Surgery – Body rests – supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-16
2004-11-16
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body rests, supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
C128S869000, C128S870000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817363
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pulmonary therapy apparatus and, more particularly, to chest compression and proning devices which provide pulmonary therapy on a patient. Moreover, the present invention relates to a pulmonary therapy apparatus which incorporates one or more of the following components: a proning apparatus, a chest compression or binding apparatus, an oscillating motion therapy apparatus and a longitudinal rotation therapy apparatus.
The positioning of patients in a prone position (i.e., face down) typically results in improved oxygenation to the patient as opposed to a supine position (i.e., face up). More particularly, it is believed that prone positioning reduces the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS historically has had a mortality rate often exceeding sixty percent. Additionally, bed ridden patients with diseases or infirmities not necessarily requiring improved oxygenation often require that they be rotated between supine and prone positions in order to avoid the formation of bed sores.
Traditionally, the re-positioning and, moreover, the turning of patients about their longitudinal axes, has been accomplished only with considerable effort. The turning of patients from a supine position to a prone position often requires assistance from at least three caregivers. Additionally, patients often have a plurality of tubes and lines connected to their bodies for a variety of medical reasons, including intravenous supply and ventilation. The turning process is often further complicated by intermingling or tangling of the tubes or lines.
In short, proning has proven to be an effective intervention to increase oxygenation in the ARDS patient. Ease in attaining the prone position obviously facilitates its utilization. As such, there remains a need for a prone positioning apparatus which reduces the manual labor required, increases caregiver efficiency, and improves line management.
It is also believed that chest binding or compression may prove to be an effective method of pulmonary therapy and, more particularly, alveolar recruitment. It is believed that chest binding through the application of force on the upper chest of a patient, who is supplied air through a conventional ventilator, will prevent over-extension of the upper portion of the lungs and force the ventilated air to the lower portion of the lungs. As such, a patient will receive more effective oxygenation through the ventilator. Therefore, there is a need for a chest binding device for facilitating ventilation of distant lung areas.
Another method of pulmonary therapy for improving oxygenation to a patient is through oscillating motion therapy and, moreover, through longitudinal rotation therapy. In essence, it is believed that oscillating rotational motion of a patient support surface for periodically moving a patient from a substantially upright position to a substantially horizontal position improves breathing and, therefore, oxygenation to the patient. It is further believed that placing the body in a weightless neutral body position, commonly referred to as a “zero gravity” position, optimizes such therapy. Therefore, there is a need for a longitudinal rotation apparatus which facilitates improved ventilation and lung drainage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a proning apparatus comprises a base including a head portion, a leg portion, and a body portion positioned intermediate the head portion and the leg portion. The base further includes an opposing pair of longitudinal side edges, a patient support surface extending between the side edges, and a longitudinal axis. A face-receiving aperture is formed within the head portion and is adapted to receive a face of a patient therein. An abdomen-receiving aperture is formed within the body portion in longitudinally spaced relation to the face-receiving aperture, the abdomen-receiving aperture being adapted to expose the abdomen of a patient when the face is in the face-receiving aperture. A groin-receiving aperture is formed within the leg portion in longitudinally spaced relation to the abdomen-receiving aperture, wherein the groin-receiving aperture is adapted to expose the groin of the patient when the face is in the face-receiving aperture.
A plurality of supports are coupled to the patient surface of the base. The plurality of supports include at least one head support cushion coupled to the head portion, at least one shoulder support cushion coupled to the body portion, and at least one leg support cushion coupled to the leg portion. The plurality of supports further include at least one hip support cushion positioned intermediate the abdomen-receiving aperture and the groin-receiving aperture. A plurality of line management devices are supported by the base adjacent to the side edges, wherein the line management devices configured to releasably secure hoses and lines adjacent the base. A plurality of straps are coupled to the base adjacent one of the side edges, each of the straps including a padded section adapted for engaging the patient.
In another illustrated embodiment of the invention, a proning therapy sleeve comprises a bottom support portion including a head end and a foot end, the bottom support portion configured to be located on a mattress of a bed. A pair of opposing side portions extend outwardly from the bottom support portion. An aperture is formed in each of the pair of opposing side portions, wherein the aperture is configured to receive the arms of a patient. A head support bladder is supported in each of the side portions. At least one inflatable chest support bladder is supported in each of the side portions in spaced relation to the head support bladder. A thigh-engaging bladder is supported in each of the side portions in spaced relation to the at least one inflatable chest support bladder. A calf engaging bladder is supported in each of the side portions in spaced relation to the thigh engaging bladder.
At least one line management apparatus is supported proximate at least one of the head end and the foot end of the bottom support portion, wherein the at least one line management apparatus is configured to releasably secure hoses and lines extending to the patient. A plurality of first fasteners are supported by the first side portion and a plurality of second fasteners are supported by the second side portion wherein the first and second side portions are foldable over the front of the patient and the fasteners are connected to secure the sleeve about the patient.
The bladders are provided for support of the patient in the prone position. Additionally, the bladders may be utilized to provide therapy to the patient. More particularly, the at least one chest bladder may be inflated to provide chest binding or compression when a ventilator is used to supply air or oxygen to the patient through a ventilator tube. As air is blown into the patient's lungs through the ventilator tube, the at least one chest bladder is inflated to force air downwardly into the patient's lungs.
The bottom support surface may include a plurality of apertures forming an air zone and coupled to an air supply. When air is supplied to the air zone, the air is forced outwardly through the holes to provide an air pallet or bearing to assist in rotational movement of the patient. Additionally, the side portions may each include an outer bladder coupled to the air supply. An outer surface of the side portions include a plurality of apertures so that air flows outwardly through the outer surface for providing an air pallet or bearing. As such, the entire outer circumference of the sleeve may be provided with an air bearing to facilitate the proning of the patient.
In yet another illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a proning apparatus comprises a bottom support bladder including opposing first and second sides, an outer surface, an air chamber, and a plurality of apertures formed within the outer surface and in fluid communicat
Acton Troy D.
Biondo John P.
Branson Gregory W.
Cerimele Michael E.
Chance Richard W.
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Brown Michael A.
Hill-Rom Services Inc.
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