Patient movement system, method, and apparatus

A patient movement system comprises a rotatable section coupled to a frame that moves in a horizontal plane. A hoist assembly is coupled to the rotatable section and spins relative to the rotatable section. The hoist assembly may be positioned by the rotatable section. The hoist assembly includes a first motor coupled to a first linearly moving pulley by a first linkage. The first linkage includes horizontal and vertical sections of travel, whereby the vertical sections of travel decrease when the horizontal sections of travel increase. The hoist assembly includes a second motor coupled to a second linearly moving pulley by a second linkage. The second linkage includes horizontal and vertical sections of travel, whereby the vertical sections of travel are decrease when the horizontal sections of travel increase. The hoist assembly may include additional pulleys to guides the first and second linkages.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a patient movement aid for immobilized and other incapacitated individuals who desire to move to and from their beds, wheelchairs, bathtubs, etc. and, more particularly, to a system, method, and apparatus moving a person from one location to another.

BACKGROUND

When an immobilized or incapacitated person attempts to move from one location to another, he or she usually relies on others for assistance. Due to the nature of the person's immobilization, physical movements can be difficult to nearly impossible in some instances. In many situations, coordinating the movements of an immobilized and/or incapacitated person with an assisting person oftentimes is a great inconvenience to the assisting person and a great cost to the immobilized person.

Devices are available to assist immobilized and incapacitated persons to some degree. For example, lifting devices may be used to lift and move an immobilized or incapacitated person from one position or location to another. Many lifting devices are operated by two or more operators in addition to the person being lifted. Often the controls of the lifting device are placed at one location for a first user to operate, such as a nurse, while a second user simultaneously assists the patient to protect against problem or injury. In addition, many current lifts are plagued by nonfluidity of motion, such that the person being lifted can be suddenly dropped, which may actually cause additional injury to that person.

Moreover, other lifts commonly have a single lifting point, which can crumple the patient into an uncomfortable position. Stated another way, such lifts may comprise a single cable with a nonrigid harness that essentially squeezes the patient's arms and legs during lifting. These are but a few of the numerous deficiencies with current patient lifting devices.

A heretofore unaddressed need exists to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a patient movement apparatus for lifting persons who may be immobilized or incapacitated in some respect. Patient movement devices may be commonly used with immobilized or incapacitated patients to assist a caregiver in performing a variety of functions. This movement device can be used to transport the patient or other persons from a seated or resting position to another resting position or it can be used to transport the patient to a bathing facility, lavatory, or other locations. This movement device may be used for assisting a caregiver to bathe and clothe a patient, as a nonlimiting example.

For purposes of this disclosure, reference is made to the person being lifted as the patient, but that reference is merely a nonlimiting example. One of ordinary skill in the art would know that the movement device could be implement to lift persons, animals, objects, etc.

This patient movement apparatus of this disclosure allows an operator (such as, in one nonlimiting example, a patient or caregiver) to change the patient's position in numerous ways. The device allows for a sitting position as well as elevation of a person's lower back, hip, or upper legs. As a nonlimiting example, a patient may be lowered into a whirlpool, wheelchair, bed, or other desired location by the patient movement device disclosed herein. Operation of the device can be performed by a caregiver or an individual using his or her own controls.

The patient movement system and apparatus comprise a rotatable section coupled to a frame that moves in a horizontal plane. A hoist assembly is coupled to the rotatable section and spins relative to the rotatable section. The hoist assembly may be positioned by the rotatable section. The hoist assembly includes a first motor coupled to a first linearly moving pulley by a first linkage. The first linkage includes horizontal and vertical sections of travel, whereby the vertical sections of travel decrease when the horizontal sections of travel increase. The hoist assembly includes a second motor coupled to a second linearly moving pulley by a second linkage. The second linkage includes horizontal and vertical sections of travel, whereby the vertical sections of travel decrease when the horizontal sections of travel increase. The hoist assembly may include additional pulleys to guides the first and second linkages.

FIG. 1is a diagram of the patient movement apparatus100with patient (or other person) lying in bed42. In this nonlimiting example, patient movement apparatus100comprises a hoist assembly24, a rotating arm assembly25, vertical support35, and base supports36and37. The total height of the patient movement apparatus100may vary depending on allowed ceiling space and individual surface to surface height parameters. One of ordinary skill would know that the cables couple to a body sling (not shown) or other similar device for supporting the person being lifted. Also evident to one with skill in the art, the height and length of the members34,35,36, and37may vary depending on different applications. Also, altering adjustable leg units33may modify the height of the device.

FIG. 2is a side view of a patient lying in bed42. The view in this non-limiting example is shown without patient movement apparatus100. Operation of the patient movement apparatus100allows the head and upper back of a patient to be raised into a sitting position. This figure illustrates but a few of the many positions available to the patient when using the patient movement apparatus100. As is easily discernible to one with skill in the art, the infinite number of body positions is achieved by cable slings39and40, which are independently adjustable by patient movement apparatus100.

FIG. 3is an illustration showing lift positions that may be maintained by patient movement apparatus100. Operation of the patient movement apparatus100(not shown inFIG. 3), in this nonlimiting example, allows lower back, hip, and upper legs to be raised above the bed or into other positions. Patient movement apparatus100allows the desired body position illustrated inFIG. 2to be maintained when the patient is lifted, as shown inFIG. 3. As illustrated in bothFIGS. 2 and 3, cable slings39and40are independently adjustable to allow the patient's body to be positioned as desired. It should also be noted that cable slings39and40are not limited to two in number. Plus, cable slings39and40may also be used to lift and rotate the patient, such as to turn the patient from his or her front side to his or her back side.

FIG. 4is a top-view diagram of patient movement apparatus100with hoist assembly24and rotating arm assembly25. This illustration further demonstrates a range of travel for rotating arm assembly25from a bed42to a floor area (or vice versa) where a whirlpool, wheelchair, or other equipment can be accessed. Either the patient or a caregiver can operate the patient movement apparatus100to control this movement operation.

This view also shows base support member36, which may be configured at varied lengths to provide stability for patient movement apparatus100. Base support36is coupled to base support37.

InFIG. 4, rotating arm assembly25is shown in two positions, as is hoist assembly24. These positions are only nonlimiting examples to illustrate a range of motion between at least two separate locations-such as between bed42and a wheelchair (not shown) that may be positioned alongside bed42. Rotating arm assembly25rotates, in this nonlimiting example, about point21.

FIG. 5is a diagram of an adjustable leg unit33, which includes foot plate30; threaded leg31; and an insert fastened in a leg section32, all as nonlimiting examples. Threaded leg31may be extended from or into section32to adjust the height of leg unit33. In this nonlimiting example, adjustable leg units33are located at the starred locations ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a partial diagram of hoist assembly24(fromFIG. 1) showing pulley assemblies4aand4c, travel shaft12aand12b, end cap bearing6, gear motor13, gear unit14, head assembly plate10, and foot assembly plate11. As is discussed in more detail below, each motor13causes travel shafts12aand12b, which may be screws, to rotate. As they rotate, pulley assemblies4aand4bmove linearly toward end plates10or11, depending on the direction of rotation of shafts12aand12b. End cap bearings6supports the travel shafts12aand12bwhile allowing each shaft to rotate.

FIG. 7is another partial diagram of hoist assembly24depicting guide bars3and their assemblies for operation with the head and foot mounting plates10and11of the pulley assembly. Also included inFIG. 7are travel guide slide15, travel plates1and2, securing nut8, and cable drop40. One should also note that althoughFIGS. 6 and 7are shown as the right and left sides of hoist assembly24, respectively, these depictions could easily be mirrored such that the device operates in the opposite direction. Further, as is obvious to one with skill in the art, this concept can be applied throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 8provides a top view of a portion of hoist assembly24and illustrates movements for raising and lowering a patient. Operation begins when motor13turns a travel shaft5and moves travel plate1linearly from a head assembly plate10to a foot assembly plate11(or vice versa). More specifically, motor13turns shaft5, which communicates movement to gear unit14. Gears in unit14cause travel shaft12ato rotate. Travel plate1is coupled to shaft by, as a nonlimiting example, a screw and nut assembly, which moves plate1linearly as travel shaft12arotates.

The travel plate1moves toward the foot assembly plate11to lower cable sling39at the head assembly plate10. Similarly, travel plate1may also move toward the head assembly plate10to raise cable sling39at the head assembly plate10. As travel plate1moves, the length of cable39aand39bbetween pulleys4aand41cas well as pulleys4band41dis lengthened or shortened, thereby causing a respective raising or lowering action of the patient.

FIG. 9is an illustration of head mounting plate10, including a motor13. Also shown in this illustration is rotating pin22, brace23, face mounting brackets44, cable sling39, securing nuts8(coupled to guide3), and end cap bearing6(which is for the travel shaft for the A-drive). Like as indicated above, as B-drive motor13turns, movement is communicated to gear unit14, which rotates travel shaft12. One of ordinary skill would know that various motor assemblies and configurations may substitute for the nonlimiting example shown herein.

FIG. 10is an illustration of foot mounting plate11providing the face of a motor13mounted to brace23. In addition to the elements from previous figures,FIG. 10also includes cable sling40, which may be used for lower body lifting. Plus, A-drive motor13and gear unit14operate like their counterparts ofFIG. 9to rotate shaft12.

FIG. 11is an illustration of an iso-exploded view of hoist assembly24including end-mounting plate10(but without plate11to better show select components).FIG. 11also demonstrates cable dead-ends29. As shafts12aand12brotate, plates1and2move accordingly in an orientation between end plates10and11. This movement causes the length of cables39and40to change, as a portion of each cable's respective length changes horizontally between plates10and11.

As a nonlimiting example, when motor13moves gear reduction unit14a, shaft12amoves plate1toward end plate10. At the same time, the cables39aand39bbetween pulleys4a/4band41c/41d, respectively, lengthen. This lengthening causes the ends of cables39aand39bto move upward toward pulleys41aand41b, respectively. Of course, rotating motor13in the opposite direction causes the opposite result, which is that cables39aand39bmove down away from pulleys41aand41b, respectively. (This action works as well in regard to the B-drive motor coupled to end plate10.)

FIG. 12is similar toFIG. 11, with the addition of brace23, mounting plate28, linear bearing runner15, foot assembly plate11, motor13, and mounting bracket7. Brace23couples to arm assembly25ofFIG. 4. Brace23includes an open section23a, wherein it is coupled to rotating arm assembly25. This open section23aenables the entire hoist assembly to rotate about rotating arm assembly25. If desired, a light may be positioned in the bottom surface of slide plate2, which may be operable by the person being lifted to aid in operating the present invention and/or merely for reading, etc.

FIG. 13is a diagram of an arm assembly25including barrel hinges26(as a nonlimiting example) fastened to a back member27and vertical member35. Also illustrated inFIG. 13is gear motor17(which rotates hoist assembly24), gear motor18(which rotates the rotating arm assembly25), fixed swivel rotating pin21, and rotating arm top swivel plate43. Plate43is coupled to the end of member35but is not in contact with arm25. Instead, pin21is coupled to plate43and to rotating arm assembly25, as described below, to provide a basis point of rotation for rotating arm assembly25.

FIG. 14is a perspective view of the rotating arm assembly ofFIG. 13, also including gear motors17and18in relation to the drive assemblies and barrel hinges26. Additionally included inFIG. 14are, as nonlimiting examples, double roller drive sprockets19and20. Double roller drive sprockets19aand19brotate brace23and hoist assembly24, and double roller drive sprockets20aand20brotate the entire rotating arm assembly25. One of ordinary skill would know that other types of devices could be used in place of motors17and18. As a nonlimiting example, a worm gear motor could be used instead such that the motor turns a screw that stays in mechanical communication with double roller drive sprockets19and20.

FIG. 15is a diagram of a rotating arm assembly25coupled to brace23, which couples to hoist assembly24(not shown). As shown inFIG. 15, brace23rotates about pin22, as controlled by motor17. In this nonlimiting example, cutout shape23aestablishes the range of motion of brace23.

As a nonlimiting example,FIG. 16depicts a person being lifted from a bed42to a wheelchair94by patient movement apparatus100. The motion is depicted by persons “a,” “b,” and “c,” which represent different positions. In this nonlimiting example, hoist assembly24may lift the person from the bed into position “a.” Thereafter, rotating arm assembly25may be rotated to move the person to position “b,” and then to position “c,” as described above. Thereafter, hoist assembly24may be controlled, as described above, by the person to lower the person into wheelchair94, according to cables39(not shown) and40.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 17, patient movement apparatus100can be applied to move the patient/person from a wheelchair94to a bathtub96. In this nonlimiting example, the patient movement apparatus100may be coupled to a wall and thereby omit base and floor units35,36, and37, as described above. Hoist assembly24may be controlled by the patient to lift herself from wheelchair94in position “e.” Thereafter, rotating arm assembly25may be rotated by motor18, as described above to position “f.” Then, hoist assembly24may be controlled to lower the person to tub96into position “g.” As patient movement apparatus100may be coupled to a wall in this nonlimiting example, a person may have several devices100in a home so as to access chairs, tubs, tables, beds, etc.

FIG. 18is an illustration of hoist assembly24lifting a person in a wheelchair94labeled position “h” to bed42, labeled position “i.” Here, the wheelchair94is not parallel to the bed42. In other words, the person's original orientation is not the same as the desired orientation. As discussed above, hoist assembly24may be rotated to angles that are not parallel to the initial position of rest. More specifically, motor17may rotate brace23, which is coupled to rotating arm assembly24. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that the hoist assembly24is configurable at a multitude of receiving and depositing angles.

Instead of brace23being affixed to rotating arm assembly25, an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure provides for coupling the hoist assembly24to a track or trolley system (not shown), whereby the patient can travel along a path defined by the track or trolley. As a nonlimiting example, the patient using this device could have mobility within the person's home so equipped with the track or trolley system. A track or trolley system could be configured so that the device can hoist a patient from the bed in the bedroom and travel along a track to the bathtub, where the patient may be lowered. The track or trolley could enable the user to utilize other region of a home or other area so as to provide freedom of movement within that environment.