Patient mobility system with integrated ambulation device

• US 10,463,556 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2018
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Tessmer, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Bryan A
• Application Number:
  US16/033,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20190015279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/80 for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0508 characterised by a particular connection mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0518 quickly removable
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1042 Rail systems walking aids with suspension devices A61H3/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1046 Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0107 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5023 Interfaces to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0406 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A patient mobility system for early patient ambulation. The system includes a patient support apparatus comprising a patient support surface supported by a base adapted to rest upon a floor surface. An ambulation device is removably coupled to the patient support apparatus and comprises a barrier. In a coupled configuration, the ambulation device is supported off of the floor surface and the barrier prevents egress by being adjacent to a side of said patient support surface and having a height sufficient to at least partially extend above the patient support surface. In a decoupled configuration, the ambulation device engages the floor surface and provides support to the patient during ambulation away from the patient support apparatus. The barrier may comprise articulating members configured to articulate between a barrier configuration in the coupled configuration, and a deployed configuration with wheels engaging the floor surface in the decoupled configuration.

Claims

1. A patient mobility system for early ambulation of a patient, said patient mobility system comprising:

a patient support apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest upon a floor surface, and a patient support surface supported by said base and comprising a head end, a foot end, and opposing sides separating said head end and said foot end; and

an ambulation device removably coupled to said patient support apparatus and comprising a barrier configured to prevent egress of the patient by being adjacent to one of said opposing sides of said patient support surface and having a height sufficient to at least partially extend above said patient support surface when said ambulation device and said patient support apparatus are coupled defining a coupled configuration, and said ambulation device configured to engage the floor surface and provide support to the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus when said ambulation device and said patient support apparatus are decoupled defining a decoupled configuration.

2. The patient mobility system of claim 1, wherein patient support apparatus is adapted to support said ambulation device off the floor surface in said coupled configuration.

3. The patient mobility system of claim 1, wherein said ambulation device further comprises wheels coupled to said barrier and said barrier comprises a plurality of articulating members configured to articulate between a barrier configuration to prevent egress of the patient in said coupled configuration, and a deployed configuration with said wheels engaging the floor surface in said decoupled configuration.

4. The patient mobility system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of articulating members further comprise a leading arm with one of said wheels coupled to said leading arm, a trailing arm with another one of said wheels coupled to said trailing arm with said trailing arm pivotally coupled to said leading arm.

5. The patient mobility system of claim 1, further comprising a rail system slidably coupling said patient support apparatus and said ambulation device with said rail system comprising a guide rail coupled to said patient support apparatus for supporting said ambulation device in said coupled configuration.

6. The patient mobility system of claim 1, further comprising a second barrier being adjacent to the other of said opposing sides of said patient support surface with a height sufficient to at least partially extend above said patient support surface in said coupled configuration.

7. The patient mobility system of claim 1, wherein said patient support apparatus further comprises a lift device for moving said patient support surface relative to said base between a first position and a second position with said height of said barrier at least partially extending above said patient support surface in both said first and second positions in said coupled configuration.

8. The patient mobility system of claim 1, wherein, when in said coupled configuration, said barrier is movable between a raised position at least partially extending above said patient support surface for preventing egress of the patient and a lowered position for permitting egress of the patient.

9. A patient mobility system for early ambulation of a patient, said patient mobility system comprising:

a patient support apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest upon a floor surface, and a patient support surface supported by said base and comprising a head end, a foot end, and opposing sides separating said head end and said foot end; and

an ambulation device removably coupled to said patient support apparatus and comprising a pair of barriers adjacent to said opposing sides of said patient support surface and having a height sufficient to at least partially extend above said patient support surface to prevent egress of the patient when said ambulation device and said patient support apparatus are coupled defining a coupled configuration, and said pair of barriers configured to provide support to the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus when said ambulation device and said patient support apparatus are decoupled defining a decoupled configuration.

10. The patient mobility system of claim 9, wherein said ambulation device further comprises wheels coupled to each of said pair of barriers with said wheels adapted to be supported off of the floor surface in said coupled configuration, and engaging the floor surface to support the ambulation device in said decoupled configuration.

11. The patient mobility system of claim 9, wherein each of said pair of barriers further comprises a handle with said handles coupled to said pair of barriers to form grips for providing support to the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus.

12. The patient mobility system of claim 9, wherein said ambulation device further comprises a cross member coupling said pair of barriers.

13. The patient mobility system of claim 12, wherein said cross member comprises a length defined between said pair of barriers with said length being adjustable to selectively alter distance between said pair of barriers.

14. The patient mobility system of claim 12, wherein said pair of barriers and said cross member cooperate to define a walking area of the floor surface for positioning the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus.

15. The patient mobility system of claim 9, further comprising a rail system slidably coupling said patient support apparatus and said ambulation device with said rail system comprising guide rails coupled to said patient support apparatus proximate said opposing sides of said patient support surface with said guide rails configured to support said pair of barriers in said coupled configuration.

16. The patient mobility system of claim 15, wherein said ambulation device further comprises a cross member coupling said pair of barriers with said cross member extending between said guide rails in said coupled configuration.

17. The patient mobility system of claim 9, wherein each of said barriers comprises a plurality of articulating members configured to articulate between a barrier configuration to prevent egress of the patient and a deployed configuration with said wheels engaging the floor surface for supporting the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus.

18. A patient mobility system for early ambulation of a patient, said patient mobility system comprising:

a patient support apparatus comprising a base adapted to rest upon a floor surface, and a patient support surface supported by said base and comprising a head end, a foot end, and opposing sides separating said head end and said foot end; and

an ambulation device removably coupled to said patient support apparatus and comprising wheels and a plurality of articulating members configured to articulate between a barrier configuration preventing egress of the patient by being adjacent to one of said opposing sides of said patient support surface and having a height sufficient to at least partially extend above said patient support surface, and a deployed configuration with said wheels engaging the floor surface for supporting the patient during ambulation away from said patient support apparatus.

19. The patient mobility system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of articulating members comprises a leading arm with one of said wheels coupled to said leading arm, a trailing arm with another one of said wheels coupled to said trailing arm with said trailing arm pivotally coupled to said leading arm.

20. The patient mobility system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of articulating members further comprises an actuator pivotally coupling said leading arm and said trailing arm.