WO2009044178A1

WO2009044178A1 - A patient manoeuvring system

Info

Publication number: WO2009044178A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/003396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gavin James
Original assignee: Helping Hand Co Ledbury Ltd
Current assignee: Helping Hand Co Ledbury Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-04
Filing date: 2008-10-06
Publication date: 2009-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-04
Also published as: GB0719406D0; GB0818144D0

Abstract

A patient manoeuvring system is disclosed which includes: a patient hoist (22) for, in use, lifting or lowering a patient; a support (14); an elongate suspension member (24) a first length of which (24b Fig 2) extends between the hoist and the support during said lifting or lowering, the suspension member including an end portion (50 Fig 5), the end portion. including a first part of a releasable coupling (27); and a second part (52 Fig 5) of the releasable coupling, complementary to the first part, being disposed at or adjacent the hoist, characterised in that; the system is usable in one of two modes such that in one mode (see Fig 4) the first length only of the suspension member extends between the hoist and the support to suspend a patient by only the first length, and in a second mode (see Fig 1) wherein in addition to said first length, a second length (24a) of the suspension member extends between the support back and the hoist or adjacent thereto, whereat the first and second parts of the releasable coupling are connected such that the patient is suspended by the first and second lengths. The two modes allow lifting of relatively light patients more quickly, whereas heavier patients can be lifted more slowly, but over a short distance.

Description

A patient manoeuyring system

The present invention relates to a patient manoeuvring system. In this description, typically, a patient may be an invalid or an incapacitated or bedridden person. The system is particularly applicable to the lifting or lowering of such a person e.g. into or out of a bed or bathing/toilet facilities.

Patient manoeuvring systems are known. GB2433061 , EP390003, GB2337036, US4202064, US4117561 , US4125908, US4372452, and US6523195 show different arrangements for manoeuvring patients. The documents all show a patient support which may be raised or lowered.

Often these manoeuvring systems are used in confined spaces e.g. in bedrooms or bathrooms so it is desirable to provide a system whose physical dimensions are as small as possible. It may be necessary for a carer to position the system ready for use, thus it is desirable to have a system which is as light weight as possible for positioning purposes. It is further desirable to have a system which is of low cost because those who need such systems are generally those who can least afford them. In order to produce a system which is, compact, low weight and low cost it is desirable to keep the structure and mechanisms employed as simple and light weight as possible.

However, with increasing obesity and when considering health and safety and product liability issues, simple and light weight structures and mechanisms are difficult to achieve. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a manoeuvring system employing a simple, low cost structure and mechanism, but yet with the strength and capacity to support and manoeuvre large patients in safety. Where a manoeuvring system is to be used for a variety of patients it is generally the heaviest patient that will dictate the design strengths of the system and the lifting capacity of any motor and winding gear. The lifting capacity of a motor and gear can be improved by using a pulley system. However such a pulley system will slow down the lifting speed. Thus there is also a need for a versatile system that can lift lighter patients reasonably quickly, but can also be used to lift heavier patients over a shorter distance.

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a patient manoeuvring system comprising: a patient hoist for, in use, lifting or lowering a patient; a support;

• an elongate suspension member a first length of which extends between the hoist and the support during said lifting or lowering, the suspension member including an end portion, the end portion including a first part of a releasable coupling; and a second part of the releasable coupling, complementary to the first part, being disposed at or adjacent the hoist, characterised in that; the system is usable in one of two modes such that in one mode a first length only of the suspension member extends between the hoist and the support to suspend a patient by only the first length, and in a second mode wherein in addition to said first length, a second length of the suspension member extends between the support back and the hoist or adjacent thereto, whereat the first and second parts of the releasable coupling are connected such that the patient is suspended by the first and second lengths. In this way the hoist can be used in one way where an end portion of the suspension member (not including the releasable coupling) is attached or otherwise held at the support, whereby the hoist is used to lengthen or shorten the suspension member and thereby lower or raise a patient by a single length of the suspension member. In this case, the first and second parts of the releasable coupling are not brought together. This arrangement allows reasonably quick lifting and lowering.

Alternatively the hoist can be used in a second way where the first and second parts of the releasable coupling can be connected at or adjacent the hoist to form a looped suspension member. The patient can then be lifted or lowered with two lengths of suspension member formed by the first and second lengths and thereby about twice the load can then be carried by the hoist and suspension member, if a heavier patient needs to be lifted.

In a preferred embodiment the patient manoeuvring system further includes a pulley attached to the support, for accepting said suspension member.

Preferably the pulley is rotatable on the support. However, the pulley need not be so rotatable. A pulley of low friction non rotatably attached to the support, or integral therewith, can be used as a pulley provided the suspension member can slide over it.

The patient manoeuvring system thus has two ways or modes of operation, a first mode wherein the suspension member extends only from the hoist to the support pulley and a second mode wherein the suspension member extends from the hoist to the pulley and then on to the second part of the releasable coupling whereat the first and second parts of the releasable fastening are connected.

Conveniently the first and second parts are formed from male and female parts of a quick release buckle fastening, such as a seatbelt type buckle.

More preferably the male part is a flat plate having an aperture and the female part is a housing into which the male part is insertable, the housing containing a releasable pawl generally resiliently urged toward said aperture when the male part is inserted into the housing, to prevent release of the male part.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the hoist is mounted above the support, such that in the first mode, the suspension member extends downwardly from the hoist to the support whereat it is attached or held, and in the second mode the suspension member extends not only downwardly to the support but then upwardly toward the hoist.

In an alternative embodiment of the system, the support is mounted above the hoist, such that in the first mode, the suspension member extends upwardly from the hoist to the support whereat it is attached or held, and in the second mode the suspension member extends not only upwardly to the support but then downwardly toward the hoist.

An end portion of the suspension member may be enlarged for preventing withdrawal of that end from the support or pulley when the first mode is employed. Alternatively the support may include an additional second part of the releasable coupling for connection with the first part on said support when the first mode is employed.

In a further aspect, the invention extends to a patient hoist, including a housing, the hoist having an elongate suspension member including a free end portion, and including a first part of releasable coupling attached to the free end portion, and a second part of the coupling, complementary to the first part, being attached to the housing.

In a yet further aspect, the invention extends also to a method of lifting a patient using a hoist, the method having two, selectable, modes dependent on the weight of the patient or the height of lifting required: wherein a first mode employs a hoist and a single length of a patient suspension member, such that the hoist is used to lift or lower a patient using a single length of the member, and a second mode employs the hoist and a double length ..of the patient suspension member such that the hoist is used to lift or lower a patient using a double length of the member.

In a further aspect, the invention provides also a patient manoeuvring system, a patient hoist, or method of lifting substantially as described herein, optionally, with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

According to a further aspect the present invention provides a patient manoeuvring system comprising: a patient hoist for, in use, lifting or lowering a patient; a support; and an elongate suspension member a first length of which extends between the hoist and the support during said lifting or lowering, the suspension member including an end portion, the end portion including a first part of a releasable coupling, a second part of the releasable coupling, complementary to the first part, being disposed at or adjacent the hoist.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in addition to the second part of the coupling disposed at or adjacent the hoist a further second part of the releasable coupling is provided on, or adjacent, said support.

The invention extends to any novel features or any novel combination of features, described or illustrated herein.

The invention may be put into practice in many different ways, and, by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a patient manoeuvring system according to the invention in a first mode of operation;

Figure 2 shows the suspension device illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the pulley block illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 4 shows a patient manoeuvring system according to the invention in a second mode of operation.

Figures 5 and 6 show further views of parts illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 1 shows a patient manoeuvring system 10. The system includes two slings 12 supported by a frame 14. The system also includes a patient lifting or lowering device 20 which consists of a hoist 22 and an elongate suspension member in the form of a flexible overhead strap 24. The hoist 22 is mounted to an overhead support structure 29. In practice the overhead structure will be in the form of a track mounted at ceiling height, a suitably strong ceiling fixing, or some framework which can be moved from one place to another. The hoist 22 may be moveable relative to the overhead structure e.g. the hoist may have a carriage which moves along a track. In use, the hoist 22, in cooperation with the strap 24, is used to lift and lower patient supporting frame 14.

Figure 2 shows the device 20 in more detail. Strap 24 has a first length 24a which is releasably connected at a releasable coupling 27 to the housing of the hoist 22 at its free end. In more detail the releasable coupling includes a male part 50 insertable into a socket 52. The male part has an aperture (54 Fig 6) which is caught by a spring loaded catch 56 when the male part is inserted. Release lever 58 can be used to free the male part 50 from the socket 52. In this way the male part 50 cannot accidentally come away from the socket 52 because it is positively locked into the socket 52, releasable by lever 58 only.

The first length 24a of the strap extends from the releasable coupling directly toward pulley block 26. A pulley block 26 includes a simple pulley 28 (shown more clearly in Figure 3). The strap 24 extends around the pulley 28. The strap 24 includes a second length 24b which extends directly from the pulley to the hoist 22. The hoist includes an electric motor 30 and a winding wheel 32. In use the electric motor can be operated to rotate in either direction. The action of the motor winds or unwinds the strap 24 onto or off the wheel 32 causing the support frame 14 to lift or lower accordingly. The strap portions 24a and 24b extend directly between coupling 27, pulley block 26 and hoist winding wheel 32, with no intervening elements (such as idler pulleys), or changes in direction.

Figure 3 shows the pulley block 26 in more detail. Pulley block 26 is pivotably mounted to frame 14 via pivot pin 38. Strap 24 extends around a plain cylindrical pulley 28 which is mounted to the pulley block 26 using a pivot bolt 40. Mounted also to the pulley block is a spacer 36 which extends in parallel with the portions of the strap 24a and 24b. The function of the spacer is to keep the pulley block aligned with the two portions 24a and 24b of the strap 24.

In this mode of operation the winding of the pulley 28 causes a 2:1 reduction in the speed of lifting when compared with the lifting that would take place without the pulley.

The same patient manoeuvring system is shown in Figure 4. However, in this illustration the system is configured for a different mode of operation. In this Figure the ^'male part 50 of the coupling 27 is disconnected from the hoist housing and is held at the pulley block 26. Its enlarged end prevents the strap 24 from being pulled out of the pulley block 26.

Figure 5 shows a further view of the hoist arrangement of Figure 4. In this Figure it can be seen clearly that the male part 50 of the coupling 27 is not located in the socket 52. Instead it is held at the pulley block by the tension on strap 24b. Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the male part 50 located at the pulley block 26, whereat aperture 54 is clearly shown together with the flat plate material of the male part 50.

In use the hoist arrangement shown in Figures 4,5 and 6 will not benefit from the pulley effect described above with reference to Figures 1 ,2 and 3. However, the hoist can operate more quickly and over a greater height. This mode of operation will be more suited to lighter patients.

In the afore embodiments hoist 22 is mounted to overhead structure 29 and a pulley 28 is mounted at support frame 14. Various configurations of this arrangement and modifications thereto will be apparent to the skilled addressee. For example hoist 22 may be mounted to frame 14 and pulley 28 may be mounted to overhead structure 29 via a suitable support means. Also, more than one pulley may be employed. Thus, in the embodiment shown the use of one pulley reduces the loading on motor 30 by approximately half, whereas the use of two or more pulleys will reduce the loading further. A winding wheel hoist has been shown, however other types of hoist mechanism are possible e.g. two pinch rollers or a toothed arrangement. Whilst an electric hoist motor 30 has been described other motors may be used. Additionally, a hand hoist could be employed. Strap 24 is preferably of a webbing material having woven fibre construction. However, a polymeric, plastics or natural material strap may be used. The strap may have a fibre reinforcing which will allow flexing in directions transverse to the reinforcing but substantially no tensile stretching. Use of a cylindrical pulley 28 is illustrated, however, the pulley may be of an alternative construction e.g. a 'V shaped pulley or a convex (barrel) shaped pulley. The pulley shown is rotatable but it need not be so e.g. a smooth non-rotatable pulley having a webbing strap sliding thereon would function effectively. The fixing 27 may be external to the hoists 22 housing.

The male part 50 of the coupling 27 may be releasably attached to the pulley block 26 by means of a complementary socket and catch, similar to the socket 52 and catch 56. In that way the male part 50 at the end of the strap 24 may be attached, conveniently either at the pulley block 26 or at the hoist 22 depending on the mode of operation required.

A warning or cut-out system may be employed to enable an operator to switch from the single length mode of operation illustrated in Figure 4 to the double length mode of operation illustrated in Figure 1. In this way a motor of lower capacity can be used in the single length mode, until it is required to be used in the double length mode, without fear of overloading the motor.

These various embodiments of the invention serve to illustrate how a patient manoeuvring system can be constructed.

Claims

1. A patient manoeuvring system comprising: a patient hoist for, in use, lifting or lowering a patient; a support; an elongate suspension member a first length of which extends between the hoist and the support during said lifting or lowering, the suspension member including an end portion, the end portion including a first part of a releasable coupling; and a second part of the releasable coupling, complementary to the first part, being disposed at or adjacent the hoist, characterised in that; the system is usable in one of two modes such that in one mode a first length only of the suspension member extends between the hoist and the support to suspend a patient by only the first length, and in a second mode wherein in addition to said first length, a second length of the suspension member extends between the support back and the hoist or adjacent thereto, whereat the first and second parts of the releasable coupling are connected such that the patient is suspended by the first and second lengths.

2. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the system further includes a pulley attached to the support, for accepting said suspension member.

3. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in claim 2 wherein, the pulley is rotatable on the support.

4. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the first and second parts are formed from male and female parts of a quick release buckle fastening.

5. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the male part is a flat plate having an aperture and the female part is a housing into which the male part is insertable, the housing containing a releasable pawl generally resiliently urged toward said aperture when the male part is inserted into the housing, to prevent release of the male part.

6. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the hoist is mounted above the support, such that in the first mode, the suspension member extends downwardly from the hoist to the support whereat it is attached or held, and in the second mode the suspension member extends not only downwardly to the support but then upwardly toward the hoist.

7. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 wherein, the support is mounted above the hoist, such that in the first mode, the suspension member extends upwardly from the hoist to the support whereat it is attached or held, and in the second mode the suspension member extends not only upwardly to the support but then downwardly toward the hoist.

8. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in claim 7 wherein an end portion of the suspension member is enlarged for preventing withdrawal of that end from the support or pulley when the first mode is employed.

9. A patient manoeuvring system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the support includes an additional second part of the releasable coupling for connection with the first part on said support when the first mode is employed.

10. A patient hoist, including a housing, the hoist having an elongate suspension member including a free end portion, and including a first part of releasable coupling attached to the free end portion, and a second part of the coupling, complementary to the first part, being attached to the housing.

11. A method of lifting a patient using a hoist, the method having two, selectable, modes dependent on the weight of the patient or the height of lifting required: wherein a first mode employs a hoist and a single length of a patient suspension member, such that the hoist is used to lift or lower a patient using a single length of the member, and a second mode employs the hoist and a double length of the patient suspension member such that the hoist is used to lift or lower a patient using a double length of the member.

12. A patient manoeuvring system, a patient hoist, or method of lifting substantially as described herein, optionally, with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.