Mechanically rotatable, lockable and individually adjustable headrest with integrated forehead and lateral positioning for use with patients in the prone position in the medical field

Abstract

Mechanically rotatable, lockable and individually adjustable headrest with integrated forehead and lateral support for use with patients in the prone position in the medical field, comprising: • a base plate perpendicular to the bed, intended for installation in the head area of a patient’s bed, • a rotation body attached to the base plate, which can be mechanically rotated around the patient’s longitudinal axis, • a forehead cushion holder attached to the rotating body to support the patient’s forehead, • a locking device for fixing the rotating body in a desired rotational position, • at least two adjustable side supports for lateral support of the head, which are attached to the base plate via movable connections and are adjustable in height and orientation, • and optionally a chin rest for additional stabilization.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a positioning aid for pressure-relieving positioning of the head of patients in the prone position, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. It is suitable for use in intensive care units, operating rooms, and rehabilitation and nursing facilities. State of the art

[0002] In the medical field, various positioning aids are used to position patients in the prone position. Conventional systems feature cushions for the forehead and sides, but are generally designed to be static. Targeted, controlled rotation of the head for even pressure distribution and changing positions without repositioning the entire patient is currently not state of the art.

[0003] Systems like ProneView ®allow storage with a viewing window and lateral support option, but no lockable, mechanical rotation function of the head with accompanying supports. Object of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a device that enables stable, individually adjustable head positioning in the prone position while simultaneously permitting controlled rotation of the head along the patient's longitudinal axis. The forehead and lateral areas should be reliably supported to prevent pressure injuries. Furthermore, the device should significantly facilitate visual inspection of the face and the performance of nursing measures such as oral and eye care without having to reposition the patient. Solution to the task

[0005] The invention essentially consists of the following components: a) Vertical base plate • Is attached to the head of the bed • Has a partial circle guide to accommodate the rotating element • Central mounting hole for screwing b) Rotatable body of revolution • Mounted in the base plate using a screw • Mechanically rotatable through a free angle • With locking screw for fixing c) Forehead support • Cushion holder, mounted on the rotating body • Serves to hold and guide the forehead • Rotates with the movement of the rotating body d) Side supports • Two adjustable cushions with ball joints • Attached to the base plate via arms • Height adjustable, individually adaptable • Support lateral head stability e) Chin rest (optional) • Additional padding element to support the chin Advantages of the invention • Allows targeted pressure relief through simple head rotation • No need to reposition the patient • Anatomically stable positioning • Modular, hygienic design • Can be combined with various bed systems • Face remains clearly visible, even when turning → better clinical monitoring (e.g. facial expressions, skin changes, tube position) • Care activities such as eye care, oral care or skin cleansing are possible in any position without complex repositioning

[0006] The presented storage system is designed to be suitable not only for production using additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, but can also be easily implemented using other common manufacturing methods. The individual components can be made from various materials, such as metal, plastic, wood, or other suitable materials.

[0007] The base plate, which serves as a stable foundation, can be made of metal rods or other rigid materials to ensure the necessary stability and durability. The rotating bodies and cushion supports can be covered with plastic, foam, or padding materials to provide the desired pressure relief. The locking devices and side supports can also be made of metal components to achieve greater strength and durability.

[0008] The system's design allows for the use of a wide variety of materials and manufacturing techniques, providing high flexibility in production and adaptability to different manufacturing processes. Thus, the system is not solely dependent on 3D printing but can also be realized using traditional mechanical engineering methods such as milling, bending, welding, and assembly.

Claims

[1] Mechanically rotatable, lockable and individually adjustable headrest with integrated forehead and lateral support for use with patients in the prone position in the medical field, comprising: • a base plate perpendicular to the bed, intended for installation in the head area of a patient’s bed, • a rotation body attached to the base plate, which can be mechanically rotated around the patient’s longitudinal axis, • a forehead cushion holder attached to the rotating body to support the patient’s forehead, • a locking device for fixing the rotating body in a desired rotational position, • at least two adjustable side supports for lateral support of the head, which are attached to the base plate via movable connections and are adjustable in height and orientation, • and optionally a chin rest for additional stabilization. [2] Storage device according to claim 1, characterized by that the forehead cushion holder is moved when the rotating body rotates, so that the forehead remains continuously supported during the movement. [3] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side supports are attached to the base plate via joints. [4] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side supports are height-adjustable using adjustable elements. [5] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device is a manually operated clamping or screwing device. [6] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device is designed in such a way that the patient's face remains clearly visible in all positions and nursing measures (e.g. oral or eye care) can be carried out without having to reposition the patient.

Images