Bed drying device, UV lights for bedsores

• US 9,308,393 B1
• Filed: 01/15/2015
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DRI-EM, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DRI-EM, Inc.
• Inventors: Olvera, Guadalupe
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lipitz, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US14/598,071
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 607/88, 607/89
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/00 Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/057 Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05784 with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0633 Arrangements for lifting or hinging the frame which supports the light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0638 with a specially adapted support surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

A device and method for preventing and treating bedsores on a lying patient. The device uses both a fan and a UV light source. The fan dries the skin while the UV light source aids in drying the patient as well as killing harmful pathogens. The device is adjustable so the air and UV light can be directed at various angles and from different heights, to a patient in different positions, prone, supine, and laying on side.

Claims

1. An apparatus for drying and killing harmful bacteria for bed-ridden patients comprising:

a base member that telescopes from a fully contracted length to a fully extended length, the fully contracted length being less than half of a bed width and the fully extended length being at least the bed width;

a plurality of wheels coupled to the base member;

a mast having a first end coupled to the base member, the mast extending transverse to the base member, and the mast being telescopable to a plurality of lengths;

an arm having a first end coupled to a second end of the mast, the arm extending transverse to the mast and the arm telescoping to a plurality of lengths, the arm including a pivot point, and the pivot point being located between the first end of the arm and a second end of the arm;

a treatment head rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm, the treatment head including an ultraviolet light source and a forced air source; and

wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the treatment head via a joint, the joint allowing for rotation from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member is substantially planar.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm telescopes from a fully contracted length to a fully extended length, the fully contracted length being less than half of the bed width and the fully extended length being at least the bed width.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a conjunction between the treatment head and the second end of the arm comprises a ball joint with a 360 degree rotation radius relative to a plane of the base member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a conjunction between the treatment head and the second end of the arm comprises a ball joint with a 360 degree rotation radius around the arm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member and the arm are telescopable to substantially a same length.

7. An apparatus for drying a patient in a bed comprising:

a base member that telescopes to a plurality of lengths;

a plurality of wheels coupled to the base member;

a mast having a first end coupled to the base member, the mast extending transverse to the base member, and the mast being telescopable to a plurality of lengths;

an arm having a first end coupled to a second end of the mast, the arm extending transverse to the mast, the arm telescoping to a plurality of lengths, the arm including a pivot point located between the first end of the arm and a second end of the arm;

a treatment head, a center portion of the treatment head rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm such that a portion of the treatment head extends over the arm and a portion of the treatment head extends past the second end of the arm, the treatment head including an ultraviolet light source and a forced air source; and

wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the treatment head via a joint, the joint allowing for rotation from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pivot point comprises a ball joint with a rotation radius allowing a portion of the arm to rotate in any direction.

9. A method, comprising:

drying a person with a device, the device comprising a base member that telescopes from a fully contracted length to a fully extended length, the fully contracted length being less than half of a bed width and the fully extended length being at least the bed width, the device further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to the base member and a mast having a first end coupled to the base member, the mast extending transverse to the base member, and the mast being telescopable to a plurality of lengths, the device further comprising an arm having a first end coupled to a second end of the mast, the arm extending transverse to the mast and the arm telescoping to a plurality of lengths, the arm including a pivot point, and the pivot point being located between the first end of the arm and a second end of the arm, and a treatment head rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm, the treatment head including an ultraviolet light source and a forced air source, and wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the treatment head via a joint, the joint allowing for rotation from a horizontal position to a vertical position.