Ob/Gyn stretcher

• US 20020092096A1
• Filed: 03/04/2002
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan T. Turner, Richard H. Heimbrock
• Original Assignee: Jonathan T. Turner, Richard H. Heimbrock
• Inventors: Heimbrock, Richard H., Turner, Jonathan T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,618,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/618
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/0009 Obstetrical tables or delivery beds chairs for gynaecological purposes A61G15/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 sliding or pivoting downwards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/905 with light emitting means

Abstract

A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck, and

a latch coupled to the center leg support to secure the center leg support to the deck in the first position,

wherein the center leg support includes an actuator coupled to the latch, the actuator being located at a foot end of the center leg support and configured to move the latch between a latched position to lock the center leg support in the first position and an unlatched position, wherein the actuator includes a cable assembly having a first end coupled to the latch and a second end coupled to a handle, and wherein the center leg support includes a bottom surface formed to include a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the cable assembly.

2. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck, and

at least one pivot block coupled to the frame, the pivot block being configured to support the center leg support in the first position,

wherein the center leg support includes a bottom having a support surface and at least one guide surface cooperating with the at least one pivot block to align and hold the center leg support in the first position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one ramp surface located adjacent the support surface to facilitate movement of the center leg support onto the at least one pivot block.

4. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck,

a mattress including a head section, a seat section, and a pair of outer leg support sections configured to be located on the respective head, seat, outer leg support sections of the deck, and a center mattress section configured to be located on the center leg support, and

first and second flexible portions coupled between the seat section of the mattress and the first and second outer leg support sections of the mattress, respectively, to permit relative movement between the first and second outer leg sections of the mattress and the seat section of the mattress.

5. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck, and

first and second pivot blocks coupled to the frame, the center leg support including a bottom support surface configured to engage the pivot blocks and hold the center leg support in the first position, the center leg support further including first and second spaced apart guides located adjacent the bottom support surface, the guides being configured to position the center leg support relative to the first and second pivot blocks.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second pivot blocks each include a pin and the center leg support includes a pin-receiving receptacle configured to engage the pins when the center leg support is in the first position.

7. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween, and

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck,

wherein the first and second outer leg support sections include means for providing a calf support surface.

8. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck,

wherein the frame is formed to include a first receptacle and the deck is formed to include a second receptacle, and

a removable calf support having a mounting portion configured to be located in the first receptacle to store the removable calf support beneath the deck, the mounting portion being configured to be located in the second receptacle to support a patient'"'"'s leg above the deck.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frame has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting portion of the calf support is configured to extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the removable calf support is located in the first receptacle, the mounting portion of the removable calf support being configured to extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the removable calf support is in the second receptacle.

10. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a storage portion,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween,

a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck, and

a lighting system including a light source coupled to one of the base, the frame, and the deck spaced apart from the central opening of the deck and a light head coupled to the light source, the light head being located adjacent the central opening of the deck to permit examination of the patient located on the deck.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein lighting system includes a fiber optic connection between the light source and the light head.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the deck includes a head section, a seat section, and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections pivotably coupled to the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg sections defining between them a central opening therebetween.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located on the frame and below the deck.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a latch coupled between the deck and the frame, the latch being movable between a latched position to prevent movement of the deck relative to the frame in an unlatched position to allow longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the latch is movable to a first latched position when the deck is in a first position relative to the frame, the latch also being movable to the second latched position when the deck is moved to a second position relative to the frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an actuator coupled to the latch to move the latch between the latched and unlatched positions, the actuator being coupled to the deck adjacent a foot end portion of the deck for access by a caregiver while moving the deck toward a foot end of the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the latch includes first and second latches, each of the first and second latches being movable between a latched position to prevent movement of the deck relative to the frame and an unlatched position to allow longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame, and the actuator including a first actuator coupled to the first latch to move the first latch between the latched and unlatched positions and a second actuator coupled to second latch to move the second latch between the latched and unlatched positions, the first actuator being coupled to the first outer leg section and the second actuator being coupled to the second outer leg section.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first and second actuators must both be actuated to release the deck from the frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the latch includes a pin coupled to the deck which is configured to enter a receptacle formed in the frame.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a siderail pivotably coupled to the frame by first and second swing arms, and a cam surface coupled to the deck, the cam surface being configured to engage the first swing arm as the deck moves relative to the frame to pivot the siderail outwardly relative to the frame.

12. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including a first open channel and a second closed channel, the first and second channels being spaced apart and extending along a longitudinal axis of the frame,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being configured to support a patient, and

first and second rollers coupled to the deck, the first roller being located in the first open channel and the second roller being located in the second closed channel to permit longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame.

22. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame having a head end and a foot end,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being movable relative to the frame along a longitudinal axis of the frame toward the foot end of the frame,

a latch coupled between the deck and the frame, the latch movable between a latched position to prevent movement of the deck relative to the frame and an unlatched position to allow longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame,

an actuator coupled to the latch to move the latch between the latched and unlatched positions, the actuator being coupled to the deck adjacent a foot end portion of the deck for access by a caregiver while moving the deck toward the foot end of the frame,

wherein the frame includes a first open channel and a second closed channel, the first and second channels being spaced apart and extending along a longitudinal axis of the frame, and

first and second rollers coupled to the deck, the first roller being located in the first open channel and the second roller being located in the second closed channel to permit longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the frame has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting portion of the calf support is configured to extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the removable calf support is located in the first receptacle, the mounting portion of the removable calf support being configured to extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the removable calf support is in the second receptacle.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the calf support includes a calf support surface coupled to the mounting portion by an adjustable linkage.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the light head is positioned adjacent a foot end of the deck.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the lighting system includes a fiber optic connection between the light source and the light head.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a flexible connector coupled to the light head to hold the light head in a desired position relative to the deck.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the flexible connector is configured to be received within a receptacle formed in the frame.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the lighting system includes a power cord coupled to the light source, the power cord being configured to be coupled to a power outlet to supply power to the light source.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a clip coupled to one of the base, frame and deck, the clip being configured to hold the light head in a storage position.

23. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame having a head end and a foot end,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being movable relative to the frame along a longitudinal axis of the frame toward the foot end of the frame,

a latch coupled between the deck and the frame, the latch movable between a latched position to prevent movement of the deck relative to the frame and an unlatched position to allow longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame, and

an actuator coupled to the latch to move the latch between the latched and unlatched positions, the actuator being coupled to the deck adjacent a foot end portion of the deck for access by a caregiver while moving the deck toward the foot end of the frame,

a siderail pivotably coupled to the frame by first and second swing arms,and

a cam surface coupled to the deck, the cam surface being configured to engage the first swing arm as the deck moves relative to the frame to pivot the siderail outwardly relative to the frame.

24. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame being formed to include a first receptacle,

a deck configured to support the patient, the deck being formed to include a second receptacle, and

a removable calf support having a mounting portion configured to be located in the first receptacle to store the removable calf support beneath the deck, the mounting portion being configured to be located in the second receptacle to support a patient'"'"'s leg above the deck.

27. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck including a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section, the seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween, and

a lighting system including a light source coupled to one of the base, the frame, and the deck spaced apart from the central opening of the deck and a light head coupled to the light source, the light head being located adjacent the central opening of the deck to permit examination of the patient located on the deck.

34. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including first and second channels which are spaced apart and configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the frame,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being configured to support the patient,

first and second lifting mechanisms coupled to the base, the first lifting mechanism being pivotably coupled to the frame, and

a coupler coupled to the second lifting mechanism, the coupler including first and second rollers located in the first and second channels of the frame, respectively, to couple the second lifting mechanism to the frame, thereby permitting movement of the coupler and the second lifting mechanism relative to the frame,

wherein the coupler includes a bar coupled to a top end of the second lifting mechanism and extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, the first roller being coupled to a first end of the bar and the second roller being coupled to a second end of the bar.

35. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including first and second channels which are spaced apart and configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the frame,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being configured to support the patient,

first and second lifting mechanisms coupled to the base, the first lifting mechanism being pivotably coupled to the frame, and

a coupler coupled to the second lifting mechanism, the coupler including first and second rollers located in the first and second channels of the frame, respectively, to couple the second lifting mechanism to the frame, thereby permitting movement of the coupler and the second lifting mechanism relative to the frame,

wherein the first channel is an open channel and the second channel is a closed channel.

36. A patient support apparatus comprising:

a base,

a frame coupled to the base, the frame including first and second channels which are spaced apart and configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the frame,

a deck coupled to the frame, the deck being configured to support the patient,

first and second lifting mechanisms coupled to the base, the first lifting mechanism being pivotably coupled to the frame,

a coupler coupled to the second lifting mechanism, the coupler including first and second rollers located in the first and second channels of the frame, respectively, to couple the second lifting mechanism to the frame, thereby permitting movement of the coupler and the second lifting mechanism relative to the frame,

first and second deck rollers coupled to the deck, the first deck roller being located in the first channel and the second deck roller being located in the second channel to permit longitudinal movement of the deck relative to the frame,

a siderail pivotably coupled to the frame by first and second swing arms, and

a cam surface coupled to the deck, the cam surface being configured to engage the first swing arm as the deck moves relative to the frame to pivot the siderail outwardly relative to the frame.