Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Sectional user supporting surface
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-20
2001-07-10
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Sectional user supporting surface
C005S602000, C005S620000, C005S624000, C297S324000, C297S423370
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256817
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a portable chair which is designed to be easily collapsed to enable it to be transported or stored, and easily erected to an examination position in which it is adapted to support a patient suitably for OB/GYN examination.
BACKGROUND
OB/GYN examinations are traditionally conducted with a patient seated, reclined, or lying down on an examination bed or table, and the patient's feet supported by stirrups with her legs in an abducted position. The abducted position enables an OB/GYN caregiver to conduct an examination or treatment procedure, e.g. a vaginal ultrasound procedure. When the patient is supine, with her hips and knees flexed, and legs abducted, the examination position is referred to as a dorsal lithotomy position. When the patient is partially reclined with her legs abducted, the position is referred to herein as a modified dorsal lithotomy position. The examination bed or table is typically equipped with instrument and medical supply holders, and with basins for collection of fluids.
In the applicants' experience, OB/GYN examination beds and tables are generally large, heavy, and designed to be maintained at a fixed location. They are not easily transported (especially by a single individual), and are often at least semi permanently fixed in place in the examination facility. The stirrups may be attached to the bed or table, or to other equipment (or furniture) in the examination facility. Similarly, the instrument and medical supply holders, the collection basins, and other equipment needed for an OB/GYN examination, are either connected with the examination bed or table, or otherwise supported by other equipment (or furniture) in the examination facility.
In addition, in the applicants' experience, numerous situations have arisen where gynecologic examinations must be performed when a proper gynecologic examination table is not available. With the patient on a flat examination table or bed the performance of a pelvic examination is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to properly perform. The common use of pillows, bedpans, etc., to elevate the buttocks above the level of the table is uncomfortable and non-hygienic, and is often ineffective in improving the quality of the examination.
Still further, there are many instances where non-primary care givers need to perform occasional pelvic examinations, but often do not possess the room or money to install a standard gynecological exam table. For instance, vaginal ultrasound is the technique of choice for evaluation of abnormalities of the female pelvis. The performance of this biologically safe means of internal organ examination is greatly compromised when attempted with the patient laying on a flat examination surface, and the examination may be incomplete due to the limitation of movement of the probe which is inserted into the vagina.
There is an OB/GYN chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,099. The chair disclosed in the patent is designed for an OB/GYN examination, and has leg supports which can support a patient's legs in an abducted position. However, the chair does not appear to be collapsible to a convenient position for transport or storage. Moreover, the chair does not appear to support a patient's legs in the same manner as the chair of the present invention.
In the applicants' experience, there is a need for an OB/GYN examination chair which is (i) collapsible to a condition in which it can be readily transported (in most instances by a single person) or take up a relatively small amount of storage space, (ii) easily erected to an examination position in which it can conveniently support a patient for an OB/GYN examination or procedure, (iii) adapted to adjust the position of the patient in the examination position, (iv) adapted to support medical instruments and supplies necessary for an OB/GYN examination or procedure, and (v) designed to be comfortable for the patient. The chair of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and useful chair which is collapsible for convenient transport or storage, and which is readily erected to an examination position in which it supports an OB/GYN patient in a convenient position for an OB/GYN examination or procedure. A chair according to the present invention is believed useful in mobile clinics and hospitals, especially those for which no purposely designed OB/GYN bed, table or chair exists. A chair according to the invention is also believed to be useful for non OB/GYN facilities (e.g. radiology facilities) where OB/GYN procedures are occasionally performed, and for conducting OB/GYN demonstrations at conferences, seminars, and other types of meeting/educational events in non-clinical settings.
In one of its basic aspects, the present invention comprises a collapsible chair structure having a seat, a back rest, a pair of armrests and a pair of leg rests. The collapsible chair structure can be made primarily of wood or one or more other strong, light weight materials such as aluminum. The chair is moveable between a collapsed condition for storage and/or transport and an examination position in which it enables a patient to be supported in a position suitable for an OB/GYN examination. When the chair is in the examination position (i) the seat and back rest are adapted to provide support for a patient's torso with suitable lumbar support; (ii) the pair of arm rests are spaced apart and oriented to provide support for a patient's arms; and (iii) the pair of leg rests extend forward of (and slightly above) the pair of arm rests and the seat. The leg rests are spaced apart from each other and effectively provide comfortable foot or leg rests which enable a patient's legs to be supported in an abducted position suitable for an OB/GYN examination, and the leg rests define therebetween an examination/demonstration space in which an OB/GYN caregiver can conduct an OB/GYN examination or procedure.
Preferably, the back rest is adjustable for supporting a patient's torso between a dorsal lithotomy position in which the patient's back is substantially horizontal, and a modified dorsal lithotomy position in which the patient's torso is reclined. Also, the seat, back rest, arm rests and leg rests preferably are integrally linked with each other in a manner that enables the chair to be easily collapsed for transport and/or storage and then erected to the examination position. Additionally, the seat preferably has support structure which enables a slidable basin to be integrally connected with the seat, and the arm rests preferably have support structure for medical supplies for an OB/GYN examination.
Still further, according to the preferred embodiment, the chair according to the present invention has a seat which is relatively short in comparison to typical chairs designed as furniture pieces. Specifically, the seat has a front end and a rear end, and the back rest extends away from the rear end of the seat. The length of the seat, i.e., from the front end to the rear end, is about one half the length of a typical furniture chair, so that when the patient is seated and her feet or legs are supported on the leg rests, the patient's lumbar region and upper torso are supported by the back rest, and the patient's perineum (for an a significant range of OB/GYN patient sizes) would be disposed substantially above the front end of the chair without requiring her to move down to reach the edge, as with a seat having a conventional length. In that position in the chair according to the present invention, the patient is well positioned, and comfortably supported, for an OB/GYN examination or procedure. It is also contemplated that the front end of the chair could be specially shaped (e.g. with a recessed area which would enhance access to the patient's perineum). In any event, the front end of the chair is dimensioned to allow convenient access to the
McGuire Bernard F.
Parsons Anna K.
Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP
Trettel Michael F.
University of South Florida
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