Abstract:
A hydrotherapy pool comprising an enclosure for receiving a patient and for holding a quantity of liquid sufficient for immersing the patient so that the patient receives hydrotherapy, the enclosure having a plurality of openings for facilitating entry and exit from the enclosure; a removable door for each opening; a water tight seal for each door for sealing the door to the enclosure so that water does not leak from the enclosure; and a filling and draining system for filling and draining the enclosure of water. A seating area at a first end of the pool. The pool may have three doors, the doors being disposed with respect to the patient when seated in the seating area facing the patient, to the right of the patient, and to the left of the patient. Each door may comprise a panel having a shape corresponding to the openings; a seal disposed about the periphery of the panel; at least one locking mechanism for urging the seal into contact with a portion of the enclosure associated with the opening so that the seal is trapped between the door and that portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to relatively small pools useful for hydrotherapy. More particularly, it relates to such pools which may be used to partially or totally immerse a woman so as to assist in the process of labor and giving birth. 
     2. Prior Art 
     In recent years, as women have sought to have more natural and comfortable childbirth experiences, a variety of new techniques have come into relatively common use. Many women, at the suggestion of healthcare providers, or on their own initiative, have elected to have labor occur while immersed in a comfortable environment of warm water. This has many beneficial effects for the mother, including relaxing the patient, easing discomfort and reducing anxiety. Further, immersion produces buoyancy which creates a hydrodynamic lift effect, thus counteracting the effect of gravity. Since the body has an apparent weigh of only a small fraction of its weight on land, muscular tension is reduced. It is believed that this decrease in tension may also cause an increase in oxytocin and endorphins, thus creating a euphoric effect. Finally the presence of the water reduces the strain on perineal muscles and increases elasticity. 
     A major difficulty associated with such hydrotherapy pools is that a healthcare provider or the patient may need to enter and exit the pool repeatedly. As with any environment in which water is present, this may cause slippery conditions that can result in a fall and a consequent injury. This situation is aggravated by the pregnant condition of the patient, which may make it even more hazardous. Thus, there is a great need for a pool with convenient and safe access for the patient and the healthcare professional. 
     Another problem associated with hydrotherapy pools is that in many installations, large areas of hospital or birthing center floor space must be dedicated to the hydrotherapy pool. Further, the installation of appropriate plumbing connections may be complex and costly. Finally, for hygienic reasons, maintenance costs in terms of labor and materials may be high to insure that pathogens are kept under control and not transmitted from one patient to the next. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a pool which may be used for hydrotherapy and which provides easy and safe access for the patient and the healthcare provider. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a pool which does not require expensive installation procedures. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pool which is easy to clean and to maintain in an hygienic condition. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrotherapy pool which is of sufficient size so that it allows the patient to assume and maintain positions which may not be possible in a full gravity environment, but not so large as to take up an excessive amount of floor space. 
     The invention is directed to a hydrotherapy pool comprising an enclosure for receiving a patient and for holding a quantity of liquid sufficient for immersing the patient so that the patient receives hydrotherapy, the enclosure having a plurality of openings for facilitating entry and exit from the enclosure; a removable door for each opening; a water tight seal for each door for sealing the door to the enclosure so that water does not leak from the enclosure; and a filling and draining system for filling and draining the enclosure of water. 
     The pool is generally of rectangular shape, and includes a seating area at a first end of the pool. The pool may have three doors, the doors being disposed with respect to the patient when seated in the seating area facing the patient, to the right of the patient, and to the left of the patient. Each door may comprise a panel having a shape corresponding to the openings; a seal disposed about the periphery of the panel; at least one locking mechanism for urging the seal into contact with a portion of the enclosure associated with the opening so that the seal is trapped between the door and the portion in a water tight manner. The locking mechanism may comprise a rotationally mounted shaft extending from a surface of the door external to the pool when the door is in place in the opening; and a circular member mounted eccentrically on the shaft, the circulat member being configured to permit gripping the member for rotation thereof, the circular member being sized, shaped and positioned so that when in a first rotational position the member engages the portion of the enclosure, and when in a second rotational position the member does not engage the portion of the enclosure. A surface of the circular member which comes into contact with the portion of the enclosure has a sloping surface, so that as the circular member is rotated from the second position to the first position, compressive force on the seal is increased. 
     The pool may further comprise an integral seat at a first end of the pool, the seat being shaped and positioned so that when the pool is drained, the seat drains so that water does pool on the seat. The pool may comprise a first seat at a first end of the pool, the seat having a v shaped depression therein to allow access to the perineal region of a patient sitting on the seat. The seat may be integrally formed with the enclosure. The pool may also comprise a second seat disposed at an end of the pool opposite to the first seat. The second seat may be defined by a ledge formed in the enclosure. 
     Also in accordance with the invention, in order to make the pool portable, the pool may include a number of wheels affixed to the enclosure so that the pool may be rolled from one location to another on the wheels. The wheels may be coupled to mountings each having a spring so that the wheels extend past a lower surface of the enclosure when the pool is empty, and the springs are compressed so that the wheels do not extend below the lower surface when the pool is not empty. The springs have characteristics so that the wheels do not extend past the lower surface if a sufficient quantity of water is in the pool. 
     Also in accordance with the invention, the filling and draining system includes conduits for connection to a source of hot water and to a source of cold water, and a mixing valve to mix the hot water and the cold water to produce water to be fed to the enclosure. The system includes conduits for connection to a source of hot water and to a source of cold water, the conduits having at their ends quick disconnect fittings for receiving hoses which have mating connectors to connect to the fittings in a water tight manner, and to rapidly disconnect from the fittings. The mixing valve controls temperature of water supplied to the enclosure to be in the range of 92 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The system further includes conduits for connection to a drain to dispose of water in the enclosure. A pump may be provided for assisting in draining water from the enclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pool of FIG. 1, with doors removed. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pool of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 1 with a door installed. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the pool of FIG. 1, with wheels in an extended position. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the pool of FIG. 1, taken, in general, along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 3, with wheels in a retracted position. 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a movable embodiment of the pool of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a plumbing diagram of a fixed embodiment of the pool of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 9 is perspective view of the pool of FIG. 1 with a grab rail assembly in place. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , there are shown various views of a hydrotherapy pool  10  incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. In accordance with FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  hydrotherapy pool  10  has an enclosure  12  in the form of a generally rectangular tub formed of molded ABS with an acrylic coating which is easy to clean after use. Suitable cell foam filling may be used to provide strength and thermal insulation in the walls of enclosure  12  to assist in maintaining the temperature of water at above ambient, for example in the range of 92 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, but never above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for hydrotherapy applications in humans. Enclosure  12  is generally larger than the size of a standard bathtub, so that the patient may be fully immersed therein if desired, while still leaving room for a healthcare giver or assistant for the patient. It is generally wider than a standard bathtub, thus allowing the patient to easily turn on her side, or assume almost any comfortable position, such as knee to chest, squatting, etc. However, the outside width dimension is advantageously slightly less than 44 inches so that a movable embodiment of the pool in accordance with the invention will fit through any regulation size hospital door. The preferred length is approximately 73 inches, while the height is under three feet. The bottom of enclosure  12  is formed into a pedestal portion  13 , which is received in a steel collar assembly  15 , which surrounds and strengthens the bottom of enclosure  12  and provides a support base for various other items as more specifically described below with respect to FIGS. 5,  6  and  7 . 
     Enclosure  12  may include an integrally formed raised seat  14  on which the patient may sit. The seat center has a v-shaped depression  16  with its opening facing away from a seated patient to allow access to the perineal area. The seat is shaped so that when the water level in the enclosure is lowered, the seat is completely drained of water and no pooling of water takes place, thus enhancing the ability to drain and clean the pool. A cushioned, removable headrest  18  is positioned so that the patient may rest her head thereon. Integrally molded right side arm ledge  20  and left side arm ledge  22  each have at their respective ends a right hand grip  24  and a left hand grip  26  to assist the patient in changing or maintaining positions. Further, integrally molded right foot rest  28  and left foot rest  30 , which extend upward from the bottom internal surface of enclosure  12  are provided to assist the patient in bracing herself when seated. 
     An integrally molded, raised, bench type seat  32  is provided at the end of enclosure  12  opposite that where the patient may sit so that a caregiver or assistant may sit on seat  32  facing the patient and provide treatment or assistance. Seat  32  may be defined by a simple ledge. Advantageously, in accordance with the invention, enclosure  12  has a right side opening  34 , a left side opening  36 , and a rear opening  38  which are all wide enough for the patient or caregiver to pass through. Each opening extends downward far enough so that an average adult can easily step across the edge of enclosure  12 , which defines the bottom of the opening, in order to enter or exit enclosure  12 . Each opening has a reduced thickness peripheral portion  39 , which is used to assist in forming a water tight seal with a removable door, as explained below. As also explained below, water level may be controlled so that it is below the bottom edge of the openings when someone must enter or exit enclosure  12 . 
     In accordance with the invention, each opening has associated with it a respective removable door, which may be placed in position and locked to the enclosure to provide a water tight seal. These doors include a right side door  40 , a left side door  42  and a rear door  44 . 
     Referring now also to FIG. 4, each door includes a relatively thick panel  50  around which, at approximately mid thickness, is a raised annular ridge  52 . Each panel, on the side  54 , which faces the inside of enclosure  12 , is shaped so as to be congruent with its respective opening. However, the outwardly facing surface of ridge  52  is covered with a flexible seal  53 , of a sealing material such as an elastic polymer, such as a neoprene rubber, which takes up any irregularities between the surface of ridge  52  on which it is mounted, and peripheral portion  39  associated with the opening, so as to provide a water tight seal of the opening. Seal  53  is formed as an endless loop, and may be adhered to the outwardly facing surface of ridge  52  by any suitable water proof adhesive. 
     The side  56  of each door panel  50  opposite to side  54 , which faces outwardly when the door is in place on enclosure  12 , has a peripheral shape which is complementary to that of peripheral portion  39  of its respective opening. Thus, it is formed with two shoulders  58  and  60 . Each door also has complementary external groove  62  and internal groove  64 , which provide convenient places for gripping the doors when installing or removing them from enclosure  12 . 
     Each door is equipped with a first locking knob  66  and a second locking knob  68  located on opposite sides thereof. Each knob  66  and  68  is generally in the shape of a disc or squat cylinder and has extending outwardly therefrom, a gripping portion  69  in the form of a rectangular solid used to grip and rotate the knob. Each knob  66  and  68  is eccentrically mounted on a respective shaft  70  and  72 , which shafts are fixedly attached to panel  50 , but permit rotation of knobs  66  and  68  from a first rotational position in which the knobs are clear of peripheral portion  39 , to a second rotational position in which the an edge of each knob engages peripheral portion  39  and serves to lock the door in its opening. 
     In practice, to place and lock the doors in their respective openings, the knobs are rotated to their first positions. Then, the bottom of the door is mated to the bottom of its respective opening while the top in tilted slightly inward within the enclosure. The door is then pivoted to a vertical position so that seal  53  is in contact with the inner surface of peripheral portion  39 . Then, knobs  66  and  68  are each rotated so that their underside surfaces  71 , which are slightly inclined with respect to outer surface  56  of door panel  50 , engage the outside surface of peripheral portion  39  of the respective opening. Due to the inclined bottom surface, the portion of each knob that engages peripheral portion  39  is thicker than the portion diametrically opposed, so that as knobs  66  and  68  are rotated from the first position to the second position, a cam action is exerted on door panel  50 . This causes the side of seal  53  which is in contact with the inner surface of peripheral portion  39  to come into intimate contact with that inner surface and to compress that side of seal  53  so as to form a water tight seal. Further, as water is added to the enclosure, as described below, the hydrostatic pressure of the water also bears upon the doors, thus providing additional force, which tends to reinforce the mechanical sealing effect described above. 
     When a patient or caregiver wishes to leave the enclosure  12 , the procedure can be reversed, after the level of water in enclosure  12  is reduced, as described below, so as to remove at least one door, and allow that person to comfortable and safely exit. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 , water is supplied to enclosure  12  by hoses or pipes. Internal plumbing acts as a conduit to a temperature control mixing valve  72 , mounted in a recess  74  in a raised boss  76  on the side portion  78  of enclosure  12 . Mixing valve  72  allows the temperature to be set within the range described above, or as high as 105 Fahrenheit, from which it may cool before use. The output of mixing valve  72  is conducted by internal plumbing to two water inlet openings  80  through which water of the selected temperature is admitted into enclosure  12 . When the pool is not in use, each opening is covered by a cap (not shown) to keep it free of dirt and debris. A water level adjustment control  81 , which may be a simple on-off valve, may be first opened and then closed, so as to adjust the maximum level of water in enclosure  12 , as more fully described below. 
     In operation, enclosure  12  is filled with water to a height of only about three inches below the height of the bottom of openings  34 ,  36  and  38  with at least one of doors  40 ,  42  or  44  removed. The patient may then enter enclosure  12  and may be seated in any position. Filling only to this depth prevents overflow of water through any of openings  34 ,  36  and  38  from which the door has been removed, due to the displacement of water when the patient sits. 
     After the patient has entered enclosure  12 , any missing door is secured in place, in a water tight fashion, as described above. Then, the enclosure may be filled to a water level of up to  20  inches, corresponding to a volume of  128  gallons, to provide full immersion of most patients, up to the shoulders. 
     If the caregiver or the patient wishes to exit enclosure  12 , water is rapidly drained through a drain manifold (not shown) having a drain  82  and an overflow opening  84 . Overflow opening  84  is advantageously equipped with a cable operated waste control which permits drain  82  to be opened and closed, and is manipulated to the open position to allow water to drain into the drain manifold. The drain manifold is connected to a drain line, which may be a one half inch copper tube. An electrically driven water pump may be provided externally of the pool, in a drain connection, to facilitate rapid drainage. For example, a one-half horsepower utility pump can pump up to 15 gallons of water per minute out of the pool. Within minutes, the pool may be drained to a level which permits one or more of the doors to be removed without overflow of water from the opening associated with that door. It will be understood that standard good plumbing practices should be observed, such as providing a drain trap, a screen and provision for priming the pump, if necessary, before it is started. Further, waste water must be stored and treated properly as medical waste, in accordance with applicable regulations. 
     The procedure for removal of a door is the opposite of that described above for its installation. First, while supporting the door panel  50  to be removed by placing fingers in grooves  62  and  64 , knobs  66  and  68  on the door are rotated by means of gripping portions  69  so that they do not engage the peripheral portion  39  of the respective opening. Then the top of the door can be rotated slightly towards the interior of enclosure  12  so that it is tilted slightly away from vertical. This breaks any temporary slight adhesion of the seal  53  to the internal surface of peripheral portion  39 . Then the door is simply lifted out of the opening and stored at a convenient adjacent location until it is again needed. 
     The present invention may be produced in at least two different embodiments. Reference is made to FIGS. 5,  6  and  7  for a description of a movable version of the pool of the present invention. As noted above, this version has the advantage of not requiring an expensive fixed plumbing installation. Further the dimensions are such that the pool can be moved through regulation sized hospital doorways. 
     Collar  15 , which externally and internally surrounds and receives the lower wall portion of pedestal portion  13  of enclosure  12 , is configured with a hose connection panel  90 . Referring to FIG. 6, panel  90  has mounted thereon, hydraulic quick connection and disconnection fittings  92  and  94 , for hot water hose  93  and cold water hose  95 , respectively. The hoses have mating quick disconnection fittings, to provide added ease in portability. The ends not connected to the pool may be connected to similar fittings on a “T” connector attached to the faucets of a utility sink (not shown). As noted above, internal plumbing connections conduct the supplied water to valve  74 . Panel  90  also has, mounted thereon, a drain outlet connection  96  to which a discharge hose  97  may be connected in order to drain the pool as described above, with a pump  99 . 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 7, in this movable embodiment of the invention, six spring loaded wheels  98  are affixed the internal wall of collar  15 . When enclosure  12  is empty, the collective force exerted by the springs is sufficient for the bottom of the wheels to extend past the bottom of collar  15  so that the pool is supported on the wheels  96 . The pool may then be moved over any relatively smooth surface from one location to another. As soon as appropriate hose are connected to supply clean water to the pool and to drain waste water from the pool, use of the pool at a new location may commence. As soon as a significant quantity of water is placed in the pool, the springs are compressed, and the bottom of collar  15  contacts the surface on which the pool has been placed. This serves to temporarily anchor the pool to its present location. When no one is in the pool, and the water is drained therefrom, the springs are able to expand, and the pool is lifted so that the bottom of collar  15  is no longer in contact with the supporting surface. The hoses may be disconnected, and the pool may then be moved to a new location. Provided that the proper cleaning procedures have been observed, the pool is again ready for use, as soon as new connections are made for the water supply and drainage hoses. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which is intended for use in fixed installations. Instead of a hose connection panel  90 , internal plumbing lines  100  and  102  for hot and cold water, respectively, which extend from mixing valve  74 , simply terminate in one half inch compression fittings, which are connected to standard, copper one half inch hot and cold water lines which are permanently installed as a part of the plumbing system of the building in which the pool is located. Another water line  106  extends from the output of valve  74  to the water inlets  80  to provide water to enclosure  12 , as described above. A suitable drain line (not shown) must be connected to the drain manifold to drain the enclosure, as required. The pool may be secured to the floor with two identical stainless steel “Z” brackets (not shown) . A first of the brackets is mounted on the floor, and the pool is then pushed into position to engage that bracket. An access panel (not shown) is provided to secure the other bracket to the floor and to the pool. 
     It will be recognized that the weight of the pool filled with water, is fairly high. It should be installed only in locations which can support a weight of at least 1,500 pounds acting on an area the size of the bottom of the pool. 
     Various accessories may be provided with the hydrotherapy pool in accordance with the invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a grab rail or support system in the form of a trapeze like structure  106  can be removably affixed to the walls of enclosure  12  by forked shaped gripping members  108 ,  110  and  112  at three points so as to extend over the pool as shown. While providing some assistance to the patient or caregiver in changing position, entering or exiting enclosure  12 , or otherwise maneuvering, this structure may be configured for receiving a rope or towel loop  114 . Loop  114  may be of assistance for any of the following: grabbing on to during entrance or egress to the pool or when changing position, or for grabbing onto during labor discomfort, or for help in “pushing”, an essential assist that the patient provides during the labor process. 
     It will be appreciated that the movable embodiment of the present invention addresses the problem of costly installation and reduction of services by bringing the hydrotherapy pool to the patient. Thus, the hospital has accomplished the goal of having the service available to all its patients without restrictive cost factors. Also, in accordance with the invention, a safety system is in place, as built in pools often restrict accessibility for the care provider to the patient. The free standing design of the hydrotherapy pool of the present invention allows several care providers to share the burden of accessing and removing the patient in an emergency situation. Further, the free standing nature of the pool permits it to take up less valuable floor space. It drastically reduces cost. When there is no choice but to build pools into each and every room, the cost factor can be prohibitive. In the struggle to maintain budget restraints hospitals are forced to sacrifice services to patients. Due to the high cost factors, hospitals are forced to deny patients the option of hydrotherapy. However, with the present invention, multiple, fixed installations may be avoided, with a single unit being used at multiple locations to provide hydrotherapy to several patients in succession. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.