INFANT PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE WITH TEMPERATURE SENSOR

• US 20160073889A1
• Filed: 09/11/2014
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Belsinger, JR., Harry Edward, Falk, Steven Mitchell, Underwood, Thomas Charles, Starr, Karen P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,052,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 15/008 in beds, play-pens or cradles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/01 Sheets specially adapted for use as or with stretchers restraining devices used in nursing A61F5/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/048 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/14 Children
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1023 Slings used manually
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1038 Manual lifting aids, e.g. frames or racks

Abstract

A patient transfer device is utilized to transport infant patients between locations within a hospital environment. The patient transfer device includes a center, support section and a pair of side sections that can be moved into contact with each other to surround the infant patient. The first and second side sections each include a handle that can be brought into close proximity to each other and can be grasped by a single hand of a clinician. The patient transfer device includes a temperature sensor positioned to provide a temperature measurement of the patient when the patient is received on the patient transfer device. The patient temperature can be displayed on either an integrated display or wirelessly transmitted to an external display device. In this manner, the temperature of the infant can be continuously monitored during transport.

Claims

1. A transfer device for supporting an infant patient during movement of the patient, comprising:

a temperature sensor adapted to monitor the patient'"'"'s temperature;

a center support section positionable beneath the patient;

a first side section connected to the center support section and including a first handle; and

a second side section connected to the center support section and including a second handle, wherein the first and second side sections are movable toward each other such that the first and second handles are located adjacent to each other and the first and second side sections surround the patient.

3. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermochromic material configured to change color based on temperature range.

4. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a display operatively connected to the sensor.

5. The transfer device of claim 4 wherein the display is configured communicate a visual alert when the patient'"'"'s temperature falls outside a predefined range.

6. The transfer device of claim 4 further comprising a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the temperature sensor.

7. The transfer device of claim 4 wherein the display is integrated into the first side section.

8. The transfer device of claim 1 further comprising, a stiffening device positioned within the center support section to provide support for the patient during movement.

9. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is positioned the center support section.

2. The transfer device of claim wherein the temperature sensor is positioned to directly engage the patient'"'"'s skin.

10. A transfer device for supporting an infant patient during movement of the patient, comprising:

a temperature sensor adapted to monitor the patient'"'"'s temperature;

a center support section positionable beneath the patient;

a stiffening device positioned within the center support section to provide support for the patient during movement;

a first side section connected to the center support section;

a second side section connected to the center section, wherein the first and second side sections are sized to surround the patient when the first and second side sections are folded toward each other when the patient is on the center section;

a display integrated into the transfer device, wherein the display is in communication with the temperature sensor to display the patient'"'"'s temperature.

11. The transfer device of claim 10 wherein the temperature sensor is positioned within the center support section and configured to directly engage the patient'"'"'s skin.

12. The transfer device of claim 10 wherein the display is configured to communicate a visual alert when the patient'"'"'s temperature falls outside of a predefined range.

13. The transfer device of claim 10 farther comprising a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the temperature sensor.

14. The transfer device of claim 10 wherein the display is integrated into one of the first and second side sections.

15. A method of transporting an infant patient, comprising:

positioning a transfer device beneath the patient, the transfer device including a center support section and first and second side sections joined to the center section, wherein the infant is positioned on the center support section;

sensing the temperature of the patient when the infant is positioned on the center support section;

displaying the sensed temperature;

lifting both the first and second side sections to surround the infant patient;

grasping a first handle formed in the first side section and a second handle formed in the second side section; and

lifting the transfer device and the infant patient.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second side sections are positioned in close proximity such that the first and second handle can be grasped by one hand.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising, the step of wirelessly transmitting the sensed temperature from the patient transfer device to a remote monitor.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensed temperature is displayed on a display integrated into one of the first and second side sections.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensed temperature is displayed on a display integrated into the transfer device.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the temperature is sensed by a contact temperature sensor positioned in the center support section.