WO2023211263A1

WO2023211263A1 - Infant bed tilting device

Info

Publication number: WO2023211263A1
Application number: PCT/LV2023/050004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reviks VARDANJANS
Original assignee: Armgate, Sia
Priority date: 2022-04-26
Filing date: 2023-01-27
Publication date: 2023-11-02
Also published as: LV15786A

Abstract

The present invention relates to infant bed tilting devices, especially to incubator bed tilting devices. An infant bed tilting device comprising a base (2); a bed (1) comprising a bed frame (3) and a mattress (6) arranged within the bed frame (3); and two air cushions (8; 9) arranged between the base (2) and the bed (1) so that both air cushions (8; 9) touch the bed frame (3) and the base (2) and each air cushion (8; 9) is positioned on each of two sides of the base (2) and the bed (1). Each air cushion (8; 9) is configured to be inflated or deflated independently, in result of which the bed frame (3) can be lifted, lowered, or tilted on one or another side in relation to the base (2).

Description

INFANT BED TILTING DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to infant bed tilting devices, especially for incubator bed tilting devices.

Background of the invention

[002] The US patent publication No. 5,531,663 discloses an incubator bed or mattress tilt mechanism. An infant incubator tilt mechanism is disclosed that allows infinite adjustment of the tilt angle of the infant mattress within certain limits. The mechanism includes a bent rod positioned within the infant incubator itself and underlying the infant bed and which has an offset portion that engages a bed lifter. As the bent rod is rotated about an axis, the bent rod moves the bed lifter to raise and/or lower the infant bed. Another tilt mechanism is disclosed in Chinese patent application publication No. CN111407563. The incubator comprises lifting devices, wherein each lifting device comprises an air cylinder and a link. The air cylinders are fixedly arranged at the bottom of the incubator, one end of each link is connected with the corresponding air cylinder, and the other end of each link is in slip connection with the incubator bed. Another design of an incubator bed is disclosed in the US patent application publication No. US2002/0100116. The publication discloses the incubator bed comprises an infant support and lifters that rock the infant support from side to side. In illustrative embodiments, the infant support has a trough in which an infant is received.

[003] Aim of the invention is to design an incubator bed tilting mechanism or device allowing to adjust an infant incubator bed in various angles. Preferably the device or mechanism can also be used in other infant beds outside the incubator.

Summary of the invention

[004] The aim is reached by a design of an infant bed tilting device which allows safely to position and fix the infant bed in a necessary position. The aim is reached by implementation of air cushions or airbags. In addition, the air cushions function as pneumatic vibration isolators.

[005] The infant bed tilting device comprises a base having a base support surface. The base may be a part of an incubator, a carriage or any other part of the medical equipment which is used for the support of the infant bed. The infant bed tilting device comprises a bed. The bed comprises a bed frame and a mattress arranged within the bed frame. The bed frame has a bed support surface directed towards the base support surface of the base so that both surfaces are positioned to each other.

[006] The infant bed tilting device is characterized in that it comprises two air cushions arranged between the base and the bed so that both air cushions can touch the bed support surface of the bed frame and the base support surface of the base and each air cushion is positioned on each of two sides of the base and the bed. In result of this, the bed is supported on the base entirely through the air cushions.

[007] Moreover, the infant bed tilting device comprises an air pressure generating unit fluidly connected to each of the air cushions through hoses so that the air pressure generating unit is configured to inflate or deflate each air cushion independently, in result of which the bed frame with its bed can be lifted, lowered, or tilted on one or another side in relation to the base. The air supply system besides the air pressure generating unit further comprises an inflation/deflation valve arranged on each hose to the air cushion so that each air cushion is controlled separately. A pressure relief valve is built in the hose upstream from the air pressure generating unit and downstream from the inflation/deflation valves. An auxiliary deflation valve is installed for each air cushion. Both auxiliary deflation valve activation buttons are arranged close to each other so that these two buttons can be pressed with one finger touch allowing instant deflation of both air cushions.

[008] The infant bed tilting device comprises a guide unit arranged between the base and the bed and in the middle section of the base and the bed. The guide unit comprises a tilting axis attached to the bed frame, a guide bar with a hole and a cut out, and a pin attached to the base. The tilting axis is mounted into the hole of the guide bar so that the bed frame can rotate around the tilting axis. The pin is mounted into the cut out of the guide unit so that the bed frame can slidably move along the cut out. The sliding and rotation of the bed frame by means of the guide allow said bed frame to lift, lower or tilt in a predetermined path in relation to the base. The tilting axis as well as the pin may be removably attached or fixed to the bed frame and the base respectively. The device comprises two guide units, wherein each guide unit is arranged on each side of the bed and opposed to each other.

[009] The bed support surface of the bed frame comprises at least two support protrusions extending from said bed support surface of the bed frame towards the base support surface of the base so that the bed through its support protrusions is supported by the base when both air cushions are completely deflated or the bed through one of its support protrusions is supported by the base, when one of the air cushions is completely deflated. A surface of the support protrusion, facing towards the base, is inclined in relation to the bed support surface of the bed frame. An angle of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion in relation to the bed support surface of the bed frame corresponds to a maximum angle of inclination of the bed to the base support surface of the base so that upon maximum inclination of the bed, the surface of the support protrusion is parallel to and supported by the base support surface of the base. The angle of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion in relation to the bed support surface of the bed frame may be 10 to 16 degrees, preferably 12 degrees. These two protrusions serve as a solid base. This allows to fix the bed for performing of, for example, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), X-ray examination or other procedures that require a hard, static (non-moving) base.

[010] The infant bed tilting device defines a longitudinal axis that extends in a longitudinal axis of the bed where the patient or infant is laid down longitudinally. The device also defines an orthogonal axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis and orthogonal axis are arranged in a horizontal plane which is defined by the bed support surfaces of the bed frame and the base. The device further comprises a vertical axis that extends through a cross point of the longitudinal axis and the orthogonal axis in a vertical direction in relation to the horizontal plane defined by the same longitudinal axis and the orthogonal axis. The cross point of all three axes is in the middle of the bed.

[Oi l] The air cushions are disposed symmetrically from the centre of the bed frame. The air cushions are disposed in the equal distances both from the centre of the bed and from sides of the bed. The guide unit is positioned in the centre of the bed frame. [012] In design of the aforementioned infant bed it was surprisingly found out that nonexistence of rigid link does not transfer vibrations from operational units (air supply equipment; medicine supply equipment) of the incubator or any other medical equipment, and vibrations from the floor of the room where the incubator is located, from vacuum pumps, air compressors, infant ventilator in the room, as well as from the personnel movement, noise from the vehicles passing on nearby streets, etc. to the infant bed and further to the infant on the bed. Hence, the infant is not distracted or stressed within the incubator. In addition, the device or mechanism can also be used in other infant beds outside the incubator.

Brief description of the drawings

[013] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments of the invention.

[014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an infant bed (1) comprising an incubator bed tilting device.

[015] Fig. 2 is a side view of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 1. A side cover of the infant bed (1) is removed in order to show a part of the infant bed (1) tilting device.

[016] Fig. 3 is a top view of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 1 with indicated cross sections A- A and B-B.

[017] Fig. 4 is a cross-section view A-A of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3.

[018] Fig. 5 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3.

[019] Fig. 6 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3, wherein the infant bed (1) is tilted to one side because one air cushion (8) is fully inflated, and another air cushion (9) is completely deflated.

[020] Fig. 7 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3, wherein the infant bed (1) is completely lowered because both air cushions (8; 9) are completely deflated. [021] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an air supply unit for air cushions (8; 9) and a pressure generating unit (10) fluidly connected to each of the air cushions (8; 9).

Detailed description of the embodiments

[022] The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate objectives, advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[023] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an infant bed (1) comprising an infant bed tilting device. Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of the invention. An infant bed tilting device comprises a base (2) having a base support surface (21), and a bed (1) comprising a bed frame (3) and a mattress (6) arranged within the bed frame (3).

[024] Fig. 2 is a side view of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 1. A side cover of the infant bed

(1) is removed in order to show a part of the incubator bed tilting device. An infant bed tilting device comprises a base (2) having a base support surface (21) and a bed (1) comprising a bed frame (3) and a mattress (6) arranged within the bed frame (3). The bed frame (3) has a bed support surface (31) directed towards the base support surface (21) of the incubator base (2). The device comprises two air cushions (8; 9) arranged between the base (2) and the bed (1) so that both air cushions (8 ;9) touch the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) and the base support surface (21) of the base (2) and each air cushion (8; 9) is positioned on each of two sides of the base (2) and the bed (1). The device further comprises a guide unit (5) arranged between the base (2) and the bed (1) and in the middle section of the base (2) and the bed (1). The guide unit (5) comprises a tilting axis (51) or rod attached to the bed frame (3), a guide bar (52) with a hole (53) and a cut out (54), and a pin (55) attached to the incubator base (2). The tilting axis (51) is mounted into the hole (53) of the guide bar (52) so that the bed frame (3) can rotate around the tilting axis (51), and wherein the pin (55) is mounted into the cut out (54) of the guide unit (5) so that the bed frame (3) can slidably move along the cut out (54), and wherein said sliding and rotation of the bed frame (3) by means of the guide (5) allow said bed frame (3) to lift, lower or tilt in a predetermined path in relation to the base (2). The bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) comprises at least two support protrusions (32) extending from said bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) towards the base support surface (21) of the base (2) so that the bed (1) through its support protrusions (32) is supported by the base

(2) when both air cushions (8; 9) are completely deflated or the bed (1) through one of its support protrusions (32) is supported by the base (2) when one of the air cushions (8; 9) is completely deflated. The surface of the support protrusion (32) facing towards the base (2) is inclined in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3). An angle (X) of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion (32) in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) corresponds to a maximum angle of inclination of the bed (1) to the base support surface (21) of the incubator base (2) so that upon maximum inclination of the bed (1) the surface of the support protrusion (32) is parallel to and supported by the base support surface (21) of the base (2). The angle (X) of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion (32) in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) is 12 degrees. In the present embodiment the X-ray cassette holder (16) is placed inside the bed frame (3), and the mattress (6) is located above the bed frame (3) and the X-ray cassette holder (16).

[025] Fig. 3 is a top view of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 1 with indicated cross sections A- A and B-B. The cross-section A-A is along the orthogonal axis (O) of the infant bed (1), and the cross-section B-B is along the longitudinal axis (L) of the infant bed. Fig. 4 is a crosssection view A-A of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3.

[026] Fig. 4 illustrates a cut-through view of the guide unit (5). Both air cushions (8; 9) are fully inflated. When the two air cushions (8; 9) are inflated, the infant bed (1) is lifted from the incubator base (2) and the entire weight of the infant bed (1) is spread over the air cushions (8; 9), therefore the infant bed is supported by the air cushions (8; 9). From this moment on, the inflated air cushions (8; 9) function as air springs. The guide unit (5) which functions as a guide and tilting mechanism is located at both sides of the bed (1). The pin (55), both ends of which are fixed into the base of the incubator (2), is located in the straight slot opening of the guide bar (52) and its shape and dimensions allow the movement of the guide bar (52) only upwards and downwards in relation to the pin (55), and limits the movement of the bed (1) to the left and to the right in relation to the base (2). The pin (55) functions also as a stopper that does not allow movement of the infant bed (1) vertically for safety reasons to ensure the infant bed (1) does not fall out of the base (2). For cleaning and disinfection purposes of the infant bed (1), the pin (55) can be removed from the base (2) thus allowing to separate the infant bed (1) from the base (2). After the cleaning and/or disinfection the infant bed (1) is put back into its place, the pin (55) is inserted for fixing and operating the infant bed (1). The pin (55) features a safety lock that prevents accidental falling out of the pin (55). [027] Fig. 5 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3. A vertical axis (V) is also indicated. Also, in this Fig. 5 both air cushions (8; 9) are fully inflated.

[028] Fig. 6 is a cross-section view B-B of the infant bed (1) as seen in Fig. 3, wherein the infant bed (1) is tilted to one side because one air cushion (8) is fully inflated, and another air cushion (9) is completely deflated.

[029] Fig. 7 is a cross-section view B-B of the incubator bed (1) as seen in Fig 3, wherein the infant bed (1) is completely lowered because both air cushions (8; 9) are completely deflated. When the air cushions (8; 9) are deflated, the frame (3) of the infant bed (1) is sitting on the protrusions (32) of the frame (3) of the infant bed (1) which are located at the ends of the frame (3) of the infant bed (1). At this moment the pin (55) is positioned in the upper allowed position in relation to the infant bed (1).

[030] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an air supply unit for air cushions (8; 9). It primary comprises a pressure generating unit (10) fluidly connected to each of the air cushions (8; 9). The inflation/deflation valves (11; 12) independently regulate inflation and deflation of the air cushions (8; 9). The air pressure generating unit (10) is fluidly connected to each of the air cushions (8; 9) through hoses (14) so that the air pressure generating unit (10) is configured to inflate or deflate each air cushion (8; 9) independently, in result of which the bed frame (3) can be lifted, lowered or tilted on one or another side in relation to the base (2). The system also comprises a pressure relief valve (15) built in the hose (14) upstream from the air pressure generating unit (10) and downstream from the inflation/deflation valves (11; 12) for exceeding pressure relief. The system further comprises an auxiliary deflation valve (31 A; 3 IB) for each air cushion (8; 9). By pressing a button (13(A)), the air cushion (8) is deflated using a valve (31A). By pressing a button (13(B)), the air cushion (9) is deflated using a valve (3 IB). The buttons (13(A) and 13(B)) are designed or arranged so that it is possible to press them both together with one thumb. Pressing the buttons (13(A) and 13(B)) together and simultaneously transfers the infant bed (1) into the CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) mode.

[031] Tilting of the infant bed is possible by regulating the amount of air in both cushions (8 and/or 9) by activating valves (11, 12, 31A and 3 IB). The tilting axis (51) functions as an axis in relation to which the bed (1) is tilting. The position of the angle of the bed (1) in relation to the incubator base (2) may be regulated continuously, e.g., +/- 12°, by adjusting the air pressure in the air cushions (8; 9). At any angle of the position of the bed (1) the entire weight of the bed (1) is spread over the air cushions (8 9), therefore the bed is supported by the air cushions (8; 9), and the bed (1) does not move to the left or to the right.

[032] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS ant bed tilting device comprising:

- a base (2) having a base support surface (21);

- a bed (1) comprising a bed frame (3) and a mattress (6) arranged within the bed frame (3), wherein the bed frame (3) has a bed support surface (31) directed towards the base support surface (21);

- two air cushions (8; 9) arranged between the base (2) and the bed (1) so that both air cushions (8; 9) touch the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) and the base support surface (21) and each air cushion (8; 9) is positioned on each of two sides of the base (2) and the bed (1);

- an air pressure generating unit (10) fluidly connected to each of the air cushions (8; 9) through hoses (14) so that the air pressure generating unit (10) is configured to inflate or deflate each air cushion (8; 9) independently, in result of which the bed frame (3) can be lifted, lowered or tilted on one or another side in relation to the base (2);

- a guide unit (5) arranged between the base (2) and the bed (1) and in the middle section of the base (2) and the bed (1), wherein the guide unit (5) comprises a tilting axis (51) attached to the bed frame (3), a guide bar (52) with a hole (53) and a cut out (54), and a pin (55) attached to the incubator base (2), wherein the tilting axis (51) is mounted into the hole (53) of the guide bar (52) so that the bed frame (3) can rotate around the tilting axis (51), and wherein the pin (55) is mounted into the cut out (54) of the guide unit (5) so that the bed frame (3) can slidably move along the cut out (54), and wherein said sliding and rotation of the bed frame (3) by means of the guide (5) allow said bed frame (3) to lift, lower or tilt in a predetermined path in relation to the base (2); wherein the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) comprises at least two support protrusions (32) extending from said bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) towards the base support surface (21) so that the bed (1) through its support protrusions (32) is supported by the base (2) when both air cushions (8; 9) are completely deflated or the bed (1) through one of its support protrusions (32) is supported by the base (2) when one of the air cushions (8; 9) is completely deflated. The infant bed tilting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the support protrusion (32) facing towards the base (2) is inclined in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3), wherein an angle of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion (32) in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) corresponds to a maximum angle of inclination of the bed (1) to the base support surface (21) of the incubator base (2) so that upon maximum inclination of the bed (1) the surface of the support protrusion (32) is parallel to and supported by the base support surface (21) of the base (2). The infant bed tilting device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the angle (X) of the inclination of the surface of the support protrusion (32) in relation to the bed support surface (31) of the bed frame (3) is 10 to 16 degrees, preferably 12 degrees. The infant bed tilting device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the air cushions (8; 9) are disposed symmetrically from the centre of the bed frame (3). The infant bed tilting device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the air cushions (8; 9) are disposed is the same distance both from the centre of the bed (1) and from sides of the bed (1). The infant bed tilting device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide unit (5) is positioned in the centre of the bed frame (3). The infant bed tilting device according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device further comprises: an inflation/deflation valve (11; 12) arranged on each hose (14) to each air cushion (8; 9) so that each air cushion (8; 9) can be inflated or deflated separately; a pressure relief valve (15) built in the hose upstream from the air pressure generating unit (10) and downstream from the inflation/deflation valves (11; 12) for exceeding pressure relief; an auxiliary deflation valve (31 A; 3 IB) for each air cushion (8; 9), wherein each auxiliary deflation valve (31 A; 3 IB) comprises an auxiliary deflation valve activation button (13A; 13B), and wherein both auxiliary deflation valve activation buttons (13A; 13B) are arranged close to each other so that these two buttons can be pressed with one finger touch allowing instant deflation of both air cushions. ubator comprising the infant bed tilting device according to any of Claims 1 to 7.