Patent Application
20070094791
This invention relates to a patient lifting device. It relates particularly to a device which is suitable for lifting and moving an individual, for example, a person whose ability to move themselves is temporarily or permanently restricted.
Many patients in a hospital or home who are physically disabled find themselves needing to be moved frequently from a lying position to a sitting or standing position. Where the patient is unable to help themselves, the movement of the patient has to be carried out by the nursing staff or carers who have to manually lift and move the patient. The heavy work involved generally means that two nurses or carers are needed to hold the patient and often from doing this work these people themselves can suffer from back damage or back strain. Much of this lifting work is also done by the family members of patients in their own homes. Sometimes it is possible to use a wheeled or overhead electrical hoist unit to lift a patient from a bed but this requires the patient to be assisted into a sling to which the hoist may be attached. The sling needs to be passed like a hammock beneath the back of the patient and this task still requires the patient to be lifted and manipulated in order to fix the sling. There have been attempts to provide a lifting frame which could be attached to a patient who was lying face upwards on a bed. Such a frame would be able to be attached to a patient from the front side by hook support members arranged to be inserted under the armpits. One such frame is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,785 and this document describes a frame which is able to be attached to the hoist unit so that the patient may be mechanically lifted from a lying position. The patient is secured by a strap which is passed behind the back of the patient's body and then is connected to both support members. The patient can then be safely lifted to a sitting or standing position by operation of the hoist. When supported by the hoist, the patient may be moved to another bed or a chair so that an alternative resting position is available.
With the aforementioned lifting frame, the patient is suspended from the chest region and there is no special provision to support the lower part of the body. The present invention was devised to be able to include a lower body support which would be adjustable for different sizes of patient and be able to assist with different patient needs such as bathing and toilet requirements.
A lifting frame which incorporates both underarm supports and support members for supporting the patient's lower torso by hooking beneath the patient's knees is disclosed in DE-A-4313494. As with U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,785, the underarm supports are part of a scissor-like framework the design of which ensures that the weight of the patient causes the underarm supports to press inwardly against the patient's sides so as to grip and support the patient by pressure against the upper rib-cage. However both are most unsuitable for lifting patients from a position in which they are lying flat on their backs, and also are unsuitable for amputees with no lower limbs.
There is therefore a great need for a lifting frame which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, and which can be used in place of a fabric sling in a wide variety of lifting situations and with a wide variety of patients.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a patient lifting device including two side limbs. Each side limb is connected at an upper end to a suspension mounting for suspension of the device from a lifting hook of a hoist. Each is provided at a lower end with a support bar which mounts patient support elements. The patient support elements being (i) a pair of side pads for engaging beneath the armpits of a patient and against opposite sides of the patient's ribcage, and
(ii) a patient upper leg or posterior support means. The two support bars are connected together by a link bar assembly from which the patient upper leg or posterior support means depends. Each support bar is pivotally mounted on its side limb about a pivotal axis, defining a balance axis about which the moments imparted by the weight of the patient's upper body through the side pads and by the weight of the patient's lower body through the upper leg or posterior support means can react against one another in an equal and opposite fashion.
In another embodiment, the link bar assembly may be provided with an adjustment means effective for adjusting the distance setting between the supports. The patient upper leg or posterior support means preferably comprises a column including an adjustable patient upper leg or posterior support unit. The link bar assembly may support the column from a rotatable tee-piece such that the column and upper leg unit is able to be removed and repositioned when necessary. The column may be adjustable for setting a required column length. Different patient upper leg or posterior support units may be readily and interchangeably secured to the column to support different patients.
In another embodiment, the side pads may be selectively rotatably or fixedly mounted on the support bars, rotation when permitted being about the support bar longitudinal axes. The rotation may be permitted by a stop pin passing through the support bar alone, or prevented by passing that stop pin through both the support bar and a side support assembly linking the support bar to the associated side limb. The same side pad support assemblies connected to the side limbs may additionally provide a fixing for the link bar assembly.
The range of seat models may include, but is not limited to, a waterproof seat, a padded seat and a toilet seat. A selected seat model may be secured to the seat fitting by a clip fastener.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the patient lifting device carries a resilient padding cover on its major surfaces. The suspension mounting may be a connection means by which the lifting device may be readily coupled to any conventional lifting boom or connection of a patient hoist unit.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
As depicted in
The side limbs 2 extend downwards from the linkage 3 in the shape of an inverted letter U and the lower ends 2b of the side limbs 2 are connected to side support assemblies 49 as described in greater detail below. Passing centrally through each side support assembly 49 is a support bar 48 which forwardly of the associated side support assembly mounts one end of a link bar assembly 43,45.
The link bar assembly 43,45 is formed from two mutually parallel rods 43 which are coupled together by a tee-piece in the form of a connector assembly 45. The rods 43 are thus retained parallel to one another by the connector assembly 45 and they are able to be expanded outward or moved inward in order to allow the lower parts of the limbs 2 to be moved further apart or closer together. This will allow the lifting device to be adjusted to accept different patients having broader or narrower chest widths.
The tee-piece 45 (which corresponds to the floating collar 66 of
At its lower end, the column extension 14 terminates in two curved padded bars 44 which are connected at a pivot point 46 which serves to retain them in a roughly straight line attitude. The two curved bars 44 are covered with a padding layer so that they will be able to be passed beneath the upper leg bones of a patient supported in the lifting device. This pivot point 46 also has an adjustment control so that the two curved padded bars 44 may be arranged to be tilted slightly upward or downward to suit the leg structure of an individual patient.
In use of the patient lifting device, it will be assumed that the patient is initially lying face upwards in a bed. The lifting device is first connected to a lifting boom or connection piece of a patient hoist unit. The lifting device is then brought over the patient and the side pads 47 are engaged under the patient armpits with the column 13 lying over the front of the patient body. The length of the link bar assembly 43,63 is adjusted as necessary. At this stage, it is possible to pass a security strap around the back of the patient's body and to attach and adjust this strap to back strap connectors (not shown) located on the side pad supports. The hoist unit is then operated to bring the patient gently up into a sitting position. The patient is then securely held by the lifting device. The column extension 14 length is adjusted as necessary and fixed by use of the clamp screw 16 to enable the padded bars 44 to be properly positioned. The padded bars 44 will of course be located at the base of the patient's back and this will help to support the weight of the lower body of the patient. Upon lifting the patient further, the patient's full weight will thus be divided between the side pads 47 and the padded bars 44.
The patient will then be in a comfortable position and they may be wheeled or moved on the hoist to a chair, to another bed or to the bathroom. The patient may also be moved between the bed, bath, toilet, swimming pool, wheelchair, floor surface, or chair, and from a lying to a sitting position as may be necessary.
The patient can be returned to the bed after a suitable interval and the hoist and lifting device can be moved away.
After making use of the patient lifting device, this may be detached from the patient hoist and, by turning the rotatable mountings for the side pads 47, these parts may be folded inwards to allow the unit to be stored easily and compactly. A suitable storage case for the lifting device may be provided to enable it to be carried and transported with ease.
Alternatively, the lifting device may be stored in a condition where it remains connected to the hoist. If this is the choice, the column extension 14 may be shortened in length by using the clamp screw 16 to loosen and secure it as appropriate. It may then be swung around to enable the column extension 14 end to be secured in a C-clip fastener (not shown) attached to the linkage 3. The lifting device can then remain in this compact attitude until further use is required.
In
The column extension 14 terminates in two curved padded bars 44 which are connected at a pivot point 46 which serves to retain them in a roughly straight line attitude. The two curved bars 44 are covered with a padding layer so that they will be able to be passed beneath the upper leg bones of a patient supported in the lifting device. This pivot point 46 also has an adjustment control so that the two curved padded bars 44 may be arranged to be tilted slightly upward or downward to suit the leg structure of an individual patient.
The side pads 47 and their attachment to the side support assemblies 49 will now be described in greater detail. The side pads 47 are as already described supported on support bars 48 which extend transversely from the lower ends 2a of the side limbs 2 via side support assemblies 49. Each support bar 48 passes through a side support assembly 49. The side pads 47 are generally rectangular in shape but they have a concave portion where they would come into contact with a patient's side chest area. The side pads 47 will therefore provide a large area of contact between the lifting device and the patient's body so that they can be expected to provide a comfortable hold when the patient is required to be lifted. In the embodiment of
When lifting a patient with the device of
Each side pad can then be fitted beneath the patient's armpits so that they will lie on either side of the patient's chest. In adjusting the side pads for a patient chest width, the movement of the two ends of the limbs 2 will cause the parallel rods 43 of the link bar assembly to be shortened by an overlapping action which occurs within the connector assembly 45. If the patient is then partially lifted by the operation of the hoist (not shown), the cross-bar will become locked in the set position as a result of the patient's weight being applied to the connector assembly 45, as will become apparent in the later detailed description of the link bar assembly.
Security straps (not shown) which are adjustable in length are secured to appropriate strap connectors (also not shown) located at the upper and lower corners of the side pads 47. When the lifting device is used in this way, the amount of side pressure applied by the side pads 47 to the patient's chest will be controlled by the tightness of these security straps which are connected between the two side pads 47.
When it is required to fit a security strap across the back of a patient who is in a lying position, it may be necessary to partly lift the patient and then push the strap behind the back of the patient by using a flat metal bar coated with a low friction padding material.
Following this stage it is then that the padded curved bars 44 are placed in position under the upper leg bones of the patient. The relevant angle of the padded curved bars 44 can then be attained using the adjustment control around pivot point 46 to suit the leg profile of the patient. The column extension 14 attached to the padded curved bars can then be adjusted in length and fixed using screw clamp 16 according to patient size and shape. On each side of the padded curved bars 44 it may be possible to place a security strap (not shown) for use where the patient is an amputee on one or both of the lower limbs. This may also be of use where the patient has no strength or control in the lower limb area. This will prevent the patient from becoming detached when lifted.
If desired, the pins 50 can be removed and the posts 48 moved forward such that the narrow portions of the posts 48 will have passed completely through the side support assemblies 49. When the pins 50 are placed back only through the post holes 54 and not the side support assemblies 49 this enables the complete free rotation for both the side pads 47 and posts 48 about the centre axis of the side support assemblies 49.
The connector assembly 45 additionally carries a support pin 61 for the rigid column 13. This pin extends horizontally from the connector assembly and the column 13 is then attached at right angles to this pin 61.
When the lifting device in this form is intended to be fitted to a patient, it will be clear that when the weight of the patient is applied to the curved bars 44, this weight will tend to pull the ends of the limbs 2 closer together and thus the side pads 47 will engage the rib cage of the patient more tightly. It is more appropriate for the side pads 47 to be fitted in the fixed position parallel with each limb 2. This required each locking pin 50 (
Whenever lifting takes place in either of these previously described modes (with the side pads 47 rotational about or fixed to the side support assemblies 49), a balance effect takes place. This is so that when the patient's upper body is lifted from one end of the side support assemblies 49 and the lower end is lifted from the opposite end of each side support assembly, an equal and opposite moment can be achieved about the centre lugs 51 connected to each side limb 2. The pin 25 passing through each pair of centre lugs 51 defines a pivotal axis for the associated support bar 48 and a balance axis 21 for the lifting apparatus. This effect helps to retain the patient in a more dignified upright sitting position when lifted. Instructions for correct operation of the lifting device can be placed for example on the outside edge of the side pads 47.
For patients who require a head support, this may be provided by attaching a head support strap consisting of a padded head or neck unit which is secured to both the limbs 2 of the lifting device. For patients who require walking practice, the lifting device also offers this facility. It may be achieved by removing the padded curved bars 44 enabling the patient legs and buttocks to hang freely. Upper support is maintained using the side pads 47 and security straps (not shown). With the use of a treadmill or equivalent, the patient may exercise to gradually gain strength, ability and the confidence to walk naturally by lowering the patient lifting device at the desired rate.
The patient lifting device has been found to be inexpensive to manufacture considering the many benefits it offers and it provides a very convenient aid for lifting a disabled person in safety. It can enable the lifting task to be carried out in safety by one helper instead of two or more and it avoids the need for that helper to do any heavy physical lifting with their own body. A major part of the effective lifting effort is able to be carried out by the patient hoist. The task of lifting a heavy person from ground level, bed, wheelchair, chair, bath, toilet or pool can be made very much lighter for the helper and more dignified for the patient. The risk of the helper or the patient being injured as a result of attempting the lifting operation can be much reduced. Since the lifting device is able to be used by a single operator this can give it advantages over the use of a lifting sling and enable the patient to be dealt with more quickly and simply. It is also capable of course of being used on patients who have fallen down and may require to be lifted from floor level. Since the lifting device is capable of being used with only a minimum of physical manipulation of the patient, this can enable the patient dignity to be greatly improved. When correctly used the patient will be moved in a more upright sitting position than that of most slings. Another advantage over slings is that the patient lifting device does not require any spreader bar as do most lifting slings. It also greatly improves body access areas for the carer whenever the patient is lifted as compared with the body access provided by most slings.
When not in use, the adjustable column extension 14 may be loosened and rotated through 1800 about the centre rotational boss 57. It can then be connected to a C-clip (not shown) fixed to the top linkage 3 of both limbs 2. This arrangement allows the unit to be stored in a compact neat position and if necessary to be detached and transported with ease in a suitable storage case.
The lifting device shown in
In a first modification of the lifting device, the cross-bar may be made from a telescopic unit which when fully extended has the option of becoming that of a ‘V’ shape. This works by the telescopic rod being hinged close to the centre end besides the piston within the tubular piece. The connection to the rigid column 13 can easily be fixed to or detachable from the tee-piece on the tubular section of this new cross-bar and it offers free rotation in all axes for the rigid column 13. It will still remain connected to the two lug members 52 on each side support assembly 49.
In a second modification, the side support assembly 49 can be made of one circular section instead of three as shown in
The curved plates 67 are able to be folded about the hinge so that they confront one another to make the lifting device more compact for storage purposes. In addition, the mounting of the plates 67 on the column 13 allows the plate and hinge combination to be rotated around the column 13. The hinge 68 may also be folded on its mounting so it will be able to lie parallel to the length of the column 13 for storage.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been given by way of example only and a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, the lifting device could be provided with an electronic patient weighing unit located in the area of the fastener 4 at the junction of the limbs 2. The cross-bar 63 could be made so that it was readily separable from the limbs 2, for example for cleaning or storage purposes. The side pads 47 may be provided in a small range of different sizes so that the most suitable side pad can be selected for optimum patient comfort.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having”, “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This patent application is a continuation of PCT/GB2004/002529 filed Jun. 12, 2004, designating the United States, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/GB04/02529 | Jun 2004 | US |
| Child | 11608006 | Dec 2006 | US |
