Stretcher with straps and a lift for bedridden patients

Abstract

The invention relates to a stretcher consisting of two shafts (1) to which straps (2) are applied, adjusted with buckles (6). It further consists of a lift (8) having two bases (9), of rectangular shape, with telescopically elevating support ends (10), one placed at the head of the bed (11) and the other at the bottom thereof. Each base (9) is raised using a vertical linear actuator (12). The stretcher is supported on protrusions (13) vertically welded to the support ends (10) of the base (9), which are placed at the headboard of the bed (11) and which are open at their upper side and on corresponding protrusions (14), vertically welded to the support ends (10) of the base (9) which are located at the bottom of the bed (11).

Description

FIELD OF ART

[0001] The invention relates to the field of human needs and more specifically to the field of health. In particular, it relates to the field of medical science and hygiene and more specifically to the field of transport, individual mobility and accommodation that is specially adapted for patients or people with special needs. Even more specifically, it relates to beds specially adapted for hospitalization and to devices for lifting patients or people with disabilities (stretchers allowing lifting patients or people with disabilities). It specifically relates to a stretcher with straps and a lift, which is put above a bed, for bedridden patients.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The stretcher with straps and a lift disclosed in the present invention, which is placed on a bed and serves bedridden patients, has not been disclosed in the prior art.

[0003] To date, the usual tactic used is the "side roll", as it is known, for example, when changing a diaper, the patient's body is gently raised on one side, e.g. his one leg and shoulder, so that the new diaper can be placed under his buttock. Then the other part of the patient's body is raised so that the diaper can be wrapped around his waist. Accordingly, the same tactic is followed for changing bed linen, while bathing the patient is done in a similar way, wherein a basin is usually used for bathing and another one for rinsing the sponge or soft towel or with the use of wet wipes. Portable showers and portable bathtubs are also often used for bathing. Especially for bedridden patients, it is obvious that the process of changing bed linens, as well as personal hygiene, requires particular technical skills from their caregivers, at the same time being particularly demanding as procedures.

[0004] A further disadvantage of the solutions presented to date is that they require that the caregivers plan the actions, while at the same time, for the patients themselves, they are procedures that cause discomfort or general inconvenience. At the same time, if one of the caregivers is not specialized, the actions during the "side roll" also involve risks of injury for the patients.

[0005] Additional significant disadvantages of the currently known methods of cleaning bedridden patients arise from the inability to wash the entire perimeter of the patient, while even daily, local washing of the perineal area, with soap and water, is often impossible or generally difficult and time-consuming. As a result of the above, patients do not have the necessary personal hygiene, infections and bedsores are caused and consequently their quality of life is degraded.

[0006] It is thus an object of the present invention to advantageously address the aforementioned disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art by proposing a stretcher with straps and a lift, which is placed above a bed, in order to serve bedridden patients.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a stretcher with straps and a lift, which can be placed above any bed, regardless of its dimensions.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a stretcher with straps and a lift, which allows the patient to be lifted above the bed, allowing both a more thorough cleaning of the patient and an easier change of bed linen.

[0009] A further advantage of the invention is that thanks to the stretcher of the invention, the patient is washed easily and with excellent results, since it now becomes possible to wash the entire perimeter of his body.

[0010] An additional advantage of the invention is the fact that it becomes possible to wash the perineal area daily, ensuring local hygiene with water and soap, as many times as required, usually during a diaper change.

[0011] An advantageous result of all the above is that the patient can remain in his home, together with his relatives / caregivers, which brings positive economic and psychological consequences for him. At the same time, the mental and financial burden on the patient's environment is reduced, since admission to nursing institutions due to inability of relatives to manage the patient's special needs is not required. At the same time, the bedridden patient can be cleaned easily, resulting in a reduction in infections and bedsores, thus bringing about a significant improvement in the quality of life of himself and his relatives.

[0012] A particularly important advantage of the present invention is also that, the lifting stretcher, which is not in direct contact with the bed, allows the effective washing of patients, not with limited amounts of water, but with as much water as is required until effective cleaning is achieved.

[0013] A characteristic of the present invention is also that its use to a bed of a bedridden patient, such as quadriplegics, multiple trauma patients, stroke patients and patients after operations and long-term postoperative treatment, offers ease, convenience and effectiveness in the body and head bathing.

[0014] Additionally, the use of the stretcher of the invention in clinics and hospitals reduces the burden on staff, bedsores, microbial contaminations and improves the hygiene of the patient and the clinic environment, with subsequent reduction in hospitalization time and complications and optimization of recovery.

[0015] These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings in which it is illustrated in an illustrative but non-limiting manner. Figure 1 shows the stretcher with the straps and the lift of the invention, in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 shows the stretcher of the invention in an inclined position. Figure 3 shows the stretcher of the invention, suspended at a certain height above the bed. The wheels are also visible, which allow the transport of the stretcher, when required. Figure 4 shows the individual parts of the lift, as well as the stretcher of the invention. Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the lift with the stretcher, according to a variant of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, we will describe exemplary applications of the stretcher with straps and a lift, for bedridden patients, of the present invention, so as to make apparent its mode of operation, as well as its innovative features.

[0018] The stretcher of the invention consists of two shafts (1), Fig. 1, which constitute its frame and to which straps (2) are applied, which allow the patients to be placed thereon. The presence of the straps (2) allows the cleaning and washing of patients even on their backs, using a sponge. Each shaft (1) consists of two individual sections (3), Fig. 2, one shorter in length and one longer, at an indicative, but not limiting, ratio, one to two, which are connected to each other by a hinge (4). In this way, the stretcher can be lifted in one part, so that the bedridden patient can be lifted, when this is required. Each hinge (4), when the stretcher is not partially raised, is covered by a tubular protector (5), in order to remain stable, for example during the transfer of the patient. The straps (2) are adjusted to the stretcher according to the weight and height of the patient, and are preferably waterproof, while they have a buckle (6), to be adjusted to the patient and to the pressure exerted, in order to avoid bedsores. The further fastening of the straps (2) on the shafts (1) is done with rivets (7).

[0019] The stretcher is placed on a lift (8), Fig. 4. The lift (8) may consist of two bases (9), rectangular in shape, with telescopically elevating support ends (10). One base (9) is placed on the headboard of the bed (11), Fig. 3 and the other on its opposite part. The lifting of the bases (9) is done by using a vertical linear actuator (12), placed in the middle between the two support ends (10). The shafts (1) of the stretcher are placed on two corresponding, open at their upper side, protrusions (13), which are vertically welded to the support ends (10), of the base (9) that is placed at the headboard. There are also corresponding protrusions (14), vertically welded to the support ends (10) of the base (9) located at the opposite part of the bed (11), which are not open, and therefore the shafts (1) of the stretcher are screwed thereto. Raising the stretcher allows the placement of a basin on the bed (11), along the entire length of the bed (11) and under the stretcher, so as to facilitate body and head bathing on at least a weekly basis. In addition, a basin can be placed respectively, between the lifted stretcher and the bed (11), under the perineal area, so as to clean the patient, whenever this is required, even locally.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bases (9) of the lift (8) may be provided with pairs of wheels (15), so as to become autonomous and allow the transfer of the lift (8) and the stretcher to several beds (11), to serve various patients.

[0021] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the stretcher may be lifted by a lift (8) with a vertical telescopic shaft (16), Fig. 5, which is moved by an actuator (12) and suspends an end (17), straight or inclined, on which there are fixed two arcuate hooks (18) to which the shafts (1) of the stretcher are attached, during its movement. The lift (8) may be provided with wheels (15) for its movement.

[0022] At this point it is noted that the description of the invention was made with reference to indicative embodiment examples, to which it is not limited. Consequently, any change or modification in with regard to the shape, morphology, materials used and components of manufacture and assembly, as long as they do not constitute a new inventive step and do not contribute to the technical development of what is already known, are considered to be included in the purposes and objectives of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stretcher with straps and a lift for bedridden patients, consisting of two shafts (1), where each shaft (1) consists of two individual parts (3), connected to each other by a hinge (4), covered by a tubular protector (5), where straps (2) are attached to the two shafts (1), adjusted with a buckle (6) and held to the shafts (1) with rivets (7), characterized in that it has a lift (8) consisting of two bases (9) of a rectangular parallelogram shape, with telescopically elevating support ends (10), one placed at the head of the bed (11) and the other at its lower part, where each base (9) is raised using a vertical linear actuator (12) placed in the middle between the two support ends (10), where protrusions (13) are located vertically welded to the support ends (10) of the base (9) which are placed on the headboard of the bed (11), open at their upper side and corresponding protrusions (14), vertically welded to the support ends (10) of the base (9) are located at the bottom of the bed (11), the stretcher being placed on the protrusions (13), (14).

2. Stretcher with straps and a lift for bedridden patients, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bases (9) of the lift (8) have pairs of wheels (15).

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