Abstract:
An automated bedpan system for selectively moving a bedpan between a first storage position, such as beneath a bed, and a second use position, such as proximate an opening in the bed, such that an individual in the bed may use the bedpan with or without assistance, in a safe, convenient, and comfortable manner, with reduced risk of spillage of waste material, and such that after use the bedpan may be stored without spillage of waste material and without leakage of odor from the bedpan.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present non-provisional United States patent application is related to, and hereby claims priority to and the full benefit of, United States provisional application entitled “Automated Bedpan System” filed 21 Mar. 2008 on behalf of William Johnson, having assigned Ser. No. 60/919,239. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to patient care, and, more specifically, to a bed having an automated bedpan. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For any number of reasons, a patient, or any other individual, may be confined to a bed for some time. When so confined, it may be very difficult, or even impossible for the patient to move, with or without assistance, to a toilet facility in order to relieve himself. As a rudimentary solution to this problem, bedpans have been employed, which allow the patient to relieve himself without getting out of bed, and without moving to a toilet facility. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, however, conventional use of bedpans is often uncomfortable for the patient due to the awkward placement of the pan between a mattress and the patient. Furthermore, such placement of the bedpan often results in spillage of biological waste material, creating an unsanitary condition which must be corrected by changing the bed sheets. The process of changing and cleaning the bed sheets is costly, both in time and resources, and additionally may be painful or inconvenient for the patient. Finally, conventional use of a bedpan requires the immediate assistance of a nurse or other aide in placing the bedpan beneath the patient at the appropriate time, i.e. when the patient needs to use the bedpan, which makes the patient dependent on the nurse, interrupts the nurse&#39;s other work or duties, invades the patient&#39;s privacy, and often is a source of embarrassment for the patient. 
         [0005]    Thus, what is clearly needed is a system that allows a patient or other individual who is confined to a bed, or otherwise unable to conveniently move to a toilet facility in order to use same, to relieve himself in a safe, sanitary, and convenient manner without the immediate assistance of a care-taker. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the system of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a system by providing a bed and a bedpan connected thereto via carriage means. 
         [0007]    According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the system, in its preferred form, is an automated bedpan system comprising a bed having a first bed portion and a second bed portion, and a bedpan removably connected to carriage means for moving the bedpan between a first storage position and a second use position, wherein the carriage means is operable with the bed to move the bedpan into a gap between the first and second bed portions. 
         [0008]    Specifically, the first bed portion is preferably movably connected to the second bed portion such that when the first portion and the second portion are moved away from one another, a gap is formed between the first bed portion and the second bed portion proximate the bedpan. The carriage means is preferably configured to move the bedpan into the second position, proximate the gap, from below the first and second bed portions when the first bed portion and the second bed portion are separated. Furthermore, the carriage means preferably includes a motor and is preferably further configured to selectively move the first and second bed portions away from one another upon activation thereof by a user. The bedpan preferably includes a cover for sealing biological waste contents therein; thereby, preventing spillage and preventing or reducing unwanted odors from escaping the bedpan. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the system of the present disclosure is its ability to allow a patient or other individual who is confined to a bed, or otherwise unable or unwilling to move to a toilet facility, to move a bedpan from a first storage position to a second use position for use thereof, and to return the bedpan to the first storage position when the bedpan is no longer needed, all without assistance. 
         [0010]    Another feature and advantage of the system of the present disclosure is its ability to seal the bedpan and to store the bedpan away from a user whereby contact with biological waste material contained therein is prevented, and whereby spillage and/or the escape of unwanted odor is prevented. 
         [0011]    Yet another feature and advantage of the system of the present disclosure is ability to store the bedpan in a location that is easily accessible to a nurse, care-taker, or other assistant for emptying and/or cleaning thereof. 
         [0012]    Another feature and advantage of the system of the present disclosure is its ability to retain the bedpan in a comfortable and convenient position during use such that user discomfort and spillage of waste material are reduced. 
         [0013]    Another feature and advantage of the system of the present disclosure is its ability to maintain a user&#39;s privacy when using the bedpan, thereby avoiding embarrassment associated with use of conventional bedpans. 
         [0014]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Accordingly, the system of the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an automated bedpan system in a first storage configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the automated bedpan system of  FIG. 1  in a second use configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the automated bedpan system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an automated bedpan system according to an alternate embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the automated bedpan system of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an automated bedpan system according to another alternate embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In describing preferred embodiments of the system of the present disclosure, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0024]    In the embodiment chosen for purposes of illustration in  FIGS. 1-3 , the automated bedpan system includes hospital bed  100 , which preferably includes frame  101  for supporting mattress  103  on which a patient may rest. Preferably, frame  101  is configurable in a plurality of different configurations to adjust the relative positions of at least head section  103   a  and foot section  103   b  of mattress  103  according to the needs of the patient using hospital bed  100 . Adjustment of the configuration of hospital bed  100  is preferably accomplished via drive means  110  which may be selectively controlled by the patient or an assistant via remote control device  113  or by controls disposed on frame  101 . 
         [0025]    Drive means  110  preferably comprises a mechanical drive means, such as an electric motor coupled to belts, pulleys, sheaves, cables, chains, gears, screws, or other mechanical means for converting an output of the motor to the desired movement of at least head section  103   a  and/or foot section  130   b  of hospital bed  100 . Alternatively, however, drive means  110  may comprise any other suitable means for selectively moving head section  103   a  and/or foot section  103   b  relative to one another, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, or other drive means. Preferably, drive means  110  is at least operable to slide foot section  103   b  in the direction of arrow  115  to create gap G (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0026]    Hospital bed  100  preferably further includes bedpan  120  disposed in a first storage position beneath mattress  103  and generally centrally between sides of hospital bed  100 , preferably proximate a location where top section  103   a  abuts foot section  103   b.  Bedpan  120  is preferably disposed on, and supported by, support means of carriage means  130 , such as tray  135 , and is preferably covered by lid  137 . Carriage means  130  is preferably operable to selectively move bedpan  120  between the first storage position and a second use position (as best seen with reference to  FIG. 2 ), such as by selectively raising and lowering tray  135  to position bedpan  120  at least partially within gap G between foot section  103   b  and head section  13   a  of mattress  103 . Preferably, when in the second use position, bedpan  120  does not interfere with the patient&#39;s desired body position, thereby overcoming the problem of discomfort associated with using bedpans according to conventional techniques. 
         [0027]    Thus, by positioning bedpan  120  within gap G during use, a patient may be comfortably supported entirely by mattress  103 , and need not rest on, or even come into contact with, bedpan  120 , thereby avoiding discomfort to the patient. Such an arrangement is especially beneficial when the patient needs to use bedpan  120  a second time before bedpan  120  has been changed or cleaned. Since the patient preferably does not come into contact with bedpan  120  at any time during use or storage thereof, the transmission of germs, bacteria, or other contaminants carried on the bedpan to the patient is reduced. 
         [0028]    Preferably, carriage means  130  is automatically operated to move bedpan  120  between the first storage position and the second use position when drive means  110  is operated to slide foot section  103   b  of mattress  103  relative to head section  103   a  to create gap G. Furthermore, lid  137  is preferably automatically removed from bedpan  120  when carriage means  130  moves bedpan  120  from the first storage position to the second use position, such as by maintaining lid  137  in a fixed position relative to hospital bed  100 . Similarly, lid  137  is preferably automatically replaced on bedpan  120  when carriage means  130  returns bedpan  120  to the first storage position. Thus, when bedpan  120  is in the first storage position, biological waste materials contained therein are preferably sealed by lid  137  to prevent spillage of any such waste material and to prevent or reduce the escape of any waste odor from bedpan  120 . 
         [0029]    In user a patient or other individual lying in hospital bed  100  may selectively operate remote control device  113 , such as by pushing one or more buttons thereon, when the patient needs to relieve himself. Preferably, pushing a single button on remote control device  113  is sufficient to both actuate drive means  110  to slide foot portion  103   b  of mattress  103  in the direction of arrow  115 , thereby creating gap G, and to actuate carriage means  130  to remove lid  137  from bedpan  120  and to move bedpan  120  from the first storage position to the second use position, such as by raising bedpan  120  at least partially into gap G where it may comfortably be used by the patient. When the bedpan is no longer needed, the patient may preferably selectively operate remote control device  113 , such as by again pushing one or more buttons, to both return foot section  103   b  of mattress  103  to a position abutting, or at least proximate, head section  103   a,  and to return bedpan  120  to the first storage position, with lid  137  sealingly disposed thereon. 
         [0030]    At some later time, bedpan  120  may preferably be removed from tray  135 , such as by a nurse or other assistant, for cleaning thereof, or for replacement with a second clean bedpan. Bedpan  120  is preferably accessible from either side of hospital bed  100 , and removal of bedpan  120  is preferably accomplished by pulling bedpan  120  to the side of hospital bed  100  in the direction of either of arrows  150  or  151 . Preferably, pulling bedpan  120  in the direction of arrow  150  or arrow  151  also removes lid  137  so that the nurse or other assistant can visually inspect the contents of bedpan  120 , and can remove bedpan  120  if it needs to be cleaned or replaced, or can return bedpan  120  if it is unused. Alternatively, bedpan  120  may be removed automatically, such as by activating remote control device  113 , causing bedpan  120  to be moved on tray  135  by carriage means  130  in the direction of arrow  150  or arrow  151 . Preferably, bedpan  120  includes a disposable and/or flushable liner  121  in order to facilitate quick cleaning of bedpan  120 , such that bedpan  120  may preferably be cleaned and replaced on carriage means for subsequent use. 
         [0031]    As will be understood by one skilled in the art, gap G may alternatively be created by relative movement between head section  103   a  and foot section  103   b  other than the sliding of foot section  103   b,  as described above. For example, head section  103   a  may be slid in the direction of arrow  116 , or lower portion  104  of head section  103   a  may be slid in the direction of arrow  116  while upper portion  105  of head section  103   a  is raised in the direction of arrow  117 . When gap G is formed by such alternative movement of head section  103   a,  an overall length of hospital bed  100  is preferably not altered, such that even if hospital bed  100  includes a fixed headboard and/or footboard, or even if hospital bed  100  is disposed proximate walls or furniture that limit the length thereof, the movement of head section  103   a,  and thus the creation of gap G, is not impeded. 
         [0032]    According to the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , hospital bed  200  preferably includes mattress  203  defining a central aperture  204  formed therethrough. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, central aperture  204  provides access to bedpan  120  disposed thereunder without movement between a head section and a foot section of mattress  203 . Instead plug member  205  is preferably removably disposed in central aperture  204  to provide selective access to bedpan  120 . 
         [0033]    Such selective access is preferably enabled by drive means  210  operably connected to plug member  205  configured to selectively move plug member  205  downwardly out of central aperture  204  and laterally away from central aperture  204 , such as in the direction of arrow  216 ; thereby, allowing bedpan  120  to be moved into the second position, such as in the direction of arrow  217 . Drive means  210  is preferably controlled by a patient or other individual via remote control  213 , such as by pushing a button. Preferably, plug member  205  travels on a pair of tracks  215  that guide the motion of plug member  205  as it is moved in and out of central aperture  214 . 
         [0034]    Bedpan  120  is preferably selectively moved between a first storage position disposed below mattress  103  to a second use position disposed within central aperture  204  by carriage means  230 . Carriage means  230  is preferably similarly controlled via remote control  213  or by other suitable control means accessible by a patient or other individual disposed in hospital bed  200 . Carriage means  230  preferably further comprises support means, such as tray  235 , on which bedpan  120  is preferably removably disposed, for supporting bedpan  120  at least during storage, use, and movement thereof. Carriage means  230  preferably further comprises lid  237  for sealing bedpan  120  against spillage of waste contained therein or escape of unwanted odors when bedpan  120  is disposed in the first storage position. Preferably, as carriage means  230  moves bedpan  120  into the second use position in central aperture  204 , carriage means  230  also removes lid  237  from bedpan  120 , such as by maintaining lid  237  in a fixed position while bedpan  120  is moved. Bedpan  120  is preferably similarly accessible from a side of hospital bed  200  such that a nurse or other assistant may retrieve bedpan  120  periodically for cleaning or replacement, such as by pulling bedpan  120  in the direction of either of arrows  250  and  251 . 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , Alternative hospital bed  300  is shown including automated bedpan  120  of the present invention. Hospital bed  300  preferably includes removable mattress section  305  that is selectively operable to create opening  304  in mattress  303 . Bedpan  120  is preferably selectively operable to move from a first storage position in sealing engagement beneath lid  337  to a second use position within opening  304 . 
         [0036]    Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.