Patent Application Titled “Patient Support Device and Related Method of Use” Published Online (USPTO 20170239113)
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No assignee for this patent application has been made.
Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: "The present invention relates to physical therapy, and more particularly to a device and related method for supporting a patient in an upright, seated position during a treatment, for example, during a physical therapy session.
"In hospital and nursing home settings, patients can be immobilized to the point that they become at least temporarily bedridden. In such cases, it can be desirable for a healthcare provider to support the patient in an upright configuration on the side of the patient's bed. Such an upright configuration can be helpful, particularly during the administration of physical therapy to the patient.
"Weak, elderly and disabled patients typically lack the core muscle strength to support themselves for any duration of time in the upright, sitting configuration on the side of the patient's bed. Further, there currently is no structural stabilization or back support for the patient when sitting in the upright configuration. This can result in the patient falling backward, or to the side, when the healthcare provider, such as a physical therapist, performs therapy on or exercises with the patient. In extreme cases, the patient fall can lead to accidental and unintended injuries, which can mount additional healthcare costs.
"In an attempt to solve this problem, hospitals use extra healthcare providers to support the patient, effectively holding them in the upright sitting configuration by applying a manual force to the patient's back. While the extra healthcare provider supports the patient, another healthcare provider administers the treatment, such as physical therapy to the patient. Oftentimes, this results in additional labor costs to provide the extra healthcare provider.
"Where the extra healthcare provider is not available, the primary healthcare provider administering the treatment may have to support the patient themselves. Frequently, this results in the provider not being able to complete all of the intended activities with the patient. Some creative healthcare providers and/or therapists will place pillows, medicine balls or towels wrapped around the patient to assist in supporting the patient in the upright, sitting position. While this sometimes works, it can provide inconsistent results.
"Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of supporting immobilized, elderly, disabled and/or recovering patients who lack the strength to support themselves in an upright sitting position."
In addition to obtaining background information on this patent application, VerticalNews editors also obtained the inventors' summary information for this patent application: "An apparatus and related method of supporting a patient in upright, sitting position during a treatment, for example during physical therapy, is provided.
"In one embodiment, the apparatus can be a support device including a base frame, a support arm, a center bolster and a back support movably joined with the base frame and/or the center bolster so that the base frame and back support can support the center bolster in an upright position.
"In a further embodiment, the support device can include one or more forward support arms that can be configured to secure to a support structure, such as a portion of a support bed and/or floor under the support bed. In turn, this connection to the support structure can anchor the support device to that structure, thereby preventing the support device from moving relative to and/or sliding across a surface of a support bed on which the patient is located.
"In still a further embodiment, the forward support arms can include straps that can be extended to and wrapped around a support structure such as a portion of a support bed and/or floor under the support bed. The straps can include a reusable closure so that each strap can be manually attachable and detachable relative to the support structure.
"In another embodiment, one or more lateral bolsters can be joined with the center bolster and/or base frame to laterally stabilize the patient. These lateral bolsters can be joined with the center bolster and/or base frame to enable the supports to be moved laterally inward toward a vertical axis of the center bolster and/or device. The lateral bolsters themselves can rotate about respective rods that are oriented generally vertically. Locking mechanisms may be provided to secure the lateral bolsters in preselected orientations relative to the center bolster and one another. Optionally, the lateral bolsters also can be adjustable vertically, up and down the center bolster, and/or adjustable in a fixed angular or other laterally inward and outward relation to a longitudinal axis of the support device.
"In still another embodiment, the support device can be void of a seat bottom disposed under the patient. For example, the device can include a patient opening through which an upper surface of the support bed is readily accessible. The patient can be disposed and seated in the patient opening, directly on the upper surface of the support bed. In some cases, no major structural part of the support device is disposed under the patient when the patient is supported by the support device in the upright seated position.
"In even another embodiment, a method of using the support device during a treatment, such as a physical therapy session, administration of medication, feeding or other similar activities, is provided. The method can include moving the back support of the support device from a stored mode in which the back support is adjacent the center bolster support, to a support mode in which the back support is moved away from the center bolster. Optionally, the back support can be moved so that it engages an upper surface of the support bed on which the patient is supported, and on which the support device is placed. The back support can be used to prevent the center bolster from tipping backward when the patient leans on it. The patient can be leaned against the center bolster in an upright, seated position on the support bed, generally within a portion of the support device. The support device can support the patient in the upright position. Optionally, at least one lateral bolster is placed adjacent the patient while the patient is in the upright position on the support bed, so as to engage one or both sides of the patient's torso if the patient starts leaning toward a side. In turn, the support device can prevent the patient from toppling to the side with the lateral bolster or rearward with the center bolster.
"In yet another embodiment, the method can include selectively pivoting one or more lateral bolsters toward a vertical axis of the center bolster, and toward the patient while the patient is in the upright position. This can enable at least one lateral side bolster to be positioned to engage at least one of the left and/or right side of the patient's torso if the patient starts leaning toward a side. In turn, this can prevent the patient from toppling to the side.
"In still yet a further embodiment, the method can include vertically adjusting the lateral bolsters up and down relative to the center bolster.
"In yet even another embodiment, the method can include slidably moving the lateral bolsters toward or away from one another in front of the center bolster.
"In a further embodiment, the method can include administering physical therapy to the patient while the patient is supported by the support device on the support bed.
"In still a further embodiment, the method can include securing the support device to a support structure, such as part of the support bed, a floor under the support bed and/or some other structure. For example, the support device can include one or more forward support arms. The securing step can include extending an under bed extension, for example, a strap or a bar, from the forward support arm, and securing the under bed extension to a frame of the support bed under the patient to stabilize the support device with the center bolster being substantially vertical. As another example, the securing step can include extending a floor leg from the forward support arm to a floor mat to stabilize the support device with the center bolster being substantially vertical.
"In still yet a further embodiment, the method can include moving a vertical support bar joined with the center bolster and/or back support to a locked position to effectively lock the back support in the support mode while the support device is supporting the patient in the upright, seated position.
"In even a further embodiment, the vertical support bar can be associated with a locking mechanism having another bar and a pivot element. Opposite ends of opposing vertical support bars can be attached movably to the center bolster and back support. The vertical support bars can be parallel to one another when the back support is in the stored mode. Upon moving the back support to the support mode and away from the center bolster, the vertical support bars can take on a V-configuration, and then a generally linear configuration in the full support mode.
"In yet even a further embodiment, the base frame can be in the form of one or more vertical supports joined with the center bolster. The vertical supports may or may not be joined to one another with an intermediate bar. The vertical supports can be joined with the back support, with the back support movable relative thereto from a stored mode to a support mode.
"The current embodiments of the support device and related method of use provide benefits in healthcare, for example with regard to physical therapy, that previously have been unachievable. For example, the current embodiments can adequately and safely support a patient during therapy and other treatments, and can be used as a back support for patients transitioning into fully independent upright sitting. Further, with the current embodiments, healthcare providers, such as therapists, can avoid seeking additional staff members to support patients in upright sitting configurations. This can prevent the needless tying up of another staff member's time. This means that each staff member can be more efficient, leading to better care, more patients seen per day and lower payroll costs. In turn, this reduces the cost of the treatment and/or physical therapy for the facility and accordingly, may lower the cost for the patient and the insurance company. Using the current embodiments, healthcare providers also can avoid use of subpar and makeshift supports that might increase risk for the patient. Lastly, the current embodiments can generally provide therapists and healthcare providers with the ability to provide better care with more flexibility.
"These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.
"Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of 'including' and 'comprising' and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components."
For more information, see this patent application: Harburg, Mark W.; Narowski, Franz C.; Johnson, Michael A.; Roggentine, Kade A. Patient Support Device and Related Method of Use. Filed
Keywords for this news article include: Patents, Therapy, Risk and Prevention.
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