The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for a patient support apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for repositioning a patient on a patient support apparatus.
Recent data indicates that patient repositioning, i.e. lateral repositioning and boosting, occurs nearly twice as frequently in a healthcare facility than transferring the patient, i.e. bed to chair transferring. High forces during patient repositioning together with the high frequency of the activities are major risks of musculoskeletal disorders on caregivers. To reduce this risk, caregivers are using different assistive bed features and repositioning aids. Most assistive features and the repositioning aids do not sufficiently mitigate the risk of injury when repositioning heavier patients. Furthermore, the extra step of applying the aids under the patient also creates a barrier to use. Mechanical lift equipment also requires applying a sling under the patient unless a Reposheet is left under the patient. However, most hospital facilities do not place the Reposheet under the patient. A draw sheet is still the standard of care. Furthermore, it is uncommon for caregivers to retrieve equipment to reposition patients.
Some products are used when boosting the patient, but are limited in that they only addresses patient boosting activity. Other activities such as lateral repositioning, turning, and lateral transferring still require a separate solution. Boosting can be physically stressful on the caregiver and can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders when performed manually. However; other activities, like lateral repositioning, cause even higher force relative to injury threshold. Laterally repositioning a patient is usually performed before turning the patient. Laterally repositioning patients as part of turning may pose a higher injury risk to caregivers than just turning patients due to the high pulling force. Additionally, the hand pulling force in lateral repositioning is substantially higher than in boosting.
The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a patient repositioning apparatus may include a mounting frame configured to couple to an underside of a bed frame. A motor housing may be rotatably coupled to the mounting frame for rotation about an axis. The motor housing may carry a motor and a winch. The motor may be operable to turn the winch. A strap may be coupled to the winch and may be configured to be wound around the winch by the motor. The strap may have at least one coupling mechanism configured to couple to a bed sheet. The motor housing may be lockable relative to the mounting frame at first and second positions that are spaced apart about the axis by about 90 degrees.
In some embodiments, in the first position, the strap may couple to a head end of a bed sheet to move a patient along a longitudinal axis of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may couple to a side of a bed sheet to move a patient along a lateral axis of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may couple to a side of a bed sheet to turn a patient about a longitudinal axis. The motor housing may be rotatable to a third position that is spaced apart from one of the first position about the axis by about 90 degrees and spaced apart from the second position about the axis by about 180 degrees. In the first position, the strap may extend over a head rail of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may extend over a siderail of the bed frame.
Optionally, a control panel may operate the motor. The control panel may be operable to turn the motor on and off. The control panel may be operable to control a speed of the motor. The control panel may be configured to couple to the bed frame. The control panel may include foot pedals to control the motor. A locking mechanism may lock the motor housing into one of the first position or the second position.
It may be desired that the strap includes four coupling mechanisms. The four coupling mechanisms may be coupled to a side of the bed sheet in the second position. Two of the four coupling mechanisms may be coupled to a head of the bed sheet in the first position. The strap may include a base strap joined to the winch and a pair of end straps that interchangeably couple to the base strap. Each end strap may include at least one coupling mechanism. A first end strap of the pair of end straps may include four coupling mechanisms. A second end strap of the pair of end straps may include two coupling mechanisms.
According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a patient support apparatus may include a bed frame having a top side and an underside. A mattress may be positioned on the top side. A mounting frame may be coupled to the underside of the bed frame. A motor housing may be rotatably coupled to the mounting frame for rotation about an axis between a first position and a second position. The motor housing may carry a motor and a winch. The motor may be operable to turn the winch. A strap may be coupled to the winch and configured to be wound around the winch by the motor. The strap may have at least one coupling mechanism configured to couple to a bed sheet. When the motor housing is locked in the first position the strap may extend around a head end of the bed frame and couples to a head end of the bed sheet. When the motor housing is locked in the second position the strap may extend around a side of the bed frame and couples to a side of the bed sheet.
In some embodiments, in the first position, the strap may couple to the head end of the bed sheet to move a patient along a longitudinal axis of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may couple to the side of the bed sheet to move a patient along a lateral axis of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may couple to the side of the bed sheet to turn a patient about a longitudinal axis. The side of the bed frame may be a first side of the bed frame and the side of the bed sheet may be a first side of the bed sheet. The motor housing may be rotatable to a third position so that the strap extends around a second side of the bed frame and couples to a second side of the bed sheet. In the first position, the strap may extend over a head rail of the bed frame. The head rail of the bed frame may include a strap guide configured to guide the strap over the head rail. The strap guide may include a groove formed in the head rail. The strap guide may include a roller coupled to the head rail. In the second position, the strap may extend over a siderail of the bed frame. The siderail of the bed frame may include a strap guide configured to guide the strap over the siderail. The strap guide may include a groove formed in the siderail. The strap guide may include a roller coupled to the siderail.
Optionally, a control panel may operate the motor. The control panel may be operable to turn the motor on and off. The control panel may be operable to control a speed of the motor. The control panel may be coupled to the bed frame. The control panel may include foot pedals to control the motor. A locking mechanism may lock the motor housing into one of the first position or the second position.
It may be contemplated that the strap includes four coupling mechanisms. The four coupling mechanisms may be coupled to the side of the bed sheet in the second position. Two of the four coupling mechanisms may be coupled to the head of the bed sheet in the first position. The strap may include a base strap joined to the winch and a pair of end straps that interchangeably couple to the base strap. Each end strap may include at least one coupling mechanism. A first end strap of the pair of end straps may include four coupling mechanisms. A second end strap of the pair of end straps may include two coupling mechanisms.
According to yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a patient repositioning apparatus may include a motor housing configured to rotatably coupled to an underside of a bed frame. The motor housing may be rotatable to lock in one of a first position or a second position. The motor housing may carry a motor and a winch. The motor may be operable to turn the winch. A strap may be coupled to the winch and configured to be wound around the winch by the motor. The strap may have at least one coupling mechanism. When the motor housing is locked in the first position the strap may extend in a first direction. When the motor housing is locked in the second position the strap may extend in a second direction that is different than the first direction.
In some embodiments, the motor housing may be rotatable to lock in a third position so that the strap extends in a third direction that is different than the first direction and the second direction. In the first position, the strap may extend over a first side of the bed frame. In the second position, the strap may extend over a second side of the bed frame. In the third position, the strap may extend over a third side of the bed frame.
Optionally, a control panel may operate the motor. The control panel may be operable to turn the motor on and off. The control panel may be operable to control a speed of the motor. The control panel may be configured to couple to the bed frame. The control panel may include foot pedals to control the motor.
In some embodiments, the strap may include four coupling mechanisms. The strap may include a base strap joined to the winch and a pair of end straps that interchangeably couple to the base strap. Each end strap may include at least one coupling mechanism. A first end strap of the pair of end straps may include four coupling mechanisms. A second end strap of the pair of end straps may include two coupling mechanisms.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and/or those listed in the claims, can comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
Referring to
A foot panel 40 is supported from the frame 20 and extends vertically to form a barrier at the foot end 12 of the hospital bed 10. A head panel 44 is positioned on the frame 20 and extends vertically to form a barrier at the head end 14 of the hospital bed 10. A left head siderail 48 is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position as is known in the art. A right head siderail 50 is also moveable between the raised position of
The hospital bed 10 also includes a left foot siderail 58 and a right foot siderail 60, each of which is supported directly from the frame 20. Each of the siderails 48, 50, 58, and 60 are operable to be lowered to a position below the upper surface 52. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the left foot siderail 58 and the right foot siderail 60 are movable to a position between the raised position and the lowered position.
A frame 20 of the bed 10 includes a base frame 21 and an upper frame 23. The upper frame 23 raises, lowers, and tilts relative to the base frame 21. A patient repositioning apparatus 100 is coupled to an underside of the upper frame 23 of the hospital bed 10. The patient repositioning apparatus 100 may be permanently fixed to the upper frame 23 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the apparatus 100 is retro fit onto an existing hospital bed 10 and retained on the bed 10 throughout a life span of the bed 10. In yet other embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be installed by a caregiver when the apparatus 100 is needed to reposition a patient. The apparatus 100 includes a motor 102 that drives a winch 104. A strap 106 is configured to be wound around the winch 104. The motor 102 is configured to drive the winch 104 to wind the strap 106 around the winch 104 and pull the strap 106 into the apparatus 100.
As illustrated in
A control panel 120 is coupled to the right head siderail 50 and is configured to control the operation of the apparatus 100. The control panel 120 includes an extend button 122 and a retract button 124. The extend button 122 winds the winch 104 in a first rotational direction to loosen the strap 106 so that the strap 106 can be pulled out of the apparatus 100 and coupled to the bed sheet 114. The retract button 124 winds the winch 104 in an opposite rotational direction to wind the strap 106 around the winch 104 and pull the strap 106 into the apparatus 100. It should be noted that the strap 106 is also retractable for storage. A speed dial 126 is provided to control a speed of the motor 102 and subsequently a speed at which the winch 104 draws in the strap 106. An emergency stop button 128 is provide to stop operation of the apparatus 100.
Referring now to
The apparatus 100 enables a patient 270 to be transferred from a patient support apparatus 290, i.e. a stretcher or gurney, to the bed 10. In the illustrative embodiment, the apparatus 290 is positioned on the left side 16 of the bed 10 with the patient 270 thereon. As illustrated in
As shown in
Although
As illustrated in
In the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
In the orientation shown in
Referring back to
Referring to
The base frame 302 includes a main body 310, which is illustrated as being circular. A flange 312 extends downward from an outer circumference of the main body 310. A center post 316 is centered in the main body 310 and extends downward from the main body 310. The post 316 includes a notch or groove 336 that extends circumferentially around the post 316. The flange 312 includes a plurality of apertures 318 extending from an opening 320 in an outer surface 322 of the flange 312 to an opening 324 in an inner surface 326 of the flange 312. A first aperture 330 is spaced approximately 90 degrees from a second aperture 332. A third aperture 334 is spaced approximately 90 degrees from the second aperture 332 and 180 degrees from the first aperture 330. In some embodiments, a fourth aperture (not shown) is positioned 90 degrees from the third aperture 334 and the first aperture 330, and 180 degrees from the second aperture 332.
The rotating frame 304 includes a main body 340 that is circular and a flange 342 that extends upward from the main body 340 from an outer circumference of the main body 340. A post 350 extends upward from a center of the main body 340. The post 350 includes an aperture 352 extending into the post 350 from an opening 354 in a top 356 of the post 350 to an opening 358 formed in a bottom 360 of the main body 340. The aperture 352 receives the post 316 so that the post 316 extends outward from the opening 358 formed in the bottom 360 of the main body 340. A clip 370 is secured into the notch 336 on the post 316 to hold the rotating frame 304 to the base frame 302. It should be noted that the rotating frame 304 may be coupled to the base frame 302 using other fastening mechanisms, in some embodiments. When the rotating frame 304 is secured to the base frame 302, the flange 342 of the rotating frame 304 is positioned outside of the flange 312 of the base frame 302 so that the flange 312 of the base frame 302 nests within the flange 342 of the rotating frame 304.
A pull pin housing 380 extends from the outer circumference of the flange 342 of the rotating frame 304. A pull pin 384 extends through the pull pin housing 380 and through the flange 342. The pull pin 384 includes a shoulder 386, as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, a respective limit switch 400 is positioned at each of the openings 324 in the inner surface 326 of the flange 312. When the pull pin 384 is secured in one of the apertures 318, the end 392 of the pull pin 384 engages the respective limit switch 400. If one of the limit switches 400 is engaged, the motor 102 becomes operable because the rotating frame 304 is secured to the base frame 302. If none of the limit switches 400 are engaged, the motor 102 is inoperable because the rotating frame 304 is not secured to the base frame 302. Thus, the limit switches 400 prevent the motor 102 from being operated when the rotating frame 304 is still capable of being rotated about the axis 136.
The motor housing 132 is secured to the bottom 360 of the main body 340 of the rotating frame 304. The motor housing 132 is illustrated as being bolted to the rotating frame 304 with bolts 412; however, the motor housing 132 may be secured to the rotating frame 304 using any suitable fastening mechanism. The motor housing 132 carries the motor 102 and the winch 104. The strap 106 extends from an opening 414 formed in a side 416 of the motor housing 132.
It will be appreciated that the mounting frame 130 may also be rotatable to a fourth position (not shown), wherein the strap 106 extends in a fourth direction (not shown). The fourth direction may be 90 degrees from the third direction 472 and 180 degrees from the second direction 462 relative to the axis 136. For example, in the fourth position, the strap 106 may extend to the foot end 12 of the bed 10. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the mounting frame 130 may be locked in other positions located between the first position 450, the second position 460, and the third position 470. In such embodiments, the strap 106 extends in other directions between the first direction 452, the second direction 462, and the third direction 472.
Referring now to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 can communicate with the bed 10. Accordingly, the patient repositioning and mobilizing history is recorded and used for further data analysis. For example, information can be obtained about when the patient is moved, what type of movement it is, etc. This enables an understanding of the compliance of the caregivers to a safe patient handling protocol, and the benefits of mobilizing patient, i.e. if mobilizing patient has helped reducing the patient length of stay.
Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/925,780, filed Oct. 25, 2019, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
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