Abstract:
A patient transfer device allows diagnostic testing such as X-rays, MRI, CAT scans, etc. to be performed upon a patient while the patient remains on the transfer device. Such a device allows a patient, and especially an injured patient, to remain on the same transfer device during transport to a hospital or care center, to and from a room or a waiting area, to and from a testing area, and to and from a treatment area, eliminating the need to repeated move the patient onto and off of conventional transport devices or beds. Allowing the patient to remain on the same transport device relatively undisturbed minimizes any further injury to the patient caused by repeated movement of an injured body part.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Related Applications  
         [0002]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/690,534, filed Jun. 15, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.  
         [0003]     2. The Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to a patient transfer device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a patient transfer device which allows diagnostic testing such as imaging using X-rays to be performed upon the patient without removal of the patient from the transfer device.  
         [0005]     3. State of the Art  
         [0006]     Medical and veterinary staff often find it necessary to move patients from one bed or location to another. Several devices exist for the purpose of making these activities easier, and have the added benefit of reducing friction and the mechanical force required to move a patient from one surface to another. It is however appreciated that moving an injured patient is often harmful or somewhat risky to the patient as further injury may occur. This is especially the case where an injury involves broken bones or damaged tissue.  
         [0007]     Patients, and in particular patients that are incapacitated and cannot move, are often placed on a widely used and commonly known plastic transfer boards. The transfer boards are used to transport a patient to a hospital or care facility, to and from beds, examination beds and tables, diagnostic machines, etc. Patients which are being treated at a hospital or care facility are often required to have x-ray films taken of a certain body part. The patient is typically transferred to a more specialized X-ray table.  
         [0008]     The placement of films under the patient, and also the transfer of patients from surface to surface pose several significant problems for the patient and or medical staff. The patient is typically not capable of moving under their own power if a transfer board is being used, and movement of the patient to and from a transfer board is not easy for medical personnel. Movement of the patient may damage injured body parts, cause the patient pain, or otherwise aggravate a medical problem.  
         [0009]     It is easily appreciated that a problem exists with the current means of patient transport, in particular relating to Emergency Medical Services, and the backboards by which they transport patients. For example, a patient is placed on a backboard, in the field, and then is transferred repeatedly from surface to surface or even from board to board within the hospital setting. The patient may be repeatedly moved between the EMS backboard, hospital bed, hospital transfer board, examination bed, surgery bed, etc. The number of times which a patient may be moved increases discomfort and risk of bodily injury to the patient.  
         [0010]     Also, a problem exists with current transfer boards in that the handles that are attached to the transfer board frequently get in the way and hinder movement of a patient onto and off of the transfer board. A further problem also exists with current transfer boards in that the transfer/transport boards are not comfortable for patients which may spend extended amounts of time resting on them. Discomfort, and possibly tissue damage such as bruising or ulceration, may occur when a person remains in one position  
         [0011]     There is thus a need for a patient transfer device which overcomes the limitations of available devices and methods for transferring patients and performing diagnostic tests upon the same. Specifically, there is a need for a patient transfer device which allows a patient to remain on the device during transfer or transport, and during diagnostic testing such as X-rays.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved patient transfer (or transport) device and method for using the same.  
         [0013]     According to one aspect of the invention, a patient transfer device is provided which provides greater comfort for a patient on the device. The device may be constructed with flexible materials which allow the device to conform somewhat to the patient&#39;s body. Additionally, a device may be constructed which provides a padded surface for the patient to rest on.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect of the invention, a transfer device may be provided which allows diagnostic testing such as X-rays or MRIs to be performed on the patient without removing the patient from the device. The device may be constructed from a material which does not block or otherwise hinder the diagnostic test. Thus X-rays, for example, may pass through the device so as to allow X-ray images to be taken of the patient while on the transfer device. The X-ray film may be placed below the device, or in pockets or openings in the device. The device may also have an arm or other means for holding X-ray film or the like to the side of or in a desired position around a patient on the device, allowing X-ray images to be created of virtually any part of the patient&#39;s body without moving the patient from the transport device or otherwise adjusting the position of the patient.  
         [0015]     According to another aspect of the invention, a transport device is provided which provides sufficient rigidity for transporting a patient while at the same time allowing the performing of diagnostic tests such as taking X-rays while the patient is on the device. The transport device may be formed with multiple layers to thereby increase the rigidity of the device. The device may also be formed with reinforcing structures such as ribs or channels to thereby increase the rigidity.  
         [0016]     According to another aspect of the invention, a transport device may be provided which is formed with retractable handles. The handles may be extended or otherwise positioned to allow medical personnel to move the device and patient, and retracted to allow for storage, diagnostic testing, etc.  
         [0017]     These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are realized in a patient transfer device as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a partial side view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a partial view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a partial top view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a partial top view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  shows an end view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of an arm of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  shows a partial perspective view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  shows a side view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  shows a bottom view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of a reinforcing structure of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 23  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 24  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 25  shows a cross sectional view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 26  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 27  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 28  shows a partial cutaway view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0047]      FIG. 29  shows a top view of a slider of the present invention;  
         [0048]      FIG. 30  shows a cross sectional view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 31  shows a bottom view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0050]      FIG. 32  shows a bottom view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0051]      FIG. 33  shows a bottom view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 34  shows a top view of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0053]      FIG. 35  shows a top view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0054]      FIG. 36  shows a perspective view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0055]      FIG. 37  shows an end view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0056]      FIG. 38  shows an end view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention;  
         [0057]      FIG. 39  shows a perspective view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention; and  
         [0058]      FIG. 40  shows a perspective view of a handle of a patient transport device of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0059]     It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The various embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that not all aspects of the invention may be clearly shown in a single figure. Thus, multiple figures may be used to illustrate the various aspects of a single embodiment of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0060]     The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0061]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a top view of a patient transport device according to the present invention is shown. The transport device is typically the size of a person, and may be about 6 feet long and about 2 feet wide. Other sizes may be formed for children, animals, etc. The transport device  10  is formed with an upper layer  14  and a lower layer  18  having an opening  22  formed therebetween. The upper layer  14  and lower layer  18  are typically joined at various locations along the transport device (such as the ends and possibly in the central portion) to thereby form a unitary device of sufficient rigidity to carry a patient. The opening  22  allows for the insertion of X-ray film between the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18  for diagnostic testing, as will be discussed in greater detail.  
         [0062]     The transport device  10  is typically formed with handles  26  formed therein to facilitate carrying the transport device and thereby transporting a patient. The handles  26  may be formed in the upper layer  14 , lower layer  18 , or both. It is appreciated that the locations of the handles  26  are often chosen to best support the weight of the patient along the device  10 , and as such it is common to form handles on the ends of the device and in the center of the sides of the device.  
         [0063]     A significant purpose of the present invention is to provide a transport device which does not interfere with diagnostic testing such as X-rays, MRI, CAT scans, etc. As such, the device must be made of appropriate materials and in appropriate thicknesses and shapes to not interfere with such tests. Typically, the transport device is made with materials which allows transmission of a significant amount of the testing rays, etc. through the device. Herein, the term “radio translucent” is used to denote materials and construction which allows substantial transmission of the waves or frequencies used for X-rays, MRI, CAT scans, and the like. Such materials may include plastics and other materials which do not significantly occlude the testing rays. It is commonly known that many materials will transmit a substantial portion of these desired testing waves when relatively thin, but will not transmit sufficient amounts of the testing waves when too thick. Thus, radio translucent as used herein means that the desired areas of the patient transport device are constructed of an appropriate material at an appropriate thickness so as to not interfere with diagnostic testing such as X-rays, MRI, CAT scans, etc. It is appreciated that one material may be suitable for X-rays, where another material is better suited for different types of tests. It is also appreciated that many materials such as metals will block or otherwise significantly interfere with these testing rays even when very thin, and as such are not within the definition of radio translucent and are inappropriate for forming the body of the transport device.  
         [0064]     Even materials such as plastics will interfere with these testing rays if they are too thick. As such, the device is typically formed with layers of materials which are thin enough to not significantly interfere with testing. One suitable material is polypropylene. The device  10  may be formed with a relatively thin (often between 1 inch and ⅛ of an inch, and more often about ⅜ or ¼ of an inch) upper layer  14  and lower layer  18 , both formed of polypropylene. The device may alternatively be formed of other materials or combinations of materials. It is appreciated that the X-rays need only pass through the upper layer  14  relatively unobstructed if the X-ray film is placed between the upper layer and the lower layer  18 , and as such the lower layer may be thicker for strength.  
         [0065]     It is appreciated that many other materials such as polyethylene, acrylic, etc. may be selected based upon desired characteristics such as optical clarity, strength, resilience, etc. so long as the material does not interfere with the desired testing. Thus, the device may be formed with a combination of different materials.  
         [0066]     The transport device  10  may also typically include a sliding mechanism  30  (a “slider”). The sliding mechanism or slider may be used to facilitate the placement of X-ray film or the like between the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18 . As the upper layer  14  is commonly formed of relatively thin plastic, the weight of patient on the transport device will bend the upper layer into contact with the lower layer. The slider  30  is disposed between the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18  and may be used to open or widen the opening  22  between the upper layer and lower layer to facilitate the placement of X-ray film or the like. Additionally, a T handle  34  or other pushing and/or pulling device may be included to further facilitate the placement of the film in the opening  22 . The bottom layer  18  may extend beyond the top layer  14  to allow for easier placement of X-ray film, etc.  
         [0067]     A notch  36 , in addition to holes or the like, may be formed in the transport device  10  to allow for easy attachment of medical equipment, such as endotracheal tubes, monitoring lines, IV lines, mounting poles, and the like. Such equipment may be attached to the transport device by bolts, bands, straps, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc.  
         [0068]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of an alternate patient transport device  10 ′ which is similar to that of  FIG. 1  except that it has arms  42  which are configured to receive and hold in a desired position X-ray film or the like. It is appreciated that the arms  42  may be formed in a variety of different shapes, and are typically configured to position X-ray film adjacent the transport device to allow for taking of X-ray images of the patient from a variety of angles.  
         [0069]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . It is seen that the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18  are joined at the ends  46  of the transport device. Joiner pieces  50  may be used to create a space  22  between the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18 . It can be also seen that the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18  need not be the same thickness. One may be thicker than the other. The slider is not shown for clarity.  
         [0070]      FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of an end  46  of the patient transport device  10  of  FIG. 1 . It can be seen how a handle  26  is formed in the upper layer  14 . It is also appreciated that the upper layer  14  need not extend so far, and the handle  26  may thus be formed in the upper layer  14 , lower layer  18 , and joiner piece  50 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 5  shows a partial cross sectional view of an end  46  of the patient transport device  10  of  FIG. 1 . It can be seen how the slider  30  is used to aid in the formation of the opening  22  between the upper layer  14  and lower layer  18 . The slider  30  may be made slightly thicker than the opening  22  as shown, or may be made slightly thinner or the same thickness as the opening as is desired. The upper layer  14  may be slightly unattached as shown at  54  to facilitate placement of an X-ray film close to the end of the opening  22 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the slider  30  of  FIG. 1 . The slider  30  may be formed with bearings (termed bearings, these are typically rollers or wheels)  58 , and may include wheels which only extend from the top, and wheels  62  which only extend from the bottom to allow the slider to move easily. Such top wheels  58  and bottom wheels  62  may be arranged in an alternating pattern.  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the slider of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of an alternate construction of slider  30  of  FIG. 1  where the slider  30  has retractable handles  66 .  FIG. 9  shows a detail of  FIG. 8 , showing how a spring  70  or other biasing device may be used to bias the handle  66  towards the slider  30 .  FIG. 10  shows another view of the handle  66  in an extended position.  FIG. 11  shows a side view of the slider  30  of  FIG. 8 , showing the extension and retraction of handle  66 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of the transport device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The transport device  10  may be made somewhat flexible (shown exaggerated here) so as to conform somewhat to a patient&#39;s body, increasing the patients comfort. Such flexing and conformation may occur where a patient is kept on a transport device even when on a bed so as to facilitate transportation for X-ray or other testing without lifting the patient off the bed and onto a transport device. Keeping the patient on a transport device during periods of moving a patient to a hospital or care center, waiting, testing, etc. may minimize unintentional bending or moving of the patient&#39;s body, thereby minimizing the risk of additional injury.  
         [0075]      FIG. 13  illustrates how the transport device  10  of  FIG. 1  may be formed with hinged joints  74  to facilitate some bending as discussed above.  
         [0076]      FIG. 14  shows a cross sectional view of the transport device  10  of  FIG. 1  and illustrates how the device may be formed with elevated handles  26 , or elevated side walls, to facilitate movement of the transport device or to increase the resistance of the transport device to bending.  
         [0077]      FIG. 15  illustrates how the transport device may be formed with a lattice  78  if such is desired to increase patient comfort. Such should be accomplished with minimal impact on the ability to perform X-ray imaging and other diagnostic testing.  
         [0078]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the transport device  10  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating how an arm  82  may be attached to the device  10 . The arm  82  is not shown in  FIG. 1  for clarity. The arm  82  may be a flexible arm, or a hinged arm, etc. and typically includes a clamp  86  or other means for holding a piece of X-ray film  90  or other necessary diagnostic equipment or supplies. Thus, the arm  82  allows an X-ray to be taken of areas or views of a patient without moving the patient. For example, a top view of the patient&#39;s arm may be taken by placing the film under the patient in the opening ( 22 ,  FIG. 1 ) and a side view may be taken by using arm  82  to position the film nest to the patient&#39;s arm. The device thus allows X-rays or other diagnostic testing to be performed from a variety of directions without repositioning the patient. The various structures detailed in  FIG. 1  are not shown in this figure for clarity, but are understood to be part of the Figure.  
         [0079]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of an alternate configuration of the transport device  10 ″ of  FIG. 1 . The transport device  10 ″ includes a plurality of extendable handles  94 . The handles  94  may extend and retract into the body of the device  10 ″. Alternatively, extension handles  94  may be formed with flexible straps connected to handle portions.  FIG. 18  shows a top view of the patient transport device  10 ″ of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 19  shows a detailed perspective view of a possible construction method for the transport devices previously shown (device  10  of  FIG. 1 , device  10 ′ of  FIG. 2 , device  10 ″ of  FIG. 17 ). The transport device may be formed with a layer of padding  98  attached to the upper layer  14 . The padding  98  will typically be a foam such as polyurethane. The padding  98  may significantly add to patient comfort while having a minimal effect on any interference the device would have on diagnostic testing. The device may also be constructed with attachment points  102  for removably attaching handles to the device.  FIG. 20  shows a side view of the construction method of  FIG. 19 , illustrating how the padding  98  would typically extend across the upper surface of the device.  
         [0081]      FIG. 21  shows a bottom view of a transport device ( 10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″), illustrating how the lower layer  18  of the device may be alternatively formed with channels or ridges  106  extending along the device, or formed with a lateral support assembly  106  attached to the device at attachment points  110 .  FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of the lateral support assembly  106  of  FIG. 21 , illustrating how transverse support members  114  may be attached to the lateral support assembly  106 , and integrated into the device.  
         [0082]      FIG. 23  shows a top view of the patient transport device  10  (it will be appreciated that this discussion applies to all of the devices shown herein  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″) illustrating how the transport device  10  may receive X-ray film  114 ,  114 ′,  114 ″ or other diagnostic equipment or supplies. The film  114  may be inserted into the opening  22  in the device  10 , and may be inserted to any desired depth and at any desired position along the device. The slider ( 30 ,  FIG. 1 , not shown) may be used to aid in opening the opening  22  and creating a space to receive the film  114 .  FIG. 24  shows another top view of the device  10  as shown in  FIG. 23 . It is thus appreciated that the device allows X-rays and other diagnostic test to be performed without unnecessarily moving the patient from bed to bed or surface to surface.  
         [0083]     For performing X-rays and similar procedures, the patient is typically transported to a hospital and throughout a hospital on a transport device  10 , and often remains on the transport device until testing is completed. The patient is brought to a testing room and the patient and transport device are placed on a testing bed or table. X-ray film or the like are inserted into a desired location along the opening of the device and X-rays are taken. The arm previously shown may be used to take additional X-rays from different directions or along portions of the patient&#39;s body which are not accessible through the transport device. The transport device is constructed of appropriate types and thicknesses of material to not interfere with these tests. The patient may then be transported on the device to a desired room, operation room, etc. The device minimizes unnecessary moving of the patient onto and off of surfaces alone, which places much more stress on the patient&#39;s body. The above process is similar for MRI or CAT scans or other tests, with the exception that the patient and transport device may be placed together inside of a testing or imaging machine. The transport device is typically constructed of types and thicknesses of material which does not interfere with these tests.  FIG. 25  shows a cross sectional view of an X-ray film  114  being inserted into the transport device  10 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 26  shows a top view of a transport device  10  and a style of slider  30  as have been discussed previously. It is illustrated how the slider may be constructed for easy rotation as well as sliding linearly, allowing the slider  30  to pivot as shown ( 30 ′).  FIG. 27  shown another top view of the transport device  10  and slider  30  of  FIG. 26 , illustrating how the slider may move along a slot  118  which maintains the slider centered in the transport device.  FIG. 28  shows a cut away detailed view of the transport device  10  and slot  118  shown in  FIG. 27 , illustrating how the slider  30  may have a pivot  122  which keeps the slider in the slot and allow for linear movement of the slider along the slot and for pivoting of the slider.  
         [0085]      FIG. 29  shows a detailed view of the slider  30  of  FIG. 27 , illustrating how the slider may be formed with the pivot  122 , bearings or wheel assemblies  126  which allow easy movement of the slider, and handles  130  to facilitate movement of the slider, and if so designed, for carrying of the transport device  10  (not shown).  FIG. 30  shows a detailed cross sectional view of the slider  30  of  FIG. 27 , showing how the bearing  126  may be a ball captured in the slider  30 , and may include a bearing housing  134  or additional support  138 . Alternatively, the bearing may be a wheel or ball type bearing which extends only from one side of the slider  30  as previously shown, and may thus include multiple bearings alternatively extending from either side of the slider.  
         [0086]      FIG. 31  shows a bottom view of a transport device  10  illustrating how retractable handles  142  may be attached to the transport device. The handles  142  may be disposed in channels or slots  146  and slide in the channels or slots.  FIG. 32  further shows the handles  142  of  FIG. 31 , illustrating how the handles are extended, and how the slots  146  may be formed with stops  150  to limit the extension of the handles.  
         [0087]      FIG. 33  further illustrates the retractable handles  142  of  FIG. 31 , illustrating how the retractable handles may be attached to a carrying frame or handle extension  154 .  FIG. 34  shows another view of the extendable handles of  FIG. 33 , illustrating how the handles  142  may be pivotably attached to the transport device  10  and the frame or handle extension  154  pivotably attached to the handles  142 , allowing the assembly to pivot as shown for convenience in use.  
         [0088]      FIG. 35  further illustrates the handles  142  of  FIG. 31 , illustrating how the handles may comprise a handle portion  158  attached to a handle body  162  by a hinge  166 , allowing the handle portion to be bent to a desired position for use.  FIG. 36  shows a perspective view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 35 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 37  shows an alternate handle configuration whereby two handles  170  are attached together by a biasing member  174 , which may be an elastomeric member or a spring or the like. The biasing member  174  biases the handles  170  into a retracted position. The handles may have overlapping extensions  178  which may strengthen the handles.  FIG. 38  shows a view of the handles  170  of  FIG. 37  in an extended position, illustrating the biasing member  174  and overlapping extensions  178 .  FIG. 39  shows a perspective view of the handles  170  of  FIG. 37 .  
         [0090]      FIG. 40  shows a perspective view of a handle configuration whereby the handle  182  is formed with a ring  186  to either permanently or removably receive a handle extension such as shaft  190 . Such a handle extension may pass through multiple handles on the same side of the transport device (any of those shown herein) and form an elongated handle which is easy to use. Additionally, a removable extension shaft  190  may be formed of a rigid material such as steel without concern with interference with diagnostic tests, as it may be removed prior to testing procedures. Such illustrates another principle of the invention, that a transport device may include removable portions for use in transporting the device or in strengthening the device, but which may be removed so as to not interfere with diagnostic testing.  
         [0091]     There is thus disclosed an improved patient transfer device. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.