AU2004202622B2 - Support apparatus for seated patient - Google Patents

Description

FROM JOHN R G GARDNER PHONE NO. 00116175594398J Jun. 16 2004 03:44PM P3 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for Service: BARRY JAMES DIXON BARRY JAMES DIXON JOHN R G GARDNER Suite 398 Albert Avenue, BROADBEACH QLD 4218 Invention title: SUPPORT APPARATUS FURK StA i tu I- I IrIN I Details of Parent Application No: 11387/00 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing It know to us:- COMS ID No: SBMI-00791856 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:20 Date 2004-06-16 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980 John R G Gardner 444 IP AUSTRALIA l04 o 2 C SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR SEATED PATIENT STECHNICAL FIELD

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This invention relates to a patient support apparatus for use in C' conjunction with a bed, chair, stool or operating table.

BACKGROUND ART L' The present method of administering treatments such as an epidural \to a patient is most unsatisfactory and is in general in conflict with hospital Spolicies of non-manual contact and lifting.

CI Present epidural procedures require the patient to sit on the edge of o 10 the bed or operating table, lean forward into the hands of a wardsperson while the C'l qualified medical practitioner administers the epidural from across the bed. The procedures are traumatic for the doctor, the patient and the wardsperson for obvious reasons.

The wardsperson may be male or female, large or small, as can be the patient. A small wardsperson could not be confident of safely supporting a large patient during this dangerous procedure.

It is also very difficult to ensure adequate curvature of the lumbar spine during epidural, spinal, endoscope procedures, while being held by a wardsperson.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing supplementary support to a patient undergoing a variety of procedures from a seated position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided in one aspect, a patient support for providing supplemental support to a patient in a seated position on a bed and undergoing a procedure, said patient support being independent of said bed and comprising: a main limb, a footing attached to and extending from said main limb for at least partially supporting said main limb in a substantially upright position, an upper rest attached to an upper end of said limb and adapted to support COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980 John R G Gardner 444 IP AUSTRALIA 105 o 3

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r the upper body of a patient leaning from said seated position on said bed, and an engagement member mounted to said main limb and extending C) therefrom, said engagement member being adapted to extend beneath said bed I for engagement with said bed to prevent movement of said patient support away from said bed.

rThe term "bed" as used throughout the specification and claims includes any form of bed, operating table, or other horizontal support.

Preferably the patient includes a foot support attached to and extending to both sides of the main limb for supporting the feet of the patient. The foot support suitably is slidably adjustable along said main limb, and means are provided for Nselectively locking the foot support at a desired position along said main limb Preferably the engagement member is mounted for hinged movement relative to the main limb. Preferably also the engagement member is slidably adjustable along the main limb. The engagement member can be adjusted for engagement beneath a horizontal member of the bed to at least partially support a patient's weight. The engagement member may be telescopic.

The upper rest suitably has a central opening for receipt of the face of the patient. Elements of the rest can be padded and upholstered.

The patent support may additionally include a cross bar mounted to the main limb for providing support to the arms of the patient.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for use with a patient undergoing a procedure from a seated position comprising: a substantially horizontal support providing seated support for said patient, a supplemental patient support independent of said horizontal support and next to said horizontal support, said supplemental patient support comprising: a main limb, a footing attached to and extending from said main limb and at least partially supporting said main limb in a substantially upright position, an upper rest attached to the top end of said main limb for supporting in a leaning position, the upper body of the patient seated on said horizontal support, and engagement means extending beneath and contacting said COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980 John R G Gardner 444 IP AUSTRALIA [o6

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34, C horizontal support to prevent movement of said supplemental patient Ssupport away from said horizontal support.

C The supplemental patient support may include a floor engaging brace In1 attached to and extending from the main limb and the engagement means may be pivotally connected to said brace. The brace may include a footing provided C-i with ground wheels or rollers. Preferably the upper rest is L-shaped and has an Saperture defining a facial receptacle for receipt of the face of the patient.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for use Swith a patient undergoing a procedure from a seated position, said apparatus comprising: C a bed on which a patient can be seated, a supplemental patient support next to said bed, said patient support comprising: a main limb, an upper rest attached to the upper end of said main limb for supporting the upper body of a patient in a leaning position, means extending from said main limb and supporting said main limb in a substantially upright attitude, and engagement means extending beneath and contacting said bed to prevent movement of said supplemental patient support away from said bed.

The main limb supporting means may comprise a footing attached to and extending from a lower end of the main limb. The footing may include a footing part extending from the main limb in a direction towards said horizontal support for positioning of said main limb close to said horizontal support.

The engagement means is suitably pivotally connected to the main limb for pivotal adjustment of the position of the engagement means. Suitably a slide supports the engagement means for slidable adjustment along said main limb.

The engagement means may also be telescopically adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 FROM JOHN R G GARDNER FROM S~t-H (3 G~DNERPHONE NO. GW01155943S80Ju.12W40:4p1P Jun. iG 2004 03:46PM P6 4 Figure 1 Is a mear perspective view of apparatus according to the present Invention, Figure 2 Is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1, Figures 3 and 4 are front and side views of the apparatus of Figure 1, Figures 5 and 6 are side and front views of the rest for the apparatus of Figure 1, Figures 7 and 7(e) are schematic drawings showing various modes of use for the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 8 Is a perspective view of a further possible embodiment of the present invention, and Figures. Ba and 8b are perspective drawings of adjustable pivots arnd a sliding mounting sleeve for the apparatus of Figure 8 With respect to the drawings apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main limb generally Indicated by arrow I having an elongate upright 2 and a footing 3, a brace generally indicated by arrow 4 which has an upright 5 and a footing 6 and a rest generally indicated by arrow 7 for providing support for a patienit upper body parts.

The footing 3 of the limb I can be cylindrical tube having opposed ends 8 extending to either side of upright 2.

The upright 2 which can be manufactured from metal tubestook mounts a plurality of cross-bars generally indicated by arrow 9. One crossbar 9a can be fixed and two ofthrs Gib are adjustable on the upright 2.

As will be explained later the crossbars 9 can be used either as footrests or as handle bars.

The adjustable crossbars 9b can be fitted to a collar 10 having threaded locking members 11.

The uptight S is adapted to act as a brace for the upright 2 and Is pivotably connected to the upright by a pivot arrangement 12. When the apparatus is correctly positioned the pivot connection can be locked using a locking device such as an Allen key (not shown).

$0 The footing 6 of the upright 5 extends to either side of the upright and can be provided with wheels or rollers 13.

The upright 5 mounts adjustable engagement means generally indicated by arrow 14. The engagement means 14 is slidable and lockable on the COMS ID No: SBMI-00791856 Receiv6d by IP Australia: timne 15:20 Date 2004-06-16 FROM JOHN R G GARDNER FROM JOHN R 0 GFRDNERPHONE NO. :001 161755943S680Jn S20 34P1P Jun. 16 2004 03*46PM P7 upright 5 and comprises a collar 15 and a lock 16. Forks 17 extend from the collar 15 and mount a telescopic armn 18.

The degree that the arm 18 extends is adjustable and the arm 18 can be locked in position by a lacking device ia- In use the engagement Means 14 can be set at an angle beneath the rail of a bed or operating table with the contact position ensuring that the apparatus cannot roll away from the bed or table. Means such as Allen keys (not shown) may be used to lock arm 18 at a set incline.

The rest 7 can be adjustably mounted on the end of the upright 2 and locked in position by a locking device 20. The rest has a shaft 21 which can telescope within the upright 2.

The rest 7 has a crossbar 22, a sternum support 23 and a facial support/receptacle 24 and all elements of the rest can be padded and upholstered for the comfort of users.

The sternum support 23 Is a substantially 1-shaped appendage to the crossbar 22.

The facial support 24 Is provided with a face opening 25. The facial support 24 is able to pivot with respect to the sternum support. A pivoting action can be achieved by using an Internal hinge (not shown) or by virtue of the resilience of the material from which the core or body of the rest 7 Is manufactured.

The shape and conifiguration of the rest is designed to provide due comfort to female patients and provides space to either side of the sternum support for the patient's breasts. Because the sternum support extends some way towards the patient position adequate space Is provided between a patient and the upright 2 to accommodate the stomach of a pregnant female patient.

Figures 7 to 7(e) are schematic drawings showing various modes of use of the apparatus of the present invention.

In Figure 7 the patient 26 Is seated on a support 27. The patient's arms extend over crossbar 22 of the rest 7 and the crossbar 9 is gripped. The patient's chest is hard against the sternum support 2$ and the patient's feet 26b rest on crossbar 9b. The patient's upper body Is leaning towards the apparatus.

In Figure 7a a similar position to that of figure 7 Is assumed by the COMS ID No: SBMI-00791856 Received by IP Australia: Time (ltm) 15:20 Date 2004"6-16 FROM JOHN R G GARDNER FROM JOHN R G GARDNERPHONE NO. :001161755943960Ju.12043:PMP Jun. 16 2004 03:47PM P8 6 patient and in this instance the patient's face is engaged with facial support 24 and the patients back is on a steeper Incline.

In Figures 7(b) the patient's arms are beneath the crossbar 22, are crossed over and grip the cossbar 9.

In Figure 7(c) the patient's arms extend over the crossbar 22 and grip crossbar 9.

In Figure 7(d) the patient's arms 26a extend over the crossbar 22 and a cross-over grip Is employed.

In Figure 7(e) the patient's arms 26a extend over the crossbar 22 and the feet 26b are not in contact with crossbar 9b.

With respect to Figure 8 of the drawings, this embodiment is similarly configured to the apparatus previously described having a main limb generally indicated by arrow I comprising an upright 2 and footing 3 and a rest 7.

The brace 4 of the previously described embodiment is omitted and an additional footing 30 is substituted and the engagement means 14 Is fixed directly to the upright 2.

Other modifications include the use of adjustable pivot joints $1 at various points on the structure and in addition sliding mounting sleeves 32.

As a further option, the free end 1 4a of the engagement means 14 can be provided with a clamping device (not shown) for clamping to the bed.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the elimination of the brace 14 of the previous embodiment enables the apparatus to be positioned closer to a bed or other horizontal support surface, and the pivot joints 30 and sliding mounting sleeves 32 allow numerous adjustments to be made to cater for different body types and conditions and for different procedures.

Figures 8a and 8b of the drawings illustrate a typical adjustable pivot joint 31 as illustrated by Figure 8a which comprise brackets 33 for mounting limbs of the apparatus such as upright 2 and engagement means 14. Each limb 33 is provided with internal gearing and a tightening device such as a thumbscrew 35. Adjustment of the relative angels of the limbs can be made by loosening the thumbscrew 35, changing the relative angles and retightening the thumbscrews to lock the internal gearing.

Sliding adjustment of components can be achieved by mounting COMS ID No: SBMI-00791856 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:20 Date 2004-06-16 FROM JOHN R G GARDNER FROM JOHN R 0 OIRDNERPHONE NO. :001 161755943980Ju.i2043:TMP Jun. 16 2004 03:47PM P9 7 components such as a crossbar 9 on a sleeve 36 which mounts a cam-lock lever 37 as is illustrated by Figure 8b.

The present invention provides a stable, strong, multiple adjustable, total support system for all sizes of patients. By virtue of its multiple adjustments, the apparatus ensures all patients position themselves with adequate curvature of the lumbar spine for ease of procedures. A. patient need not be removed form a bed in order to assume an appropriate treatment position.

The apparatus engages a patient bed to achieve stability. The apparatus is adjustable to fit all hospital beds and operating tables. The invention has a scope for many uses including, but not limited to: Epidural procedures Spinal treatments Endoscopy Maternity care Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims- COMS ID No: SBMI-00791856 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:20 Date 2004-06-16

Claims (20)

1. A patient support for providing supplemental support to a patient in a CO seated position on a bed and undergoing a procedure, said patient support being 'in independent of said bed and comprising: a main limb, ci a footing attached to and extending from said main limb for at least partially supporting said main limb in a substantially upright position, an upper rest attached to an upper end of said limb and adapted to support the upper body of a patient leaning from said seated position on said bed, and an engagement member mounted to said main limb and extending Ci therefrom, said engagement member being adapted to extend beneath said bed for engagement with said bed to prevent movement of said patient support away from said bed.

2. A patient support as claimed in claim 1 and including a foot support attached to and extending to both sides of said main limb for supporting the feet of the patient.

3- A patient support as claimed in claim 2 wherein said foot support is slidably adjustable along said main limb, and there being means for selectively locking said foot support at a desired position along said main limb.

4. A patient support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said engagement member is mounted for hinged movement relative to said main limb.

A patient support as claimed in any one of claims I to 4 wherein said engagement member is slidably adjustable along said main limb.

6. A patient support as claimed in any one of claims I to 5 wherein said upper rest has a central opening for receipt of the face of the patient.

7. A patient support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 and including a cross bar mounted to said main limb for providing support to the arms of the COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980JonRCGrer PAUTLI John R G Gardner 444 IP AUSTRALIA o 9 0 patient.

8- An apparatus for use with a patient undergoing a procedure from a seated 'in position comprising: a substantially horizontal support providing seated support for said ci patient, ci a supplemental patient support independent of said horizontal support cIN o and next to said horizontal support, said supplemental patient support comprising: a main limb, a footing attached to and extending from said main limb and at least partially supporting said main limb in a substantially upright position, an upper rest attached to the top end of said main limb for supporting in a leaning position, the upper body of the patient seated on said horizontal support, and engagement means extending beneath and contacting said horizontal support to prevent movement of said supplemental patient support away from said horizontal support.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said supplemental patient support further includes a foot support attached to and extending from said main limb for supporting the feet of said patient seated on said horizontal support.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said supplemental patient support includes a floor engaging brace attached to and extending from said main limb and wherein said engagement means is pivotally connected to said brace.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said upper rest is L-shaped and has an aperture defining a facial receptacle for receipt of the face of the patient.

12. An apparatus for use with a patient undergoing a procedure from a seated position, said apparatus comprising: COMB ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980 John R G Gardner 444, IP AUSTRALIA [a 9 Va o Sa bed on which a patient can be seated, Sa supplemental patient support next to said bed, said patient support comprising: Sa main limb, an upper rest attached to the upper end of said main limb for Ssupporting the upper body of a patient in a leaning position, NO means extending from said main limb and supporting said main limb oin a substantially upright attitude, and C engagement means extending beneath and contacting said bed to prevent movement of said supplemental patient support away from said C bed.

13. Apparatus as clamed in claim 12 wherein said supplemental support further comprises a foot support attached to and extending from said main limb.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein said main limb supporting means comprises a footing attached to and extending from a lower end of said main limb.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said footing includes a footing part extending from said main limb in a direction towards said horizontal support for positioning of said main limb close to said horizontal support.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein said engagement means is pivotally connected to said main limb for pivotal adjustment of the position of the engagement means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 and including a slide supporting said engagement means for slidable adjustment along said main limb

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein said engagement means is telescopically adjustable. COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25 25/09 2006 13:51 FAX 001161755943980 John R G Gardner 444 IP AUTSTRALIA (O

19. A patient support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to cFigures 1 to 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Apparatus for use with a patient undergoing a procedure from a seated C position substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 or \O 8 of the accompanying drawings. O ci COMS ID No: SBMI-04854702 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:11 Date 2006-09-25