GB2572599A

GB2572599A - Wound dressing station

Info

Publication number: GB2572599A
Application number: GB1805588.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sakyi Kwateng Mclaud; Veronica Koteichoe Ashie Hilda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-05
Filing date: 2018-04-05
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-05
Also published as: GB2572599A8; GB201805588D0; GB2572599B; GB2572599B8

Abstract

The present invention relates to patient wound dressing station 100. The station comprises a prop or support rest 300 for a wounded body part of a patient, a first rest or chair 100 for supporting a carer or nurse dressing the wounded body part, and a second rest 200 for supporting the patient. The prop of the station may comprise a sink (312, figure 6) having a wash basin into which liquid washed from the wound part is drained away and wash basin is easily cleaned and sterilised. The chairs may be displaceable or rotatable with respect to one another and/or the prop, and a controller 102 may be positioned on the first rest for activating desire movement of the first and/or second rest and/or the prop. The prop may also be provided with one or more extendible support cradles (302, 304, figure 6) that can either cover the sink or may be extended laterally to serve as a table.

Description

Wound Dressing Station

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to patient care stations and devices. More particularly it relates to body, arm, and leg ulcer management stations and devices. Even more particularly it relates to a medical device used in the care of leg ulcer management.

Background

Leg ulcer wounds reguire washing, dressing, and bandaging to help the wounds heal and prevent them from becoming infected.

In hospitals and leg ulcer clinics a nurse must lift, bend, stretch, and twist his/her own body in order to wash, dress, and bandage the legs.

Hence patients and carers are prone to fatigue and injury due to the physical strain of moving in the very care they give.

Prior Art

Prior art in the field is mostly concerned with comfort of a client or patient rather than efficiency or safety of a professional attending to the client or patient.

In prior art publication US-D-721527 (Petrucccelli) a pedicure chairand a displace-able prop for a foot or a leg of a person sitting in the chair are disclosed. The displaceable chair is provided for the convenience of a client who is getting a pedicure.

In prior art publication CN-U-20380261 (Bai) a nursing foot tub is provided with a chair positioned in front of the foot tub. In prior art publication WO-A1-2014110411 (Roleder et. al.) a chair is selectively moveable relative to a foot tub by a person on the chair. In both of these publications the arrangement of the seat and foot tub is explained as being for the comfort of a patient or client who may place their foot in the tub while they are on the chair.

The present invention arose without limitation in order to overcome pain and discomfort suffered by not only patients, but also by nurses, carers, and professionals attending to heavy legs or strain in redressing leg ulcers and bandaging legs, with 2 to 4 layers of bandage.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a patient wound dressing station comprising a prop for a wounded body part of a patient, a first rest for supporting a carer dressing the wounded body part, and a second rest for supporting the patient, the first and second rests being displaceable relative to one another.

Advantageously the carer may use the prop to gently move a wounded body part such as an ulcerated leg or legs up and down and/or back and forth and/or side to side.

Preferably the first and second rests are displaceable with respect to the prop.

Advantageously the patient and the carer are relieved from the strain of lifting the wounded body part while the wound is washed, dressed, and bandaged. The carer may sit or kneel on the first rest at a distance from the prop for comfortably attending to the wounded body part which is propped on the prop.

Preferably the prop is located intermediate the first rest and the second rest. Preferably the first rest is located adjacent the second rest.

Preferably the first and/or second rest is movable to/from a position where the rests are immediately adjacent to a position where the prop is intermediate the rests.

So, the patient and the carer may sit side by side or opposite each other on the rests. Also the patient and carer may sit or rest on the rests with the prop between them where the prop is intermediate the rests.

Preferably the station comprises a controller operable from the first rest to operate at least one actuator to displace the first rest and/or second rest and/or prop.

So, the carer resting on the first rest may operate the controller to raise, lower, rotate, and tilt the first rest and/or second rest and/or prop. Advantageously the carer is relieved of the strain of lifting, bending, stretching, and twisting to move the wounded body part for the patient because the wounded body part is propped on the prop which the carer can displace with respect to themselves and with respect to the patient.

Preferably the first rest comprises a first seat and preferably the second rest comprises a second seat. Preferably the first and second seats are displaceable up and down with respect to the prop. Preferably first and second seats are displace-able towards and/or away from the prop. Preferably the first and second seats comprise a swivel to swivel the first seat with respect to a base on which the first seat rest rests.

Preferably the station first and second rests comprise a first and second chair respectively, wherein the first and second chairs are rotatable to face the prop.

So the carer may sit on the first rest and the patient may sit on the second rest while the patient’s wound is being washed, dressed, and bandaged.

Preferably the rests are displaceable toward and away from prop and/or the prop is displaceable goes up and down or toward and away from either of the rests.

Advantageously the distance between the first rest and the prop is adjustable so that the carer can move the first rest to a distance where they can comfortably wash, dress, and bandage the wounded part propped on the prop. Also advantageously the distance between the second rest and the prop is adjustable so that the patient can comfortably prop a long wounded part such as their leg on the prop, or they can comfortably prop a short wounded part such as their arm on the prop.

Preferably station comprises a prop actuator to raise, lower, and/or tilt the prop relative to the first and/or second rest.

Advantageously the actuator does the work of lifting the prop and the wounded part on the prop into a comfortable position for the carer to wash, dress, and bandage the wound. The carer is thereby relieved of the strain of lifting the wounded part and washing, dressing and bandaging the leg or body part. Advantageously the patient is also relieved of the pain and strain of raising and lowering their wounded part.

Preferably the station comprises a track to guide the rests and/or the prop in displacement. Preferably the track comprises parallel rails.

Advantageously the track provides a stable and secure attachment of the station rests and/or prop to a floor because the track is fixable to the floor, and the rests and/or the guides ride on or in the track.

Preferably the track carries the weight of the rests and/or the prop.

Advantageously the track provides strength and rigidity to guide the rests and/or props in their displacement.

Preferably a portion of the prop is arranged for resting the wounded part and is detachable from a body of the prop.

Preferably the prop comprises an extension or cradle or sling to rest the wounded body part.

Advantageously the portion of the prop that is arranged for resting may be detached and cleaned and/or sterilized if it becomes contaminated with detritus from the wounded body part. Preferably the portion of the prop comprises a material with a melting temperature above 150 degrees C so that the portion of the prop is able to be sterilized in steam.

Also, a second portion with a different shape or construction may be attached in place of the portion detached. For example, a portion comprising an extension or cradle may be replaced with a second portion comprising a sling.

Preferably the extension or cradle is displaceable with respect to the first rest and/or the second rest.

Advantageously the prop may comprise a relatively massive and heavy body compared to the extension or cradle. The body may provide support for the extension or cradle.

Preferably the station comprises an extension-cradle actuator to displace the extension or cradle. Preferably the actuator may be connected to the body of the prop.

Advantageously the power and force of the extension-cradle actuator is only required to be enough to lift, rotate, or tilt the extension-cradle actuator and the wounded body part propped on the extension-cradle actuator.

Preferably first rest comprises a foot or knee operable pedal for the carer to displace the first rest and/or the second rest and/or the prop.

Advantageously it may be envisaged that in some embodiments the carer may be enabled to use both of their hands to wash, dress, and bandage the wounded body part, while they position the wounded body part with their knee or foot.

In some embodiments the second rest may comprise an emergency shutoff switch for the patient or carer to prevent or halt displacement of the first rest, second rest, and prop if required under discomfort, damage or danger.

Advantageously the patient can stop the second rest as needed such as to prevent particularly painful stress position, or if the carer leaves the station unattended and one or both rests or props moves toward an uncomfortable position for the patient with their wounded part propped on the prop.

Preferably the first rest comprises a knee brace for the wound dresser.

Advantageously the carer may rest on the knee brace to lean forward and over the wounded part propped on the prop to prevent stretching. The carer is thereby able to rest in a more comfortable position to wash, dress, and bandage the wounded part.

Preferably the knee brace is displace-able to/from a position outside of zone intermediate the prop and a base of the first rest on which the first rest rests to/from a position inside the zone.

Where the knee brace is in the position outside the zone it does not obstruct the zone and so the first rest may be moved to a position very close to the prop to enable the carer to rest very close to the prop. Where the knee brace is in the position inside the zone, the knee brace is located where the carer can comfortably kneel on the knee brace to lean forward toward the prop or over the prop to wash, dress, and bandage the wounded part on the prop.

Preferably the prop comprises a sink having a wash basin into which liquid washed from the wound part is washable.

Advantageously the carer can wash detritus from the wounded part propped on the prop into the sink.

Preferably the extension or cradle is displaceable over the basin.

Advantageously the carer can locate the wounded part propped on the prop over the basin.

Preferably the extension or cradle comprises a channel or aperture to drain the liquid washed from the wound part into the basin.

Advantageously the extension or cradle is not required to be located over the basin for detritus from the wound to be washed into the basin because the channel may directly the detritus to flow toward the basin. Advantageously where the cradle or extension is located over the basin the detritus may fall through the aperture into the sink.

Preferably the sink comprises a shower head to spray water onto a location of the prop arranged to carry the wounded body part.

Advantageously carer may carry or direct the showerhead to wash the wounded body part.

The sink may displace up and down so that the soles of the feet can be washed when the sink is lowered.

In some embodiments the showerhead may be mountable in the basin in order that it may spray upwards to wash the underside of a part propped above the basin. Advantageously in such embodiments the wounded part may therefore be propped above the basin, preferably on the extension or cradle positioned above the cradle and a lower surface of the wounded part be washed by liquid sprayed up from the showerhead mounted in the basin.

Alternatively or additionally the leg may be rested on the prop so that the leg can be dressed and bandaged after washing.

In some further embodiments it may be envisaged that the sink may comprise a shower shield or shower curtain. Preferably the shield or curtain is arranged as blocker or blanket above preferably in the basin. Preferably the shower shield or shower curtain in arranged to cover the basin. Preferably the shield or curtain has a perimeter edge within the perimeter of the basin to redirect liquid sprayed upwards from the basin back into the basin. Preferably the shield or curtain is transparent so that carer can see through the curtain or blocker to wash the wounded body part without getting wet.

Preferably the station comprises a second extension wherein first extension or cradle and the second extension are foldable from distal ends of the basin to cover the basin as shutters.

Advantageously the folded extension or cradles can be extended at 90 degrees to form a resting place for dressings for dressing wounded body parts.

Advantageously in the unfolded position the first and second extensions or cradles may extend from distal ends of the sink providing convenient propping positions for right and left legs or arms. Advantageously in the folded position the leg or arm may be supported directly over the basin.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a wound dressing station according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of station whereon extensions are unfolded, and at 90 degrees to form surfaces for dressings to be arranged for wound dressing;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the sink of the station whereon extensions are folded;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from above the sink of the station, whereon extension are folded;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view from below of the sink of the station whereon extensions are extended;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view from above of the sink of the station whereon extensions are extended; and

Figure 7 shows a perspective view from above of the station whereon the extensions are folded, to 270 degrees, to cover the basin.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 a patient wound dressing station 1000. The station comprising a prop 300 for a wounded body part of a patient, a first rest 100 for supporting a carer dressing the wounded body part, and a second rest 200 for supporting the patient.

The first rest 100 comprises a chair having horizontal seat 104 for the carer to sit upon while dressing the wounded body part. The chair also has a substantially upright back 105 for comfort of the carer. The upright back 105 is connected to the seat 104 which supports it.

Figure 2 show a perspective view of the patient wound dressing station 1000 wherein the seat cushion of the seat 104 is visible as is the connection of the upright back 105 to the seat 104.

The first rest comprises a first base 103 on a floor and a first strut 107 supporting the seat 104 above the base 103.

The seat 104 of the first rest 100 comprises a rotatable connection to the first strut 107 whereby the seat is rotate-able with respect to the base. The length of the strut is adjustable for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the base.

The first strut 107 comprises a first rest actuator 106 for raising and lowering the seat 104 with respect to the base, and for rotating the seat 104 with respect to the base.

A knee brace 109 extends from the first strut 107. The knee brace is connected to the strut by a collar. The knee brace 109 is rotatable around the first strut 107 to/from a position outside of zone intermediate the prop and a base of the first rest on which the first rest rests to/from a position inside the zone. In Figure 2 the knee brace is inside the zone and in Figure 7 the knee brace is outside the zone.

The chair of the first rest comprises an arm on which there is a controller 102 with a protective cover for the carer to operate the first rest actuator.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the patient wound dressing station comprises the second rest 200. The second rest comprises a second base 203 on the floor and a second strut 207 supporting the second seat 204 above the second base 203.

The second rest 200 comprises a reclining chair having a reclining back 205 connected to a seat 204. As shown by Figures 1 and 7 the back is recline-able from upright to a 45 degree tilt position. Itis lifted to a vertically upright position so that the wounded patient may recline or sit comfortably on the second rest 200 according to their injury.

The second rest 200 comprises a second rest actuator 206 comprised in the second strut 207. The second rest actuator 206 is arranged to raise and lower the second rest seat 204 with respect to the second base 203. The second rest actuator 206 is also arranged to rotate the second rest seat 204 with respect to the second base 203. The controller 102 on the arm of the first rest 100 is arranged to operate the second rest actuator.

The second chair comprises an emergency stop 202 with a protective cover located on an arm rest. The emergency stop is electrically or electromagnetically connected to the first rest actuator 106 and the second rest actuator 206 and electrically or electromagnetically connected to a prop actuator 306. The emergency stop comprises a button or a sound sensor for the patient to push and/or speak a stop command.

The patient wound dressing station comprises a prop 300 on which a wounded patient may support a wounded body part while they sit or recline in chair of the second rest 200.

The prop comprises a prop actuator 306 located intermediate a base 313 of the prop and a body of the prop. As shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 6 the top of prop comprises a portion on which the patient may rest their wounded body part. The top of the prop having the form table top 314. The prop actuator 306 is arranged to raise, lower, rotate, and tilt the portion of the prop on which the patient rests their wounded body part.

A carer resting on the first rest 100 uses the controller 102 to operate the prop actuator 306. The carer raises, lowers, rotates, and tilts the prop 300 with the controller. The carer, who is not shown in the Figures, thereby positions the distance of the prop 300 from the first rest 100 and the second rest 200 by use of the controller. The carer also orients the tilt and rotation of the prop 300 with respect to the first rest 100 and the second rest 200 by use of the controller 102.

The prop actuator 306 is also operable by a second controller 202 on the chair of the second rest 200. The patient in the chair uses the second controller to displace and rotate the prop 300 to a position where their wounded body part which is propped on the prop is comfortable. The carer on the first rest 100 who is dressing and washing the wound of the wounded body part thereby has both hands available for dressing and washing while the patient, who is not shown in the Figures, and who is on the second rest adjusts the position of the prop 300, when required.

As can be seen in Figure 2 the prop comprises a sink 310 above the base 313. The sink is arranged to receive liquid washed from the wounded body part, and to be filled with water to bathe or shower the wounded body part.

An extension or cradle 302 is connected by a hinge proximate the rim 314 of a basin 312 the sink 310. The extension or cradle has the form of a shelf extending sideways from the rim 314 of the basin. A wounded patient may prop their wounded body part such as a wounded leg, foot, arm, or hand on the shelf while they sit or recline in the chair of the second rest 200, when the extension cradle is folded.

The shelf 302 comprises channels and/or and aperture through the shelf by which extra liquid from the wounded body part flows into the basin 312 of the sink 310.

The shelf 302 is shown in the extended position in Figure 2, 5 and 6. In Figure 4 and 7 the shelf is shown in the folded position.

The rim 314 of basin and an edge of the shelf 302 are connected by a rotatable joint such as pivot or hinge 315 whereby the shelf pivots from the extended position where it extends away from the basin opening as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6 to form a work surface for dressings. As shown in Figure 4 and 7 the shelf 302 pivots to a folded position where the shelf 302 covers the basin 312 of the sink 310, to form a rest for wounded body parts.

The shelf 302 is about half the length of the basin 312 opening so that in the folded position, the shelf 302 covers half the basin opening. A second extension or cradle in the form of a second shelf 304 is connected by a rotatable joint to a distal side of the rim 311 of the basin. By folding the first shelf 302 and the second shelf 304 over the basin opening, the basin opening may be completely closed by the first and second shelf. So folded, the first and second shelves completely cover the basin. The shelves are also extendable such that one extended shelf can cover the whole basin and the other shelf can be extended laterally to form a table for dressings to be arranged.

The wounded patient may prop their wounded body part, such as an ulcerated leg above the basin on the first and second shelves folded over the basin opening. An aperture in the shelf may allow any extra fluid or liquid to drain freely into the sink after washing, or provide passage for liquid washed drained from the wounded body part to enter the basin.

The sink comprises a showerhead 303 for spraying liquid or water onto the wounded body part to wash. The leg rests in the sink for washing. The shelves are to serve, when folded over the sink as a foot rest for the leg to be dressed and bandaged.

The showerhead 303 is detachably held in a showerhead holder 320 on the sink proximate the rim 314 of the basin 312, wherein in the pictured embodiment the drain hole rim is 311, 314 is the rim of the basin where shelves are hinged on the basin and 320 is the showerhead holder. The showerhead is connected to a hose 316 which has leak tight connector 318 for connecting to a supply of gentle safe flow liquid such as a water supply. The leak tight connector is located on the distal end of the hose 316 from the showerhead 303.

Proximate the bottom of the basin, the sink also comprises a drain 311 for draining liquid washed from the wounded body part into the basin, away.

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 7 parallel rails form a track 400. The track is secured to a floor. The base 103 of the first rest 100 and the base 203 of the second rest 200 are arranged to glide on the rails 400. The bases 103, 203 are secured to the track by sliding tongue in groove or roller bearings. The rests 100, 200 are thereby stably secured to the floor by the rails 400, and also the rests 100, 200 can also be displaced with respect to each other by a carer or patient who urges the rests 100, 200 to glide along the rails, and these glidings are controlled by the controllers 102 and 202.

The base 313 of the prop 300 is also secured to the rails 400 by a sliding tongue in groove or roller bearings. The prop 300 is thereby stably secured to the floor by the rails 400. The prop is also displaced with respect to each the first rest 100 and the second rest 200 by a carer or patient who urges the prop 300 to glide along the rails.

In further embodiments the wound dressing station may be made portable, by inclusion of castor wheels or tyres which may be attached underneath for portability, wherein wheels may be lifted off the ground, and the rails 400 allowed to make contact and settle locked and stable directly on the ground instead. The castor wheels can be made to replace the rails in readiness for portability. This interchangeable disposition is made possible by use of a hydraulic stepper pump.

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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely by combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A patient wound dressing station comprising a prop for a wounded body part of a patient, a first rest for supporting a carer dressing the wounded body part, and a second rest for supporting the patient, the first and second rests being displaceable relative to one another.

2. A station according to claim 1 wherein the first and/or second rest is movable from a position where the rests are immediately adjacent, to a position where the prop is intermediate the rests.

3. A station according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a controller operable from the first rest to operate at least one actuator to displace the first rest and/or second rest and/or prop.

4. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second rests comprise a first and second chair respectively, wherein the first and second chairs are rotatable to face the prop.

5. A station according to any preceding claim, wherein the rests are displaceable toward and away from prop and/or the prop is displaceable toward and away from either of the rests.

6. A station according to any preceding claim comprising a prop actuator to raise, lower, and/or tilt the prop relative to the first and/or second rest.

7. A station according to any preceding claim, comprising a track to guide the rests and/or the prop in displacement.

8. A station according to claim 7 wherein the track carries the weight of the rests and/or the prop.

9. A station according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the prop arranged for resting the wounded part is detachable from a body of the prop.

10. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the prop comprises an extension or cradle to rest the wounded body part and serve as a work surface to arrange dressings.

11. A station according to claim 10 wherein the extension or cradle is displace-able with respect to the first rest and/or the second rest.

12. A station according to claim 11 comprising an extension-cradle actuator to displace the extension or cradle.

13. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the first rest comprises a foot or knee operable pedal for the carer to displace the first rest and/or the second rest and/or the prop.

14. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the second rest comprises an emergency shutoff switch for the patient to stop displacement of the first rest, second rest, and prop.

15. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the first rest comprises a knee brace for the wound dresser to kneel on to lean forwards over the prop.

16. A station according to claim 15 wherein the knee brace is displace-able to/from a position outside of zone intermediate the prop and a base of the first rest on which the first rest rests to/from a position inside the zone.

17. A station according to any preceding claim wherein the prop comprises a sink having a wash basin into which liquid washed from the wound part is washable.

18. A station according to claim 17 dependent on claim 10 wherein the extension or cradle is displace-able over the basin, and is extendable laterally to serve as a table.

19. A station according to claim 17 or 18 dependent on claim 10 wherein the extension or cradle comprises a channel or aperture to drain the liquid washed from the wound part into the basin.

20. A station according to any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the sink comprises a shower head to spray water onto a location of the prop arranged to carry the wounded body part.

21. A station according to any of claims 17 to 20 comprising a second extension wherein first extension or cradle and the second extension are foldable from distal ends of the basin to cover the basin as shutters.

22. A station according to any of claims 17 to 21 comprising a first extension or cradle arranged for use as a leg rest when folded and a second extension or cradle arranged for use as a work surface for arranging all required dressings to be used for caring for a wounded body part or leg ulcers and bandaging.

23. A station according to any of the preceding claims fixable to the ground.

24. A station according to any of the preceding claims comprising castor wheels or other movement apparatus.

25. A station according to claim 24 wherein the movement apparatus is displaceable using a hydraulic stepper pump.