Equipment for positioning and supporting an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure, such as a blood sample collection

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment (12) for positioning and supporting an upper limb of a patient (14) intended to undergo a medical procedure, the equipment being characterised in that it further comprises: a cavity (22) for accommodating the elbow of the upper limb of the patient, configured to define a space for positioning and supporting the elbow of the patient; gripping means (24) for gripping, by a hand, the upper limb of the patient; means (30a, 30b, 34) for moving the gripping means (24) in translation in a longitudinal direction relative to the cavity (22) for accommodating the elbow of the patient so that the upper limb of the patient can extend, once the gripping means (24) have been grasped by the patient and the elbow is accommodated in the accommodating cavity (22), between the elbow accommodating cavity and the gripping means, regardless of the length of the upper limb of the patient.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE OF THE INVENTION: EQUIPMENT FOR POSITIONING AND SUPPORTING AN UPPER LIMB OF A PATIENT INTENDED TO UNDERGO A MEDICAL PROCEDURE, SUCH AS A BLOOD SAMPLE

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to equipment for positioning and maintaining an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure, such as a cutaneous, venous, arterial or nerve injection, a venous or arterial puncture, the placement of a medical device for venous or arterial access.

[0005] The invention also relates to a sampling chair equipped with such positioning and holding equipment and also relates to an automatic machine for puncturing, injecting or placing a medical device equipped with such positioning and holding equipment.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] Every day, a multitude of blood tests are performed. Many people can experience real anxiety when they have to have a blood test, especially at the thought of seeing a needle enter their arm. Taking blood is therefore a common and time-consuming medical procedure, but it can be risky for both the patient and the operator performing the procedure. On the one hand, the patient may react violently at the sight of the needle by becoming agitated or, conversely, by losing consciousness. On the other hand, the operator who handles a needle near the patient's arm may risk injuring the patient and / or having to repeat the puncture attempt until the blood sample is taken.

[0008] The risk of injuring a patient is also increased when the patient has movement disorders such as tremors that make it difficult to keep their arm still. For example, when a patient has Parkinson's disease, they may make jerky or uncontrollable movements that can be dangerous during a blood test. In addition, during a medical procedure on a peripheral limb, the patient's arm on which the procedure is being performed must remain still to avoid any risk of injury from the needle. It is therefore necessary, before the needle is inserted, to stabilize the arm on which the medical procedure is to be performed. To do this, it is often necessary for a third party to assist the practitioner in firmly holding the patient's wrist or upper limb to prevent the patient from abruptly withdrawing their upper limb.

[0009] Currently, there is no method for maintaining and positioning a patient's arm during a puncture. Generally, the patient sits in a blood collection chair and rests their arm on an armrest. Then, and in the majority of cases, a tourniquet is applied to the biceps, for example, using a fabric strap or an elastic band to stop or restrict blood flow by compressing the veins, causing vasodilation upstream of the tourniquet at the hollow of the elbow. After the vein to be punctured has been identified by a doctor, a nurse, or a person working in a healthcare facility (medical analysis laboratory, for example), the person in charge of taking the blood sample will perform the puncture on the chosen vein. Most of the time, the patient is asked, at a certain point, to make a fist and not move their arm to avoid injury from the needle.

[0010] The inventors sought to improve puncture or injection operations by proposing equipment to facilitate the positioning and maintenance of an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure such as a blood sample.

[0011] Objectives of the invention

[0012] The invention aims to provide equipment for positioning and maintaining an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure at the level of the upper limb maintained by said equipment.

[0013] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, equipment that self-adapts to the morphology of the patient's upper limb, and in particular to the length, width and / or diameter of a patient's upper limb, to the varus / valgus of the patient's upper limb, to the size of the wrist and / or hand of a patient's upper limb.

[0014] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which facilitates the installation, positioning and immobilization of an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure, whatever their morphology.

[0015] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which makes it possible to eliminate the need for an operator to prepare the patient for the medical procedure.

[0016] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which allows the detection and monitoring of the patient's state of consciousness during the medical procedure performed on the upper limb held by said positioning and holding equipment.

[0017] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which makes it possible to orient and maintain the arm in extension while orienting the false antecubital of the upper limb of a patient upwards.

[0018] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which allows repeatability of the position of the elbow crease relative to a reference point, whatever the morphology of the patient.

[0019] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which makes it possible to vary the pressure on the patient's biceps.

[0020] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which makes it possible to heat the patient's arm.

[0021] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which makes it possible to alert an operator of abnormal tension or relaxation of the patient during the medical procedure performed on the upper limb held by said positioning and holding equipment.

[0022] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such equipment which can equip an automatic or semi-automatic sampling or puncture machine.

[0023] The invention finally aims to provide an automatic or semi-automatic sampling or puncture machine equipped with equipment according to the invention.

[0024] Statement of the invention

[0025] To this end, the invention relates to equipment for positioning and maintaining an upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure comprising a frame provided with a support plate.

[0026] The positioning and holding equipment according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises: a housing for receiving an elbow of an upper limb of the patient, secured to the support plate, said receiving housing being configured to delimit a space for positioning and holding the elbow of the patient which limits the movement of the elbow in the plane of the plate, once the elbow is housed in the receiving housing, means for gripping by a hand said upper limb of said patient, means for translational movement, in a direction, called the longitudinal direction, of said gripping means relative to said housing for receiving the elbow of the patient so that said upper limb of said patient can be held in extension, once the gripping means are grasped by said patient and the elbow is housed in said receiving housing,between the elbow receiving housing and the gripping means regardless of the length of the upper limb of said patient.,

[0027] Throughout the text, the expression "upper limb" refers to the part of the human body of a human being comprising an arm, a forearm, and a hand.

[0028] The equipment according to the invention thus allows self-adaptation of the equipment to the morphology of the patient's upper limb. In particular, the patient grasps the gripping means (for example a handle) and moves them until his elbow is housed in the elbow receiving housing.

[0029] The equipment according to the invention makes it possible to naturally position the upper limb of a patient intended to undergo a blood sample or another medical procedure and to adapt the position of the gripping means in relation to the receiving housing of the elbow. The equipment according to the invention thus forms equipment for receiving and stabilizing the patient's limb.

[0030] The equipment according to the invention comprises means for gripping the patient's upper limb by one hand. When the patient's hand grasps the gripping means, the patient's arm and forearm, connected by the elbow joint, are substantially aligned along the same axis.

[0031] The grip allows the upper limb to be stabilized and the forearm to be held with the hollow of the elbow visible to perform the medical procedure.

[0032] Furthermore, the means for translational movement in a direction, called longitudinal, of the gripping means relative to the elbow receiving housing make it possible to move the gripping means from any initial position to a position adapted to the patient in which the distance separating the gripping means from the receiving housing corresponds exactly to the morphology of the patient's arm.

[0033] The initial position may correspond either to the position in which the equipment is located before the installation of said upper limb of the patient in the equipment (corresponding for example to the position left by the previous patient) or to a default initial position. This default initial position may be the minimum possible distance between the gripping means and the elbow receiving housing or the maximum possible position between the gripping means and the elbow receiving housing or any intermediate position.

[0034] In addition, the elbow receiving housing makes it possible to delimit a positioning and holding space for the patient's elbow which limits the movement of the elbow in the plane of the plate, once the elbow is housed in the receiving housing. According to a variant, the receiving housing is configured to prevent any movement of the elbow in the plane of the plate, once the elbow is housed in the receiving housing.

[0035] According to a variant of the invention, the equipment comprises means for elastically returning the gripping means to the initial default position so that the equipment spontaneously positions itself in the initial position in the absence of an upper limb of a patient housed in the positioning and holding equipment.

[0036] In use, the patient places his elbow in the receiving housing, then moves his arm to grasp the gripping means with his hand. He then repositions his elbow in the receiving housing while holding the gripping means. These gripping means slide along the longitudinal direction by the translational displacement means of the gripping means. He can also grasp the gripping means directly, then position his elbow in the receiving housing, while holding the gripping means in his hand, which move under the effect of the translational displacement means.

[0037] Advantageously and according to the invention, said plate is pivotally mounted relative to said chassis along a horizontal axis, said plate carrying said housing for receiving the elbow of the patient's upper limb, said gripping means and said translational movement means, so as to allow spontaneous pivoting of said plate relative to the chassis when the patient's limb is extended, with his elbow housed in said receiving housing and his hand engaged with said gripping means.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the equipment comprises a support plate which is pivotally mounted relative to a chassis which may be a supporting structure formed for example by an independent tripod. This supporting structure may for example be configured to move the support plate relative to the ground to adapt the height of the support plate to the morphology of the patient. The term "ground" designates the terrestrial reference on which the supporting structure is arranged when said patient is in a seated position, that is to say when the patient's body is supported on the back of the thighs, with the trunk generally vertical.

[0039] According to this advantageous variant, the plate can pivot along a horizontal pivot axis relative to the chassis in order to allow the pivoting of the upper limb of said patient intended to undergo a blood sample while guaranteeing adjustment of said positioning support according to his own morphology and that of his upper limb.

[0040] Preferably, the elbow receiving housing is arranged in the vicinity of the pivot axis so that the patient can, on the one hand, position his elbow and more particularly the external face of the elbow, at a fixed point (the elbow receiving housing) in the vicinity of the pivot axis and, on the other hand, avoid the rolling of said elbow.

[0041] Alternatively, this fixed point is the same for all patients. This fixed point is defined by the height between the elbow receiving housing and the ground. Preferably, the height between this elbow receiving housing and the ground may be greater than 600 millimeters and preferably between 800 and 900 millimeters.

[0042] Using anthropometry, which concerns the measurement of morphological proportions on the human body, the inventors determined that there is a universal point corresponding to the elbow of a human upper limb. This universal point is a pivot point that does not vary and therefore remains fixed for any length of upper limb when the elbow is arranged in the vicinity of the universal point. The length of the upper limb influences the inclination of the plate without requiring adjustment of the position of the elbow receiving housing, which remains arranged in the vicinity of the same fixed point for all patients. In other words, any person positioning the external face of their elbow in the receiving housing allows the inclination of the equipment plate to be spontaneously adjusted.

[0043] Advantageously and according to the invention, said receiving housing has the shape of a bowl hollowed out in said support plate shaped to the shape of a human elbow.

[0044] This advantageous variant makes it possible to limit any movement of the elbow in the plane of the plate.

[0045] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment further comprises means for immobilizing the wrist of said upper limb of the patient arranged in the vicinity of the gripping means. Preferably, these means for immobilizing the wrist are integral with said means for moving said gripping means in translation, so as to be able to move concomitantly with the gripping means when installing the patient's upper limb in the holding device.

[0046] These wrist immobilization means may, for example, be formed by inflatable cushions. The cushions may be inflated when the patient grasps the gripping means or after the patient's upper limb extends between the gripping means and the elbow receiving housing.

[0047] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment further comprises means for centering and holding the patient's upper limb extending along the longitudinal direction, said centering and holding means having a curved shape in which the patient can arrange the forearm of his upper limb.

[0048] Preferably, these patient centering and holding means are formed by a V-shaped pad configured to accommodate the outer face of the patient's forearm. The V-shape allows for a symmetrical configuration. This symmetrical configuration is beneficial because it allows for the equipment to be fitted without preference to a patient's right or left upper limb.

[0049] Thus, the equipment according to this variant can be adapted indifferently to the right or left upper limbs in order to facilitate the use and installation of a patient intended to undergo a medical procedure.

[0050] In addition, a V-shaped pad delimits a hollow space for lateral blocking of the forearm in order to immobilize the forearm laterally by maintaining the external face of the forearm in the hollow formed by the pad. It also makes it possible to prevent the rolling of the forearm, and by extension of the elbow, and to maintain the patient's forearm while providing a certain comfort during a medical procedure.

[0051] The positioning of the patient's forearm in this hollow space conditions the positioning of the upper limb in a supination position which consists of making the hollow of the elbow accessible for a medical procedure.

[0052] The centering and support means include, for example, a padded structure to improve the comfort of the patient. For example, these means can be made of foam covered with a fabric that is easy to clean and resistant to disinfectants. Of course, other materials can be used, such as gel, memory foam, etc.

[0053] These centering and support methods can also include pneumatic cushions or vacuum cushions. These cushions allow the arm to be held in place without pain and increase patient comfort.

[0054] Preferably, the centering and holding means are formed from an infrared-black material. The use of this type of material is all the more advantageous when the medical procedure is carried out using an automatic or semi-automatic puncture machine (for example that proposed by the applicant in patent EP3151758 or patent EP3928699) which detects the veins by an infrared detection system. Thus, the equipment according to this variant formed from such a material limits the reflection of infrared rays in order to limit disturbances to the patient's automatic vein analysis system, when the equipment is used with such an automatic puncture head.

[0055] Advantageously and according to the invention, said centering and holding means comprise a heating structure.

[0056] According to this variant of the invention, the centering and holding means are formed by a heating material or a material comprising a system for heating these means. Heating the holding means makes it possible to heat the patient's upper limb and consequently to ensure vasodilation of the veins, which promotes visualization of the veins of the upper limb to be punctured.

[0057] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment further comprises means for wedging the biceps of the patient's upper limb. According to this variant, the biceps can be blocked laterally by specific means.

[0058] Preferably, the biceps wedging means comprise two lateral flanges movable relative to each other along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, so as to be able to laterally block the biceps, once the upper limb is installed in said holding equipment. Thus, the wedging of the biceps is obtained by the displacement of two lateral flanges relative to each other, on either side of the patient's biceps. This makes it possible in particular to keep the arm extended and to stretch the patient's skin, in particular at the hollow of the elbow, to clearly reveal the veins of the upper limb and facilitate the insertion of a needle into the skin, for example.

[0059] However, nothing prevents the use of other types of biceps support means than side plates that are movable relative to each other. For example, these support means can be formed from a strap that encircles the patient's biceps.

[0060] Advantageously and according to this variant, the flanges are further configured to be able to stretch the patient's skin at the level of the patient's elbow crease by additional movement of the flanges towards the rear of the equipment and towards the plate.

[0061] According to this variant, the flanges are mounted movably on the equipment so as to be able to follow a movement towards the rear of the equipment, away from the gripping means (i.e. towards the patient, once the patient's elbow is housed in the equipment and the patient's hand is holding the gripping means) and downwards (i.e. towards the plate) in order to pull the patient's skin at the level of the elbow crease and thus stabilize the position of the veins in the puncture zone. These movements are additional to the movement of the flanges towards each other to maintain the patient's biceps.

[0062] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment further comprises means for forming a tourniquet around the patient's arm, for example motorized means.

[0063] Advantageously and according to the invention, the gripping means comprise a gripping handle having a curved portion configured to be grasped by a patient's hand, said curved portion being connected to said translational movement means by a frame.

[0064] According to this variant, the gripping means are formed by a gripping handle having a curved portion facilitating its grasp by a patient's hand. The handle is mechanically connected to the means for moving the handle by a frame. This preferred configuration makes it possible to obtain a better grip by the patient's hand and makes it possible to avoid forcing the hand into the horizontal position which is not natural.

[0065] Alternatively, the gripping means may be of various forms such as a strap, glove, joystick, splint, or any device that provides a patient's hand with an attachment on which it can be held.

[0066] Advantageously and according to the invention, said connecting frame of the gripping handle is inclined relative to said support plate at an angle of the order of 35° so as to be able to limit the constraints at the wrist of said patient.

[0067] According to this variant, the inclination of the frame relative to the support plate relieves the hand of the upper limb so that the wrist and hand are not constrained when gripping the gripping means. In other words, the frame is inclined to avoid exerting constraint on the wrist and thus improve the patient's comfort during a medical procedure.

[0068] Advantageously and according to the invention, said means for moving the gripping means in translation comprise guide rails (for example integral with said plate in the case where the equipment comprises such a plate) engaged with sliding pads integral with a sliding block on which the gripping means are mounted.

[0069] The sliding block thus forms a carriage which slides along the guide rails. The gripping means being mechanically integral with the carriage, they can translate freely to adapt to the length of the patient's arm.

[0070] According to a variant, once the arm is positioned lengthwise, the translation is blocked by a locking system.

[0071] As indicated previously, equipment according to the invention makes it possible to adapt simply to the morphology of each patient.

[0072] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment comprises means for detecting and measuring the vital and biological parameters of said patient.

[0073] According to this variant, the means for detecting and measuring vital and biological parameters make it possible to detect a change in the patient's physical health. Thus, said detection and measurement means make it possible to detect a physiological change in said patient, such as, for example, fainting, a decrease or increase in blood pressure or heart rate, etc.

[0074] Preferably, these means for detecting and measuring the patient's vital and biological parameters are housed on the gripping means so that the measurement can be taken when the patient grasps the gripping means.

[0075] The detection means may, for example, be sensors or any element making it possible to detect, by measuring at least one vital parameter, a change in the patient's physical health.

[0076] For example, the detection means may include a blood pressure sensor to determine the patient's blood pressure. This sensor may detect a drop in blood pressure, indicating a poor physical health of the patient, or, conversely, a high blood pressure, indicating anxiety. Using this type of sensor, the patient's condition is analyzed and monitored in real time.

[0077] According to another variant, the detection means comprise a presence sensor such as a resistive or capacitive contact sensor or a mechanical contactor such as a trigger held down by the patient's hand during the medical procedure or a system of electrodes distributed over the gripping means. When the trigger or the resistive / capacitive contact is released by the patient's hand, this indicates the relaxation of the muscles in the patient's hand and consequently a loss of consciousness of the patient or a decision to stop the procedure.

[0078] According to another variant, the detection means comprise a switch button which the patient can activate by hand in case of need of assistance.

[0079] Advantageously and according to the invention, said means for detecting and measuring the vital and biological parameters of said patient are connected to warning means (sound or visual) configured to emit an alert signal.

[0080] According to this variant, the detection means communicate with warning means so as to alert a third party of a change in the patient's physical health or of a variation in the measurement of a biological parameter.

[0081] These warning devices can alert an operator in the room, or located remotely, of a change in the patient's health or an anomaly in the process. Warning devices can also be, for example, a light on a control panel located in a separate space where the medical procedure is taking place, making it possible to identify the patient requiring special care.

[0082] According to one variant, the warning means are an alert message or an audible signal broadcast through any medium allowing visual or audible information to be transcribed such as, for example, the screen of the device's control panel, external tablets, etc.

[0083] Advantageously and according to the invention, the equipment further comprises a device for projecting a light beam at the antecubital fossa of the patient's upper limb, once the patient's upper limb is installed in the holding equipment, so as to serve as a reference for the patient or an operator when installing the patient's upper limb on the holding device.

[0084] According to this advantageous variant, the equipment comprises a means for projecting a light beam which can be used by the patient or an operator (medical personnel for example) to correctly position their upper limb in the equipment. The light beam thus acts as a guide for installing the upper limb in the positioning and support equipment.

[0085] Advantageously and according to the invention, said means for moving the gripping means are motorized and said equipment comprises an equipment control interface configured to receive patient morphology information making it possible to control the actuators for moving the gripping means.

[0086] This variant facilitates the installation of the patient in the equipment according to the invention by allowing control of the movement of the gripping means based on patient data.

[0087] The invention also relates to an automatic or semi-automatic puncture machine for an upper limb of a patient, characterized in that it comprises equipment for positioning and holding an upper limb of this patient according to the invention.

[0088] The advantages and technical effects described in connection with the positioning and holding equipment according to the invention apply mutatis mutandis to an automatic or semi-automatic puncture machine according to the invention.

[0089] List of figures

[0090] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely for non-limiting purposes and which refers to the appended figures in which:

[0091] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of an automatic puncture machine comprising equipment for positioning and holding an upper limb of a patient, [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of the positioning and holding equipment as such, according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0092] [Fig. 3] is a schematic perspective view of the positioning and holding equipment of Figure 2 in which a patient's upper limb has been positioned to undergo a medical procedure.

[0093] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0094] In the figures, scales and proportions are not strictly observed for the purposes of illustration and clarity. Throughout the detailed description which follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the positioning and holding equipment is described considering that the equipment is mounted on an automatic puncture machine. This configuration is notably represented in Figure 1.

[0095] Furthermore, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0096] Figure 1 schematically represents an automatic puncture machine 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising equipment 12 according to the invention.

[0097] The automatic puncture machine is for example a machine described in patents EP3151758, EP3928699 in the name of the applicant. Such a machine comprises means for capturing an image of the patient's upper limb, an image processing unit configured to analyze the acquired image and detect therein a vein suitable for puncture, means for automatically moving a sampling needle to the location of the vein provided by the image processing unit and means for inserting the needle into the patient's vein to ensure the puncture.

[0098] The machine further comprises equipment 12 for positioning and holding an upper limb of a patient 14 shown schematically in figures 2 and 3.

[0099] The equipment for positioning and maintaining an upper limb of a patient comprises, according to the embodiment of figures 2 and 3 the following technical means: a support plate 20 carried by a frame 16. a housing 22 for receiving an elbow of the patient's upper limb 14, secured to the support plate 20. This housing 22 has for example the shape of a bowl hollowed out in the support plate 20 shaped to the shape of a human elbow. The housing 22 can thus receive the patient's elbow. The housing 22 makes it possible both to materialize the position of the elbow of the upper limb and to prevent (at least to limit) the movements of the elbow in the plane of the support plate 20, once the elbow is housed in the housing 22. a handle 24 for gripping by a hand of the patient. This handle 24 has a curved portion configured to be grasped by a hand of the patient and connected to a frame 26.The frame 26 is preferably inclined relative to the plate 20 at an angle of the order of 35° so as to be able to limit the stresses at the patient's wrist. As indicated previously, according to other embodiments, this handle can be replaced by a joystick, a strap, and generally by any means allowing a patient's hand to grasp it. guide rails 30a, 30b secured to the support plate 20 engaged with sliding pads secured to a sliding block 34 on which the gripping handle is mounted via the frame 26. The guide rails 30a, 30b and the sliding block 34 form means for translational movement of the gripping handle 20. Nothing prevents, according to other embodiments, the provision of other means for translational movement of the handle relative to the housing 22 for receiving the elbow.Furthermore, the sliding block may comprise, according to a variant, means for locking the position of the translational movement means, to lock the position of the handle, once the latter has been adjusted to the correct distance from the patient's elbow housing. cushions 36a, 36b secured to the sliding block 34 and configured to form means for immobilizing the wrist of the patient's upper limb, once the upper limb is installed in the equipment according to the invention. These cushions 36a, 36b are for example inflatable cushions, activated by the patient or by the practitioner. two lateral flanges 40a, 40b movable relative to each other so as to be able to laterally block the patient's biceps, once the upper limb is installed in the equipment according to the invention.The movements of the flanges 40a, 40b are for example obtained by grooves arranged in the support plate 20 in engagement with through-lugs secured to the flanges (not visible in the figures). These movable lateral flanges make it possible to adapt the space separating them to the width of the patient's arm. These flanges can be provided with foam cushions, memory foam cushions, pneumatic means allowing the creation of a tourniquet, or vacuum cushions allowing adjusted wedging of the patient's upper limb. a V-shaped pad 50 secured to the plate 20 to accommodate the forearm of the patient's upper limb. This pad 50 forms means for centering and maintaining the patient's upper limb. Preferably, this pad 50 is heated to allow vasodilation of the veins of the patient's upper limb. means for detecting and measuring the patient's vital and biological parameters carried by the handle 24.Preferably, these detection means are connected to warning means (sound or visual) configured to emit an alert signal when a change in at least one vital and biological parameter is detected. a device for projecting a light beam 52 at the antecubital fossa of the patient's upper limb. This device can for example be carried by the chassis of the plate or by ancillary equipment (for example the automatic puncture machine when the equipment is mounted on such an automatic puncture machine). The projection of the light beam allows the patient to correctly position his arm in the equipment and allows the nursing staff to check the correct positioning of the arm.

[0100] The principle of using the equipment for positioning and maintaining a patient's upper limb is as follows.

[0101] A patient 14 sits in a chair 8 for blood collection, for example. He positions his elbow at the level of the housing 22 for receiving the equipment 12 according to the invention.

[0102] Preferably, the gripping handle 24 is in an initial position, corresponding for example to the average position of the morphologies of the patients encountered. As indicated previously, this initial position can also be the position of the last patient treated or the minimum position corresponding to the arm of a child or any other position deemed useful by the user of the equipment.

[0103] The patient 14 then grasps the gripping handle 24 and moves it in translation until his elbow is housed in the receiving housing 22 of the support plate 20. In this position, his elbow crease (also referred to as the antecubital fossa) is housed under the light marker projected by the projection device.

[0104] A practitioner can then check the correct positioning of the patient's arm. According to one variant, he can validate the patient's position by pressing a dedicated button. According to one variant, pressing this button can activate the following steps: blocking in translation of the means for moving the gripping means, for example by controlled movement of a locking pin, activation or blocking of the wrist immobilization means, for example by controlled inflation of the immobilization cushions, activation or blocking of the biceps blocking means, for example by controlled movement of the lateral flanges towards each other until contact with the biceps, activation or blocking of any additional means, such as, for example, an automatic tourniquet at the patient's biceps.

[0105] During all these steps, the sensors housed on the gripping handle acquire measurements of vital and biological parameters and transmit them to a processing unit configured to detect and report any anomalies.

[0106] A potentially detectable anomaly involves the detection of abnormal hand pressure or fluctuations above a predetermined pressure threshold indicating patient anxiety that may require increased monitoring.

[0107] Another potentially detectable anomaly is the absence of detection of the patient's hand, indicating that the patient is no longer holding the handle, which may mean loss of consciousness of the patient or an altered state of consciousness of the patient or withdrawal of the patient's arm.

[0108] If an anomaly is detected, an alert signal is emitted by a dedicated device.

[0109] If no alarm signal is emitted, the planned medical procedure can then be carried out, either by the practitioner or by an automatic machine, such as the automatic puncture machine according to the invention.

[0110] If an abnormality is detected during the procedure, the various wrist immobilization, biceps locking, and movement locking devices can be released. This allows the patient to be freed from the constraints applied to their upper limb in an emergency.

[0111] In the event of normal performance of the medical procedure, the various means of immobilizing the wrist and blocking the biceps are also released to allow the patient to remove his arm from the equipment.

[0112] When the practitioner notes the effective end of the puncture (for example, automatic puncture in the case of using an automatic puncture machine), the unlocking of the means of moving the gripping means is also ordered.

[0113] The embodiment of Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the support plate is pivotable relative to the chassis around an axis 18 so that the equipment can tilt spontaneously at an angle corresponding to the morphology of the patient's arm when the latter grasps the gripping handle and places his elbow in the receiving housing.

[0114] Such a holding device can also be used as part of a medical procedure on the upper limb. This medical procedure can be a cutaneous injection (for example, medication to reduce pain), venous, arterial or nerve injection, venous or arterial puncture or the insertion of a medical device for venous or arterial access.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Equipment (12) for positioning and maintaining an upper limb of a patient (14) intended to undergo a medical procedure comprising a frame (16) provided with a support plate (20), characterized in that it comprises: a receiving housing (22) for an elbow of said upper limb of the patient, secured to said support plate, said housing being configured to delimit a space for positioning and maintaining the elbow of the patient which limits the movement of the elbow in the plane of the plate, once the elbow is housed in the receiving housing, means (24) for gripping by a hand said upper limb of said patient, means (30a, 30b, 34) for moving in translation, in a longitudinal direction, said gripping means (24) relative to said receiving housing (22) of the elbow of the patient so that said upper limb of said patient can be kept in extension,once the gripping means (24) have been grasped by said patient and the elbow housed in said receiving housing (22), between the receiving housing of the elbow and the gripping means, whatever the length of the upper limb of said patient., 2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate is pivotally mounted relative to said chassis along a horizontal axis, said plate carrying said housing for receiving an elbow of the patient's upper limb, said gripping means and said translational movement means, so as to allow spontaneous pivoting of said plate relative to the chassis when the patient's limb is extended, with his elbow housed in said receiving housing and his hand engaged with said gripping means.

3. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said receiving housing (22) has the shape of a bowl hollowed out in said support plate 20 shaped to the shape of a human elbow.

4. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises means (36a, 36b) for immobilizing the wrist of said upper limb of the patient.

5. Equipment (12) according to claim 4, characterized in that said wrist immobilization means (36a, 36b) are integral with said means (30a, 30b, 34) for moving said gripping means in translation, so as to be able to move concomitantly with the gripping means when installing the patient's upper limb in said positioning and holding equipment.

6. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises means for wedging the biceps of the patient's upper limb.

7. Equipment (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that said biceps wedging means are formed of two lateral flanges 40a, 40b movable relative to each other so as to be able to laterally block the patient's biceps, once the upper limb is installed in the equipment according to the invention.

8. Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that said flanges are configured to be able to stretch the patient's skin at the level of the patient's elbow crease by moving the flanges towards the rear of the plate, opposite the gripping means, and towards the plate.

9. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises means for forming a tourniquet around the patient's arm.

10. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises centering and holding means (50) for the patient's upper limb extending along the longitudinal direction, said centering and holding means having a curved shape in which the patient can arrange the forearm of his upper limb.

11. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said gripping means comprise a grip handle (24) having a curved portion configured to be grasped by a patient's hand, said curved portion being connected to said translational movement means by a frame (26).

12. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises means for detecting and measuring the vital and biological parameters of said patient.

13. Equipment (12) according to claim 12, characterized in that said means for detecting and measuring the vital and biological parameters of said patient are connected to warning means configured to emit an alert signal when a change in at least one vital and biological parameter is detected.

14. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises a device for projecting a light beam (52) at the level of the antecubital fossa of the patient's upper limb, once the patient's upper limb is installed in the holding equipment, so as to serve as a reference for the patient or an operator when installing the patient's upper limb on the holding device.

15. Equipment (12) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said displacement means (30a, 30b, 34) of the gripping means are motorized and in that said equipment comprises an equipment control interface configured to receive patient morphology information making it possible to control the actuators for moving the gripping means (24).

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