Multi-purpose system for a hospital bed

A multi-purpose system for a bed includes a number of vertically movable lifting members that are parallel and spaced-apart elongated parts transversally connected to the bed. Furthermore, a mattress assembly that has spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces thereon that are sized to receive the corresponding movable lifting members therein, and an actuating mechanism coupled with the movable lifting members to vertically move the lifting members between a lowered position and a raised position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and apparatuses associated with beds, and particularly to a multi-purpose system for a hospital bed capable of changing the bed sheets while the bed is occupied and providing access to areas of interest under the patient's body.

BACKGROUND

Hardships of moving bedridden patients with low cognitive level in surgical wards and intensive care units or elderly care houses causes a compromise in the ideal number of times that a patient should be bathed or a patient's bed sheet should be changed. In conventional existing hospital beds, the patient must be moved before changing bed sheets. In many cases patients cannot leave the bed without the aid of others. This adds to the duties and difficulties of the patients' families and hospital staff, and more importantly, it may cause pain and discomfort to the patients. Changing bed sheets in a hospital or healthcare facility promotes cleanliness and prevents unnecessary infections, ulcers, injuries, etc. Changing a bed sheet while the patient is still on the hospital bed carries significant challenges, both for the patient, and the care-giver.

In conventional sheet changing methods, a patient on the old sheets is initially rotated on one side such as the left side, then a portion of the old sheets on the right side of the bed, which becomes accessible is folded, and then, new sheets are spread on the right side of the bed. After that, the patient is rotated to the right, over the spread portion of the new sheets, then the old sheets are removed, the remaining folded portion of the new sheets is spread, and finally the patient is positioned in the center of the bed. In this sheet changing method, the patient has to be moved and rotated, which may be uncomfortable or dangerous for a patient and burdensome for the care-taker.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art, for bed sheet changing methods and devices that can efficiently and hygienically change the sheets on a bed while keeping the sheets taut against the bed. There is also a need in the art for a compact and easy to use apparatus for changing bed sheets that can be used with both disposable and non-disposable sheets.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this disclosure, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of this disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

In an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, a multi-purpose system for a bed is disclosed. The system may include a number of vertically movable lifting members that are parallel and spaced-apart elongated parts transversally connected to the bed, a mattress assembly that has spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces thereon sized to receive the corresponding movable lifting members therein, and an actuating mechanism coupled with the movable lifting members to vertically move the lifting members between a lowered position and a raised position.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one movable lifting member may include a horizontal elongated part supported on parallel legs at one or either ends thereof and the parallel legs may pass through corresponding holes on either sides of the bed. The legs may be connected to the actuating mechanism.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal elongated part may include a horizontal tube-like part that has a first series of perforations in fluid communication with a first longitudinal channel provided in the tube-like part. The first longitudinal channel may be connected to a pressurized air source in order to provide pressurized air injection through the first series of perforations.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal elongated part may include a horizontal tube-like part that has a second series of perforations in fluid communication with a second longitudinal channel provided in the tube-like part. The second longitudinal channel may be connected to a vacuum source in order to provide suction through the second series of perforations.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal elongated part may include inflatable elongated compartments on either sides thereof. The elongated compartments may run along the sides of the horizontal elongated part and may also be in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The inflatable elongated compartments may be filled with pressurized air to fill the gap between the lifting members in the raised position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal elongated part may include elongated plates on either sides thereof. The elongated plates may run along the sides of the horizontal elongated part and they may also be hinged to the sides of the horizontal elongated part.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the elongated plates may pivot about the hinges from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position on either sides of the lifting member to fill a gap between lifting members in the raised position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lifting members in the raised position may be positioned above the mattress with a gap provided between the mattress and the lifting members. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lifting members in the lowered position may fill the accommodating spaces on the mattress.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces on the mattress may include parallel grooves provided on the mattress. The lifting members in the lowered position may fill the grooves on the mattress.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mattress assembly may include parallel and spaced-apart elongated mattress members transversally mounted on the bed. The spaces between the mattress members may provide the spaced-apart transversal accommodating spaces sized to receive the corresponding movable lifting members therein. The lifting members in the lowered position may fill the spaces between the mattress members.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one mattress member may include a flexible upper portion providing a support surface for the person occupying the bed and a lower rigid portion attached to the bed.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one mattress member may include a flexible tube in fluid communication with a fluid source and the pressure of the fluid in the flexible tube may be regulated.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lifting members may be individually movable between the lowered position and the raised position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lifting members may have locking mechanisms configured to lock the lifting members in a position selected from the group consisting of the lowered position and the upper position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the actuating mechanism may include: a movable frame, and a linear actuator coupled with the movable frame thereby actuating a vertical movement of the movable frame along the normal axis of the bed. The movable lifting members may rest upon the movable frame at either sides of the bed.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the accompanying detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the consistent with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and be protected by the following claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-purpose system that may be used in connection with a hospital bed. The multi-purpose system may allow for performing different tasks without disturbing the patient occupying the bed. These different tasks may include, but are not limited to, changing the bed sheets, toileting, bathing, immobility-related disease prevention procedures, treatment procedures, physical observation, and remedial procedures.

The disclosed system may include a mattress assembly for supporting the patient's body and a lifting assembly for lifting the patient's body from the mattress to provide a gap between the patient's body and the mattress. The mattress assembly may be a one-piece mattress that has a number of transverse grooves thereon or alternatively the mattress assembly may include a number of mattress members that are transversally mounted on the base structure of the bed with transverse spaces therebetween. The lifting assembly may include a number of lifting members that may run from one side of the bed to the other and they may be placed inside the transversal grooves in case of a one-piece mattress or alternatively inside the transversal spaces between the mattress members. The lifting members may be raised up from a lowered position (i.e., between the grooves or spaces in the mattress assembly) to a raised position where a gap is provided between a patient's body and a mattress in order to allow for performing tasks, such as changing the bed sheet under the patient. The lifting members may provide a comfortable supporting surface for the patient in the raised position. The lifting members may be raised or lowered either all together, individually, or in groups. Benefits from individual or in groups raising or lowering the lifting members may include but are not limited to providing a potential caregiver direct access to any preferred area of the patient's body for toileting or bathing the patient. For example, for placing a pad or a pan under a patient. Alternatively, it may allow for performing treatment and remedial procedures or physical observation on a certain area of the patient's body without the need for moving, rotating, or disturbing the patient.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a multi-purpose system100that is mounted on a bed structure101, consistent with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The system100may include a mattress assembly103and a lifting assembly104. The mattress assembly103may be mounted on a base structure105of the bed. Additionally, the lifting assembly104may be mounted on a lifting mechanism106that may be connected to the base structure105of the bed.

Referring toFIG. 1B, in an exemplary embodiment the mattress assembly103may include a number of mattress members107. The mattress members107may be transversally mounted on the base structure105of the bed. In an exemplary embodiment, the mattress members107may be spaced-apart, tube-like members that may provide a flexible and comfortable supporting surface108for a patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the mattress members107may have a circular or non-circular profile from a side view (not shown inFIG. 1B).

With further reference toFIG. 1B, the lifting assembly104may include a number of lifting members109that transversally run from one side of the bed to the other side. Each lifting member may be accommodated in between two mattress members. A lifting member109may be a rod-shaped member supported on two parallel legs110at either sides of the bed (one side is obscured from view inFIG. 1B). Each leg may be connected to a movable frame111that allows for moving the lifting member109in a vertical direction shown by arrow112. Alternatively, each leg110may be separately connected to a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism for individually moving each lifting member109in a vertical direction shown by arrow112.

Referring toFIGS. 1B and 4, a bed sheet113may be spread over the mattress members107and under the lifting members109. The lifting members109may be raised form a lowered position in between the mattress members107to a raised position. In the lowered position, the bed sheet113is spread over the mattress members107and tucked in the spaces between the mattress members107by the lifting members109. In the raised position, the bed sheet113may be pulled from under the lifting members109in order to be changed and washed.

Referring toFIG. 1C, in another exemplary embodiment, the mattress assembly103may be a one-piece mattress114that has a number of transversal grooves115thereon. Each lifting member104may be accommodated in a corresponding groove on the mattress114. For example, lifting member116may be accommodated in the groove117on the mattress. Referring toFIG. 1C, bed sheet113may be spread over the one-piece mattress114and under the lifting members109. The lifting members109may be raised form a lowered position in between the grooves115to a raised position. In the lowered position, the bed sheet113is spread over the one-piece mattress114and tucked in the grooves115on the mattress by the lifting members109. In the raised position, the bed sheet113may be pulled from under the lifting members109in order to be changed and washed.

FIG. 2Ashows a perspective and a left-side view of an exemplary one-piece mattress114. One-piece mattress114may include transversal grooves115that run from one side of the mattress114to the other. The grooves115may be sized to receive or fit a corresponding lifting member therein, while providing a comfortable support surface201for the patient.

FIG. 2Bshows an exemplary mattress assembly103that has a number of mattress members107. Mattress members107may be a series of equally spaced apart flexible tubes in fluid communication with a hydraulic or pneumatic system via fluid tubes202in order to regulate the pressure of the fluid inside the mattress members107. This feature may allow the mattress assembly103to function as an alternating pressure relief mattress for avoiding bed sores from formation. In an implementation, a mattress member may be independently in fluid communication with a fluid tube. Alternatively, the mattress members may be interconnected fluidically and the fluid provided by a fluid tube that may flow in mattress members.

Referring toFIG. 1B, a mattress member107may be supported on a support structure118connected to the base structure105. According to an exemplary embodiment, mattress member107may be a flexible member supported on the rigid support structure118. Alternatively, mattress member107may be a rigid member covered on top with a flexible material in order to provide a comfortable support surface for the patient.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an exemplary lifting member109. The lifting member109may include a horizontal tube-like lifting part301that may be supported on two legs302and303at either sides of the bed structure. The lifting member109may have a number of perforations, for example, perforations304thereon that may be in fluid communication with a pressurized air source via channel305. Therefore, air injection may be provided through perforations304. The lifting member109may further have a number of perforations, for example, perforations306thereon that may be in fluid communication with a vacuum pump via channel307. Therefore, air suction may be provided through perforations306. Benefits from this feature may include, but is not limited to, circulating air between the mattress assembly and the person's body, avoiding the risk of water vapor or temperature accumulation under the patient's body and lowering the risk of bed sores, and allowing a patient to be in a physically comfortable condition.

Referring toFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 3A, according to exemplary embodiment, a lifting assembly, for example, lifting assembly104may be mounted or placed/rested upon movable frame111. Legs of a lifting member may slide through corresponding holes on either sides of the bed structure105or may be placed/rest upon the movable frame111. For example, referring toFIG. 1C, leg119of lifting member116may slide through corresponding hole120on base structure105and rest upon the movable frame111. The movable frame111may be connected to a lifting mechanism that moves the movable frame in a substantially vertical direction.

Referring toFIG. 3A, a leg of a lifting member109, for example, leg302may have a number of holes308thereon to which locking pins may be positioned. Referring toFIGS. 1B and 1C, the base structure105may have a corresponding hole thereon through which a locking pin, for example, locking pin121may slide making a locking mechanism set which may then go into the corresponding holes on a leg to lock the vertical movement of a lifting member either in the raised position or the lowered position. Benefits from these features may include but is not limited to, allowing a first lifting member to be individually locked in the raised position while a second lifting member may be lowered into the lowered position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the multipurpose system may be utilized for changing bed sheets of a bed without disturbing the patient occupying the bed. For this purpose, first a bed sheet may be spread over a mattress that may be either a one-piece mattress with transversal grooves thereon or a mattress that has a number of spaced-apart mattress members, then a plurality of vertically movable lifting members may be placed inside the grooves or the spaces between the mattress members, such that a lifting member that is a transversal rod-shaped member may be placed in a corresponding groove or space on the mattress over the bed sheet, thereby, tucking the bed sheet in the groove or the space between the mattress members. During this process, a patent remains comfortably supported on the mattress. In order to change the bed sheet, lifting members may be moved upward from their lowered position to a raised position in order to lift the patient and create a gap between the patient and the mattress. Then, the bed sheet may be changed and a clean sheet may be spread over the mattress under the raised patient. Finally the lifting members may be moved back downward from their raised position to their lowered position placing the patient on the clean sheet.

FIGS. 5A-5Fillustrate an exemplary method for changing the bed sheets without disturbing the patient501occupying the bed. Referring toFIG. 5A, the patient's body501is supported on the mattress assembly103and bed sheet113is spread over the mattress members107, and tucked between the mattress members107under lifting members109. Lifting members109inFIG. 5Aare in their lowered position (i.e., filling the empty spaces between the mattress members). Legs110of the lifting members109slide through corresponding holes on the base structure105and rest upon movable frame111. For example leg502of lifting member503slides through a corresponding hole504on the base structure105of the bed and rests on the movable frame111, such that moving the movable frame111in a vertical direction will lead to the movement of the lifting member503in the same direction.

Referring toFIG. 5B, the movable frame111may be moved upward in a vertical direction and lifting members109will move up from their lowered position to a raised position as shown in this figure. As the lifting members109move to their raised position, a gap is created between the patient's body501and the mattress assembly103.

Referring toFIG. 5C, bed sheet113may now be pulled from under the patient's body501. A rolling mechanism505may be utilized for rolling and thereby pulling the bed sheet113from under the patient501or alternatively a caregiver or a hospital staff may carry out this task manually. For example, after lifting the patient501by the lifting assembly104, dirty sheets may be pulled out from under the patient501by a caregiver and they may be manually replaced by clean sheets. Alternatively, after lifting the patient501by the lifting assembly104, a dirty sheet roller506may roll out the dirty sheet from under the patient501and a clean sheet unrolled from a clean sheet roller507may replace the dirty sheet.

Referring toFIG. 5D, once the clean sheet has been replaced on the mattress assembly103, the lifting members109may be moved downward from their raised position to their lowered position. As the lifting members109move down to their lowered position by the movable frame111, they tuck the clean sheet between the mattress members107. Alternatively, lifting members109may be lowered one by one from one end of the bed to the other as illustrated inFIGS. 5E to 5G.

Referring toFIG. 5E, in order to lower the lifting members109individually, first the lifting members109may be locked in their raised position using their corresponding locking mechanisms508. For example, lifting member503may be locked in its raised position by its corresponding locking mechanism509. Locking mechanism509may be a pin lock that is received in a hole in the base structure105and a corresponding hole on leg502of the lifting member503thereby locking the vertical movement of the lifting member503. Once the lifting members109are locked in their raised position, then the movable frame111may be moved down to its initial position. After that, the locking mechanisms508of the lifting members109may be unlocked one by one from one end of the bed to the other as shown inFIGS. 5F and 5G. As the lifting members109are released to move down to their lowered position, they gradually tuck the clean sheet in-between the mattress members107. Exemplary systems and method allow for the clean sheet to unroll while the clean sheet is being gradually tucked between the mattress members in order to avoid exerting stress or pressure on to the bed sheet which may cause it to tear or damage over time.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the multi-purpose system of the present disclosure may be utilized for providing a caregiver direct access to any preferred area of the patient's body for toileting or bathing the patient. For example, it may allow for placing a pad or a pan under the patient. Alternatively, it may allow for performing treatment and remedial procedures or for physical observations on a certain area of the patient's body without the need for moving, rotating, or disturbing the patient. For this purpose, first a patient may be raised from the mattress by the lifting members and then the lifting members may be locked in their raised position. Then, the lifting members under the area of interest on the patient's body may be unlocked to move back to their lowered position, creating an empty access area under the patient's body for the caregiver to place a pad or a pan under the patient, or for performing treatment and remedial procedures and physical observations on that certain area of the patient's body without the need for moving, rotating, or disturbing the patient.

FIGS. 6A to 6Dillustrate an exemplary method for utilizing an exemplary multipurpose system for providing access to a certain area under the patient's body501. First the patient501may be raised by the lifting members upwardly away from the mattress assembly103as was described in detail in connection withFIGS. 5A and 5B. Then lifting members109may be locked in their raised position and the movable frame111may be moved downward to its initial position. After that, lifting members under the area of interest on the patient's body, for example lifting members601, may be unlocked to move down to their lowered position thereby providing an empty access area602under the patient's body501. Referring toFIG. 6B, a pad or pan603may be placed under the patient's body501under an area of interest on the patient's body501. Referring toFIG. 6C, once the pad or pan603is placed under the patient501, the movable frame111may be moved upward to urge the lifting members601up to their raised position, and then all the lifting members109are released and lowered by the movable frame111to slowly place the patient501on the mattress assembly103as shown inFIG. 6D. Alternatively, after placing the pad603under the patient501, simply all the other lifting members may be released to move back to their lowered position to place the patient501on the mattress103.

Referring toFIG. 7A, according to an exemplary embodiment, a lifting member701may further include two elongated plates702,703attached to either sides of a lifting member701by utilizing hinges. In the lowered position of the lifting member701, as shown inFIG. 7A, the elongated plates702,703may be in their closed position between two mattress assemblies704and705. Referring toFIG. 7B, as the lifting member701moves upward to its raised position, the elongated plates702,703pivot about their hinges and open towards the side of the lifting member701. As shown inFIG. 7B, elongated plate702of lifting member701and a second elongated plate706of a second lifting member707, may fill the gap between the two lifting members701and707providing a continuous support surface under the patient.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, in an exemplary embodiment, lifting member109may further include two inflatable compartments309and310that run along either sides of the lifting part301. The inflatable compartments309and310may be in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source (e.g., pressurized air source) via a longitudinal channel311in the lifting part301. As the lifting member109moves to its raised position, the inflatable compartments309and310may be filled with air via channel311thereby filling the gap between the lifting members and providing a continuous and comfortable supporting surface for the patient.

FIG. 8illustrates a lifting mechanism801that illustrates an exemplary implementation of the lifting mechanism106ofFIG. 1A. The lifting mechanism801may include a movable frame802, a support frame803, and an actuating mechanism804coupled with the movable frame802. The actuating mechanism804may include a linear actuator805, such as an electric, a pneumatic or hydraulic jack that may be coupled with the movable frame802via a number of links806. The actuating mechanism804may be mounted on the support frame803and it may actuate the vertical movement of the movable frame802. The actuating mechanism804may be mounted on the support frame803. The support frame803may be attached to the base frame807of the bed.