System and method for positioning a patient

Abstract

A system and method of positioning a patient on a sheet on a mattress includes moving opposing engagement members of a clamp to a first position, inserting a first side edge of the sheet between the opposing engagement members, moving the opposing engagement members to a second position to grasp the first side edge of the sheet, and causing a traction device to pull the clamp, and thus the sheet, upward to at least partially reposition the patient from an initial position toward a second side of the mattress. The sheet has opposing longitudinal side edges that can be held by retainers positioned along respective opposing first and second longitudinal sides of the mattress.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 175,389 (pending), filed April 15, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to an efficient and user-friendly system and method for locating a patient lying on a sheet on a mattress. Background Technology

[0004] When patients are hospitalized, staying in a medical facility, or receiving home care, they may lie in bed for extended periods. Furthermore, the patient may be unable to actively change position, such as rolling over from their back or onto their side. When a patient maintains one position for a prolonged period, such as lying supine, the skin may become damaged due to pressure and insufficient blood circulation. This condition is commonly known as a pressure ulcer. With restricted blood flow, the skin begins to necrotize, and the pressure ulcer starts as a red, painful area that eventually turns purple and then black. If left untreated, the skin may crack and become infected. Pressure ulcers can develop within as little as 2 to 3 hours after the skin's blood supply has been cut off.

[0005] To prevent pressure sores, doctors may instruct caregivers to turn, depress, or reposition the patient at least every two hours. Turning, depress, or repositioning the patient may require one or more nurses to manually adjust the patient. This process can be difficult if only one nurse is available, especially if the patient is obese. If pressure sores have already developed, doctors may instruct the patient to be turned, depress, or repositioned to allow for treatment of the sores. Again, repositioning the patient may require one or more nurses to manually manipulate the patient.

[0006] There are other situations where patients may need to be turned or repositioned. For example, a doctor may instruct a patient to be turned or repositioned to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia or to treat pneumonia. Additionally, patients may need to be turned to examine skin lesions on their backs, to inspect suspicious areas, or for bathing.

[0007] There are various situations that require turning or repositioning a patient lying in bed. Performing this task may require more than one nurse, and turning and repositioning the patient can still be strenuous, especially if the patient is obese. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To achieve these and other objectives, this application discloses a system and method for turning or positioning a patient lying on a sheet located on a mattress, which can be performed by a single nurse and reduces the nurse's physical exertion. The sheet has opposing longitudinal side edges held by retainers positioned along corresponding opposing first and second longitudinal sides of the mattress. The method includes removing the first longitudinal side edge of the sheet from the corresponding retainer positioned along the first longitudinal side of the mattress; securing the removed first side edge of the sheet to a clamp operatively connected to a traction device located above the mattress; and operating the traction device to pull the clamp and the first longitudinal side edge of the sheet secured to the clamp upward. The upward movement of the first longitudinal side edge of the sheet positions the patient lying on the sheet toward the second longitudinal side of the mattress opposite the first longitudinal side. The tensile strength of the sheet can be greater than that of a cotton-filled sheet. The securing step also includes pressing the opposing sides of the sheet against a pair of engaging members located within the clamp to avoid adversely affecting the structural integrity of the sheet. The traction device can be mounted to the ceiling above the mattress or to a movable frame. In one aspect of the invention, the mattress has a first length, and the sheet has a second length that is at least 50% longer than the first length. In another aspect, one side edge of the sheet includes a sewn hem, and a clamp is configured to grip the sheet at the sewn hem.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the clamp includes a first handle and a second handle, pivotally connected to each other and configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first and second handles are biased to the first position, and in the first position, a pair of engaging members press against opposite sides of the sheet. When the first and second handles are in the second position, the pair of engaging members do not press against opposite sides of the sheet. The clamp may include a spring to bias the first and second handles to the first position. The clamp may include a belt configured to operatively connect the clamp to a traction device.

[0010] The method may also include detaching the first longitudinal side edge of the sheet from the clamp and then placing the detached first side edge back into the retainer on the first longitudinal side of the mattress.

[0011] One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for positioning a patient on a mattress having a first side and a second side, wherein a bed unit is positioned between the patient and the mattress, a sheet has a first side edge near the first side of the mattress and a second side edge near the second side of the mattress, and clamps are connected to a traction device positioned above the mattress. The method includes moving opposing engaging members of the clamp to an open position, the opposing engaging members being configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position, in which the opposing engaging members are configured to grip an object located between the opposing engaging members. The method further includes inserting a first side edge of the sheet between the opposing engaging members; moving the opposing engaging members to a closed position to grip the first side edge of the sheet; and lowering the mattress such that the sheet moves upward relative to the mattress and away from the mattress to at least partially reposition the patient from an initial position toward the second side of the mattress.

[0012] Another embodiment of the invention envisions a method for moving a body part or limb of a patient, rather than moving the patient's whole body. For this purpose, the method includes placing at least a portion of a lifting structure between the patient's body part and a supporting surface; grasping the lifting structure with a clamp connected to a traction device; and causing the traction device to pull the clamp upward and thus upward the lifting structure to at least partially lift the body part away from the supporting surface. In one aspect, the lifting structure is a sling or a belt.

[0013] In addition to the method of patient positioning, the present invention also envisions a system for positioning a patient lying on a mattress supported on a bed. The system includes a sheet on the mattress beneath the patient, the sheet having opposing longitudinal side edges held by retainers positioned along corresponding opposing first and second longitudinal sides of the mattress; a traction device located above the mattress; and a clamp operatively connected to the traction device, the clamp being adapted to press against opposing sides of the first longitudinal side edge of the sheet after the first longitudinal side edge has been removed from the corresponding retainer, thereby securing the sheet to the clamp and enabling the traction device to be operated to pull the clamp and the sheet secured to the clamp in an upward direction. The upward movement of the secured sheet repositions the patient toward the second longitudinal side of the mattress opposite the first longitudinal side. In one aspect of the invention, the bed or the traction device is movable relative to each other. In one aspect, the system may include a housing located at the head end of the bed and operatively connected to the head end of the sheet, and adapted to pull the sheet longitudinally along the mattress when the longitudinal side edges of the sheet are held by retainers on the longitudinal side of the mattress, the length of the sheet being greater than the length of the mattress.

[0014] The following envisions, describes, and claims protection for other methods and systems used for locating or relocating patients.

[0015] The present invention also envisions a clamp for attaching to and lifting an object, such as a bed sheet located beneath a patient. In one embodiment, the clamp includes a first side plate having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, the middle portion having a slot; a first linkage assembly and a second linkage assembly, each linkage assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the first side plate; a transverse member extending at least partially into the slot in the first side plate; a strap operably coupled to the transverse member; a first engagement member and a second engagement member pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the first side plate, the first engagement member and the second engagement member being movable between a first position and a second position; and a first handle and a second handle, each handle pivotally coupled to the transverse member, each handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of each handle being pivotally coupled to a second end of a corresponding first linkage assembly and a second linkage assembly, the lower portion of each handle being coupled to a corresponding first engagement member and a second engagement member. The lateral members are biased to position each engaging member in a first position, such that the first and second engaging members can grasp an object placed between them. When the first and second engaging members are moved to a second position, the grasped object is released from them. In one aspect, the first and second engaging members are configured such that, in the closed position holding the object, when the clamping device is lifted by the support, the first and second engaging members exert a greater gripping force on the object. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention. The general description of the invention given above and the detailed description given below together can be used to explain the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of a system for repositioning a patient according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the fixture depicted in the system.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partially exploded perspective view of the fixture.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A partially exploded perspective view of the fixture.

[0021] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 The clamp is in the open position to receive a partial cross-sectional side view of the edge of the sheet.

[0022] Figure 5B yes Figure 2 The clamp is in the closed position to hold the edge of the sheet in a partial cross-sectional side view.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional front view of the fixture.

[0024] Figure 7A yes Figure 2 A diagram illustrating how clamps hold the edges of a bed sheet in place, with the patient positioned on the sheet.

[0025] Figure 7B yes Figure 2 A diagram illustrating how clamps pull the edge of the sheet and thus reposition the patient.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The system according to another embodiment of the present invention raises the front view of the patient's legs. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A system 10 for repositioning a patient lying on a mattress 14 supported by a bed 16, according to one embodiment of the invention, is depicted. A sheet 18 is located on the mattress 14 beneath the patient 12. The sheet 18 is at least 50% longer than the mattress 14. In one embodiment, the sheet has a tensile strength greater than that of a cotton-containing sheet. In another embodiment, the sheet may have a tensile strength of at least 120 pounds. The sheet may be made of synthetic fabric. The additional length 20 of the sheet 18 is positioned at the foot 22 of the bed 16. The bed is supported by wheels 24.

[0028] System 10 also includes a traction device 30, such as an electric winch, which can be mounted to, for example, a ceiling 32. Alternatively, the traction device 30 can be mounted on a movable frame, allowing the traction device 30 to be repositioned relative to the patient 12. A retractable traction strap 34 is operatively connected to the traction device 30. In operation, the traction device 30 can release the traction strap 34 to move it downward toward the patient 12, or the traction device 30 can retract the traction strap 34 to move it upward away from the patient 12. A yoke 36 is attached to the end of the traction strap 34. System 10 also includes a clamp 40 connected to the yoke via a removable attachment strap 42. As will be discussed below, the clamp 40 is configured to grip the side edge 44 of the sheet 18 and pull the sheet 18 upward when the traction device 30 retracts the traction strap 34. By pulling the side edge 44 of the sheet 18 upward, the patient 12 can be repositioned toward the opposite side of the mattress 14. In one embodiment, system 10 may include a plurality of clamps 40 which may be attached to the side edges 44 of sheet 18 at different locations.

[0029] exist Figures 2 to 6 An embodiment of the clamp 40 is depicted. (See reference...) Figure 2 The attachment belt 42 is connected to the clamp 40 via a belt bracket 50 having two belt loops 52a, 52b. The belt bracket 50 is connected to the traction member 54, which passes through a slot 56 at the top of the housing 58 and is rigidly connected to the housing 58 via a pin 60. In other words, the traction member 54 does not move relative to the housing 58. (See reference...) Figure 4 A transverse member 64 extends through opposite sides of the housing 58 and is slidably mounted along pins 70a and 70b, which are secured to the top member 66 and bottom member 68 of the housing 58. Pins 70a and 70b have a narrow segment 76 and a wide segment 78, and a shoulder 80 between them. The shoulder 80 restricts the transverse member 64 from traveling upward along the narrow segment 76 of the pins 70a and 70b. A pair of springs 82a and 82b are positioned around and engage the transverse member 64 about the narrow segment 76 of each pin 70a and 70b to bias the transverse member 64 against the shoulder 80 of the pins 70a and 70b.

[0030] The clamp 40 also includes a cross brace 90 connected to the first side plate 92 and the second side plate 94 via fasteners 96. The first side plate 92 and the second side plate 94 have an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. The lower portions of the first slide plate 92 and the second slide plate 94 are pivotally connected to the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 via fasteners 108, such that the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 can pivot about a pivot axis PA1. Figure 3The upper portions of the first side plate 92 and the second side plate 94 are pivotally connected to the first link assembly 114 and the second link assembly 116 via pin 118, such that the first link assembly 114 and the second link assembly 116 can pivot about the pivot axis PA2. The middle portions of the first side plate 92 and the second side plate 94 include elongated openings 124a and 124b, which are configured to allow the first extension 126a and the second extension 126b of the transverse member 64 to extend into the corresponding elongated openings 124a and 124b.

[0031] The clamp 40 also includes a first handle 130a and a second handle 130b, which are pivotally connected to the transverse member 64 via fastener 132. The first handle 130a and the second handle 130b are pivotable about a pivot axis PA3. Each of the first handle 130a and the second handle 130b has an upper retaining assembly 134 and a lower retaining assembly 136. The upper retaining assembly 134 includes a retaining plate 138 configured to retain link pins 140a, 140b, which are part of a first link assembly 114 and a second link assembly 116. The lower retaining assembly 136 holds pivot pins 142a, 142b in corresponding first engagement members 104 and second engagement members 106.

[0032] Handles 130a and 130b are pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, engaging members 104 and 106 are in contact with each other, and if sheet 18 is present, the opposite sides of sheet 18 are pressed together. Figure 5B The first position can be considered the closed position of the engaging members, which is the normal position when no external force is applied to the handles 130a and 130b. To place the handles 130a and 130b in the second position, an external force must be applied to the upper portions of the handles 130a and 130b, causing the corresponding upper portions to move towards each other. This movement of the upper portions of the handles 130a and 130b causes the lower portions of the handles 130a and 130b to move away from each other, so that the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 no longer contact each other. Figure 5A If sheet 18 is present, the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 do not press against the opposite sides of sheet 18. This second position can be considered as the open position of engaging members 104, 106. Springs 82a, 82b are used to bias handles 130a, 130b to the first position or the closed position.

[0033] The sheet 18 may include a sewn hem 150 extending along opposite side edges 44 of the sheet 18. The sewn hem 150 may be held by a set of retainers 154 located on opposite first longitudinal sides 156a and second longitudinal sides 156b of the mattress 14. U.S. Patent No. 9,205,012 discloses a sheet with a sewn hem and exemplary sheet retainers along the sides of the mattress, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The side edges 44 of the sheet 18 may be individually released from each retainer 154, such that all or part of the side edges 44 are separated from the mattress 14. In an embodiment, a housing 160 is located at the head end 162 of the bed 16 and operatively connected to the head end 164 of the sheet 18, and is adapted to pull the sheet 18 longitudinally along the mattress 14 when the opposite side edges 44 of the sheet 18 are held by the retainers 154 on the first longitudinal sides 156a and second longitudinal sides 156b of the mattress 14.

[0034] Figure 5A An external force F (e.g., an external force F exerted by the hand gripping the handles 130a, 130b) is depicted applied to the upper portion of each handle 130a, 130b, causing the handles 130a, 130b to pivot about the pivot axis PA3. This causes the engaging members 104, 106 to move away from each other to an open position. The open position of the engaging members 104, 106 allows the sewn hem 150 of the sheet 18 to pass between the engaging members, as... Figure 5A As shown. In Figure 5B In this position, the external force has been removed, and the engaging members 104, 106 have moved to the closed position to clamp the side edges 44 of the sheet 18. The sewing hem 150 is positioned above the engaging members 104, 106, which helps to hold the side edges 44 of the sheet 18 within the engaging members 104, 106. As the clamp 40 moves upward, the sheet 18 is also pulled upward. The downward tension in the sheet 18 tends to cause the engaging members 104, 106 to rotate about the pivot axis PA1 to generate even greater clamping force on the side edges 44 of the sheet 18. To release the sheet 18 from the engaging members 104, 106, the external force is reapplied to the handles 130a, 130b, causing the engaging members 104, 106 to move to the open position.

[0035] As described above, the clamp 40 can be used for positioning or repositioning a patient 12 lying on the sheet 18. In one embodiment of the method, the opposing side edges 44 of the sheet 18 are held by retainers 154 positioned along the opposing longitudinal sides 156a, 156b of the mattress 14, such as... Figure 1As shown. First, the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 is removed from the retainer 154 positioned along the first longitudinal side edge 156a of the mattress 14. Then, the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 of the clamp 40 are moved to a second position or an open position, the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 is inserted between the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106, and the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 are moved to a second position or a closed position to grasp or press the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18. With the first side edge 44 grasped, the traction device is operated to pull the clamp 40 and the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 fixed to the clamp 40 upward. The upward movement of the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 positions the patient 12 toward the second longitudinal side edge 156b of the mattress 14 opposite the first longitudinal side edge 156a. In this embodiment, the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 is pressed together during securing by the first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 to ensure that the structural integrity of the sheet 18 is not adversely affected. After repositioning is complete, the traction device 30 can be operated to lower the clamp 40, thereby lowering the sheet 18. The first engaging member 104 and the second engaging member 106 are moved to a second position or an open position, and the first side edge 44 of the sheet 18 is released from the clamp 40. The first edge 44 can then be placed in or attached to a retainer on the first longitudinal side 156a of the mattress 14.

[0036] After repositioning patient 12 using clamp 40 and traction device 30, patient 12 is held in a rolled position by the caregiver to provide access to the patient's back when the sheet 18 is lowered. Alternatively, patient 12 can also help hold themselves in the rolled position by gripping the side bar to the side they are turned to. After patient 12 has been rolled and the sheet 18 lowered, the caregiver can then check on patient 12 or bathe patient 12. Alternatively, the caregiver can place a pillow or wedge behind patient 12 to hold the patient in the rolled position and then manually roll patient 12 back to their initial supine position while the pillow or wedge is used to hold patient 12 in the rolled position. This allows the sheet 18 to return to its initial position while patient 12 is held in the rolled position without using clamp 40 and traction device 30. Alternatively, the wedge can be placed under the sheet 18 before lowering clamp 40 and sheet 18.

[0037] In another embodiment of patient positioning, clamp 40 is attached to a first side edge 44 of sheet 18. The mattress 14 is then lowered such that sheet 18 moves upward relative to and away from mattress 14 to facilitate at least partial repositioning of patient 12 from the initial position toward a second longitudinal side edge 156b of mattress 14.

[0038] Instead of repositioning the entire patient 12, the clamp 40 and lifting structure 170 can be used to position the patient lying on a support surface (e.g., Figure 8 The lifting structure 170 is used to position or move a body part or limb 172 (e.g., a leg or arm) of the patient 12 on the mattress 14 depicted. The lifting structure 170 can be a sling, strap, fabric strip, belt, rope, etc. To position the body part 172, the lifting structure 170 is placed under and around the body part 172. The end 174 of the lifting structure 170 is gripped by a clamp 40 connected to a traction device 30. The traction device 30 is then activated to pull the lifting structure upwards, thereby at least partially lifting the body part 172 away from the mattress 14.

[0039] The positioning method envisions requiring only a sheet 18 beneath the patient 12 for positioning or rotation. In other words, with a sufficiently strong sheet, no slings, straps, or other slings are needed to position or rotate the patient 12 using clamps 40 and traction devices 30 above the mattress. This is highly advantageous because it is well-known in the healthcare industry that fewer layers of fabric or material between the mattress and the patient 12 allow the mattress 14 to provide a better skin-care environment for the patient 12 (e.g., better pressure, temperature, and humidity control).

[0040] The invention also envisions an arrangement in which clamp 40 is suspended at a fixed height, lowering the bed to produce the same lifting motion on the sheets. This arrangement can be applied in home environments where traction equipment 30 is unavailable but a fixed overhead support belt is available.

[0041] While the invention has been described by way of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, the applicant does not intend to limit the scope of the appended claims or restrict them in any way to such details. Other advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited in its broader aspects to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, changes to these details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's overall inventive concept.

Claims

1. A system for positioning a patient lying on a mattress supported on a bed, the system comprising: A sheet, the sheet being placed on a mattress beneath the patient, the sheet having a first side edge and a second side edge held in place by retainers positioned along corresponding opposing first and second longitudinal sides of the mattress; A traction device, the traction device being located above the mattress; as well as A clamp, operably connected to the traction device, is adapted to press tightly against the opposite side of the first side edge of the sheet after the first side edge has been removed from the corresponding retainer, thereby securing the sheet to the clamp and enabling the traction device to be operated to pull the clamp and the sheet secured to the clamp in an upward direction. This upward movement of the secured sheet repositions the patient toward a second longitudinal side of the mattress opposite the first longitudinal side edge. The clamp includes: A first side plate, the first side plate having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, the middle portion having a slot; A first link assembly and a second link assembly, each link assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the upper portion of the first side plate; A transverse member that extends at least partially into a slot in the first side plate; With a bracket, the bracket is operably connected to the transverse member; A first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member being pivotally connected to the lower portion of the first side plate, the first connecting member and the second connecting member being movable between a first position and a second position; A first handle and a second handle, each handle being pivotally connected to the transverse member, each handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of each handle being pivotally connected to the second end of a corresponding first link assembly and second link assembly, and the lower portion of each handle being connected to a corresponding first engagement member and second engagement member. The transverse member is biased to position each joining member in the first position, such that the first and second joining members can grasp a sheet located between the first and second joining members, and wherein, when the first and second joining members are moved to the second position, the grasped sheet can be released from the first and second joining members.

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein, The first and second engaging members are configured to grip the sheet in a closed position, with the clamp being lifted by the bracket, such that the first and second engaging members exert a greater gripping force on the sheet.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, One of the bed and the traction device is capable of movement relative to the other.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The bed is supported by wheels, and the traction device is mounted to the ceiling.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The traction device is mounted on the movable frame.

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