Pulmonary therapy apparatus

• US 6,817,363 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Cerimele, Michael E., Leblanc, Tatiana, Chance, Richard W., Acton, Troy D., Markwick, Barry P., Branson, Gregory W., Riley, Carl W., Koloski, Peter A., Kramer, Kenneth L., Biondo, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US09/906,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20020104535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 128/845, 128/869, 128/870, 128/871, 128/875, 128/876, 5 8/11, 543/0, 560/0, 560/8, 561/2, 561/3
• US Class Current: 128/845
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/325 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/001 with means for turning-over the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• 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 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0513 covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1015 Cables, chains or cords
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1032 Endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1046 Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1055 Suspended platforms, frames or sheets for patient in lying position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/16 converting a lying surface into a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/003 Rocking or oscillating around a horizontal axis transversal to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/003 with alternated thorax decompression due to lateral compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0456 Supine
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/008 Supine patient supports or bases, e.g. improving air-way access to the lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 : Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment

Abstract

A pulmonary therapy apparatus including a proning device for turning a patient, a chest binding and compression device, or an oscillatory motion patient support.

Claims

1. A longitudinal rotation therapy method comprising the steps of:

supporting a patient on a patient support surface including a back section, a seat section, and a leg section, said patient support surface further including a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

positioning said back section upwardly relative to said seat section wherein the chest of a patient is located above the thighs of the patient;

positioning said leg section downwardly relative to said seat section wherein the feet of the patient are located below the thighs of the patient;

rotating said patient support surface about said transverse axis in a first direction;

stopping rotation of said patient support surface upon reaching a first limit;

rotating said patient support surface about said transverse axis in a second direction opposite said first direction;

stopping rotation of said patient support surface upon reaching a second limit; and

repeating said rotating and stopping steps thereby providing oscillating rotational movement to said patient support surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said positioning steps comprise the steps of placing the patient in a weightless neutral body position.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing a head section coupled to said back section, wherein said weightless neutral body position is defined when said head section is angled relative to said back section by an angle substantially equal to 25 degrees, said back section is angled relative to said seat section by an angle substantially equal to 128 degrees, and said seat section is angled relative to said leg section by an angle substantially equal to 133 degrees.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said first limit is defined when said patient support surface is in a Trendelenburg position.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second limit is defined when said patient support surface is in a chair egress position.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing first and second body retention and locating bladders, said first bladder supported by said back section and said second bladder supported by said seat section.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a head end of said patient support surface when said patient support surface is in a Trendelenburg position.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said second bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a foot end of said patient support surface when said patient support surface is in at least one of a chair position and a reverse Trendelenburg position.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said back section is positioned lower when said patient support surface reaches said first limit than when said patent support surface reaches said second limit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said leg section is positioned lower when said patient support surface reaches said second limit than when said patent support surface reaches said first limit.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said back section is angled relative to said seat section by an angle substantially equal to 128 degrees, and said seat section is angled relative to said leg section by an angle substantially equal to 133 degrees.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of providing a head section coupled to said back section, and positioning said head section relative to said back section by an angle substantially equal to 25 degrees.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a chest binding apparel apparatus adjacent the chest of the patient, and controlling said chest binding apparel apparatus to provide pressure against the chest of the patient.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said chest binding apparatus includes a plurality of air bladders.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said controlling step includes the step of supplying air to said plurality of air bladders.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said controlling step further includes the step of supplying air to said plurality of air bladders in response to the operation of a ventilator supplying air to the lungs of the patient.

17. A rotational therapy method comprising the steps of:

supporting a patient on a patient support surface including a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said patient including a head, a back, thighs, legs, an anterior side and a posterior side, said posterior side facing said patient support surface, said back angularly positioned in an anterior direction relative to said thighs by approximately 128 degrees, and said thighs angularly positioned in a posterior direction relative to said legs by approximately 133 degrees;

rotating said patient support surface about at least one of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis in a first direction;

stopping rotation of said patient support surface upon reaching a first limit;

rotating said patient support surface about at least one of said longitudinal axis and said transverse axis in a second direction opposite said first direction;

stopping rotation of said patient support surface upon reaching a second limit; and

repeating said rotating and stopping steps thereby providing oscillating rotational movement to said patient support surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said rotating steps comprise rotating said patient support surface about said transverse axis.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said rotating steps comprise rotating said patient support surface about said longitudinal axis.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said head is angularly positioned in an anterior direction relative to said back by approximately 25 degrees.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said back section is positioned below a center position when said patient support surface reaches said first limit.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said first limit is defined when said patient support surface is in a Trendelenburg position.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said leg section is positioned below a center position when said patient support surface reaches said second limit.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said second limit is defined when said patient support surface is in a chair egress position.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of providing first and second body retention and locating bladders, said first bladder supported by said back section and said second bladder supported by said seat section.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said first bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a head end of said patient support surface when said patient support surface is in a Trendelenburg position.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said second bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a foot end of said patient support surface when said patient support surface is in at least one of a chair position and a reverse Trendelenburg position.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of providing a chest binding apparel apparatus adjacent the chest of the patient, and controlling said chest binding apparel apparatus to provide pressure against the chest of the patient.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said chest binding apparatus includes a plurality of air bladders.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said controlling step includes the step of supplying air to said plurality of air bladders.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said controlling step further includes the step of supplying air to said plurality of air bladders in response to the operation of a ventilator supplying air to the lungs of the patient.

32. A longitudinal rotation platform apparatus comprising:

a base;

a patient support surface supported by said base and including a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said patient support surface further including a back section, a seat section configured to be angularly positioned upwardly relative to said back section by approximately 128 degrees, and a leg section configured to be angularly positioned downwardly relative to said seat section by approximately 133 degrees; and

a drive mechanism coupled to said patient support surface and configured to rotate said patient support surface about said transverse axis in oscillating movement.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a control device coupled to said drive mechanism and configured to cause said drive mechanism to rotate said patient support surface in oscillating movement.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising castors coupled to said base.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said back section is pivotably coupled to said seat section, and said seat section is pivotably coupled to said leg section.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a head section configured to be angularly positioned upward relative to back section by approximately 25 degrees.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising first and second body retention and locating bladders, said first bladder supported by said back section and said second bladder supported by said seat section.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said first bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a head end of said patient support surface, and said second bladder is configured to prevent movement of the patient toward a foot end of said patient support surface.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a chest binding apparatus configured to provide pressure against the chest of the patient supported on said patient support surface.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said chest binding apparatus includes a plurality of air bladders coupled to an air supply.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a ventilator configured to supply air to the lungs of the patient, said air supply configured to supply air to said air bladders of said chest binding apparatus in response to operation of said ventilator.

42. A longitudinal rotation platform apparatus comprising:

a base;

a patient support surface supported by said base and including a head end, a foot end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said patient support surface further including a back section, a seat section coupled to said back section, and a leg section coupled to said seat section;

a drive mechanism coupled to said patient support surface and configured to rotate said patient support surface about said transverse axis in oscillating movement;

a first body retention and locating bladder supported by said back section and configured to prevent movement of the patient toward said head end; and

a second body retention and locating bladder supported by said seat section and configured to prevent movement of the patient toward said foot end.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said back section, said seat section, and said leg section are positioned to support the patient in a weightless neutral body position.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said seat section is angularly positioned upwardly relative to said back section by approximately 128 degrees, and said leg section is angularly positioned downwardly relative to said seat section by approximately 133 degrees.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a control device coupled to said drive mechanism and configured to cause said drive mechanism to rotate said patient support surface in oscillating movement.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising castors coupled to said base.

47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said back section is pivotably coupled to said seat section, and said seat section is pivotably coupled to said leg section.

48. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a head section configured to be angularly positioned upwardly relative to back section by approximately 25 degrees.

49. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a chest binding apparatus configured to provide pressure against the chest of the patient supported on said patient support surface.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said chest binding apparatus includes a plurality of air bladders coupled to an air supply.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising a ventilator configured to supply air to the lungs of the patient, said air supply configured to supply air to said air bladders of said chest binding apparatus in response to operation of said ventilator.