Patent Publication Number: US-10322045-B1

Title: Footboard for hospital bed with therapeutic mechanisms housed within

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,328, filed May 29, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a footboard for a hospital bed having therapeutic mechanisms housed within, and having them electrically connected to a control panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The hospital bed is perhaps the most common piece of medical equipment in hospitals and extended care facilities across the country. Patients typically spend most of their time in such beds, other than for tests or physical therapy. So, as one could imagine, patient care and comfort is of the utmost importance while in bed. In fact, many of the tests and physical therapy functions are being performed while a patient is in bed. To further this care, health care professionals rely on several different types of pumps. A T/pump is used to provide heat therapy to increase blood flow to affected body areas. A sequential pump is used to apply sequential compression to the lower limbs, and help prevent deep vein thrombosis. A foot pump is used to mimic the natural motion of walking, and help improve circulation of blood in the legs. An air mattress pump is used to inflate the air mattress upon which the patient lies to allow for individualized comfort. Unfortunately, all of these different pumps occupy space, have power cords, input and output tubing, and the like, which presents a haphazard and cluttered appearance. Should the wrong pump be disconnected due to tangled cords or tubing, patient care can even suffer. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the various pumps and systems used in the care of a bedridden hospital patient can be organized to eliminate the problems as described above. The development of the footboard fulfills this need. 
     Prior art in this field consists of portable carts that transport such pumping equipment in and out of hospital rooms. While these carts are convenient and provide mobility, they fail to alleviate the clutter associated with the wiring and tubing that accompanies the use of such equipment. Furthermore, one lacks the easy access to, and storage of, the equipment because the carts must still be transported in and out of the room. Moreover, the carts still take up much needed space in the hospital room. Some hospital beds are equipped with foot-pedal controls to enable a caregiver to operate the functions of the bed, but these controls are dedicated to actuation of the bed structure. The foot-pedal controls of the prior art cannot be availed to operate the various pumps described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a therapy control system for a hospital bed that is housed within a hollow rectangular frame. This frame is adapted to be mounted to an existing footboard portion of an existing hospital bed, or become the footboard of the hospital bed. The frame is configured to contain at least one (1) therapeutic device, a fluid reservoir, and at least one (1) circuit board. A control panel is disposed on a surface of the frame to enable operational control and monitoring of the various therapeutic devices. The configuration of the system eliminates the clutter and inconvenient connectivity of stand-alone therapeutic devices. 
     The system is a framework mounted on to, or incorporated into, a footboard of a hospital bed, which provides a means to easily access and operate various pumps and equipment used in the care of a bedridden hospital patient. All of the controls and equipment are either housed within or onto the framework, which the framework itself becomes part of the footboard. This neat and compact configuration reduces clutter and improves overall patient care. The system utilizes the typically un-used space upon the front facing surface of the bed&#39;s footboard. A power supply connection is made to a conventional outlet, and internal distribution circuitry routes the power to multiple pump systems. The various pumps can then be controlled via a footboard mounted control panel. All of the pumps utilize plug-in ports for quick connection to the therapeutic pieces used on the patient. These features greatly reduce the clutter associated with independent pumps and their associated power wiring, power connections, control connections and tubing, thus creating a more controlled and organized appearance. 
     The frame is a hollowed structure with a removable control panel. Removing the control panel grants access into the frame and enables a user to maintenance and/or replace therapeutic devices housed within. The interior cavity of the frame is provided with a plurality of dividers to segment the internal space of the frame and facilitate containment of the various therapeutic devices and their associated wiring and tubing. The interior cavity is further provided with portals facilitating fluid and electrical interconnections between the fluid reservoir and each therapeutic device and enabling routing of wiring and tubing to an exterior of the frame. An integral fill connection and drain plug allow a user to replenish and replace fluids of the fluid reservoir when needed. The system preferable has a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The first circuit board provides microprocessor-based circuitry and software and a plurality of display drivers enabling data and status information to appear upon a plurality of digital displays of the control panel. The second circuit board communicates with the various therapeutic devices, performing input/output operations in accordance with algorithmic functions of software instructions within the first circuit board, and to provide power to motor portions of each therapeutic device. The second circuit board also receives input signals from the control panel. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a therapy control system that is adaptable to virtually any footboard of a hospital bed. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a framework into which the therapy system is housed that is configured to be part of the footboard or become the footboard of a hospital bed. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to configure the framework to utilize the interior space of the footboard to house at least one (1) therapy apparatus and all of the electronics and tubing associated with each therapy apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable removable securement of each therapy apparatus within the framework and provide electrical and fluid connectors for each. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a fluid reservoir from which at least one (1) therapy apparatus may utilize to draw fluid from and circulate fluid through. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable routing of tubing and wiring from each therapy apparatus though portals of the framework so as to employ them for therapy when desired. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide at least one (1) circuit board to enable processing and data transfer for monitoring and control of each therapy apparatus via a control panel disposed on a surface of the framework. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental and perspective view of a therapy control system  10  for a hospital bed  11  comprising a footboard  20  with therapeutic mechanisms and controls housed within, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the therapy control system  10  depicting removal of a control panel portion  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front close-up view of a cavity portion  70  of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the processing unit  12 , of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  therapy control system 
               11  hospital bed 
               12  processing unit 
               20  system frame 
               30  therapeutic device 
               35  reservoir 
               36  fill connection 
               37  drain plug 
               70  cavity 
               72  divider 
               80  fastening strap 
               90  portal 
               100  first circuit board 
               102  wiring 
               103  power cord 
               105  second circuit board 
               107  circuit board connector 
               108  data cable 
               110  control panel 
               112  tubing 
               115  panel latch 
               117  label 
               120  display 
               130  activation switch 
               132  increment/decrement button 
               150  electrical connection 
               152  fluid connection 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a therapy control system for a hospital bed (herein described as the “system”)  10 , having a hollow rectangular system frame  20  being mounted to, or replacing an existing footboard portion of an existing hospital bed  11 . The system frame  20  is to contain various therapeutic devices  30 , a fluid reservoir  35 , a first circuit board  100 , and a second circuit board  105 . The system  10  further provides a control panel  110  including a plurality of device displays  120  and push buttons  130 ,  132  being electrically connected to the therapeutic devices  30  to provide control, operation, and programming functions. The system  10  eliminates the impedance associated with a myriad of stand-alone devices, carts, wiring, and tubing that would otherwise clutter operational areas surrounding a hospital bed  11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental perspective views of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system  10  provides a system frame portion  20  providing a hollowed structure serving to contain at least one (1) therapeutic device  30 . The system frame  20  provides an open-front box-like form having a removable control panel  110  covering a rearward-facing surface. The system frame  20  provides a fastening means along perimeter edges for removable attachment of the control panel  110  using panel latching devices  115  such as, but not limited to: thumbscrew fasteners, half-turn latching mechanisms, or screws. The system frame  20  is envisioned to be fabricated from a rigid polymer material; however it is understood that other rigid materials having the ability to support the weight of the various devices placed within may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the system  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . 
     The control panel  110  provides a means to activate, operate, monitor status and settings, program, and select settings for the therapeutic devices  30  via a plurality of digital displays  120  and push buttons  130 ,  132 . Each display  120  is to communicate settings and data for a corresponding therapeutic device  30 . The displays  120  are envisioned to be of a digital type such as liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), touch-screen, or current technology. The control panel  110  is further provided with labels  117  enabling a user to display pertinent information about each display  120 . 
     The push buttons  130 ,  132  are envisioned to include a plurality of contact-closure devices such as activation switches  130  and a plurality of increment/decrement buttons  132 ; however, other various switching devices may be used with equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . The push buttons  130 ,  132  are used by a caregiver to operate the therapeutic devices  30  and to initiate therapeutic treatments to a patient lying in the hospital bed  11 . An embodiment of the system  10  is illustrated here having each push button  130 ,  132  in electrical communication with the second circuit board  105  and is envisioned to be biased in a raised position, which upon being pressed, completes an electrical circuit portion of the second circuit board  105  to communicate an input signal to the first circuit board  100 . The input signals are analyzed and used to subsequently produce output signals to activate or regulate the corresponding therapeutic devices  30 . 
     The system  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  having the front control panel  110  removed for clarity sake. The system frame  20  is provided with an interior cavity  70  which facilitates containment of various therapeutic devices  30 . The cavity  70  is sectioned using a plurality of vertical dividers  72  which extend perpendicularly, thereby providing a designated space for each therapeutic device  30  (also see  FIG. 3 ). The cavity  70  also provides a mounting means to a first circuit board  100  and a second circuit board  105  along an interior surface of the system frame  20 . The circuit boards  100 ,  105  provide electrical and electronic equipment and components necessary for the operation of the system  10  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front close-up view of a cavity portion  70  of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The cavity  70  provides equipment which enables electrical, fluid, and other communication with each therapeutic device  30  including a plurality of fastening straps  80 , a plurality of portals  90 , a plurality of electrical connections  150 , and a plurality of fluid connections  152 . 
     The fastening straps  80  provide flexible “U”-shaped restraining devices being anchored to an inside surface of the system frame  20 , and are envisioned to use an elastic material or spring-like member to secure various wires  102  and tubes  112  associated with each therapeutic device  30 . However, it is understood that other fastening straps  80  may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the system  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . The portals  90  provide rectangular or oval-shaped openings passing through a rear wall portion of the system frame  20  providing a means to route wires and tubing out of the system frame  20  and to the hospital bed  11  and/or directly to a patient. Each portal  90  is configured to facilitate wiring and tubing between the various therapeutic devices  30  and the patient lying in the hospital bed  11 . 
     The system frame  20  provides a plurality of electrical connections  150  and fluid connections  152  positioned adjacent to each therapeutic device  30 . The electrical connections  150  supply an electrical connection when required by the therapeutic device  30 . The fluid connections  152  are envisioned to be easily connected devices such as a LUER CONNECTOR or similar device which provides the therapeutic devices  30  with a flow of fluid, such as water, from the reservoir  35  within the system frame  20 . The fluid reservoir  35  is envisioned to be located within a lower portion of the system frame  20 , providing an internal liquid vessel containing a fluid such as water, being required by fluid circulation type therapeutic devices  30 . The reservoir  35  may be replenished as needed using integral fill connection  36  and drain plug 37 portions located along a side surface. Each fluid connection  152  is in fluid communication with the reservoir  35  and is envisioned to include a self-sealing quick-connect type device which works in conjunction with a mating connector mounted to tubing portions  112  of corresponding therapeutic devices  30  installed within the system  10 . The fluid connectors  152  are preferably located on a floor of the internal cavity  70 . 
     The cavity  70  further includes a first circuit board  100  and a second circuit board  105  which include electrical and electronic equipment and components necessary for the operation of the system  10 . The first  100  and second  105  circuit boards communicate with each other as well as with the therapeutic devices  30  via circuit board connectors  107  and interconnecting wiring  102 . The circuit boards  100 ,  105  are envisioned to receive power via a power cord  103  which is in electrical communication with power circuitry within the existing hospital bed  11  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The first circuit board  100  provides microprocessor-based circuitry and software to provide operational instructions allowing the system  10  to function. Furthermore, the first circuit board  100  provides a plurality of display drivers enabling data and status information to appear upon the displays  120  mounted to the control panel  110 . 
     The second circuit board  105  is envisioned to include a plurality of removably attached circuit board connectors  107  to establish electrical and electronic communication with the various therapeutic devices  30  within the cavity  70 . The second circuit board  105  is in further electrical communication with the first circuit board  100  via a data cable  108  or similar board-to-board connection. The second circuit board  105  is envisioned to provide communication functions and to perform input/output operations to the first circuit board  100  which in turn performs algorithmic functions in accordance with software instructions. 
     The system frame  20  is illustrated here having four (4) therapeutic devices  30 ; however, it is understood that any practical number and type of devices  30  may be introduced and should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . The system frame  20  is envisioned to include various therapeutic devices  30  such as, but not limited to: a temperature control pump (T/pump), a sequential pump, a foot pump, a mattress pump, and the like; however, it is understood that other devices may utilized without deviating from the teachings of the system  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system  10 . It is understood that the therapeutic devices  30  are contained with the system frame  20  to minimize space while maintaining sufficient separation therebetween. 
     A T/pump is an apparatus that generates heat and transfers that heat to a flow of fluid such as water from the reservoir  35 , which is in turn circulated through various devices in contact with a patient&#39;s body while lying in the hospital bed  11 . 
     A sequential pump is an apparatus that supplies compressive pressure about certain areas of a body of a patient lying within the hospital bed  11 . The compressive pressure applied by the sequential pump is typically produced by an air compressor and is transferred in the form of compressed air pulses through a system of tubing and/or cuffs that are placed about portions of the body of a patient lying in the hospital bed  11 . 
     A foot pump is an apparatus that operates similar to the above-described sequential pump but is employed to one (1) or both of a patient&#39;s feet to stimulate physiological responses typically encountered from walking. 
     A mattress pump is an air compressor unit which supplies an uninterrupted flow of compressed air to inflate a bladder of a mattress portion of the hospital bed  11 . 
     It is envisioned that any electrical wiring  102  or tubes  112  attached to the therapeutic devices  30  are to be routed through the portals  90  and directly to the hospital bed  11  and patient, thereby avoiding possible clutter and tripping hazards surrounding the hospital bed  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram of the processing unit  12 , of the system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The processing unit  12  includes a first circuit board  100  and a second circuit board  105  which include electrical and electronic equipment and components necessary for the operation of the system  10 . The first  100  and second  105  circuit boards communicate with input and output portions via circuit board connectors  107  and interconnecting wiring  102 . Power for the circuit boards  100 ,  105  is envisioned to be supplied from power residing upon the existing hospital bed  11  via connection of a power cord  103 . The first circuit board  100  provides microprocessor-based circuitry and software and a plurality of display drivers enabling data and status information to appear upon a plurality of digital displays  120 . The second circuit board  105  is envisioned to communicate with the various therapeutic devices  30 , performing input/output operations in accordance with algorithmic functions of software instructions within the first circuit board  100 , and to provide power to motor portions of each therapeutic device  30 . The second circuit board  105  also receives input signals from the push buttons  130 ,  132  being electrically connected to the therapeutic devices  30  to provide control, operation, and programming functions. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; attaching the system  10  to an existing footboard portion of a hospital bed  11  using appropriate brackets and fasteners; plugging the power cord  103  into an outlet portion of the hospital bed  11 ; removing the control panel portion  110  from the system frame  20  by detaching the panel latches  115 ; disconnecting all circuit board connectors  107  from the first  100  and second  105  circuit boards, if not previously removed; removing the control panel  110 ; installing a desired number of, and types of, commercially-available therapeutic devices  30  between the dividers  72  within the cavity  70  necessary to perform the desired therapeutic functions to a patient lying the hospital bed  11 ; installing therapeutic devices  30  such as, but not limited to, a T/pump  30 , a sequential pump  40 , a foot pump  50 , and a mattress pump  60 ; connecting control wiring  102  from each therapeutic device  30  to the second circuit board  105  using the circuit board connectors  107 ; routing remaining wiring  102  and fluid tubing  112  for each therapeutic device  30  through the portals  90  and making all necessary connections to mattress or patient-based portions of the therapeutic devices  30 ; connecting electrical and fluid supply portions of the therapeutic devices  30  to the electrical connections  150  and fluid connections  152  positioned adjacent to each therapeutic device  30  within the cavity  70 ; ensuring that fluid tubing  112  and electrical wiring  102  from each therapeutic device  30  are secured using the fastening straps  80 ; reconnecting all circuit board connectors  107  and replacing the control panel  110  to the system frame  20  using the panel latches  115 ; filling the reservoir  35  with a fluid such as water using the fill connection  36 ; pressing appropriate push buttons  130  and increment/decrement buttons  132  on the control panel  110  to initiate and manipulate the functions of each therapeutic device  30  within the apparatus  10  to provide therapy and treatments for a patient lying in the hospital bed  11 ; and, benefiting from the performance of therapy for a patient while eliminating the impedance associated with a myriad of stand-alone devices, carts, wiring, and tubing cluttering an area surrounding a hospital bed  11 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.