Weighing scales – Structural installation – Furniture or room fixture
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-03-13
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Weighing scales
Structural installation
Furniture or room fixture
C177S147000, C177S245000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201195
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a patient hoist, and more particularly, relates to a way to determine the weight of a patient supported by a patient hoist.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In the healthcare field, it is often desirable to assist a patient to a standing or suspended position. This is particularly needed to help support the infirm or disabled who may lack the strength or coordination to raise themselves. To assist in supporting these patients, it is common to have a patient hoist which is a lift or a stand. A caregiver is normally required to assist a patient in using a lift or stand.
A lift is a patient hoist, where a patient is placed in a sling or stretcher on a bed or chair, and is then lifted by a mobile arm-type of device. In a lift, the patient is completely supported from an overhead position, and has no active role in supporting themselves or assisting in being raised. A lift is used to temporarily raise a patient or transport them without discomfort. Such a lift is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,783.
A stand is a different type of patient hoist which is used to raise a patient from a sitting position to a generally standing position. A stand is normally smaller than a lift, with an upright member and a pivotably mounted arm or support member moved by an elevation arm or actuator. When supported by a stand, the patient stands at an angle, and holds support bars.
A strap-type sling is normally used with a stand to assist in supporting a patient. The sling goes behind the patient's back and under the patient's arms and is then suspended from the stand. The patient is then lifted to a generally erect position. Once the patient is lifted, the stand may be moved to reposition the patient to a new desired location or other patient care procedures such as changing clothes or toileting may be done. Alternatively, the patient may step off of the stand and walk away. Such a stand is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,106.
A stand may also be used with a larger sling to raise and suspend the patient; however, a lift is normally more efficient for this operation. Another alternative is to lower a stand's support bars to a comfortable hand level and remove the foot plate, the stand may be used to assist the patient in walking.
In addition to helping support and transport patients, nursing facilities also have a need to weigh patients on a regular and frequent basis. If the weighing activity can be combined with a patient transfer, a weighing step is eliminated which reduces the discomfort of the patient and saves the caregiver time and labor.
It has been known to incorporate a weighing system or scales into a patient lift where the patient is completely suspended from a mobile arm. These lifts generally show scales mounted at the end of the mobile arm directly over the patient or directly supporting the mobile arm.
However, there have been a number of drawbacks in attempts to incorporate a weighing system with a patient stand. Thus, a separate weighing step has been required. This requires additional time and effort for the caregiver and can cause additional discomfort to the patient. There is a need for a manner to accurately measure a patient's weight on a patient stand since the patient is generally standing at an angle, and is holding hand-holds, thus dissipating the patient's weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a patient hoist configured to measure a patient's weight. The patient hoist is used to assist the patient from a generally sitting to a generally standing position or alternately to suspend the patient. The patient hoist has a base, a load sensor mounted to the base, and a mast assembly bearing on the load sensor. Once the hoist is adjacent to the patient, the patient is placed in a sling, and assisted to a standing position or suspended. The hoist may then be moved to reposition the patient, and the weight of the patient can be determined from the load sensor and an attached display. Once relocated or weighed, the patient can be lowered and assisted to a new position.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a patient hoist to assist in supporting infirm or disabled patients.
A further object of the invention is to provide a scale wherein the patient's weight may be measured while the patient is being supported by the hoist.
It is a further object of certain embodiments of this invention to accurately measure the patient's weight while the patient is standing generally at an angle, and holding hand-holds.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a patient weighing device wherein the patient is not discomforted, and the weighing involves a minimal amount of time and effort for the caregiver.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.
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patent: 3998284 (1976-12-01), James
patent: 4482783 (1984-11-01), Laimins
patent: 4799562 (1989-01-01), Burrows et al.
patent: 4926951 (1990-05-01), Carruth et al.
patent: 5022106 (1991-06-01), Richards
patent: 5033563 (1991-07-01), Brainerd, Jr. et al.
patent: 5174399 (1992-12-01), Brauneis
patent: 5906016 (1999-05-01), Ferrand et al.
Medcare Lifts&Stands, Operator's Manual; Medcare Products, No Date Given.
Gibson Randy W.
Medcare Products, Inc.
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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