GB2513104A

GB2513104A - An elevation device

Info

Publication number: GB2513104A
Application number: GB201304559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mariam Jalloh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-13
Filing date: 2013-03-13
Publication date: 2014-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-13
Also published as: GB2513104B; GB201304559D0

Abstract

An elevation device to assist treatment of a patient comprising a support surface 1 arranged on a leg 4 which in turn is arranged on a foot 2 wherein the leg 4 and support surface 1 are moveable from a first collapsed position wherein the leg 4 is enclosed within the foot 2 and support surface 1 and a second extended position wherein the surface 1 is spaced from the foot 2 by the leg 4. The support surface 1 may have parts 3 which can be moved, the leg 4 may be telescopically extendable and the foot 2 and support surface 1 may take the form of storage trays. The device may be in the form of a stool which provides a portable device which can be used to support a patients limb. The leg 4 may be held at different heights using coaxial rings 14 held in place with sprung pins.

Description

AN ELEVATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elevation device, more particularly but not exclusively an elevation device for supporting a patient having treatment such as on a leg, and for seating a person.

Background

When a healthcare professional such as a district nurse visits a patient it may be in the patient's home and therefore full hospital facilities may not be available. For this reason many pieces of equipment may be carried by the healthcare professional in order to treat the patient.

A large portion of healthcare professional workload when visiting patients at home may include dressing wounds, or treating lymphodema, in particular on the limbs.

Often the limb is required to be elevated for heal benefits and in order to dress the wound. Additionally an elevated limb position may be easier to treat in particular so the healthcare professional does not damage their back during treatment.

In the home the limb may be rested on a chair or a stool which may provide sufficient elevation, however it may be hard for the nurse to be able to readily access the area to be dressed and therefore may require the patient's limb to be moved several times during the treatment, which may be undesirable and potentially painful.

Summary of the Invention

* 30 According to the present invention there is provided an elevation device for treatment comprising a superior surface arranged on a body, said body arranged on a foot, wherein the foot, body and surface are arranged in use to be moveable between a first closed position wherein the body is enclosed within the foot and surface and a * * *, second open position wherein the surface is spaced apart from the foot by the body.

Typically therefore the foot and surface are arranged so as to separate and the body is extendable or telescopic. The foot and surface may furthermore comprise a container for the body when in the second position.

The surface may be used as a seating surface in addition or the alternative, providing a stool for a patient or carer.

The surface may be divided or parts of the surface may be displaced in use, so as to permit access to, for example a limb resting on the surface.

Typically therefore embodiments of the device provide a collapsible, portable stool device comprising: at least one adjustable, extendable upright body which has a first end located on a foot and a second end arranged in use to support a seat surface, wherein the surface includes at least one displaceable portion.

In particular the device may provide support which may be sat on or used as a limb rest for a patient. For example if a nurse is required to treat or dress a particular region of the limb on a patient, due to a wound or ailment such as lympheodema the limb may be elevated to the desired height and then bandaged. The device in addition or the alternative may be used for the nurse to sit on whilst treating the patient, being adjusted to an optimal height for accomplishment of treatment.

Advantageously the device is portable so that it may be readily carried with or by the user, for example nurses visiting their patients at home wherein specialist equipment typically found in hospitals may not be available and a patient may be required to sit on a surface of variable height, such as a couch, bench or chair. Adaptability of the device provides optimal safety and comfort for both the user and the patient. ** *.

Furthermore in preferred embodiments the device may include displaceable portions enabling the surface to be altered so as to allow access to a majority of the limb without alteration of limb positioning.

Typically therefore whilst the device is supporting the limb one or more portions may be displaceable so as to better expose the region of the limb to be treated, such as 35 for application of a bandage, which may not be possible if using a standard chair or stool that may limit access to the region.

Preferably the body is adjustable so that length between the foot and surface can be altered thereby changing the height of the surface. Advantageously this enables the device to be adjusted to suit the height of the user or the patient. For example the user may adjust the body so as to be seated with their feet on the ground, or so that the patient may elevate their limb on the stool to a desired height.

In some embodiments the displaceable portion may be arranged to support a limb in addition or the alternative to the user wherein the surface may still be sat on by a carer user, wherein the surface may serve as simultaneously a stool and treatment surface contemporaneously, as well as during separate uses.

Such a device may be used for adjustable height seating for both a patient user and a carer user, without prejudice to formation, and according to user preference, however in embodiments whereby the surface may be a combined stool and treatment surface for example the portion may be displaced away from the surface to allow for an extendable treatment surface afore or aside the carer. In this way the nurse or carer may be seated on the surface, and the displaceable portion may be arranged to support the limb proximate to them so that they may treat the supported limb whilst being seated proximate and consequently better enabled to manipulate and perform precisely and effectively.

In preferred embodiments the body is formed from a plurality of concentric coaxial rings or parts which may be sequentially extended and secured in order to alter length of the body. In some embodiments the device may include more than one body, or the body may be separated into more than one part.

Preferably the rings are formed from a lightweight, durable, strong material such as a metal or metal alloy, for example aluminium or steel. Ideally the rings include apertures in the ring wall to accept Iinchpins or sprung pins so as to secure the ring in position, wherein ideally each ring accepts one pin.

In preferred embodiments each ring is connected to its contiguous ring so as to prevent rings being separated. Typically one ring may include a pin which slots into : 35 a channel on the contiguous ring allowing one ring to be extended from the other but not to be detached. Once extended the pin is added in order to secure the rings in extended orientations.

Typically the surface has an underside that includes a projection which is accepted concentrically and coaxially into the body top or a top ring, so as to be attached to the surface to the body. Ideally the surface may be removably attached to the body by means of a pin or screwthread. In some embodiments the surface may be permanently attached to the body by means of a bond such as adhesive.

In may be envisaged that in some embodiments other means of extending the body may be employed such as hydraulics or at least one screwthreading.

In some embodiments the body may include perpendicular projections so as to provide a bar on which feet may be rested or items may be hung in use. In some embodiments the projection(s) may be provided between two parts of the body.

Ideally when the body is collapsed to the first position the foot and the surface are located adjacent to one another and may interlock or connect, so as to form a compartment that is self-contained, portable and readily carried by the user. In this way miscellaneous treatment items may be kept close at hand.

Typically the foot may connect to the surface by means of a clasp, clip or clamp so as to be readily carried without the parts separating.

Ideally the foot or the surface may include a handle so as to allow the device to be readily carried when the device is collapsed.

In preferred embodiments the surface and foot comprise relatively deep trays, * * arranged so as to encompass a collapsed body and so as to provide ample storage around and about the collapsed body. In some embodiments the compartment may * be subdivided, and may be provided with displaceable lids or sections so as to allow independent access and closure.

* * Yet further embodiments may include displaceable sections on the surface or foot or **.: 35 more particular side or sides to the surface or foot, so as to allow access to the compartment or compartments without moving the device to the second position.

Preferably the surface is a circular disc or tray so as to be suitable for use in any orientation wherein there is not defined front or back. Accordingly the foot may also be a circular tray of similar dimensions so that when the body is collapsed the surface and foot are adjacent to one another so that both parts may readily fit together. The surface and/or foot may comprise an interlocking rim.

In preferred embodiments the surface comprises a tray in which a cushion sits.

Typically the tray is formed from a lightweight, strong, rigid material such as synthetic plastic so that the surface is sturdy. Preferably the cushion is padded and fits into the tray so as to be comfortable for the user to sit on or rest limbs on. Ideally the cushion is formed from wipeable non porous materials so that the surface may be readily cleaned for optimal hygiene and reduced risk of contamination.

Ideally the foot includes a moulded collar for accepting the rings to form the body.

Typically the rings sit concentrically coaxially within or around the collar so as to be readily displaced into their extended position, but contained whilst collapsed.

Preferably the foot may include ribs to provide additional support to the foot.

Typically the pins may be stored in the foot container whilst not in use. Furthermore other items such as cleaning materials or dressing may be stored in the container therefore reducing the requirement for further items to be carried.

In preferred embodiments the surface includes displaceable portions so as to reduce amount of surface in use.

In order to allow displacement ideally the surface includes hinged portions which may be folded down. fl

* ***..

* 30 For example a portion of the surface, may in use be folded down to provide a flat edge wherein the portion displaced. This may provide an improved working area in which the user may treat the patient's limb, for example enabling the user to dress the wound without requirement to reposition the limb which may be painful for the * *. * patient. *2J

Typically the hinge is provided on the surface and tray underside so as to allow the surface portion which is displaced to fold downwards and not interfere with the surface when being sat on. Further embodiments may have removable portions.

Ideally the surface underside includes a plate which locks the displaceable portion in a first orientation wherein the displaceable portion is horizontal and unlocked to enable a second orientation wherein the displaceable portion is folded down.

Additionally the displaced portion may be secured to the body, rather than hanging freely, in order to create further space around the region to be treated. Typically the displaced portion may be secured by means of a corresponding male and female parts, detent mechanism, hook, clip or magnet.

1 5 Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the elevation device according to the present invention, in a second position; Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, inthe first position; Figures 4 show side views of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1; *ees a Figure 6 shows a second side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; * . o Figure 7 shows a third side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 shows top and bottom views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; *.6. * S *.**

*:i 35 And Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with portions displaced.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures the surface us attached via the body 4 to the foot 2, wherein the body is formed of a series of concentric coaxial rings 14, fastened when the device is in the second position by a series of pins 7 which pass through the rings 14.

The surface comprises a tray 6, covered by a padded cushion formed of a central section 11 and two displaceable portions 3.

When the device is closed in the first position the surface tray side 6 is contiguous with the foot tray side 8, and may be fastened by buckles 5, 9. A handle 13 is provided to carry the device in said closed position.

The foot tray 8 is provided with a bevelled or rounded corner 12, wherein said corner 12 allows the device to be tipped in use and balanced at a variant angle to horizontal wherein the user is enabled to tip the limb upwards or downwards, so adding further flexibility.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, fl..

materials, shape1 form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent L:' : relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the *". 35 invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

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Claims

Claims 1. An elevation device for treatment comprising a superior surface arranged on a body, said body arranged on a foot, wherein the foot, body and surface are arranged in use to be moveable between a first closed position wherein the body is enclosed within the foot and surface and a second open position wherein the surface is spaced apart from the foot by the body.
2. A device according to claim I wherein parts of the superior surface are arranged in use to be capable of displacement.
3. A device according to claims I or 2 wherein the body is arranged in use to be telescopically extendable.
4. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the foot and surface comprise trays and wherein the trays are arranged in use to provide a storage compartment.
5. A device with reference to the figures. *fl 0e* n .u * C * S. * . * S.. * S 555S 5** S. S * *m * S.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims 1. An elevation device for supporting a patient's limb(s) comprising a surface arranged on a body, said body arranged on a foot, the surface is formed from more than one displaceable part so as to permit access to different areas of the patient's limb(s) by displacement of one or more parts of the surface, wherein the foot, body and surface are arranged in use to be moveable between a first closed position in which the body is collapsed and stowed within the foot and a second open position wherein the surface is spaced apart from the foot by the body.2. A device according to claims 1 wherein the body is arranged in use to be telescopically extendable.3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the surface is in the form of a disc having at least two parts.4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the parts forming the 0') surface are hingeably attached so as to allow each part to be pivoted in order 0 20 to change the area of surface exposed to a user.5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the parts can be secured to the body when displaced.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the foot and surface comprise trays that are arranged in use to provide storage compartments.
7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the surface fits contiguously with the foot so as to be compact when not in use.
8. A device as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.