JP7645161B2 - Medical Beds - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a medical bed.

Some medical beds have the ability to electrically adjust the height of the base and the angle of the back. This allows, for example, the base to be at the lowest floor height when the patient is sleeping, minimizing damage if the patient falls. Also, when administering medical treatment to the patient, the base can be raised to reduce the burden on medical staff. In addition, the height of the base and the angle of the back can be adjusted according to the patient's preferences to make daily life more comfortable.

However, a patient in bed cannot see underneath the bed. For this reason, if the bed bottom height is inadvertently lowered too much, items placed around the bed, such as the legs of an IV pole or a trash can, may get caught between the bed frame and the floor, damaging or unintentionally moving these items. In addition, if a patient on mechanical ventilation is intubated, lowering the back angle too much may induce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP).

To avoid the above-mentioned risks, it may be possible to not allow the patient to operate the bed. However, in this case, the comfort of the patient's daily life is compromised and the patient's stress increases. In addition, if the patient has to frequently call medical staff to change the bed height or back angle, the burden on the medical staff increases.

JP 2016-209321 A

The objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a medical bed that is both safe and comfortable.

A medical bed according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a structure for supporting a patient, a drive means for driving a part of the structure, and a first switch and a second switch for controlling the drive means. A first range of movement of the part of the structure that can be driven by the first switch is narrower than a second range of movement of the part of the structure that can be driven by the second switch.

A medical bed according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a structure for supporting a patient, a drive means for driving a part of the structure, and a switch for controlling the drive means and capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode. A first range of movement of the part of the structure that can be driven in the first mode is narrower than a second range of movement of the part of the structure that can be driven in the second mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize a medical bed that is both safe and comfortable.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medical bed according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the medical bed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a hand switch of the medical bed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a nurse control panel of the medical bed according to the first embodiment. 5(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the height of the upper frame in the bed according to the first embodiment. 6(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the angle of the back bottom in the bed according to the first embodiment. 7(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the angle of the upper frame in the bed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a medical bed according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a medical bed according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10A is a side view showing a hand switch of a medical bed according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front view thereof. FIG. 11A is a partially enlarged side view showing region A in FIG. 10A, and (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing the switching means. 12A is a partially enlarged front view showing region B in FIG. 10B, and (b) and (c) are partially enlarged front views showing region C in FIG. 12A.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this specification, when a patient lies in a supine position on a medical bed, the direction in which the head is located as viewed from the torso is referred to as the "head side," the direction in which the feet are located is referred to as the "foot side," the direction in which the right hand is located is referred to as the "right side," the direction in which the left hand is located is referred to as the "left side," the direction in which the room floor is located is referred to as the "lower side," and the direction in which the ceiling is located is referred to as the "upper side." The head side and foot side are collectively referred to as the "length direction L," the right side and left side are collectively referred to as the "width direction W," and the upper side and lower side are collectively referred to as the "vertical direction V."

First Embodiment
A medical bed according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medical bed according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a medical bed according to this embodiment.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a medical bed 1 according to this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "bed 1") is provided with a lower frame 11. The lower frame 11 serves as a support for the entire bed 1, and is formed, for example, into a rectangular shape by combining metallic cylindrical members. Casters 12 are provided at the four corners of the lower frame 11. The casters 12 come into contact with the floor surface of the room.

A driving means 13 is attached to the lower frame 11. The driving means 13 includes a plurality of actuators. A control means 14 is connected to the driving means 13. The control means 14 is provided with an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) and a serial input/output port.

An upper frame 15 is provided on the lower frame 11. The upper frame 15 is also formed by combining cylindrical members made of metal, for example. The upper frame 15 can be displaced in the vertical direction V by the driving means 13, and can also be tilted with respect to the lower frame 11. The lower frame 11 and the upper frame 15 are collectively referred to as the "frame."

A bottom 16 is provided on the upper frame 15. The bottom 16 is provided with a back bottom 16a, a waist bottom 16b, a knee bottom 16c, and a foot bottom 16d, in this order from the head side to the foot side. The waist bottom 16b is fixed to the upper frame 15. The angles of the back bottom 16a, the knee bottom 16c, and the foot bottom 16d can each be changed by the driving means 13.

A bed board 17 is attached to the head and foot sides of the upper frame 15. The bed board 17 is a roughly rectangular plate-like member that is detachable from the upper frame 15. When the bed board 17 is attached to the upper frame 15, it extends mainly upward from the upper frame 15.

Side rails (not shown) are attached to the left and right sides of the head side of the upper frame 15 and to the left and right sides of the foot side. The head side side rail may be inclined in accordance with the inclination of the back bottom 16a, and may be fixed to the upper frame 15 and not linked to the bottom 16. The foot side side rail does not move in conjunction with the bottom 16.

The bed 1 is also provided with a hand switch 20 (first switch) and a nurse control panel 30 (second switch). The hand switch 20 and the nurse control panel 30 are switches for controlling the drive means 13 via the control means 14. Hereinafter, the parts of the bed 1 other than the hand switch 20 and the nurse control panel 30 will be referred to as the "bed body 10." In other words, the bed 1 is provided with the bed body 10, the hand switch 20, and the nurse control panel 30.

The parts of the bed body 10 other than the driving means 13 and the control means 14 are referred to as the "structure 10a." The structure 10a is the part that supports the patient. The structure 10a includes a lower frame 11, casters 12, an upper frame 15, a bottom 16, a bed board 17, and side rails.

The hand switch 20 is provided with a control means 29. The control means 29 is provided with an MPU and a serial input/output port. The nurse control panel 30 is provided with a control means 39. The control means 39 is provided with an MPU and a serial input/output port. The control means 14 of the bed body 10 is connected to the control means 29 of the hand switch 20 via a cable 21. The control means 14 of the bed body 10 is also connected to the control means 39 of the nurse control panel 30 via a cable 31. Note that the cable 31 may not be provided, and the control means 39 of the nurse control panel 30 may be connected to the control means 14 of the bed body 10 via wireless communication.

The hand switch 20 is primarily for the patient. The hand switch 20 can be operated on the structure 10a within the reach of the cable 21. Typically, the hand switch 20 is located on the back bottom 16a. The hand switch 20 may also be hooked onto the upper edge of the head-side bed board 17 or the upper edge of the side rail.

The nurse control panel 30 is a switch for medical personnel. The nurse control panel 30 can be operated outside the structure 10a within the reach of the cable 31. The nurse control panel 30 is usually hooked onto the upper edge of the bed board 17 on the foot side and faces the outside of the bed body 10.

Next, the hand switch 20 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the hand switch of the medical bed according to the present embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 3, the hand switch 20 is provided with a housing 22. The housing 22 is made of, for example, resin, and is sized so that a person can hold it in one hand. The cable 21 is connected to the lower end of the housing 22. The above-mentioned control means 29 is disposed inside the housing 22.

Operation buttons 23a to 23h (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operation buttons 23") are provided on the front surface of the housing 22. The operation buttons 23 are, for example, mechanical buttons independent of each other, protrude slightly from the surface of the housing 22, and can be pressed by a person's finger while holding the housing 22. The operation buttons 23 may be an integrally formed membrane switch. A display unit 25 is also provided on the front surface of the housing 22. The display unit 25 displays the state of the bed body 10, for example, the angle of the back bottom 16a. The operation buttons 23 and the display unit 25 are connected to a control means 29.

An example of the allocation of functions to each operation button 23 will be described below.
The operation buttons 23a and 23b are buttons for controlling the angle of the entire upper frame 15. Pressing the operation button 23a lowers the head side of the upper frame 15, and pressing the operation button 23b raises the head side of the upper frame 15. The operation buttons 23c and 23d are buttons for controlling the angle of the back bottom 16a. Pressing the operation button 23c decreases the angle of the back bottom 16a relative to the upper frame 15, and pressing the operation button 23d increases the angle of the back bottom 16a relative to the upper frame 15.

Operation buttons 23e and 23f are buttons for controlling the angle of the knee bottom 16c. Pressing operation button 23e decreases the angle of the knee bottom 16c relative to the upper frame 15, and pressing operation button 23f increases the angle of the knee bottom 16c relative to the upper frame 15. The angle of the foot bottom 16d changes in response to the knee bottom 16c. Operation buttons 23g and 23h are buttons for controlling the height of the upper frame 15. Pressing operation button 23g lowers the upper frame 15, and pressing operation button 23h raises the upper frame 15.

Next, the nurse control panel 30 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a nurse control panel of the medical bed according to this embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 4, the nurse control panel 30 is provided with a housing 32. The housing 32 is made of, for example, resin, and is small enough to be held in one hand. A cable 31 is connected to the lower end of the housing 32. A hook 36 is connected to the upper part of the housing 32. The hook 36 allows the housing 32 to be hung on the upper edge of the bed board 17. The above-mentioned control means 39 is arranged inside the housing 32.

Operation buttons 33a to 33h (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operation buttons 33") and operation buttons 34a to 34g (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operation buttons 34") are provided on the front surface of the housing 32. The operation buttons 33 and 34 are, for example, membrane switches that can be pressed by a human finger. Note that the operation buttons 33 and 34 may also be mechanical buttons. A display unit 35 is also provided on the front surface of the housing 32. The display unit 35 displays the state of the bed body 10, for example, the angle of the back bottom 16a. The operation buttons 33 and 34 and the display unit 35 are connected to the control means 39.

The operation button 33 is a switch for controlling the driving means 13 of the bed body 10. The operations of the bed body 10 that can be controlled by the operation button 33 are qualitatively similar to the operations that can be controlled by the operation button 23 of the hand switch 20. However, as described below, the range of motion of each operation by the operation button 33 is different from the range of motion of each operation by the operation button 23, and the possible range of at least some of the operation buttons 33 is wider than the range of motion by the operation button 23. The operation button 34 controls the bed 1 other than the driving means 13.

Next, the operation of the bed 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of changing the height of the upper frame 15 will be described.
5(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the height of the upper frame in the bed according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), when the upper frame 15 is at the highest position, the height of the bottom 16, i.e., the distance between the floor surface 100 and the top surface of the bottom 16, is height h1. Height h1 is, for example, 61.5 cm. At this time, the distance between the floor surface 100 and the bottom surface of the upper frame 15 (hereinafter referred to as the "gap under the bed") is the length obtained by subtracting the thickness α of the upper frame 15 and the bottom 16 from the height h1. However, the thickness α differs between each part of the bed 1.

An IV pole 200 is placed near the bed 1. The height of the legs 201 of the IV pole 200 is defined as height h4. Height h4 is smaller than the gap under the bed (h1-α). Therefore, the legs 201 of the IV pole 200 can be interposed between the floor surface 100 and the upper frame 15, allowing the IV pole 200 to be placed near the bed 1. Height h4 is, for example, 12.2 cm.

By operating the hand switch 20 or the nurse control panel 30, the drive means 13 can be driven to lower the upper frame 15 from the state shown in FIG. 5(a). This changes the height of the bottom 16.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to reduce the height of the bottom 16 to height h2. Height h2 is smaller than height h1 shown in FIG. 5(a). Also, the gap under the bed (h2-α) is larger than height h4 of the leg 201 of the IV pole 200. Therefore, even if the bottom 16 is lowered to height h2, the leg 201 will not be caught between the floor surface 100 and the upper frame 15. The difference between height h1 and height h2 is the first height range R1 of the bottom 16 that can be controlled by the hand switch 20. In other words, R1=h1-h2. Height h2 is, for example, 33 cm.

As shown in FIG. 5(c), the medical professional can operate the nurse control panel 30 to reduce the height of the bottom 16 to the minimum bed height h3. At this time, the medical professional checks that the leg 201 of the IV pole 200 is not positioned directly below the upper frame 15, and if it is, moves the IV pole 200 to remove the leg 201 from directly below the upper frame 15.

Height h3 is smaller than height h2. That is, h3<h2<h1. Also, the gap under the bed (h3-α) is smaller than the height h4 of the leg 201 of the IV pole 200. That is, (h3-α)<h4<(h2-α)<(h1-α). Since the leg 201 of the IV pole 200 is not positioned directly below the upper frame 15, even if the bottom 16 is lowered to height h3, the leg 201 will not be caught between the floor surface 100 and the upper frame 15. The difference between height h1 and height h3 is the second height range R2 of the upper frame that can be controlled by the nurse control panel 30. That is, R2=h1-h3. Height h3 is, for example, 25 cm. Therefore, the first height range R1 of the bottom 16 that the patient can control using the hand switch 20 is part of the second height range R2 of the bottom 16 that the medical professional can control using the nurse control panel 30, and is narrower than the second height range R2.

In this way, the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to control the height of the bottom 16 within the first height range R1 between h2 and h1. This ensures comfort in daily life. For example, when getting on and off the bed 1, the height of the bottom 16 can be set to a height that makes it easy to get on and off, and when talking to a visitor, the height of the bottom 16 can be set to a height that makes the patient's line of sight match that of the visitor. In addition, since the bottom 16 does not become lower than the height h2, even if the patient lowers the bottom 16 without checking below the upper frame 15, the leg 201 of the IV pole 200 will not be pinched, and the leg 201 will not be damaged or moved unintentionally. Similarly, if there is an item such as a trash can directly below the upper frame 15, the item such as the trash can can be prevented from being damaged or falling over.

Meanwhile, the medical professional can operate the nurse control panel 30 to control the height of the bottom 16 within a first height range R2 between h3 and h1. For example, when the patient goes to sleep, the height of the bottom 16 can be set to the minimum floor height h3 to reduce damage from falling. At this time, the medical professional can check directly below the upper frame 15, so the legs 201 and the like will not be pinched between the floor surface 100 and the upper frame 15. Also, when performing medical procedures on the patient, the height of the bottom 16 can be set to a height that allows for good workability.

Next, the operation of changing the angle of the back bottom 16a will be described.
6(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the angle of the back bottom in the bed according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the back bottom 16a is raised to its highest position, the angle of the back bottom 16a, i.e., the angle between the top surface of the upper frame 15 and the top surface of the back bottom 16a, is angle θ1. Angle θ1 is, for example, 75 degrees. Then, by operating the hand switch 20 or the nurse control panel 30, the drive means 13 can be driven to tilt the back bottom 16a from the position shown in FIG. 6(a).

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to decrease the angle of the back bottom 16a to angle θ2. The difference between angle θ1 and angle θ2 is the first angle range R3 of the back bottom 16a that can be controlled by the hand switch 20. In other words, R3 = θ1 - θ2. The angle θ2 is, for example, 30 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 6(c), the medical professional can operate the nurse control panel 30 to reduce the angle of the back bottom 16a to a minimum angle θ3. The angle θ3 is smaller than the angle θ2. That is, θ3<θ2<θ1. The difference between the angles θ1 and θ3 is the second angle range R4 of the back bottom 16a that can be controlled by the nurse control panel 30. That is, R4=θ1-θ3. The angle θ3 is, for example, 0 degrees. At this time, the back bottom 16a is parallel to the upper frame 15. The first angle range R3 of the back bottom 16a that the patient can control by the hand switch 20 is a part of the second angle range R4 of the back bottom 16a that the medical professional can control by the nurse control panel 30, and is narrower than the second angle range R4.

In this way, the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to control the angle of the back bottom 16a within the first angle range R3 between θ2 and θ1. This ensures comfort in daily life. However, if the patient is an artificially ventilated patient and is intubated, leaning the upper body too far may induce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In order to prevent VAP, it is preferable to set the angle of the back bottom 16a to 30 degrees or more when a feeding tube is inserted into the patient's trachea. According to this embodiment, even if the patient operates the hand switch 20, the angle of the back bottom 16a will not be less than 30 degrees, so it is safe. On the other hand, if the patient is not intubated, the medical professional can check the situation and then operate the nurse control panel 30 to set the angle of the back bottom 16a to less than 30 degrees.

Next, the operation of changing the angle of the upper frame 15 will be described.
7(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the operation of changing the angle of the upper frame in the bed according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the head side of the upper frame 15 is raised to its highest position, the angle of the upper frame 15, i.e., the angle of the upper frame 15 with respect to the horizontal plane 101, is angle θ4. Angle θ4 is, for example, +30 degrees. At this time, the head side of the upper frame 15 is positioned higher than the foot side. Then, by operating the hand switch 20 or the nurse control panel 30, the drive means 13 can be driven to reduce the angle of the upper frame 15 from the state shown in FIG. 7(a).

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to decrease the angle of the upper frame 15 to angle θ5. The difference between angle θ4 and angle θ5 is the first angle range R5 of the upper frame 15 that can be controlled by the hand switch 20. In other words, R5 = θ4 - θ5. The angle θ5 is, for example, 0 degrees. At this time, the upper frame 15 becomes horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), the medical professional can operate the nurse control panel 30 to decrease the angle of the upper frame 15 to angle θ6. The difference between angle θ4 and angle θ6 is the second angle range R6 of the upper frame 15 that can be controlled by the nurse control panel 30. That is, R6 = θ4 - θ6. The angle θ6 is, for example, -30 degrees. At this time, the head side of the upper frame 15 is positioned lower than the foot side. The first angle range R5 of the upper frame 15 that the patient can control using the hand switch 20 is part of the second angle range R6 of the upper frame 15 that the medical professional can control using the nurse control panel 30, and is narrower than the second angle range R6.

In this way, the patient can operate the hand switch 20 to control the angle of the upper frame 15 within a first angle range R5 between θ5 and θ4 inclusive. This ensures comfort. At this time, the angle of the upper frame 15 will not be less than angle θ5, which can avoid problems such as the head side being lower than the foot side. Meanwhile, the medical professional can operate the nurse control panel 30 to control the angle of the upper frame 15 within a second angle range R6 between θ6 and θ4 inclusive. This allows an angle suitable for medical procedures to be achieved.

The second movable range, i.e., the above-mentioned second height range R2, second angle range R4, and second angle range R6, is the maximum operating range determined by the specifications of the bed 1. On the other hand, the first movable range, i.e., the above-mentioned first height range R1, first angle range R3, and first angle range R5, is a set range. The first movable range may be set when the bed 1 is shipped from the factory, or may be set by a medical professional at any time after shipping. For example, the first movable range can be set by the nurse control panel 30. Specifically, the first movable range may be set by inputting at least one of the upper limit and lower limit values of the first movable range by the nurse control panel 30. This first movable range is registered in the control unit 14. The medical professional can change the first movable range at any time. The first movable range may be displayed on the display unit 35 of the nurse control panel 30.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.
As described above, in the bed 1 according to this embodiment, the first height range R1 of the upper frame 15, the first angle range R3 of the back bottom 16a, and the first angle range R5 of the upper frame 15 that the patient can control using the hand switch 20 are narrower than the second height range R2 of the upper frame 15, the second angle range R4 of the back bottom 16a, and the second angle range R6 of the upper frame 15 that the medical professional can control using the nurse control panel 30. This allows the medical professional to control the bed over a wide range as needed, while the patient can control the bed only within the range necessary to maintain comfort, and cannot control the bed to a range that may compromise safety. This makes it possible to realize a bed that is both comfortable and safe.

Second Embodiment
A medical bed according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a medical bed according to this embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a medical bed according to this embodiment.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the medical bed 2 according to this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "bed 2") is provided with a bed body 10 and a hand switch 40. The configuration of the bed body 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The hand switch 40 is a switch for controlling the driving means 13, and is a switch shared by both the patient and the medical staff.

The hand switch 40 is provided with a switching means 48 and a control means 49. The control means 49 is provided with an MPU and a serial input/output port. The control means 14 of the bed body 10 is connected to the control means 49 of the hand switch 40 via a cable 41. The hand switch 40 can be operated on the structure 10a and outside the structure 10a within the reach of the cable 41.

The hand switch 40 can be switched between a first mode and a second mode by the switching means 48. The first mode is a patient mode, which allows the operations that could be performed by the hand switch 20 in the first embodiment. The second mode is a medical professional mode, which allows the operations that could be performed by the nurse control panel 30 in the first embodiment. That is, in the first mode, a part of the structure 10a can be driven in a first movable range, and in the second mode, a part of the structure 10a can be driven in a second movable range. The first movable range is narrower than the second movable range.

Next, the hand switch 40 will be described in detail.
FIG. 10A is a side view showing a hand switch of a medical bed according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front view thereof.
FIG. 11A is a partially enlarged side view showing region A in FIG. 10A, and (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing the switching means.
12A is a partially enlarged front view showing region B in FIG. 10B, and (b) and (c) are partially enlarged front views showing region C in FIG. 12A.

As shown in Figs. 10(a) and (b), the hand switch 40 is provided with a housing 42. The housing 42 is made of, for example, resin, and is large enough to be held in one hand. A cable 41 is connected to the lower end of the housing 42. A hook 46 is connected to the upper part of the housing 42. The hook 46 allows the housing 42 to be hung on the upper edge of the bed board 17 or the upper edge of the side rail. The above-mentioned control means 49 is arranged inside the housing 42.

Operation buttons 43a to 43h (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operation buttons 43") are provided on the front surface of the housing 42. The operation buttons 43 protrude slightly from the surface of the housing 42 and can be pressed by a person's fingers while gripping the housing 42. The functions of the operation buttons 43a to 43h are, for example, similar to those of the operation buttons 23a to 23h in the first embodiment. A display unit 45 is also provided on the front surface of the housing 42. The display unit 45 displays the state of the bed body 10, for example, the angle of the back bottom 16a, and also displays whether the hand switch 40 is in the first mode or the second mode. A switching means 48 is provided on the side surface of the housing 42. The operation buttons 43, the display unit 45, and the switching means 48 are connected to a control means 49.

As shown in Figs. 11(a) to (c), the switching means 48 is provided at a position recessed from the surface of the housing 42. The switching means 48 is, for example, a button. Note that the switching means 48 is not limited to a button, and may be, for example, a switch that can slide in a direction parallel to the surface of the housing 42. Because the switching means 48 is located at a position recessed from the surface of the housing 42, it cannot be operated by a human finger 150, but it can be operated by using a pointed object such as the tip of a ballpoint pen 160. As a result, a patient cannot easily operate the switching means 48, but a medical professional can easily operate the switching means 48 because he or she usually carries a writing implement such as a ballpoint pen.

As shown in Figures 12(a) to (c), the word "Memory" on the display unit 45 indicates the set contents of the first height range R1, first angle range R3, and first angle range R5. As shown in Figure 12(b), when "Memory" is "ON", this indicates that the set first height range R1, first angle range R3, and first angle range R5 are valid, and therefore indicates that the hand switch 40 is in the first mode. In this state, the patient can use the hand switch 40.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12(c), when "Memory" is "OFF", this indicates that the first height range R1, first angle range R3, and first angle range R5 that have been set are invalid, and therefore indicates that the hand switch 40 is in the second mode. In this state, the patient cannot use the hand switch 40. Note that medical personnel can use the hand switch 40 in both the first mode and the second mode.

According to this embodiment, one hand switch 40 can be shared by both the patient and the medical staff, thereby reducing the cost of the bed 2.
Other than the above, the configuration, operation, and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

<Modification of the second embodiment>
In this modified example, the hand switch 40 is not provided with a switching means 48, and the first mode and the second mode are switched by operating the operation button 43. For example, the first mode is normally used, and when the end of the movable range of the first mode is reached, pressing and holding the operation button 43 again enables operation in the second mode.

A specific example will be given below for explanation.
As shown in Fig. 5(a), it is assumed that the upper frame 15 is at the highest position and the height of the bottom 16 is h1. When the operation button 43g of the hand switch 40 shown in Fig. 10(b) is pressed from this state, the driving means 13 is actuated and the upper frame 15 is lowered. However, as shown in Fig. 5(b), when the height of the bottom 16 reaches height h2, the driving means 13 stops, and the upper frame 15 does not lower any further even if the operation button 43g is continued to be pressed.

In this state, if the operation button 43g is released once and then pressed and held, the descent of the upper frame 15 resumes, and the bottom 16 descends beyond height h2 and can reach height h3, as shown in FIG. 5(c). On the other hand, if the operation button 43g is not pressed and held, the bottom 16 will not descend beyond height h2.

The reference time for a long press can be preset. As a result, when the height of the upper frame 15 reaches the lower limit (h2) of the first height range R1, the drive means 13 stops, and then, by continuing to press the operation button 43g for the above-mentioned specified time or longer, the height of the upper frame 15 moves to a height within the second height range R2 but outside the first height range R1. If the height of the upper frame 15 is outside the first height range R1, the display unit 45 displays that it is operating in the second mode.

The other operation buttons 43 can be set in a similar manner. For example, a similar setting may be made to operation button 43a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the angle of the upper frame 15 reaches angle θ5, which is the lower limit of the first angle range R5, the change in angle of the upper frame 15 stops. At this time, by releasing operation button 43a once and then pressing it for a long time, the upper frame 15 can be lowered beyond angle θ5.

A similar setting may also be made for the operation button 43c. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the angle of the back bottom 16a reaches angle θ3, which is the lower limit of the first angle range R3, the change in angle of the back bottom 16a stops. At this time, by releasing the operation button 43c once and then pressing it for a long time, the angle of the back bottom 16a can be reduced beyond angle θ3.

Even in this way, the first mode and the second mode can be selectively used by the single hand switch 40. This allows the medical practitioner to operate in the second mode even if he or she does not carry a ballpoint pen or the like.
Other than the above, the configuration, operation, and effects of this modified example are similar to those of the second embodiment.

The method of switching between the first mode and the second mode is not limited to the above-mentioned method, i.e., pressing a recessed button and pressing and holding the button. For example, the first mode and the second mode may be switched by simultaneously pressing and holding two or more buttons on the surface. In this case, each operation may be individually switchable. For example, pressing the height operation buttons (up/down) simultaneously may switch between the first height range R1 and the second height range R2, and pressing the back bottom operation buttons (up/down) simultaneously may switch between the first angle range R3 and the second angle range R4. In addition, pressing a specific button twice or three times may switch between the first mode and the second mode. Furthermore, a setting button that can be operated with a finger is provided on the back of the housing, and when this setting button is pressed, the operation buttons on the surface become buttons for changing various settings, and after operating the buttons on the surface to switch modes, the setting button on the back may be pressed again to confirm the settings.

In the above-mentioned embodiments and their modified examples, examples of driving a part of the structure 10a are shown in which the upper frame 15 moves up and down, the angle of the back bottom 16a is changed, and the angle of the upper frame 15 is changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one or two of the three types of driving described above may be performed. Also, driving other than the three types of driving described above may be performed.

The above-described embodiments and their modifications are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. For example, the present invention also includes the above-described embodiments and modifications in which some components or steps are added, deleted, or changed.

1, 2: Medical bed 10: Bed body 10a: Structure 11: Lower frame 12: Caster 13: Driving means 14: Control means 15: Upper frame 16: Bottom 16a: Back bottom 16b: Waist bottom 16c: Knee bottom 16d: Foot bottom 17: Bed board 20: Hand switch (first switch)
21: Cable 22: Housing 23, 23a to 23h: Operation buttons 25: Display unit 29: Control means 30: Nurse control panel (second switch)
31: Cable 32: Housing 33, 33a to 33h: Operation buttons 34, 34a to 34g: Operation buttons 35: Display unit 36: Hook 39: Control means 40: Hand switch 41: Cable 42: Housing 43, 43a to 43h: Operation buttons 45: Display unit 46: Hook 48: Switching means 49: Control means 100: Floor surface 101: Horizontal surface 150: Finger 160: Ballpoint pen 200: IV pole 201: Leg h1 to h4: Height L: Length direction R1: First height range R2: Second height range R3: First angle range R4: Second angle range R5: First angle range R6: Second angle range V: Up-down direction W: Width direction α: Thickness θ1 to θ6: Angle

Claims (7)

a structure for supporting a patient;
A drive means for driving a part of the structure;
a first switch operable on said structure to control said actuation means;
a second switch operable outside the structure to control the drive means ;
Equipped with
a first movable range of the part of the structure that can be actuated by the first switch is a part of a second movable range of the part of the structure that can be actuated by the second switch and is narrower than the second movable range;
Medical bed. the first movable range and the second movable range are height ranges of a part of the structure,
a minimum value of a height that can be taken within the first movable range is greater than a minimum value of a height that can be taken within the second movable range;
2. The medical bed according to claim 1. The structure comprises:
A lower frame supporting the driving means;
an upper frame that can be moved up and down by the driving means;
having
a part of the structure is the upper frame,
the first movable range is a first height range of the upper frame, and the second movable range is a second height range of the upper frame;
3. A medical bed according to claim 1 or 2 . the first movable range and the second movable range are angular ranges of a portion of the structure,
a minimum angle that can be taken within the first movable range is greater than a minimum angle that can be taken within the second movable range;
2. The medical bed according to claim 1. The structure comprises:
A frame supporting the driving means;
A back bottom is disposed on the frame and the angle of which can be changed by the driving means;
having
A part of the structure is the back bottom,
The first movable range is a first angular range of the back bottom, and the second movable range is a second angular range of the back bottom.
5. A medical bed according to claim 1 or 4 . The structure comprises:
A lower frame supporting the driving means;
an upper frame whose angle can be changed by the driving means;
having
a part of the structure is the upper frame,
the first movable range is a first angular range of the upper frame, and the second movable range is a second angular range of the upper frame;
5. A medical bed according to claim 1 or 4 . The medical bed according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the first movable range can be set by the second switch.

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