Abstract:
The present application discloses a transfer device for warming an infant patient during movement of the patient. The transfer device comprises a center section positionable beneath the patient, and the center section comprises a warming device. The transfer device also comprises a first side section connected to the center section and including a first handle and a second side section connected to the center section and including a second handle. The first and the second side sections are movable toward each other such that the first and second handles are located proximate to each other and the first and second side sections surround the patient.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to warming an infant. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an infant transfer device (sling) that can be used to provide thermal and physical support during movement while providing minimal patient stimulation. 
         [0002]    Newborn infants require thermal support immediately after birth to assist with convective, evaporative, conductive and radiant heat loss. Without thermal support from skin to skin contact, drying or heating devices, newborns, especially preterm newborns, are likely to become hypothermic. Hypothermia is a leading cause of neonatal morbidities and mortalities. Current methods for preventing heat loss include swaddling with a blanket or a food grade plastic bag, and positioning the infant on a warming mattress before introducing the infant to the next level of care in an incubator or warmer. 
         [0003]    Infant patients can also be extremely sensitive to physical touch. For example, the current standard practice used to transfer an infant patient is for a nurse or other caregiver to carefully slide a hand (or two) under the infant patient and manually lift the patient. This physical contact can cause patient stimulation which in high risk patients can introduce unwanted and harmful stress to the infant patient. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a device capable of providing thermal and physical support is desired to aid the newborn infant in the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, a transfer device for warming an infant patient during movement of the patient is provided comprising a center section positionable beneath the patient, the center section comprising a warming device. The transfer device also comprises a first side section connected to the center section and including a first handle and a second side section connected to the center section and including a second handle. The first and the second side sections are movable toward each other such that the first and second handles are located proximate to each other and the first and second side sections surround the patient. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a transfer device for warming an infant patient during movement of the patient is provided, comprising a center section positionable beneath the patient. The transfer device also comprises a warming device removably positioned within the center section and a first side section connected to the center section. The transfer device further comprises a second side section connected to the center section. The first and second side sections are sized to surround the infant patient when the first and second side sections are brought towards each other. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a method of warming an infant patient during movement of the patient is provided, comprising activating a warming device and inserting the warming device into a center section of a patient transfer device. The method also comprises positioning the transfer device beneath the patient, the transfer device comprising a first side section and a second side section, the first side section and the second side section connected to the center section, and wherein the infant is positioned on the center section. The method further comprises lifting first and second sections to surround the infant patient. 
         [0009]    Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an interior perspective view of a first embodiment of a patient transfer device of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exterior perspective view of an embodiment of the patient transfer device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view showing the transport of an infant patient using an embodiment of the patient transfer device of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the patient transfer device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the patient transfer device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the transport of an infant patient using an embodiment of the patient transfer device of the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is flowchart of a method of warming an infant patient in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a patient transfer device  10  of the present disclosure. The patient transfer device  10  can be used to handle an infant patient, such as a newborn or neonate, and to transfer the infant patient from one location to another while minimizing physical contact between a physician or caregiver and the patient while still providing thermal and physical support to the infant patient. 
         [0019]    The patient transfer device  10  comprises a center section  12 , a first side section  14  connected to the center section  12 , and a second side  16  connected to the center section  12 . In the depicted embodiment, the second side section  16  is connected to the center section  12  opposite the first side section  14 , but other configurations of the first and second sides  14 ,  16  with respect to the center section  12  may be envisioned. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in  FIG. 1 , the patient transfer device  10  may also comprise an end portion  26 . However, the end portion  26  could be eliminated while also operating within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0020]    The patient transfer device  10  has an interior side  20 , which is adapted to receive and be in general contact with an infant patient (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ), and an opposing exterior side  22  (as depicted in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0021]    The first side section  14  includes a handle  36  and the second side section  16  includes a handle  38 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , handles  36 ,  38  are formed in the first and second side sections  14 ,  16 . However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of handles  36 ,  38  are envisioned. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the handles  36 ,  38  may be connected to, but spaced apart from, the first and second side sections  14 ,  16 . In another embodiment (not shown), the handles  36 ,  38  could be connected to the center section  12  and sized so that the handles  36 ,  38  could be brought together about first and second side sections  14 ,  16 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2 , the exterior side  22  of the patient transfer device  10  in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The patient transfer device  10  depicted in  FIG. 2  is generally similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    The patient transfer device  10  may comprise a warming device  32 . In one embodiment, the warming device  32  is an exothermic chemical reaction pouch. As is commonly known in the art, the pouch may be physically bent, cracked or shaken to mix the components and begin an exothermic, heat-producing reaction. Similar pouches are available commercially as disposable hand warmers. In another embodiment, the warming device  32  is a phase change material. The phase change material, such as a wax, is one that once melted, slowly releases heat until the liquid has solidified, thus changing phase. To warm an infant patient, for example, a phase change material that changes from liquid to solid near 37° C., or within a few degrees in either direction, is desired. In yet another embodiment, the warming device  32  is a battery-operated electrical heating system device that produces thermal support when desired by activating or turning the device on. It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the warming device  32  may be envisioned, and may be any device suitable for providing short term thermal support. 
         [0024]    The warming device  32  may be removably positioned within or coupled to the patient transfer device  10 . When the warming device  32  is positioned within or coupled to the patient transfer device  10 , it is capable of providing conductive thermal support to the infant patient. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the warming device  32  is coupled to the patient transfer device  10  via a pocket  30 . The pocket  30  may be formed, for example, on the exterior side  22  of the patient transfer device  10  between an outer component  31  and the center section  12 . Other embodiments of the pocket  30  are envisioned. For example, the pocket  30  may formed on the interior side  20  of the patient transfer device  10  (not shown). 
         [0025]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the pocket  30  is rectangular in geometry and is fixedly attached on two sides and releasably coupled on the remaining two sides. It should be appreciated that other attachment configurations and geometries may be envisioned. For example, the pocket  30  may be fixedly attached on three sides but open, and not attached or releasably coupled, on the fourth side. In another embodiment, the pocket  30  may not be fixedly attached at all, and instead the pocket  30  may be completely releasably coupled to the center section  12 . In yet another embodiment, the pocket  30  may be circular or elliptical and may be fixedly attached along a portion of that geometry. 
         [0026]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the pocket  30  is coupled by fasteners  33 ,  34 . Fasteners  33 ,  34  are opposite portions of a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro ®. The physical engagement between fasteners  33 ,  34  allows the pocket  30  to be coupled to the exterior side  22  of the center section  12 . Although a hook and loop fastener are shown in this embodiment, it should be understood that different types of fasteners could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pocket  30  may be formed within the center section  12 . The pocket  30  may have an opening at either a proximal end  40  or a distal end  42  of the patient transfer device  10 . The warming device  32  may be positioned in the patient transfer device  10  by removably inserting the warming device  32  into the pocket  30  at the proximal end  40  (as is depicted in  FIG. 5 ), or at the distal end  42  (as is depicted in  FIG. 4 ). In another embodiment, the pocket  30  may have more of a sleeve-like configuration with openings at both proximate and distal ends  40 ,  42 . In this embodiment, the warming device  32  may be removably inserted into the pocket  30  at either the proximal end  40  or the distal end  42 , or a combination thereof. 
         [0028]    Having described exemplary components of the patient transfer device  10 , the operation of the patient transfer device  10  will now be described in accordance with an embodiment. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , an infant patient  60  can be placed on the interior side  20  of the center section  12  and the end portion  26  can be brought up to cover the infant patient&#39;s feet while the first and second side sections  14 ,  16  can be brought towards one another to surround the infant patient  60 . The warming device may be inserted into pocket  30  to provide thermal support. When the infant patient  60  is supported by the patient transfer device  10 , and the first and second side sections  14 ,  16  are in proximity to one another, a clinician can grasp the pair of handles  36 ,  38  with a single hand  62  and lift the infant patient  60  for transport and movement. 
         [0029]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , the warming device  32  may be inserted into the pocket  30  at either proximate or distal end  40 ,  42  to provide thermal support to the infant patient  60 . The infant patient  60  is placed on the interior side  20  of the center section  12 . First and second side sections  14 ,  16  can be brought towards one another to surround the infant patient  60 . Handles  36 ,  38  can be brought in proximity of one another for grasping with a single hand for transport and movement of the infant patient  60 . 
         [0030]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1-6 , the method  100  of utilizing the patient transfer device  10  of the present disclosure will now be described in connection with  FIG. 7 . Although the present method is being described as one preferred method of utilizing the patient transfer device  10 , it should be understood that the patient transfer device  10  could be utilized in different ways for thermal support depending on the clinician requirement and the desired amount of movement necessary for the patient. 
         [0031]    The method  100  may include a step  110  comprising activating the warming device  32 . In one embodiment, the warming device  32  is an exothermic chemical reaction pouch. Activating this embodiment of warming device  32  may comprise physically bending, cracking or shaking the pouch to mix the components and begin an exothermic, heat producing reaction. In another embodiment, the warming device  32  is a phase change material. Activating this embodiment may comprise heating or melting the material to start a slow release of heat for a time period until the liquid has solidified, or changed phase. In yet another embodiment, the warming device  32  is a battery-operated electrical heating system device that produces thermal support when desired by activating or turning the device on. 
         [0032]    The method  100  may also include a step  120  comprising inserting the warming device  32  into the patient transfer device  10 . In one embodiment, the step  120  comprises coupling the warming device  32  to the patient transfer device  10  via the pocket  30  as described above with respect to  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the warming device  32  may be removably inserted into the pocket  30  at either the proximal end  40  or the distal end  42  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0033]    The method  100  may also include a step  130  comprising positioning the infant patient  60  on the patient transfer device  10 . In one embodiment, the patient transfer device  10  may be positioned within an incubator or patient bed before the infant patient  60  is placed within the incubator or bed. It is also contemplated that the patient transfer device  10  could be placed in an incubator in situations in which the infant patient  60  will be moved frequently by the clinician. The step  130  comprises placing the infant patient  60  on the center section  12  of the interior side  20  of the patient transfer device  10 . 
         [0034]    The method  100  may also include a step  140  comprising lifting the first and second side sections  14 ,  16  to surround the infant patient  60 . In some embodiments, as the first and second side sections  14 ,  16  are brought upward toward each other, the handles  36 ,  38  become positioned in proximity to one another. 
         [0035]    The method  100  may also comprise a step  150  of grasping the handles  36 ,  38 . Once handles  36 ,  38  are positioned in proximity to one another, the handles  36 ,  38  can be grasped by a single hand  62  of the clinician as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
         [0036]    The method  100  may also comprise a step  160  comprising lifting the patient transfer device  10 . Similarly to step  150 , step  160  may be carried out with a single hand  62  of the caregiver, although the use of two hands is also within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0037]    As described herein, the patient transfer device  10  allows a clinician or caregiver to maneuver an infant patient  60  in a contained, physically and thermally supportive environment. The caregiver can smoothly use a single hand to lift and transfer the infant patient  60  to family, transport devices or medical beds without introducing negative touch. This may decrease or eliminate the consequences of negative touch which include deterioration of vital signs, inadvertent disconnections of medical devices or handling mishaps such as patient drops. The patient transfer device  10  also provides a tool for thermal support required by newborns immediately after birth to assist convective, evaporative, conductive and radiant heat loss. This may reduce the likelihood of hypothermia, a leading cause of neonatal morbidities and mortalities. 
         [0038]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.