Patent Application
20210085543
This invention relates to a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus and in particular to a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus for use by users with a disability.
Squatting is a proven superior physiological method for bladder and bowel evacuation and is adopted by approximately 50% of the world's population. It is a recognised and recommended approach to aid constipation within Western cultures. Toileting for individuals, and in particular children, with neurological and physical disabilities or complex developmental delays is often hindered by atypical muscle tone, strength and control. This means that children with disabilities often cannot, or struggle to, self-initiate voluntary muscles within the pelvic floor muscle group and abdomen that facilitate bladder and bowel evacuation. Children with disabilities are more at risk and prone to dysfunctional bladders, constipation and urinary tract and bowel infections. This is a direct result of impaired mobility, the inability to effectively empty the bladder and bowels and as a consequence of medications, NG or PEG feeding and restricted fluid or fibre intake. Defecation is traditionally assisted by the Valsalva manoeuvre and contraction of the abdomen and pelvic diaphragm to exert pressure on the digestive tract. This helps allow stool to pass through the kink (anorectal angle) in the passage between the rectum and anus. Squatting however, enables the natural descent of the pelvic floor muscles without straining, relaxing the puborectalis muscle that chokes the anal canal to maintain continence and allowing the kink between rectum and anus to straighten allowing stool to pass more freely and bowel evacuation to occur with limited strain.
Carers, parents, or medical professionals tasked with facilitating the toileting needs of children with disabilities, often utilise specially adapted bathroom facilities which comprise in-built infrastructure designed to encourage a user into a squatted position. This is satisfactory when close to such facilities, but when this is not the case it is often difficult to facilitate adequate toileting as such facilities are not portable. Moreover, existing infrastructure exhibits minimal adjustability such that a user may not continue to use it even should their anatomy change, for example due to growth.
It is desirable to provide a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus which is both adaptable and portable such that it may be used in a variety of settings and by users of differing anatomy/size.
According to the invention there is provided a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus comprising: a seat, the seat comprising a base portion, the base portion comprising leg support means and having an aperture formed therein; back support means; wherein the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that, in an in use configuration, the thighs and torso of a user seated on the seat are encouraged to form an acute interior angle therebetween with knees locatable above hips, resulting in the user adopting a squat position.
Advantageously, the relative positioning of the back support means and leg support means contributes to the positioning of a user in the squat position which aids bowel evacuation.
Preferably, the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that at least a portion of said back support means and leg support means form an acute interior angle therebetween defining a user receiving area.
Ideally, the leg support means comprise thigh support portions shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises a foot support element configured to support the feet of a user seated on the seat.
Ideally, the posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus further comprises lateral side support means which extend from the base portion and are shaped and dimensioned to laterally support a user seated on the seat.
Preferably, the seat comprises a stowed configuration wherein the back support means is folded towards the leg support means such that the back support means extends generally over an upper surface of the base portion.
Ideally, in the stowed configuration, the lateral side support means are foldable towards the upper surface of the base portion.
Preferably, the seat is deployable between the in use and stowed configurations.
Preferably, the base portion, back support means, and/or the leg support means comprise contoured user facing surfaces shaped such that the anatomy of a user is supported in the squat position.
Ideally, the thigh support portions comprise inner and outer thigh support surfaces shaped and dimensioned to support respective inner and outer thighs of a user.
Preferably, an adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the positioning of the back support means relative to the leg support means.
Ideally, the back support means and/or leg support means are independently adjustable/positionable.
Preferably, each lateral side of the back support means is independently adjustable/positionable relative to the leg support means.
Ideally, the seat is mountable on a supporting frame.
Preferably, the frame comprises means for vertical adjustment.
Ideally, the seat is slidably mountable to the frame such that the seat is slidable in forward and rearward directions.
Preferably, the frame comprises a collection pan removably mountable to the frame such that the collection pan is mountable beneath the aperture of the seat.
Ideally, the frame is deployable between an in use configuration and a stowed configuration.
Preferably, the foot support element is movably mountable to the frame such that the distance between an underside of the seat and the foot support element is adjustable.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a frame for a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus, a seat being movably mountable to the frame.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a posturally supportive toilet seat kit comprising: a posturally supportive toilet seat comprising: a seat, the seat comprising a base portion, the base portion comprising leg support means and having an aperture formed therein; back support means; wherein the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that, in an in use configuration, the thighs and torso of a user seated on the seat are encouraged to form an acute interior angle therebetween with knees locatable above hips, resulting in the user adopting a squat position; the kit further comprising: a frame, the seat being mountable to the frame.
Ideally, the kit further comprises a collection pan removably mountable to the frame.
Preferably, the Kit further comprises a changing mat configured for changing/cleaning of the user.
An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus. It will be understood that the exemplary posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.
Referring now to the Figures there is illustrated a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus 1 comprising a seat 10 having a base portion 11. The base portion has leg support features 12 and an aperture 13 formed therein for passage of waste therethrough. The aperture may additionally provide access to the buttocks for a parent, carer, or medical professional should a user require assistance in this area. The base portion and leg support features 12 may form a continuous integral component or a multi-component arrangement as can be seen in
The apparatus 10 further comprises a back support 14 which extends from a rear end of the base portion 11. The back support 14 and leg support features 12 are shaped, dimensioned, and, in an in use-configuration, adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship as can be seen in
Optionally, the back support 14, leg support features 12, and base portion 11 are integrally formed or attached to each other such that they may form a seat 10 in the in-use configuration but may be unfolded therefrom to a flattened state if required.
The leg support features 12 comprise thigh support portions 15 shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a foot support element 16 configured to support the feet of a user seated on the seat. The foot support element 16 may form part of the apparatus 10, or alternatively may be provided on a supporting structure such as a frame 17, which will be later discussed. It should be understood that the foot support element 16 is not essential as the aforementioned portions of the seat 10 are sufficient alone to encourage a user seated thereon into the squat position. However, the foot support element 16 may provide additional assistance/comfort to the user. The apparatus also comprises lateral side supports 18 which extend from the base portion 11 and are shaped and dimensioned to laterally support a user seated on the seat 10. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral supports 18 are formed by contoured sides 18 of the base portion to support the sides of a user in the in-use configuration.
The apparatus 10 also has stowed configuration, best viewed in
The base portion 11, back support 14, and the leg support features 12 comprise contoured user facing surfaces 19 shaped such that the anatomy of a user is supported in the squat position as described above. The contoured user facing surfaces 19 ensure the curvature at the base of the spine, the soft tissue of the bottom and the thigh are all supported in the squat position. As the shape contours to the bottom of a user, the contoured user facing surfaces 19 transition into flat plane with approximately 40 degrees of ramping. By anatomically shaping the contoured user facing surfaces 19 to meet the curvature of the body as well as adding ramping, this helps stabilise the pelvis. Stabilising the pelvis promotes the stability and positioning of the trunk, head and upper and lower extremities, which is a key concept in paediatric special seating. The thigh support portions 15 are shaped to ensure a users thighs are supported whilst in the squatted position. This enables loading to occur across the soft tissues of the bottom and across the thigh to ensure the user remains fully relaxed when evacuating. In addition, this greater area of the users anatomy which takes loading in the squatted position results in a lower risk of skin breakdown or markings. The thigh support portions 15 comprise inner and outer thigh support surfaces 20, 21 shaped and dimensioned to support respective inner and outer thighs of a user. In a preferred embodiment, the thigh support portions 15 are formed by contouring of the base portion to form two leg receiving channels 22, 23 into which the legs of a user may be located. When in the in-use configuration, the base 24 of the leg receiving channels 22, 23 support the rear of the users' upper legs when in the squat position, and help to maintain the user in said squat position. The lateral side supports 18 may be extensions of the outer portions 21 of the leg receiving channels 22, 23. The inner portions 20 of the leg receiving channels form adducting features which encourage adequate separation of the legs of a user. The leg support features may also comprise a pommel portion 31 locatable at the front of the apparatus 10.
The seat 10 has an adjustment mechanism 26 operable to adjust the positioning of the back support 14 relative to the leg support features 12. The adjustment mechanism 16 is operable between the back support and the leg support features 12 or lateral side supports 18. In a preferred embodiment, an adjustment mechanism 26 is operable between each lateral side 27, 28 of the back support 14 such that said lateral sides 27, 28 are independently adjustable/positionable relative to the leg support features 12. In this manner, the back support may be asymmetrically positioned to provide support for users having anatomy or muscular issues which cause leaning to one side when seated. For example, where a user leans towards a first lateral side 27 of the back support 14, the adjustment mechanism 26 on the first lateral side 27 of the back support 14 may be adjusted such that the back support 14 is pulled closer to the leg support features 12 on this lateral side 17 when compared to the opposing lateral side 28. In cases where leaning is not an issue, the adjustment mechanisms 16 are utilised to adjust each lateral side 27, 28 of the back support equally such that each lateral side 27, 28 is positioned similarly relative to the leg support features 12. In either case, the adjustment mechanisms 26 adjust the back support 14 such that the positioning thereof relative to the leg support features 12 suits the anatomy and proportions of the user and, taking account of said anatomy, encourages the user into the squat position. The adjustment mechanisms 26 may be any suitable mechanism which would be known to the skilled person such as but not limited to a ratcheting mechanism or a length adjustable strap. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanisms 26 are operable between the back support and the lateral side supports 18, as can be seen in
In the preferred embodiment as shown in
The frame 17 is preferably adapted to receive a collection pan 33. The collection pan 33 is removably mountable to the frame 17 such that the collection pan 33 is mountable beneath the aperture 13 of the seat 10. The collection pan may therefore collect waste deposited thereinto, and may be removed for disposal of said waste, and for cleaning. The collection pan 33 may be slidable onto the seat engagement portion 30 of the frame 17 and may have a rear engagement member 38 which engages with the upper portion of the seat engagement portion 30 to provide added stability when in use. The collection pan 33 and seat engagement portion 30 of the frame 17 may have corresponding tracks or slots formed therein to provide the slidable engagement therebetween, or alternatively such slidable engagement can be facilitated by any of a number of methods known to the skilled person. In some cases, the collection pan 33 is not utilised, and the frame is placed over an existing toilet (not shown) such that waste which travels through the aperture 13 falls into the existing toilet.
The frame is manufactured from a lightweight material and, due to its open sided nature, provides easy access for a carer or medical professional to the buttocks of a user. The frame 17 is deployable between an in use configuration and a stowed configuration, thus allowing for easy storage and transport when not in use. The frame 17 may be foldable or may be disassembled into the stowed configuration and the skilled person would be aware of standard methods for making portions of the frame foldable or capable of disassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support element 16 is movably mountable to the frame 17 such that the distance between an underside of the seat 10 and the foot support element 16 is adjustable. The foot support element 16 may be removable and positionable in a plurality of positions on the frame 17 such that it may support the feet of a user on the seat 10 in the desired manner. Alternatively, the foot support element is engagable with the frame 17 via a movement mechanism (not shown), the movement mechanism being actuatable to move the foot support element 16 towards or away from the seat 10. The movement mechanism may be any suitable mechanism known to the skilled person. The foot support element 16 is preferably attachable to the front legs 34 of the frame 17 and forms a step or ledge upon which the feet of a user may be placed. Advantageously, the foot support element 16 supports the feet of a user in a position which further encourages the user into the squat position when seated on the seat 10. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support element can be moved in the axial direction of the front legs 34 of the frame a distance of at least approximately 120 millimetres to allow for the apparatus to accommodate a variety of users of different sizes and anatomy. In the preferred case, the foot support element is locatable in at least five separate positions on the frame 17. The foot support element 16 may also be provided with straps 40 which act to secure the feet of a user to the foot support element 16 when the user is seated on the seat 10.
As can be seen in
As can best be viewed in
The apparatus may also be provided with a safety harness to secure the user when seated on the seat 10. The skilled person would be aware of various typical safety harness and strapping arrangements which could be utilised to achieve this aim. Similarly, ankle straps may be provided to retain the legs of a user in place when seated on the seat 10. The apparatus may also be provided with a changing mat (not shown) which may be used before use of the toilet seat apparatus 1 for preparing the user for said use, or thereafter to clean the user.
The apparatus encourages an anatomically favoured position to encourage voiding; the squat position optimises the max flow rate and effective bowel evacuation. Moreover, the apparatus allows support of a user in the squat position even when specially adapted bathroom facilities which comprise in-built infrastructure are not available, and is easily transportable.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913805.6 | Sep 2019 | GB | national |
