Patent Application: US-27391305-A

Abstract:
in the past , a posterior transfer was only an option using zipper back sling upholstery . the removable swing away solid wheelchair back offers multiple ways to transfer while preventing orthopedic , neuromotor , and respiratory complications from wheelchair positioning . by mounting the swing away removable solid wheelchair back at a slight angle , the rib cage , lungs , and diaphragm are opened making breathing easier when the respiratory system is compromised .

Description:
it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments and methodologies , as these may vary . it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only , and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention , which will be limited only by the appended claims . unless defined otherwise , all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs . the preferred methods , devices , and materials are now described , although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention . nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention . each reference cited herein is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety . disclosed is a simple device , which can be placed on existing solid wheelchair backs and mounted on existing wheelchair handles to facilitate posterior ingress and egress for individuals with poor muscle strength , while improving the overall oxygenation of said individual . a preferred embodiment of the present invention , which shows the latch mechanism in the open position , is presented in fig1 a , 2 and 3 . this device has a swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 , an upper frame support 2 and a lower frame support 3 attached to the back of the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 , a frame 4 consisting of ; a top wheelchair back frame support 4 a which is attached to the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 via the upper frame support 2 , a bottom wheelchair back frame support 4 b which is attached to the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 via the lower frame support 3 , a left wheelchair back frame support 4 c which is attached to the top wheelchair back frame support 4 a and the bottom wheelchair back frame support 4 b , and a right wheelchair back frame support 4 d which is attached to the top wheelchair back frame support 4 a and the bottom wheelchair back frame support 4 b , an upper connecting device 5 and a lower connecting device 5 a attached to the left wheelchair back frame support 4 c , a left wheelchair handle clamp 6 attached to the wheelchair &# 39 ; s left handle , a right wheelchair handle clamp 7 consisting of : a right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a , a latch 7 b , a latch spring tension screw assembly 7 c , an upper anterior clamp 7 d , and a lower anterior clamp 7 e attached to the wheelchair &# 39 ; s right handle , and a securing bracket 8 attached to a securing bracket mount 9 which is further attached to the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 . the instant device , as described may be operated in either the locked or unlocked position . when in the locked position the latch 7 b of the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 is in the closed position . the latch 7 b is in the closed position when the latch 7 b is rotated clockwise ninety ( 90 ) degrees from the perpendicular to engage with the channel on the right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a . when the latch 7 b of the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 is in the closed position the securing bracket 8 restrained and remains engaged to the right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a such that the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 is secured in place . when in the unlocked position the latch 7 b of the right wheelchair clamp 7 is in the open position . the latch 7 b is in the open position when the latch 7 b is rotated counterclockwise ninety ( 90 ) degrees to disengage from the channel on the right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a . when the latch 7 b is in the open position , and the securing bracket 8 is disengaged from the right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 can be disengaged from the wheelchair proper by rotating the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 via the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a through an arc of zero ( 0 ) to one hundred and twenty ( 120 ) degrees and lifting the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 straight up which disengages the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a from the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 and completely disengages the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 from the wheelchair proper . for the instant device , as described the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a attaches to the left wheelchair back frame support 4 c and articulates with the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 . the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 and the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 are designed such that when the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 and the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 are attached to the corresponding wheelchair handle , by fasteners in the case of the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 and by an upper anterior clamp 7 d , and a lower anterior clamp 7 e for the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 , the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 is inclined at an eight ( 8 ) degree angle . in another embodiment , the instant invention provides a method for posterior ingress and egress for individuals with poor muscle strength while improving overall oxygenation of said individuals . to prepare for posterior egress from the wheelchair individuals with poor muscle strength will first manipulate the latch 7 b to the open opposition . when the latch 7 b is in the open position the securing bracket 8 is unrestrained . with the latch 7 b in the open position individuals with poor muscle strength can push back on the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 and disengage the securing bracket 8 from the right wheelchair handle clamp 7 . once the individual with poor muscle strength has disengaged the securing bracket 8 the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 can be rotated via the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a attached to the left wheelchair back frame support 4 c which articulates with the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 . the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 can then either be rotated in excess of ninety ( 90 ) degrees out of the individual with poor muscle strength &# 39 ; s way while remaining attached to the wheelchair and allowing the individual access and egress from the wheelchair or the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 can be removed completely from the wheelchair to allow access and egress from the wheelchair . individuals with poor muscle strength can remove the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 completely from the wheelchair when the securing bracket 8 has been disengaged from the right wheelchair posterior clamp 7 a . the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 can be disengaged from the wheelchair proper by rotating the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 via the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a through an arc of zero ( 0 ) to one hundred and twenty ( 120 ) degrees and lifting the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 straight up which disengages the upper connecting device 5 and the lower connecting device 5 a from the left wheelchair handle clamp 6 and completely disengages the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 from the wheelchair proper . with the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 removed from the wheelchair individuals with poor muscle strength can egress from the wheelchair by transferring through the rear upright frame or push handles on the wheelchair for a posterior transfer . similarly , with the swing away removable solid wheelchair seat back 1 removed from the wheelchair or rotated in excess of ninety ( 90 ) degrees individuals with poor muscle strength can transfer into the wheelchair by transferring through the rear upright frame or push handles on the chair for a posterior ingress . materials of construction for the individual components of the instant device ( i . e . the frame 4 , left wheelchair clamp 6 , right wheelchair clamp 7 , upper and lower connecting device 5 and 5 a respectively ) preferably include those materials that can provide structural integrity and allow for mass requirements . preferably , the material of construction for the individual components is metal ( stainless steel , hardened steel , etc .) for machined pieces such as the left wheelchair clamp 6 , right wheelchair clamp 7 , upper connecting device 5 and lower connecting device 5 a , and plastic components ( hdpe , teflon , etc .) for components of the instant device such as the upper frame support 2 , the lower frame support 3 , left wheelchair back frame support 4 c and right wheelchair back frame support 4 d , and securing bracket mount 9 . however , the skilled artisan in the manufacture of this invention will reasonably expect the instant device to be constructed of any material which will meet the structural integrity and mass requirement criteria discussed while allowing the instant device to work in the manner described in the preferred embodiment of the instant device . although the preferred embodiment discussed above relates to assisting access and egress from a wheelchair for individuals with limited dexterity as well as providing improved overall oxygenation to said individuals , the invention is not so limited . while various embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described , it is apparent to those skilled in the art modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein . the invention , therefore , is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims . individuals with tetraplegia can easily swing away , and remove the solid wheelchair back . it facilitates transfers and provides postural support to minimize the ill effects of long term positioning on sling upholstery . the design features tetraplegic releases to unlatch the wheelchair back . the solid wheelchair back swings away and slides back to allow clearance of the wheelchair rear uprights and push handles for transfers . the solid wheelchair back is closed by a gate - like , sliding mechanism and latches securely following transfer . the solid wheelchair back is easy to remove for wheelchair transport in an automobile . the solid wheelchair back modification for posterior transfers is the product of creative problem solving to meet the needs of a subject with post polio syndrome and functional tetraplegia . the subject used a conventional seating system utilizing sling seat upholstery and zipper back upholstery because it allowed independence with transfers . the subject &# 39 ; s sitting posture included the naturally occurring deformities from long - term use of sling upholstery , kyphosis , scoliosis , pelvic obliquity , pelvic rotation and a windswept hip deformity . the subject had very few pressure related skin problems and did not use a wheelchair cushion . the subject did report shifting of internal organs from recent radiological testing and is a regular visitor with the pulmonologist . initial attempts to improve the subject &# 39 ; s posture with a solid seat insert and basic therapeutic wheelchair cushion and an eight ( 8 ) degree angle back allowed a more upright posture and increased ease of breathing . the problem remains without ability to complete a posterior transfer , we had decreased functional ability to complete self - care and bathroom transfers . following several calls to vendors and product searches we could not find a swing away removable solid wheelchair back to meet the client &# 39 ; s needs . biomedical engineering assistance on designing a solution to this complex problem resulted in the solid wheelchair back . once the solid wheelchair back was fabricated the subject began several trials to adapt to the new seating system . the trials allowed time to master transfer techniques and resolve minor accessibility modifications to allow use of the new seating system at the office , home , and in the community . pulse oximeter measurements were taken in the subject &# 39 ; s conventional sling back wheelchair with readings of eighty seven percent ( 87 %) oxygen saturation . when transferred into the wheelchair with the solid wheelchair back the subject &# 39 ; s oxygenation saturation improved to ninety three percent ( 93 %) oxygen saturation . the subject experienced some medical complications and subsequently had several weeks of therapy with an exercise program focused on pulmonary rehabilitation . specifically working on breathing exercises , strengthening intercostals muscles and increasing tidal lung volume . at this last therapy session pulse oximeter readings were taken again in the wheelchair with the solid wheelchair back . oxygen saturation in the blood was then at ninety seven percent ( 97 %). in summary , the subject &# 39 ; s use of the wheelchair with the solid wheelchair back has experienced a remarkable improvement in pulmonary function . part of the success can be attributed to improving posture in the wheelchair and decreasing the kyphotic and wind swept posture typically exhibited in the sling seating on the wheelchair . the eight ( 8 ) degree angle back allows the subject to lean back in the chair to open the shoulder , lungs and chest . the solid removable wheelchair back improved oxygenation and in combination with therapy has made a significant difference in the subject &# 39 ; s pulmonary status . the following references were used throughout this disclosure . applicant makes no statement , inferred or direct , regarding the status of these references as prior art and reserves the right to challenge the accuracy of any statement made in these references . these references are incorporated herein by reference . amos l . brimner a . dierckman h . easton h . grimes h . kain j . bednarski j . moyers pa . 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