Abstract:
A medical examination device is provided with a pair of foot support assemblies, a patient support mat, and a U-shaped support frame with an attached pair of legs. Wheel assemblies are attached to the legs and facilitate the transportation of the device to and from a bed whereby the support assemblies, patient support mat, and legs are extended and adjusted to support a patient on the bed to facilitate a medical examination. The foot support assemblies are foldable, and the patient support mat and legs are collapsible so that the device is transported and stored in a small, compact size.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to medical examination devices and, more particularly, to a collapsible bedside medical examination device. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Medical practitioners regularly utilize stationary medical examination tables especially adapted to support a patient to facilitate a medical examination (e.g., a gynecological examination). Moveable bedside medical examination tables have been developed for facilitating medical examinations of patients that may be bed-bound or are unable to position themselves on stationary medical examination tables. As such moveable tables are often expensive and large in size, an inexpensive device to facilitate a medical examination for a bed-bound patient that is collapsible and compact in size is desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a new and improved portable medical examination device for supporting one or both feet of a patient during the performance of the medical examination. Because of its mobility, the portable device can be placed adjacent a patient&#39;s bed for facilitating a bedside medical examination. 
         [0004]    The device includes a U-shaped frame structure having a first transverse member with first and second ends, a first side member extending outwardly from the first end, and a second side member extending outwardly from the second end. The U-shaped frame structure also includes a second transverse member with third and fourth ends, a third side member extending outwardly from said third end, and a fourth side member extending outwardly from said fourth end. Two vertical members extend between the first and second transverse members, and two additional vertical members extend between the respective side members, distal the transverse members. First and second legs are telescopically attached to two of the vertical members of the U-shaped frame structure such that each of the first and second legs is adjustably movable. 
         [0005]    A support mat is pivotally attached to the first transverse member of the U-shaped frame structure, and is pivotable between an extended position, in which the support mat extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and a folded position, in which the support mat extends substantially parallel to the vertical members of the U-shaped frame structure. The support mat is sized and shaped so as to support a patient thereon while in its extended position during the performance of a medical examination. The device further includes first and second foot support assemblies pivotally attached to the additional vertical members of the U-shaped frame structure that are distal the transverse members. 
         [0006]    Each of the first and second foot support assemblies is pivotable between a folded (i.e., closed) position, in which each of the first and second foot support assemblies is substantially parallel with and proximate the first and second transverse members, and an unfolded (i.e., open) position, in which each of the first and second foot support assemblies extends away from the first and second transverse members. 
         [0007]    The first foot support assembly includes a first upper member pivotally attached to the U-shaped frame, a first lower member pivotally attached to the U-shaped frame, a vertical member attached to the first upper and lower members, a first leg support overlying the first upper member, and a leg telescopically attached to the vertical member such that the leg is adjustably movable. The second foot support includes a second upper member pivotally attached to the U-shaped frame, a second lower member pivotally attached to the U-shaped frame, a vertical member attached to the second upper and lower members, a second leg support overlying the first upper member, and a leg having telescopically attached to the vertical member such that the leg is adjustably movable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a medical examination device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a detailed/enlarged perspective view of a foot support assembly and stirrup of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1 , as illustrated in its open (i.e., unfolded) position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its open (i.e., unfolded) position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed (i.e., folded) position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its open (i.e., unfolded) position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is top perspective view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed (i.e., folded) position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is front view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed (i.e., folded) position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is side view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed (i.e., folded) position; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the medical examination device shown in  FIG. 1  in use with a bed and a patient thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1-9  illustrate a medical examination device  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the device  10  includes a U-shaped frame structure  12  having a first, or upper, cylindrical transverse member  14  with a first, or upper, pair of opposing ends  16 ,  18 . A first, or upper, pair of laterally spaced side members  20 ,  22  extends outwardly from the ends  16 ,  18 , respectively. The side member  20  includes a first end  20   a  proximate to the end  16  of the upper transverse member  14 , and a second end  20   b  distal to the end  16  of the upper transverse member  14 . Similarly, the side member  22  includes a first end  22   a  proximate to the end  18  of the upper transverse member  14 , and a second end  22   b  distal to the end  18  of the upper transverse member  14 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 , the U-shaped frame structure  12  also includes a second, or lower, cylindrical transverse member  24  with a second, or lower, pair of opposing ends  26 ,  28 . A second, or lower, pair of laterally spaced side members  30 ,  32  extends outwardly from the ends  26 ,  28 , respectively. The side member  30  includes a first end  30   a  proximate to the end  26  of the lower transverse member  24 , and a second end  30   b  distal to the end  26  of the lower transverse member  24 . Similarly, the side member  32  includes a first end  32   a  proximate to the end  28  of the lower transverse member  24 , and a second end  32   b  distal to the end  28  of the lower transverse member  24 . 
         [0021]    The U-shaped frame structure  12  also includes four vertical tubular members  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40 . A first proximate vertical tubular member  34  extends between the first end  20   a  of the side member  20  and the first end  30   a  of the side member  30 . A first distal vertical tubular member  36  extends between the second end  20   b  of the side member  20  and the second end  30   b  of the side member  30 . A second proximate vertical tubular member  38  extends between the first end  22   a  of the side member  22  and the first end  32   a  of the side member  32 . A second distal vertical tubular member  40  extends between the second end  22   b  of the side member  22  and the second end  32   b  of the side member  32 . 
         [0022]    Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 , legs  42 ,  44  are telescopically attached to the frame structure  12 , as further described below. The leg  42  has an upper end  46  and a lower end  48 , and the leg  44  has an upper end  50  and a lower end  52 . The legs  42 ,  44  are sized and shaped to slidingly (i.e., telescopically) move within the interior of the first and second proximate tubular members  34 ,  38  respectively (e.g., extended, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 ). The legs  42 ,  44  and proximate tubular members  34 ,  38  may include complimentary apertures  51  and  53 , respectively, that constitute a suitable locking mechanism and may employ conventional fasteners (e.g., set screws or pins  55  (see  FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 )) to releasably lock the extended legs  42 ,  44  in place within the interior of the first and second proximate tubular members  34 ,  38  respectively. 
         [0023]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 , wheel assemblies  54 ,  56  are attached to the lower ends  48 ,  52  of the legs  42 ,  44 , respectively, for supporting and transporting the device  10  on a surface, such as a floor  58  (see  FIGS. 2, 3 and 7-9 ). The wheel assembly  54  has a bracket  60  that pivotally supports a wheel  62 , while the wheel assembly  56  has a bracket  64  that pivotally supports a wheel  66 . The bracket  60  is oriented on the lower end  48  of leg  42 , and the bracket  64  is oriented on the lower end  52  of leg  44 . The brackets  60 ,  64  are fabricated of metal or other suitable material and are rigidly fastened to the lower ends  48 ,  52  of legs  42 ,  44 , respectively, by screws or other suitable fasteners. 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , foot support assemblies  68 ,  70  are pivotally attached to the first and second distal vertical tubular members  36 ,  38  of the U-shaped frame structure  12 , respectively. The foot support assembly  68  includes an upper member  72  having a first end  72   a  pivotally attached to the first distal vertical tubular member  36  at a point proximate the second end  20   b  of the side member  20 , and a second end  72   b  that is distal to the first distal vertical tubular member  36 . The foot support assembly  68  also includes a lower member  74  having a first end  74   a  pivotally attached to the first distal vertical tubular member  36  at a point proximate the second end  30   b  of the side member  30 , and a second end  74   b  that is distal to the first distal vertical tubular member  36 . A substantially flat leg support  76  overlies the upper member  72 . An extendable member  78  slidably engages the second end  72   b  of the upper member  72 , and a foot support (e.g., a stirrup)  80  pivotally engages the extendable member  78 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   . The extendable member  78  has a plurality of apertures  79  into which the foot support  80  may be removeably secured (e.g., by a removeable pin (not shown)). The foot support assembly  68  also includes a vertical tubular member  82  having an upper end  84  that engages the second end  72   b  of the upper member  72 , and a lower end  86 . The second end  74   b  of the lower member  74  is attached to the vertical tubular member  82  at a point intermediate its upper and lower ends  84 ,  86 . 
         [0025]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 , a leg  88  is telescopically attached to the vertical tubular member  82  of the foot support assembly  68 . The leg  88  has an upper end  90  and a lower end  92 , and is sized and shaped to slidingly (i.e., telescopically) move within the interior of the vertical tubular member  82 . The leg  88  and lower end  86  of the vertical tubular member  82  may include complimentary apertures  94  and  96 , respectively, that constitute a suitable locking mechanism and may employ conventional fasteners (e.g., set screws or pins  85  (see  FIGS. 1 and 6 )) to releasably lock the extended leg  88  in place within the interior of the vertical tubular member  82 . 
         [0026]    The foot support assembly  70  is basically identical, in construction and operation, to the foot support assembly  68 . In such circumstances, the construction and operation of the foot support assembly  70  will be discussed briefly hereinafter without describing the details thereof. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6-9 , the foot support assembly  70  includes an upper member  98  having a first end  98   a  pivotally attached to the second distal vertical tubular member  40  at a point proximate the second end  22   b  of the side member  22 , and a second end  98   b  that is distal to the second distal vertical tubular member  40 . The foot support assembly  70  also includes a lower member  100  having a first end  100   a  pivotally attached to the second distal vertical tubular member  40  at a point proximate the second end  32   b  of the side member  32 , and a second end  100   b  that is distal to the second distal vertical tubular member  40 . A substantially flat leg support  102  overlies the upper member  98 . An extendable member  104  slidably engages the second end  98   b  of the upper member  98 , and a foot support (e.g., a stirrup)  106  pivotally engages the extendable member  104  (see  FIG. 1 a    for corresponding structures of foot support assembly  68 ). The foot support assembly  70  also includes a vertical tubular member  108  having an upper end  110  that engages the second end  98   b  of the upper member  98 , and a lower end  112 . The second end  100   b  of the lower member  100  is attached to the vertical tubular member  108  at a point intermediate its upper and lower ends  110 ,  112 . A leg  114  is telescopically attached to the vertical tubular member  108  of the foot support assembly  70 . The leg  114  has an upper end  116  and a lower end  118 , and is sized and shaped to slidingly (i.e., telescopically) move within the interior of the vertical tubular member  108 . The leg  114  and lower end  112  of the vertical tubular member  108  may include complimentary apertures  120  and  122 , respectively, that constitute a suitable locking mechanism and may employ conventional fasteners (e.g., set screws or pins  125  (see  FIGS. 2 and 9 )) to releasably lock the extended leg  114  in place within the interior of the vertical tubular member  108 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-9 , a rigid support mat  124  is pivotally attached to the upper transverse member  14  of the U-shaped frame structure  12 . More particularly, the support mat  124  is sized and shaped so as to support a patient thereon during a medical examination. The support mat  124  is pivotable between an extended position, in which it extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the upper transverse member  14  (see  FIGS. 1, 5 and 9 ), and a retracted position, in which it is oriented substantially vertically, so as to be substantially parallel to the first and second proximate vertical tubular members  34 ,  36  of the U-shaped frame structure  12  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6-8 ). The rigid support mat may include two foldingly connected portions  124   a  and  124   b  (see  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). 
         [0029]    When the device  10  is not in use, it is stored away with the foot support assemblies  68 ,  70  having been rotated towards each other to their folded (i.e., closed) positions, so as to be substantially parallel with and proximate the upper transverse member  14 , and the support mat  124  positioned in its retracted (i.e., substantially vertical) position (see  FIGS. 4 and 6-8 ). 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in order to perform a medical examination (e.g., an obstetric/gynecological examination) with the use of the device  10  alongside a patient bed  126  (e.g., a hospital bed) having a removable foot board (not shown) at an end  128  thereof, the foot board is removed. The device  10  is then positioned against the end  128  of the bed  126 . More particularly, with the supporting mat  124  placed and supported on the bed  126  in its extended position, the U-shaped frame structure  12  of the device  10  is positioned against the end  128  of the bed  126 . Alternatively, the U-shaped frame structure  12  can be placed against either side of the bed  126  (not shown). 
         [0031]    After properly positioning the device  10 , the wheels  62 ,  66  are locked so as to prevent movement of the device  10  relative to the bed  126 . Thereafter, the foot support assemblies  68 ,  70  are pivoted from their folded (i.e., closed) positions toward their unfolded (i.e., open) positions (see Arrows A and B in  FIG. 5 ) so as to position same at desired locations. In this regard, each of the foot supports  80 ,  106 , respectively, is secured into a selected one of the mounting holes  79  of the extendable members  78 ,  104 , thereby securing the foot supports  80 ,  106  to the extendable members  78 ,  104 , respectively. 
         [0032]    A patient then places herself (or is placed) on the support mat  124  with her feet supported on the foot rests  80 ,  106  (see  FIG. 9 ) so that a doctor (or other medical personnel) may perform a medical examination (e.g., an obstetric/gynecological examination) on the patient. 
         [0033]    After the use of the device  10 , the foot support assemblies  68 ,  70  are pivoted from their unfolded (i.e., open) positions to their folded (i.e., closed) positions. 
         [0034]    It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, because the device  10  is portable and/or mobile, medical examinations, such as obstetric and/or gynecological examinations, can be performed alongside patient beds (e.g., hospital beds). As a result, the device  10  is particularly suitable for performing medical examinations on bed-bound patients. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications, variations and applications. For instance, the support mat  124  can be eliminated or replaced with other mechanisms. Moreover, the device  10  can be used in conjunction with different types of medical devices (e.g., patient examination tables, etc.). The device  10  can also be used in performing many different types of medical examinations (e.g., gastroenterology examinations). When performing a gastroenterology examination, the device  10  is preferably positioned along a side of a patient&#39;s bed. Further, the device  10  can be provided with other tools and equipment, such as retractable electrical cords, etc. 
         [0036]    It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.