Abstract:
An adjustable bed having a frame and a mattress support including a head section, center section, and foot section. The head section and foot section are pivotally attached to the center section for raising and lowering. At least one sidearm railing is preferably attached to the side of the bed. A pair of adjustable egress poles are attachable to each side of the mattress and extend upward from the mattress support deck to a height such that when the backrest section is raised to move the bariatric patient from a supine to a seated position in the bed and the lower extremity section is lowered to permit the bariatric patient to place their feet on the floor. The patient can grasp an upper portion of each pole in a respective hand to assist the patient in exiting the bed from the foot end of the bed.

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/579,226, filed Jun. 14, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to hospital beds, and more particularly to an improved adjustable bed for bariatric patients.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Bariatric patients typically weigh between 300 and 700 pounds. As a result, existing hospital beds are typically not sufficiently sturdy to support these weights. Bariatric beds have been developed for use by bariatric patients. Bariatric beds typically include a very heavy duty frame and side rails which can be pivoted outwardly to accommodate large patients.  
         [0004]     Gastric bypass surgery is an increasingly popular procedure for bariatric or morbidly obese patients. Upon completion of the surgery, it is desirable for the patient to be ambulatory within 6 to 8 hours of the operation. This often requires the patient to stress his or her abdominal muscles while hospital personnel assist the patient out of the bed.  
         [0005]     Attempting to assist a bariatric patient out of bed and assume a standing position requires substantial strength on the part of an assisting nurse or orderly. Such personnel are often faced with the problem of over-exerting themselves in assisting such a patient. Back strain is a common complaint among nurses for this reason. An alternative is for the nurse to call upon stronger orderlies to help, but they may not be readily available when the patient needs to get out of bed.  
         [0006]     Traditionally, patients have exited a hospital bed from the side thereof. This method of exiting a bed is especially difficult for obese patients following abdominal surgery. For example, the patient must be rotated 90 degrees so the patient&#39;s feet are extending off the side of the bed. Next, it is necessary for the patient to sit upright from a supine position. Even with the assistance of hospital personnel, the transition from a supine position to a sitting position can cause strain to the abdominal muscles if the patient&#39;s back is not adequately supported.  
         [0007]     There are various examples of adjustable beds that have been designed for bariatric patients in the known prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,695 of Johnston et al. is directed to an adjustable bed for the care of morbidly obese patients. It comprises a backrest, a center section and a lower extremity section that are hingedly interconnected and have power devices which selectively raise the head and lower extremity section relative to the center section.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,104 to Grantham is directed to a bed that is convertible to an easy chair. Conversion occurs by moving an upper frame and the mattress longitudinally toward the foot of the bed while elevating the upper body portion of the movable frame to form the back of the chair. As the frame moves toward the foot, the lower portion, together with the portion of the mattress thereon, is drawn back underneath the bed and out of the way from interfering with the patient sitting in the chair configuration with his or her feet on the floor.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,557 to Bobey et al., entitled “Bariatric Bed” is directed to a low air loss bladder coupled to a siderail. The bed includes pivotable siderails on opposite sides of the bed. The siderails are pivotable relative to a frame in an outward pivoted position to accommodate large patients on the bed.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,474 to Foster et al. is directed to a hospital bed wherein the patient support platform is movable between a bed position in substantially parallel relationship with the seat section and chair position with the leg section rotated downward relative to the seat section. The mattress defines a footprint projected downward on a floor surface when the patient support platform is in the bed position. Movement of the leg section of the patient support platform uncovers a portion of the footprint that remains located between perimeter portion of the frame after said movement.  
         [0011]     Other prior art bariatric beds include the Maxi Rest Bariatric Beds and Bariatric Stretcher Beds marketed by Gendron, Inc. of Archbold, Ohio.  
         [0012]     The known prior art does not address the unique needs of bariatric patients following abdominal surgeries such as gastric bypass surgery. Specifically, the prior art does not adequately allow a post-operative patient to independently move from a supine position to an upright position standing on the floor without straining the patient&#39;s abdominal muscles. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved adjustable bariatric bed that facilitates aggressive patient recovery while promoting a sense of stability and dignity for the patient.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In one embodiment of the invention, a lower extremity section lowering system for a bariatric bed is disclosed. The lower extremity section lowering system is designed to facilitate aggressive patient recovery by allowing a patient a full frontal exit of the bed that is both safe and promotes a sense of stability and dignity for the patient. This is accomplished due to the unique design that allows the lower extremity section of the bed to lower while raising the backrest to an elevated angle. Accordingly, the patient is located in a full-seated position which allows the patient to self-ambulate without compromising the safety of the patient. Once in a seated position, the patient is able to use a pair of adjustable egress poles to pull themselves into a standing position. Unlike conventional bariatric chairs, the present invention can also be used as an acute care bed because it provides for all the necessary functions to serve in an acute care bariatric setting, as well as a rehabilitation setting.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, an adjustable bed includes a ground engaging frame and a deck pivotally mounted to the frame. The deck includes a backrest, a center section, and a lower extremity section, each having opposite sides. The backrest and lower extremity section are pivotally attached to the center section for respective relative raising and lowering. At least one sidearm is attached to the backrest at a side thereof. The sidearm has a remote end adapted for providing support to confine a patient on the bed. At least one sidearm is attached to the center section at a side thereof. The sidearm has a remote end adapted for providing support to confine a patient on the bed. At least one handle is disposed on an end member, the end member is attached to the deck by a extender.  
         [0015]     In yet another embodiment of the invention, an adjustable bed is disclosed comprising a floor engaging frame and a deck pivotally mounted to the frame. The deck includes a backrest capable of rotating from a position substantially parallel to the deck to a position substantially perpendicular to the floor. A center section is attached to the deck. A lower extremity section is capable of rotating from a position substantially parallel to the deck to a position substantially perpendicular to the floor, whereby, the backrest and lower extremity section are pivotally attached to said center section for respective rotation. At least one sidearm is attached to the backrest at a side thereof. The sidearm has a remote end adapted for providing support to confine a patient on the bed. At least one sidearm is attached to the center section at a side thereof. The sidearm has a remote end adapted for providing support to confine a patient on the bed. A first handle is disposed on a first end member. The first end member is attached to the deck by a first extender. A second handle is disposed on a first end member. The first end member is attached to the deck by a first extender. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable bed incorporating the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an adjustable bed incorporating the present invention and with the backrest in the upright position and the lower extremity section in the lowered position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an adjustable bed incorporating the present invention and with the backrest in the upright position and the lower extremity section in the lowered position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the frame of the adjustable bed.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the lower extremity section of the adjustable bed.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the lower extremity section of the adjustable bed.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the lower extremity section of the adjustable bed.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the lower extremity section of the adjustable bed.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an adjustable bed including a controller mounted to the side of the bed.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an adjustable bed incorporating the present invention with the side arms in a rotated position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the various figures. In the preferred embodiment, the features and aspects of the present invention are incorporated into the design of an existing bariatric bed, such as the Maxi Rest Bariatric Beds and Bariatric Stretcher Beds available from Gendron, Inc., for which the details or operation and construction are incorporated herein by reference. It will be understood, however, that the present invention may be incorporated into any number of designs for a bariatric bed for either existing beds or for newly designed bariatric hospital beds.  
         [0027]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3  an adjustable bed is shown embodying the present invention. The adjustable bed  1  comprises a floor engaging frame  2  and a deck  3 . Deck  3  is pivotally connected to frame  2  and capable of allowing support  3  to rotate with respect to frame  2 .  
         [0028]     Deck  3  includes a center section  5  and a backrest  4  pivotally interconnected to the center section  5 . This configuration enables backrest  4  to rotate at an angle with respect to the floor, thereby enabling a patient to sit on bed  1  in an upright position. In a preferred embodiment, deck  3  is movable from a low position of 19.5″ to a high position of 29″. Moreover, backrest  4  is capable of rotating at least 45 degrees with respect to the floor, more preferably, at least 60 degrees with respect to the floor, preferably in by powered operation of a of the deck  3  as described below.  
         [0029]     Side arms  9  are preferably pivotally connected to opposite sides of the center section  5  and include rotation locking means to confine a patient on the bed  1  and to selectively provide additional restive area. Similarly, side arms  10  are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the backrest  4 . Side arms  10  also include rotation locking means to confine a patient on the bed  1 .  
         [0030]     Lower extremity section  6  is pivotally connected to deck  3  at hinge  7  and hinge  8 . Lower extremity section  6  is capable of rotating approximately 90 degrees from a position that is substantially parallel to the floor to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the floor. This configuration permits the lower extremity section  6  to swing clear of a patient when the bed  1  is tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position. This configuration defines a full frontal exit system, which enables a patient to egress from the bed  1  in an independent, dignified manner. The system also provides for a high level of security and stability because the patients feet can easily be positioned firmly on the floor while the patient supports himself with handles  18 .  
         [0031]     The frame  2  is a stationary, ground engaging structure adapted to support the patient and the deck  3  above the ground or floor surface. Frame  2  includes a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending side rails  13  which are interconnected by laterally extending cross members  15 . Wheels  17  are pivotally attached to opposite ends of the side rails  13 . The wheels  17  are preferably provided with brakes to selectively prevent inadvertent movement of bed  1  over the floor surface. In a preferred embodiment, wheels  17  comprise 8″ diameter casters with two wheel locks operated at head and foot. This configuration permits patients to be easily moved from room to room with minimal effort.  
         [0032]     A pair of upright egress poles  19  are attached to the deck  3  at receiver  16 . Egress poles include handles  18  to help a patient into or off of bed  1  and to facilitate movement of the bed  1 . Receivers  16  have open lower ends that enable egress poles  19  to be adjusted with respect to receivers  16  to facilitate movement of the patient. Extenders  15  are telescopically connected to deck  3  and allow the distance between handles  18  and side arms  9  to be adjusted. Extenders  15  are capable of adjusting the length of the bed, preferably from about 80 inches to 90 inches.  
         [0033]     In a preferred embodiment, lower extremity section  6 , is capable of being positioned between extenders  15 . Lower extremity section  6 , is capable of moving in a downward position to a sufficient angle of comfort. When the lower extremity section  6  is substantially perpendicular to the floor, a patient can stand between extenders  15  while grasping handles  18 . This configuration further assists a patient from egressing from the bed  1 .  
         [0034]     Each of the sections  4 ,  5  and  6  have a generally rectangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 5 , lower extremity section  6  includes a rigid, peripheral frame  30  including side members  31  and  32 . A plate  33  is disposed in the interior of peripheral frame  30 , and is preferably fastened to side members  31  and  32  so that plate  33  will not interfere with the comfort of the bed. For example, welds may be disposed along the frame  30  on the interior side of plate  33 . Medial brace member  35  is shown parallel to and midway between side member  31  and side member  32 . Medial brace member  35  provides additional support for plate  33 . Each of the sections  4 ,  5  and  6  also includes a plate  33  and a medial brace member  35  extending between the side members  31  and  32  of the respective frames  30 .  
         [0035]     The entire interconnected deck  3  is able to rotate with respect to the frame  2  by hinges  44  and  45 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . This enables deck  3  to move to an inclined position with respect to frame  2 . Frame  2  and deck  3  are preferably fabricated from a rigid material such a steel or aluminum. Although a variety of materials may be used while remaining within the scope of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, frame  2  and deck  3  are capable of providing maximum stability while moving a patient from surgical recovery ward to hospital room, thereby reducing the amount of unnecessary patient transfers.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, bed  1  is able to support a patient weighing at least 600 pounds, more preferably 700 pounds. In a preferred embodiment, bed  1  is able to support 1000 pounds.  
         [0037]     The adjustable bed  1  has standard size transverse dimensions to accommodate passage through a normal width hospital door. In a preferred embodiment, the width of deck  3  is expandable from 39″ to 48″ to 54″. In another embodiment, the width of deck  3  is expandable from 36 to 54 inches.  
         [0038]     In one embodiment, lift means extend between the frame  2  and the head and lower extremity sections  4  and  6  for tilting the head and lower extremity sections  4  and  6  with respect to the center section  5 . Each lift means can include a 24 volt linear actuator with emergency battery backup. The motors are operable in either rotational direction to raise or lower sections  4  or  6 . Thus, operation of the respective lift means at the head and lower extremity sections  4  and  6  causes same to pivot about the respective hinges and move either upwardly or downwardly as selected. Each of the lift means are electrically connected with a circuit arrangement for selectively activating each of the motors and controlling the direction of rotation thereof. Preferably, each lift means is activated by current of  24  volts DC. In a preferred embodiment, a switching controller  58  is provided for operation of the lift means and has push button switches therein for manipulation.  
         [0039]     The side arms  9  and  10  are positioned on opposite sides of the center section  5  and backrest  4 , respectively, and are rotatable toward and away from the center section  5  for purposes later described. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the side arms each include spaced arm members  95  and  96  respectively having a lower end  97  and an upper end  98 . In one embodiment, the lower end  97  may include a pivotal connection to the center section  5  or backrest  4 .  
         [0040]     A side arm rail  130  is attached to the remote ends  98  of the arm members  95  and  96  to provide a comfortable confining and resting surface for the patient  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the side arm rail  130  is an elongated, continuous loop of tubular material affixed to the upper or remote ends  98 .  
         [0041]     To complete the adjustable bed  1 , a two-piece mattress is emplaced and has a combination center and backrest mattress  132  and a lower extremity section mattress  134 . Mattresses  132  and  134  may be attached by cloth, or they may be separate. Because of the great bulk of some morbidly obese patients, especially in the hip and shoulder areas, mattress  132  may also include cushioned pads  130  disposed along arms  9  and  10 . In a preferred embodiment, lower extremity section mattress  134  is capable of being surrounded on three sides by center backrest mattress  132  when lower extremity section  6  is substantially parallel to center section  5 . To accomplish this, center backrest mattress  132  includes legs  136  covering extenders  15 .  
         [0042]     The mattresses  132  and  134  has been designed to support a patient weight up to 1000 pounds without compromising patient comfort and safety. The mattress  132  and  134  is designed to keep the bariatric patient from bottoming out on sections  4 ,  5 , and  6  and therefore provide a high comfort, wound preventative surface.  
         [0043]     The shape of combined mattress sections  132  and  134  is designed to allow the lower extremity section to drop out of the way while still providing an adequate layer of padding protection for the patient on either side of the drop away system. The unique shape of the mattress also allows the surface to be expandable using a set of three bolsters that are attached via a sleeve system that can be easily inserted to widen and lengthen the support surface. It should be noted that the bolster system is designed with openings on both ends to make them easy to install and quick to remove if the bed needs to be removed through a standard side door with the patient onboard the bed  1 .  
         [0044]     The cover of mattress sections  132  and  134  are made of a four way, non-shearing fluid impervious cover which is both easy to clean and comfortable for the bariatric patient. The cover is also designed to stretch to allow the patient to attain a greater level of immersion in the surface of the mattress to promote healing, comfort and to prevent the patient from unwanted sliding in the bed. Moreover, a micro-contouring surface facilitates better circulation and wound prevention for bariatric patients.  
         [0045]     In a preferred embodiment, bed  1  may include an integral weighing scale with preferably a 1000 pound capacity. This scale is movable and can be used in conjunction with the bed  1 , limiting the amount of patient transfers needed to obtain essential patient weight measurements. The scale can also be used when the patient is in the seated position and the full supine head position. The scale is also designed to allow the caregiver to zero the scale without the need to remove the patient from the support surface. The integrated scale of this preferred embodiment virtually eliminates the need for an additional bariatric scale system, thereby saving space within the care and treatment areas.  
         [0046]     In another feature of the invention, the bed  1  is equipped with a CPR release that is located midway at a patient&#39;s head section on left side and right side. To ensure caregiver safety, the release has been enhanced with a  4  second delay. Bed  1  is also be equipped with lock out features to disable the different mobility features of the bed such as trendelenburg, reverse trendelenburg, up, down, leg drop features, or any combination of these positions, thereby ensuring patient safety in any stage of recovery. Bed  1  may also be equipped with a telescopic IV holder, vertical oxygen holder, and IV receptacles at each comer.  
         [0047]     A head board  150  and foot board  152  is preferably manually removeably attached to deck  3 . Head board  150  and foot board  152  are preferably fabricated from high density polypropylene which can be easily cleaned. Head board  150  and foot board  152  may also include at least one hand hole to facilitate moving the bed from one location to another.  
         [0048]     It is to be understood that variations in the present invention can be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims.