Mobility assist device and method for self-transfer between bed and wheelchair

Abstract

A mobility assist device for paraplegic individuals who are non-weight bearing through their bilateral lower extremities and one or two wrists to move in bed and also to transfer from a bed to a wheelchair or commode, or vise versa. The device has a support plate that is intended for supporting the forearm of a non-weight bearing wrist and for securing the forearm to the support plate. For self-transfer of the individual from a bed to a wheelchair, the individual bridges the space between the bed and the wheelchair located near the bed. By using the muscles of the healthy hand and the muscles of the handicapped hand supported by the device, the individual stepwise moves his body along the sliding board to the wheelchair until he / she find himself / herself on the wheelchair seat. The sliding board is then removed. Transfer from the wheelchair to the bed is carried out in the reverse sequence.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a mobility assist device for a handicapped individual, in particular, to a device for assisting a paraplegic individual to independently transfer himself / herself from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bed, i.e., without assistance from another individual. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and device for assisting individuals who are non-weight bearing through their bilateral lower extremities and also one or both wrists to move in bed and to transfer from a bed to a chair or commode.[0002]Many devices and methods that assist handicapped individuals to increase their independence and mobility are known in the art.[0003]For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,486 issued in 1994 to L. Hoover discloses a crutch, which can be used, particularly by paraplegics, to move between sitting and standing positions. The crutch includes a unique foot mechanism that gives added stability to the user of a pair of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]It is an object of the invention to provide a device and method for improving self-mobility of an individual who is non-weight bearing through his / her bilateral lower extremities and one or both wrists. It is a further object to provide a device that can hasten the rehabilitation process of patient independence and can also be used at home or another facility until the patient is able to ambulate. It is another object to provide a device that can be used by patients with multiple extremity fractures for improving their mobility. It is a more specific object to provide the aforementioned individuals with a device and method that allow an individual to move in bed and to transfer himself / herself from bed to wheelchair, or vice versa, without assistance. Still another object is to provide the device of the aforementioned type that is light in weight, adjustable according to specific dimensions of the individual, foldable, and suitable for placing on a wheelchair.

[0015]According to one aspect of the invention, the device consists of two parallel rods adjustable in length and interconnected with a transverse crossbar at the upper ends and with a forearm-supporting plate, which is sufficiently wide to support the forearm of the individual who has a non-weight bearing wrist. The upper surface of the crossbar and the support surface of the forearm-supporting plate are coated with a soft, resilient material. The forearm-supporting plate is provided with a forearm-securing means, such as a flexible strip or a belt with a buckle, for tightly securing the wrist of the non-weight bearing forearm to the device during use of the latter.

[0016]According to another aspect of the invention and in addition to the features described above, the forearm-supporting plate is pivotally connected to an auxiliary crossbar installed between the parallel vertical rods, and a third vertical bar for use as a support leg for the forearm-supporting plate is pivotally connected to the bottom of the forearm-supporting plate. Such a construction improves stability of the forearm-supporting plate during use and makes the device foldable for convenience of storage and transportation.

Problems solved by technology

However, none of the devices and methods described above make it possible for an individual who is non-weight bearing through his / her bilateral lower extremities and one or both wrists to move in bed or to transfer himself / herself from bed to wheelchair, or vice versa, without assistance.

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