Patent Application
20220401278
The present invention relates generally to the field of nursing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high-density foam-based patient turning tool that is used for laterally rolling over a bedridden patient in bed. The patient turning tool features two leg support areas in which a patient's legs can be placed, and includes multiple handles to allow a user to rotate the patient in a left or right direction. The patient turning tool can easily be used by users to clean bedridden patients during standard bathing or cleaning up unsanitary accidents, etc. The invention offers a unique way for hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospital care locations, etc., to ensure that patients are comfortably rolled for various purposes. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
As is well known in the health care industry and by caregivers and nurses, many patients are completely or substantially bedridden due to their inability to move or due to the level of discomfort associated with moving on or off the bed. It is well known that health care assistants, which includes health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and caregivers, etc., are often required to move a bedridden patient in order to have access to the parts of his or her body that are lying on the bed, and to the bedding materials themselves. For example, various kinds of treatments for bedridden patients require the nurse or caregiver to roll over or turn the patients, while the patients are lying on the bed. Application of medication on a patient's back, cleaning of the patient's body during bathing, cleaning up of unsanitary accidents, etc., are a few examples of the situations in which the patient is often required to be turned.
It is very difficult for a singular health care assistant or caregiver to roll over a patient in a bed. The user must move the patient to the desired position, and then hold the patient in that position while attempting to simultaneously accomplish the desired health care task. Generally, two or more nurses or caregivers are required to provide support and turn the patient properly. However, involving two or more caregivers in turning the patient may impact their primary tasks. This may lead to inefficiency, as more than one nurse/caregiver has to be involved to assist a single patient. Further, bedridden patients who are overweight, cannot be held by a singular person/nurse/caregiver and may require two or more people, depending upon the weight of the patient. It may also be difficult for the additional nurse/caregiver to be available for assisting in turning over the patient.
Additionally, in the event that the bedridden patient has had an accident, trying to roll the patient without exacerbating the mess can be difficult. Also, while bathing bedridden patients, the nurses/caregivers may have a difficult time in cleaning the back area of the patient's body. Thus, an easier way to turn a bedridden patient is required. The nurses/caregivers often grasp the bedridden patients by their clothes while turning them over on the bed. However, if the grip between the clothes and the caregiver's hands is not properly formed, then the patient may become quite uncomfortable.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that can be easily used by nurses, caregivers and other individuals, in order to help them in turning bedridden patients. There is also a long felt need in the art for a patient turning tool that offers a unique way of ensuring that patients remain comfortable while rolling them over on a bed. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that eliminates the need to involve two or more nurses, caregivers, etc., when turning bedridden patients. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that enables nurses and caregivers to work on separate tasks, thereby ensuring that they remain efficient. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning tool that makes it easy to turn overweight and elderly patients. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that can be used to turn bedridden patients for cleaning, medication, etc. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that ensures that patients remain comfortable while turning them over in bed.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a patient rolling device. The patient rolling device supports the legs of a bedridden patient, and helps in turning or rolling the patient laterally. The patient rolling device is a W-shaped frame, made of a soft material such as foam. The frame has a flat base, allowing the device to be placed on a flat surface. The device further comprises a pair of side legs that extend vertically from the flat base, and a middle leg extending vertically from the flat base. One of the pair of side legs and middle leg form a first U-shaped leg supporting slot, and the second of the pair of the side legs and the middle leg form a second U-shaped leg supporting slot. Each slot receives and supports a leg of the patient, and a handle on each of the side legs and top of the middle leg is grasped by a caregiver to rotate the patient gently and smoothly from one position to the next.
In this manner, the novel patient rolling or turning device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy and convenient solution to turning a bedridden patient. The device allows a singular caregiver to easily, slowly and smoothly turn, rotate or otherwise move a patient into a desired position for accomplishing desired tasks, such as changing bandages, clothes or bedding, etc.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a patient rolling device. The patient rolling device is designed to support the legs of a patient and to turn or roll the patient laterally. The patient rolling device comprises a W-shaped frame made of a soft material such as foam. The frame comprises a flat base, thereby allowing the device to be placed on a flat surface. The frame also comprises a pair of side legs, extending vertically from the flat base, and a middle leg extending vertically from the flat base. Further, one of the pair of side legs and the middle leg form a first U-shaped leg supporting slot, and the second of the pair of the side legs and the middle leg form a second U-shaped leg supporting slot. Each slot receives and supports a leg of the patient and a handle on each of the side legs, and the top of the middle leg is grasped by a caregiver to gently and smoothly rotate the patient from one position to the next.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first position is a supine position, and the second position can be one of the left or right lateral recumbent position. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the pair of side legs have handles on their outer edges, and the middle leg has a handle on the top edge. In yet another embodiment, the device can be an inflated device in which the handles are detachably-secured to the legs.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a bedridden patient turning tool is disclosed. The tool includes two leg supporting slots, a flat base and three curved legs, extending vertically from the flat base. Each curved leg has a handle for holding the tool, and the tool allows a user to turn a patient whose legs are inserted in said leg supporting slots.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a patient rolling device for turning a patient from a supine to a lateral recumbent position is disclosed. The patient rolling device allows a caregiver to turn a patient without utilizing another person and with minimal effort. The device includes two leg supports. Each leg support is defined by concave edges, and is configured to receive and support a leg of a patient, and a plurality of handles for a user to grasp the device and rotate the device slowly and gently to rotate or laterally roll the patient into a lateral recumbent position.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for laterally turning or rolling a patient by a caregiver or a nurse is described. The method includes initially providing a patient turning device to a caregiver, then lifting both legs of a bedridden patient when the patient is in a supine position to place the device directly under the legs of the patient. Thereafter, placing the patient turning device under the lifted legs of the bedridden patient, such that the device is directly below the legs of the patient, then placing both the legs of the patient in the leg-supporting slots of the device. Next, holding one or more handles positioned on the device and rotating the device in a desired direction to laterally turn the patient to the desired position. The method is useful for smoothly and gently turning a patient sideways with little effort.
The advantage of the patient turning/rolling device of the present invention is that it allows caregivers to independently roll over a patient, and is especially useful for overweight patients, elderly patients, etc. The device enables caregivers to easily clean a patient's backside for standard bathing, cleaning up unsanitary accidents, etc. The device offers a way for hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospice care locations, etc., to rotate their patients and keep them comfortable.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that can be easily used by nurses, caregivers and other individuals in order to help them in turning bedridden patients. There is also a long felt need in the art for a patient turning tool that offers a unique way of ensuring that patients remain comfortable while rolling them over on the bed. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that eliminates the need to involve two or more nurses, caregivers, etc., when turning bedridden patients. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that enables nurses and caregivers to work on separate tasks and ensures they remain efficient. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning tool that makes it easy to turn overweight and elderly patients. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that can be used to turn bedridden patients for cleaning, medication, etc. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a patient turning device that ensures that patients remain comfortable while turning them over on the bed.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel bedridden patient turning tool. The tool includes two leg supporting slots, a flat base and three curved legs extending vertically from the flat base. Each curved leg has a handle for holding the tool, and the tool allows a user to turn a patient whose legs are inserted in said leg supporting slots.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first side leg 104 has a curved outer edge 1040 that comprises a first handle 114. The first handle 114 can be manufactured of heavy-duty plastic or any other suitable material, and is slotted into the first side leg 104, or secured with any other suitable fasteners as are known in the art. The curved inner edge 1042 is concave in shape, and forms the first U-shaped leg support slot 110, along with the concave-shaped first edge 1060 of the middle leg 106. Similarly, the second side leg 108 has a curved outer edge 1080 that comprises a second handle 116. The second handle 116 is also manufactured of heavy-duty plastic, or any other suitable material, and is slotted into the second side leg 108, or secured with any other suitable fasteners as are known in the art. The curved inner edge 1082 is concave in shape, and forms the second U-shaped leg support slot 112 along with the concave shaped second edge 1062 of the middle leg 106. Further, the top end 1064 of the middle leg 106 comprises a third handle 118 manufactured of heavy-duty plastic, or any other suitable material and is slotted into the middle leg 106, or secured with any other suitable fasteners as are known in the art. The first handle 114, the second handle 116 and the third handle 118 are used by a nurse or caregiver for holding the device 100 during use, and for turning or rolling a patient from a first position, such as a supine position, to a second position such as a left or right lateral recumbent position.
The first U-shaped leg slot 110 and the second U-shaped leg slot 112 are sized and configured to receive a first leg and a second leg of a patient while the patient is lying on a bed. The legs of the patient are supported by the inner edges of the first side leg 104, the middle leg 106 and the second side leg 108 and also by the flat base 102. The slots 110, 112 are wide enough to support the thighs of a bedridden patient. Once the legs are placed securely within the slots, the device 100 is turned sideways by a nurse or a caregiver, using one or more of the first handle 114, the second handle 116 and the third handle 118 which turns the patient sideways. The device 100 is especially useful for cleaning and sanitizing the back area of the patient to prevent the patient from obtaining bedsores.
The patient turning device 100 allows hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospice care locations, etc., and any other suitable healthcare facility as is known in the art, to rotate their patients and keep them comfortable. The foam, silicon or rubber material or any other suitable material as is known in the art of the device 100 provides comfort to the patient, and can be held between the legs of the patient during the duration of a complete bathing, cleaning and dressing. The device 100 is also useful for turning sleeping patients, without disturbing their sleep. The patient rolling device 100 is useful for turning paralyzed stroke victims, spinal cord injury patients and elderly patients who are in the latter stages of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, etc., or any other suitable bedridden patient as is known in the art.
It should be appreciated that the legs 202, 204 of the patient 200 need only be lifted to a minimum of 30 degrees, such that the device 100 can be easily placed under the legs of the patient 200. The upper body, including the torso, shoulder and arms of the patient, are not touched when preparing the patient 200 for turning or rolling. The device 100 raises the center of gravity of a lying patient 200, and thus eases the turning or rolling of the patient using the device 100. Further, as stated supra, the handles are used for providing the necessary grip and force to roll the patient securely and easily from a supine or prone position to a left or right lateral recumbent position and back.
It should be appreciated that using the patient rolling device 100 of the present invention, the nurse or caregiver 300 grasps the handles and rotates the tool/device 100 left or right to easily move the patient's position. The patient 200 avoids bed sores and caregivers can have easy access for standard cleansing, cleaning up unsanitary messes, etc. Only a singular caregiver 300 is needed to gently and comfortably rotate the patient 200 using the device 100.
In the preferred embodiment, the foam material of the patient turning device 100 is a generally absorbent material, and has a layer of substantially impermeable material, such as nylon, so that any fluids, including bodily fluids and medicines, are prevented from soaking or otherwise passing through to the interior of the device 100. In one embodiment, the device 100 can have a layer of anti-microbial material for providing additional protection to the caregiver and nurses.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first handle 114, the second handle 116 and the third handle 118 are detachable, and the device 100 is inflatable. This allows for a disposable version of the patient turning device, and provides for easy storage of the deflated device.
The turning or rolling of a bedridden patient using the turning device 100 is slow, smooth and very gentle, such that it does not cause any discomfort to the patient, even if the patient has serious injuries. The device 100 can be placed in-between the patient's legs for hours, without any discomfort to the patient. A caregiver or nurse can easily rotate even obese patients without hurting their back and shoulders, which can lead to pain and long-term medical problems.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “patient turning device”, “patient rolling device”, “turning device”, “rolling device”, and “device”, are interchangeable and refer to the patient turning device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the patient turning device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the patient turning device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/212,883, which was filed on Jun. 21, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63212883 | Jun 2021 | US |
