Foldout bed headwall structure

A headwall for use in a healthcare facility maternity area is provided. The headwall comprises patient care equipment and a post-delivery bed disposed in the headwall to have an upwardly extending storage position and an outwardly extending use position. The headwall may provide a docking station for a birthing bed on which the delivering mother will be positioned during delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to maternity beds and headwall structures to support the delivery procedures and post delivery recovery.

It is common practice to place the delivering mother on a maternity bed or birthing bed which is positioned or docked adjacent a headwall which is equipped with all sorts of patient care equipment to support the delivery process and, in fact, any event that may occur during the delivery process. Such maternity beds are rather complicated structures with a foot section which is typically removable and with separate and articulating leg and foot support sections. This type of maternity bed is well known and it is very important to have the delivering mother on such a bed to deal with whatever event may occur during the birthing process. Once the infant is delivered, however, and the mother is no longer in need of further procedures, such a maternity bed is no longer required in the patient room. What the mother needs is rest and comfort.

The headwall structures against which such birthing beds are docked typically comprise several different types of patient care equipment including gas outlets, electrical plug-ins for various types of medical equipment and diagnostic equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system that has one or more of the following features or combinations thereof, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter.

A headwall system is provided for use in a hospital room or other healthcare facility maternity area. The headwall system comprises patient care equipment to support the infant delivery and care process. The headwall system provides a docking position for a birthing bed on which the delivering mother will be positioned during delivery. The headwall system will provide electrical service outlets for the birthing bed, and the headwall system will contain or comprise a plurality of patient care equipment normally associated with the birthing process including diagnostic equipment and monitors and IV equipment. It is contemplated that the headwall system will comprise all of the patient care equipment reasonably required to handle events which may occur during the birthing process. Such equipment may be covered by cabinet doors, facade, and the like to provide a pleasing, home-like appearance which is not likely to raise apprehension on the part of the delivering mother or any person accompanying her.

It is contemplated that the delivering mother will be placed on a conventional maternity bed and moved into the hospital room where the headwall structure is located or placed on a maternity bed which is already in such a room. Maternity beds are designed to be movable into and out of various rooms, and the doors of a typical hospital accommodate the width of the maternity beds.

The headwall system comprises a post-delivery bed disposed in the wall structure to have an upwardly extending storage position and an outwardly extending use position. The post-delivery bed may be mounted to the wall structure to be pivotal between its storage position and its use position in a manner similar to the movement of the well known Murphy or foldout bed. While foldout beds are well known, and have been used for generations, they are not known to be built into the headwall structures in hospitals and integrated with other equipment in the headwall structure. It is also not known to have such a post-delivery bed mounted in a headwall structure and comprising an articulating mattress support frame having a seat section and an upper body section and leg and foot section tiltable relative to the seat section.

Illustratively, the post-delivery bed is mounted in the headwall structure to be pivotable or tiltable in some fashion between its vertical storage position and its horizontal use position. A gas spring or other such means will be provided to support the weight of the post-delivery bed in its movement between its storage position and its use position. It will be appreciated that such a bed with an articulating mattress frame and the weight associated therewith may be supported by springs, counterbalance mechanisms, hydraulic actuators, gas springs and the like to assist the caregiver in moving the bed between its positions.

Typically, a facade will be provided to cover the post-delivery bed in its storage position in the headwall structure. Such a facade may illustratively be doors or panels which are both pivotable and slidable to positions exposing the post-delivery bed. The post-delivery bed may be a double wide bed to accommodate the mother after the delivery and potentially the father if he is available.

It is contemplated that at least one side rail may be movable into use position disposed alongside the post-delivery bed in its use position. This at least one side rail may have a storage position in the headwall structure from which it swings or clocks into its use position extending alongside the post-delivery bed. Illustratively, a side rail may be provided at each side of the post-delivery bed in its use position, with each side rail being swingable or movable upwardly to its use position. Such siderails may be coupled to the post-delivery bed or coupled to the headwall structure.

A bassinet may be provided to support the newborn infant. The bassinet may have a storage position in the headwall structure and a use position adjacent the mother and over the post-delivery bed. The bassinet may be supported on a radial arm assembly for movement between a storage position and its use position. The assembly may comprise a first radial arm pivotable outwardly from the structure and a second radial arm carried by and pivotable on the first radial arm. The bassinet will be supported on the second radial arm. Illustratively, a vertically extendible column supporting the bassinet at selectable adjustable heights on the second radial arm will be provided with the first and second radial arms being pivotable about vertical axes.

Thus, the present disclosure contemplates a birthing process in which the mother is placed on a conventional maternity bed during the delivery procedure and then, as soon as it is reasonable to do so, the mother is placed in a post-delivery bed which is pulled outwardly from the headwall structure. The maternity bed is no longer required, and may be wheeled out of the patient room to be used in another delivery process. Siderails, if required, may be pulled upwardly from the sides of the post-delivery bed to be adjacent the post-delivery bed. Such siderails, located near the head end of the post-delivery bed, may carry the controls for articulating the bed surface and selecting environmental lighting and entertainment such as TV, DVD player and radio.

The newborn infant may be placed in a bassinet which is arranged to be positioned over the post-delivery bed so that the mother will have immediate access to the newborn infant. The bassinet will be carried on a radial arm assembly and a vertically adjustable column so that the infant can be positioned at the most convenient location for the new mother. To provide an even more comfortable arrangement, the post-delivery bed may be a double bed to be wider and more flexible than a typical maternity bed.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the appended claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a headwall system10is provided for use in a hospital room or other healthcare facility. Specifically, headwall system10may be used in a maternity room12of a healthcare facility to allow the room12to be used as both a labor and delivery room as well as a recovery and post-partum room. As shown inFIG. 1, the headwall system10, therefore, includes a birthing bed docking station or bed locator14for docking a birthing or maternity bed16to the headwall system10. The terms “hospital” and “healthcare facility” are used broadly to include nursing homes, outpatient clinics, doctors' offices, medical care facilities, and the like.

The headwall system10further includes a post-delivery bed18shown inFIG. 2. The post-delivery bed18is normally stored within a central portion20of the headwall system10as shown inFIG. 1. The post-delivery bed18is configured to be movable from an upwardly extending storage position shown inFIG. 1to an outwardly extending use position shown inFIG. 2. In use, therefore, the birthing bed16may be docked to the docking station14of headwall system10for the mother to use during labor and delivery. Once the baby has arrived, however, the birthing bed16may be removed from the room12and the post-delivery bed18may be folded down to its outwardly extending use position to allow the mother, infant, and any family members, such as, for example, the father, to comfortably remain in the same room12before, during and after labor and delivery.

Illustratively, the birthing bed docking station14is generally centrally located with respect to the width of the overall headwall system10. The docking station14may be compatible with any number of birthing beds for labor and delivery and operates to couple the bed to the headwall system10in conventional fashion. The docking station14also operates to electrically couple the birthing bed16to the headwall system10to provide power to any electrical components of the bed such as the bed controls often located on the siderails of the bed, for example. It will be appreciated that bed docking stations, such as, for example, the birthing bed docking station14, are widely known in the art to dock hospital beds to headwalls.

Looking toFIG. 1, the headwall system10includes a central component30, two side components32,34coupled to and flanking the central component30, and two clinical components36,38coupled to and flanking the side components32,34. The terms “components” and “cabinets” are used herein interchangeably, and each is intended to broadly cover the meaning of both. In the upwardly extending storage position, the post-delivery bed18is stored out of sight behind the central and side components30-34of the headwall system10between the clinical cabinets36,38. The clinical cabinets36,38house patient care equipment and service connectors, collectively referred to herein as the patient care equipment40.

It is contemplated that the clinical cabinets36,38will comprise all of the patient care equipment and service connectors reasonably required to handle events which may occur during the birthing process. Illustratively, the patient care equipment may include heart monitoring equipment, infusion pumps, intra-venous pumps, equipment monitors, defibrillators, and the like, many of which directly connect to the patient via lines or tubes. Illustratively, the service connectors may include electrical ports, medical gas outlets, vacuum outlets and communication ports (such as video, audio, data, etc.).

The central and side components30-38of headwall system10may be modular so that one side component may be replaced with a different side component for use beside a particular central component. Illustratively, the outer appearance of the headwall system10is similar to that of hotel or family room type furniture, yet the headwall system10houses all of the patient care equipment40reasonably required to handle events which may occur during the birthing process. Illustratively, the outer doors and walls of the headwall system10may be made of wood or have a faux-wood finish to them. As shown inFIG. 1, the headwall system10may be adorned with intricate trim and artwork. Thus, when the headwall system10is incorporated into a hospital room, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the overall appearance of the room is more relaxing and welcoming for the patient and other family members who may be spending significant amounts of time in the room.

As shown inFIG. 1, the side components32,34of headwall system10include narrow and tall doors50,52located on the opposite sides of the docking station14. The doors50,52are shown in a closed position inFIG. 1. The doors50,52may be swung open and slid inwardly into respective narrow tracks or openings54,56adjacent the associated side components32,34as shown inFIG. 2. Illustratively, the narrow track54is located between the side component32and the associated clinical cabinet36. Likewise, the narrow track56is located between the side component34and the associated clinical cabinet38. The tracks52,54are exposed when the doors50,52are swung open. The post-delivery bed18is normally disposed within the central and side components30-34of the headwall system10as shown in phantom inFIG. 2. After delivery, the post-delivery bed18is pulled down to the outwardly extending use position shown in solid inFIG. 2.

Thus, the delivering mother may be placed on the conventional maternity or birthing bed16docked to the docking station14in the headwall system10during labor and delivery while the post-delivery bed18is stored behind the central and side components30-34of the headwall system10. After delivery, the birthing bed16may be un-docked from docking station14and wheeled out of the patient room12. The post-delivery bed18may then be folded down to the horizontal use position, and the mother placed on the post-delivery bed18during recovery for the rest of her stay at the hospital or healthcare facility.

As shown inFIG. 1, the clinical cabinets36,38of headwall system10include doors60,62to conceal the patient care equipment40when the equipment40is not in use. The doors60,62are shown in a closed position inFIG. 2. When access to the patient care equipment40is needed such as, for example, during labor and delivery, the doors60,62may be swung open and slid inwardly into respective narrow tracks or openings64,66adjacent the associated side walls68,70of the head wall system10as shown inFIG. 1. Illustratively, the narrow track64is located between the clinical cabinet36and the side wall68of the headwall system10. Likewise, the narrow track66is located between the clinical cabinet38and the side wall70of the headwall system10. The tracks62,64are exposed when the doors60,62are swung open.

Referring toFIG. 2, a bassinet80may be provided to support the newborn infant adjacent the mother. The bassinet80may be supported on a radial arm assembly82for movement between a storage position and a use position. In the storage position, the bassinet80is stored inside a side cabinet84located below the clinical cabinet38of the headwall system10. In the use position, the bassinet80is movable to a position next to the mother and over the post-delivery bed18. The radial arm assembly82may comprise a first radial arm86pivotable outwardly from the wall structure88and a second radial arm90carried by and pivotable on the first radial arm86. The bassinet80is supported on the second radial arm90.

Illustratively, a telescopic column or post92extends between the second radial arm90and the bassinet80to support the bassinet80at selectable adjustable heights relative to the second radial arm90. The bassinet80may, in turn, be mounted on a perimeter frame94that is pivotally mounted to the telescopic post92. Both the first and second radial arms86,90of the radial arm assembly82are pivotable about respective vertical axes96,98.

The cabinet84housing the bassinet80may include a door100to conceal the bassinet80when the bassinet80is not in use. The door100is shown in a closed position inFIG. 1. When access to the bassinet80is needed, the door100may be swung open and slid inwardly into a narrow track or opening102adjacent the associated side wall70of the head wall system10as shown inFIG. 2. The track102is exposed when the door100is swung open.

The post-delivery bed18includes a deck110coupled to a wall structure112for pivoting movement between the outwardly extending use position shown inFIG. 2where the deck110extends generally horizontally from the wall structure112and the upwardly extending storage position shown inFIG. 1where the deck112is received in a deck-receiving space or cavity114in the wall structure112. The deck110is movable between the outwardly extending use position and the upwardly extending storage position in a manner similar to the movement of the well known Murphy or foldout bed. When the post-delivery bed18is closed, the underside116of the deck110is generally flush with the forwardly facing surfaces of the wall structure112so as to appear as a continuous part thereof. The underside116of the deck110may be adorned with artwork118to provide a pleasing facade so that the patient, family members and visitors find the hospital environment less intimidating.

Alternatively, the central component30may include doors (not shown) for enclosing the post-delivery bed18when the bed18is disposed in the upwardly extending storage position. Each door may be configured to be swung open and slid inwardly along a narrow track or opening adjacent a side wall of the deck-receiving space114to a storage position.

The deck110includes a head end120, a foot end122and an upwardly facing surface124. A mattress126, such as, for example, an air mattress or a foam mattress, rests on the upwardly facing surface124of the deck110. A plurality of straps (not shown) secure the mattress126to the deck110to hold it in place when the deck110is raised to the upwardly extending storage position. It is understood that although straps (not shown) are used in the illustrated embodiment to secure the mattress126to the deck110, other suitable fasteners may very well be used. Some example of such fasteners are Velcro strips, loop and tie fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, clips, snaps, zippers, etc. A lower portion128(shown inFIG. 1) of the central cabinet30may house equipment such as, for example, a compressor, a motor, a controller, tubing, valves, etc. for inflating the air mattress126.

It is contemplated that a plurality of hinges (not shown) near the head end120of the deck110couple the deck110to the wall structure112so that the deck110pivots relative to the wall structure112about a laterally extending axis (not shown) between the raised storage position and the lowered use position. A retainer or latch (not shown) holds the deck110in the deck-receiving cavity114when the deck110is raised. In the lowered use position, the deck110extends generally outwardly from the wall structure112and the head end120of the deck110is positioned near the back wall of the wall structure112.

A pair of legs130are pivotally coupled to the deck110near the foot end122to pivot between a raised storage position where the legs130lie in respective leg-receiving cavities (not shown) in the underside116of the deck110and a lowered use position where the legs130rest on the floor132to support the foot end122of the deck110. Illustratively, hinges (not shown) near the foot end122couple the legs130to the deck110so that the legs130pivot relative to the deck110about a laterally extending axis (not shown). It will be appreciated that the legs130may be vertically extendible so that the height of the deck110can be adjusted when the deck110is in the lowered use position, for example, to permit easy ingress and egress.

When the legs130are received in the leg-receiving cavities in the deck110, outwardly facing surfaces of the legs130are generally coplanar with the undersurface116of the deck110so as to appear as a continuous part thereof. Retainers or locks (not shown) hold the legs130in the leg-receiving cavities. Latches (not shown) lock the legs130in the lowered use position where the legs130rest on the floor132to support the foot end122of the deck110. The terms “retainer”, “latch” and “lock” are used interchangeably, and each is intended to broadly cover the meaning of all.

Illustratively, the deck110includes an articulating mattress support frame140to provide the post-delivery bed18with all the articulation of a normal low acuity hospital bed. As shown inFIG. 2, the articulating mattress support frame140includes longitudinally spaced apart upper body or head section142, seat section144and leg or foot section146, which are tiltable relative to each other. It will be appreciated that a variety of mechanisms may be used to provide for articulation of the head and foot sections142,146relative to the seat section144. Such articulation mechanisms to power the head and foot sections142,146are well known in the art. Such mechanisms may be mounted in a space between the head section142and the deck110.

A gas spring or other such means (not shown) may be provided to support the weight of the deck110in its movement between the storage and use positions. It will be appreciated that such a deck may be supported by springs, counterbalance mechanisms, hydraulic actuators, gas springs and the like to assist the caregiver in moving the deck between its storage and use positions. Alternatively, an actuator (not shown) such as, for example, an electric motor, may be provided to move the deck110between its storage and use positions.

In some embodiments, a siderail150is coupled to each side of the head section142of the deck110. Each siderail150is movable like a normal bed siderail between an out-of-the-way storage position below the deck110and a use position alongside the head section142of the deck110as shown inFIG. 2. The siderails150are only present at the head end120of the deck110since the bed118is intended to be a family bed. The siderails150may include controls152needed for articulating the bed18. In addition, the siderails150may include controls152needed for selecting environmental lighting and entertainment, such as, for example, TV, DVD player and radio.

In some embodiments, the siderails150are coupled to the wall structure112for pivoting movement between raised storage positions within the headwall system10and lowered use positions (best shown inFIG. 2) alongside the head section142of the deck110. The siderails150are movable independent of the post-delivery bed18. The siderails150are generally perpendicular to the floor132in their raised storage positions and generally parallel to the floor132in their lowered use positions. The siderails150have associated clocking mechanisms that allow them to lower to their respective use positions alongside the head section142of the deck110. When needed, the siderails150are lowered to their respective use positions. The siderails150are pivoted up into the headwall system10when access to the patient is needed. Latches (not shown) are provided to hold the siderails150in their respective storage positions. The siderails150do not travel with the post-delivery bed18when the bed18is lowered to its use position, but remain stationary in their storage positions. However, the siderails150travel with the post-delivery bed18to their respective storage positions when the bed18is raised to its storage position. This articulation allows the post-delivery bed18to pivot up and store within the headwall system10with the siderails150alongside the bed18.

A stow-away footboard (not shown) may be coupled to the deck110near the foot end122. An overhead task light (not shown) may be mounted to the back wall of the wall structure11or integrated into the ceiling of the deck-receiving cavity114. A switch (not shown) may be located on one of the side walls of the wall structure112to operates the overhead light. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the overhead light may be configured to be automatically turned on the when the deck110is lowered to the use position.

Thus, the present disclosure contemplates a birthing process in which the mother is placed on a conventional maternity bed during the delivery procedure and then, as soon as it is reasonable to do so, the mother is placed in a post-delivery bed which is pulled outwardly from the headwall structure. The maternity bed is no longer needed and may be wheeled out of the patient room to be used in another delivery process. Siderails, if required, may be pulled upwardly from the sides of the post-delivery bed to be adjacent the post-delivery bed. Such siderails may carry the controls for articulating the bed surface and selecting environmental lighting and entertainment such as TV, DVD player and radio. The newborn infant may be placed in a bassinet which is arranged to be positioned over the post-delivery bed so that the mother will have immediate access to the newborn infant. To provide an even more comfortable arrangement, the post-delivery bed may be a double bed to be wider and more flexible than a typical maternity bed.