Patient care system

• US 5,802,640 A
• Filed: 12/03/1993
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Dean T., Roe, Steven N., Alvord, Lincoln J., Loh, William, Ferrand, Robert J., O'Connor, Richard W., Smith, Stephen D., Grass, Wesley E., Gilmartin, William A., Neder, Charles W., Fish, William R., Thomas, Marc M., Oakley, Celia, Looper, John E., Salzedo, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/162,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 5/607, 5/608, 5/610, 5/611, 5/614, 5/613, 5/617, 251/205, 251/218
• US Class Current: 5/617
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/74 for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0506 Head or foot boards head or foot boards for comfort or ergonomics A47C19/022
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 sliding or pivoting downwards
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0514 mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0516 with height adjustability
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/052 characterised by safety means, e.g. to avoid injuries to patient or caregiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0527 Weighing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers

Abstract

A bed comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. An alternative pneumatic system includes fans distributed on the platform in association with sets of mattress cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate. A headboard has a removable central panel for providing emergency patient access. Additionally, each corner of the headboard has a telescoping equipment support post positionable at a variety of heights and having equipment supports that automatically drop into place upon removal from storage in the headboard. A three-point weight sensing system tracks patient weight and generates pre-exit and exit alarms based on sensed movement of the patient on the mattress. A portable control unit wraps around a guard rail to provide both patient and nurse controls, and uses a unitary membrane to cover exposed faces of the controls and resiliently wrap around the guard rail. Selectively engagable guide or fifth wheels are mounted to the base frame to provide direction stability during bed movement. The platform is articulable to allow a patient to enter or exit the bed in a standing position. An adjustable stand up board is selectively positionable at the foot of the bed to take the patient'"'"'s weight during this process. A vertically telescoping guard rail elevation system provides energy storage to resist lowering and assist raising the guard rail. A brace is provided for seating the platform on the weigh frame when the bed is in a low position and to assist in movement of the bed longitudinally when in the low position. An expanding joint between panels allows the panels to separate with increasing angle between the panels. A hydraulic valve produces linear changes in fluid flow with linear changes in a valve plunger.

Claims

1. A bed comprising:

a frame supported on a floor;

a platform configured to support a person;

means for supporting said platform on said frame, including first and second hydraulic ram means, each ram means having opposite ends attached to said frame and said platform, respectively, with the respective ends of said first and second ram means attached to said frame being spaced apart, said first and second ram means being operable for lowering said platform toward a lowered position adjacent to said frame; and

means for transferring weight from said platform directly to said frame when said platform is in a lowered position.

2. A bed according to claim 1 wherein said transferring means transfers weight from said platform to said frame for a range of positions of said platform along said.

3. A bed according to claim 2 wherein said first and second ram means are operable for moving said platform relative to said frame along said range of positions.

4. A bed according to claim 3 wherein said transferring means includes a rail mounted to one of said platform and frame and a weight-transferring member mounted to the other of said platform and frame, with said rail moving relative to said weight-transferring member during movement of said platform relative to said frame along said range of positions.

5. A bed according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of support wheels for supporting said frame on the floor;

a guide wheel;

means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said wheel contacting the floor on which said frame is supported; and

means for coupling said guide wheel to said mounting means for resiliently urging said wheel sufficiently toward the floor for maintaining said wheel in contact with the floor while said other wheels support said frame on the floor.

6. A bed according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of support wheels for supporting said frame on the floor;

a guide wheel; and

means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said guide wheel contacting a floor on which said frame is supported, including means for retracting said guide wheel from a guide position in contact with the floor to a retracted position above the floor.

7. A bed comprising:

a base frame supportable relative to a floor;

a platform supported by said base frame and configured to support a person, and

including first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support

surfaces and adjacent edges;

means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing

the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels;

a swing arm for supporting said platform above said frame;

means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;

a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame

and said allowing means;

second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform

spaced from said allowing means, and having upper ends spaced from said

allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said platform; and

means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about three transverse axes.

8. A bed according to claim 7 wherein each of said panels has an edge opposite from the respective adjacent edge, and said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of one of said first and second panels and said second and third arms are both coupled to said opposite edge of said one panel.

9. A bed comprising:

means for defining an upwardly facing support surface, including first and second panels

having respective adjacent edges;

means for rotating said first panel relative to said second panel about an axis of rotation

spaced from said first panel;

a base frame supportable relative to a floor;

a swing arm for supporting said defining means above said frame;

means for allowing pivoting of said defining means relative to said swing arm;

a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame

and said allowing means;

second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said defining

means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally

attached relative to said defining means; and

means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for

pivoting said defining means about three transverse axes.

10. A bed according to claim 9 wherein each of said panels has an edge opposite from the respective adjacent edge, and said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of one of said first and second panels and said second and third arms are both coupled to said opposite edge of said one panel.

11. A bed comprising:

a platform configured to support a person, and including first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;

a first support member extending from said first panel and having a distal portion spaced from said first panel;

a second support member extending from said second panel and having a distal portion spaced from said second panel;

adjustable-length rod means pivotably connected to said respective distal portions for varying the distance between said respective distal portions;

a base member carried on said rod means;

a first arm having a first end pivotably connected to said first panel and a second end pivotably connected to said base member;

a second arm having a first end pivotably connected to said second panel and a second end pivotably connected to said base member; and

means for coupling said first arm to said second arm for providing corresponding movement of said first and second arms relative to said base member.

12. A bed according to claim 11 wherein said coupling means comprises a link interconnecting said first and second arms.

13. A bed according to claim 11 wherein said coupling means comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to said first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to said second arm, said first and second pinions having meshing teeth.

14. A hydraulic valve for controlling fluid flow between two chambers comprising:

a housing for defining a cylindrical channel for conducting fluid along a channel axis between the two chambers, including a protrusion extending into one of the chambers and in which said channel exists, said protrusion having an open end and a restricted slit adjacent to said open end, said slit extending through said channel wall with a uniform width along said channel axis for conducting fluid between the one chamber and said channel;

a plunger disposed in said channel and having an enlarged end for closing said open end, and a reduced-diameter shaft extending from said enlarged end in said channel for allowing fluid to flow in said channel between said shaft and said channel wall, said plunger being movable along said channel axis for varying the size of said slit through which fluid flows, said enlarged end sealing said open end of said channel during movement of said plunger; and

means for moving linearly said plunger along said channel axis, whereby the size of said slit through which fluid flows varies linearly as said plunger is moved linearly along said channel axis.

15. A bed comprising:

a platform configured to support a person;

a base frame supported on a floor for supporting said platform; and

means for moving hydraulically at least a portion of said platform relative to said frame;

said moving means comprising a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic fluid, and a valve for regulating the flow of fluid relative to said cylinder;

said valve comprising;

means for defining a channel having an opening extending along an axis for conducting fluid;

means movable along said axis relative to said defining means for varying the proportion of said opening through which fluid flows; and

means for moving said varying means relative to said defining means with the size of said opening through which fluid flows varying linearly with movement of said varying means.

16. A bed according to claim 15 wherein said valve opening has a uniform width along said axis.

17. A bed according to claim 15 wherein said defining means includes a port separate from said opening in fluid communication with said channel, and said varying means is movable relative to said port and extends sealingly into said port when said opening is at least partially restricted.

18. A bed according to claim 17 wherein said varying means includes a gate member extendable from a closed position closing said opening and said port to an open position beyond said port in which said opening and at least a portion of said port are unrestricted.

19. A bed according to claim 15 further comprising:

a swing arm for supporting said platform above said frame;

means for allowing pivoting between said platform and said swing arm;

a first adjustable-length arm including one of said hydraulic cylinders, opposing said swing arm, and extending between said frame and said allowing means;

second and third adjustable-length arms, each including one of said hydraulic cylinders, and extending between said frame and said platform, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said platform;

said moving means being controllable for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about three transverse axes.

20. A bed according to claim 15 wherein said platform includes first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;

said bed further comprising means coupled to said moving means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.

21. A bed comprising:

a platform configured to support a person;

a base supported on a floor for supporting said platform; and

means for moving hydraulically at least a portion of said platform relative to said base;

said moving means comprising a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic fluid, and a valve for regulating said flow of fluid relative to said cylinder;

said valve comprising;

means for defining two fluid chambers;

a housing having a wall defining a cylindrical channel for conducting fluid along a channel axis between said two chambers, including a protrusion extending into one of said chambers and in which said channel exists, said protrusion having an open end and a restricted slit adjacent to said open end, said slit extending through said channel wall with a uniform width along said channel axis for conducting fluid between said one chamber and said channel;

a plunger disposed in said channel and having an enlarged end for closing said open end, and a reduced-diameter shaft extending from said enlarged end in said channel for allowing fluid to flow in said channel between said shaft and said channel wall, said enlarged end being movable along said channel axis for varying said size of said slit through which fluid flows, said enlarged end sealing said open end of said channel during movement along said slit; and

means for moving linearly said plunger along said channel axis, whereby said proportion of said slit through which fluid flows varies linearly as said plunger is moved linearly along said channel axis.

22. A bed according to claim 21 wherein said plunger further comprises a flange attached to said shaft opposite from said open end for sealing said passageway relative to said channel, said fluid applying offsetting forces to said flange and to said enlarged end.

23. A bed according to claim 22 wherein said moving means further includes an unpressurized reservoir of hydraulic fluid and said one chamber is in direct fluid communication with said reservoir, said enlarged end thereby receiving reduced fluid pressure.

24. A bed comprising:

a base frame supportable relative to a floor;

a platform configured to support a person;

a fixed-length swing arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and an upper end coupled to said platform for supporting said platform above said frame;

means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;

a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame and said allowing means;

second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotably attached relative to said platform; and

means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about said three transverse axes.

25. A bed according to claim 24 wherein said second and third arms have lower ends attached pivotably to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said lower end of said swing arm.

26. A bed according to claim 24 wherein said first arm has a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and spaced from said lower end of said swing arm, and an upper arm pivotably attached to said swing arm.

27. A bed according to claim 26 wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said upper end of said swing arm.

28. A bed according to claim 27 wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached closer to said upper end of said swing arm than said lower ends of said second and third arms are attached to said swing arm.

29. A bed according to claim 28 wherein said platform comprises a plurality of relatively articulatable panels and said upper ends of said second and third arms and said allowing means are attached to a first one of said panels.

30. A bed according to claim 29 wherein said first panel and a second one of said panels have respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;

said bed further comprising means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.

31. A bed according to claim 30 wherein said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of said first panel.

32. A bed comprising:

a base frame supportable relative to a floor;

a platform for supporting a person;

a swing arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and an upper end coupled to said platform for supporting said platform above said frame;

a first length-adjustable arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and spaced from said lower end of said swing arm, and an upper arm pivotably attached to said swing arm;

means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;

second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform spaced from said allowing means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotably attached relative to said platform; and

means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform means about three transverse axes.

33. A bed according to claim 32 wherein said second and third arms have lower ends attached pivotably to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said lower end of said swing arm.

34. A bed according to claim 32 wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said upper end of said swing arm.

35. A bed according to claim 34 wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached closer to said upper end of said swing arm than said lower ends of said second and third arms are attached to said swing arm.

36. A bed according to claim 35 wherein said platform means comprises a plurality of relatively articulatable panels and said upper ends of said second and third arms and said allowing means are attached to a first one of said panels.

37. A bed according to claim 36 wherein said first panel and a second one of said panels have respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;

said bed further comprising means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.

38. A bed according to claim 37 wherein said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of said first panel.

39. A bed comprising:

a platform for supporting a person, which platform includes first and second panels extending along respective planes and respectively upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;

a base positioned below said panels;

a first arm coupled pivotably at a first position on said first arm to said first panel and pivotably at a second position on said first arm to said base;

a second arm coupled pivotably at a first position on said second arm to said second panel and pivotably at a second position on said second arm to said base;

means for changing the distance between said first positions of said first and second arms when said base is moved relative to said panels; and

means for moving said base relative to said panels.

40. A bed according to claim 39 wherein said first and second arms are pivotably mounted to a base member, and said changing means controls the relative movement of said first and second arms.

41. A bed according to claim 40 wherein said changing means comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to said first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to said second arm, said first and second pinions having meshing teeth.

42. A bed according to claim 40 wherein said changing means comprises a link pivotably attached at opposite ends to said first and second arms.

43. A bed according to claim 39 wherein said moving means includes a first support extending below said first panel, a second support extending below said second panel with each support having a distal portion spaced from said respective panel, and means for varying the distance between said respective distal portions of said supports.

44. A bed according to claim 43 wherein said varying means comprises a rod extending said first and second supports and means for changing the length of said rod.

45. A bed according to claim 44 wherein said base is slidingly coupled to said rod, whereby said base approaches said panels when the distance between said supports increases, thereby concurrently increasing the angle between said panels and the separation between said panel edges.

46. A bed according to claim 39 wherein said moving means further changes the angle between said panels with movement of said base relative to said panels.

47. A bed comprising:

a platform for supporting a person, which platform includes first and second panels having respectively upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges,

whereby an angle between the upwardly facing support surfaces of the first and second panels is formed;

a first support extending below said first panel;

a second support extending below said second panel, with each of said supports having a distal portion spaced from said respective panel;

first means for changing the distance between said distal portions of said first and second supports; and

second means mounted relative to said changing means for changing the distance between said adjacent edges in relation to a change in the distance between said distal portion of said first and second supports, thereby changing concurrently the angle between said panels and the distance between said adjacent edges.

48. A bed according to claim 47 wherein said first means changes the distance between said distal portions by an amount unequal to a corresponding change between said distal portions, whereby the angle between said panels changes as the distance between said panel edges changes.

49. A bed according to claim 48 wherein said first means comprises a rod extending between said distal portions of said first and second supports and third means for changing the length of said rod extending between said distal portions.

50. A bed according to claim 49 wherein said second means comprises:

a base mounted slidingly on said rod;

a first arm coupled pivotably at a first position on said first arm to said first panel and pivotably at a second position on said first arm, spaced from said first position on said first arm, to said base; and

a second arm coupled pivotably at a first position on said second arm to said second panel and pivotably at a second position on said second arm, spaced from said first position on said second arm, to said base.

51. A bed according to claim 50 further comprising means coupling said first and second arms for pivoting said first and second arms relative to said base when said base is moved relative to said panels.

52. A bed according to claim 50 wherein said coupling means comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to said first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to said second arm, said first and second pinions having meshing teeth.

53. A bed according to claim 51 wherein said coupling means comprises a link pivotably attached at opposite ends to said first and second arms.