Patent Application
20110265262
Co-owned US patent applications U.S. Ser. No. 12/366,610, filed on Feb. 5, 2009 and U.S. Ser. No. 12/699,719, filed on Feb. 3, 2010, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates generally to extremity supporting devices for use in combination with the patient transporters currently used in hospitals and ambulances, and specifically to an adjustable support device for maintaining an extremity of a patient in a supported position during transport or for a medical procedure.
Various types of ambulatory and medical emergency cots, gurneys, medical beds, medical chairs and wheeled stretchers and the like are utilized in patient transport and it is frequently necessary to administer medication or other fluids intravenously during transport by introducing a conduit into a body extremity of the patient. Most commonly the body extremity is an arm. In order to avoid injury and ensure proper administration, it is important that the patient's body extremity remain relatively immobile and straightened during the procedure. This is particularly important when the patient is transported in a moving vehicle, wherein the close quarters and abrupt movements can combine to produce a potentially hazardous environment. Additionally embodiments of the present invention can be used in combination with blood drawing stations such as phlebotomy chairs.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,413 to Aydt describes a splint for an injured arm that attaches to the rail of a bed or a field stretcher wherein the arm splint is attached to the rail via a c-clamp and provides only limited adjustability. Also, since the described arm splint encases the extremity, it does not permit transcutaneous access to the blood vessels of the extremity and therefore precludes procedures such as intravenous therapy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,233 to Kabanek discloses an arm board for a gurney comprising a stiff flat board that not attached to the gurney, but that is rather slipped into crevice below the mattress and thus is held in place by the weight of the patient. Such an arm board configuration is limited in that it fails to provide any adjustability and requires that the arm of the patient be maintained in the same plane as the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,136 to Vance et al. describes an emergency cot mounted arm board that includes a cot frame attaching member, an arm board, and a pivot assembly coupling the attaching member and the arm board. However the arm board of this invention has limited adjustability since it is attached to the backrest and necessarily remains parallel to the horizontal plane of the cot. Also, the armboard of Vance and is designed to support a patient's hand and lower arm and does not offer independent support to the upper arm. Furthermore, with such a configuration the arm board position changes if the position of the backrest is changed during transport of the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,554 to Heimbrock discloses a transportable stretcher used in medical imaging with a pivotally coupled armboard. Since this stretcher is designed specifically for imaging procedures utilizing a C-arm apparatus, the pivotally coupled arm board provides only limited adjustability.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, gurney, wheeled stretcher, medical bed or medical chair to stabilize a body extremity during transport of a patient wherein the device can be easily positioned.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to stabilized a body extremity during transport of a patient wherein the device can be positioned to avoid unwanted pressure or tension on a limb.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to stabilize a body extremity during transport of a patient wherein the device is rigid in design to minimize vibration during patient transport.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to support a body extremity during transport of a patient in a manner that permits transcutaneous access to the blood vessels of the extremity and therefore allows performance of procedures such as intravenous therapy.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to stabilize a body extremity during transport of a patient wherein the device can be conveniently adjusted to fit the full range patient sizes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to stabilize a body extremity during transport of a patient that provides for convenient and effective immobilization of a patient's extremity if the position of the backrest is changed during transport.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher, to stabilize a body extremity during transport of a patient wherein the device can be positioned to not exceed the boundary planes defined by the emergency cot when not in use.
It is another object of the present invention to externally rotate beyond the boundary planes defined by the medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher to allow the person administering intravenous procedures to be seated adjacent to the medical bed or medical chair rather than leaning over the patient to perform the intravenous procedure.
It is another object of the present invention to externally rotate beyond the boundary planes defined by the medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher to provide a hand grip contoured to fit the patient's hand which can then be positioned and controlled to give distal access to the patient's extremity during intravenous therapy.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, attachable to a medical emergency cot, medical bed, medical chair, gurney or wheeled stretcher that can be used in combination with to a phlebotomy chair so that the present invention stabilizes and holds the extremity in the extended position to safely and effectively draw blood.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable apparatus that is attachable to an arm of a chair for use in phlebotomy procedures.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.
The present invention provides an adjustable device, which is attachable to a medical emergency cot, gurney, wheeled stretcher, medical bed, medical chair or the like, that functions to support and immobilize an extremity of a human body, i.e. limb, during transport or a medical procedure. Embodiments of the device are of simple construction and yet rigid and easily adjustable in several modes from quickly accessible adjustment points. The apparatus can support the limb in a stationary position and can be tilted from one or more horizontal pivot points and rotated around a vertical axis. In general the apparatus is configured to comprises a main support section or member comprising two ends, wherein the first end is pivotally mounted to a cot attachment member, which is attached to a component of a medical emergency bed or cot; an end-support means pivotally mounted on the main member at the second end; and an adjustable limb retaining means rotatably mounted on the end-support. Such an apparatus is of simple construction and yet permits a high degree of adjustability.
A typical embodiment of an extremity support apparatus has a rail attachment member attachable to a rail component of the cot or chair; an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member each with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tubular member is attached to the rail attachment member by a pivotal attachment having a rail attachment locking mechanism to secure the relative positions of the extension pole assembly and the rail component to which it is attached and wherein the inner tubular member is telescopically coupled within the outer tubular member and wherein the outer tubular member comprises an extension pole assembly locking mechanism to secure the relative positions of the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member; and an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the inner tubular member wherein the distal end of the inner tubular member comprises an extremity support member locking mechanism to secure the relative positions of the inner tubular member and the extremity support member. Certain combinations of relative movements of the rail attachment member, the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in positions that support an extremity of a patient and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position. In certain preferred embodiments the rail attachment member comprises a flange having a flat underside that can be attached to the rail by methods such as welding, bolting, soldering, riveting or the like. In certain embodiments the outer tubular member is pivotably attached to the rail attachment member by means of a ball-in-socket joint comprising a ball element at the proximal end of outer tubular member disposed within a socket element attached to, or an integral part of, the flange. In such embodiments one or both of the extension pole assembly locking mechanism and the extremity support member locking mechanism is a friction collar or a collet and the rail attachment locking mechanism is a friction clamp having a lead screw or a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam.
In certain embodiments wherein the rail component is a cot side rail, the rail attachment member is a C-clamp comprising a collar rotatably coupled thereto; wherein the outer tubular member of the extension pole assembly is slidably and rotatably disposed through the collar such that the collar and the extension pole assembly disposed therein can be together rotated within a plane and wherein the collar comprises a locking means to secure the extension pole assembly at a desired position. In certain other embodiments the proximal end of the outer tube further comprises a U-shaped retaining clamp rotatably coupled to the wherein the retaining clamp is configured to accommodate a frame rail of the cot to which the apparatus is attachable such that the frame rail is engaged by the retaining clamp when the apparatus is deployed in an extended position to accommodate an extremity of a patient. In such embodiments the collar comprises a collar locking means such as a friction clamp having a lead screw or a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam is used to secure the extension pole assembly at a desired rotation.
Certain other embodiments an extremity support apparatus of the present invention have a cot side rail attachment member in the form of a C-clamp comprising a collar rotatably coupled thereto; an extension pole slidably and rotatably disposed through the collar such that the collar and the extension pole disposed therein can be together rotated within a plane and wherein the collar comprises a locking means to secure the extension pole at a desired position; and an extremity support rotatably coupled to the distal end of the extension pole wherein the distal end of the extension pole comprises an extremity support locking mechanism to secure the relative positions of the extension pole and the extremity support; wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the collar, the extension pole and the extremity support allow the apparatus to be disposed in positions that support an extremity of a patient and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the collar, the extension pole and the extremity support allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position. Certain preferred embodiments of such an apparatus further comprise a U-shaped retaining clamp rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the extension pole wherein the retaining clamp is configured to accommodate a frame rail of the cot to which the apparatus is attached such that the frame rail is engaged by the retaining clamp when the apparatus is deployed in an extended position and the collar has a collar locking mechanism is a friction clamp having a lead screw or a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam.
In certain embodiments the extremity support member has contours disposed around the periphery such that the support member is easily gripped by the hand of a patient.
In certain other embodiments the apparatus is attachable to arm rail of a phlebotomy chair.
Certain other preferred embodiments of the support apparatus attachable to a cot have a cot side rail attachment member comprising a collar rotatably coupled thereto; an extension pole with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the extension pole is slidably and rotatably disposed through the collar such that the collar and the extension pole can be together rotated within a plane and wherein the collar comprises a locking means to secure the extension pole at a desired position; and an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the extension pole; wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the rail attachment member, the extension pole and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in positions that support an extremity of a patient and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the rail attachment member, the extension pole and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position. Certain embodiments of such embodiments further comprise a U-shaped retaining clamp rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the extension pole wherein the retaining clamp is configured to accommodate a frame rail of the cot to which the apparatus is attachable such that the frame rail is engaged by the retaining clamp when the apparatus is deployed in an extended position to accommodate an extremity of a patient.
In still other embodiments the cot attachment member has a first movable linkage element; an adjustable pole assembly comprising a first adjustable pole member with a proximal end and a distal end and a second adjustable pole member with a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the proximal end of the first adjustable pole member comprises a second moveable linkable element that is mated to said first movable linkage element to provide a cot attachment moveable linkage; and wherein the distal end of the first adjustable pole member is hingedly or rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the second adjustable pole member; and an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the of the second adjustable pole member. In such embodiments the coupling device is a friction clamp having a lead screw, whereby tightening of this clamp controls the position of all three joints at once. In such embodiments certain combinations of relative movements of the first adjustable pole member, the second adjustable pole member and the extremity support allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an extremity of a patient lying on the emergency cot and wherein certain other combinations of relative movements of the first adjustable pole member, the second adjustable pole member and the extremity support allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in storage positions. In these embodiments the cot attachment moveable linkage is preferably a ball and socket linkage and the extremity support member is rotatably coupled to the distal end of the of the second adjustable pole member by means of a ball and socket linkage.
The present invention also presents a method of affording extremity support for a patient being transported in an emergency cot comprising the steps of: i. providing a suitable apparatus; ii. attaching the apparatus to an emergency cot; iii. adjusting and securing the apparatus in a position appropriate for supporting a patient's extremity; and iii. disposing the patient's extremity within the support member.
In certain embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention the cot attachment member is fixedly attached to a frame rail or side rail component of a medical cot by a means such as welding, riveting and the like to afford a unitary construction.
The present invention provides a method of affording extremity support for a patient being transported in an emergency cot comprising the steps of: i. providing an extremity support apparatus of the present invention attached to an emergency cot; ii. adjusting and securing the apparatus in a position appropriate for supporting a patient's extremity; and iii. disposing the patient's extremity within the support member.
The present invention also provides a method of affording arm support for a patient seated in a chair for a phlebotomy procedure comprises the steps of: i. providing an suitable arm support apparatus of the present invention attached the apparatus to the arm of the a suitable chair; ii. adjusting and securing the apparatus in a position appropriate for supporting a patient's arm; and iii. disposing the patient's extremity within the support member.
For purposes of the present invention the terms medical emergency cot, gurney, transport stretcher, ambulance stretcher, medical bed, medical chair, wheeled stretcher and patient transfer stretcher are synonymous; and the term “fixedly attached” refers to an attachment wherein the attached component remains in a fixed position and is not removed during normal operation of the apparatus.
Generally, the extremity support apparatuses of the present invention have a rail attachment member attachable to a rail component of an emergency cot or phlebotomy chair; an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tube and an inner tube each with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tube is pivotably attached to the rail attachment member and wherein the inner tube is telescopically coupled within the outer tube; and an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube; wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the rail attachment member, the outer tube, the inner tube and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in positions that support an extremity of a patient lying on the emergency cot and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the outer tube, the inner tube and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position. In certain embodiments of an extremity support apparatus at least one of the rail attachment member, extension pole assembly and the extremity support member is provided with a locking means. In certain embodiments movable components such as the extension pole assembly and the support member are provided with a locking means including but not limited to a friction clamp having a lead screw, a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam and a friction collar or collet.
In certain embodiments of the extremity support apparatus the outer tube of the extension pole assembly is pivotably attached to the rail attachment member by means of a ball-in-socket joint comprising a ball element at the proximal end of outer tube that is disposed within a socket element attached to, or an integral part of, a flange type rail attachment member allowing 360 degree processional rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the cot to which it is attached.
In certain embodiments the apparatus is attachable to a cot side rail and the rail attachment member is rotatably coupled to a collar such that either the outer tube or inner tube of the extension pole assembly can be slidably and rotatably disposed through the collar such that the collar and the extension pole assembly can be rotated together within a plane and wherein the collar has a locking means to secure the extension pole assembly at a desired rotation. In certain other embodiments the above-described apparatus has a U-shaped retaining clamp rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the outer tube. Such a retaining clamp is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a frame rail of the emergency cot to which the apparatus is attachable such that the frame rail is engaged by the retaining clamp when the apparatus is deployed in an extended position to accommodate an extremity of a patient lying in the cot.
In certain embodiments the extremity support apparatus of the present invention is configured and dimensioned to be attachable to arm rail of a phlebotomy chair.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable apparatus, which is attachable to a medical emergency cot, gurney, wheeled stretcher, medical bed, medical chair or the like to support and immobilize an extremity of a human body, i.e. limb, during transport of a patient. In general such an apparatus has a cot attachment member attachable to a component of a medical cot; an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tube and an inner tube each with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tube proximal end is pivotably attached to the cot attachment member and wherein the inner tube proximal end is telescopically coupled within the outer tube; and an extremity support member is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube of the extension pole assembly, wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an extremity of a patient lying on the emergency cot and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in a storage position.
Suitable cot attachment member configurations include, but are not limited to, flanges, C-clamps, G-clamps and the like; and wherein the attachment members can be secured to components of a medical cot by various methods in including, but not limited to bolting, clamping, welding, riveting and the like as well as combinations thereof.
In certain embodiments the cot attachment member is attachable to a frame rail of the cot while in certain other embodiments the cot attachment member is attachable to a side rail of the cot. In still other embodiments the cot attachment member is an integral element of a cot component such as a frame rail or side rail.
In certain preferred embodiments telescopic coupling of the outer tube and an inner tube of the extension pole assembly renders these tubes slidably and rotatably movable with respect to one another, while the extremity support member is rotatably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube of the extension assembly. Such a configuration of components permits a combination of movements or adjustments of the components to deploy and secure the apparatus in the optimum position to function as an effective support for an extremity of a patient, while other combinations of movements or adjustments permits the apparatus to be secured in a protected storage position.
In certain embodiments the extremity support member is contoured to conform to the shape of a patient's extremity and other embodiments the extremity support member further comprises a replaceable pad. In certain other embodiments the extremity support member has contours disposed around the periphery such that the support member is easily gripable by the hand of a patient is particularly useful.
In certain preferred embodiments the apparatus comprises a cot attachment member that is fixedly attachable to a side rail of a medical cot; a collar rotatably coupled to the cot attachment member through which the outer tube of an extension pole assembly is slidably and rotatably disposed. In such embodiments, in addition to the relative movements of the inner and outer tubes of the extension pole assembly by virtue of the telescopic coupling thereof, both the collar and the extension pole assembly disposed therein can be rotated 360 degrees within a plane and secured at desired rotation via a suitable locking means. In certain an embodiments the cot attachment member has the form of a lockable C-clamp that maintains intimate contact with the surface of the side rail to which is fixedly attached.
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Certain embodiments of the invention provide an adjustable apparatus to support and immobilize an arm of a patient during phlebotomy procedures. In general such an apparatus comprises a chair attachment member attachable to an arm of a phlebotomy chair; an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tube and an inner tube each with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tube proximal end is pivotably attached to the chair attachment member and wherein the inner tube proximal end is telescopically coupled within the outer tube; and an extremity support member is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube of the extension pole assembly. In such an embodiment certain combinations of relative movements of the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an arm of a patient sitting in the chair for a phlebotomy procedures wherein other combinations of relative movements of the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in a storage position.
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Preferred materials of construction for components of embodiments extremity support apparatus of the present invention include, but are not limited to, metal such as aluminum or steel as well as combinations thereof. The most preferable material is stainless steel. Use of such metals decreases the likelihood of rusting and/or pitting of components and increases the ease of cleaning. Also use of such materials imparts a substantial durability and sturdiness to the apparatus.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
