Device for supporting the individual movements of a person with restricted mobility

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for supporting the individual movements of a person with restricted mobility, characterized in that the device comprises a rolling frame (3), and that a mast (4), which comprises a backrest (6) and arm supports (5) for accommodating the person, is mounted on the rolling frame (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for supporting the independent mobility of a person with limited mobility while standing.

[0002] In hospitals, in geriatric and disabled care, and also in rehabilitation, patient mobilization is part of everyday therapeutic applications and treatments. In order to perform the physiotherapeutic movement exercises, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory training required for patient mobilization, patients often have to be moved from a lying position in bed to a sitting position before being lifted into a standing position. Particular attention must be paid to patient safety, as patients are often weakened, injured, or otherwise impaired and cannot achieve a standing position on their own.

[0003] People with walking disabilities who suffer from genetic or accident-related walking difficulties use, in the simplest case, a support device such as a stick, crutch or walking frame, to support or relieve the musculoskeletal system and at the same time to maintain balance, as far as the degree of walking disability allows.

[0004] For people or those who have had an accident and who require medically selected rehabilitation measures to regain their mobility, only a small number of devices are available to support mobility in an upright posture, which are primarily used for the purposes of rehabilitation measures.

[0005] DE 10 2004 029 513 B3 discloses a device for supporting the independent locomotion of a person with limited mobility. The known device is characterized in that a device can be applied to the joint area of ​​the person's foot, knee, and hip, by means of which the respective joint area can be fixed and pivoted about at least one joint axis. Furthermore, a support unit can be applied to the person's upper body, supporting the person to ensure an upright posture. At least one actuator is provided on each of the above-mentioned devices, which deflects the respective joint area by applying a torque acting on the joint area. Additionally, a sensor system is provided that detects the person's state of movement and rest and generates sensor signals that can be transmitted to a control unit.Additionally, an input unit is provided, via which control command signals can be input and transmitted to the control unit. Based on the sensor signals, the control unit generates control command signals and control signals that are used to control the actuators.

[0006] US 2017 / 209319 A1 describes a walking wheelchair with a lifting function that enables people with limited mobility to drive and assist them in performing tasks that require assistance. The chair is raised by a parallelogram drive unit, after which the seat transforms into a saddle due to the height change.

[0007] Also known from the prior art is US 2007 / 0173380 A1, which presents a training and mobilization device for paraplegics and people with motor disabilities. It allows the user to transition from a sitting to an upright position and perform both passive and active walking exercises.

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting the ability to move independently, which enables the mobilization of a patient with limited mobility while standing with the support of nursing staff.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved as stated in claim 1.

[0010] Bedridden patients should be mobilized as early as possible in order to effectively promote their participation, shorten ventilation times and accelerate the recovery of everyday functions, and to prevent negative effects of immobility such as pulmonary, dermatological, neuromuscular, psychiatric and cognitive complications through early mobilization.

[0011] The use of the device to support independent mobility while standing therefore benefits the patient in two ways: The negative effects of immobility mentioned above are reduced. Patient mobilization initiated as early as possible has a positive and healing effect on the patient's alertness and participation, shorter ventilation times, and a faster return to independence. Furthermore, the patient's recovery process is optimally supported by early mobilization. This significantly reduces the risk of complications resulting from a patient's bedridden state and immobility.

[0012] According to the invention, a device is created which has a clear design which is easy to operate by nursing staff and which promotes the patient's own use, while at the same time the patient is laterally supported by the device so that he cannot fall.

[0013] The invention thus provides a technical aid to enable the mobilization of a patient from the edge of the bed. The device according to the invention - hereinafter also referred to as a mobilization assistant - can therefore be used both in outpatient clinics and for early mobilization in long-term care in nursing homes, in facilities for the disabled, and in home care. The mobilization assistant can also be used in cramped patient rooms thanks to efficient use of space, as the armrests provided on the mobilization assistant can be used to pull the patient up from their position at the edge of the bed into a position where they can begin an assisted walking movement without having to fear falling.

[0014] Through these applications, the mobilization assistant contributes to strengthening the muscles of the musculoskeletal system, circulatory training, respiratory training, pneumonia prophylaxis (i.e., the prevention of pneumonia), improving patient perception, changing the visual environment, training a physiologically desirable standing position, and shortening the overall hospital stay. Eliminating the need to transfer the patient from bed through a variety of movement processes, as well as the presence of supports and restraint belts, improves patient safety. Mobilization of those in need of care is also possible. Individual adaptability to the patient's anatomical characteristics ensures optimal usability for all patients.

[0015] The workload for nursing staff is significantly reduced. Eliminating transfers from bed reduces the incidence of dislocations of venous access, drains, tubes, and other drainage devices.

[0016] Advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims. The invention is particularly advantageous in that the armrests and backrest, on which the patient supports themselves or against which they lean their back, are mounted laterally offset from the mast of the rolling frame and are connected to the rolling frame via at least one support arm. This design of the mobility assistant increases the operator's freedom of movement compared to the model described above. This model can easily be pushed laterally toward the patient's bed.

[0017] It is also advantageous if, in this embodiment, the mobility assistant has a lateral torque support arranged substantially below the backrest and below the armrests and connected or connectable to the rolling frame, for example in the form of a further arm arranged at least substantially below the support arm. In this case, the center of gravity of the holding means supporting the patient, i.e., the armrests and the backrest, lies directly above the point at which the torque support rests against the floor. Preferably, the torque support is also mounted on at least one roller and is movable together with the rolling frame.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the backrest additionally has at least one positioning means in order to be able to adjust or change the inclination of the upper body to suit the patient.

[0019] Furthermore, the armrests are preferably each equipped with at least one positioning means.

[0020] In particular, the armrests are advantageously arranged so that they can be pivoted and / or adjusted in height relative to the mast or the bracket supporting them.

[0021] It is advantageous to provide that the armrests are adjustable in length.

[0022] In order to achieve optimal adaptation to the individual arm length of the patient, it can be provided that the arm supports are each divided in the longitudinal direction into an upper arm support and a forearm support for the separate support of the upper and forearm of the patient, wherein the upper arm supports and the forearm supports are each connected via rotary and swivel joints and are each individually adjustable in length.

[0023] Advantageously, instead of a mechanical drive for the backrest and / or armrests, a motorized drive can be provided to perform swivel, rotation, and / or lifting movements in all spatial directions for patient mobilization. Nursing staff can easily monitor the adjustment of the backrest, armrests, and / or headrest positions from a control panel, for example, located on the mast of the mobility assistant.

[0024] To increase patient comfort or to store objects, such as a drinking vessel, at least one of the armrests can be equipped with a tray at its front end. The tray is also suitable for resting just one of the patient's hands; a foldable design is advantageous.

[0025] On at least one tray, a vertical support can also be advantageously attached, which can be grasped by one of the patient's hands.

[0026] In particular, a positioning device or a control stick for adjusting the patient's backrest, armrests, etc., can be arranged on the tray and can be operated by the patient and / or a caregiver.

[0027] The mobility assistant preferably comprises a headrest which is arranged in a height and / or inclination adjustable manner, in particular relative to the backrest.

[0028] To facilitate operation by nursing staff, operating devices, in particular a control keypad, for motorized adjustment of the armrests and / or backrest are mounted on the rolling frame. This can be part of a computer, particularly adapted to the intranet of a hospital, a nursing ward, etc., and integrated into the mobility assistant.

[0029] It is also advantageous if a monitor is mounted on the trolley to display the settings made on the trolley, patient data and other information; through a digital online connection and, for example, through a dedicated application software, many functions such as die Locating the location of the mobility assistant, the current use of the mobility assistant, displaying maintenance work and intervals, automatic recording of operating data, error data, statistical analyses of the operating data in relation to the device, the ward, the caregiver, etc.

[0030] The mobility assistant's ability to assist a bedridden patient to stand allows a single caregiver to perform a task that would otherwise require at least two caregivers. The assistive stand function is best achieved when the backrest and armrests are raised together, gradually raising the patient from a sitting position to a standing position.

[0031] If push handles are attached to the rolling frame, i.e., preferably to the mast of the mobility assistant, for movement or for controlling and assisting a motorized movement of the rolling frame, the mobility assistant can be easily moved by the nursing staff. Preferably, a brake is also provided on the rolling frame, in particular a foot-operated brake attached directly to at least one of the casters.

[0032] Due to its ease of use, the use of the mobility assistant according to the invention also prevents the development of back problems among nursing staff, as patients no longer have to be lifted by the nursing staff.

[0033] Furthermore, a belt system is preferably attached to the mobility assistant to secure the patient.

[0034] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings. Figures 1 to 5 show examples of devices, and Figures 6 to 10 show an embodiment according to the invention.

[0035] It shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first mobility assistant, Fig. 2 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 1 in a side view, Fig. 3 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 1 in a view from behind, Fig. 4 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 1 in a front view, Fig. 5 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 1 in a plan view, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a second mobility assistant, Fig. 7 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 6 in a side view, Fig. 8 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 6 in a view from the front, Fig. 9 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 6 in a view from behind and Fig. 10 the mobility assistant according to Fig. 6 in a top view.

[0036] A device for supporting the independent mobility of a person with limited mobility while standing, ie, a mobility assistant 1 ( Fig. 1 bis 5 ), comprises a rolling or rotating frame 3 mounted on rollers 2 and an armrest 5 and a backrest 6 as well as armrests 5 attached to the front of a mast 4. Holding or supporting or operating handles 9 are attached to the front of the armrests 5, which can be used to enable the patient to adjust individual positions of the backrest 6, the armrests 5, etc. if the adjustability function has been released for the patient by the nursing staff. The backrest 6 and the armrests 5 are connected to the mast 4 via a vertical support strut 10 and a horizontal support strut 11. The backrest 6 is preferably height-adjustable relative to the mast 4 by a motor. Operating means not shown, a monitor and the like are preferably accommodated on the mast 4 or in a separate housing 12 attached to the mast 4.The mobility assistant 1 can be moved or rotated by means of a push handle 13, whereby these movements are preferably supported by a motor.

[0037] As far as a second mobility assistant 100 ( Fig. 6 bis 10 ) comprises the same components as the mobility assistant 1, these are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0038] The mobility assistant 100 additionally comprises a lateral support arm 101, which supports the armrests 5 and the backrest 6, which are arranged for height adjustment either relative to the support arm 101 or, together with the support arm 101, relative to the mast 4 of the mobility assistant. It is also possible to provide for the support arm 101 to be pivotable relative to the mast 4 over a certain range, for example, by 10°. All relative movements of the support arm 101 relative to the mast 4 are realized by a motor, for example, arranged inside the mast 4.

[0039] The support arm 101, together with the armrests 5 and the backrest 6 mounted thereon, generates a lateral torque relative to the bogie 3 and the mast 4. This torque is absorbed by a torque support 102, which is firmly connected to the rolling or bogie 3 and mounted relative to the ground via a roller 103, so that the mobility assistant 100 as a whole is movable on level ground, with the mobility being supported by lateral handles 104 attached to the mast 4. The roller 103 is preferably mounted below the center of gravity of the unit formed by the armrests 5, the backrest 6, and the support arm 101, so that when the armrests 5 and the backrest 6 are loaded by a patient of average weight, no lateral torque acts on the mast 4.

[0040] On the front of each armrest 5, a preferably pivoting or foldable tray 105 is provided for resting a patient's hand. A rod 106, which can be grasped by a hand, is preferably attached to each of the trays 105 and serves, for example, like a joystick, for operating the mobility assistant by the nursing staff or—with appropriate authorization—by the patient.

[0041] To increase comfort, a pivotable and / or height-adjustable headrest 107 is provided above the backrest 6. A guide means 108 is provided in the area behind the backrest 6 for guiding supply hoses, cables, and the like for patient care or for recording patient data.

[0042] A monitor 109 is provided on the mast 4 for displaying patient data, the mobility assistant 100, and other messages. An input keyboard and other input devices such as a computer mouse and the like are preferably also provided in the area of ​​the mast 4, wherein the input keyboard can be arranged on a panel 110 that is preferably pivotable relative to the mast 4.

[0043] Both the mobility assistant 1 and the mobility assistant 101 are preferably provided with holding belts with which the patient is fixed relative to the backrest 6 so that he or she does not injure himself or fall out of the lateral limitation by the armrests 5.

Claims

1. A device (100) for supporting the locomotion of a person of restricted mobility in a standing position, wherein the device comprises a rolling frame (3), wherein a post (4) is attached to the rolling frame (3) and comprises a backrest (6) and armrests (5) for holding the person, characterised in that the backrest (6) and the armrests (5) are attached in a laterally offset manner relative to the post (4) of the rolling frame (3) and are connected to the rolling frame (3) via at least one supporting arm (101).

2. The device (100) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it has a lateral torque support (102) that is arranged substantially below the backrest (6) and the armrests and is connected or can be connected to the rolling frame (3).

3. The device (100) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the torque support (102) is likewise mounted via at least one roller (103) and is movable together with the rolling frame.

4. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the backrest (6) additionally has at least one positioning means.

5. The device (100) according to Claim 4, characterised in that the backrest (6) is arranged pivotably and / or height-adjustably relative to the post.

6. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the armrests (5) additionally each have at least one positioning means.

7. The device (100) according to Claim 6, characterised in that the armrests (5) are arranged pivotably and / or height-adjustably relative to the backrest (6).

8. The device (100) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the armrests (5) are length-adjustable.

9. The device (100) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the armrests (5) are each divided in two in the longitudinal direction, into an upper armrest and a lower armrest for the separate support of the upper and lower arm of the patient, wherein the upper armrest and the lower armrest are each connected via rotary and swivel joints and are individually length-adjustable.

10. The device (100) according to one of Claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the backrest (6) and / or the armrests (8) are each equipped with a motor drive for executing pivoting, rotary and / or lifting movements in all spatial directions for the mobilisation of the patient.

11. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, that at least one of the armrests (5) is equipped at its front end with a tray (105) for placing one of the patient's hands and / or an object, which can in particular be folded down.

12. The device (100) according to Claim 11, characterised in that a vertical support, which can be grasped by one of the patient's hands, is attached to the at least one tray.

13. The device (100) according to Claim 11 or 12, characterised in that a positioning means, which can be operated by the patient and / or by a carer, or a control stick (106) for adjusting a position of the armrests (5) and / or of the backrest (6) of the patient is arranged on the tray (105).

14. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that a headrest (107) is attached above the backrest (6) and is arranged in particular in a height- and / or inclination-adjustable manner relative to the backrest (6).

15. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that control means, in particular a control keypad, for the motorised adjustment of the armrests (5), backrest (6) and / or headrest (107) are arranged on the rolling frame (3).

16. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterised in that a monitor (109) for displaying settings made on the rolling frame, patient data and further information is arranged on the rolling frame (3).

17. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that push handles (13, 104) for moving or steering and supporting a motorised movement of the rolling frame (3) are attached to the post (4) of the rolling frame (3).

18. The device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the rolling frame (3) is equipped with a brake.

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