Multi-purpose connection and damping material for medical accessories

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of patient support apparatuses and other medical devices and add-on accessories, such as mattress air compressors, additional fifth wheels, and other devices. This invention discloses a multi-use member for safely, quickly, and securely attaching and connecting such add-on accessories to the patient support apparatus. This multi-use member not only functions as a connection, but also as a damping function, preventing unwanted shocks and vibrations generated when the add-on accessories are activated and operated from being transmitted to the patient support apparatus.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to patient support apparatuses and their accessories in healthcare and nursing facilities. Accessories include mattress compressors, fifth wheels or casters, and other accessories that can be added to patient support apparatuses. Multi-purpose devices are devices that assist in attaching accessories to patient support apparatuses. [Background technology]

[0002] The prior art is known for patient support devices equipped with casters for transporting patients between rooms in medical and nursing facilities, or between operating rooms, etc. Patient support devices include various devices used in medical facilities, such as medical / hospital beds, nursing beds, stretchers, transport stretchers, examination chairs, and delivery beds.

[0003] Many patient support devices include a wheeled undercarriage, a lifting mechanism attached to the undercarriage, a support deck frame, an articulated, divisible support deck, and a mattress that rests on the support deck. A headboard, footboard, and various side rails are attached to the support deck frame and / or the support deck.

[0004] The support deck is preferably divided into multiple sections, such as a back section, a seat section, a leg section, and optionally a foot section, each of which can be positioned at a desired angle to allow the patient to comfortably sit or lie with their legs or head elevated. The support deck may be composed of three, four, or more sections articulated to one another. A lifting mechanism, such as a lifting column or scissor mechanism, is attached to the underside of the support deck to position the entire device vertically. A mattress is placed on the support deck to support the patient.

[0005] In principle, various mattresses are used to support patients. Mattresses made of inactive materials, such as foam mattresses, only perform a support function. Passive mattresses usually do not prevent the development of disorders associated with prolonged bed rest, such as pressure ulcers. Therefore, active mattresses, which change the air pressure inside the mattress to move and reposition the patient to prevent the development of pressure ulcers, are widely used in medical facilities and hospitals. Active mattresses may be composed of multiple air cells. Semi-passive and semi-active types that combine foam and air cells are also known in the prior art.

[0006] When using an active mattress, the individual air cells need to be pressurized with air occasionally or periodically. Therefore, to be active and functional, an active mattress must be coupled to an air compressor. The air compressor controls the pressure and volume of the compressed or decompressed air, and different types of cycling programs can be set in the air compressor's control unit. While air compressors can be directly integrated into the patient support apparatus, such patient support apparatuses are very expensive and are mostly used in intensive care units in medical facilities. Such mattresses have very specific functions that are controlled directly from a control panel or control unit on the patient support apparatus. Another disadvantage of such patient support apparatuses with integrated air compressors is their increased weight and complexity. The mattress on such patient support apparatus cannot be replaced with another alternative type of mattress; a mattress compatible with that type of air compressor must always be installed.

[0007] To use an air-pressurized active mattress on a patient support apparatus that does not have an integrated air compressor, it is necessary to add and couple such an air compressor to the patient support apparatus, in which case the term "portable compressor" is used. The portable compressor is suspended from the support deck frame, headboard, footboard, or side rails of the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the portable air compressor is screwed or coupled to the underside of the support deck or other appropriate part of the patient support apparatus using screws and nuts. A disadvantage of an additional suspended air compressor is that when activated, unwanted shocks are transmitted to certain parts of the patient support apparatus or to the patient support apparatus itself, even when the air compressor is functioning. In healthcare facilities and hospitals, such unwanted shocks can be very uncomfortable for patients, often shaking the entire side rail or slightly vibrating the entire patient support apparatus. As a result, patients often wake up and even become agitated by such unwanted vibrations. Despite the fact that most air compressors have soundproofing or damping mechanisms within the air compressor itself, it is not possible to completely eliminate these vibrations in compressors that are additionally coupled to or suspended from a patient support apparatus where they should not have been installed in the first place.

[0008] For the above reasons, it would be desirable to develop a connection between a patient support apparatus and an active mattress air compressor that would allow for very easy and quick connection of the active mattress air compressor to the patient support apparatus, with the added benefit of dampening unwanted shocks and preventing the transmission of unwanted vibrations and noise that the air compressor may cause to the structure or surface of the patient support apparatus.

[0009] In hospitals or medical facilities, unwanted vibrations may also be generated in other additional devices when they are additionally attached to a patient support apparatus. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The above-mentioned inherent inadequacies of add-on devices such as air compressors for patient support apparatuses, e.g., hospital beds, ambulance stretchers, or nursing beds, are overcome by a multi-use connecting member with a damping effect or a connecting / damping member on the structure or components of said patient support apparatus in a medical facility.

[0011] However, the additional device need not be limited to a compressor, but may be, for example, an additional battery or power source for the fifth caster, a fifth caster or wheel, or other accessory that needs to be connected to the patient support apparatus, or other accessory suitable for the patient or patient care, such as a stand, an IV pole, a folding table, a controller, or additional sockets and external battery power sources.

[0012] The multi-purpose connection and damping member disclosed herein is designed to attach additional devices to predetermined openings or associated fittings of the patient support apparatus without the need for additional parts such as screws or nuts, and therefore without the need for screwdrivers, wrenches, or other service or assembly tools. It also eliminates the need to insert elements such as various spacers or cushion pads between the screws, nuts, and holes that may improve the connection between the accessory device and the patient support apparatus. In medical settings, for emergency reasons, it is important to quickly and easily add accessory devices without the need for such service or assembly tools in order to provide necessary care to patients as quickly as possible. The multi-purpose connection member with damping effect disclosed herein satisfies this priority advantage of quick attachment and detachment of additional accessory devices.

[0013] This versatile connection and damping member can also be considered as a versatile connection damper for additional or accessory equipment for patient support devices (e.g., hospital beds, tables, chairs, stretchers, nursing beds, delivery beds) as well as other nursing equipment (e.g., nursing chairs, rehabilitation chairs, wheelchairs, etc.).

[0014] Preferably, the multi-purpose connection and damping member is defined for attaching an additional air compressor for the active mattress, thereby eliminating unwanted effects in the form of shocks that occur when attaching the air compressor to the structure of the patient support apparatus.

[0015] The multi-purpose connecting and damping member is characterized as a connecting damper for attaching one device to another. This connecting damper is made of a flexible rubber material, but may also be made of plastic or various plastic alloys or rubber alloys. The multi-purpose member disclosed herein has a unique shape. Another drawing shows a multi-purpose connecting and damping member, the upper end of which is a sphere or dome with one side cut out, resting on a first cylinder, which in turn rests on a first cone. The domed first cylinder is located on the narrow upper side of the first cone. The first cone is connected at its lower base (i.e., the bottom of the first cone) to a second cone. The second cone is connected at its lower base to the second cylinder, where the diameter of the lower base of the second cone is larger than the diameter of the second cylinder. The second cylinder is connected to the lower base of an inverted third cone, whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the second cylinder. The inverted third cone is connected to a third cylinder of the same size, whose end terminates in a dome.

[0016] A first groove is formed by a chamfer of the second cone between the bottom base of the first cone and the bottom base of the second cone, and the first groove of the multi-use member forms a locking and clamping portion for attaching an additional accessory device, where the diameter of the bottom base of the first cone is smaller than the diameter of the bottom base of the second cone.

[0017] A second cylinder, whose diameter is smaller than the lower base of the second cone, is connected to the underside of the lower base of the second cone. The lower base of an inverted third cone is connected to the opposite underside of the second cylinder, and the second cylinder is connected to the inverted third cone. The narrow underside of the inverted third cone is connected to a third cylinder of the same size, which is terminated by a dome on its underside. The difference in width between the lower bases of the second cylinder and the inverted third cone forms a second groove. This second groove is used to secure additional accessory devices to openings in the mounts on the support deck of the patient support apparatus. The mounts on the support deck of this patient support apparatus are standard components of all patient support apparatus frames. The mounts may be in the form of foot-like mounts with holes, or holes for attaching accessory devices may be pre-fabricated directly into the frame of the patient support apparatus.

[0018] In embodiments where holes are pre-fabricated directly into the frame of the patient support apparatus, the second cylinder of the multi-purpose connection and damping member directly engages with such hole in the frame structure of the patient support apparatus, thus coupling an additional accessory device, such as a portable compressor, to the support deck structure of the patient support apparatus.

[0019] All portions of the multi-use connection and damping member described above form one integral part that passes through respective holes or openings in the frame or fixtures of the support deck of the patient support apparatus and through holes or openings in the additional accessory devices to allow the additional accessory devices to be connected to the patient support apparatus or any primary equipment. The multi-use member is made of a material that dampens the transmission of unwanted effects of the additional accessory devices, such as compressors, to other portions of the support deck of the patient support apparatus that are made of metallic material.

[0020] The various advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]1 shows a bottom view of a patient support apparatus with at least two additional accessories visible. [Figure 2] 1 shows a top view of the patient support apparatus showing the frame of the support deck and one additional accessory. [Figure 3] A section of the support deck is shown with additional accessories attached to the support deck frame using a multi-purpose connection and damping member. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates the frame, mountings, and openings in the support deck of the patient support apparatus. [Figure 4B] Additional accessories are shown in this embodiment, particularly an air compressor. [Figure 5] The multipurpose connection and damping member is used to attach additional accessories to a portion of the supporting deck frame. [Figure 6] Shows versatile connection and damping elements for attaching additional accessories. [Figure 7] A cross section of the multi-purpose connection and damping member is shown attached to the individual brackets of the additional accessory and the mounting of the patient support device. [Figure 8] Shows a portion of the supporting deck frame with the multi-purpose connection and damping member attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Patient support devices, such as beds, stretchers, and chairs, typically include an undercarriage with casters for comfortable movement of the device. The patient support device further includes a lower frame and an upper frame, with a lifting mechanism located above the lower frame. This lifting mechanism may be in the form of a telescopic column or, in another embodiment, various types of scissor-type lifting mechanisms. The lifting mechanism is connected at its other end to the upper frame of the support deck of the patient support device, which includes a segmented support deck that can be positioned manually or electrically by hydraulic, electric, or other types of motors. The upper frame of the support deck of the patient support device includes side rails to prevent unwanted patient exit from the bed, i.e., to prevent undesired disengagement from the patient support device. The support deck may be comprised of one frame or multiple frame sections. The support deck may be divided into a different number of sections, such as three, four, or five sections, depending on the type of patient support device. The individual sections of the support deck are articulated relative to the support deck frame.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a patient support apparatus 1. The patient support apparatus 1 has an undercarriage 2 and includes a fifth guide wheel, or in another embodiment, a fifth drive wheel. FIG. 1 shows a scissor-type lifting mechanism for the patient support apparatus coupled to the upper surface of the undercarriage 2, with the other end of the lifting mechanism coupled to the frame 3 of the patient support apparatus 1. The lifting mechanism for the patient support apparatus can be of any type, such as a telescopic column. The frame 3 of the patient support apparatus 1 is coupled to a frame 4 and a support deck 5. The support deck 5 includes a headboard, a footboard, and side rails to prevent the patient from leaving the patient support apparatus 1. In this embodiment, FIG. 1 also shows an accessory 8 on the underside of the patient support apparatus 1, which may be a fifth wheel or, as shown in this embodiment, an additional air compressor (hereinafter, "accessory") for connecting a responsive or active mattress designed for various patient therapies. The accessory 8 is attached to the frame 3 of the patient support apparatus 1 or, as shown in this embodiment, to at least a portion of the frame 4 of the support deck 5. The frame 4 of the support deck 5 includes a mounting fixture 6 and an opening 7 (not shown) for mounting an accessory 8. Quick mounting of the accessory 8 is achieved by inserting a multi-use member 12 (not shown in FIG. 1 ) into the opening 7 (not shown) of the mounting fixture 6 of the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1. Attaching the accessory 8 to the multi-use member 12 couples the patient support apparatus 1 to the accessory 8, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0024] 2 shows a plan view of the patient support apparatus 1, illustrating the divided support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1. The support deck 5 includes multiple articulated sections, such as a back section, a seat section, a foot section, etc., that are mutually adjustable in position. The accessories 8 are attached to the frame 4 of the support deck 5. In this embodiment, the attachment of the support deck 5 to the frame 4 is not visible because the accessories 8 are loosely attached to the plastic parts of the support deck 5.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a portion of the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1. FIG. 3 shows that the frame 4 of the support deck 5 includes at least two mounting fixtures 6 with two openings 7 for mounting an accessory 8. A multi-use member 12 (shown in FIG. 6 ) is attached to the openings 7. The accessory 8 includes at least two brackets 10 on the sides of the housing 9 of the accessory 8, each bracket 10 having an opening 11 for mounting the accessory 8. In another embodiment, one bracket 10 and one opening 11 may be disposed on each side of the accessory 8 for mounting the accessory 8 to the patient support apparatus 1 via the multi-use member 12. The multi-use member 12 passes through the openings 7 of the mounting fixtures 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 as well as the openings 11 of the brackets 10 of the accessory 8. In another embodiment, the frame 4 of the support deck 5 does not include specific mounting fixtures 6 and openings 7 for the accessory 8, and the mounting fixtures 6 and openings 7 may form a permanent part of the frame 3 of the patient support apparatus 1 or the frame 4 of the support deck 5. In yet another embodiment, the attachments 6 and openings 7 may be replaced with only openings 7 for attaching accessory devices 8. The openings 7 in the patient support apparatus 1 must be sized to allow precise and close engagement of the multi-use member 12.

[0026] 4A shows the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1, including the attachments 6 and openings 7 of the patient support apparatus 1. The attachments 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 are used to attach accessories 8 to the patient support apparatus 1. Rapid attachment of the accessories 8 is achieved in this embodiment by inserting a multi-use member 12 into the openings 7 located on the attachments 6 of the patient support apparatus 1. The attachments 6 with their openings 7 are attached to the frame 4 of the support deck 5 by screws, although in other embodiments, the attachments 6 may be permanently attached to the frame 4 of the support deck 5 or may form an integral part of the frame 4 of the support deck 5 in the form of only the openings 7.

[0027] 4B shows accessory 8, which in this embodiment is an air compressor. On the outside of housing 9, two brackets 10 with openings 11 for mounting accessory 8 are visible. On the opposite side, two brackets 10 for accessory 8 with openings 11 for mounting to frame 4 of support deck 5 of patient support apparatus 1 are also present, but not visible from this perspective. A multi-use member 12, as disclosed herein, is used to mount accessory 8 to frame 4 of support deck 5 of patient support apparatus 1. This multi-use member 12 has both a connecting function and a damping function.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an accessory 8 attached to a portion of the frame 4 of the support deck 5, illustrating the attachments 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 for attaching the accessory 8. In a preferred embodiment, the attachments 6 are attached to the inside of the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1, but in alternative embodiments, the attachments 6 may be an integral part of the frame 3 of the patient support apparatus 1. The attachments 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 for attaching the accessory 8 include at least one opening 7 (not shown), or may include multiple openings 7 depending on the size of the attachment 6 and the number and size of the opposing brackets 10 of the accessory 8. FIG. 5 shows that the patient support apparatus 1 preferably has two attachments 6, which are located on opposing sides of the frame 4 of the support deck 5. Each attachment 6 includes two openings 7 for engaging the multi-use member 12. In a preferred embodiment, one multi-use member 12 is provided for each opening 7 in the mounting fixture 6 of the patient support apparatus 1, so that the bracket 10 of the accessory 8 passes the larger second portion of the multi-use member 12 through the opening 11 in the bracket 10 of the accessory 8 and rests on the multi-use member 12, thereby coupling the accessory 8 to the patient support apparatus 1. The end of the multi-use member 12 protrudes from the opening 11 in the bracket 10 of the accessory 8 above the edge of the bracket 10.

[0029] 5 further shows an accessory 8 with a housing 9, which includes a bracket 10 with at least one opening 11, although in this embodiment, the accessory 8 preferably includes four brackets 10, each with four openings 11 through which multi-use members 12 extend. The multi-use members 12 function as both a mounting element for the accessory 8 and a damper to prevent unwanted effects of the accessory 8 from being transmitted to the structure of the patient support apparatus 1.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a multi-use member 12 that functions as both a connecting element and a damping element. The multi-use member 12 is composed of several interconnected sections, each defined by a unique shape. Starting from the top, the multi-use member 12 includes a dome 13, the underside of which is cut out by one-third. This dome 13 is followed by a first cylinder 14, which is then followed by a first cone 15. The underside of the first cone 15 of the multi-use member 12 is continued to a first cone base 16. The underside of the first cone base 16 is continued to a second cone 17, which in turn is continued to a second cylinder 19. The underside of the second cylinder 19 is continued to an inverted third cone base 20 of the multi-use member 12, which is further continued to an inverted third cone 21, and then to a third cylinder 22, which terminates in an inverted dome 23.

[0031] All of these parts form a single whole, with the upper half of the multi-use member 12 resembling a chess piece and the lower half resembling an inverted version of that piece. The chamfer on the second cone 17 between the first cone base 16 and the second cone base 18 forms a first groove 24. This first groove 24 forms a locking and clamping portion for attaching the accessory 8. The difference in width between the second cylinder 19 and the inverted third cone bottom 20 forms a second groove 25. This second groove 25 is used to secure the accessory 8 to the mounting fixture 6 of the patient support apparatus 1.

[0032] The lower portion of the multi-use member 12 is inserted into the opening 7 for attaching the accessory 8 to the patient support apparatus 1, and is ready for attachment of the accessory 8, i.e., when the multi-use member 12 engages in the second groove 25.

[0033] A permanent connection between the patient support apparatus 1 and the accessory 8 occurs after inserting the multi-use member 12 into the opening 7 of the mounting fixture 6 of the patient support apparatus 1. The accessory 8 is then attached via the bracket 10, with the first groove 24 mating with the opening 11. This allows the two devices to be permanently and quickly joined or attached using a single member, without the need for assembly tools.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a cross section of the multi-use member 12 and the brackets and attachments of both devices, i.e., between the bracket 10 of the accessory 8 and the attachment 6 (not shown) of the patient support apparatus 1. Figure 7 accurately shows that the multi-use member 12 engages with the bracket 10 of the accessory 8 at the first groove 24, and that the multi-use member 12 engages with the attachment 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 at the second groove 25. Thus, the multi-use member 12 is both a connecting element and a damping element.

[0035] 7 also shows two multi-use members 12 in cross section between two brackets 10 of accessory 8 and one attachment 6 of patient support apparatus 1. A first groove 24 allows for a fixed and rigid connection of bracket 10 of accessory 8 to accessory 8 via multi-use member 12, and a second groove 25 allows for a fixed and rigid connection of accessory 8 to patient support apparatus 1 via attachment 6.

[0036] The multi-use member 12 is inserted by passing its lower portion, i.e., the lower portion including the inverted dome 23, the third cylinder 22, the inverted third cone 21, the inverted third cone bottom 20, and the second cylinder 19, through the opening 7 of the mounting fixture 6 of the patient support apparatus 1, and the multi-use member 12 is firmly coupled to the mounting fixture 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 based on the second groove 25. The protruding upper portion, i.e., the portion including the dome 13, the first cylinder 14, the first cone 15, and the first cone bottom 16, engages with the accessory 8, and the accessory 8 is firmly connected to the patient support apparatus 1 through the first groove 24 at the position of the second cone 17 of the multi-use member 12. The second cone bottom 18 of the multi-use member 12 provides a damping effect when connecting the accessory 8 to the patient support apparatus 1. The second conical base 18 has a larger diameter than both the openings of both devices, i.e., opening 7 in mounting fixture 6 of patient support apparatus 1 and opening 11 in bracket 10 of accessory device 8, thereby combining the function of a boundary or partition between the different materials of the two different devices with a damping function because the entire structure is made of rubber or other suitable material. The upper and lower parts of multi-purpose member 12 protruding above and below mounting fixture 6 of patient support apparatus 1 and bracket 10 of accessory device 8, by their shape and the overlapping of the cone and cylinder, form fixing or locking elements that prevent each device from accidentally falling off.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a portion of the structure of the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1, with the attachments 6 and openings 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 attached to the structure of the frame 4 of the support deck 5. The attachments 6 may be part of the structure or may be additionally attached to the structure with screws, rivets, or other connectors. FIG. 8 also shows that all openings 7 in the attachments 6 of the patient support apparatus 1 are fitted with multi-use members 12 for attaching accessories 8. The multi-use members 12 may be permanently inserted into the openings 7 or may be additionally inserted into the openings 7 when needed along with the accessories 8. FIG. 8 also shows that the multi-use members 12 engage with the openings 7 of the patient support apparatus 1 at second grooves 25 (not shown). This second groove 25 firmly and rigidly couples the accessories 8 to the frame 4 of the support deck 5 of the patient support apparatus 1 via the attachments 6. [Industrial Applicability]

[0038] The multi-use members disclosed herein function as connecting and damping elements and are used to attach additional accessories such as portable compressors, additional fifth wheels, central dual control of casters, or other additional devices for patient support devices used in hospitals and medical facilities. The multi-use members may also be used in other medical devices, such as chairs and beds, relaxation chairs, examination chairs, outpatient surgery chairs, stretchers, etc., among others. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Patient support device 2 Undercarriage 3 (Patient Support Device) Frame 4 (Supporting deck) frame 5 Support Deck 6 Mounting fixture 7 (Fixture) Opening 8. Accessory Equipment 9. (Accessory equipment) housing 10 (Accessory) Bracket 11 (bracket) opening 12 Multi-purpose components (multi-purpose connection and damping components) 13 Dome (of multi-use components) 14 Cylinder (multi-purpose component) 15 (Multi-purpose component) Cone 16 Conical base 17 Second cone (of multi-use component) 18 Second cone base 19 Second cylinder (of multi-purpose member) 20 Inverted third cone lower base 21 Inverted third cone (of multi-use components) 22 Third cylinder (of multi-use component) 23 Inverted Dome (Multi-use Material) 24 First Groove 25 Second Groove

Claims

1. A multi-use member for a patient support apparatus and ancillary equipment, comprising three cones mutually defined by cylinders, at least two of the cylinders terminating in a dome, at least one of the cones being inverted, and all elements forming one integral part.

2. 10. The multi-use member for the patient support apparatus and accessory of claim 1, comprising three or more cones mutually defined by a cylinder and a conical base, the shape of the second cylinder forming the second groove for attachment to the patient support apparatus, the shape of the second cone forming the first groove for attachment to an accessory, at least two cylinders terminating in a dome, and the second conical base between the first groove and the second groove being a damping element.

3. 3. The multi-use member for a patient support apparatus and ancillary equipment of claim 2, wherein at least two of said conical bases engage openings in fittings in a frame of a support deck of the patient support apparatus.

4. 3. The multi-use member for a patient support apparatus and an accessory according to claim 2, wherein at least two of the conical bases on an upper portion engage openings in a bracket of the accessory.

5. 3. The multi-use member for a patient support apparatus and ancillary equipment of claim 2, wherein at least one of said cylinders and one or more of said conical bases form a damper.

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