Patent Application
20200352791
One current method to deal with the liquid waste (urine) of a moribund patient is to use an absorbent pad. The problem is that the patient remains in contact with the damp, soiled pad. It would be desirable to have a device that simply and effectively isolates the patient from the liquids, which will keep the patient dry and comfortable. Furthermore, it would also be desirable to have a device that stabilizes and secures absorbent pads from patient activity. Still further, it would be desirable to have a device that helps create a sanitary, comfortable surface for the patient to lie on. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for a device and associated method that allows liquid waste from a moribund patient to both drain away and keep the patient isolated from that liquid.
Currently all of the methods for managing waste liquids of patients who have restricted movement are limited to absorbent pads (“pee-pads”) or wire platforms through which the liquid drains through. The solutions that attempt to absorb the liquids, via pads or absorbent materials fail to meet the needs of the industry because the patient is still in contact with the damp surface of the absorbent pad (unsanitary, uncomfortable) and the pad itself gets bunched up due to even the slightest movement by the patient. These absorbent pads also require the patient to be physically handled and moved when the pads need to be replaced. Also, unless the patient is constantly monitored, the patient remains in contact with the damp, soiled surface of the pad until it is noticed that the pad has become soiled, which can be an uncomfortable amount of time.
One solution, which uses a raised metal grating or wire mesh to allow liquid waste to drain through, fails because the surface is both uncomfortable and, due to the open nature of the grate, leads to patient body heat loss.
It would be desirable to have a device that simply and effectively isolates patient from the liquids, which will keep the patient dry and comfortable. Furthermore, it would also be desirable to have a device that stabilizes and secures absorbent pads from patient activity. Still further, it would be desirable to have a device helps create a sanitary, comfortable surface for the patient to lie on. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for a device and associated method that allows liquid waste from a moribund patient to both drain away and keep the patient isolated from that liquid.
The present invention relates to a medical device and a method associated with the device. With respect to the device, a porous riser acts as a platform and is made from an elastic, open-celled material, which allows fluids to drain through. Rather than simply absorb any type of liquid, such as waste liquids (urine), the device acts as a riser to separate a patient and liquids. The device can be used in the care of human patients in a hospital or other care facility, elderly pets with incontinence, pets in travel kennels for extended periods, or veterinary hospitals for recovering pets.
In one embodiment, the riser includes a resilient pad made of reticulated (open celled) polyurethane foam, compressed fibers, rubberized hair, rubberized fiber, or other porous material, and is covered in a nylon, polyester or polypropylene mesh material with hole size not greater than 0.3 inch (9 holes per square inch). The open mesh covers the porous resilient pad for comfort, with this platform on top of a drain pan or absorbent material. The dimensions of the riser will vary with respect to the area the riser will be located and the weight of the patient (thicker for heavier patients).
With respect to the associated method, the riser is constructed of a material that is porous enough to allow liquids to quickly and freely flow though, while remaining resilient enough to maintain separation between patient and liquid. Ultimately, at the conclusion of these steps the patient will stay considerably dryer and more comfortable than without.
As used herein, the word “patient” refers to any animal, human or non-human (i.e., dogs, cats, other).
As shown in the drawings, a riser 10 is used to drain liquid waste from a patient to a receptical or absorbent pad. Importantly, the riser is a platform that supports a patient and that provides spacing between the patient and the receptical or absorbent pad so that the patient does not remain in contact with the liquid waste.
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In one embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is made of a reticulated (open celled) polyurethane foam, compressed fibers, vitreous carbon foam, rubberized hair, rubberized fiber or other porous material, which is available as DRYFAST FOAM® from Foam Factory, Inc., Michigan, or REFRACTORY OPEN-CELL FOAM® from Ultramet, Calif., or RETICULATED (Filter) FOAM® from All Foam Products Co., Inc., Ohio. The mesh cover 11 is made of nylon, polyester, or polypropylene mesh material with a hole size not greater than 0.3 inch or nine holes per square inch, and is available as XB1130 BLACK POLYETHYLENE MESH® from Industrial Netting, Minnesota, or 3MM BLACK AIRMESH N5® from Eastex Products, Inc., Massachusetts, or NH43® from Apex Mills, North Carolina.
In one embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is comprised of two layers, each layer being four inches thick of 10 ppi reticulated foam. In another embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is comprised of two layers, a first layer being two inches thick of 10 ppi reticulated foam on top of a second layer being two inches thick of 20 ppi reticulated foam. In another embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is comprised of one layer being two inches thick of 10 ppi reticulated foam. In another embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is comprised of two layers, the first layer being one inch thick of 10 ppi reticulated foam on top of a second layer being one inch thick of 20 ppi reticulated foam. In another embodiment, the resilient pad 19 is comprised of two layers, the first layer being no greater than one inch thick of 20 ppi reticulated foam on top of a second layer being one inch thick of 10 ppi reticulated foam.
One method of use associated with the disclosed device comprises the following steps: (1) encasing the resilient pad 19 in the mesh cover 11; (2) sealing the mesh cover 11 closed using a zipper or VELCRO® 13 (or other form of closure device); (3) insert the absorbent pad 20 inside the mesh cover 11 and below the bottom surface of the resilient pad; (4) position patient on the top surface 12A of the mesh cover 11; (5) maintain spacing between the patient and the absorbent pad; and (6) allow liquid waste 18 from the patient to travel through the mesh cover 11 and the resilient pad 19 into the absorbent pad 20. When liquid waste is created, the liquid will flow freely through the riser 10 and be caught/absorbed by the absorbent pad (sometimes known as a “pee-pad”). Thus, the patient remains dry, and is kept physically away from the liquid waste. It should further be noted that this invention is intended for use with patients where liquids (water, waste, etc.) need to be isolated from the body because the patient is either incontinent, restricted, unconscious, sleeping, or moribund. The webbing strap reinforcement 15 and handles 14 will allow caregivers to move the patient to another location; lift the patient to change out the soiled pad; and re-position the patient on the riser 10. With multiples of the riser 10, the patient can be transferred to a clean riser while the soiled riser is cleaned and sterilized. Because the patient is constantly separated from the liquid waste, this cleaning may be done as required.
The resilient pads are cleaned with a combination of water and disinfectant (eg, bleach), using a simple garden hose or sink. The cleaned pads can then either be placed vertically to drain and air-dry, or use a rack-and-fan to dry them more rapidly.
The disclosed device is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it: (1) keeps the patient physically apart from liquid waste; (2) provides the patient with an elastic, comfortable surface on which to lay; (3) allows for the patient to remain dry despite any lag between soiling and response of caregivers; (4) is easy to clean and dry; and (5) allows for air to contact points of the patient's body, while still preserving patient body heat. This can prevent bed sores from lack of air circulation on the skin, and possibly prevent infant suffocation in a crib situation. Similarly, the associated method is unique in that it: (1) does not seek to merely contain liquids, it conducts the liquids away from the patient; (2) allows for air to contact points of the patient's body, while still preserving patient body heat; and (3) is easy to use, re-use, and maintain. Similarly, the disclosed method is unique when compared with other known processes and solutions in that it: (1) creates a stable, dry comfortable surface for the patient; (2) minimizes the necessity to move the patient; and (3) makes care for these patients simpler and more sanitary.
The process associated with the invention is likewise unique. More specifically, the disclosed process is unique because it: (1) uses separation and drainage for the comfort of the patient, rather than merely containing the liquid waste; (2) by placement of the absorbent pad beneath the thick, porous resilient pad, the absorbent pad is securely stabilized; and (3) due to the porous nature of the material of the resilient pad, the pad dries quickly, which facilitates both patient comfort and quick and easy cleaning.
