Adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning patient and related methods

Abstract

An adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient includes a support frame having a top end and a bottom end, a plurality of wheels secured to the bottom end of the support frame, and a body cushion having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back cushion mortises around a periphery thereof. The bed also includes a back cushion having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a plurality of back cushion tenons extending from the bottom edge and removably inserted into a plurality of back cushion mortises of the body cushion to support the back cushion on the bottom edge of the back cushion at an angle relative to the body cushion. In addition, the bed includes a linear actuator configured to lift the head end of the body pad and a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to laterally tilt the body pad.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hospital beds and, more particularly, to an adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient and related methods. Background Art

[0002] Many people unfortunately suffer from health conditions that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. As a result, people with these types of conditions may experience impaired movement and a reduced range of motion at various joints due to muscle stiffness. In particular, it is often beneficial for them to sleep on their side, which helps improve comfort and well-being.

[0003] Previous attempts have been made to create a side-sleeper bed that supports a patient in a side-lying position rather than a supine position. This helps reduce pressure sores, thrombosis, respiratory complications, etc. Existing side-sleeper beds are often cumbersome to move or are stationary and otherwise inadequate to meet the needs of patients who cannot move.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved hospital bed that can comfortably support and laterally secure a patient in a side-lying position and that is also operable in a medical or assisted living facility. Summary of the invention

[0005] An adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient is disclosed. The adjustable hospital bed includes a support frame having a top end and a bottom end, and a plurality of wheels secured to the bottom end of the support frame, wherein the support frame includes a lower platform, an upper platform, and a plurality of vertical supports therebetween. The bed also includes a body pad having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back pad mortises around a perimeter thereof. The body pad is adjustably secured to the top end of the support frame. The bed also includes a back pad having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a plurality of back pad tenons extending from the bottom edge and removably inserted into the plurality of back pad tenons of the body pad to support the back pad on the bottom edge of the back pad at an angle relative to the body pad. A back pad locking rod is configured to removably secure the back pad tenons to the back pad mortises by sliding the back pad locking rod through the back pad mortises, and the plurality of back pad tenons include a plurality of locating apertures configured to receive the back pad locking rod therethrough and secure the back pad at a desired angle relative to the body pad.

[0006] In addition, the bed includes a linear actuator having a first end fixed to the top end of the support frame and a second end fixed to the underside of the body pad, wherein the linear actuator is configured to lift the head end of the body pad. The support frame may have a power source electrically connected to the linear actuator.

[0007] The bed includes a tilt adjustment mechanism having a first portion fixed to the top end of the support frame and a second overlapping portion communicating with the underside of the body pad, wherein the second overlapping portion of the tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate relative to the first portion to tilt the body pad laterally relative to the front or rear of the support frame. The tilt adjustment mechanism has a handle and a plurality of adjustment holes that cooperate to fix the body pad at a desired tilt angle relative to the support frame.

[0008] The bed may also include an upper push handle and a lower push handle, wherein the upper push handle is fixed to the body pad and the lower push handle is fixed to the support frame. The rear surface of the back pad may have at least one back pad handle fixed thereto. In addition, the bed may have a foot pad extending from a foot end of the body pad, wherein the foot pad is configured to rotate upward and lock or unlock with the body pad and rotate downward.

[0009] The bed also includes a removable safety belt comprising a torso pad and at least one strap, wherein the torso pad is configured to be placed adjacent to the patient's torso and the at least one strap slides around the back pad and body pad to laterally secure the patient in a side-lying position against the back pad.

[0010] In another specific aspect, a method of positioning a patient laterally using an adjustable hospital bed is disclosed. The adjustable hospital bed includes a support frame having a top end and a bottom end, and a body pad having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back pad mortises around a perimeter thereof, wherein the body pad is adjustably secured to the top end of the support frame. A back pad having a plurality of back pad tenons extending from a bottom edge is removably inserted into the plurality of back pad mortises of the body pad to support the back pad on the bottom edge of the back pad at an angle relative to the body pad, a linear actuator having a first end secured to the top end of the support frame and a second end secured to an underside of the body pad, and a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to rotate to tilt the body pad laterally relative to a front or rear portion of the support frame. The method includes positioning a patient on the body pad in a side-lying position, placing the torso pad adjacent to the patient's torso, and sliding a strap attached to the torso pad around the back pad and the body pad to secure the patient laterally against the back pad in a side-lying position. Additionally, the method includes securing the patient in a desired lateral position using the linear actuator and the tilt adjustment mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient in which various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0012] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic top view of an adjustable hospital bed;

[0013] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic front view of an adjustable hospital bed;

[0014] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic top view of a hospital bed of FIG. 1 , wherein the hospital bed is shown without a back cushion;

[0015] Figure 5 is a front view of an adjustable hospital bed with the body cushion tilted upward at one end and the back cushion removed;

[0016] Figure 6 is a right side view of an adjustable hospital bed, wherein Figure 5 The body pad is shown as being tilted upward at one end;

[0017] Fig. 7A A rear view of an adjustable hospital bed, wherein Figure 5 The body pad is shown as being tilted upward at one end;

[0018] Figure 7Bfor Fig. 7A Detailed view of the back pad showing a back pad tenon and a back pad locking lever used to secure the back pad to the body pad;

[0019] Figure 7C for Figure 7B Detailed view of the back pad showing alignment holes of the back pad tenons configured to adjust the angle of the back pad relative to the body pad;

[0020] Figure 8 is a left side perspective view of an adjustable bed showing a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tilt of the body cushion relative to the front and rear of the support frame;

[0021] Fig. 9 A safety belt for an adjustable hospital bed, the safety belt being mounted around a patient to secure the patient in a side-lying position against a back cushion; and

[0022] Fig.10 The present invention is a schematic diagram showing a patient being fixed in a side-lying position using the adjustable hospital bed of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements.

[0024] Reference now Figure 1 , an adjustable hospital bed ("bed") for laterally positioning a patient is shown and generally designated by 100. The bed 100 includes a body pad 102 for the patient to lie on. In particular, the body pad 102 is rectangular and is sized so that the patient can lie on his side. The bed 100 may also include an upper push handle 114 fixed to the body pad 102.

[0025] A back pad 104 is fixed along either side of the body pad 102 to create a vertical surface for the patient to support the patient's back when the patient lies on his side. The body pad 102 includes a head end and a foot end, the head end being the end where the patient places his head and the foot end being the opposite end where the patient places his feet. At one end of the foot end is a foot pad 106 that can be rotated upward and locked in place to extend the length of the body pad 102. Likewise, the foot pad 106 can be rotated downward and removed if not needed.

[0026] Still reference Figure 1, the back pad 104 is secured to the rear edge of the body pad 102 so that the patient can lie in a left side lying position so that their back is against the back pad 104. The back pad 104 is secured to the body pad 102 using mortises and tenons along the bottom edge of the back pad 104. Figure 1 and 2 , a plurality of mortises 108a are shown along the front edge of the body pad 102. Similarly, the rear edge of the body pad 102 has similar mortises for receiving the tenons of the back pad 104. Thus, the back pad 104 can be removed from the rear edge of the body pad 102 and secured to the front edge of the body pad 102 so that the patient can lie in a right side lying position. The mortise and tenon connection between the body pad 102 and the back pad 104 ensures a strong and secure structural connection for supporting the patient.

[0027] The body cushion 102 is fixed to the top of the support frame 110. The support frame 110 can be generally rectangular and rolls on wheels 116. Therefore, the bed 100 is mobile and can be easily passed through corridors and other crowded spaces with limited space to move patients. An upper push handle is fixed near the head end of the bed 100 to facilitate pushing and turning the bed 100 when moving.

[0028] exist Figure 3 1 shows a view of the front of the bed 100. A laptop tray 122 is positioned on the support frame 110 above the storage cabinet 112. The laptop tray 122 extends outward from the support frame so that a caregiver can place a laptop and work on it as needed. When not needed, the laptop tray 122 can be pushed back and stored. In addition, a lower push handle 118 is located on the support frame 110 and can be used when the body pad 102 is tilted upward, as explained below.

[0029] Reference now Figure 4 , showing a top view of the bed 100 without the back pad 104. A plurality of mortises 108b can be seen on the rear edge of the body pad 102. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a recess or other receptacle similar to the mortise that is adapted to receive a corresponding tenon of the back pad 104 may be used.

[0030] Reference now Figure 5 and 6 , the back pad 104 is shown removed from the body pad 102 so that the tenon 124 of the back pad 104 is visible. In addition, an important feature of the bed 100 is the ability to tilt the head end of the body pad 102 upward, such as Figure 5 and 6 This elevates the patient's head and upper body as needed.

[0031] The linear actuator 120 has a first end coupled to the support frame 110 and a second end coupled to the underside of the body pad 102 near the head end via a head end ball joint 145. Thus, as the linear actuator 120 extends, the head end of the body pad 102 rises upward. The foot end ball joint 144 is fixed to the support frame 110 and the underside of the body pad 102 near the foot end. The foot end ball joint 144 allows the body pad 102 to rotate about it when the linear actuator 120 raises or lowers the body pad 102.

[0032] Reference now Fig. 7A , 7B 7C, another important feature of the bed 100 is the ability to tilt the back cushion 104 relative to the body cushion 102. Thus, the back cushion 104 can be perpendicular to the body cushion 102, or it can be tilted away from the body cushion 102. This is achieved by using alignment holes 128 through a plurality of tenons 124 and a back cushion locking rod 126. In addition, the rear surface of the back cushion 104 can have at least one back cushion handle 130 fixed thereto.

[0033] First, refer to Figure 7B , the back pad locking rod 126 is shown in the detailed view as passing through the mortise 108b. Although the tenon 124 has been pulled out from the mortise 108b, once the tenon 124 is placed in the corresponding mortise 108b, the back pad locking rod 126 is inserted through it to prevent the tenon 124 from being accidentally pulled out from the mortise 108b.

[0034] Reference now Figure 7C , showing alignment holes 128a, 128b. Alignment holes 128a, 128b are similarly positioned on each tenon 124 so that the rigid and linear back pad locking rod 126 can pass through a desired set of alignment holes 128a, 128b. Each set of alignment holes includes alignment holes 128a or 128b that are identically positioned on each tenon 124. Therefore, Figure 7C 1 represents two sets of alignment holes 128a, 128b. Thus, if the back pad 104 is to be positioned vertically, the first set of alignment holes 128a aligns with the apertures 127 on each mortise 108b. If it is desired that the back pad 104 be tilted rearwardly from the body pad 102, the second set of alignment holes 128b aligns with the apertures 127 on each mortise 108a.

[0035] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the body pad 102 also has the ability to be tilted laterally relative to the support frame 110 using a tilt adjustment mechanism 132. The support frame 110 may have a power source 142 in electrical communication with the linear actuator 120.

[0036] In addition, the support frame 110 includes a lower platform 152, an upper platform 154, and a plurality of vertical supports 156 therebetween. The tilt adjustment mechanism 132 includes a first portion 136 fixed to the top end of the support frame 110 and a second overlapping portion 138 communicating with the underside of the body pad 102. The second overlapping portion 138 of the tilt adjustment mechanism 132 is configured to rotate relative to the first portion 136 to tilt the body pad 102 laterally relative to the front or rear of the support frame 110. The tilt adjustment mechanism 132 includes a handle 140 and a plurality of adjustment holes 141 that cooperate to fix the body pad 102 at a desired tilt angle relative to the support frame 110.

[0037] Therefore, it is important that both the head-end ball joint 145 and the foot-end ball joint 144 coupled to the linear actuator 120 are configured to account for movement in all directions when the body pad 102 is tilted upward and downward, as well as tilted laterally. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, other types or combinations of connections may be used to accommodate movement in addition to the ball joints provided herein as an example in one aspect.

[0038] In order to secure the patient to the bed 100, as Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , a removable safety belt 143 is provided that includes a torso pad 148 and at least one strap 146. The torso pad 148 is configured to be placed adjacent to the patient's torso, and the at least one strap 146 is slid around the back pad 104 and the body pad 102 to laterally secure the patient 150 in a side-lying position against the back pad 104, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 as shown in .

[0039] Thus, the method of laterally positioning a patient 150 using the above-described adjustable hospital bed 100 includes positioning the patient 150 in a side-lying position on the body pad 102. The method also includes placing a torso pad 148 adjacent to the torso of the patient 150, sliding a strap 146 attached to the torso pad 148 around the back pad 104 and the body pad 102 to laterally secure the patient 150 in the side-lying position against the back pad 104. Additionally, the method includes securing the patient 150 at a desired lateral position using the linear actuator 120 and the tilt adjustment mechanism 132.

[0040] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings given in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient, comprising: a support frame having a top end and a bottom end; a plurality of wheels secured to a bottom end of the support frame; a body pad having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back pad mortises around a perimeter of the body pad, the body pad adjustably secured to the top end of the support frame; as well as A back pad having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a plurality of back pad tenons extending from the bottom edge and removably inserted into a plurality of back pad mortises of the body pad to support the back pad on the bottom edge of the back pad at an angle relative to the body pad.

2. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 1 further comprises a linear actuator having a first end fixed to the top end of the support frame and a second end fixed to the underside of the body pad, the linear actuator being configured to lift the head end of the body pad.

3. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 1, further comprising a tilt adjustment mechanism having a first portion fixed to a top end of the support frame and a second overlapping portion communicating with an underside of the body pad.

4. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 3, wherein: The second overlapping portion of the tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate relative to the first portion to tilt the body pad laterally relative to the front or rear of the support frame.

5. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 4, wherein: The tilt adjustment mechanism has a handle and a plurality of adjustment holes that cooperate to secure the body pad at a desired tilt angle relative to the support frame.

6. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 1, further comprising an upper push handle and a lower push handle, wherein the upper push handle is secured to the body pad and the lower push handle is secured to the support frame.

7. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 1, wherein: The rear surface of the back pad includes at least one back pad handle secured thereto.

8. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 1, further comprising a foot pad extending from a foot end of the body pad, wherein the foot pad is configured to rotate upward and lock in alignment with the body pad or to unlock and rotate downward.

9. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 1 , further comprising a removable safety belt comprising a torso pad and at least one strap, wherein the torso pad is configured to be placed adjacent to the patient's torso and the at least one strap slides around the back pad and the body pad to laterally secure the patient in a side-lying position against the back pad.

10. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 1, wherein: The support frame further includes a power source in electrical communication with the linear actuator.

11. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 1, wherein: The support frame includes a lower platform, an upper platform, and a plurality of vertical supports between the lower platform and the upper platform.

12. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 1, further comprising a back cushion locking rod configured to removably secure the back cushion tenon to the back cushion mortise by sliding the back cushion locking rod through the back cushion mortise.

13. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of back pad tenons include a plurality of locating apertures configured to receive a back pad locking rod therethrough and secure the back pad at a desired angle relative to the body pad.

14. An adjustable hospital bed for laterally positioning a patient, comprising: a support frame having a top end and a bottom end; a body pad having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back pad mortises around a perimeter of the body pad, the body pad being adjustably secured to a top end of the support frame; a back pad having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a plurality of back pad tenons extending from the bottom edge and removably insertable into a plurality of back pad mortises of the body pad to support the back pad on the bottom edge of the back pad at an angle relative to the body pad; a linear actuator having a first end secured to a top end of the support frame and a second end secured to an underside of the body pad, the linear actuator being configured to lift a head end of the body pad; as well as a reclining mechanism having a first portion secured to a top end of the support frame and a second overlapping portion communicating with an underside of the body pad, wherein the second overlapping portion of the reclining mechanism is configured to rotate relative to the first portion to tilt the body pad laterally relative to a front or rear portion of the support frame.

15. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 14, wherein: The tilt adjustment mechanism has a handle and a plurality of adjustment holes that cooperate to secure the body pad at a desired tilt angle relative to the support frame.

16. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 14, wherein: The rear surface of the back pad includes at least one back pad handle secured thereto.

17. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 14, further comprising a foot pad extending from a foot end of the body pad, wherein the foot pad is configured to rotate upward and lock in alignment with the body pad or to unlock and rotate downward.

18. The adjustable hospital bed of claim 14, further comprising a removable safety belt comprising a torso pad and at least one strap, wherein the torso pad is configured to be placed adjacent to the patient's torso and the at least one strap slides around the back pad and the body pad to laterally secure the patient in a side-lying position against the back pad.

19. The adjustable hospital bed according to claim 14, further comprising a back pad locking rod, which is configured to removably secure the back pad tenon to the back pad mortise by sliding the back pad locking rod through the back pad mortise, wherein the plurality of back pad tenons include a plurality of locating holes, which are configured to receive the back pad locking rod therethrough and secure the back pad at a desired angle relative to the body pad.

20. A method of laterally positioning a patient using an adjustable hospital bed, the adjustable hospital bed comprising: a support frame having a top end and a bottom end; a body pad having a head end and a foot end and a plurality of back pad mortises around a perimeter of the body pad, the body pad being adjustably secured to the top end of the support frame; a back pad having a plurality of back pad tenons extending from a bottom edge and removably inserted into the plurality of back pad mortises of the body pad to support the back pad on the bottom edge of the back pad at an angle relative to the body pad; a linear actuator having a first end secured to a top end of the support frame and a second end secured to an underside of the body pad; and a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to rotate to tilt the body pad laterally relative to the front or rear of the support frame, the method comprising: positioning the patient on the body pad in a side-lying position; placing the torso pad adjacent to the patient's torso; sliding a strap attached to the torso pad around the back pad and body pad to laterally secure the patient in a side-lying position against the back pad; and The linear actuator and the tilt adjustment mechanism are used to secure the patient in a desired lateral position.

Images