Bedridden patient handling aid

Details Bedridden patient handling aid Bedridden patient handling aid

1993-02-24

1994-06-28

Grosz, Alexander

Beds

With means for relocating an invalid

With a hoisting, lifting, elevating, or raising device

5 831, A61G 710

Patent

active

053234987

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns an aid for handling bedridden patients comprising a lifting device, a platform supported by said lifting device designed to be inserted between the bed and the patient, and activating means to raise or lower said platform in order to lift the patient above the bed and then reposition the patient on the bed, wherein the platform comprises a series of individually movable flat strips.
Manipulating bedridden patients is one of the serious problems encountered in medical and elderly care facilities. Medical personnel must do this several times a day when administering treatment, as must the aides who bathe patients and perform other necessary tasks such as changing dressings, making the bed, etc. These jobs now require two people, and this creates problems recruiting and training personnel. In addition, this is difficult work requiring extraordinary strength and endurance.
Lifting devices to aid hospital workers already exist, consisting of a platform for raising the patient above the bed. However, these devices have the disadvantage of not allowing easy access to the patient's back when necessary.
The patient handling device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,114 consists of a frame with two strips to support the patient, said strips being laterally retractable on either side of the patient. The frame, which is situated on either side of the bed, interferes with work, as workers can only access the patient from below and not from the side. It is also a cumbersome device which is complicated to position. It is a fixed unit with no mechanical controls for the strips; operation is entirely manual.
The device described in British Patent No. 2 226 004 consists of a strut supporting a certain number of incurved parallel strips, but it is impossible to use when lifting a patient from a conventional hospital bed. Furthermore, in order to avoid hurting the patient when the strips rub against his or her back, the patient must be lifted up so a strip can be pulled back. Thus, the device is impractical and lacks utility. Finally, because of the way the strips are shaped, the device is especially awkward.
The present device proposes a practical solution to these problems and a remedy for the chronic shortage of health care workers, while at the same time alleviating the work of aides who nevertheless remain indispensable for handling bedridden patients.
To achieve this, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the movable strips are associated with a first mechanical means for displacing them axially, in an essentially horizontal direction, and a second mechanical means causing them to pivot about a horizontal axle.
In an advantageous embodiment the first mechanical means for axially displacing the movable strips comprises at least one friction device driven by an electric motor which is maintained in contact with one of the strip surfaces.
Each strip is preferably associated with a friction device independently driven by an electric motor; said friction device may comprise at least one ring attached to a peripheral groove on a rotating drum disposed beneath the strip.
In the preferred embodiment, the drum comprises a plurality of rings attached to peripheral grooves and in addition, the strip simultaneously contacts a first roller located above the strip and a second roller located below said strip.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, said second mechanical means for making each strip pivot about a horizontal axle consists of an electric motor, an endless screw attached to the motor shaft and a gear engaging said endless screw and which is integral with a pivoting axle supporting a drum to which said strip is attached.
Advantageously, the drum of the second mechanical means supports the drum, the first roller and the second roller which serve as supports for the strip of the first mechanical means.
In another embodiment, the second mechanical means for displacing the movable strips along a generally horizontal axle may consist of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders r

REFERENCES:
patent: 3015114 (1962-01-01), Seib

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Bedridden patient handling aid does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Bedridden patient handling aid, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bedridden patient handling aid will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2368884