NZ608949A - Patient lifting device and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

608949, Disclosed is an invalid patient lifting device (PLD) including at least two support bars or columns, wherein the two support bars include a channel housing a cable. A resting bar which resides substantially between the at least two support bars and connected to the support bars by the cable. The cable is able to be lengthened or shortened such that the resting portion is able to move between a lower position and a heightened position relative to a surface on which the support portions are positioned, so the resting bar is configured to be able to retain a consistent surface area engagement with a body resting thereon as the direction of force from the body imposed on the resting portion changes in at least one orientation and as the entire resting portion moves from the lower position to the heightened position.

Description

James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM Patient Lifting Device and Method of Use TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a patient lifting device and its method of use, and in particular for use in the home care-giving, hospital, and aged retirement home industries.

BACKGROUND ART The elderly, injured, and/or handicapped population can sometimes have difficulty or are unable to regain a standing position being in a lying down position (for example, due to a fall or on lying down on purpose).

In many cases, a care-giver, hospital staff, relative or friend is required to lift or support the person as the patient regains the upright position. This can be dangerous as either the helper or patient can become injured during the lifting process. For this reason, current OSH regulations in New Zealand (and many countries overseas) stipulate that at least two care- givers are required to aid a patient during the lifting process.

Regardless, the aided lifting process can still be a physical strain if the patient is heavy, is in an awkward position or is fragile/injured.

Also, the requirement for two care-givers is an inconvenience on the health system and represents a significant cost to government and ultimately tax payers. This inconvenience, and the subsequent costs, is compounded when the patient is located in a remote or difficult to access location. As a result, it can become impractical for many elderly, injured and/or handicapped populations to live where they desire. Alternatively, the patient may rely on attempting to lift themselves without calling anyone for help to avoid inconvenience/costs. This again, is a major concern.

A similar problem is also seen in hospitals and retirement homes, where there may be restricted staff, causing delays and so forth. There is a long-felt need for a convenient, easy to use device to aid patients who have fallen and are lying down on the ground, either in the home setting, or in an institution such as a hospital, retirement home and so forth.

This will also help to alleviate the burden and physical requirements of caregivers who care for such people.

In order to address such issues, numerous patient lifting devices have been invented and are available on the market, such as that described in US Patents 8,024,824 and US 5774915.

James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM However, some key problems persist with such devices as described in these patent publications, as listed below: a) Being over-engineered, complicated and costly, b) Overly heavy, difficult to move or position in relation to a person lying on the ground c) Many are designed only to move a patient from seating position to standing position.

This can be unsatisfactory to a situation when patients cannot bend or use their knees, or those who are lying on the ground and unable to get to a seated position. d) Many devices are only designed for the actual patient to lift him/herself. e) Difficult to store or transport from one location to another.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

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

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a patient lifting device (PLD) including at least two support portions, wherein the two support portions include a channel housing a cable a resting portion which resides substantially between the at the at least two support portions and wherein the cable is connected to the resting portion James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM and wherein the cable is able to be lengthened or shortened such that the resting portion is able to move between a lower position and a heightened position relative to a surface on which the support portions are positioned, characterised in that the resting portion is configured to be able to retain a consistent surface area engagement with a body resting thereon as the direction of force from the body imposed on the resting portion changes in at least one orientation and as the entire resting portion moves from the lower position to the heightened position.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using the patient lifting device (PLD) as substantially herein described including the steps of: a) positioning the resting portion between a ground surface and the body of a person lying on the ground surface b) moving the resting portion from the lower position to the heightened position to life a portion of the person’s body from the ground surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacture of the patient lifting device (PLD) as substantially described herein including the steps of: a) incorporating a cable tensioning device into at least one support portion b) assembling the PLD with at least two support portions connected via the resting portion c) connecting the resting portion either directly or indirectly to the cable; and d) engaging the cable with the cable tensioning device.

As will be discussed in more detail throughout this specification, one of the main advantages of the PLD is to provide a solution to easily and safely lift an invalid lying on the ground to a substantially raised position. The PLD and its method of use provide a simple way to achieve this while addressing many (if not all) of the problems discussed herein.

Preferred embodiments of the PLD The PLD may be made of a range of suitable materials. However, the inventor considers a stainless steel hollow frame may be most suitable for strength while keeping the overall weight as light as possible. The actual size and dimensions of the PLD may also vary substantially, and such variations should not be considered beyond the scope of the invention. In a general sense, the size of the device when assembled ready for use will be approximately the 1 metre wide and 1 meter deep, and about 2 metres in height. This size is manageable and may be James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM easily stored in an average sized room or storage cupboard even in its assembled state.

The PLD may be coated with a suitable finish, such as powder paint, or even a varnish. This may help to give the PLD an element of style.

Preferably, the PLD is able to be collapsible into a storage/transport configuration. This is different from many of the currently available patient lifters which can be overly cumbersome and designed to remain in a fixed and/or assembled position long term. The current invention’s overall simple design and mechanism allows for this collapsed state to be easily achieved. This is suitable for easier storage, or transport such as in the boot/trunk of a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the collapsed state is achieved by disassembling the at least two support bars from the resting bar, and folding the stabilising feet up (discussed below) against the support bars. The winch system (discussed below) may also be disassembled if required. The components may then be all stored in a bag or other container for convenience.

Preferably, the PLD has two side support bars. The side support bars typically will be positioned approximately 70 to 150 cm apart from one another to account for a typical sized human body to be positioned in between. However, the inventor envisages that the PLD may be adjustable to suit a user’s body size, for example by allowing the distance between the side support bars to be adjustable.

Preferably, each side support bar includes at least one stabiliser foot. Most preferably, each side support bar includes two stabiliser feet that extend out in opposite directions to contact a ground surface. This helps to provide stability to the PLD when stored and/or in use.

Preferably, the PLD includes an upper support bar, which in use, is substantially horizontal and links the two side vertical support bars extending to a ground surface. The upper support bar may help to support the overall structure of the PLD. Also, it may house gripping means such as a handle. For example, the patient may then grasp the gripping means when within reach to help support himself/herself during the lifting process.

Preferably, each side support bar includes an internal channel. This channel may conveniently house the cable.

The cable may be substantially any configuration and material, such as a metal cable, rope, yarn, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment, the cable is rope. Use of a rope helps to reduce the overall weight and/or cost of manufacture.

Preferably, the PLD includes a cable tensioning device. For example, the inventor foresees that a winch system may be conveniently used to tension/shorten or slacken/lengthen the cable and result in the mechanism of the present invention. A locking mechanism (such as James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM teeth/claws) can be used to ensure the winch retains the tension/shortened length when desired. A release mechanism may allow the cable to be slackened/lengthened when desired.

Preferably, each side support bar includes an elongate aperture. As will be illustrated, the elongate aperture allows easier access to the cable so that ultimately the PLD’s resting portion may be effectively lowered or heightened as described further below.

Throughout this specification, the term resting bar should be understood to mean any component that is configured to support a body or a portion thereof as it is raised from a first lower position to a heightened position.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the resting portion is a substantially cylindrical shaped bar having an elongate length. The length may be approximately that (or a bit shorter than) between the two side support bars, and again may be adjustable to suit different body sizes.

In this embodiment, the resting portion may include a padded surface. This pad may help to provide comfort when the patient is being lifted up on the resting portion. The pad may be loosely engaged with the resting portion and therefore may rotate around the resting portion.

This may help to maintain a close engagement with the body of the person being lifted (levered into a substantially upright position).

The preferred round curvature of the cylinder’s cross-section provides a key advantage of the PLD’s concept and preferred method of use.

As the body is “levered” upwards using the PLD according to the described method of use, the body is able to maintain a consistent engagement with the resting portion of the PLD. One can imagine, if the resting portion is a fixed flat surface (as per numerous devices currently available) and used according to the present invention, it would not give a consistent engagement between the body and resting portion. Also a resting portion configured as a fixed flat surface would likely be very uncomfortable to rest on during the levering process and would potentially be unsafe.

In the currently available devices, the resting portion according to the present invention is not important or used, as the patient simply sits on a seat. However, for reasons previously discussed, there is a need to provide PLDs where the patient can be lifted from a lying down position to a fully standing position without first getting into a sitting position. Also, many patients cannot easily bend their knees, making the currently available devices difficult and uncomfortable to use.

The consistent engagement may be provided between the body and resting portion through other embodiments also. For example, the resting portion may be a flat portion, but may swivel James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM so the flat portion’s surface faces the body as it is levered from a horizontal to a vertical position, or vice versa.

This embodiment would not be taught or made obvious by any seating patient lifter as the intended use is quite different. In fact, a seat that swivels would be disadvantage in such devices as it could through the patient off the seat. However, in the present invention, the orientation of the resting portion would be synergistically controlled by the weight of the person against the resting portion and connection of the person’s feet on the ground.

Preferably, the PLD includes a harness.

Preferably, the harness is connected to the resting portion. In this embodiment, when the resting portion is positioned under a person lying on the ground, the harness may be connected to the person for greater support and comfort as the person is lifted up using the PLD. The harness may be of substantially any design or configuration. The inventor considers one which attaches across the chest and around the shoulders may be particularly convenient.

Preferably, the PLD includes a connector engaged directly or indirectly to the at least one cable through the elongate aperture. In this embodiment, the connector also is configured to engage with the resting bar.

Therefore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, two connectors are engaged directly or indirectly to a cable in the two internal channels. The connectors may then freely move along the aperture in the side support bars when the cable moves or is otherwise shortened/lengthened within the channels. When the connector is also engaged with the resting bar, the connector may then cause a corresponding movement of the resting bar between the two side support bars. The connector is advantageous as it may more easily allow the PLD to be taken apart for storage.

The inventor foresees that a single cable could be utilised. For example, the cable may run along the channel of one side support bar, travel through connectors and the resting bar, and then enter the channel of the other side support bar. In this embodiment, when the cable is shortened or lengthened (using a winch for example), the net effect may be the movement of the resting bar through the connectors, due to tensioning or slacking of the cable.

However, another option is to have two cables, wherein each cable controls a single connector.

Such embodiments, and others, are not considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

Preferred method of using the PLD Advantageously, the PLD and the method of use may accommodate the patient lying either face up or face down on a ground surface. The preferred harness may be designed or James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM adjustable to accommodate either orientation of the person relative to the PLD.

If the patient is lying face up (with his back on the ground), the PLD may be positioned so that the resting portion is slid under the patient’s neck and then chest, If the patient is lying face down (with his chest facing the ground), the PLD may be positioned such that the resting bar is positioned across the patient’s chest.

Preferably, during the lifting method, the patient may achieve added support by any one of the following steps: a) using the harness as noted above, b) holding on to the upper support bar, side support bars or gripping means, c) holding on to the resting bar with hands, d) positioning a part of the resting bar under the armpits of the patient.

Preferably, step b) is performed by a person (such as a caregiver) other than the patient. This is because in the present invention, with the patient lying down it may be very difficult for a patient to then operate a manual winch system. This is a further distinguishing feature from many currently available person lifters, which is designed to be operated by the actual patient.

However, in an alternative embodiment where the cable tensioning device is, for example, an electronically controlled mechanism, the patient may himself operate the PLD mechanism even when lying on the ground. In many cases, a patient may be capable of shuffling over to the PLD in a different location, and then use the PLD to lift himself to the standing position without the need for a caregiver at all.

It is clear that the method of the present invention may also be used for the reverse action if required (i.e. lowering a patient from a standing position to a lying down position).

Preferred method of manufacturing the PLD The order of the steps in the manufacturing process may be changed without overly affecting the outcome of the PLD. Some of the considerable advantages of the PLD is its simplicity, it compactness and lightness, and its ability to be folded up and stored for transport and not in use. The manufacturing process helps to achieve these advantages.

Preferably, the method includes adding two stabiliser feet to each side support bar. These stabiliser feet may be removable to allow for easier storage and transport of the PLD.

James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM Preferably, the manufacturing process is such that the cable tensioning device is configured to lift or drop the resting bar evenly from both side support bars. There are many ways of achieving this as discussed elsewhere in the specification.

Preferably, wheels are fitted to the PLD to allow for easy movement and set up.

Summary of advantages In summary the present invention may offer the following advantages compared to the prior art devices: a) Simpler design, and lower cost for parts and maintenance b) Light weight c) Not overly large or cumbersome, so the PLD may be conveniently kept in a ready-to-use position in a patient’s living area. d) Easy for a caregiver to move or position in relation to a person lying on the ground, or for a patient to shuffle on the ground to the PLD (if no one is present to help). e) Particularly designed to move a patient from a lying down position to a standing (or vice versa) f) Particularly well-suited to patients who cannot easily bend or use knees, or those who are lying on the ground and unable to get to a seating position. g) Overcomes the need for multiple caregivers to raise a patient off the ground. Current OSH regulations in NZ (and similar regulations in other countries) require at least two caregivers to manually lift a patient off the ground. The PLD may help to address this considerable hindrance and lower costs to a country’s public health system. h) Convenient for a PLD to be permanently stored in a patient’s house, and used when necessary when a caregiver is present. Alternatively due to easy collapsibility of the PLD, a caregiver may own a single PLD and keep with them in their vehicle when needed for different patients. i) Convenient for a hospital or retirement home setting. Due to lower costs, and easy use, a large institution may desire multiple PLDs, for example on per ward. This will help to alleviate the need for caregivers/nurses who may otherwise be trying to lift patients with their own strength. j) The PLD accommodates lifting a patient in the face-up or face-down orientation, or when a patient has a preference to either orientation (i.e. due to medical complications James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM or other factors). k) An adjustable design allows the PLD to accommodate different body sizes. l) Easy to store the PLD or transport from one location to another due to collapsibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Representation of PLD according to one aspect of the invention; Figure 2 Photograph of side support bars of PLD in a collapsed state, and Figure 3 Informal drawing of the PLD in use.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figure 1 and discussed below. The patient lifting device, or PLD, is shown generally as (1).

The PLD (1) includes two side support portions (2) and an upper support portion (2a).

The two side support portions include stabilisers (2b). The two side support portions (2) include an elongate channel (3) which is configured to house a cable configured as a rope (4) – not shown. Each side support portion (2) also includes an elongate aperture (5) which provides access to the elongate channel (3). A connector (6) is attached to the rope (4) which is housed in the side support portions (2). The connector (6) is accessible via the elongate aperture (5) of each support portion (2).

The length and/or tension of the rope (4) may be controlled via a winch (7) positioned on an upper portion of one support portion (2). In use, the winch (7) allows the length of the rope (4) to be moved, resulting in corresponding movement of the connector (6) to move in a substantially vertical fashion along the channel (3). At least a part of the connector (6) protrudes slightly through the elongate aperture (5).

The PLD (1) includes a resting portion (9) which in use, resides substantially between the two support portions (2). The resting portion (9) is connected indirectly to the rope(s) (4) via the connectors (6) engaged with the rope (4). When the rope (4) moves, the connectors (6) also move, thus causing an equivalent movement of the resting portion (9).

James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM The connectors (6) and resting portion (9) include apertures (7) configured to accommodate the rope (4). Starting from one end, the rope (4) is attached to a fixing means (8) inside one channel (3) of a first side support portion (2). The rope (4) length then passes through the aperture (7) of the connectors (6) and resting portion (9) and ultimately to the channel (3) of the second side portion (2). The rope (4) then is fixed to the winch (7). The winch (7) allows the length of the rope (4) to be adjusted, subsequently resulting in the resting portion (9) to be moved upwards or downwards along the length of the side support portions (2).

In Figure 2, the PLD (1) is shown in a collapsed state.

In a particularly preferred method of use, the PLD (1) is used as follows.

After a patient (8) has fallen and/or is lying on the ground, the PLD (1) is moved into position for use as shown in Figure 3A.

As shown in Figure 3B, the patient is then lifted up to a substantially standing position by using the winch (7) to move the resting portion (9) upwards, and in doing so lifting the upper portion of the patient’s body (8) which rests on the resting portion (9).

The reverse action may also be used to transfer a person from a standing state to a lying down state.

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.

James & Wells ref: 134397/76 AMM WHAT I

Claims (9)

CLAIM 1. IS:

1. A patient lifting device (PLD) including; at least two support portions, wherein the two support portions include a channel housing a cable; a resting portion which resides substantially between the at least two support portions and wherein the cable is connected to the resting portion; and wherein the cable is able to be lengthened or shortened such that the resting portion is able to move between a lower position and a heightened position relative to a surface on which the support portions are positioned; characterised in that the resting portion is configured to be able to retain a consistent surface area engagement with a body resting thereon as the direction of force from the body imposed on the resting portion changes in at least one orientation and as the entire resting portion moves from the lower position to the heightened position.

2. The PLD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the PLD is able to be collapsible into a storage/transport configuration.

3. The PLD as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the PLD has two side support portions.

4. The PLD as claimed in claim 3 wherein each side support bar includes at least one stabiliser foot.

5. The PLD as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the PLD includes an upper support bar, which in use, is substantially horizontal and links the two side support bars which extend to a ground surface.

6. The PLD as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein each side support bar includes an internal channel.

7. The PLD as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein each side support channel includes an elongate channel.

8. The PLD as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the PLD includes a cable tensioning device.

9. The PLD as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the resting portion is a substantially cylindrical shaped bar having an elongate length. James & Wells ref: