SYSTEMS FOR PATIENT SUPPORT SURFACE ORIENTATION AND DISPLACEMENT

• US 20160058639A1
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Umano Medical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Umano Medical Inc.
• Inventors: Lemire, Guy, Mercier, Gabriel, Lacasse, Sylvain, Bolduc, Steve, Laflamme, Jimmy, Beaudet, Jean-Philippe, Berthelot, Esther
• Granted Patent: US 10,426,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/04 with adjustable inclination A47C20/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/10 using rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/02 Adjustable operating tables; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/04 tiltable around transverse or longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/08 the table being divided into different adjustable sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/16 bariatric, e.g. heavy or obese
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• 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 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms

Abstract

There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Claims

1. A backrest pivoting system for a bed, the bed having a backrest and a frame for supporting the backrest, the backrest pivoting system comprising:

an actuator having a first actuator end connected to the frame and a second actuator end pivotably connected to the backrest via a pivot defining a first pivot axis for selectively moving the pivot towards and away from the first actuator end when the actuator is actuated;

at least one guide rail secured to the frame;

at least one guide member operatively connected to the backrest, the at least one guide member engaging the at least one guide rail for guiding the backrest along a predetermined path during actuation of the actuator;

at least one pivoting link having a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end pivotably connected to the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the frame about the at least one guide member during movement of the pivot towards and away from the first actuator end, the at least one guide member defining a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis.

2. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one guide rail is angled relative to the frame to guide the backrest upwardly and away from the first end of the actuator when the backrest is pivoted away from the frame.

3. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising spaced-apart first and second lever members and a transversal member extending between the first and second lever members.

4. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each lever member each lever member comprises a first linear portion and a second linear portion angled relative to the first linear portion.

5. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pivot comprises a pivot bracket depending from the transversal member and a pivot pin extending through the pivot bracket and the second end of the actuator.

6. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each one of the at least one pivot member comprises a roller member adapted for rotating about the second pivot axis.

7. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an orientation sensor operatively connected to the backrest for monitoring the orientation of the backrest relative to the frame.

8. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation sensor comprises a potentiometer, a first sensor arm pivotably connected to one of the at least one guide arm and a second sensor arm pivotably connected to the first sensor arm and to the potentiometer.

9. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resilient member connected in series with the actuator between the frame and the actuator.

10. A backrest pivoting system for a bed, the bed having a frame and a backrest pivotably connected to the frame, the backrest pivoting system comprising:

an actuator having a first actuator portion connected to the frame and a second actuator portion connected to the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the frame, the actuator further having a transmission adapted for operatively coupling the second actuator portion to the first actuator portion;

a release operatively connected to the transmission, the release being movable between a locked position in which the first actuator portion is coupled to the second actuator portion and an unlocked position in which the second actuator portion is decoupled from the first actuator portion to allow free pivoting of the backrest towards the frame;

a resilient member connected in series with the actuator between the frame and the actuator, the resilient member being compressible when the release is moved from the unlocked position into the locked position as the backrest pivots towards the frame.

11. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a damper connected in parallel to the actuator, the damper being configured to provide damping during the pivoting of the backrest towards the frame.

12. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

13. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the resilient member comprises a helical spring.

14. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a housing secured to the frame for housing the resilient member.

15. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first actuator portion is pivotably connected to the housing.

16. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising an actuator pivot pin extending transversely through the housing and the first actuator portion, the housing comprising at least one opening for receiving the actuator pivot pin.

17. The backrest pivoting system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one opening is elongated to allow the actuator pivot pin to move relative to the housing when the resilient member is compressed.

18. An extendable support assembly for a bed comprising:

a frame;

a core support panel supported by the frame;

a lower body support panel supported by the frame, the lower body surface being located adjacent the core support panel, the lower body support panel being translatable along the frame away from the core support panel to form an opening between the lower body support panel and the core support panel.

19. The extendable support assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an extension member having a first end pivotably connected to the core support panel and a second end telescopically engaging the lower body support panel.

20. A support panel pivoting system for a bed, said bed having a frame, a backrest pivotably connected to the frame and a lower body support panel pivotably connected to the frame, the support panel pivoting system comprising:

a backrest actuator having a first actuator portion connected to the frame and a second actuator portion connected to the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the frame, the backrest actuator further having a transmission adapted for operatively coupling the second actuator portion to the first actuator portion;

a release operatively connected to said transmission, the release being movable between a locked position in which the first actuator portion is coupled to the second actuator portion and an unlocked position in which the second actuator portion is decoupled from the first actuator portion to allow free pivoting of the backrest towards the frame;

a sensor for determining that the release is in the unlocked position;

a lower body actuator operatively connecting the lower body support panel to the frame for pivoting the lower body support panel relative to the frame, the lower body actuator being further operatively connected to the sensor for pivoting the backrest towards the frame when the release is in the unlocked position and that the backrest is pivoted downwardly.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sensor is operatively connected to the backrest.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sensor comprises an orientation sensor for determining an orientation of the backrest.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a control unit operatively connected to the orientation sensor for determining a pivoting speed of the backrest based on the orientation of the backrest.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the control unit is further configured for determining that the release is in the unlocked position when the pivoting speed of the backrest is above a threshold speed value.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the threshold speed value is 8 degrees per second.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control unit is further configured for determining that the backrest is being pivoted downwardly towards the frame.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the control unit is further operatively connected to the lower body actuator for actuating the lower body actuator upon a determination that the pivoting speed of the backrest is above the threshold speed value and that the backrest is being pivoted towards the frame.

28. A method for placing a bed in a vascular position, the bed having a patient support assembly mounted onto a frame having a head end and a foot end, the patient support assembly including a backrest located near the head end, a lower body surface located near the foot end and a core body surface located between the backrest and the lower body surface, the core body surface being pivotably interconnected to the lower body surface, the method comprising:

receiving a command to place the bed in the vascular position;

pivoting the core support panel at a thigh angle above the frame;

pivoting the lower body support panel at a lower body angle above the frame;

pivoting the backrest at a back angle above the frame;

tilting the frame at a tilt angle relative to the horizontal such that the head end of the frame is located below the horizontal, said pivot angle being within a predetermined range of said foot angle, thereby placing the bed in the vascular position.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein pivoting the core support panel comprises raising a rear end of the core support panel located towards the lower body support panel.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein raising the rear end of the core support panel further comprises raising a front end of the lower body panel located towards the core support panel, the rear end of the core support panel being hingeably connected to the front end of the lower body panel via a hinge connection.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein raising the rear end of the core support panel and raising the front end of the lower body panel comprising actuating a lower body actuator having a first end pivotably connected to the frame and a second end pivotably connected to the hinge connection.

32. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the tilting of the frame is performed after the raising of the core body support panel and the raising of the backrest.

33. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the raising of the core body support panel, the raising of the backrest and the tilting of the frame are performed simultaneously.

34. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the core angle is 30 degrees, the lower body angle is 13 degrees, the back angle is 13 degrees and the tilt angle is 13 degrees.