Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Restrainers and immobilizers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-05-08
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Restrainers and immobilizers
C128S870000, C005S628000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227201
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an immobilizing backboard for transporting a patient. More particularly the invention is directed to a disposable backboard assembled from a folded blank and to the blank for forming the backboard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Backboards are an essential piece of equipment for medical and emergency personnel for safely moving a patient in a manner to minimize the risk of spinal injury. Backboards and stretchers are also essential in transporting a patient in a manner that is convenient for the medical personnel and the most comfortable to the patient.
When a person has suffered a possible spinal or neck injury, the use of a standard stretcher is not suitable since the neck is not effectively immobilized. It is essential that the entire body be restrained from movement until the extent of the injuries are determined. To prevent movement of the neck and spine, a backboard is attached to the patient and a head immobilizing device is secured to the backboard.
The head immobilizing devices are known in the art for stabilizing an injured patient. One example of a head immobilizing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,016 to Ferko. This device is intended to be mounted to a rigid backboard to support a patient's head. The device includes a plurality of panels that are folded to support each side of a patient's head.
The backboards in common use today are rigid boards having handles or openings for gripping the board. The board must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the patient without buckling or folding. However, the board must also be sufficiently lightweight to avoid unnecessary weight being carried by the medical personnel or paramedics. It is desirable to manufacture the backboard to be compact as reasonably possible to minimize storage space.
Conventional backboards are often made from flat sheet material such as plywood, plastic or metal. The flat backboards usually have a number of openings around the edge for lifting and receiving straps to secure the patient to the board. Other backboards are made from molded plastic materials. Another form of backboard is made of metal and has number of pivotable supporting surfaces which can be placed around the patient while in the open position. The pivotable supporting surfaces are closed to slide beneath the patient so that the patient can be positioned on the backboard without lifting the patient from the ground.
The backboards and stretchers in common used today are expensive and intended for reuse. However, a patient is typically transported to a hospital on the backboard by emergency personnel so that the backboard remains with the patient until the patient is treated and removed from the board. The board must then be returned to the emergency personnel. The expense and bulk of the existing backboards limit the number of backboards which can be stored and carried by the emergency personnel.
Backboards have been made of inexpensive materials such as cardboard so that the backboard can be discarded after use. An example of a disposable board is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,729 to Roberts et al. This device includes a main panel and a cradle member having a pair of wings extending from the cradle. The wings are formed by fold lines on the cradle so that the wings can be raised to and the patient strapped in place.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the industry for an improved backboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a backboard and to a blank for forming a backboard. More particularly, the invention is directed to a backboard having a head stabilizing member coupled to the backboard.
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a backboard that is produced from inexpensive materials and can be discarded after a single use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a blank which can be easily folded and shaped to form a rigid backboard that is sufficiently strong to support the weight of a patient.
A further object of the invention is to provide a backboard which can be stored in a substantially flat condition.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a rigid backboard formed from a corrugated cardboard.
Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable backboard having a head restraining device integrally formed with the backboard.
A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly including a first and a second blank for forming a backboard where the blanks can be cut by a single die cutting step.
Another object of the invention is to provide a backboard having at least one foldable arm attached to each side of the backboard, where the arms can be folded over the torso of a patient.
A further object of the invention is to provide a backboard having side edges and a plurality of arms hinged to the side edges for covering a patient and securing the patient to the board.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a backboard having a head restraining device that can be folded flat for easy storage.
Another object of the invention is to provide a belt having a buckle and at least one loop where the belt can be placed around the waist of a patient or around the backboard and the patient to restrain the patient and lift the backboard.
The objects and advantages of the invention are basically attained by providing a backboard support comprising a substantially planar base member having a rigid center panel with a longitudinal dimension, a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first side edge, and second side edge. The base further has a first side panel pivotally coupled to the first side edge, and a second side panel pivotally coupled to the second side edge. A plurality of flexible arms are coupled to the planar base and are hinged thereto along each of the first and second side edges and have a length to overlie a patient on the support for securing the patient on the support.
The objects of the invention are further attained by providing a backboard support for carrying a patient, which comprises a planar base which has a longitudinal dimension with first and second longitudinal ends and first and second side edges, and a patient supporting panel which has a longitudinal dimension with a first and a second longitudinal end and a first and a second side edge. The patient supporting panel is coupled to the base. At least one arm is coupled to each of the first and second side edges of the patient supporting panel and is hinged thereto. The arms have a length for overlying a patient on the support.
The objects of the invention are also attained by providing an assembly for forming a backboard support comprising a first blank having a longitudinal dimension with longitudinal ends and first and second side edges; and a second blank having a center panel with a longitudinal dimension and having longitudinal ends and first and second side edges. At least one arm is coupled to each of the side edges of the center panel along a fold line.
These and other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the annexed drawings which form a part of this original disclosure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2489828 (1949-11-01), Springer
patent: 3732863 (1973-05-01), Harrington
patent: 4899736 (1990-02-01), Nesbitt
Brown Michael A.
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
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