HOSPITAL/MEDICAL BED WITH INTEGRATED BEDPAN SYSTEM

An automated bedpan system integrated into a hospital bed comprising a hospital bed comprising a bed frame covered by a mattress. The mattress comprises a movable mattress section moved into and through a longitudinal covered, internal slot integrated into the mattress and an electric motor powering a mattress track system to move said moveable mattress section. The moveable mattress section functions to cover a portal in the mattress that can be opened and closed by the mattress track system. A bedpan movement system comprising a lift system for moving the bedpan up and down to the portal for patient use powered by an electric motor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field hospital/medical bed, more particularly to a hospital/medical bed mattress having an integrated bedpan system for automatic positioning under a patient.

2. Description of Related Art

Patients confined to a hospital or medical bed while recovering from an illness, surgery, or injury can face many challenges. A big challenge for anyone confined to a bed for a prolonged period of time remains bodily functions. Defecating and urinating can present significant problems. Problems that inevitably arise include lifting the patient onto a bedpan, keeping the patient clean as they repeatedly defecate while confined to their bed, moving the bed and patient to facilitate voiding into the bedpan, patients waiting for kelp to void (which can involve 4 to 6 people rolling the patient around on broken bones to clean them and the bed), and inflicted pain.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art a system for moving and positioning a bedpan in a hospital/medical bed to facilitate a patient's defecating and urinating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An automated bedpan system integrated into a hospital bed comprising a hospital bed comprising a bed frame covered by a mattress. The mattress comprises a movable mattress section moved into and through a longitudinal covered, internal slot integrated into the mattress and an electric motor powering a mattress track system to move said moveable mattress section. The moveable mattress section functions to cover a portal in the mattress that can be opened and closed by the mattress track system. A bedpan movement system comprising a lift system for moving the bedpan up and down to the portal for patient use powered by an electric motor.

The bedpan movement system further comprises a lateral bedpan track system for moving the bedpan laterally for access by a caregiver.

The bedpan movement system is integrated into the mattress, and the mattress further comprises a slot in the side associated with the bedpan movement system.

The bedpan movement system is integrated into an underside of the frame with a bedpan hole in the frame to accommodate raising and lowering the bedpan through the portal of the mattress.

The moveable mattress section comprises a block of mattress foam.

The moveable mattress section comprises a block of reinforced mattress foam about 8½ inches wide, 12 inches long, and 4½ inches high.

The bedpan comprises a removable plastic liner facilitating cleanup after use.

A fitted cover sheet with an elasticized opening fitting over the portal in the mattress.

The moveable mattress section stows inside the covered, internal slot during bedpan use.

The mattress comprises a reinforced box section that supports and secures the mechanical components of the movable mattress section, the covered, internal slot, and the mattress track system that opens and closes the bedpan portal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring toFIGS. 1-7B, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1depicts the basic components of the invention in a top view of a mattress. Hospital/medical mattress100includes a central mechanical section105housing mechanical components and an outer conventional mattress section107on each side. Central mechanical section105can essentially comprise a reinforced box section that supports and secures mechanical components a movable mattress section110that can move along a covered internal slot115using mattress track system120opening and closing bedpan portal111. The central mechanical section105can also include a bedpan125that can be elevated after moving mattress section105along mattress track system120through a created opening or portal in central mechanical section105. A bedpan track system130can move the bedpan laterally for removal. Standard mattress size can be about 36 inches wide and 80 inches long.

In an embodiment, the bedpan125can be positioned underneath the moving mattress section105. When needed, the moving mattress section105can be operated to move by mattress track system120along the covered internal slot115, exposing the retracted bedpan125. A bedpan lift system can raise the bedpan125into position for use and lower the bedpan125after use. Bedpan125can include a plastic liner to contain urine and stool for easy cleanup.

FIG. 2depicts a perspective view of a mattress with the components of the invention. Hospital/medical mattress200includes mattress205. Bedpan210can be inserted into mattress205through bedpan access slot240to engage with bedpan track system220along a bedpan tunnel230. A bedpan lift system215can raise and lower bedpan210for use by an occupant of hospital/medical mattress200. Movable mattress section220can move using mattress track system225along covered internal slot230.

FIG. 3depicts an alternative embodiment of the bedpan system integrated in the bedframe rather than the mattress. In the embodiment, bedframe300includes bedpan305that can move along bedpan track system310, and bedpan lift system315can raise and lower bedpan305for use. A bedpan hole320in bedframe300can permit bedpan lift system315to raise and lower bedpan320through a mattress for use.

FIG. 4shows details of the moving mattress section400. Moving mattress section400can be covered by a small fitted sheet405. The moving mattress section400can have a width410of about 8½ inches and a length415of about 12 inches with a height420of about 4½ inches. In an embodiment, the moving mattress section400can be constructed from egg crate foam. Movable mattress section400can move along track system120and be stowed in covered internal slot115while the bedpan125is used. The movable mattress section400can be stowed in the covered internal slot115during use. The bedpan125rises on the bedpan lift system215, which can be sturdy enough to support a patient. The patient does not need to move. An aide can use a cleaning wipe to clean the patient.

FIG. 5shows a bedpan500useable in the invention. Bedpan500comprises a standard stainless steel bedpan. Bedpan500can include a plastic liner into which a user defecates and urinates making cleanup very easy.

In an embodiment, bedpan500can be secured to bedpan track system130using four bolts on the bottom.

FIG. 6shows a side view of the mattress through the center with major components600. Hospital/medical mattress605includes a moving mattress section610and bedpan portal611for elevating the bedpan500through for use. Mattress track system615can transport movable mattress section longitudinally through a slot in the mattress605, which is operated by track mechanical system620. Track mechanical system620can comprise an electric motor. Bedpan625can be raised or lowered through portal611by bedpan lift system630, which can operate by hydraulics or mechanical gear means. Bedpan track system635can move the bedpan625in and out of mattress605through bedpan access slot640.

After bedpan625use, the bedpan625can be lowered by bedpan lift system630and moved laterally within the mattress using bedpan track system635out to bedpan access slot640for cleaning and reuse. The bedpan625with plastic liner can rest either within mattress605or under bed frame300(seeFIG. 3) while not in use. When needed, the bedpan moves into position by bedpan lift system630after the mattress track system615moves the moving mattress section610to open portal611for the bedpan640to be elevated. The patient can operate the system by pressing a control button. After use, an aide can easily change the plastic liner on the exposed bedpan625.

When finished with voiding, a patient can press a control button to operate the system. The bedpan625moves out to where an aide can empty the plastic liner. The clean bedpan625is then ready for reuse.

FIG. 7Ashows hospital/medical mattress705covered by fitted cover sheet710. An elasticized border715surrounds movable mattress section720. The fitted cover sheet710fits onto mattress705with an elasticized border fitting over the mattress705. The fitted sheet710includes an elasticized border715around the movable mattress section720.FIG. 7Bshows the mattress700with a cutaway section of the fitted cover sheet710. Also depicted is covered internal slot725within which the movable mattress section720can travel using mattress track system730.