Patent Description:
Squatting is a proven superior physiological method for bladder and bowel evacuation and is adopted by approximately <NUM>% of the world's population. It is a recognised and recommended approach to aid constipation within Western cultures. Toileting for individuals, and in particular children, with neurological and physical disabilities or complex developmental delays is often hindered by atypical muscle tone, strength and control. This means that children with disabilities often cannot, or struggle to, self-initiate voluntary muscles within the pelvic floor muscle group and abdomen that facilitate bladder and bowel evacuation. Children with disabilities are more at risk and prone to dysfunctional bladders, constipation and urinary tract and bowel infections. This is a direct result of impaired mobility, the inability to effectively empty the bladder and bowels and as a consequence of medications, NG or PEG feeding and restricted fluid or fibre intake. Defecation is traditionally assisted by the Valsalva manoeuvre and contraction of the abdomen and pelvic diaphragm to exert pressure on the digestive tract. This helps allow stool to pass through the kink (anorectal angle) in the passage between the rectum and anus. Squatting however, enables the natural descent of the pelvic floor muscles without straining, relaxing the puborectalis muscle that chokes the anal canal to maintain continence and allowing the kink between rectum and anus to straighten allowing stool to pass more freely and bowel evacuation to occur with limited strain.

Carers, parents, or medical professionals tasked with facilitating the toileting needs of children with disabilities, often utilise specially adapted bathroom facilities which comprise in-built infrastructure designed to encourage a user into a squatted position. This is satisfactory when close to such facilities, but when this is not the case it is often difficult to facilitate adequate toileting as such facilities are not portable. Moreover, existing infrastructure exhibits minimal adjustability such that a user may not continue to use it even should their anatomy change, for example due to growth.

<CIT> discloses an infant-supporting apparatus and, more particularly, a cradle-seat type of device characterized by novel convenience and versatility, being particularly suited for infants of ages from about a few weeks to <NUM>-<NUM> years.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus which may be used as a stool or a bathing aid for an infant.

<CIT> discloses a toilet seat and more particularly a child's toilet seat formed from sheet plastic moulded to form co-op erating shapes and faces adapted to combine and serve various useful functions. The seat more particularly includes a concavely dished top face disposed laterally and rearward of a central opening having a V-shaped front portion bordered by a relatively high and substantially vertical wall, and side marginal portions merging into the dished top face and forming arm rests for the seat.

<CIT> discloses a portable toilet that can be used as a stand alone device or in conjunction with existing toilet facilities. A substantially rectangular seat housing is provided with a pivotally mounted cover member that also acts as a back rest preventing the user, typically a small child, to come in contact with the fixture. A cooperatively positioned opening receives a flanged tubular member trapping a bag for receiving a user's excrements. A pivotally mounted ring secures the tubular member in place. Two pivotally mounted leg assemblies extend outwardly and can be selectively distended <NUM> degrees resting on the rim of the toilet furniture. When folded inwardly, the leg assemblies are kept in place with a pressure sensitive lock assembly such as hook and loop-type fasteners.

<CIT> discloses improvements and devices for attaching quickly and easily a child's nursery toilet seat to the seat of an ordinary toilet in such a way that it may be easily detached and used repeatedly.

It is desirable to provide a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus which is both adaptable and portable such that it may be used in a variety of settings and by users of differing anatomy/size.

According to the invention there is provided a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus comprising: a seat, the seat comprising a base portion, the base portion comprising leg support means and having an aperture formed therein and the leg support means comprising thigh support portions shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat; back support means; wherein the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable or positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that, in an in use configuration, at least a portion of said back support means and leg support means form an acute interior angle therebetween defining a user receiving area, and the thighs and torso of a user seated on the seat are encouraged to form an acute interior angle therebetween with knees locatable above hips, resulting in the user adopting a squat position, wherein the back support is positionable such that the weight of the head and trunk of a user are suitable to be placed over a base of support in said squat position such that the apparatus is suitable in aiding in sustaining positioning of the head and trunk over said base of support.

Advantageously, the relative positioning of the back support means and leg support means contributes to the positioning of a user in the squat position which aids bowel evacuation.

Preferably, the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that at least a portion of said back support means and leg support means form an acute interior angle therebetween defining a user receiving area.

Ideally, the leg support means comprise thigh support portions shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a foot support element configured to support the feet of a user seated on the seat.

Ideally, the posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus further comprises lateral side support means which extend from the base portion and are shaped and dimensioned to laterally support a user seated on the seat.

Preferably, the seat comprises a stowed configuration wherein the back support means is folded towards the leg support means such that the back support means extends generally over an upper surface of the base portion.

Ideally, in the stowed configuration, the lateral side support means are foldable towards the upper surface of the base portion.

Preferably, the seat is deployable between the in use and stowed configurations.

Preferably, the base portion, back support means, and/or the leg support means comprise contoured user facing surfaces shaped such that the anatomy of a user is supported in the squat position.

Ideally, the thigh support portions comprise inner and outer thigh support surfaces shaped and dimensioned to support respective inner and outer thighs of a user.

Preferably, an adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the positioning of the back support means relative to the leg support means.

Ideally, the back support means and/or leg support means are independently adjustable/positionable.

Preferably, each lateral side of the back support means is independently adjustable/positionable relative to the leg support means.

Ideally, the seat is mountable on a supporting frame.

Preferably, the frame comprises means for vertical adjustment.

Ideally, the seat is slidably mountable to the frame such that the seat is slidable in forward and rearward directions.

Preferably, the frame comprises a collection pan removably mountable to the frame such that the collection pan is mountable beneath the aperture of the seat.

Ideally, the frame is deployable between an in use configuration and a stowed configuration.

Preferably, the foot support element is movably mountable to the frame such that the distance between an underside of the seat and the foot support element is adjustable.

According to a second aspect there is provided a frame for the posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus as described herein, the seat being movably mountable to the frame.

According to the invention there is provided a posturally supportive toilet seat kit comprising: the posturally supportive toilet seat as described herein.

Ideally, the kit further comprises a collection pan removably mountable to the frame (unclaimed).

Preferably, the kit further comprises a changing mat configured for changing/cleaning of the user (unclaimed).

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus. It will be understood that the exemplary posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.

Referring now to the Figures there is illustrated a posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus <NUM> comprising a seat <NUM> having a base portion <NUM>. The base portion has leg support features <NUM> and an aperture <NUM> formed therein for passage of waste therethrough. The aperture may additionally provide access to the buttocks for a parent, carer, or medical professional should a user require assistance in this area. The base portion and leg support features <NUM> may form a continuous integral component or a multi-component arrangement as can be seen in <FIG>. The leg support features <NUM> are formed by extensions or curvatures of the base portion <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the leg support portions <NUM> may be attachable to the base portion <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a back support <NUM> which extends from a rear end of the base portion <NUM>. The back support <NUM> and leg support features <NUM> are shaped, dimensioned, and, in an in use-configuration, adjustable/positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship as can be seen in <FIG>. In the in-use configuration, the thighs and torso of a user seated on the seat <NUM> are encouraged to form an acute interior angle therebetween, as demonstrated in <FIG>, with knees locatable above hips, essentially resulting in the user adopting a squat position. More specifically, the squat position encouraged by the apparatus <NUM> results in the heels of a user being raised to a position closer to the buttocks by the bending of the knees. This position is not only clinically proved to ease voiding/defecation, but also places the weight of the head and trunk of a user over a base of support which is advantageous where the user suffers from muscle issues resulting in difficulty sustaining positioning of the head and trunk. Flexing the joints, as is encouraged by the apparatus <NUM>, is also a clinically recognised method of dulling the effect of high tone in muscles. In a squatted position with knees above hips and trunk leant forward, the spine loses the lordotic curve at the lumbar, and the pelvis posteriorly tilts backwards. This causes the lumbar to flatten out and enable the whole spine to take on a C-shaped curve (Kyphosis). This is the optimal physiological position and posture to facilitate bowel movements. The back support <NUM> is shaped and configured to mimic and contour to this squat position whilst giving consideration to the reduced range of mobility limitations a user with physical disability may have. The back support <NUM> contours in both the longitudinal and transverse planes, meaning it contours to the back of a user when it is flexed into the C-shape curve (longitudinal) and contours to both sides of the trunk of a user to provide lateral support and prompt the user to remain in a midline position.

Optionally, the back support <NUM>, leg support features <NUM>, and base portion <NUM> are integrally formed or attached to each other such that they may form a seat <NUM> in the in-use configuration but may be unfolded therefrom to a flattened state if required.

The leg support features <NUM> comprise thigh support portions <NUM> shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a foot support element <NUM> configured to support the feet of a user seated on the seat. The foot support element <NUM> may form part of the apparatus <NUM>, or alternatively may be provided on a supporting structure such as a frame <NUM>, which will be later discussed. It should be understood that the foot support element <NUM> is not essential as the aforementioned portions of the seat <NUM> are sufficient alone to encourage a user seated thereon into the squat position. However, the foot support element <NUM> may provide additional assistance/comfort to the user. The apparatus also comprises lateral side supports <NUM> which extend from the base portion <NUM> and are shaped and dimensioned to laterally support a user seated on the seat <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral supports <NUM> are formed by contoured sides <NUM> of the base portion to support the sides of a user in the in-use configuration.

The apparatus <NUM> also has stowed configuration, best viewed in <FIG>, wherein the back support <NUM> is folded towards the leg support features <NUM> such that the back support <NUM> extends generally over an upper surface of the base portion <NUM>. This stowed configuration makes storage and transport of the toilet seat apparatus easier, thus facilitates use of the toilet seat in locations where no specialised toilet facilities are available. In the stowed configuration, the lateral side supports <NUM> may also be foldable towards the upper surface of the base portion <NUM> such that the seat <NUM> forms a compact overall size in the stowed position. The seat <NUM> is deployable between the in use and stowed configurations by folding the back support <NUM> towards the upper surface of the base portion <NUM> and securing the back support <NUM> in place using a strap or the like. Alternatively, the apparatus <NUM> may be foldable such that the back support <NUM> remains in place in the stowed configuration without physical retention.

The base portion <NUM>, back support <NUM>, and the leg support features <NUM> comprise contoured user facing surfaces <NUM> shaped such that the anatomy of a user is supported in the squat position as described above. The contoured user facing surfaces <NUM> ensure the curvature at the base of the spine, the soft tissue of the bottom and the thigh are all supported in the squat position. As the shape contours to the bottom of a user, the contoured user facing surfaces <NUM> transition into flat plane with approximately <NUM> degrees of ramping. By anatomically shaping the contoured user facing surfaces <NUM> to meet the curvature of the body as well as adding ramping, this helps stabilise the pelvis. Stabilising the pelvis promotes the stability and positioning of the trunk, head and upper and lower extremities, which is a key concept in paediatric special seating. The thigh support portions <NUM> are shaped to ensure a users thighs are supported whilst in the squatted position. This enables loading to occur across the soft tissues of the bottom and across the thigh to ensure the user remains fully relaxed when evacuating. In addition, this greater area of the users anatomy which takes loading in the squatted position results in a lower risk of skin breakdown or markings. The thigh support portions <NUM> comprise inner and outer thigh support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> shaped and dimensioned to support respective inner and outer thighs of a user. In a preferred embodiment, the thigh support portions <NUM> are formed by contouring of the base portion to form two leg receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM> into which the legs of a user may be located. When in the in-use configuration, the base <NUM> of the leg receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM> support the rear of the users' upper legs when in the squat position, and help to maintain the user in said squat position. The lateral side supports <NUM> may be extensions of the outer portions <NUM> of the leg receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM>. The inner portions <NUM> of the leg receiving channels form adducting features which encourage adequate separation of the legs of a user. The leg support features may also comprise a pommel portion <NUM> locatable at the front of the apparatus <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> has an adjustment mechanism <NUM> operable to adjust the positioning of the back support <NUM> relative to the leg support features <NUM>. The adjustment mechanism <NUM> is operable between the back support and the leg support features <NUM> or lateral side supports <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, an adjustment mechanism <NUM> is operable between each lateral side <NUM>, <NUM> of the back support <NUM> such that said lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM> are independently adjustable/positionable relative to the leg support features <NUM>. In this manner, the back support may be asymmetrically positioned to provide support for users having anatomy or muscular issues which cause leaning to one side when seated. For example, where a user leans towards a first lateral side <NUM> of the back support <NUM>, the adjustment mechanism <NUM> on the first lateral side <NUM> of the back support <NUM> may be adjusted such that the back support <NUM> is pulled closer to the leg support features <NUM> on this lateral side <NUM> when compared to the opposing lateral side <NUM>. In cases where leaning is not an issue, the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> are utilised to adjust each lateral side <NUM>, <NUM> of the back support equally such that each lateral side <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned similarly relative to the leg support features <NUM>. In either case, the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> adjust the back support <NUM> such that the positioning thereof relative to the leg support features <NUM> suits the anatomy and proportions of the user and, taking account of said anatomy, encourages the user into the squat position. The adjustment mechanisms <NUM> may be any suitable mechanism which would be known to the skilled person such as but not limited to a ratcheting mechanism or a length adjustable strap. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> are operable between the back support and the lateral side supports <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. Advantageously, the adjustment mechanisms may also be adjusted, or disengaged, such that the back support may be moved away from the leg support features <NUM>, thus a user may be more easily removed from the seat <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the seat <NUM> is mountable on a supporting frame <NUM> which is vertically adjustable. The frame comprises four legs <NUM> which extend from the ground to a seat engagement section <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The legs <NUM> are telescoping legs <NUM> such that extension thereof raises the seat engagement portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> to a desired height. The telescoping legs <NUM> are of a commonly known type and are securable at various lengths, said lengths placing the seat engagement section <NUM> within a range of heights such that it is suitable for all intended users, and/or for any toileting infrastructure which the apparatus may be located above. In the preferred case, the telescoping legs <NUM> provide at least three height settings, namely separate height settings which provide a distance between the floor on which the frame is placed and the buttocks of a user of approximately <NUM> millimetres,<NUM> millimetres, and <NUM> millimetres respectively. The height settings are designed such that they permit the use of the apparatus above a standard children's potty, above a standard UK or US toilet, and above a UK or US disabled toilet. In a preferred embodiment, the telescoping legs comprise first and second generally tubular portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the first portion <NUM> being slidable within the second portion <NUM>, and the portions <NUM>, <NUM> being securable to each other via a locking component <NUM> such that the secured portions <NUM>, <NUM> form a leg <NUM> having a desired length. In a preferred embodiment, the locking component may comprise or be supplemented by a releasable locking plunger arrangement <NUM>. The locking plunger arrangement comprises a plunger <NUM> which is operable to pass through bores (not shown) formed in the first and second generally tubular portions <NUM>, <NUM> such that relative movement is prevented therebetween. The bores in the first and second generally tubular portions <NUM>, <NUM> are formed for receiving the plunger <NUM> and are alignable such that the plunger <NUM> may pass through both bores and multiple bores may be formed in the lower tubular portion <NUM> such that alignment of different bores of the lower tubular portion <NUM> with the bore of the upper tubular portion <NUM> permits locking of the portions relative to one another in different positions and thus permits the telescoping legs <NUM> to be locked at different lengths. The plunger and bores form a deadlock arrangement providing additional safety for a user. The plunger <NUM> may be a biased plunger such that it is biased towards the bores by a spring or the like. The plunger locking plunger arrangement may be provided with stop features to prevent unintended removal of the plunger <NUM> from the frame. Additionally, the seat is slidably mountable to the frame <NUM> at the seat engagement section <NUM> such that the seat <NUM> is slidable in forward and rearward directions. The seat <NUM> is also lockabe to the frame <NUM> in a desired position, preferably via a cam mechanism (not shown) locatable on the frame <NUM> and operable between the frame and the seat <NUM>. In this case, reference to forward and rearward movement of the seat <NUM> is in relation to the forward and rearward facing directions of a user when positioned on the seat <NUM>. The sidleable engagement between the seat <NUM> and the frame is accomplished via any one of a variety of slidable engagement mechanisms which would be known to a person skilled in the art, such as but not limited to a sliding bar mechanism or mutually engagable slots formed on the seat <NUM> and the seat engagement section <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. In a preferred case, the seat <NUM> is slidable a distance of <NUM>-<NUM> along the seat engagement section <NUM> to allow for the apparatus to accommodate a variety of users of different sizes and anatomy.

The frame <NUM> is preferably adapted to receive a collection pan <NUM>. The collection pan <NUM> is removably mountable to the frame <NUM> such that the collection pan <NUM> is mountable beneath the aperture <NUM> of the seat <NUM>. The collection pan may therefore collect waste deposited thereinto, and may be removed for disposal of said waste, and for cleaning. The collection pan <NUM> may be slidable onto the seat engagement portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and may have a rear engagement member <NUM> which engages with the upper portion of the seat engagement portion <NUM> to provide added stability when in use. The collection pan <NUM> and seat engagement portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may have corresponding tracks or slots formed therein to provide the slidable engagement therebetween, or alternatively such slidable engagement can be facilitated by any of a number of methods known to the skilled person. In some cases, the collection pan <NUM> is not utilised, and the frame is placed over an existing toilet (not shown) such that waste which travels through the aperture <NUM> falls into the existing toilet.

The frame is manufactured from a lightweight material and, due to its open sided nature, provides easy access for a carer or medical professional to the buttocks of a user. The frame <NUM> is deployable between an in use configuration and a stowed configuration, thus allowing for easy storage and transport when not in use. The frame <NUM> may be foldable or may be disassembled into the stowed configuration and the skilled person would be aware of standard methods for making portions of the frame foldable or capable of disassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support element <NUM> is movably mountable to the frame <NUM> such that the distance between an underside of the seat <NUM> and the foot support element <NUM> is adjustable. The foot support element <NUM> may be removable and positionable in a plurality of positions on the frame <NUM> such that it may support the feet of a user on the seat <NUM> in the desired manner. Alternatively, the foot support element is engagable with the frame <NUM> via a movement mechanism (not shown), the movement mechanism being actuatable to move the foot support element <NUM> towards or away from the seat <NUM>. The movement mechanism may be any suitable mechanism known to the skilled person. The foot support element <NUM> is preferably attachable to the front legs <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and forms a step or ledge upon which the feet of a user may be placed. Advantageously, the foot support element <NUM> supports the feet of a user in a position which further encourages the user into the squat position when seated on the seat <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support element can be moved in the axial direction of the front legs <NUM> of the frame a distance of at least approximately <NUM> millimetres to allow for the apparatus to accommodate a variety of users of different sizes and anatomy. In the preferred case, the foot support element is locatable in at least five separate positions on the frame <NUM>. The foot support element <NUM> may also be provided with straps <NUM> which act to secure the feet of a user to the foot support element <NUM> when the user is seated on the seat <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the apparatus comprises a rear cover <NUM> which is sized and dimensioned to provide additional bracing/support to the seat <NUM> during use. The rear cover <NUM> provides additional support in particular when dynamic movements by a user located on the seat <NUM> are experienced.

As can best be viewed in <FIG>, the aforementioned adjustable elements of the apparatus facilitate use by users of varying sizes and ages. For example, <FIG> shows the apparatus in use by a child aged approximately <NUM> years old. By downwards adjustment of the foot support element <NUM>, and movement of the to seat <NUM> rearwards relative to the frame <NUM>, the apparatus may be adapted to suit a larger child of approximately <NUM> years old, as shown in <FIG>.

The apparatus may also be provided with a safety harness to secure the user when seated on the seat <NUM>. The skilled person would be aware of various typical safety harness and strapping arrangements which could be utilised to achieve this aim. Similarly, ankle straps may be provided to retain the legs of a user in place when seated on the seat <NUM>. The apparatus may also be provided with a changing mat (not shown) which may be used before use of the toilet seat apparatus <NUM> for preparing the user for said use, or thereafter to clean the user.

The apparatus encourages an anatomically favoured position to encourage voiding; the squat position optimises the max flow rate and effective bowel evacuation. Moreover, the apparatus allows support of a user in the squat position even when specially adapted bathroom facilities which comprise in-built infrastructure are not available, and is easily transportable.

Claim 1:
A posturally supportive toilet seat apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a seat (<NUM>) , the seat comprising;
a base portion (<NUM>) comprising leg support means (<NUM>), the base portion having an aperture (<NUM>) formed therein and the leg support means comprising thigh support portions (<NUM>) shaped and dimensioned to support the thighs of a user seated on the seat;
back support means (<NUM>); and
wherein the back support means and leg support means are shaped, dimensioned, and/or adjustable or positionable relative to each other in an oblique relationship such that, in an in use configuration, at least a portion of said back support means and leg support means form an acute interior angle therebetween defining a user receiving area, and the thighs and torso of a user seated on the seat are encouraged to form an acute interior angle therebetween with knees locatable above hips, resulting in the user adopting a squat position wherein the back support is positionable such that the weight of the head and trunk of a user are suitable to be placed over a base of support in said squat position such that the apparatus is suitable in aiding in sustaining positioning of the head and trunk over said base of support.