PATIENT LIFTING AND TRANSPORT DEVICE

A transport device for assisting in the movement of patients, the transport device consisting essentially of a frame that includes a seat portion having a back edge and a back support portion having a bottom edge joined upright to the back edge of the seat portion, each portion being a planar, rigid material, and having a plurality of lift openings disposed through the seat portion and the back support portion, along each side edge and the top edge of the back support portion. The seat portion can have a seat opening in the general shape of a toilet bowl opening, and a removable covering plate configured to be removably placed over the seat opening. A comfort pad can be attached with mechanical fasteners to the top surface of the covering plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a transport device10having a rigid seat portion20and a rigid back support portion40that is joined to the back edge of the seat portion at a fixed joint61. The seat portion20and back support portion40can be made of the same planar material that is folded at the joint61, or from separate materials that are affixed at the joint. Typical material is a panel of thermoplastic material, including, without limitation, polypropylene and high density polyethylene, typically from 10 to 20 mm thickness, sufficient to support the weight of an adult patient in use, and sufficient to remain rigid when the seat portion is slid under a patient lying on a bed or seated in a wheelchair.

The seat portion is substantially rectangular, and has an ovoid- or tear-drop-shaped passage opening21formed in the center. The upper edges of the opening are beveled to prevent snagging of the skin over the edge. At least one hand-hold opening22, typically having rounded ends, is position at each lateral side near the front edge of the seat portion20. Inboard of each hand-hold opening22is a strap opening23through which a nylon strap24can be threaded for securing the legs of the patient that extend over the front edge of the seat portion20during transport.

The back support portion40extends upward from the seat portion at a slight angle x for seated comforted. The back portion includes an upper portion48and a lower portion49that joins to the seat portion20. At least one hand-hold opening(s)42and45, typically having rounded ends, are position at each lateral side near the top edge of the back support portion40, and/or near the top edge thereof. A centrally disposed upper hand-hold opening46is disposed at the top edge of the back support portion40. Inboard of each hand-hold opening42is a strap opening43through which a nylon strap44can be threaded for securing the upper body or torso of the patient in the upright, seated position during transport.

The fixed joint61can be formed with the back support40extending upward from the seat portion20from a single planar material. After the shape of the portion is cut or stamped, the material along the joint61is heat to a plastic softening temperature sufficient to allow the back portion40to be bent at the joint61relative to the seat portion20. An heated angled iron can also be impressed along the joint61line to melt the plastic material and create a v-shaped groove that is collapsed when the back support portion is folded upward. After cooling, the joint61provides a plastic weld of equivalent strength to the original planar material.

It is understood that the hand-hold openings are disposed a distance from the side edges of the seat portion and back support portion sufficient for structural integrity, to avoid breaking when an adult patient is lifted. It is also understood that lifting with a force F can be accomplished using conventional hoists.

As shown inFIG. 3, a removable covering plate50can be placed over the seat opening21to allow the patient more comfort during transport.FIGS. 4a,4band4cshows three types of covering plates. The shape of the plates should be sufficient to cover the opening21, and is illustrated as rectangular. Typically, the material of the covering plate is the same as for the transport device. To maintain the covering plate50in position over the opening21, a rim51is provided on the underside52. The rim includes outer edges that are configured to register with and engage the inner edges of the opening21, to prevent the covering plate50from easily sliding away from over the opening21during use. The covering plate50ahas a solid-fill plate51athat has a periphery that matches the periphery of the inner edge of the opening21. Covering plate50bhas a ringed plate51bthat has extends in a closed track that matches the periphery of the inner edge of the opening21. Covering plate50chas a plurality of tabs51cthat are positioned spaced-apart along a periphery that matches the periphery of the inner edge of the opening21.

FIG. 6shows a comfort pad65can be attached to the upper side53of the covering plate50to aid comfort to the bottom of the patient. Mechanical fastener members54, typically the hook members, are adhesively attached on the top surface53near the edges, and mating mechanical fastener elements, the hook material (not shown), are fastened to the bottom side64of a standard pad65in registry with the hook fastener elements54. The comfort pad65can extend laterally beyond the side edges of the covering plate50to maximize comfort pad surface.

The transport device, also referred to as a lift patient wheelchair seat, is designed to fit beneath a patient seated in a wheelchair to enable caregivers to lift the patient from the wheelchair and place the patient in a seated position on a toilet, bed, exam table, etc. It can also be used to move a patient from a supine position to seated position in order to transport him to a wheelchair or other surface.

In the broadest aspects of the invention, the device can be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or wood. The handhold openings and straps can be placed at strategic locations on the device to allow caregivers the ability to grasp the device and lift the patient safely while in a stable, yet comfortable sitting position, to any other surface. The materials of the device, the seat covering and the pad are designed to be impervious to liquids and other bodily excretions, making for easier cleaning and improved sanitary conditions, over other similar devices such as canvas. The device can also be provided with lifting straps that are designed to attach to a hydraulic or manual lifting apparatus such as a Hoyer Lift for patients that may require mechanical lifting help.

The device may be used to move a supine patient to a sitting position by sliding the back of the unit beneath him, lifting his knees over the seat portion, applying safety straps and then lifting him to a sitting position.

The transport device is different from devices for the same purpose in numerous ways. Most devices for the same purpose are made of a flexible material such as canvas cloth which is very uncomfortable for the patient being lifted or transferred, which can cause injury to a patient as he is often squeezed and scrunched up like a sack of potatoes during lifting. Some canvas “slings” have an opening for the patient to use on a commode for going to the toilet. This often results in very unsanitary conditions as these devices are made from a cloth material making it difficult to clean up the patient and the device after body fluids and excretions may have soiled the area.

FIGS.2and7-10show the ornamental appearance of the transport device in various orthogonal views.