PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE

Abstract: The patient handling device comprises two frame members (10, 30). Each frame member is adapted to support a part of the body of a patient. The frame members are pivotably connected together. Actuating means, such as a rotary actuator (15), is provided for pivoting the frame members relative to one another.

Description: PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE The present invention relates to a patient handling device and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for handling immobile patients in hospitals and the like. Patient handling has become a problem. There has been a move away from nurses and auxiliary staff lifting patients because such lifting has in the past caused injury to the backs of nurses resulting in time off work and claims for damages. One solution has been to use a hoist having one or more lifting slings attached thereto. Presently, the most common form of hoist is one having a unitary body support sling which cradles the patient while the patient is lifted by the hoist. However, the oscillatory swinging motion often associated with such hoists can be very offputting and can lead to a sense of insecurity, particularly in elderly or confused patients.. The present seeks to provide a more dignified patient lifting device that can be controlled more precisely. According to the invention, there is provided a patient handling device comprising two frame members each of which is adapted to support a part of the body of a patient and which are pivotably connected together, and actuating means for pivoting the frame members relative to one another. Preferably, one of the frame members is adapted to support the torso of a patient and the other frame member is adapted to support the legs of a patient. In this case, said other frame member may be in two parts pivotable relative to one another, one of the parts being adapted to support the legs of the patient above the knees and the other part being adapted to support the legs of a patient below the knees. Alternatively, said other frame member may be an extendible/retractable member. Preferably, each frame member comprises two side elements, each having a first portion which can, in use, be passed part way around the back or front of a patient and a second portion which, in use, extends forwardly of the first portion, and means for releasably connecting the two side elements together at positions remote from the first portions. Advantageously, the actuating means is power operated. In this case, the actuating means may comprise a motor driven rotary actuator. In some circumstances straps may be provided on the frame member for supporting, or for giving additional support, to the body of the patient. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of a patient handling device according to the invention, assembled about a supine patient, Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 and supporting a patient in a reclined position, Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 and supporting a patient in a seated position, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing an alternative lower frame member in a retracted condition, Figure 5 is a cross section through the upper frame member, and Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the frame member supporting a patient. Referring firstly to figures 1 to 3 and 5 and 6 of the drawings, the patient handling device shown therein comprises a torso frame member 10 and a leg frame member 30. The two frame members 10 and 30 are pivotably connected together at 50. The frame members 10 and 30 are readily detachable from one another. The leg frame member 30 is in two parts 30a and 30b pivotable relative to one another. The part 30a is adapted to support the legs of the patient above the knees and the part 30b is adapted to support the legs of the patient below the knees. As shown in Figure 5, each frame member 10, 30 comprises two identical side elements 11 , 12, each having a first scoop-shaped portion 1 la, 12a which can, in use, be passed part way around the back of a supine patient and a second portion l ib, 12b which, in use, extends forwardly of the first portion. The head supporting part of the first portion of each side element may, as shown, be of significantly smaller height than the main body supporting part of each side element. The two side elements 11 , 12 are releasably connected together, such as by cross members in the form of rods 13 or the like, at positions remote from the first portions 11a, 12a and to the front of he patient. The side elements 11 , 12 and the cross members 13 are readily detachable from one another and may be connected together by quick release fastening means which may, for example, incorporate an over-centre mechanism. The side elements, 11 , 12 are shaped to provide maximum support for the patient without pressure points. A motor driven rotary actuator 15 is provided to pivot the frame members 10 and 30 relative to one another. A further motor driven rotary actuator 16 is provided to pivot the two parts 30a and 30k of the leg frame member 30 relative to one another. The actuators 15 and 16 are typically of a type made and sold by SKF under the brand name Victoria and may be driven by a motor and gearbox unit, typically in the form of a windscreen wiper motor such as an ITT 403-290. Other forms of actuator could be provided instead of the aforementioned rotary actuators. These could be electrically driven linear actuators, hydraulic devices or manual actuators. Force sensors may be provided to prevent the actuators -5- applying excessive force to the device and the patient. Webbing straps 14 may be connected between the side elements 11 and 12 in order to give additional support to the patient. In order to handle a patient, the component parts of the torso frame member 10 and the leg frame member 30 are brought to the bedside of a supine patient. The scoop-shaped portions 1 la and 12a of the side elements 11 and 12 are slid under the patient's back and fastened together by the cross members 13 to form the torso frame member 10. The leg frame member 30 is then assembled in similar manner and the torso frame member 10 and the leg frame member 30 are connected together for pivotable movement about the axis 50. If webbing straps 14 are to be used to give additional support to the patient, the webbing straps are placed under the legs of the patient before the leg frame member is assembled, but the torso frame member 10 is raised slightly by the actuator 15 after assembly of the torso and leg frame members 10 and 30 before any webbing straps are connected between the side elements of the torso frame member 10. Once the frame members 10 and 30 have been assembled, the back of the patient is first raised into a reclined position as shown in Figure 2 and the patient may then be raised into a sitting position as shown in Figure 3. -6- The patient handling device is suspended from one or more hoists which may or may not be ceiling mounted so that the patient can be moved from one location to another, such as from a bed to a chair. The hoists can be operated under program control to raise the patient in accordance with any selected one of a plurality of different ways. As an alternative to providing the leg frame member 30 in two parts, the leg frame member could be formed of telescopically extendible/retractible frame portions which can be retracted to the position shown in Figure 4 to allow the patient to be moved to a sitting position. The device is safe and easy to use. It allows the patient to be handled without fear or loss of dignity. The frame members can remain about the patient whilst many different functions are carried out. It is possible to sit the patient in a wheelchair with the frame members still in position or even manoeuvre them into an ordinary bath. The side elements 11, 12 of the torso frame member 10 may incorporate air bags to ensure patient comfort. Alternatively, plastics covered foam could be used. The device may also be used to lift a prone patient by passing the scoop- shaped portions 1 la . , 12a part way around the front of the patient. The above embodiments are given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A patient handling device comprising two frame members each of which is adapted to support a part of the body of a patient and which are pivotably connected together, and actuating means for pivoting the frame members relative to one another. 2. A patient handling device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the frame members is adapted to support the torso of a patient and the other frame member is adapted to support the legs of a patient. 3. A patient handling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said other frame member is in two parts pivotable relative to one another, one of the parts being adapted to support the legs of the patient above the knees and the other part being adapted to support the legs of the patient below the knees. 4. A patient handling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said other frame member is an extendible/retractable member. 5. A patient handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each frame member comprises two side elements, each having a first portion which can, in use, be passed part way around the back of a patient and a second portion which, in use, extends forwardly of the first portion, and means for releasably connecting the two side elements together at positions remote from the first portions. 6. A patient handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means is power operated. 7. A patient handling device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the actuating means comprises a motor driven rotary actuator. 8. A patient handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein straps are provided on the frame members for supporting, or for giving additional support, to the body of the patient.

Inventors: CHAPPELL PAUL HAMMOND, SILLITOE JUDITH, WHATLEY DAVID RICHARD, CHAPPELL, PAUL, HAMMOND, SILLITOE, JUDITH, WHATLEY, DAVID, RICHARD
Applicants: CHAPPELL PAUL HAMMOND, SILLITOE JUDITH, SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITA, UNIV SOUTHAMPTON, WHATLEY DAVID RICHARD, CHAPPELL, PAUL, HAMMOND, SILLITOE, JUDITH, SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, WHATLEY, DAVID, RICHARD
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61G7
IPC codes: A61G7