Abstract:
A method for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface includes providing a winch having a drive system and two reels operatively coupled to the drive system. Two straps are attached to each of the reels. Two wedge cushions are provided for pushing the patient in the direction of the winch from the first surface to the second surface. The wedge cushions have a cover, an insert and an attachment mechanism for attaching them to the straps. The wedge cushions are thinner at the attachment mechanism end. The first of the two straps is passed beneath the patient and is attached to a first wedge cushion. The second of the two straps is passed beneath the patient and is attached to another wedge cushion. The reels are rotated, thereby pulling the two straps until each of the wedge cushions wedge firmly beneath the patient. Nest, the reels are rotated together, thereby pulling the two straps until the patient is transferred from the first surface to the second surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/468,087 filed Aug. 29, 2006 and non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/225,967 filed on Sep. 14, 2005; both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of transferring patients from one surface to another, and more particularly to a system for aiding in the transfer of a patient from one support surface to another such as from a gurney to a hospital bed and visa versa. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Patients are often transferred from one surface to another surface in medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and surgery centers. For an operation, the patient is transported on a gurney, requiring a transfer from the hospital bed to the gurney and from the gurney to an operating table and vice versa when the operation is complete. Moving the patient from one surface to another is a difficult task because of the weight and bulk of the patient and the height of the surfaces which don&#39;t permit the medical staff to bend their knees to lift the patient, thereby creating severe stress on their backs and other joints and muscles, often leading to serious injuries of the medical staff. This problem is amplified when bariatric patients are involved, where the patient may weigh 400 to 800 pounds or more. 
   Presently, a patient may be transferred by a practice of placing a heavy-duty sheet under the patient by “log-rolling” the patient to his or her side, placing the sheet underneath the patient, rolling the patient to his or her back and then several medical staff members lifting the patient via the sheet to move the patient from one surface to another. For bariatric patients, often six or more medical staff are often required and many times, injuries occur. Injuries to interns, nurses and other medical staff are very costly to hospitals, surgery centers and the like. 
   Many ways have been devised to transfer patients from one surface to another. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,332 to Korver, et al. and is hereby incorporated by reference. This device requires the patient be situated on a patient positioning board; but there is no way for a patient, especially a sedated bariatric patient, to be moved off the positioning board and onto a bed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,456 to Norris is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent describes a device that has a series of conveyor belts. The patient must be log-rolled to his or her side, the conveyor positioned next to the patient, then the patient rolled onto the conveyor belt. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,148 to Votel is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent describes a system with a transfer caddy and has a sheet-like material that the patient must be positioned upon, requiring log-rolling the patient in order to position the sheet-like material under the patient. Once positioned on the sheet-like material, the patient is pulled onto the destination surface. 
   U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2007/0056095 to Scordato describes a patient transfer system that uses straps that pass beneath the patient and attach to a buffer cushion. The buffer cushion then pushes the patient from one surface to another surface in response to a winch pulling the straps. This system works well but the patient provides considerable resistance to being pulled across the surfaces that the present invention addresses. This patent application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   What is needed is a system that will transfer a patient from one surface to another without placing undo stress on the caregivers and without resulting in undo discomfort to the patient. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface is disclosed including a winch having two reels and two straps attached to the reels. Wedge cushions are provided for pushing the patient in the direction of the winch from the first surface to the second surface. The wedge cushions each have a cover, an insert and an attachment mechanism for removably attaching them to the two straps. The wedge cushions are thinner at the end that has the attachment mechanism and thicker at an opposite end. 
   In another embodiment, a method for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface is disclosed, including providing a winch, the winch having a drive system and two reels operatively coupled to the drive system. Two straps are attached to the reels. Two wedge cushions are provided for pulling the patient in the direction of the winch from the first surface to the second surface. The wedge cushions have a cover, an insert and an attachment mechanism for removably attaching them to the two straps. The wedge cushions are thinner at their end that has the attachment mechanism and thicker at the opposite end. The method continues with passing a first of the two straps beneath the patient at a location substantially under the back of the patient and attaching the first of the two straps to a first wedge cushion at its attachment mechanism. Then, passing a second of the two straps beneath the patient at a location substantially under the knees of the patient and attaching the second straps to another wedge cushion using its attachment mechanism. Next, the reels are independently rotated, thereby pulling the two straps until each of the wedge cushions wedge firmly beneath the patient. Now, the reels are rotated together, thereby pulling the two straps until the patient is transferred from the first surface to the second surface. 
   In another embodiment, a patient transfer winch system for transferring a patient from a first surface to a second surface is disclosed, including a winch system having two independent reels and two straps, a first end of a first strap attached at a first reel of the two independent reels and a first end of a second strap attached to a second reel of the two independent reels, the straps adapted to wrap around the reels as the winch system turns the reels. Two wedge cushions are provided for lifting and pushing the patient in the direction of the winch from the first surface to the second surface. Each wedge cushion has a cover, an insert and a mechanism for attaching to a second end of the straps. Each wedge cushion also has a pull strap attached to a surface distal to the mechanism for attaching 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a front schematic view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a side schematic view of a system of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a front schematic view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side schematic view of a system of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of a system of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a detail view of the patient transport subsystem of both embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a detail view of the head cushion of both embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  FIG. 6C  illustrate a method of attaching the wedge cushion assembly to the transport straps of both embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates a close-up view of the method of attaching the wedge cushion assembly to the transport straps of both embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6E  illustrates the wedge cushion of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7A through 7F  illustrate the operation of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate the operation of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate design of the wedge cushion of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1A , a front schematic view of a system of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The patient transfer winch system of this embodiment has one motor  10  that drives a shaft  14  through a gear box  11 . The motor is controlled by a controller  50  mounted upon a support rail  56  with a detachable remote control  54 . The remote control  54  has switches to control the operation of the motor and indicators to provide status such as battery charge status and system power status. In some embodiments, the switches are in the form of a joystick. The switches include, for example, motor speed and direction controls and an emergency stop. Power to the system is provided by a rechargeable battery  52 , for example, a lead acid battery or nickel metal hydride battery. In some embodiments, the batteries are recharged under control of the controller  50  using external power supplied from a standard power source through power cable  51 . In some embodiments, the batteries are removable and are externally charged. The patient transfer system is supported by vertical supports  30  and horizontal supports  32 / 56 . In some embodiments, wheels  34  are provided to ease movement of the winch system. 
   Two reels  12 / 16  are coupled to the shaft  14  and will be explained in detail later. In some embodiments, a clutch (not shown) is provided on one or both of the reels  12 / 16  to control the transfer of rotation independently of the shaft  14  rotation and provide for correction of patient skewing during transfer. This is important, in that, it is anticipated that the reel associated with the patient&#39;s legs will need to pull its associated strap  18  (see  FIG. 1B ) further than the other reel. In some embodiments, one or both of the two reels  12 / 16  are adjustable to permit adjustment of the patient&#39;s location with respect to each other and to the patient and to accommodate differences in height between different patients. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1B , a side schematic view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this view, more detail of the frame is visible, showing the side of the vertical supports  30  and horizontal supports  32  as well as wheels  34 . One of the motors  10  is visible and one of the reels  16  with a patient transfer strap  18  passing under the patient  60 , whereas the patient is lying on a surface  42  supported by supports  41 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2A , a front schematic view of a system of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The patient transfer winch system of this embodiment has two hand-cranks  22 / 23  that turn their respective strap reels  12 / 16 . The strap reels  12 / 16  are mounted on a shaft  14  and turn independent of the shaft  14  using bearings, etc., as known in the industry. The patient transfer system is supported by vertical supports  30  and horizontal supports  32 . In some embodiments, wheels  34  are provided for movement of the winch system. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2B , a side schematic view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. One of the hand-cranks  22  is visible and a patient transfer strap  18  passes under the patient  60 , whereas the patient is lying on a surface  42  supported by supports  41 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of a system of the third embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows two motors  10 / 15 , each driving a separate reel  12 / 16 . Not shown is the motor control system and remote control as in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, one or two joystick remote controls are provided to allow one-handed operation of both motors. 
   A patient transfer strap  20 / 18  is attached to each reel  12 / 16  so that as the motors  10 / 15  turn, the patient transfer straps  20 / 18  wind around the reels  12 / 16 . The patient transfer strap is preferably made of a relatively high-strength, flexible material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably, the straps are made of a smooth, slippery material to aid in passing the straps  20 / 18  underneath the patient. The other ends of the patient transfer straps are passed underneath the patient  60  and are removably attached to a wedge cushion system at attachment points  67 . 
   To assist with passing the patient transfer straps  20 / 18  underneath the patient without “log-rolling” the patient, an elongated, stiff device is used. One such device is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/468,087 to Scordato, et al. The device is inserted beneath the patient  60  and hooks onto an end of the patient transfer strap  20 / 18 , and then is pulled back out from beneath the patient  60 , dragging along the patient transfer strap  20 / 18 . 
   In the embodiment shown, loops  68  and T-catch  67  are used to removably attach the patient transfer straps  18 / 20  to the wedge cushions  64 , though any suitable method of removable attachment can be used without veering from the present invention. The wedge cushions  64  are described in detail later. In the preferred embodiment, the wedge cushions  64  have straps  80  to assist in removing the wedge cushions  64  from beneath the patient  60 . In some embodiments, the strap  80  of one wedge cushion  64  removably connects to the strap  80  of the other wedge cushion  64  by interconnecting straps  86  and a male and female connector  82 / 84  as known in the industry. The patient  60  is shown lying on his or her back on a first surface  40 . In some embodiments, a head cushion  70  is provided. As the motors  10 / 15  turn, the patient transfer straps  20 / 18  wrap around the reels  12 / 16 , moving the wedge cushions  64  and hence the patient  60  from the first surface  40  to the second surface  42 . The straps  20 / 18  bull the wedge cushions  64  and the wedge cushions  64 , in turn, push the patient  60  from the first surface  40  to the second surface  42 . 
   The head cushion  70  provides additional safety and comfort to the patient as his or her head passes over any gap between the first surface  40  and the second surface  42 . In some embodiments, a step  36  is provided to allow the operator better access to the system. In some embodiments, each motor  10 / 15  is individually controlled to allow the operator to correct any skewing of the patient  60  as he or she moves across the surfaces  40 / 42 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a detail view of the patient transport subsystem of all embodiments of the present invention is shown. The straps  18 / 20  pass under the patient&#39;s  60  back and knees. The straps are removably attached to the wedge cushion  64 . In this embodiment, the straps  18 / 20  have loops  68  that attach to T-catches  67  of the wedge cushions  64 . The wedge cushions  64  are provided for comfort and lift of the patient  60  while transferring the patient  60  from one surface to another. In some embodiments, a head cushion  70  is provided to enhance comfort of the patient as they are transferred from one surface to another. The head cushion  70  also helps lift the head of the patient  60 , easing the placement of the patient transfer strap  20 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a detail view of the head cushion of both embodiments of the present invention is shown. The head cushion  70  is composed of a soft material such as foam rubber and in some embodiments is covered with cloth or another soft material. In the preferred embodiment, a low-friction transfer surface  72  is attached to the bottom of the head cushion  70  for smoothly sliding across the surfaces and facilitating spanning of any gaps that may exist between the surfaces as the patient  60  moves. In some embodiments, the low-friction transfer surface  72  is angled or curved so as to not catch on the edge of the destination surface. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , one of several methods of attaching the wedge cushion system to the transport straps of both embodiments of the present invention is shown. The strap  18  has loops  68  with openings large enough to accept the T-catch  67 . Note that in the preferred embodiment, the ends of the T-catch  67  bends slightly toward the wedge cushion  64  forming an anchor shape. These bends help keep the loops  68  of the strap  18  in place before and during patient transfer operations. In  FIG. 6A , the loops  68  are shown ready to be attached to the T-catch  67 . In  FIG. 6B , one of the loops  68  is looped over one of the prongs of the T-catch  67 . In  FIG. 6C , each of the loops  68  are looped over their respective prong of the T-catch  68  and the wedge cushion  64  is securely attached to the straps  18 / 20 . In other embodiments, one end of each strap  18 / 20  is permanently affixed to a wedge cushion  64  and the other ends of the straps  18 / 20  are removably attached to the reels  12 / 16  (not shown). 
   Although the make-up of the wedge cushion  64  is anticipated in many different configurations, a triangular shape is preferred, though other various shapes are possible and included herewithin. In this exemplary triangular-shaped wedge cushion  64 , the T-catch  67  has a cross member  69  that is secured to a stiff member  93  within the wedge cushion&#39;s  64  cover  94 . Fasteners  91  such as rivets hold the cross member  69  between sides of the stiff member  93 . In this embodiment, the stiff member  93  is bent roughly in half and partially covers the internal cushion material  92  to provide a smooth transition when the wedge cushion  64  passes beneath the patient. In some embodiments, the internal cushion material  92  is foam rubber or other suitable material. In other embodiments, the internal cushion  92  is an air or liquid bladder. 
   In  FIG. 6D , a detail view of the wedge cushions  64  attachment mechanism is shown. Although a triangular shape is preferred, though other various shapes are possible and included herewithin. The loops  68  of the straps  18 / 20  are looped over the T-catch  67 . In this exemplary triangular-shaped wedge cushion  64 , the T-catch  67  has a cross member  69  that is secured to a stiff member  93  within the wedge cushion&#39;s  64  cover  94 . Fasteners  91  such as rivets hold the cross member  69  between sides of the stiff member  93 . In this embodiment, the stiff member  93  is bent roughly in half and partially covers the internal cushion material  92  to provide a smooth transition when the wedge cushion  64  passes beneath the patient. In some embodiments, the internal cushion material  92  is foam rubber or other suitable material. In other embodiments, the internal cushion  92  is an air or liquid bladder. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6E , the wedge cushion  64  is shown covered by a cloth or other suitable material  94  with its attachment mechanism  67  attached to the loops  68  of the strap  18 . An optional inter-wedge cushion connecting strap  86  is shown. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A-F , the operation of the present invention is shown. In  FIG. 7A , the patient  60  is shown lying on his or her back on a first surface  40 . The first surface  40  is positioned next to a second surface  42 . Only the reel  12  of the patient transfer winch system is shown for brevity. In  FIG. 7B , the strap  20  from reel  12  is passed under the patient  60 , preferably under the patient&#39;s knees. A similar strap  18  (not visible) is passed under the patient&#39;s shoulders or back. The straps are attached to the wedge cushion  64  (previously described). The head cushion  70  is not visible in this example, but is optionally provided. In  FIG. 7C , the motor(s)  10 / 15  have been energized and the straps begin pulling the wedge cushions  64  and hence the wedge cushions  64  move towards the winch. Because of their wedge shape, the wedge cushions  64  first wedge beneath the patient until they pass far enough under the patient  60  to reduce friction between the patient  60  and the surfaces  40 / 42 , In  FIG. 7D , some of the friction has been overcome and the wedge cushion  62  begins pushing the patient  60  from the first surface  40  to the destination surface  42 . In  FIG. 7E , the patient  60  is resting on the destination surface  42 . In  FIG. 7F , the straps  20  have been removed and the wedge cushion  64  taken away. At this time, the winch system can be moved and used with another patient. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , an insert  92 / 192  for the wedge cushion is shown. In some embodiments, the insert  92  is made of foam rubber or memory foam, as known in the industry, providing a resilient wedge shape to effectively wedge beneath the patient  60  during transfer from one surface  40 / 20  to another surface  40 / 42 . In other embodiments, the insert  192  is a bladder filled with a liquid or gas, also shaped initially as a wedge, but deforming when wedged beneath the patient  60  such that the portion of the insert  192  that is not beneath the patient fills with liquid or gas that is displaced by the weight of the patient  60 . The displaced liquid or gas provides a more rigid and enlarged portion that is not beneath the patient  60  for assisting in pushing the patient  60  from one surface  40 / 42  to another surface  40 / 42 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , an example of an alternate shaped wedge cushion  164  is shown. Although the preferred shape for the wedge cushion  64  is a triangular wedge, other shapes are anticipated such as circular, oval, square, rectangular, etc. One such shape is shown in  FIG. 9 , circular wedge  164 . The circular wedge  164  has a cover  168  and internal insert  166 . The internal insert  166  is made from either a resilient material such as foam rubber or from a bladder as previously described. The circular wedge cushion  164  has a strap  80  for pulling it out from the patient  60 . The circular wedge cushion  164  has a stiff member  160  and a T-catch  67  that has a cross member  69  that is secured to a stiff member  160  within the wedge cushion&#39;s  164  cover  168 . Fasteners  91  such as rivets hold the cross member  69  between sides of the stiff member  160 . 
   In other embodiments, the wedge cushion  64  is shaped differently to achieve the same or similar results. For example, instead of having a flat top surface, an alternate embodiment would have a top surface that is much thinner towards the attach point and stays thinner until half way to the pull straps  80 . Other variations in thickness are anticipated without veering from the present invention. 
   Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
   It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.