Patent Grant
11446192
The present specification generally relates to subject support apparatuses, and more particularly to two piece subject support apparatuses including an upper portion to support the torso of a subject and a lower portion to support the lower body of the subject.
Person lifting devices, such as mobile lifts and/or overhead lifts, may be used in hospitals, other health care facilities, and sometimes in home care settings to move a subject or assist in moving a subject from one location to another. Conventional lifting devices are coupled to a subject support apparatus that supports and engages the subject. Such conventional support apparatuses may include a variety of straps and loops that must be coupled in a specific way to a lift mechanism in order to properly lift the subject. However, the coupling of the straps and loops are not always intuitive for a caregiver, and can require a significant period of time to properly position the subject support apparatus around the subject. Accordingly, caregivers may attempt to lift the subject without a subject support apparatus because of the time and effort required with properly setting up the subject support apparatus.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative subject support apparatuses that simplify the coupling of the subject support apparatus to a lift mechanism.
In a first aspect, a subject support apparatus comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest to form a closed loop, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest. The lower portion comprises a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece.
In a second aspect, the subject support apparatus comprises the subject support apparatus of the first aspect, wherein the lower portion does not couple to the upper portion.
In a third aspect, the subject support apparatus comprises the subject support apparatus of any of the previous aspects, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
In a fourth aspect, the subject support apparatus comprises the subject support apparatus of any of the previous aspects, wherein each of the pair of the loop straps is non-releasably coupled to the seat piece of the subject support apparatus.
In a fifth aspect, the subject support apparatus comprises the subject support apparatus of any of the previous aspects, wherein the upper portion is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.
In a sixth aspect, a subject support system comprises the subject support apparatus of any of the previous aspects, a sling bar comprising at least two hooks to receive the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps, and a lift mechanism coupled to the sling bar.
In a seventh aspect, a subject support system comprises a subject support apparatus, sling bar, and a lift mechanism coupled to the sling bar. The subject support apparatus comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the subject support apparatus comprises a vest having a first end and a second end; a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest to form a closed loop; and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest. The lower portion of the subject support apparatus comprises a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece. The sling bar comprising at least two hooks to receive the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps.
In an eighth aspect, the subject support system comprises the subject support system of the seventh aspect, wherein the lower portion does not couple to the upper portion.
In a ninth aspect, the subject support system comprises the subject support system of the seventh aspect, wherein the lower portion releasably couples to the upper portion.
In a tenth aspect, the subject support system comprises the subject support system of any of the seventh through ninth aspects, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
In an eleventh aspect, the subject support system comprises the subject support system of any of the seventh through tenth aspects, wherein the upper portion is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.
In a twelfth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises positioning the subject support apparatus of any of the first through fifth aspects around the subject; coupling the pair of shoulder straps of the upper portion of the subject support apparatus and the pair of loop straps of the lower portion of the subject support apparatus to a lift mechanism; and activating the lift mechanism to lift the subject.
In a thirteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises positioning an upper portion of a subject support apparatus around a torso of the subject, the upper portion comprising a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest to form a closed loop around the torso of the subject, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest; positioning a seat portion of a lower portion of the subject support apparatus between legs of the subject and a surface upon which the subject is disposed, wherein the seat portion comprises a first end and a second end, and the lower portion further comprises a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece; coupling the pair of shoulder straps of the upper portion of the subject support apparatus and the pair of loop straps of the lower portion of the subject support apparatus to a lift mechanism; and activating the lift mechanism to lift the subject.
In a fourteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus does not couple to the upper portion of the subject support apparatus.
In a fifteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus releasably couples to the upper portion of the subject support apparatus.
In a sixteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of any of the thirteenth through fifteenth aspects, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
In a seventeenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of any of the thirteenth through sixteenth aspects, wherein the upper portion of the subject support apparatus is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.
In an eighteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of any of the thirteenth through seventeenth aspects, wherein each of the pair of the loop straps is non-releasably coupled to the seat piece of the subject support apparatus.
In a nineteenth aspect, a method of lifting a subject comprises the method of any of the thirteenth through eighteenth aspects, wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus does not encircle the thighs of the subject.
Additional features of subject support apparatuses described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of subject support systems, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In one embodiment, a subject support apparatus includes an upper portion comprising a vest and a closure mechanism configured to couple a first end of the vest to a second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest, and a lower portion comprising a seat piece having a first end and a second end. Without being bound by theory, the vest may enable a caregiver to easily and correctly position the upper portion of the subject support apparatus around a torso of the subject while the lower portion of the subject support apparatus may be easily positioned between the thighs of the subject and a surface upon which the subject is disposed for supporting a lower portion of the subject. Various embodiments of subject support apparatuses and subject support systems including such subject support apparatuses will be described herein with specific reference to the appended drawings.
Subject Support Apparatuses
Referring to
In the embodiment depicted in
As shown in
The sling bar 200 is coupled to an overhead structure 12. In embodiments, the overhead structure 12 may include a ceiling, an overhead beam, a mobile lift, or the like. By coupling the subject support apparatus 100 to the overhead structure 12 through the sling bar 200, some or all of the bodyweight of the subject 10 may be supported by the overhead structure 12, which may assist the caregiver in moving or repositioning the subject 10. Sling bars 200 as well as overhead structures 12 are described in greater detail below.
Having generally described the subject support apparatus 100, the upper portion 110 and the lower portion 114 will now be described in greater detail.
Referring to
The vest 306 may be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to, nylon, polyester, cotton, or blends thereof. In various embodiments, the material may be coated, such as with vinyl or polyurethane. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the vest 306 may be formed from a coated fabric. The coating may be used to strengthen the material, to make the material wipable such that the material may be readily cleaned and/or sanitized, or impart other desirable characteristics to the material of the vest 306. The vest 306 may be formed from one or more layers of material, and may optionally include a cushioning material between two or more layers of material to provide comfort to the subject 10.
As depicted in
In various embodiments, the vest 306 may have a predetermined size that is selected according to a size of the subject 10. For example, vests may be provided in various pediatric, adult, and bariatric sizes, and a particular vest size may be selected based on the subject to be lifted. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the use of a vest having a predetermined size can reduce the time and complexity of donning the upper portion by reducing the number of adjustments that need to be made, as well as simplifying the construction of the upper portion 110 by reducing the number of adjustable components, such as straps and panels.
When the subject support apparatus 100 is positioned on the subject 10 (e.g., as depicted in
Referring to
As with the embodiment in
The torso panel 303 may be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to, nylon, polyester, cotton, or blends thereof. In various embodiments, the material may be coated, such as with vinyl or polyurethane. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the torso panel 303 may be formed from a coated fabric. The coating may be used to strengthen the material, to make the material wipable such that the material may be readily cleaned and/or sanitized, or impart other desirable characteristics to the material of the torso panel 303. The torso panel 303 may be formed from one or more layers of material, and may optionally include a cushioning material between two or more layers of material to provide comfort to the subject 10.
As shown in
Turning now to
Each of the pair of loop straps 406a, 406b extends from a corresponding end of the seat piece 400. In various embodiments, the loop straps are non-releasably coupled to the seat piece 400. For example, the loop straps 406a, 406b may be stitched to the seat piece to securely couple the loop straps to the seat piece. The loop straps 406a, 406b in
Still referring to
To secure the lower portion 114 of the subject support apparatus 100 around a subject 10, as shown in
Although not shown in the figures, it is further contemplated that in some embodiments, the subject support apparatus 100 may include one or more additional portions that may provide additional support to the subject 10. For example, a middle portion may be positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion to provide support to the subject's buttocks or assist in coupling the upper portion to the lower portion. The middle portion may be, for example, in the form of a flexible sheet or panel. Alternatively or additionally, an ankle portion may be included to lift and support the ankles and/or lower legs of the subject 10. Such additional portions may be made from the same materials as those described above, and may be coupled to the upper portion and/or the lower portion in any suitable fashion. Alternatively, such additional portions may not be directly coupled to the upper portion and/or the lower portion, but may instead be coupled directly to the sling bar 200.
Sling Bar Assemblies
In various embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in
As shown in
The sling bar 200 includes an elongated bar 504 and two hooks 506 coupled to the distal ends of the elongated bar 504. In other embodiments, the sling bar 200 may be an X-shaped sling bar that includes two curved frame members coupled by a middle frame member and including four support apparatus coupling mechanisms. In still other embodiments, the sling bar may include a U-shaped frame including two support apparatus coupling mechanisms and a U-shaped handle extending from the frame to provide stability to a subject being lifted. Other sling bar configurations are contemplated. Various sling bar configurations are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216753, entitled “Person Lift System”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The hooks 506 include a coupling base 508 with a recessed space 510 therein and a latch 512 configured to selectively enclose the recessed space 510. The latch 512 is pivotally coupled to the coupling base 508 and is configured to extend across the recessed space 510 in a closed position and rotate towards the recessed space 510 in an open position. In operation, when a user couples a subject support apparatus 100 to the hook 506, the user pushes the latch 512 (i.e., rotates the latch 512 toward the recessed space 510), such as with the shoulder strap 112 and/or the loop strap 406 to allow the strap(s) or other portion of the subject support apparatus 100 to be inserted into the recessed space 510. When a user removes the subject support apparatus 100 from the hook 506, the user pushes the latch 512 to rotate the latch 512 toward an open position (i.e., rotates the latch 512 toward the recessed space 510) and allow the subject support apparatus 100 to be removed from the recessed space 510.
Suitable sling bars include, by way of example and not limitation, those commercially available under the trade names Universal SlingBar, SlingBar Mini, and Sling Cross-Bar, from Liko, HILL-ROM®, or Hill-Rom Services, Inc. (Batesville, Ind.). Additionally, it is contemplated that some embodiments may not include a sling bar, as will be described in greater detail below.
Overhead Structures
In some embodiments, the overhead structure 12 may be a lift assembly, such as a mobile lift or, alternatively, an overhead lift assembly 600 as depicted in
While a lift assembly, such as the one shown and described in
In practice, a user, such as a caregiver, positions the upper portion 110 of the subject support apparatus 100 around a torso of the subject 10. For example, when the upper portion 110 is the upper portion 110 depicted in
Additionally, the user positions the lower portion 114 of the subject support apparatus 100 between legs of the subject 10 and a surface upon which the subject 10 is disposed, such as by passing one of the loop straps 406a beneath the legs of the subject 10 and adjusting the position of the lower portion 114 such that the seat piece 400 is between the legs of the subject 10 and the support surface. Next, the pair of shoulder straps 112a, 112b and the pair of loop straps 406a, 406b are coupled to a lift mechanism, such as by looping each of the straps over a corresponding hook 506 of a sling bar 200 coupled to an overhead lift assembly 600. Finally, the caregiver activates the lift mechanism to lift the subject 10. For example, the caregiver can use an input device 606 to activate the lift mechanism and raise the subject 10 above the subject support surface.
Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that various embodiments provide for subject support apparatuses that include an upper portion in the form of a vest and a lower portion that is positioned beneath the thighs of a subject being lifted. Such embodiments may provide support to subjects, while improving ease of manufacturing and enabling a caregiver or other user to easily determine how the subject support apparatus should be secured about the subject and coupled to an overhead structure. Additionally, various embodiments provide for reduced time to secure the subject support apparatus about the subject and couple the subject support apparatus to an overhead structure.
Various embodiments described herein may be particularly well-suited for use as a hygiene sling, which may be used to lift a subject to a toilet. In particular, the two-piece design of various embodiments described herein enable the subject to be lifted without further needing to remove the sling for the subject to use the toilet, since it is open in the back, while providing support to the subject throughout the lifting procedure.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/836,101, titled “Two Piece Subject Support Apparatuses,” filed Apr. 19, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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