A patient handling device for raising and lowering a patient with a patient weight measuring device

Abstract

A patient handling device with a patient weight measurement system (10), comprising a lift mast (2) connected to a base frame (3) and a lift arm (4) horizontally connected to the lift mast (2), wherein the patient weight measurement system (10) is attached to a first end (4a) of the lift arm (4), wherein the patient weight measurement system (10) comprises a load cell assembly (11) and a tilt measuring device (12), and wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is positioned directly underneath the load cell assembly (11) configured to measure a tilt angle (α1, α2) of the load cell assembly (11) when lifting a patient.

Description

[0001] A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR RAISING AND LOWERING A PATIENT WITH A

[0002] PATIENT WEIGHT MEASURING DEVICE

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present application relates to a patient handling device designed to safely and efficiently raise and lower a patient and which patient handling device is arranged with a patient weight measuring device.

[0005] Background art

[0006] In patient care, a patient handling device may be used for supporting a patient in lowering and raising movements of the patient. In some applications, the patient handling device is used as a support for the patient while standing, sitting or walking. In other applications, the patient handling device is used as a lift whereby the patient may be carried in a sling arranged with a lift arm on the patient handling device. To facilitate operation and steering of the patient handling devices, the patient handling device is arranged with wheels, castors, whereby the patient handling device is moved or pushed to a desired position or location by an operator. The operator may push, pull and / or steer the patient handling device via a handle arrangement arranged on the patient handling device. To facilitate the movements of the patient handling device, the wheels may be electrically driven. Via the handle arrangement, operation of the movement of the patient handling device, as well as lowering and raising of a patient may be operated from the handle arrangement. The handle arrangement may be in contact with a control box. The control box may be arranged to comprise electrical devices arranged to receive input signals from the handle whereby the operator can steer and manage the patient handling device.

[0007] However, one significant issue that can arise during operation of the patient handling device is that, under the effect of the patient's weight, the entire patient handling device undergoes elastic deformation, which causes the end of the lift arm of the patient handling device to tilt. This tilt is an undesirable phenomenon that can affect the accuracy of the patient's weight measurement. This phenomenon can be limited by the rigidity and design of the entire patient floor hoist, but it cannot be eliminated.

[0008] Therefore, there may be a legitimate interest and need to develop an improved patient floor hoist where such risk may be reduced.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the invention to at least partly overcome one or more of the aboveidentified limitations of the prior art. One object is to provide a patient weight measurement system that improves the accuracy of the patient's mass or weight measurement.

[0011] The object, as well as further objects that may appear from the aspects and the description below, may be at least partly achieved by a patient handling device for raising and lowering a patient according to the independent claim, and embodiments thereof being defined by the dependent claims.

[0012] In one embodiment a patient handling device with a patient weight measurement system is provided. The patient handling device comprising a lift mast connected to a base frame and a lift arm horizontally connected to the lift mast. The patient weight measurement system is attached to a first end of the lift arm. The patient weight measurement system comprises a load cell assembly and a tilt measuring device. The tilt measuring device is positioned directly underneath the load cell assembly configured to measure a tilt angle of the load cell assembly when lifting a patient.

[0013] In one embodiment, the load cell assembly comprises a load cell, a plate positioned underneath the loadcell and a support positioned underneath the plate and both are fixed to the load cell.

[0014] In one embodiment, the tilt measuring device comprises an electronic card integrated into a housing, the housing being attached to the load cell assembly. In one aspect, the housing includes at least two flexible tabs that hold the housing in place when connected to a support of the load cell assembly. In one aspect, the flexible tabs are configured to allow quick disassembly of the tilt measuring device from the load cell assembly when pressed.

[0015] In one embodiment, the tilt measuring device is configured to continuously measure the tilt angle of the load cell assembly. In one aspect, the tilt measuring device is configured to prevent showing a weight of the patient when the tilt angle exceeds 3 degrees above or below a horizontal axis.

[0016] In one embodiment, the patient weight measurement system is fixed at the end of the lift arm by four screws.

[0017] In one embodiment, a patient weight measurement system for a patient handling device is provided. The patient weight measurement system comprises a tilt measuring device and a loadcell assembly. The tilt measuring device is positioned directly underneath the load cell assembly configured to measure a tilt angle of the load cell assembly.

[0018] Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] Fig 1 illustrates an overview of a patient handling device.

[0021] Fig 2a-b illustrates a patient weight measurement system.

[0022] Fig 3a-c illustrates a load cell assembly.

[0023] Fig 4a-b illustrates a tilt measuring device.

[0024] Fig 5a-c illustrates a patient weight measurement system.

[0025] Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

[0026] Fig 1 illustrates a patient handling device 1. The patient handling device 1 comprises a lift mast 2, a lift arm 4, a control box 9, a handle arrangement 5, and a base frame 3. The lift mast 2 is vertically arranged, connected, to the base frame 3. The base frame 3 is arranged with castors 8, wheels, for moving or transporting the patient handling device 1. The base frame 3 is arranged with two front castors and two rear castors. The lift arm 4 is projecting from the lift mast 2 and supporting a lifting element 20 for patient engagement. The lift arm 4 is movable arranged along the lift mast 2 and adopted for raising and lowering the lift arm 4 to a desired position for lifting and / or carrying a patient. The patient may be arranged in sling or chair arranged from the lift arm 4 (not shown in figure). The control box 9 is arranged, connected, against the lift mast 2. The handle arrangement 5 is arranged against lift mast 2 at a height allowing a caregiver or operator to comfortably hold his or her hands on it for pushing and steering the lifting apparatus. The control box 9 and the handle arrangement 5 is arranged on a rear side 22 on the lift mast 2. The lift arm 4 is arranged on a front side 21 on the lift mast 2. The rear side 22 and the front side 21 of the lift mast 2 is arranged opposite each other. Below the control box 9 is an electrical source 23 arranged. The electrical source 23 is a battery providing electricity to the functionality of the patient handling device 1. The electrical source 23 is releasable arranged against the rear side 22 of the lift mast 2 whereby it may be moved to a charging station for charging. During use of the patient handling device 1, an operator, for example a patient care professional, may be arranged on the rear side 22 of the lift mast 2 for steering and operating the patient handling device 1 when the patient is arranged in a sling or chair connected to the lift arm 4 on the front side 21 of the lift mast 2.

[0027] The patient handling device is equipped with a patient weight measurement system 10, shown in figure 2a-b, which consists of two main elements, a load cell assembly 11 and a tilt measuring device 12 parts that fit together in a removable and precise manner.

[0028] The load cell assembly 11, shown in figure 2a-b, includes a load cell 13, which is a structural component, attached to the end 4a of the lift arm 4. During normal use of the patient handling device 1, the patient is suspended from the load cell 13, through various mechanical and textile systems. Under the effect of the patient's mass, the entire patient handling device 1 undergoes elastic deformation, which causes the end 4a of the lift arm 4, where the load cell 13 is attached, to tilt. This tilt is an undesirable phenomenon that can affect the accuracy of the patient's mass measurement. The accuracy of the weight scale is considered satisfactory when a tilt angle al, a2 exceeds the limits of 3 degrees above or below a virtual horizontal axis H, shown in figure 5a-c. Figure 5a illustrates the patient weight measurement system 10 in line with the virtual horizontal axis H. Figure 5b illustrates the patient weight measurement system 10 is tilted angel al above the virtual horizontal axis H. Figure 5c illustrates the patient weight measurement system 10 is tilted angel a2 below the virtual horizontal axis H. When the tilt angle al, a2 exceeds this limits, the patient's weight measurement is considered too imprecise, and in this case, the weight is prevented from showing, i.e. not displayed on a screen of the patient handling device, since it may be incorrect and for patient safety. The tilt measurement is made by an electronic device 16 external to the load cell 13. To measure correctly, the electronic device 16 must be linked to the load cell 13 in such a way as to follow exactly the tilt of the load cell 13.

[0029] An attachment system is provided for attaching the load cell 13 to the electronic device 16 that meets this requirement. In addition, the system also facilitates the manufacture and maintenance of the system such as quick assembly and disassembly and thus reduction of the risk of assembly error. The attachment system includes 2 components that fit together in a removable and precise manner. The invention consists of 2 component that fit together in a removable and precise manner. One of the components, called the support 15, is attached to the load cell 13. The other component, called the housing 17, is attached to the tilt measuring device 12.

[0030] Fig 3a-c illustrates the load cell assembly 11. The load cell assembly 11 includes the load cell 13, a plate 14 positioned underneath the loadcell 13 and the support 15 positioned underneath plate 14 and both are fixed to the load cell 13. The load cell assembly 11 is fixed with four screws 18 at the end 4a of the lift arm 4. Under the effect of the patient's weight, the plate 14 deforms elastically and causes the load cell 13 to tilt.

[0031] In order to measure exactly the tilt angle al, a2 of the load cell 13, the tilt measuring device

[0032] 12 is attached underneath the load cell 13. Various fastening means can be used to allow the tilt measuring device 12 to precisely follow the tilt of the load cell 13. In one embodiment the four screws 18 of the load cell assembly 11 is also used as fastening means for attaching the tilt measuring device 12 and to support the tilt measuring device 12 under the load cell

[0033] 13 on a surface identical in shape and size. Thus, the support 15 is a U-shaped metal part, fixed under the plate 14 by screws 18. Fig 4a-b illustrates the tilt measuring device 14. The role of the tilt measuring device is to continuously measure the tilt angle al, a2 of the load cell assembly, to ensure that its inclination remains within the limits of + / - 3 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H. If it exceeds, the tilt measuring device causes the patient's weight display to turn off. The tilt measuring device 14 includes a tilt measuring unit that is integrated into an electronic card 16 and the housing 17. The housing 17 is a plastic part in which the electronic card 16 is inserted and held by snap fits. In one embodiment, specific shapes have been added in the housing 17 to prevent the electronic card 16 from being inserted in the wrong direction. The housing 17 also includes specific shapes to allow its assembly and maintenance in the support 15 that is fixed to the load cell 13, while preventing assembly in the wrong direction. The housing 17 includes flexible tabs 19. When inserted in the support 15, the tabs 19 and their snap-fit shapes hold the whole housing 17 in place. When pressed between the fingers, they deform and allow quick disassembly the housing 17 from the support 15.

[0034] From the description above follows that, although various embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.

[0035] Reference numbers

[0036] 1 patient handling device

[0037] 2 lift mast

[0038] 3 base frame

[0039] 4 lift arm

[0040] 4a first end of lift arm

[0041] 4b second end of lift arm

[0042] 5 handle arrangement

[0043] 6 first part of lift mast

[0044] 7 second part of lift mast

[0045] 8 castor / wheel

[0046] 9 control box

[0047] 10 weight measurement system

[0048] 11 load cell assembly

[0049] 12 tilt measuring device

[0050] 13 load cell

[0051] 14 plate

[0052] 15 support

[0053] 16 electronic card

[0054] 17 housing

[0055] 18 screws

[0056] 19 flexible tab on the housing

[0057] 20 lifting element

[0058] 21 front side

[0059] 22 rear side

[0060] 23 electrical source / battery a tilt angle

[0061] D moving direction

[0062] H horizontal axis

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A patient handling device with a patient weight measurement system (10), comprising a lift mast (2) connected to a base frame (3) and a lift arm (4) horizontally connected to the lift mast (2), wherein the patient weight measurement system (10) is attached to a first end (4a) of the lift arm (4), wherein the patient weight measurement system (10) comprises a load cell assembly (11 ) and a tilt measuring device (12), and wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is positioned directly underneath the load cell assembly (11 ) configured to measure a tilt angle (a1 , a2) of the load cell assembly (11 ) when lifting a patient.

2. The patient handling device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the load cell assembly (11) comprises a load cell (13), a plate (14) positioned underneath the loadcell (13) and a support (15) positioned underneath the plate (14) and both are fixed to the load cell (13).

3. The patient handling device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tilt measuring device (12) comprises an electronic card (16) integrated into a housing (17), the housing (17) being attached to the load cell assembly (11).

4. The patient handling device (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the housing (17) includes at least two flexible tabs (19) that hold the housing (17) in place when connected to a support (15) of the load cell assembly (11).

5. The patient handling device (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the flexible tabs (19) are configured to allow quick disassembly of the tilt measuring device (12) from the load cell assembly (11) when pressed.

6. The patient handling device (1 ) according to any one of claim 1 -5, wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is configured to continuously measure the tilt angle (a1 , a2) of the load cell assembly (11 ).

7. The patient handling device (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is configured to prevent showing a weight of the patient when the tilt angle (a1 , a2) exceeds 3 degrees above (a1 ) or below (a2) a horizontal axis (H).

8. The patient handling device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the patient weight measurement system (10) is fixed at the end of the lift arm (4a) by four screws (18).

9. A patient weight measurement system (10) for a patient handling device (1 ) comprising a tilt measuring device (12) and a loadcell assembly (11), wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is positioned directly underneath the load cell assembly (11 ) configured to measure a tilt angle (a1 , a2) of the load cell assembly (10).

10. The patient weight measurement system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the load cell assembly (11 ) comprises a load cell (13), a plate (14) positioned underneath the loadcell (13) and a support (15) positioned underneath the plate (14) and both are fixed to the load cell (13).11 . The patient weight measurement system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the tilt measuring device (12) comprises an electronic card (16) integrated into a housing (17), the housing (17) being attached to the load cell assembly (11 ).

12. The patient weight measurement system (10) according to claim 11 , wherein the housing (17) includes at least two flexible tabs (19) that hold the housing (17) in place when connected to a support (15) of the load cell assembly (11 ).

13. The patient weight measurement system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the flexible tabs (19) are configured to allow quick disassembly of the tilt measuring device (12) from the load cell assembly (11 ) when pressed.

14. The patient weight measurement system (10) according to any one of claim 9-13, wherein the tilt measuring device (12) is configured to continuously measure the tilt angle (a1 , a2) of the load cell assembly

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