WO2019053745A1

WO2019053745A1 - A patient transportation device to provide lifting, immobilisation, and transportation in the same device

Info

Publication number: WO2019053745A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050594
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anupam SHRIDHAR BAM; Bhushan NAMDEORAO KHARBIKAR; Mayuresh ARUN RANE; Girish AJIT KARWANDE
Original assignee: Shridhar Bam Anupam; Namdeorao Kharbikar Bhushan
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2018-09-14
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

A patient transportation device comprising: two elongated boards (12, 14), each individually functioning as a scoop; said boards cooperatively forming a rigid platform; two flaps, each forming corresponding load-bearing components of the two boards along with shafts and position latches; shafts, angularly displaceable about their corresponding longitudinal axes; each shaft interacting with a position latch to lock the position of said board in a horizontal plane; a safety latch mechanism preventing each shaft's travel beyond its intended plane; C-shaped inserts, connected with levers; crossbars provided at one end of both halves of said device together forming an end handle of said device after locking together via a scoop latch, each crossbar accommodating one position latch; and cam, defining a first locking position in unloaded position and a second locking position in loaded position.

Description

A PATIENT TRANSPORTATION DEVICE TO PROVIDE LIFTING, IMMOBILISATION, AND TRANSPORTATION IN THE SAME DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to the field of medical engineering.

Particularly, invention relates to the field of stretchers, patient immobilisers, and patient transport mechanisms.

Specifically, this invention relates to a patient transportation device to provide lifting, immobilisation, and transportation in the same device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Accidents and injuries, especially road traffic accidents (RTA), is one the top ten leading causes of deaths. According to one statistical report, 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled.

Traumatic spinal injuries typically occur after fall from heights, whiplash injuries in road traffic accidents or in other high collision accidents.

Patients with non-penetrating spinal injuries are required to remain immobilized during transportation to hospital in order to avoid further damage to the spinal cord and important nerves that are housed within the vertebral column.

Currently, either a spinal board or a scoop stretcher is used for these purposes. A spinal board is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care. It is designed to provide rigid support during movement of a person with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used by ambulance staff, as well as lifeguards and ski patrollers.

A scoop stretcher is a device used specifically for moving injured people. It is most frequently used to lift people having bilateral hip fracture or pelvic fracture. . Typically, a scoop stretcher has a structure that can be split vertically into two parts, with shaped 'blades' towards the centre which can be brought together underneath a patient. The two halves are placed separately on either side of the patient, and then brought together until securing clips at both the ends engage.

In either case, there are several disadvantages which are discussed below.

Specifically, a spinal board is used when whole body splint is in spinal trauma as it immobilizes spine. However, it requires log-rolling of a patient which is undesirable.

Specifically, a scoop stretcher is used in instances wherein there is bilateral pelvic / femoral fracture, scoop and run in the events like mass casualty, narrow areas like staircases. However, it provides poor spine support.

Each has a specific function. Therefore, in many instances, both these devices are needed making it cumbersome for operation and requiring larger storage area. There is no single device which provides cumulative functions of lifting, immobilising, and transporting any trauma patient.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: An object of the invention is to provide a device which performs the functions of lifting, immobilisation, and transportation in the same device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use patient transportation device (stretcher), for complete immobilization of spine and limbs, during transport of physical trauma patients.

Still another additional object of the invention is to provide a patient transportation device which reduces effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to this invention, there is provided a patient transportation device to provide lifting, immobilisation, and transportation, in a single device, said device comprising:

- two elongated boards, each individually functioning as a scoop, which can be joined in the midline which is the operating longitudinal axis of the device; said boards cooperatively forming a rigid platform and further comprises;

- two flaps, each forming corresponding load-bearing components of the two boards along with shafts and position latches, and which together act as the platform upon which an injured patient can be rested during transportation;

- shafts, angularly displaceable about their corresponding longitudinal axes, moulded into each flap such that there is no relative motion between said flap and said shaft; each flap comprising of at least one shaft at either end; each shaft interacting with a position latch to lock the position of said board in a horizontal plane; a safety latch mechanism prevents each shaft's travel beyond its intended plane; the outer end of each of said shafts harbouring one slot, where a retaining clip that prevents crossbars to slip away from said shafts fits into;

- C-shaped inserts, connected with levers, said inserts being positioned inside a groove present in the lateral edge of said flap, said inserts acting as an interface between levers and said flaps, said lever configured to mechanically change the configuration of said device from its unloaded configuration to its loaded configuration and from its loaded configuration to its unloaded configuration; and

- crossbars provided at one end of both halves of said device together forming an end handle of said device after locking together via a scoop latch, each crossbar accommodating one position latch.

Typically, said elongated boards comprise two symmetric halves.

Typically, said elongated boards comprise two symmetric halves, each of these two halves being detachable along a central longitudinal axis seam.

Typically, said scoop shaped flap comprises:

- a downward and inward slope or curve in its upper surface in the cross section;

- lower surface of said flap being flat and parallel to a horizontal plane, medially, while it is inclined upwards, laterally; and

- a line where the medial and lateral parts of the lower surface meet, acting as a fulcrum around which the boards angularly displace.

Typically, the medial axis is lower than the lateral axis for each board. Typically, the locus of points defined by a medial axis for each of said boards is in a different horizontal plane as compared with the horizontal plane of the locus of points defined by its lateral axis.

Typically, the locus of points defined by a medial axis for each of said boards is in an operative lower horizontal plane but parallel to the locus of points defined by a lateral axis for each of said boards which is in an operative higher horizontal plane.

Typically, in its unloaded configuration, said two elongated boards are angled towards an operative horizontal plane on which it is placed and spaced apart from each other.

Typically, in its loaded configuration, said two elongated boards come towards each other with a pre-defined spaced apart distance being maintained between the medial axes of said boards, the medial axis of each of said boards being configured to be angularly displaceable about their corresponding lateral axis, thereby providing a scooping up action at said medial axis of said device.

Typically, said shaft is a cylindrical rod made up of a high strength, corrosion resistant and wear resistant material.

Typically, said C-shaped inserts being at least two outer inserts connected with two levers through hinge joints.

Typically, said C-shaped inserts being at least two inner inserts accommodating slide bolt latches present on inner ends of said levers. Typically, said crossbars are horizontal bars at both ends of each flap, made up of a high strength and light weight material.

Typically, said cam comprising a resilient member, in compressed form in its first locking position, which unfolds in its second locking position.

Typically, said device comprises position latches in order to allow transition of the device from its unloaded position to its exact loaded position.

Typically, said device comprises position latches in order to allow transition of the device from its unloaded position to its exact loaded position, characterised in that, said position latch is a self-engaging latch, in that it engages automatically when the flap angularly displaces after a patient is loaded onto the device and once engaged, it maintains said device in the flat configuration until it is manually released from its place.

Typically in, said device comprises position latches, in that, a pin is used to release said latch to convert the board from loaded to unloaded position and, in that, said latch comprising a compression spring such that a compression spring gets compressed during this action, which pulls the pin back into the slot when both of them align with each other during loading.

Typically, said device comprises side-handle-cum-levers at each of said boards.

Typically, said device comprises scoop latches, one at each end of said board, in order to join the two halves of said device to form a single continuous surface upon which a patient rests. Typically, said device comprises scoop latches, one at each end of said board, characterised in that, said latches consists of a thumb activated lever on one crossbar piece of an end handle which interacts with a ring or a pin on the opposite crossbar to activate said scoop latch.

Typically, said device comprises speed clip pins in order to immobilize a patient on said device, said pins being moulded along with said flaps.

Typically, said device comprises safety latches, each safety latch being an integral part of said position latch system in order to limit the range of motion of said flap so that the flap cannot move beyond the scoop and the flat configurations of said device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of the device, in its unloaded configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the device, in its unloaded configuration;

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the device, in its unloaded configuration;

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the device, in its loaded configuration;

Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the device, in its loaded configuration;

Figure 6a illustrates a position latch in its loaded position;

Figure 6b illustrates a position latch in its unloaded position; and

Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the device, in its loaded configuration, with levers out;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: According to this invention, there is provided a patient transportation device to provide lifting, immobilisation, and transportation in the same device.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, in its initial (unloaded) configuration, the device comprises two elongate boards (12, 14) which form two corresponding halves of components which can be joined about their operating longitudinal axes. Typically, these two halves are symmetric halves. These two halves are detachable along a longitudinal axis seam.

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of the device, in its unloaded configuration.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the device, in its unloaded configuration.

When considered, as a whole, the boards define a single plane.

Each board further consists of the main body or flap, shafts, c-shaped inserts, crossbars, position latches, side-handle-cum-levers, safety latches, scoop latches, and speed clip pins. Each of these components is described further, in this specification.

The flap is the main load-bearing component of the device along with the shafts and the position latches. It is the surface upon which a trauma victim is positioned while he or she is being lifted and transported. It is made up of a light weight and strong material (e.g. a plastic like HDPE).

The flaps, typically, are shaped like a scoop with a downward and inward slope/curve in its cross section. The lower surface of the flap is flat and is parallel to the horizontal plane, medially, while it is inclined upwards, laterally. The line where the medial and lateral parts of the lower surface meet, acts as the fulcrum around which the angularly displaces. The upper surface of the flap has a gradual curve upwards and outwards. It makes an angle of 12° to 17° with the lower surface for effective scooping action. It also raises the outermost edge of the board to increase the height of the side handles from the ground to allow for easy gripping. The board also has provision for accommodating two inserts: the shafts and the c-shaped inserts, which are moulded into the board. The shafts are inserted at each end of the board, whereas there is a longitudinal groove in its lateral edge for the c-shaped inserts. Additionally, there can be one or more fixed side-handles on each board, designed for gripping while a patient is being lifted, or for fastening the straps of a head immobilizer.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the device, in its unloaded configuration.

In at least an embodiment, the locus of points defined by the medial axis for each of the boards is not in the same horizontal plane as the locus of points defined by its lateral axis . The locus of points defined by the medial axis for each of the boards is in an operative lower plane but parallel to the locus of points defined by the lateral axis for each of the boards which is in an operative higher plane. Thus, the medial axis (16) is lower than the lateral axis (18) for each board.

Therefore, in at least an embodiment, in the unloaded configuration of this device, the two elongate boards are angled towards the ground (operative horizontal plane) on which it is placed and spaced apart from each other.

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the device, in its loaded configuration.

In its loaded configuration, the two elongated boards come towards each other with a pre-defined spaced apart distance being maintained between the medial axes of the boards. The medial axis of each of the boards is configured to be angularly displaceable (as reference by dotted lines 18) about their corresponding lateral axis, thereby providing a scooping up action at the medial axis of the device, when considered as a whole). A pre-defined concavity (20) is still maintained for comfort - however, this concavity is relatively lesser than that of the prior art.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises shafts. The shaft is the strongest member of the device.

Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the device, in its loaded configuration.

The shaft (22), typically, is a cylindrical rod made up of a high strength, corrosion resistant and wear resistant material like SS-316L (medical grade stainless steel). It is moulded into the board and there is no relative motion between the board and the shaft. Each board contains one shaft at either end. Thus, the four shafts of a fully assembled device along with the crossbars virtually form its metallic frame, with discontinuity in the side arms. This discontinuity makes the device X-ray compatible. The shaft interacts with a position latch, which locks the position of the board in the horizontal plane, whereas a safety latch mechanism prevents its travel beyond the intended plane. . The outer end of the shaft harbours one slot, where a retaining clip, which prevents the crossbars to slip away from the shafts, fits into. When the boards angularly displace, in order to scoop up a patient, as a result of manual force or weight of a patient, the shafts angularly displace along with them. This angular displacement occurs between the shafts and the sockets present on the crossbars.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises C- shaped inserts. These inserts are positioned inside the groove present in the lateral edge of the boards. The two outer inserts are connected with two levers through hinge joints while the two inner inserts accommodate the slide bolt latches present on the inner ends of the levers. These inserts primarily act as an interface between the metallic levers and the flaps so that any force is not directly transmitted to the latter.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises crossbars.

These are the horizontal bars at both the ends of each flap, made up of a high strength and light weight material like Al alloy 6061-T6. Corresponding crossbars at one end of both the halves of the device together form the end handle of the device after locking together via a scoop latch. Each crossbar accommodates one position latch.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, a cam, provided at lateral sides of the boards, defines a first locking position in unloaded position. The same cam defines a second locking position in loaded position. A resilient member, such as spring, is present in compressed form in the first locking position, which unfolds in the second locking position.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises position latches in order to allow transition of the device from its unloaded position to its exact loaded position. The boards, typically, angularly displace about its position latch by virtue of the shafts. The shafts couple with this position latch. Thus, there are 4 position latches; 2 for each board and 1 at each end. Figure 6a illustrates a position latch in its loaded position.

Figure 6b illustrates a position latch in its unloaded position.

The position latch is a self-engaging latch, meaning that it engages automatically when the flap angularly displaces after a patient is loaded onto the device. Once engaged, it maintains the device in the flat configuration until it is manually released from its place. A pin is used to release the latch to convert the board from loaded to unloaded position. A compression spring gets compressed during this action, which pulls the pin back into the slot when both of them align with each other during loading. The pin is made up of the same material as the shafts while the lever is made up of aluminium.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises side- hand le-cum-levers .

In addition to the fixed side handles, each board has a pair of movable handles which double as levers for changing the device configuration. These side- handle-cum-levers are made up of a high strength and light weight material like Al alloy 6061-T6. When being used as a side handle, each one is fixed with the help of a hinge joint at the outer end and a slide bolt latch at the inner end. For using it as a lever, the slide bolt latch is released manually and the lever is rotated around the hinge joint to bring it outside.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises scoop latches.

The scoop latch joins the two halves of the device to form a single continuous surface upon which the patient rests. There is one scoop latch at each end. It consists of a thumb activated lever on one crossbar piece of the end handle which interacts with a ring or a pin on the opposite crossbar to activate the latch.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises speed clip pins.

There are a number of pins for attaching speed clips of restraining straps used to immobilize a patient on the spine board. These pins are moulded along with the flaps and are made up of the same material as the latter. The number and position of the pins may vary depending upon the requirement but minimum 3 pins are necessary.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises safety latches.

Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the device, in its loaded configuration, with levers out.

Each safety latch is an integral part of the position latch system. It limits the range of motion of the flap so that the latter cannot move beyond the scoop and the flat configurations. This acts as an additional safety layer to the position latches.

In its working embodiment, the device has two configurations: a 'scoop' configuration and a 'flat' configuration. It is easily interchangeable from one configuration into the other by mechanical means. For the general purpose, the two halves are slid separately beneath the body of a victim without the need to 'logroll' him/her. Then, they are attached to each other at both the ends with the help of the scoop latches to complete the scoop configuration. After confirming comfort and safety of the patient, two paramedics take the levers completely out of their storing position and synchronously push them down to flatten the surface of the device. This engages the position latches and maintains this flat configuration without the need of any external assistance. After immobilizing the patient with the help of a head immobilizer and straps, the device is transferred to an ambulance to be carried to an appropriate health centre. At the health centre, the patient can be easily unloaded from the device by manually releasing the position latches and re-converting the device to its scoop configuration. This allows easy removal of the two halves from beneath the patient after releasing the scoop latches.

Thus, the device is easy to use, avoids logrolling and is compatible with X-ray based investigations. It has a potential to replace both the scoop stretcher and the spine board, reducing efforts, risk and cost involved with either of them.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS,

1. A patient transportation device to provide lifting, immobilisation, and transportation, in a single device, said device comprising:

- two elongated boards (12, 14), each individually functioning as a scoop, which can be joined in the midline which is the operating longitudinal axis of the device; said boards cooperatively forming a rigid platform and further comprises;

- C-shaped inserts, connected with levers, said inserts being positioned inside a groove present in the lateral edge of said flaps (12, 14), said inserts acting as an interface between levers and said flaps, said lever configured to mechanically change the configuration of said device from its unloaded configuration to its loaded configuration and from its loaded configuration to its unloaded configuration; and

2. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said elongated boards (12, 14) comprise two symmetric halves.

3. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said elongated boards (12, 14) comprise two symmetric halves, each of these two halves being detachable along a central longitudinal axis seam.

4. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said scoop shaped flap comprising:

5. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the medial axis (16) is lower than the lateral axis (18) for each board.

6. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the locus of points defined by a medial axis for each of said boards (12, 14) is in a different horizontal plane as compared with the horizontal plane of the locus of points defined by its lateral axis.

7. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the locus of points defined by a medial axis for each of said boards (12, 14) is in an operative lower horizontal plane but parallel to the locus of points defined by a lateral axis for each of said boards which is in an operative higher horizontal plane.

8. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in its unloaded configuration, said two elongated boards (12, 14) are angled towards an operative horizontal plane on which it is placed and spaced apart from each other.

9. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in its loaded configuration, said two elongated boards (12, 14) come towards each other with a pre-defined spaced apart distance being maintained between the medial axes of said boards (12, 14), the medial axis of each of said boards being configured to be angularly displaceable (as reference by dotted lines 18) about their corresponding lateral axis, thereby providing a scooping up action at said medial axis of said device.

10. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said shaft (22) is a cylindrical rod made up of a high strength, corrosion resistant and wear resistant material.

11. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said C- shaped inserts being at least two outer inserts connected with two levers through hinge joints.

12. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said C- shaped inserts being at least two inner inserts accommodating slide bolt latches present on inner ends of said levers.

13. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said crossbars are horizontal bars at both ends of each flap, made up of a high strength and light weight material.

14. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said cam comprising a resilient member, in compressed form in its first locking position, which unfolds in its second locking position.

15. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises position latches in order to allow transition of the device from its unloaded position to its exact loaded position.

16. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises position latches in order to allow transition of the device from its unloaded position to its exact loaded position, characterised in that, said position latch is a self-engaging latch, in that it engages automatically when the flap angularly displaces after a patient is loaded onto the device and once engaged, it maintains said device in the flat configuration until it is manually released from its place.

17. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises position latches, in that, a pin is used to release said latch to convert the board from loaded to unloaded position and, in that, said latch comprising a compression spring such that a compression spring gets compressed during this action, which pulls the pin back into the slot when both of them align with each other during loading.

18. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises side-handle-cum-levers at each of said boards.

19. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises scoop latches, one at each end of said board, in order to join the two halves of said device to form a single continuous surface upon which a patient rests.

20. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises scoop latches, one at each end of said board, characterised in that, said latches consists of a thumb activated lever on one crossbar piece of an end handle which interacts with a ring or a pin on the opposite crossbar to activate said scoop latch.

21. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises speed clip pins in order to immobilize a patient on said device, said pins being moulded along with said flaps.

22. The patient transportation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises safety latches, each safety latch being an integral part of said position latch system in order to limit the range of motion of said flap so that the flap cannot move beyond the scoop and the flat configurations of said device.