Abstract:
A mobile equipment service device for use by non-ambulatory persons. The device can be a manually movable commode for permitting such persons to independently access a system to contain waste, seal the waste, prevent odors for emanating into the room, and permit later removal and disposal of the waste. The system may also introduce an odor absorbent material into the sealed area where the waste is retained. In a further embodiment, a programmable device, such as a commode, can be remotely operated by the person, increasing the person&#39;s ability to independently access and use the device by moving the device to and from that person, and then securing that device to permit safe use by those persons. Preferably, the programmable device is battery powered so as to be self-propelled. In addition, the device contains a data collection system that collects data on use, and transmits that data as directed to location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application claims the priority of co-pending provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/603,376, filed on Aug. 20, 2004, and the disclosure of this application is incorporated by reference herein its entirety. Applicant claims the benefits of this application under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to mobile devices for the needs of persons. In particular, the present invention relates to mobile devices that may be programmable to facilitate use by a person. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many people are left immobile for a time after surgery and/or medical treatment. While they may be able to sit up in bed or function in a wheelchair, walking across the room to use the bathroom or to reach other items in their room can be a strenuous and/or painful activity. This applies to other immobile persons located anywhere along the continuum of care, including, but not limited to, acute/sub-acute rehabilitation institutions, nursing homes, or in their own homes. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,485 to Hayes discloses a mattress provided with a cavity having a controlled expandable cushion. A bedpan can be placed inside the cavity prior to use, and when used, the cushion expands to be in line with the rest of the mattress. The mattress can also be arranged with a bidet system for added hygiene of the person, which cleans the area of the lower body that is exposed in the cavity. This bedpan arrangement is most useful for those persons who have no mobility and cannot sit up. While a bedpan directly in the bed is convenient, it is not the most hygienic arrangement. The non-ambulatory person may not want to be lying on a bedpan all day, and may only want to have a bedpan close by when it is needed. However, that same person may be capable of some movement, or in a wheelchair, but will want to reduce the number of times that they need to walk from the bed or get up from the wheelchair without assistance in order to prevent aggravation of their injury/condition. The caregiver is required to assist people of limited mobility to the facilities for necessary biological functions. Some health care worker&#39;s schedule is dictated by the needs of the people under their care. It can be costly to have someone on duty 24 hours a day to assist as peoples needs arise. 
   Furthermore, a non-ambulatory person may not have access to many other items in his or her room because of lessened mobility. Therefore, there is a need for providing autonomy and self-help to persons with limited ambulation, allowing them to access here-to-fore stationary items while minimizing the risk of injury or strain. There is also a need to increase the productivity of healthcare providers/caregivers by substituting labor with controllable mechanical interventions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a programmable or mobile device, including health services equipment such as commodes, whose own features can be adapted in a user-friendly manner, and can be manipulated by those non-ambulatory users, including those persons confined to beds and wheelchairs, providing new autonomy to people who would otherwise be dependent on others for activities of daily living. The invention is designed to be non-obtrusive in the environment. It will not need caregiver attention or manipulation for extended periods of time. The commode version contains a multiple use disposable waste containment system. In addition, the present invention provides new opportunities to perform point-of-care testing, checking vital signs, and otherwise enhancing individualized healthcare monitoring. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE DRAWINGS 
     Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a mobile programmable device showing its internal components; 
       FIG. 1A  is a side view, partially cut away, of the mobile programming device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a commode of the present invention shown in an open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the commode of  FIG. 2  shown in a closed position; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a patient, a bed and the commode embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the waste containment system usable with the commode of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate waste containment system usable with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a further perspective view of an alternate cartridge waste containment system usable with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the commode embodiment in an open position near a tall bed; 
       FIG. 8   a  is a front view of the commode embodiment in an open position near a short bed; 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of the movement of a mobile device in a patient&#39;s room for a fully automated unit; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram of the movement of a mobile device in a patient&#39;s room for a semi automated unit from a home position; 
       FIG. 10   a  is a diagram of the movement of a mobile device in a patient&#39;s room for a semi-automatic unit in a usage position; 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram of the movement of a mobile device in a patient&#39;s room for a manual unit; and 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart depicting the flow of information and signals between a control, a unit, a homing device, and a main station. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus for aiding a non-ambulatory person, created by using single-use features of a piece of equipment to make that equipment accessible to the user without need for other assistance and more useful to the healthcare provider/caregiver. 
   A mobile programmable device  10 , as shown generally in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , includes a unit  12  having at least one movable member  14  operatively attached to the unit  12 . A user may operate a control  24 , which sends an outgoing signal  19  to the unit  12 . The unit  12  also may include an information storage unit  16 , a signal receiving unit  18  for accepting an incoming signal  19  from the control  24  or a main station  22  and a signal transmitting unit  20  for sending an out going signal  21  to the main station  22 . Further, this equipment may include sensor  9  that transmits information about the equipment status to the information storage unit  16 . The unit  12  further may include a homing device finder  26  that can locate a homing device  28 . The unit may include height adjustment as seen with drive motor  5  and jack features  6 . The unit may include a motor for propelling itself as represented by drive motor  2 . 
   The units will have an equipment compartment  7  which contains the equipment  8 . The unit may be powered by a battery  4  that is preferably rechargeable. The battery type may be lead acid, NiMH, NiCad, Lithium or other. The location of the equipment, motors and batteries are placed to encourage stability and a low center of gravity. The unit  12  may also include a ballast weight  3  in the base for stability. The unit  12  can take on several different embodiments. 
   In  FIG. 2  there is shown one embodiment where the unit  12  is in the form of a commode  30 . The commode  30  includes a commode base  32  having a basin  26  at the top  35  of the commode base  32  for collecting waste. The basin  34  is made out of a metal or plastic material that can be sterilized after each use or disposed of. Different parts of the commode  30  can be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, or any other suitable material. The commode  30  can also be mostly metal to allow for greater sterility. 
   The commode base  32  also includes the signal receiving unit  18 , the signal-transmitting unit  20 , the information storage unit  16 , and the homing device finder  26 . The information storage unit  16  with the sensor  9  can store information about the type and weight of the contents in the basin  34 , what time the commode was used and other relevant information needed by the healthcare provider/caregiver, including performing point-of-care testing (e.g., urinalysis, stool tests) and the results thereof. This information can be printed out on a slip to be added to the patient&#39;s chart, or it can be sent by the signal-transmitting unit  20  to a main station  22  where the healthcare provider/caregiver can see it. 
   The  FIG. 2  commode is illustrated in its open form. Operatively attached to the commode base  32  is a lid  36 , which also acts as a cover when the commode  30  is not in use. The lid  36  opens when the commode  30  is ready to be used. The lid  36  can sit in a slot  33  to provide stability. The commode base  32  further includes arms  38  and  50  for support and a transfer mechanism arm  39 . Arm  38  prevents the user from falling off of the commode  30  by acting as a restraint. 
   Arm  50  deploys after the person is on the device to aid in final positioning. Arms  38 ,  50  and  39  sit in arm slots  43  and  45 , respectively, when in the open form to provide stability. Also, arms  38  and  39  fold down around the commode base  32  when not in use or in motion. A user may support themselves on and off of the unit using hand grip  56  and foot rail  54  located on folding outrigger  72 . The foot rail may take the form of a platform slightly angled and height adjustable to provide better stability for the user and, when deployed, the commode unit  30  is also stabilized. The base of the unit may include a foot  58  which engages the floor and cancels the rolling effects of the movable members  14 . Also support outrigger  72  has contact with the floor at  52  and aids in the unit&#39;s frontal stability. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a compact form of a commode  30 . Any suitable mechanical/electrical mechanism can be used to move the arms  38 ,  50 ,  39  and the lid  36  into position or they may be moved manually by the user. The commode  30  further includes movable members  14  allowing the commode  30  to move along the ground. The movable members  14  can be operatively attached to the commode base  32  or to legs  40 . The movable members  14  can retract into the commode base  32  to obviate the need for the user to remember to set a braking mechanism, enhancing stability of the unit. 
   Turning next to  FIG. 4 , there is a plan view illustrating a user  60  on a bed  41 . The commode unit  30  is in the open position and the user  60  is positioned to access the unit. Arm  39  is positioned to the level of a bed  41  on which a person is laying, serving as a transfer board and allowing the person to slide onto the commode  30 . Outrigger support rail  72  is used as leverage to move the user&#39;s body. 
     FIG. 5  shows a rear view of commode  30  with a portion of the cover cut away to view the equipment compartment  7  of the unit. The basin  34  is lined with a bag  46  to capture human waste. The bag  46  is preferably plastic and transparent for verification of the contents by the healthcare provider/caregiver; however, any other suitable material can be used. In addition, the unit can be programmed to perform point-of-care testing on the urine/feces, sending the results to the remote main station. The bag  46  may be a pre-existing purchased product originally designed for use with a 5 gallon bucket. The commode  30  can be vacuum-sealed when not in use to prevent any material from entering or leaving the commode  30 , as well as to control odor. A material delivery system  76  has not been cut away in this view. This shows a system that delivers absorbent and order controlling materials to the commode basin  34  from under the lid after the unit has been used. The system is comprised of a refillable hopper  78  connected by a tube to the delivery head located under the lid. The system can be made to automatically dispense a measure amount of material directly into the basin  34  after every use. 
   Turning next to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the waste containment system of the present invention. The system includes a continuation plastic tube  81  from a replaceable cartridge  80 . The plastic tube  81  is threaded in to the basin area and through the upper  82  and lower  83  seal baffles. The plastic tube  81  is knotted to form a waist containment bag at the base of the system. Human waste is deposited in the basin area  86  formed by the upper seal baffle and mix with absorbent odor controlling material deposited by system  76 . The upper seal baffle then drives, by mechanical means, the waste in area  86  down through area  88  pulling new clean plastic for the cartridge  80 . The lower baffles  83  clamp over the waste in  86  and seal the open top of the tube. The upper baffles retract back to their original position and the waste is locked in the containment bag  84 . The unit  12  is charged with new absorbent odor controlling materials and only clean plastic exposed. It is ready for storage until the next usage. The system is created to trap odors in the containment bag  84 . The bag at  84  is cut using the contained cutting tool  90  and disposed of. The remaining tube is then knotted. 
     FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the waste containment system that utilizes disposable cartridges. The upper cartridge  92  is in use and the lower  93  is a stand by. The cartridge  92  has sealable lids  94  stored in the unit for use in the containment and disposable of the waste. The open cartridge will be sealed between uses by the commode lid  39 . The cartridge contain absorbent odor controlling materials and baffling materials to prevent splash back. 
   The commode  30  must align with the surface of the bed  41  in order to facilitate best opportunity for the user to maneuver onto and back off of the commode using transfer area  39 .  FIG. 8 and 8   a  depict the commode  30  height adjustment feature use to accommodate a range of bed heights. The device can by mechanical means raise and lower by expanding and contracting area  62 . 
   When the person wants to use the commode  30 , it can be summoned by a control  24  operated by the person. The path generally taken by the fully automated commode  30  or any unit  12  can be seen in  FIG. 9 , as traveling to the bed  41 . The unit may travel in 360 degrees of rotation and motion in an omni directional mode. The control  24  sends an incoming signal  19  to the signal-receiving unit  18  to start movement towards the bed  41  at an in use position  66 . The homing device finder  26  seeks the homing device  28  on the bed  41 . The movable members  62  can retract and lower the commode  30  to the level of the bed  41 . The lid  36  opens arm  39  drops sideways onto the bed and arm  38  is exposed. 
   The person can maneuver onto the commode  30 , lift arm  50 , eliminate human waste, replace arm  50  and the person can return to the bed. The person pushes the control  24  to close the lid  36  and arms  38 ,  39  as the commode  30  is depicted in  FIG. 3 . The commode  30  vacuum seals, arms and lid retract, locking/docking mechanisms break apart, movable members descend and the commode moves to a place where the healthcare provider/caregiver can check it, such as a designated place inside the person&#39;s room, or alternatively, in a hallway outside the person&#39;s room. 
   A light  50  located on the top  35  of the commode unit  32  can light up to notify the healthcare provider/caregiver that the commode  30  has been used. The light  50  can also be located at any location where it can be easily seen by the healthcare provider/caregiver. The commode  30  has made a record of the contents of the basin  34  as described above. 
   The healthcare provider/caregiver assesses the personal hygiene of the person, verifies the information given by the commode  30 , and sterilizes the commode  30  according to Infection Control Procedures. A clean bag  46  or cartridge  78  stored inside the commode unit  32  can be automatically slipped into place in the basin  34  by the activation of a control panel  49  located on the commode unit  32 . The lid  36  closes and the commode  30  is vacuum-sealed again until the next use. The healthcare provider/caregiver can activate the control panel  49  or the main station  22  to send the commode  30  back into the person&#39;s room where it waits to be used again. 
   Similar homing/locking/stability functionality can be adapted for wheelchairs, and the programmable mobile commode will function in like manner, rising to the level appropriate for the person to transfer on/off the commode safely. This same functionality can be extended to assist wheelchair bound persons to move to other surfaces, such as into car seats or other settings, by using the arm of the wheelchair in a manner similar to the use of the arm of the programmable commode. 
   Additional embodiments can be realized with cabinets or other fixtures, such as wash stations, refrigerators and tables. Furthermore, these fixtures can be further refined to contain movable parts themselves, such as conveyor belts or Lazy Susans so that their contents/parts can be moved into a location accessible to a non-ambulatory person who retains control via the programmable device. 
   The above-described embodiments have several parts or components in common. The first components in common are the movable members  14 . The movable members  14  are preferably wheels with a locking mechanism for locking the unit  12  in place while the wheels are in use. The movable members  14  can also be retractable wheels that retract into the unit  12  when it comes to rest at the person&#39;s bed  41 , inherently stabilizing the unit  12  at rest. Alternatively, the movable members  14  can be wheels that move along a track on the floor. The movable members  14  can be powered by a power drive. Any other suitable movable members  14  can be used. The movable members  14  can be manufactured from any suitable material by any means known in the art. 
   The above-mentioned embodiments also each include the information storage unit  16 . The information storage unit  16  is a Computer Processing Unit (CPU) or any like unit and can be a microprocessor, use any combination of controllers, and be programmed with specific programs needed to operate the unit  30 . The information storage unit  16  can include infrared and/or RFID controls, or controls for any other band as discussed below, to receive signals from other electronic devices on the unit  12  to process information and relay signals back to the electronic devices. 
   For example, information from the signal-receiving unit  18  can travel to the information storage device  16 , causing a program to operate to move the unit  30 . The information storage device  16  can also cause a signal to be transmitted through the signal-transmitting unit  18 . Stored information can be analyzed and printed out by the information storage unit  16 . Any suitable information can be stored, such as the time when the unit  30  moves, the time when a part of the unit  30  is accessed, or when it is cleaned by the healthcare provider/caregiver. Other information can also be stored as discussed above in the embodiment. The stored information can also be edited for accuracy by the healthcare provider/caregiver, and a record of such edits can be stored in the information storage unit  16 . The information storage unit  16  can be manufactured out of any material known in the art by any process known in the art. The information storage unit  16  is easily accessible and removable for maintenance and repairs. 
   The above-described embodiments also include the signal receiving unit  18  and the signal-transmitting unit  20 . The signal receiving unit  18  and signal transmitting unit  20  can operate in many different bands such as infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RFID), Industrial Scientific Medical frequency band at 2.4 GHZ, RF, Ethernet local area networks (LAN), 900 MHz radio band, or any other suitable band. Infrared sensors can also be used to navigate in a room. The control  24  and the main station  22  communicate with the signal-receiving unit  18  by sending signals. The control  24  and the main station  22  can use the same signal band or operate in separate bands. The signal-transmitting unit  20  transmits outgoing signals  21  to the main station  22 . The signal-transmitting unit  20  can operate in the same band as the signal receiving unit  18  and the main station  22 , or it can operate in a different band. The signal receiving unit  18 , the signal transmitting unit  20 , the main station  22 , and the control  24  can each send or accept signals with unique frequencies or encodings. 
   The embodiments also include the homing device finder  26 . The homing device finder  26  can operate in any of the bands stated above. The homing device finder  26  can operate on a unique frequency or have a unique encoding to match a specific homing device  28 . This ensures that the unit  30  does not mistakenly travel to another person&#39;s room or to any other wrong location. The homing device finder  26  and the homing device  28  can be made out of any materials known in the art and by any mean known in the art. 
     FIGS. 10 and 10   a  represent the movement of a semi automatic unit. The unit is positioned in a home position  62  that allows for straight unimpeded movement to the edge of the bed at the operation position  66 . The user  60  from bed  41  summons the unit  30  with the remote  24  to travel  64  to the bed.  FIG. 10   a  represents the unit  30  in its active mode in user position. 
     FIG. 11  represents a manual embodiment of a manual operated unit  30 . The device will be placed by a caregiver  70  next to the bed  41  at operation location  66  at the beginning of the night for easy access by the user  60  from bed  41 . The device would be attended to then after 24 hours. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates the flow of information and signals between the control  24 , the signal-receiving unit  18 , the information storage unit  16 , the signal-transmitting unit  20 , the main station  22 , the homing device finder  26  and the homing device  28 . 
   The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
   While the present invention has been set forth in terms of a specific embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood that the equipment herein disclosed may be modified or altered by those skilled in the art to other configurations. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 
   All publications, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth.