Patent Application
20180036187
The present invention relates generally to a system that is intended for use bedside in order to move a patient lying in a bed and more particularly, relates to a ratchet based system that is configured to allow a single health-care worker to easily and gently turn a patient over in their bed.
Traditionally, turning a patient and changing his or her sheets is a two-person job, as the patient must not only be turned onto his or her side, but also held there while the patient is cleaned (e.g., bathed, etc.) and their sheets are changed. By requiring two people to perform this task, valuable resources are potentially wasted and there is therefore a need for an improved system that permits a single health-care to easily and efficiently perform this entire task, with no discomfort to the patient.
A system for controllably turning over a patient in a bed includes a flexible body sling and a ratchet device. The flexible body sling includes a main torso portion that terminates in a first end and an opposing second end and is configured for placement under the patient between a head and a tailbone of the patient. The flexible sling has a first sling strap that is coupled to the first end and a second sling strap that is coupled to the second end. The ratchet device has a mount that includes a curved portion for placement over a side rail of the bed to detachably secure the ratchet device to the bed. The ratchet device has a rotatable spool with a slot for receiving one of the first sling strap and the second sling strap. The ratchet device has a pivotable handle for driving the rotatable spool.
In accordance with the present invention, a system or device 100 is provided and is configured to be used with hospital beds and the like, where immobile patients must be regularly turned in order to maintain skin hygiene and to change their sheets. As described herein and according to one exemplary embodiment, the system 100 is a strap-and-ratchet based system that is configured to allow a single health-care worker to easily and gently turn a patient over in their bed, thereby benefiting both the health-care worker and the patient.
The system 100 includes a number of components (parts) that interact with one another to provide an operative system that can easily secured to a bed and then subsequently used to controllably turn over the patient in the bed. As shown in
The sling 110 has a first side or face 111 and an opposite second side or face 112. The sling 110 is also defined by a first edge 113 and an opposing second edge 114 and has a first end 115 and an opposing second end 116. The sling 110 is configured and constructed in view of the anatomy of the patient in that it is constructed to fit underneath the patient and then, when manipulated, is configured to at least partially turn the patient over within the bed.
As shown in
At the first end 115, the sling 110 includes a first sling strap 120 that extends radially outward from the first end 115 and a second sling strap 130 that extend radially outward from the second end 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sling strap 120 is joined to the first end 115 at a location where the end edges come to a point (using traditional techniques, such as stitching and the like). Similarly, the second sling strap 130 is joined to the second end 116 at a location where the end edges come to a point (using traditional techniques, such as stitching and the like).
It will also be understood that the sling 110 can come in any number of different sizes and thus, there can be a variety of adult sizes (e.g., S, M, L, XL) and also child sizes.
The sling 110 can be formed of any number of suitable materials, including but not limited to various types of fabrics, including but not limited to natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, etc. The first and second sling straps 120, 130 can be formed of any number of different materials, including but not limited to natural or synthetic fabrics, such as nylon.
The first and second straps 200, 210 are in the form of elongated straps that have free first ends 202 and second ends 204. Along their length, each of the first and second straps 200, 210 includes a first fastener 220 on one side (face) thereof and an opposite side (face) includes a second fastener that is complementary to the first fastener 220 to allow one end of the strap 200, 210 to be folded over itself and attached to an intermediate location of the strap 200, 210. This allows the strap 200, 210 to form a loop and be attached about a support structure, such as a bed rail as described herein. As shown, the first fastener 200 can be formed along an intermediate section of the first face of each strap 200, 210 and the second fastener can be formed at one or both of the ends along the second face of each strap 200, 210. Thus, when either end is folded over, the second fastener is brought into mating engagement with the first fastener 200 to attach the one end to an intermediate portion of the strap 200, 210.
It will be understood that any number of different types of fasteners can be used for the first fastener 220 and the one or more second fastener. For example, the fastener can be in the form of a snap, hook and loop material, button, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 220 is shown as being a strip of hook and loop material. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 220 is centrally located within the strap.
The first and second strap 200, 210 can be formed of any number of different materials, including but not limited, to natural fabrics (e.g., cotton) or synthetic fabrics, such as nylon.
The lengths of the first and second straps 200, 210 can be selected based on a number of different parameters, including but not limited to the size of the patient and size and construction of the bed, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the length of each of the first and second straps 200, 210 is about 4 feet. However, as mentioned, other dimensions are equally possible.
It will also be understood that each of the first and second straps 200, 210 can be free of fasteners and instead, the user can simply tie that strap 200, 210 in a knot to secure the strap onto a support structure, such as a bed rail as described below.
As mentioned previously, the ratchet mechanism 300 is also a part of the system 100. The ratchet mechanism 300 is configured to receive and operate on one of the first sling strap 200 and the second sling strap 210 so as to controllably tighten the strap 200, 210.
As is known, a ratchet is a mechanical device that allows continuous linear or rotary motion in only one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction. Ratchets are widely used in machinery and tools. One type of ratchet is a ratchet that is intended to receive and wind a strap is known as a ratchet tie-down strap mechanism.
The handle 314 can be defined by a pair of spaced fingers 320 with one or more cross-bars 322 extending therebetween. One of the cross-bars 322 is at the free distal ends of the fingers 320 and defines a handle portion that a user can grasp to pivot the handle 314 relative to the base portion 312. The area between fingers 320 is of a size that can receive the hand (fingers) of the user.
The ratchet device 300 includes a rotatable spool 330 that is operatively coupled to the handle 314 such that pivoting action of the handle 314 causes rotation of the rotatable spool 330. The rotatable spool 330 has ratchet teeth 333 that engage the spring loaded pawl to restrict rotation of the rotatable spool 330 in only one direction. This defines the ratchet action of the ratchet device 300. When the user pivots the handle 314, the rotatable spool 330 is caused to rotate the one spool 330 in the one direction for a stated increment with the pawl preventing backspin of the rotatable spool 330.
The rotatable spool 330 has a slot 335 that is formed therethrough along the length of the spool 330 such that the slot 335 extends between the fingers 320. The slot 335 is sized to receive webbing which in this case is one of the first sling strap 120 or the second sling strap 130. In one exemplary embodiment, the slot 335 is configured to receive a two inch width webbing (first sling strap 120 or second sling strap 130).
It will be appreciated that the ratchet device 300 can be motorized in that the rotation of the spool 330 can be under action of a motor. A controller or actuator (such as a button) is provided to control operation of the motorized ratchet device 300. The controls can also include a lever or buttons to allow the direction of rotation of the spool 330 to be controlled (for winding or unwinding the sling strap). The motor can be powered by a battery that can be stored as part of the housing. The entire unit can still include the J-hook mount that allows the entire battery powered unit to hang along the bed rail.
In addition, the sling can include indicia (visual markings) to identify the location at which the torso of the patient should be placed.
Ratchet Tie Down Tensioning
Generally, the following steps are followed to use the ratchet mechanism 300:
Ratchet Tie Down Buckle Release Instructions
In contrast to conventional tie down ratchet strap devices, the ratchet device 300 includes the mount portion 350. The base portion 312 can be fixedly attached to the mount portion 350. The mount portion 350 is specifically constructed to mount to a hospital bed such as the one shown in the figures and more particularly, the mount portion 350 is configured to releasably attach to a rail of the bed. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount portion 350 is J-shaped and thus, represents a J-hook having a straight portion 351 and a curved hook portion 353. The base portion 312 can be fixedly attached to the straight portion 351 along a rear surface thereof opposite the curved hook portion 353. The curvature of the curved hook portion 353 is selected in view of the construction of the rail of the hospital bed since reception of the bed rail within the curved hook portion 353 comprises the means by which the ratchet device 300 is secured to the bed rail.
The handle 314 remains freely accessible and operational in this mounted position.
The mount portion 350 can be formed of any number of different materials, such as metals, plastics, wood, etc.
As described in more detail below, the ratchet device 300 provides an easy and effective way for the health-care worker to manipulate the sling 110 so as to turn the patient over.
As shown in
It will be appreciated that the ratchet device 300 can be installed at any point in time after raising of the side rail 40 (
It will be appreciated that the opposite procedure can be performed in that the ratchet device 300 can be secured to the side rail 30 and the second sling strap 130 is fed into the ratchet device 300. Upon operation of the ratchet device 300, the second end 116 of the sling 110 is drawn toward the side rail 30 resulting in the patient being turned over in the direction toward the side rail 30.
The present invention is directed to a system that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional techniques and equipment. One will understand the need for the present system 100 if one considers the plight of bed-bound patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health-care facilities across the country and the plight of their care-givers; specifically, the nursing aids and orderlies who must turn these patients onto their sides in order to change their sheets and minimize their exposure to skin conditions, such as bed sores.
The present system 100 is thus a strap-and-ratchet system designed for deployment on and under hospital beds, the operation of which will enable a single health-care worker to easily, safely, and efficiently turn a patient onto either side and hold the patient there, comfortably, while the health-care worker cleans and tends to them and changes their sheets and then turns and lowers the patient once more onto their back. The system 100 can be a permanent feature of hospital beds 10 (i.e., the ratchet device 300 can be permanently mounted to the bed rain), or, as shown, the system 100 can be deployed with any existing bed on an as-need basis.
As illustrated and described herein, the system 100 is configured to fasten to the underside of the hospital bed 10, and feature three length-adjustable straps which run across the bed 10. It will be understood that one or more of the straps can contain comfort padding or the like. For example, the comfort padding can be disposed over the strap and can be in the form of natural or synthetic fleece.
With the present invention, a single health-care worker would be able to turn the patient, with no strain or discomfort to either the patient or the worker, and then hold the patient in place on his or her side. The system is then lowered and the patient is returned to the supine position. Because the system 100 enables a single worker to perform this procedure (which until now has required two workers), the system 100 frees up the second worker to attend to other patients, thereby improving patient care while reducing the necessary amount of labor, per patient. The device 100 is thus welcomed by not only by the health-care workers (nurses, nurse's aides, orderlies) who would use it, but by hospitals and other health-care facilities which employ these workers.
Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/370,808, filed Aug. 4, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62370808 | Aug 2016 | US |
