphere comprises a concave face and a convex face, which are respectively the concave side of the knuckle joint (7) and the convex side of the knuckle joint (7).

According to FIG 2, the support surface (1) is provided on the plane surface (13) of the knuckle joint (7), so that the convex side of the knuckle joint (7) is in contact with the rotating mechanisms. Preferably, the normal vector of the support surface (1) located in a central point of the support surface (1) and the normal vector of the flat surface (13) located in the center point of the flat surface (13) are collinear.

In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the knuckle joint (7) is disposed on the higher end (11) of the column (8), and over the knuckle joint (7) the rotating mechanisms (6), which are operationally arranged in the support surface (1). The arrangement of the rotating mechanisms (6) and the knuckle joint (7) is such that the convex side of the knuckle joint (7) is the face that is in contact with the rotating mechanisms (6). Preferably, the normal vector of the support surface (1) located on the central point of the support surface (1) and the normal vector of the flat surface (13) located in the center point of the flat surface (13) are collinear. In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the knuckle joint (7) is disposed on the higher end (11) of the column (8), and over the knuckle joint (7) the rotating mechanisms (6), which are operationally arranged in the support surface (1). The arrangement of the rotating mechanisms (6) and the knuckle joint (7) is such that the concave surface of the knuckle joint (7) is the face that is in contact with the rotating mechanisms (6). Preferably, the normal vector of the support surface (1) located in the central point of the support surface (1) and the normal vector of the flat surface (13) located in the center point of the flat surface (13) are collinear.

In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the rotating mechanisms (6) are arranged on the higher end (11) of the column (8), and over the rotating mechanisms (6) the knuckle joint (7), which is operationally disposed on the support surface (1). The arrangement of the rotating mechanisms (6) and the knuckle joint (7) is such that the concave surface of the knuckle joint (7) is the face that is in contact with the rotating mechanisms (6). Preferably, the normal vector of the support surface (1) is located in the central point of the support surface (1) and the normal vector of the flat surface (13) located in the center point of the flat surface (13) are collinear.

According to FIG 2, the following supports are provided on the support surface (1): backrest support (2), sacral support (3) thigh support (4) and leg support (5); to obtain Fowler and semi-Fowler positions.

According to FIG 2, the support surface (1) has a length L, and the central zone (14) of the support surface (1), corresponds to the end described by ± A, with the central point L/2, where A is equal to 0.15L. According to FIG 2 and FIG 3, the sacral support (3) comprises an upper end (15) and a lower end (16). The sacral support (3) is fixed by its lower end (16) to the support surface (1), in the central zone (14) of the support surface (1). According to FIG 2 and FIG 3, the backrest support (2) is located adjacent the upper end (15) of the sacral support (3) by a pivot (17). The pivot (17) can be located at the sacral support (3) or the support surface (1) as illustrated in FIG 3, this being the preferred embodiment. According to FIG 2 and FIG 3, the thigh support (4) is located adjacent the lower end (16) of the sacral support (3) by a pivot (18). The pivot (18) can be located at the sacral support (3) or in the support surface (1) as illustrated in FIG 3, this being the preferred embodiment. The thigh support (4) having a lower end (19) and an upper end (20), wherein the pivot (18) is located at the upper end (20).

According to FIG 2 and FIG 3, the leg support (5) is located adjacent the lower end (19) of thigh support (4) by a pivot (21) located at the upper end (22) of the support legs (5). At the lower end (23) of the leg support (5), the pivot (24) which is operationally disposed at the support surface (1). The pivot (24) is movable over the support surface (1).

According to FIG 1, the bed comprises movement mechanisms (25), (26), (27) and (28), which are selected from the group comprising linear actuators, motors, transmissions, power transmission mechanisms and a combination thereof.

According to FIG 1, the movement mechanism (25) is operationally arranged for the rotation of the backrest support (2) with respect to the pivot (17). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the moving mechanism (25) is a linear actuator, wherein one end of the linear actuator is connected to the back support (2) and the other end to the support surface (1), and when extending the actuator the rotational movement of the backrest support (2) is generated. According to FIG 4 and FIG 5, by rotating the backrest support (2) with respect to the pivot (17), an angle μ of between 0 ° and 90 °, preferably between 0 ° and 80 ° is described.

According to FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 5, by rotating the thigh support (4) with respect to the pivot (18), also rotates the leg support (5) with respect to the pivot (24), as thigh support (4) and the leg support (5) are operationally articulated by the pin (21) thus have a joint movement. According to FIG 5, when generating said rotation an angle a between 0° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 180° is described. The moving mechanism (26) is operationally arranged to perform said rotation. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in accordance with FIG 1, the movement mechanism (26) is a linear actuator, in which one end is connected to the thigh support (4) and the other end to the support surface (1) and when extending the actuator, a rotational movement of the support legs (4) and leg support (5) is generated. In an embodiment not shown, one end of the linear actuator is connected to the leg support (5) and the other end to the support surface (1), which upon retraction generates rotational movement of the thigh support (4) and leg support (5).

The support surface (1) comprises a longitudinal axis (Y) and a transverse axis (X), where these axes are mutually perpendicular, the longitudinal axis (Y) is parallel to the length L, and the intercept point of the axis is the center point of the support surface (1).

For the understanding of the invention, the action of rotating the support surface should be understood as any rotation relative to the knuckle joint (7) and movement relative to the column (8).

According to FIG 7, the movement mechanism (27) is operationally arranged to rotate the supporting surface (1) with respect to the transverse axis (X), adapting the bed to obtain the Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions with angle Ω between - 60° and 60°, preferably -7° and 7°, between the longitudinal axis (Y) and the support surface (1). In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG 1 and FIG 7, the movement mechanism (27) is a linear actuator, in which one end is connected to the column (8), preferably at the bottom part (10) and the other end is connected to the support surface (1) along the longitudinal axis (Y) towards the end where the thigh support (4) and the leg support (5). Therefore, when the actuator extends, the bed adopts the Trendelenburg position and when contracting the bed adopts the reverse Trendelenburg position in both cases, the supporting surface (1) rotates relative to the transverse axis (X). In the case that the connection of the end of the linear actuator is performed at the supporting surface (1) towards the end where the backrest support (2) is located, when the linear actuator extends, the bed takes the Trendelenburg position and when the linear actuator contracts the reverse Trendelenburg position is adopted. The Trendelenburg position is used in cases of hypotension, shock, and mainly in respiratory therapy where it is needed to increase functional residual capacity, which is the ability of air remaining in lungs and respiratory tracts after a normal expiration. The cardiac output is reduced in the reverse Trendelenburg position.

According to FIG 6, the moving mechanism (28) is operationally arranged to rotate the supporting surface (1) with respect to the longitudinal axis (Y), adapting the bed to obtain the transfer position with an angle β between -30° to 30°, preferably between - 12° and 12°, in the transverse axis (X) and the supporting surface (1). The transfer movement facilitates the passage of the patient from bed to another bed or stretcher, also facilitates some other necessary diagnostic tests maneuvers or interventions and can help in respiratory therapy if the patient is not adequately saturating oxygen because of problems in any lung or need some kind of drainage. This position also helps to reducing the pressure on the sacrum. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG 1 and FIG 6, the moving mechanism (28) is a linear actuator, in which one end is connected to the column (8), preferably at the bottom end (10) and the other end is connected to the support surface (1) along the transverse axis (X), thereby when extending and contracting the linear actuator, the bed adopts the transfer position,, due to the rotation of the support surface (1) relative to the transverse axis (Y).

In some embodiments of the invention, in which actuators are selected for moving mechanisms (25), (26), (27) and (28), for connecting the ends of the actuators to the corresponding supports or part of the corresponding column, it can be used fixed cylindrical hinge, fixed ball joint and a combination of those. Rotations of the support surface (1) relative to the longitudinal axis (Y) and transverse axis (X) are allowed given the operational disposition provided between the support surface (1), the knuckle joint (7) and rotational mechanisms (6). According to FIG 2, the supporting surface is fixed to the knuckle joint (7), which in turn is disposed on the rotating mechanisms (6), on which the knuckle joint (7) can rotate, rotating the support surface (1) at the same time, when moving mechanisms (27 and 28) are activated to rotate the supporting surface (1), the knuckle joint (7) acts as a pivot point. In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the bed comprises a control unit connected to the movement mechanisms (12), (25), (26), (27) and (28), for controlling those mechanisms thereof. The control through the control unit may be in situ, through an interface connected to the control unit, or may be remote, through an interface connected wirelessly to the control unit. The control unit can be a microcontroller, PLC, DSP or a processor, preferably a programmable logic controller, and additionally may comprise sensors for monitoring the movement mechanism (12), (25), (26), (27) and (28).

In order to adapt the bed for obtaining the semi-Fowler position, according to FIG 4, the backrest support (2) rotates with respect to the pivot (17) describing the angle μ. According to FIG 1 , in order to perform said movement, the moving mechanism (25) is activated, in this case a linear actuator, which when extending makes the backrest support (2) to rotate. The semi-Fowler position helps breathing and relaxation for patients with respiratory distress.

In order to adapt the bed to obtaining the Fowler position, according to FIG 5:

- the backrest support (2) rotates with respect to the pivot (17) describing the angle μ between the support surface (1) and backrest support (2), and,

- the thigh support (4) rotates with respect to the pivot (18), simultaneously rotates the leg support (5) with respect to the pivot (24), since the thigh support (4) and the leg support (5 ) are operationally connected by the pivot (21). When such rotation is generated, an angle a between the thigh support (4) and the leg support (5) is described. In order to generate these moves, and in accordance with FIG 1 , the movement mechanism (26) which in the case of the embodiment of FIG 1 is a linear actuator, in which one end is connected to the thigh support (4) and the other end to the support surface (1), and when extending the actuator, a rotational movement is generated in the thigh support (4) and the leg support (5).

Fowler position is normally used in patients with heart and/or breathing problems order to achieve maximum chest expansion and increased inflow of air into the lungs

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, as will be evident for a person versed in the art, variations and modifications are possible which do not depart from the spirit of the invention, which is only recited by the following claims.

Claims

An adaptable bed conforming to different positions, comprising:

A column;

A support surface having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, located above the column;

A knuckle joint and rotating mechanisms operationally arranged between the column and the supporting surface; and,

A movement mechanism operationally arranged to rotate the support surface.

The bed of claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism is operationally arranged to rotate the support surface about its transverse axis.

The bed of claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism is operationally arranged to rotate the support surface about its longitudinal axis.

The bed of Claim 1, wherein supports for obtaining different positions are provided on the surface support.

The bed of claim 4, characterized because the supports provided on the support surface are:

A sacral support whose lower end is fixed to the central support surface;

A backrest support located adjacent the upper end of the sacral support by means of a first pivot;

A thigh support located adjacent the lower end of the sacral support by means of a second pivot; and,

A leg support located adjacent the lower end of the thigh support by means of a third pivot which operationally connects the two supports, and at its lower end a fourth pivot is located which operationally sets the leg supports on the supporting surface; wherein the backrest support rotates relative to the first pivot describing an angle μ between the backrest support and the support surface, and thigh support rotates relative to the second pivot and simultaneously the leg support relative to the third pivot describing an angle a between the two supports.

6. The bed of claim 5, comprising:

A movement mechanism operationally disposed for the rotation of the backrest with respect to the first pivot; and,

A movement mechanism operationally arranged for rotation of the thigh support relative to the second pivot.

7. The bed of claim 1, wherein the knuckle joint is a semi-sphere.

8. The bed of claim 7, wherein the convex side of the semi-sphere is in contact with the rotating mechanisms.

9. The bed of claim 7, wherein the support surface is set on the flat surface of the knuckle joint and the rotating mechanisms on the column, and the convex side of the knuckle joint is in contact with the rotating mechanisms.

10. The bed of claim 7, wherein the support surface is set on the knuckle joint and the rotating mechanisms on the column, and the concave side of the knuckle joint is in contact with the rotating mechanisms. 11. The bed of claim 7, wherein the rotating mechanisms are operationally set on the support surface and the knuckle joint on the column, and the concave side of the knuckle joint is in contact with the rotating mechanisms.

12. The bed of claim 7, wherein the rotating mechanisms are operationally set on the support surface and the knuckle joint over the column, and the convex side of the knuckle joint is in contact with the rotating mechanisms.

13. The bed of Claim 1, characterized in that the column comprises:

A lower end; and,

An upper end; wherein the upper end moves relative to the lower end, thus varying the height of the bed.

14. The bed of claim 13, comprising a moving mechanism for moving the top end of the column with respect to the lower end of the column.

15. The bed of claims 1, 6 and 14, characterized in that the movement mechanisms are selected from the group consisting of linear actuators, motors, reducers, power transmission mechanisms and a combination thereof.

16. The bed of claim 15, characterized in that the movement mechanisms are connected to a control unit.

17. The bed of Claim 1, characterized in that the rotating mechanisms are selected from the group consisting of wheels, balls, bearings, rollers, cylinders, cylindrical barrels, needles, and a combination thereof.