Beds – With means for relocating an invalid – Rotatable platform type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-25
2001-08-21
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
With means for relocating an invalid
Rotatable platform type
C005S662000, C135S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276007
ABSTRACT:
S
TATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to patient lift devices and more particularly pertains to portable patient lifts aiding in the lifting and lowering of patients and others that may have specific needs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of patient lifts, and more specifically, portable patient lifts heretofore devised and utilized are known to comprise of complicated structural configurations, not withstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded field that have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. Known prior patient lifts include U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,741; U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,592; U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,633; U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,072; U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,944.
1. Various types of complex mechanical and electro-mechanical patient lift devices have been around for years.
a. I have discovered that caregivers and other individuals are reluctant to use them because they are large, heavy, bulky, complicated, and time consuming to setup and use.
b. Said devices have been found to be costly, a storage problem, and require the assistance of other(s) to operate.
2. The devices are also limited in that they only pertain to the non-ambulatory, invalid, or bed-ridden patient.
a. Furthermore, the devices have a limited use of only lifting and lowering said patients.
b. The devices have short-range transport capability, and, consequently, are substantially restricted to indoor use. As a result, individuals cannot take them to work, to a restaurant, to attend a sporting event, or other daily outside activities.
3. Additionally, the devices are not designed for an individual to use as a rehabilitation aid that may help them regain a mobile lifestyle.
4. While these devices fulfill their respective particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned do not disclose a personal lift aid that may be used for the two different modes of operation that are as follows:
Unassisted (where the patient and/or individual can use it by themselves) or Assisted (with the help of a caregiver or spouse).
5. Not found was a lift device specifically designed to lift and lower ambulatory patients and other individuals.
6. Also not disclosed is an unassisted portable aid to descend and ascend stairs, which is manually operated and not powered by electric or hydraulics.
7. Furthermore, I was not able to find a device without wheels whose base support was anchored to the ground or floor by means of stepping on it. The devices that were discovered required fasteners such as bolts or screws to attach the devices t o the ceiling or floor, thus marring said surfaces.
8. Finally, not found was a portable lift and lowering device able to be purchased for a price that is affordable to most people so that they can use it while they are in the hospital or at home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The novel personal lift aid comprises of a stanchion (reinforced pole), palm-grip, three adjustable hand grips, and a (step-on) anchor pad with a molded pivotable neck. Said device is intended for ambulatory individuals who need help with their personal lifting and lowering, without sacrificing their safety. The present invention is simple and yet efficient in its operation while providing multiple services to a wide spectrum of individuals who have various healthcare needs.
In recent years, the insurance industry as well as other healthcare industries have implemented major changes regarding the number of patient recovery days spent in the hospital. In most cases, this has been shortened from weeks to days. Because of these recent changes, rehabilitation of individuals has moved to nursing homes, rehab centers, and home healthcare. This personal lift aid comes at the right time to provide an invaluable aid to ambulatory individuals who need help with their rehabilitation and in accomplishing everyday activities.
The statement, “necessity is the mother of invention,” certainly applies to this invention. Not long ago, I had gallbladder surgery at one of the nation's top-rated hospitals in Ohio. Fortunately, I was able to have the less invasive type surgery called laparoscopic; but, after surgery, I found myself struggling to sit up, lay back, stand, and walk. I was well aware of the pain and careful not to put undue stress on the affected traumatized area. The hospital had invested millions of dollars in operating room equipment, but had no lift aid available for ambulatory patients, post surgery, such as myself. What is needed is a personal lift aid device for a continuum of support from the hospital to the home.
Returning home, I had a hard time getting in and out of the car. The next day my wife had to return to work and that left me home alone to care for myself. I seemed to struggle more at home when I tried to sit up and stand, and felt that I had torn my sutures. I knew there had to be a better way of moving about.
I experimented with a hollow pole about four foot in length, as I tried to stand, holding it vertically in front of me and using the lower end as a pivot point on the floor. However, the bottom kept slipping and moving as I attempted to stand. I thought about putting a wide base on the bottom of the pole and using a nail or screw to anchor it to the floor to prevent it from slipping and moving back, but that wasn't a viable option. It took awhile, but I finally came up with the idea of a flat anchor pad made of semi-hard material that I could step on with one or both feet to anchor it to the floor. I'm happy to report that it worked, and the anchor pad remained securely in place. I also encountered a problem with the pole in that it would bend while in use, and I realized that I needed to reinforce it for strength and durability.
Soon, thereafter, I began to refine the invention and the techniques to use it. I discovered that it could not only be used in the foregoing unassisted mode of operation but also in an assisted mode of operation. In the assisted mode of operation my wife could easily lift and lower me whenever I needed the help. I believe that the personal lift aid will help lead the way in helping other individuals, as it has helped me, toward a safer and more comfortable recovery.
In accordance with the present invention, the personal lift aid is human powered, and is used with leverage techniques to lift and lower ambulatory individuals to standing, sitting, or supine positions. It can also be used as an aid to safely support the individual while ascending and descending stairs.
As mentioned, the personal lift aid is novel in that it can be used in two different modes of operation, unassisted and assisted. The ambulatory individual's degree of participation in using the personal lift aid depends on the condition of that particular individual. The individual's condition will dictate which mode of operation is best suited for them. Therefore, while the patient is in the hospital, the patient's doctor or nurse will determine the appropriate mode of operation for the individual to use.
In the unassisted mode, the individual uses the device by themselves using all of his or her body muscles, particularly their arms and legs, to lift, lower, sit-up, and lay back. This mode of operation actually promotes a more speedy and safe rehabilitation toward regaining one's full mobility.
In the assisted mode, the individual uses the device with the help of a caregiver who helps with the lifting or lowering. In this mode the individual only uses their legs to participate while limiting the use of their arms to only holding onto the hand grips, not using them to pull themselves up. The rehabilitation time is usually slower when being assisted by a caregiver, but once the individual starts to regain their strength they can move up to using the unassisted mode of operation.
No one, to our knowledge, has ever thought of a personal lift aid to assist temporarily incapacitated patients or other individuals who are ambulatory. Most indivi
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