GB2365408A

GB2365408A - Patient standing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2365408A
Application number: GB0018300A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Dale
Original assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-26
Filing date: 2000-07-26
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Also published as: GB0018300D0

Abstract

A patient standing aid comprises a chassis S with foot rests M, a support H for all the lower limb and a winch Q for raising the usual chest strap F. The winch has a flexible strap B passing over a pulley provided at the top of a mast P and a handle A. Preferably the chest strap F has a protective cover D and is joined to the strap B by a karabiner clip C. Preferably, the lower limb support and mast are angled forwardly (Fig 2) providing more comfort during raising and resulting in a crouched raised position.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A PATIENT LIFTING /STANDING DEVICE DESCRIPTION In order that the invention may be fully understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings marked Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3, Fig 4.

Fig 1 shows a conventional patient handling base (S) mounted on castors (R). Mounted on the base is a conventional mast (P) also comprising a handle (N) used to manoeuvre the device on its castors. A patient (G) is connected to the device by means of a conventional upper body harness (F).

According to the present invention a means is provided for moving the patients upper body upward and forward. Referring to Fig 1 and Fig 4 the body harness (F) may be connected to a karabiner (E) which may in turn be connected to a strap terminating end (C). The connecting devices (C) (E) may be covered with a protecting cover (D). The cover (D) may provide two functions, firstly to cover the connecting devices (C) (E) to make the device more pleasing to the eye and secondly to protect the patients head from the hard connecting parts (C) (E). The strap (B) may be pulled downwards over a pulley mounted on top of the mast (P) by means of a suitable winding device (Q operated by a handle (A). The winding device may be replaced by a suitable powered device being driven electrically or otherwise.

Now referring to Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3 the additional part of the invention will be described. The patients feet are placed on the base at (L) (M) in a conventional manner. Two pads (H) (1) are provided to support the lower leg, substantially from just above the foot to the knee, provision is made under these supports for the feet (J) (K). The lower leg support assembly (T) may be vertical or inclined at an angle from the vertical.

In a conventional device the feet are supported along with a rest for the knee. According to this invention the lower leg is supported in addition to, or as well as the feet.

By virtue of the patient being lifted and pulled forwards by a flexible strap the invention can satisfactorily lift a large range of body shapes, and heights, unlike the conventionally and commonly used devices that utilise a fixed and commonly rotating lifting arm.

Using the present invention the lower leg is supported. Tests have shown that it can be more comfortable for the patient using this lower leg support as the loading is spread over a larger area of the leg compared to conventional knee pad, which takes most of the load on the knee only. Further it has been found that if the leg rest is angled such that the knee is forward of vertical, then the patient is more comfortable during the lifting operation.

Due to the operating action of the present invention the patient tends to be lifted to a squat position as opposed to a vertical stand position as is achieved using a conventional fixed arm lifter, the squat position has been found to be more comfortable for the patient.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) A device primarily designed for lifting a patient from tie sitting position Q` to tt near standing position and comprising a support for one or both of the lower legs in a substantially vertical or inclined position along with a suitable position for the feet said position for the feet moor may not r@ ovide substantially horizontal restraint during lifting and or a means of moving the --------------------------------- patients upper body in an upwards and forwards direction, such means comprising a commonly used and suitable upper body harness strap, or other body moving means that is connected to a flexible member used to provide the lifting and pulling action, such flexible member being pulled over a suitable pulley wheel or similar in front of and above the patient, such pulley wheel may be attached to a mast or similar structure that may in turn be attached to a base or other structure, the flexible member being pulled over the pulley wheel or similar by means of a suitable winding mechanism that may be attached to the mast, alternatively the flexible member may be replaced with a form of linear actuator arranged to pull the patient harness in an upward and forward direction. 2) A claim as in claim 1 where the lower leg restraint is substantially vertical. 3) A claim as in claim 1 where the lower leg restraint is leaning forward of vertical. 4) A claim as in claim 1 where the lower leg restraint is leaning backwards of vertical. 5) A claim as in claims 1-4 where the flexible member is a strap.

6) A claim as in claims 1-4 where the flexible member is a strap or any other flexible member such as a rope or chain.

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7) A claim as in claims 1-6 where the flexible member is pulled over a pulley on the top of a mast. 8) A claim as in claims 1-6 where the flexible member is pulled over any device however mounted. 9) A claim as in claims 1-8 where the winding means comprises a hand operated system with suitable locking devices, the hand action being rotary or a backwards and forwards movement. 10) A claim as in claim 1-8 where the winding means comprises an electrically operated system with suitable controls and safety device. 11) A claim as in claim 1-8 where the winding means comprises any other means for pulling the flexible member. 12) A claim as in claims 1-11 where the flexible member is replaced by a linear actuator. 13) A claim as in claim 1-11 where the patient is pulled via an upper body harness in an upward and forward direction by means of a flexible member. 14) A claim as in claims 1-12 where the patient is pulled forward and upward and is restrained by a restraint on one or both lower legs.