CA2281986A1 - Ltc dynamic tilt shower chair - Google Patents

Abstract

As a patient transfer apparatus for showering incapacitated geriatric patients in Nursing Homes {while at the same time helping to avoid caregiver back injuries}, it is known to have a power operated dynamic tilt seat which allows a caregiver to position the incapacitated geriatric patient at a precise angle where he/ she is more comfortable and secure. This dynamic tilt seat is complimented by a power-operated back rest which allows the caregiver to position the patient at an angle (combined with the tilted seat angle) where the incapacitated geriatric patient is not only more comfortable but also more accessible for showering and shampooing by the caregiver. To allow ease of exit and entry from the side, this patient transfer apparatus features arm rests which fold down out of the way.

Description

SPECIFICATION:
This invention relates to a power operable patient transfer apparatus for showering incapacitated geriatric patients whose major feature requiring patent protection is the dynamic Tilt seat.
Most geriatric patients in nursing homes are showered in various types of portable shower chairs. However, when dealing with the more difficult - to - handle incapacitated geriatric patient, caregivers generally have to sponge or tub bathe them because it is impossible to shower them in shower chairs that are currently available.
Compounding the issue are hygenic problems associated with sponge bathing which include incomplete cleansing. Further, tub bathing can be frightening for incapacitated patients, time consuming for the caregiver, and high risk in terms of caregiver back injuries - in direct comparison to the safer and more effective alternative of showering.
A few shower chairs currently in the marketplace are equipped with a manually reclining backrest, but this feature still does not offer sufficient comfort and safety for incapacitated geriatric patients to be able to shower. Because current shower chairs currently lack a dynamic tilt seat, the caregiver is unable to sufficiently adjust seating and back angles to safely and comfortably accomodate those unique needs of incapacitated geriatric patients who may also be suffering from Alzeimer's and other debilitating diseases. (ie: Adjusting the back rest angle without tilting the seat is not enough as the patient can feel insecure and frightened.) As a result these shower chairs are unable to provide showers for these special patients - thereby robbing them of the enjoyment, dignity and feelings of cleanliness that a shower provides.

Specification ...(con'td) We have found that the significant health problem of not being able to shower incapaci-tated geriatric patients may be overcome by providing a shower chair which is equipped with a dynamic tilt seat, in addition to an angle-adjustable back rest (plus of course other features such as a comfortable yet firm seat cushion, etc.). Once the incapacitated patient is placed in the chair (usually via a Patient Lift device) , the back rest can be adjusted to make this special patient type more comfortable. Then the angle of the seat can be adjusted up to 25 degrees in order to allow the patient to, in effect, slide slowly back into the safe confines of the chair. At this point the backrest can be further adjusted to further increase the comfort and security of the incapacitated patient.
Without the angle-adjustable seat, or in other words when reclined only via the backrest, the physically incapicated patient may still experience severe discomfort because the lower body torso is still at an uncomfortable angle. Further, it is relatively easy to slide out of the chair onto the floor if the seat is not inclined.
These findings have been verified by Occupational Therapists during the development of this chair.
LTC dynamic tilt Shower Chair Drawing 1: an overview of the client restraint system.
Drawing 2: a description of the Leg Rest mechanism.
Drawing 3: a description of the unique Dynamic Tilt Seat system Drawing 4: a description of reclining Backrest, Swing-Away arm rests and actuators The unique feature:
As can be seen by Drawing 3, the back end of the dynamic tilt seat is "piano"
hinged onto a one and one quarter inch stainless steel frame which allows its angle to be increased from a low angle of 8 degrees to a maximum angle of 25 degrees -depending upon the needs of the incapacitated patient. The seat frame is spaced correctly over the chair frame to avoid potential patient "pinching" problems.
The angle of the seat is moved up and down via a battery powered actuator which is anchored on the main frame of the shower chair and affixed to to bottom of the seat frame. The caregiver uses a remote hand control to operate the actuators -allowing full attention to be focused on the patient. The end result is that the patient tends to slide more security back into the chair's confines while at the same time taking pressure off the lower body torso. As a result both personal comfort and safety factors are dramatically increased. (ie: Patient is less likely to pitch forward because of the seat angle discourages forward movement.) Specification...(con'td) As can be seen by Drawing 4, the power back rest mechanism permits the caregiver to recline the patient's upper torso from a 90 degree angle to 150 degree angle.
With the continuing adjustment of the power back rest and the dynamic tilt seat - the caregiver is able to increase the incapacitated geriatric patient's comfort and security.
As can be seen by Drawing 4, the armrests are designed to conveniently fold out of the way in order to facilitate the patient's entry and exit via patient lift from the side. This is made possible by a metal pivot which is attached to the back rest's steel frame and projects 3 inches inside the lower end of the armrest's steel tubing. The top is secured by a shorter metal pivot through which a cotter pin is inserted to secure same to the back rest's frame. To lower the armrest, the cotter pin is removed and the armrest is pulled forward until it slides off the upper metal pivot. The entire armrest can then be folded over/lowered out of the way to permit patient entry or exit.
As can be seen by Drawing 2, the LTC dynamic tilt Shower Chair's frame, legrest and control unit box are all of stainless steel construction. The fabric on the backrest and legrest consists of waterproof materials which can be dried quickly, thereby avoiding the cold discomfort of otherwise damp surfaces for the next patient to be showered. The legrest can be lengthenedlshortened and it can also be angled to satisfy the needs of each patient.
The headrest section of the fabric is removable, allowing the patient's head to recline on a padded crossbar which facilitates hair shampooing. The 5" wheels are con-structed of a non-skid, non-scuffing high tech rubber.

Claims (2)

1: A power operated apparatus for showering geriatric patients who are incapacitated and cannot be otherwise showered. It is comprised of a power operated dynamic tilt seat in addition to a power operated reclining backrest - the combination of which allows the incapacitated patient to be seated comfortably and securely for showering.
The apparatus also features foldaway armrests which facilitate entry and exit of the patient who has to be mechanically lifted into and out of the chair.

2: An apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the dynamic tilt seat is secured at its rear section to the apparatus frame, allowing it's angle to be increased or decreased according to the needs of the incapacitated patient. It is raised and lowered by a remotely controlled, battery powered actuator.