Patent Publication Number: US-7222378-B2

Title: Enveloping patient carrier having lateral and longitudinal support members

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/412,434, filed Apr. 11, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,747. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rigid stretchers for transporting injured patients are well known. Certain known rigid stretchers are partially collapsible. These stretchers include one or more rigid support panels or beams. Because of the rigid panels or beams, these stretchers can be relatively heavy and cumbersome when handled by emergency personnel during rescue operations, and these stretchers can occupy a relatively significant amount of space in vehicles and other storage areas. Also, these known stretchers do not include a patient covering which aids in the protection of emergency personnel from hazardous body fluids from the patient and which guards the front of patient&#39;s body during transport. 
   One known rescue bag has been developed for keeping injured people warm while they are lying on stretchers. Though this rescue bag covers part of the patient&#39;s body, it is merely an accessory to a stretcher. Accordingly, one of the disadvantages of this rescue bag is that it does not function as a patient carrier. The emergency personnel must use a stretcher in conjunction with this rescue bag in order to pick-up, carry and transport an injured person to a desired location. In addition, such a rescue bag does not have medical treatment openings which provide emergency personnel with relatively quick access to select portions of the person&#39;s body, for example, to deliver essential treatments, such as IV solutions, heart defibrillation and the like. 
   Therefore, there is a need to overcome the foregoing disadvantages and to provide improvements to patient transporters. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The enveloping patient carrier of the present invention aids in the protection of emergency personnel as they transport patients in need of care, while also providing protection to patients with critical injuries. It is preferable that the enveloping patient carrier is fully flexible, relatively easily transportable, relatively light weight and configured to envelop a patient. Once a patient is placed in the patient carrier of the present invention, the transfer of blood, pathogens or other deleterious fluids is reduced, thus providing an extra level of protection for emergency personnel. In addition, patients with sensitive injuries are protected from their environment when placed in the patient carrier. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the patient carrier comprises a flexible container defining a cavity adapted to receive a patient, providing separate sections for the torso and arms of the patient. The patient carrier covers the entire body of the patient and is configured with a face opening to allow the patient to breathe and use medical instruments, such as oxygen masks and respiration devices. The patient carrier is also configured with handles to assist emergency personnel in transporting the patient. The patient carrier may, in one embodiment, optionally be configured with a stretcher securing member for securing the patient carrier to a stretcher. It should be understood, however, that the patient carrier of the present invention enables users to transport patients without the use of a stretcher. 
   The patient carrier also has a reclosable entry to allow a patient to be placed in the patient carrier. In an embodiment, an interlocking zipper to minimize seepage is positioned down the center of the patient carrier enables a user to place a patient in the patient carrier and remove the patient from the carrier. 
   The patient carrier is also configured with medical instrument openings or treatment openings to facilitate the treatment of the patient. In an embodiment, the patient carrier is configured with medical treatment openings near the arms and chest area to accommodate medical instruments such as IV&#39;s, blood pressure bands, heart defibrillators, and the like. In an embodiment, the medical treatment openings are resealable, by the use of an interlocking zipper, hook and loop fastener or other suitable fastening apparatus. 
   The patient carrier of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes a patient encasement, fully bendable patient envelope, flexible body container or carriable bag having a plurality of re-closable openings and a plurality of carrying handles. The openings enable users to access non-ambulatory patients for purposes of monitoring the patient and providing medical treatment or medical attention. The patient carrier encloses a substantial portion of the patient in order to aid in the protection of health care personnel from infectious or hazardous fluids (gas or liquid) and to aid in the protection of the patient from various hazards, such as injury from sharp or abrasive objects, exposure to harmful fluids (gas or liquid) and exposure to relatively intense heat, fire or cold weather. 
   It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide an enveloping patient carrier and method for facilitating the transport and treatment of patients. 
   Another advantage of the present invention to provide a patient carrier which aids in the protection of health care personnel from exposure to infections or hazardous fluids during the handling of a patient. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide limited protection to a patient from various hazards such as sharp or abrasive objects, exposure to harmful fluids, and exposure to heat, fire, or cold weather while being transported. 
   A key advantage of the present invention is to facilitate the carrying and storage of patient transport devices. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is to reduce the contamination of an emergency transport vehicle used to transport the patient. 
   Still another advantage of the present invention is to increase the ease of transporting patients. 
   Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a top or plan view of a patient carrier in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a patient carrier in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a top or plan view of a patient carrier illustrating the lateral and longitudinal support members in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a patient carrier illustrating the lateral and longitudinal support members in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top or plan view of a patient carrier illustrating the lateral and longitudinal support members and the handle union in one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a patient carrier illustrating the lateral and longitudinal support members and the handle union in one embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of the enveloping patient carrier or patient carrier  10  of the present invention. In one embodiment, the patient carrier  10  includes: (a) a torso portion  12  for holding the torso of the patient; (b) a right arm member  14  for holding the patient&#39;s right arm; and (c) a left arm member  16  for holding the patient&#39;s left arm. 
   The torso portion  12  preferably includes a top side  13  having: (a) a face wall  40  defining an opening  30  for the patient&#39;s face (not shown); (b) a plurality of chest access walls  38  defining chest openings  22 ; (c) a torso wall  42  defining a torso opening (not shown); (d) a re-adjustable fastener  44 , preferably a zipper, attached to the chest access walls  38 ; (e) a re-adjustable fastener  46 , preferably a zipper, attached to the torso wall  42 ; and (f) a plurality of handles  26   a  to  26   f  attached to the sides  48  and  50  of the torso portion  12 . 
   The face wall  40  preferably includes a substantially circular elastic securing band or biasing member  32 . This biasing member  32  aids in the placement and attachment of the face wall  40  to the patient&#39;s face or neck area. The chest openings  22  preferably function as medical instrument or medical treatment openings. These medical treatment openings enable health providers to access the patient&#39;s chest area with one or more medical instruments, such as a defibrillator  36 , a stethoscope or other medical equipment. 
   The torso wall  42  preferably has a relatively straight configuration. However, the torso wall  42  can have any suitable configuration (not shown), such as a U-shaped or L-shaped configuration to aid in the placement of patients into the patient carrier  10 . 
   The handles  26   a  to  26   f  can include any suitable hand grip member. Preferably, each handle  26   a - b  is an end of a single-piece elongated member  52 , such as a strap. This elongated member  52  is preferably secured to the sides  48  and  50  of the torso portion  12  in a non-removable fashion, such as through the use of the fasteners  54  described below. Each such elongated member  52  is preferably positioned laterally along the underside or bottom side  56  of the torso portion  12 . In this position, the elongated members  52  function as body weight distribution members which distribute the patient&#39;s body weight to the handles  26   a  to  26   f.    
   It is also preferable that each handle  26   a  to  26   f  is constructed of a loop configuration at each end of each elongated member  52 , wherein a suitable fastener  54 , such as a snap-fit or crimp ring, secures the handles  26   a  to  26   f  to the torso portion  12 . In one embodiment the fastener  54  defines an opening for receiving a safety rope, patient retrieval rope, hook or a fastener for securing the patient to a stretcher. It should be appreciated that the patient carrier  10  can include any suitable stretcher securing member to secure a patient in the patient carrier  10  to a stretcher or other relatively rigid transport device. For example, emergency personnel could use the patient carrier  10  by itself to rescue a patient from a fire and carry the patient to an ambulance. Once inside the ambulance, the personnel could secure the patient carry  10  to a stretcher or rigid structure. 
   The arm members  14  and  16  preferably each include: (a) an arm wall  58  defining an arm access opening (shown in arm member  16  only); and (b) a re-adjustable fastener  60  preferably a zipper, attached to the arm wall  58 . The arm access openings preferably function as medical treatment openings which enable health care providers to access the patient&#39;s arm with one or more medical instruments, such as an intravenous (IV) catheter  34 . 
   The fasteners  44 ,  46  and  60  of the patient carrier  10  allow general access to the patient and in particular, allow emergency or rescue personnel to treat the patient with medical instruments. It should be appreciated that other fasteners can be placed at other openings (not shown). The fasteners  44 ,  46 , and  60  are preferably resealable interlocking zippers, however, they can include hook and loop fasteners (such as VELCRO®) or other suitable fasteners. The fasteners  44 ,  46  and  60  are preferably water resistant, such as interlocking zippers, to reduce the transfer of fluids out of and into the patient carrier  10 . The fasteners  44 ,  46  and  60  and the opening defined by such fasteners are further protected by movable shields, guards or flaps  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  and  78 , which provide additional resistance to fluid transfer preferably when the fasteners  44 ,  46  and  60  are in a closed position. 
   It should be appreciated that the size, shape and placement of the walls  38 ,  42  and  58  may vary according to the needs of the application. In an embodiment, the arm walls  58  are longitudinally displaced along the arm members  14  and  16  and measure approximately eighteen inches in length, and the chest walls  38  are positioned across the upper torso portion  12  and are approximately eighteen inches in length. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in one embodiment, the patient carrier  100  includes: (a) the lateral support members  52  which preferably extend from the left torso region  102  to the right torso region  104  of the patient carrier  100 ; (b) a plurality of longitudinal support members  106  which preferably extend from the head region  108  to the foot region  110  of the patient carrier  100 ; (c) a plurality of upper body carrying handles  112  and a plurality of lower body carrying handles  114 , each of which is coupled to (or part of) one of the longitudinal support members  106 ; and (d) the other components of patient carrier  10 . 
   The lateral support members  52  can be coupled to the longitudinal support members  106  by stitches or any other suitable fastener  116 . Also, each of the longitudinal support members  106  can be integral with one of the handles  112  or  114 . In such embodiment, each handle  112  and  114  is formed by looping one of the ends  116  of one of the strap-shaped longitudinal support members  106 . For each one of the handles  112  and  114 , a connector or fastener  54  passes through such handle, through the top side  13 , through the bottom side  56  and through the longitudinal support member  106  connected to such handle. 
   In operation, one or more users can grasp the side carrying handles  26   a  through  26   f  while one or more users are grasping the top and bottom carrying handles  112  and  114 . The lateral support members or lateral straps  52  provide support to the patient&#39;s torso from one side to the other side of the torso. The longitudinal support members or longitudinal straps  106  provide support to the patient&#39;s torso from the foot region  110  to the head region  108 , substantially parallel to the spinal axis of the patient. The support forces provided by the intersecting lateral and longitudinal support members  52  and  106  enhance the stability of the patient carrier  100  while the patient is being carried. Also, the handles  26   a  through  26   f ,  112  and  114 , being positioned around the perimeter of the patient carrier  100 , provide the users with greater freedom to access and grasp the patient carrier  100  from different positions and angles. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment, the patient carrier  200  includes: (a) an upper handle union  202  which is connected to a plurality of the carrying handles  112 ; (b) a lower handle union  204  which is connected to a plurality of the carrying handles  114 ; and (c) the other components of patient carrier  100 . The handle union  202  has a grasp region  206 , and the handle union  204  has a grasp region  208 . By grasping the grasp region  206 , a user can apply a carrying or pulling force to all of the carrying handles  112  at once. Similarly, by grasping the grasp region  208 , a user can apply a carrying or pulling force to all of the carrying handles  114  at once. In one embodiment, by grasping a single handle union  202 , a user&#39;s carrying or pulling force will be distributed to all of the handles  112  and to all of the longitudinal support members  106 . Likewise, by grasping a single handle union  204 , a user&#39;s carrying or pulling force will be distributed to all of the handles  114  and to all of the longitudinal support members  106 . Accordingly, the handle unions  202  and  204  can assist users in carrying, accessing and handling the patient carrier  200 . 
   Manufacture of Patient Carrier 
   The patient carrier  10  of the present invention may be manufactured using any suitable fastener or fasteners. In one embodiment, the patient carrier  10  includes the top side or top surface  13  and an underside or bottom surface  56  preferably secured together through a heat sealing or heat bonding technique, forming a mechanical bond between such surfaces. Such bond aids in reducing the transfer of infectious diseases or harmful fluids (gas or liquid) from the patient to emergency personnel. It should be appreciated that other suitable fasteners or fastening techniques can be used, such as adhesives, lines of stitching or strips of material. In another embodiment, the patient carrier  10  is manufactured, such as through extrusion, from one integral piece of material which defines a body pouch configured with suitable compartments to accommodate the face, torso and arms of a patient. 
   In one embodiment, the patient carrier  100  can be manufactured by: (a) providing a flexible top layer; (b) forming a torso opening within the flexible top layer, where the torso opening is sized to receive a torso of a patient; (c) forming a face opening within the flexible top layer, where the face opening is sized to expose a portion of a patient&#39;s face; (d) providing a flexible bottom layer; (e) coupling a plurality of arm members to the flexible top layer and the flexible bottom layer; (f) forming a medical treatment opening within the flexible top layer or one of the arm members, where the medical treatment opening is different than the torso opening, and where the medical treatment opening is different than the face opening; (g) coupling a plurality of handles to the flexible top layer or the flexible bottom layer; (h) extending at least one lateral support member laterally across the flexible bottom side, where the lateral support member has a plurality of ends; (i) coupling each end of the lateral support member to one of the handles; (j) extending at least one longitudinal support member longitudinally across the flexible bottom side, where the longitudinal support member has a plurality of ends; and (k) coupling each end of the longitudinal support member to one of the handles. This method can also include the step of causing the torso opening and the medical treatment opening to be re-closable. This method can also include the step of forming a heat seal bond to connect the flexible top side to the flexible bottom side. 
   Method of Use 
   In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of assisting in the transport and treatment of a patient. The emergency personnel or other users open the zipper  46  and place the patient&#39;s torso into the torso cavity (not shown) defined by the torso portion  12 , while inserting the patient&#39;s arms into the arm cavities (not shown) defined by the arm members  14  and  16 . The users also insert the patient&#39;s face partially through face opening  30 , with the aid of the securing member  32 , which is preferably an elastic band. Preferably two or more users grasp the handles  26   a  to  26   f  on both sides  48  and  50  of the patient carrier  10 . The users then carry the patient to a desired location. At any time, the users can access the patient&#39;s arm areas or chest area by opening chest walls  38  or arm walls  58 . The users can use these reclosable walls  38  and  58  openings to monitor and treat the patient. 
   Materials 
   The patient carrier  10  can be manufactured from any suitable flexible material. Such material is preferably relatively strong, water resistant and fire-resistant or fire proof. In addition, the material preferably has a pathogen barrier characteristic which decreases the transfer or spread of pathogens, diseases or harmful chemicals or biological substances. In one embodiment, the material includes multiple layers manufactured from a suitable polyethylene bonded or laminated to a reinforcement grid. The reinforcement grid can be constructed of nylon, cotton or any other suitable material. 
   In one embodiment, a material commercially available and known as Griffolyn® Type-55 is used to construct the patient carrier  10 . This material includes a three-ply laminate combining two layers of low density polyethylene and a high-strength cord grid. This material preferably has the following characteristics:
         (a) resistance to tears due to multiple layers and cord grid reinforcement;   (b) ultraviolet (UV) stabilization which helps protect the material from degradation during extended exposure to sunlight;   (c) cold-crack resistance which reduces or eliminates failures in extremely cold temperatures;   (d) low permeability which inhibits or eliminates moisture transmission;   (e) flexibility and light weight allow for easy handling and quick installation; and   (f) relatively high durability.       

   In addition, such commercially available material has the following additional characteristics: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Property 
               ASTM Test 
               U.S. Value 
               Metric Value 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Weight 
                 
               D-751 
               26.7 
               lbs/1000 ft 2   
               13 
               kg/100 m 2   
             
             
               3” Load @ Yield 
               MD 
               D-882 
               85 
               lbf 
               378 
               N 
             
             
                 
               TD 
               D-882 
               82 
               lbf 
               365 
               N 
             
             
               3” Load @ Break 
               MD 
               D-882 
               30 
               lbf 
               133 
               N 
             
             
                 
               PSI 
               D-882 
               1997 
               psi 
               13.8 
               Mpa 
             
             
                 
               TD 
               D-882 
               25 
               lbf 
               111 
               N 
             
             
                 
               PSI 
               D-882 
               1726 
               psi 
               11.9 
               Mpa 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               3” Elongated @ Break 
               MD 
               D-882 
               600% 
               600% 
             
             
                 
               TD 
               D-882 
               525% 
               525% 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Tongue Tear 
               MD 
               D-2261 
               20 
               lbf 
               89 
               N 
             
             
                 
               TD 
               D-2261 
               21 
               lbf 
               93 
               N 
             
             
               PPT Resistance 
               MD 
               D-2582 
               20 
               lbf 
               89 
               N 
             
             
                 
               TD 
               D-2582 
               22 
               lbf 
               98 
               N 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Drop Dart 
               D-1709 
               1.3 
               lbs 
               0.59 
               kg 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Cold Crack 
               D-1709 (mod.) 
               −35° F. 
               −37° C. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   It is preferable that the usable temperature range for such commercially available material has the following range: minimum of −35° F. or −37° C. to a maximum of 170° F. or 77° C. 
   The patient carrier  10  may also be insulated to keep a patient warm in cold climates. The insulation can be particularly useful, for example, when patients must be transported a long distance outdoors. The insulation material can be added to the inner or middle layers of the patient carrier  10 . In an embodiment, insulation material is added between two or more layers of the material used to manufacture the patient carrier  10 . 
   The patient carrier  10  may be variously shaped to accommodate patients of different sizes from infants to large adults. In an embodiment, the patient carrier  10  is approximately seven and one-half five feet long, three feet across the torso portion  12 , with the arm members  14  and  16  measuring approximately two feet, three inches in length and eight inches in width. 
   The patient carrier  10  of the present invention can include: (a) one or more electronic devices, displays or electro-mechanical components; or (b) one or more electronic device securing members in order to assist users in monitoring, classifying or treating patients. In addition, the patient carrier  10  can be constructed in a variety of colors or coloring schemes to assist in the classification of patients by type of medical condition or any other factors. It should also be appreciated that part or all of the patient carrier  10  can be constructed of a suitable bullet proof or bullet resistant material. 
   The patient carrier  10  of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes a flexible body container or carriable bag having a plurality of re-closable openings and a plurality of carrying handles. These openings enable users to access non-ambulatory patients for purposes of monitoring the patient and providing medical treatment. The handles enable multiple users to carry the patient to and from desired locations. Furthermore, the patient carrier  10  encloses a substantial portion of the patient, preferably all portions except for the face, in order to: (a) aid in the protection of users from infectious or hazardous fluids (gas or liquid); and (b) aid in the protection of the patient from various hazards, such as injury from sharp or abrasive objects, exposure to harmful fluids (gas or liquid) and exposure to intensive heat, fire or cold weather. This type of patient carrier enhances the rescue and treatment of patients while aiding in the protection of emergency personnel and health care providers. 
   It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.