Patent Publication Number: US-2006009726-A1

Title: Protective enclosure for body support

Description:
This application is a Continuation In-Part Application (CIP) of application Ser. No. 09/063,985 filed Apr. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,920 B1 Granted on Sep. 3, 2002.  
      References Cited  
      U.S. Patent Documents:  
                                                  2,531,757 A   *   11/1950    Whinery   602/79       4,084,586 A   *   4/1978   Hettick   602/60       4,474,573 A   *   10/1984    Kinchenberg et al.   602/19       4,832,010 A   *   5/1989   Lerman   602/63       4,926,845 A   *   5/1990   Harris   602/19       4,977,898 A   *   12/1990    Hunt   602/61       5,423,852 A   *   6/1995   Daneshvar    606/201       5,425,702 A   *   6/1995   Carn et al.   602/62       5,595,192 A   *   1/1997   Tatum    128/869       5,706,523 A   *   1/1998   Wetzel     2/238       5,779,658 A   *   7/1998   Saca   602/61       5,484,395   *   1/1996   DeRoche   602/19       5,647,378   *   7/1997   Farnum    128/876       5,814,001   *   9/1998   Schwenn et al.   602/24       5,928,175   *   7/1999   Tanaka   602/75                 * Cited by examiner             
 
 Primary Examiner—Kim M. Lewis 
 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      Refer to Page No.: 1  
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
      Not Applicable  
     SEQUENCE LISTINGS OR PROGRAMS  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      This invention relates to a protective device of soft, pliable material designed to provide cushioning of bony prominences of bedridden or wheelchair bound patients and to promote safer ambulation.  
      2. Background of Invention  
      For cushioning and protective purposes, it is already well known to utilize pull-on and soft-wrap support devices to protect elbows and knees from abrasion, and to restrict movements of inflamed joints.  
      As intended, these devices prevent bruising from falls, and ease pain from swollen joints. However, patients have been unable to find a protective support device to alleviate occurrences of bedsores, or Decubitis (localized area of inflammation or deterioration of skin and subcutaneous tissue produced by pressure points).  
      Although knee and elbow supports provide protection to those specific areas, they are relatively useless in cases involving bedridden, wheelchair bound or immobile patients suffering from Decubitis. They do not provide therapeutic relief to pressure exerted on the skin between bony prominences, e.g. hips, lower back, buttocks, coccyx, knees and the surface on which the body rests (mattress, examination table, wheelchair, etc.).  
      Currently, physicians order a topical medication and pads for the affected areas. However, these dressings cover only the inflamed areas while failing to prevent similar skin deterioration elsewhere on the body. This present invention provides protection of the hips, buttocks, coccyx, lower back, and other pressure points from the abdominal region down to knees in the form of a formable, soft, pliable cushion of predetermined configuration and prevents irritation such as bedsores caused by movement of the patient for purposes of comfort or administering personal hygiene.  
      A single transfer belt is currently being used for ambulating patients. This method is not safe because the assistant/caregiver does not have total control over the patient&#39;s balance while walking. The patient&#39;s upper torso can easily tilt forward over the belt. The single belt is also constricting the abdominal region, making the ambulating uncomfortable to the patient.  
      The design of my invention helps to solve this problem The patient is enclosed in the protective device while being ambulated, whereas the plurality of transfer belts provide for better control of balance preventing the patient&#39;s upper torso filling forward.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Empirical studies and prior literature provide sufficient evidence to conclude that Decubitis, bedsores, and inflamed tissue pose serious problems to persons confined to bed for prolonged periods or whose incapacitation prevent voluntary movements.  
      The problem arises from (a) contact with firm bed mattresses or wheelchair seats and (b) by infrequent rotation of the patient for long periods. In most cases, the deterioration of skin occurs in the area of bony prominences at the hips, buttocks and knees where there is insufficient subcutaneous tissue, and, to a lesser extent, the upper back or shoulders where the body makes contact with the bed or other devices to rest upon.  
      While physicians order topical medication and pads for the affected areas, these dressings cover only those inflamed areas while failing to prevent similar ulcerated areas elsewhere. The enclosing body support will protect bony prominences from the lower torso to knees vulnerable to Decubitis.  
      The design of my invention allows for the placement of the individual on the device while it is open and in flat configuration. The support is then simply closed with adjustable Velcro® tape latches, which facilitate proper fit and comfort.  
      The device is also designed with an opening in the perineal area to provide for urination or secretion without having to remove the device from the patient. For purpose of bathing or personal hygiene, the Velcro® tape latches are released and the enclosure is opened to allow free access to the patient without discomfort.  
      The objective and advantages of the body support wrap of the present invention are: 
          (a) to relieve pain and discomfort from inflammation and remove pressure to the skin from bony prominences, with particular attention to hips, buttocks, coccyx, lower extremity pressure points and knees;     (b) to keep the affected areas warm, thus stimulating blood circulation for bedridden or wheelchair bound patients unable to move frequently;     (c) to keep the skin protected from abrasive material such as starched sheets, mattress covers, and the residual laundry chemicals left on the sheets or garment;     (d) that the patient, when able, can attach or remove the enclosure with ease by himself/herself without assistance;     (e) that the device allows for movement of patient (rotation in bed) using the device transfer belts instead of directly grasping the patient&#39;s extremities or clothing;     (f) that the patient may also move to and from bed or chair with minimal discomfort without having to reposition or re-fit the device;     (g) that the device permits ease of access through opening of areas requiring attention to personal hygiene, urination and secretion, without removing the device;     (h) that the device is provided with detachable 24 hours monitoring labels to allow for permanent records of recommended patient&#39;s turning required by law.        

      Additional objectives and advantages are to provide a protective enclosure which can be easily and conveniently opened and closed with minimal discomfort to the patient, thereby increasing muscular, skin and vascular tone through unrestricted blood circulation. Among other advantages, the present invention eliminates the need for rubber rings or doughnuts that merely increase the pressure around bony prominences. The present device protects major bony prominences from abdominal region to knees in contact with mattress or chair simultaneously, yet allows the patient to freely move (rotate or sit) with the device attached to the body. This device does not discriminate based on a patient&#39;s sex or age, and any patient with potential susceptibility to skin deterioration can use it.  
      The protective enclosure with transfer belts provides safety in assisting, turning and repositioning the patient while in bed, chair or wheelchair as well as promotes safer ambulation. The flexibility of the device allows for changes in body posture when such change is desired for increased comfort. The transfer belts provide added safety for patient with restricted mobility who may be at risk of falling and promote added safety in body mechanics for nurses, caregivers or family members by assisting them in transferring the patient without having to grasp the patient&#39;s extremities. The transfer belts double loop ensures security against inadvertent opening or tampering of the device.  
      In summary, the present invention provides an enclosure for added comfort to bedridden and wheelchair bound patients which also serves to promote ease of ambulation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be better understood by reference to the drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the protective enclosure for body support  10  according to the present invention while open, showing support wraps for the abdominal region  15  and each leg  25  and  27  sewn together at two specific places  45 . It also shows the extra detachable pads  20  for additional comfort, placed as needed at affected areas.  
       FIG. 2  is an outside plan view showing the protective enclosure for body support  10  with transfer belts  55 , fastening loops  57  and belt loops  60 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the protective enclosure for body support  10  as it would appear when wrapped around a patient&#39;s body, cushioning the bony prominences of the abdominal region, hips, thighs and knees.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The protective enclosure for body support device  10  comprises three parts sewn together at two specific places  45 . An abdominal region support wrap of rectangular shape  15  and a support wrap of slightly irregular rectangular shape for each leg  25  and  27  overlapping each other as shown in the  FIG. 1 . The outer lining is made of sturdy fabric material as nylon, rayon, acrylic, cotton, Dacron®, polyester, or various fabric blends.  
      The filler is made of soft and pliable composite material such as polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, foam rubber (flat sheet, egg-shaped, aerated, etc.) or any other soft and pliable material, providing a cushioning effect of preventing contact between the patient&#39;s bony prominences and the bed or chair, and to allow inflamed areas of the patient&#39;s body to breathe and benefit from increased blood circulation to existing skin lesions or bedsores.  
      The wraps are sewn around the perimeter and several other places with thread  50  of suitable material compatible to the material of the outer lining.  
      For additional comfort one or more detachable pads  20  of various sizes and shapes (round, rectangular, oblong, etc.) could be added to the device at locations of the body where extra padding is needed to further cushion body prominences of the patient. The pads will be manufactured from the same specified material as for body wraps outer lining and filler. The pads shall be attached to support wraps on the inside by means of peel-off double sided adhesive tape or by any other suitable means.  
      For sanitary reasons, the external fabric of support wraps  15 ,  25  and  27 , and detachable pads  20  can be made also from disposable suitable material in order to make the detachable pads and the entire body support disposable.  
      The rectangular abdominal region support wrap  15  and the legs supporting wrap  25  and  27  can be made also with rounded or beveled corners to facilitate ease of manufacturing.  
      For the purpose of administering personal hygiene or urination and secretion, an opening  29 , as cutout in the wraps is provided.  
      Velcro® latches or fasteners  30  and  40  are sewn to the support wraps to facilitate opening and closing of the device as well as to allow for adjustment to body size and patient&#39;s comfort.  
      The Velcro® latch or fastener comprises a hook tape  30  and loop tape  40 . The loop tapes  40  are made longer to permit adjustability of support wrap for comfortable proper fit to the patient&#39;s body. A plurality of Velcro® loop tapes  30  will vary according to the size of the enclosure device.  
      For an added safety in ambulating a transfer belts  55  made of seat belt material are provided. Two belts on the abdominal wrap and one on each leg wrap. The belts are secured by a double loops  57  to ensure against opening and tampering by the patient. The ends of belts are passed through belt loops  60 .  
      A size of present invention will vary with the size of the patient: small, medium and large. The sizes also accommodate variations in accordance with sex, age, and body measurements.  
      A perspective view of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the enclosure body support as it would appear when closed around a patient&#39;s body by Velcro® fasteners and transfer belts.  
      Additional advantages of the protective enclosure for body support wrap  10  include: 
          (a) a bedridden or wheelchair bound patient will be relieved of pain caused by hard contact with mattresses and seats;     (b) the cushioning effect will prevent development of inflamed tissue around bony prominences and allows the curative effect of increased blood circulation to existing lesions or bedsores;     (c) the Velcro® fasteners will permit quick and easy opening and closing of the device for purpose of bathing, changing undergarments, personal hygiene, and application of topical medication or new dressings.        

      The manner of using the protective enclosure for body support is simple and convenient, either for the attending health care provider, family member or for the patient himself/herself. The patient is placed with the back on the open device so that the lower body portion of the patient&#39;s torso rests on the abdominal wrap  15 . The patient is then centered on the abdominal wrap  15  with the buttocks and coccyx slightly above the opening  29  and with his legs overlying the legs wraps  25  and  27 . The protective enclosure for body support  10  is then closed thereby covering the body from the abdominal region to the knees with the inner lining protecting and cushioning the bony prominences and at the same time a cutout  29  permits catheterization, urination and secretion.  
      When the wrap is closed, the device is held in place on the patient&#39;s body by the Velcro® latches  30  and  40 , adjusted for body size and patient&#39;s comfort. Transfer belts  55  shall be used for ambulating, turning and repositioning only. Opening of the device is equally simple and easy by pulling the Velcro® hook tape  30  and loop tape  40  apart to free the overlapping edges of the support.  
      The present invention thus protects and supports the body easily and conveniently, can be closed and reopened as often as needed as treatment or hygiene requires, and can be removed without discomfort to the individual. The invention thus relieves pressure on skin and subcutaneous tissue; prevents sensory loss, or absence of the patient&#39;s awareness of pain and pressure; permit&#39;s the supply of nutrients to tissue cells, thus avoiding edema, by improving blood circulation which, in turn, aids the healing of existing ulcers or bedsores; and facilitates increased activity by the patient because the device reduces or eliminates the discomfort of motion, allowing activity to thereby increase muscular, skin, and vascular tone.