Patent Application
20080097261
In this embodiment of the invention, the transverse plate 10 is substantially rectangular and is coupled on its short edges to two lateral legs. Each of the legs is formed an upper part 12 and a lower part 13. The upper part 12 is hinged to the transverse plate 10 and is also situated telescopically inside the lower part 13. This arrangement permits easy adaptation of the legs' length to the patient's chest height. The devices for locking the legs at the wanted length are conventional and are therefore not shown in the Figure. The lower edge of the lower part 13 is connected to the back plate 1 adapted for placement under the patient's back and defines a patient-receiving surface 100. The lower parts 13 of the legs can be fixed or rotatably connected to the back plate 1. In one embodiment of the invention, the legs are rotatably and slidably connected to the back plate 1 by hinges 14. The term “hinges” as used herein relates to any element that permit at least rotational connection between two parts, and the elements can also permit slidable connection. The hinges 14 permit the legs to rotate towards the transverse plate 10 to provide a storage position for the chest compression system and the support. The legs are adapted for abutment against the sides of the patient's body. In an embodiment of the invention the adjustable area of the patient receiving surface is provided by the side part being slidably connected to the back plate. This can be achieved by providing one or more slides and protrusions in the back plate and in the side part. The slides can have transversal recesses with circular cross-sections to permit rotation of the side parts. This permits displacement of the lower edge of the side part (e.g. legs) on the back plate 1 to situate the lower edges against the patient's body and thus provide stability in the chest compression. Once the side parts are slid into position, they can be locked. Locking of the side parts can be performed by means of locking devices or e.g. by providing slides with separated locking positions (notches).
It is also possible for the side parts to be rotatable and not slidably fastened to the back plate 1. Rotation of the side parts to a position near the patient's side will provide the wanted limitation of the patient's lateral movement. A rotatable coupling can be provided during the manufacturing process if the side part (e.g. in the form of legs) is integrated to the back plate 1 or by elements (e.g. hinges) situated between the side parts and the back plate 1 if the back plate land side parts are separate elements.
The chest compression system support is used by placing the support on the patient by first situating the back plate 1 under the patient's back. The front part is then placed over the patient, and the back plate is then coupled to the front part by means of the side parts. The lower edges of the side parts will be laterally displaced until they comes into contact with the patient or are situated at a desired distance from the patient's sides. Once the sides have been placed in their correct positions, they will be locked in position. In one embodiment of the invention, the legs are locked in position using an adhesive or a high friction material on the lower ends of the legs to permit secure positioning on the patient's body. Finally, the seat of the compression member will be lowered until it is situated at the desired distance from the patient's chest and locked into position. It is also possible to change the order of the above-mentioned steps e.g. by positioning the seat in the correct distance before displacing the legs towards the patient.
The support according to the various embodiments of the invention ensures that the compression member exerts a force on a determined place on the patient's body and in a determined direction. This place corresponds to the lower sternum and the direction is substantially perpendicular to the patient's chest surface. The support according to one embodiment of the invention is symmetric in relation to an axis longitudinal to the patient to provide further precision. The support thus inherently positions the patient in the proper location. The positioning of the support relative to the patient's length may be facilitated by means of illustrations on the support or by other display devices, by means of straps, etc. In an embodiment of the invention the seat comprises fastening devices for the compression member, which fastening devices ensure that the compression force has a direction substantially perpendicular to the patient's chest. In an embodiment of the invention the compression member is integrated in the seat and the seat is attached to the front part in a manner which ensures that the compression force has a direction substantially perpendicular to the patient's chest
The chest compression system mounted on the transverse plate 10 may be any system suitable for compressing the chest of a patient, such as pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuated pistons, bladders, etc. The chest compression member may be fixed to the patient's chest by means of fastening devices such as tape, or by vacuum. Alternatively, the chest compression member can be merely in contact with the chest without being fastened to the chest. In one embodiment, the seat 4 for the compression member comprises a transverse plate, which is arranged substantially parallel to the back plate 1 when the support is deployed. In this way, the support forms a quadrangle around the patient.
The support may be collapsible, demountable or foldable in order to minimize volume of the system when not in use. Preferably, the support is easy to assemble and prepare for use, in order to minimize time wasted on assembling and mounting.
In an embodiment of the invention (not shown) the upper and lower part 12, 13 of the legs can be separated to provide two separate elements, one being the transverse plate 10 with the above mentioned devices on it and one being the lower part of the legs 13 and the back plate 1. The separate parts can be folded to a flat position, permitting easy storage of the device.
As mentioned earlier the support according to the various embodiments of the invention can be provided with devices to ensure symmetry with respect to the patient's longitudinal direction during height and width adjustment. These devices can comprise toothed wheels, rods, ribbons, etc.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
