U.S. patent application number 12/001675 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for height adjustable patient support platforms.
This patent application is currently assigned to Valence Broadband, Inc.. Invention is credited to Douglas E. Parsell, Mark E. Rodgers.
Application Number | 20090044332 12/001675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40361797 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090044332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parsell; Douglas E. ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
Height adjustable patient support platforms
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for height
adjusting patient support platforms, such as, for example, of a bed
(e.g., the mattress support platform of a standard hospital bed
with side rails), gurney, couch, chair, or recliner, to which a
patient may be confined. The systems and methods are designed to
lower the height of a patient support platform at least closer (and
essentially all the way) to floor level in a relatively quick and
controlled manner to reduce fall distances. Lowering the height of
a patient support platform corresponding reduces the likelihood and
significance of patient injuries resulting from falls when a
patient attempts to exit the patient support platform.
Inventors: |
Parsell; Douglas E.;
(Ridgeland, MS) ; Rodgers; Mark E.; (Jackson,
MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Workman Nydegger;1000 Eagle Gate Tower
60 East South Temple
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
Valence Broadband, Inc.
Ridgeland
MS
|
Family ID: |
40361797 |
Appl. No.: |
12/001675 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60964415 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
60987137 |
Nov 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1115 20130101;
A61G 7/012 20130101; A61G 7/0533 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/11 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A bed, comprising: a support platform; a plurality of platform
lifts, each platform lift including: a lift component configured to
raise and lower in response to an appropriate signal; a channel
permitting external components attached to the lift component to
raise and lower with the lift component; a corresponding plurality
of connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each
connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection
plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a
lift component of a corresponding platform lift; and a conduit
connected to each of the platform lifts, the conduit for
transferring a substance at each platform lift used to regulate the
height of each of the plurality of lift components
respectively.
2. The bed as recited in claim 1, each platform lift further
comprising: a spring configured to lower the rate of deceleration
of the corresponding lift component when the lift component is
rapidly lowered to essentially floor level.
3. The bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an emergency
stopping mechanism to stop lowering of the support platform; and
one or more sensors, each sensor configured to: sense objects
beneath the support platform that would collide with the support
platform during descent; and and signal the emergency stopping
mechanism to stop lowering the platform in response to detecting an
object that would collide with the support platform.
4. The bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a mechanical
latch that locks the support platform at a current height.
5. The bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a mattress
that rests on top of the support platform.
6. The bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a pivoting
lift arm attached to the support platform, the pivoting lift arm
pivotable to extend past the edges of the support platform; and a
flexible lift cradle coupled to the pivoting lift arm, the flexible
lift cradle configured to secure a patient for transferring the
patient to and from the support platform.
7. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each platform lift
comprises a pneumatic lift component configured raise and lower,
including rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response
to compressed air being evacuated from the pneumatic lift
component.
8. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each platform lift
comprises a hydraulic lift component configured raise and lower,
including rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response
to fluid being evacuated from the hydraulic lift component.
9. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each platform lift
comprises a mechanical lift component configured raise and lower,
including rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response
to an electrical signal.
10. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each platform lift
comprises a lift component configured raise and lower, including
rapidly lowering the support platform to between zero and three
inches above floor level in two seconds or less.
11. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a
conduit for receiving compressed air at each platform lift used to
regulate the height of each of the plurality of lift components
respectively.
12. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a
conduit for receiving fluid at each platform lift used to regulate
the height each of the plurality of lift components
respectively.
13. The bed as recited in claim 11 or 12, further comprising: an
pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the conduit.
14. The bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a compressed
air source coupled to the conduit for supplying compressed air to
the lift components; and a release valve coupled to the conduit for
releasing compressed air from the lift components.
15. The bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each lift component is
configured to rapidly lower to essentially floor level in response
to a signal indicating a potential bed exiting event.
16. A system for responding to a bed exiting event, the system
comprising a bed, comprising: a support platform; a plurality of
platform lifts, each platform lift including: a pneumatic lift
component configured to raise and lower in response to changes in
compressed air supplied to the pneumatic lift, including rapidly
lowering to essentially floor level in response to a signal
indicating a potential bed exiting event; a spring configured to
lower the rate of deceleration of the corresponding lift component
when the lift component is rapidly lowered to essentially floor
level; and a channel permitting external components attached to the
lift component to raise and lower with the lift component; a
corresponding plurality of connecting brackets affixed to the
support platform, each connecting bracket including a connection
plate, each connection plate extending into a channel of a platform
lift and attached to a pneumatic lift component of a corresponding
platform lift; a conduit connected to each of the platform lifts,
the conduit for transferring compressed air at each platform lift
used to regulate the height each of the plurality of lift
components respectively; a compressed air source coupled to the
conduit for supplying compressed air to the lift components; a
release valve couple to the conduit for releasing compressed air
from the lift components; and one or more sensors connected to the
release valve, the sensors configured to: sense inputs to monitor a
patient resting on the support platform; and provide a combination
of sensed inputs indicative of the patient attempting to exit the
support platform.
17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the sensors are
further configured to send a signal to the release valve to release
the compressed air from the pneumatic lift components in response
to a combination of sensed inputs indicating that the patient is
attempting to exit the support platform.
18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein each pneumatic lift
component is configured to rapidly lower the support platform to
between zero and three inches above floor level in two seconds or
less when compressed air is released from the conduit.
19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a computer system,
the computer system connected to the one or more sensors and the
release valve, the computer system including: system memory; one or
more processors; one or more physical storage media having stored
thereon an event detection module, the event detection model
configured to: receive provided sensed inputs from the one or more
sensors; and detect when a combination of provided sensed inputs is
indicative of the patient attempting to exit the support
platform.
20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the event detection
module is further configured to send a signal to a central station
indicating that the patient is attempting to exit the support
platform.
21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the event detection
module is further configured to: receive a second signal from the
central station the second signal indicating that the support
platform is to be rapidly lowered to essentially floor level; and
send a third signal to the release valve to release the compressed
air from the pneumatic lift components in response to receiving the
second signal.
22. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the event detection
module is further configured to send a signal to the release valve
to release the compressed air from the pneumatic lift components in
response to detecting that the combination of provided sensed
inputs indicate that the patient is attempting to exit the support
platform. send a signal to a central station indicating that the
patient is attempting to exit the support platform to a combination
of sensed inputs indicating that the patient is attempting to exit
the support platform.
23. A bed, comprising: a support platform; a plurality of platform
lifts, each platform lift including: a lift component configured to
raise and lower in response to an appropriate signal, including
rapidly lowering to essentially floor level in response to a signal
indicating a potential bed exiting event; and a channel permitting
external components attached to the lift component to raise and
lower with the lift component; a corresponding plurality of
connecting brackets affixed to the support platform, each
connecting bracket including a connection plate, each connection
plate extending into a channel of a platform lift and attached to a
lift component of a corresponding lift component; and one or more
driver motors, each drive motor configured to regulate the height
of one or more of the plurality of lift components respectively,
each drive motor configured with an electrical connection to
receive electrical power for raising and lowering its respective
lift components.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/964,415, entitled "Rapidly Height Adjusting
Safety Bed", filed on Aug. 13, 2007. This application claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/987,137, entitled
"Methods And Systems For Monitoring Patient Support Exiting And
Initiating Response", filed on Nov. 12, 2007.
BACKGROUND
1. Background and Relevant Art
[0002] Healthcare facilities provide clinical and/or wellness
health care for patients and/or residents (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "patients") residing at such facilities. Hospitals
and medical clinics provide clinical health care. Assisted living
and nursing homes focus primarily on wellness health care. Other
types of facilities, such as, for example, rehabilitation centers,
provide significant client and wellness heath care. Although
patient health, safety and general well being are or should be
paramount concerns for all medical and assisted living facilities,
the current standard of care for these facilities does not always
ensure adequate safety and care of the patient or resident.
[0003] Most facilities provide at least some physical monitoring
and supervision of patients to ensure they are receiving proper
nutrition and medicines, are kept clean, and protected from
physical injury. Many facilities include a central station (e.g., a
nurse station) that functions as a primary gathering and dispatch
location for caregivers. From time to time, at specified intervals,
or in response to a patient or resident request, a caregiver can
move from the central station to a patient's location (e.g., room)
and monitor or provide appropriate care.
[0004] One area of critical concern is preventing or reducing the
incidence of patient falls, which can occur in a variety of
circumstance but which commonly result from unauthorized or
unassisted bed exiting, wheelchair exiting, and wheelchair to bed
transfer. Falls often occur due to the inability of health care
facilities to provide continuous, direct supervision of patients.
In many cases it may not be feasible to provide round the clock
supervision of every patient due to financial and/or logistical
restraints. However, without continuous direct supervision there is
often no way for a health care provider to know when a particular
patient may be engaging in behavior which places them at a high
risk for a fall.
[0005] Notwithstanding the need to provide continuous supervision
to prevent patient falls and injury, the United States, Europe,
Japan and other parts of the world are currently experiencing a
serious shortage of nurses, nursing assistants, doctors, and other
caregivers. The shortage of caregivers will only worsen with
continued aging of the U.S., European, Japanese and other
populations. As the patient to caregiver ratio of a facility
increases, the incidence of patient falls is also likely to
increase as more patients are left unattended.
[0006] Thus, various different monitoring mechanisms have been used
to detect movements and/or positions of a patient indicative of
subsequent bed exiting. One example of an automated patient
monitoring system is fixing an electric eye or camera on a location
near where a patient is lying. An alarm might sound if a line or
plane is broken by the patient. Another example involves devices
that detect patient motion. Yet another proposes comparing
successive images of a patient to determine patient acceleration
and relative location. One particularly creative patient monitoring
system claims to be able to monitor and interpret a wide variety of
patient movements, including patient falls, by taking and analyzing
3-dimensional images of a patient. Of course, once the patient has
already fallen, intervention to prevent the fall is impossible.
[0007] However, once a potential bed exiting event is detected,
physical intervention is typically required to mitigate possible
injury from an actual bed exit attempt. Far too often, the time
required to alert staff and produce a physical presence within the
patient's room exceeds the time required for the patient to attempt
a bed exit. Non-physical intervention methods, such as, for
example, audio and/or video counseling can extend the window of
opportunity for intervention, but an unattended bed exit attempt
can still occur.
[0008] From time to time, a staff member may be able to physical
enter a patient's room before completion of a bed exiting attempt.
However, upon entering the room, the staff member may have limited
time to assess and appropriately respond to the attempted bed exit
without risking further patient injury. For example, a staff member
may arrive at a room to see that a patient has one foot on the
floor and one foot still in bed, is hanging over the edge of the
bed, etc. Thus, without a quick and appropriate responsive action,
a patient fall and resulting injury can still, occur even when a
staff member arrives at a patient room before completion of a bed
exiting attempt.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
height adjusting patient support platforms, such as, for example,
of a bed (e.g., the mattress support platform of a standard
hospital bed with side rails), gurney, couch, chair, or recliner,
to which a patient may be confined. The systems and methods are
designed to lower the height of a patient support platform at least
closer (and essentially all the way) to floor level in a relatively
quick and controlled manner to reduce fall distances. Lowering the
height of a patient support platform corresponding reduces the
likelihood and significance of patient injuries resulting from
falls when a patient attempts to exit the patient support
platform.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, a height
adjusting safety bed includes a support platform configured to
support a mattress on top. The support platform interoperates with
attachment/detachment mechanisms for attachment to/detachment from
platform lifts, such as, for example, at each corner of the support
platform. Platform lifts are physically attached to the support
platform using the attachment/detachment mechanisms, such as, for
example, at each corner of the support platform. Platform lifts can
utilize virtually any technology or combination of technologies,
such as, for example, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic, to raise
or lower the support platform. In some embodiments, a spring assist
is used to decelerate lowering of the support platform. A
corresponding mattress can also be placed on top of and supported
by the support platform.
[0011] The components of the height adjusting safety bed can
interoperate to rapidly and in a controlled manner lower the
support platform to essentially floor level. The descent is
decelerated in a manner that reduces patient jarring. For example,
pneumatic lowering yields a lowering characteristic that is
sufficiently rapid yet still decelerates slowly enough to
significantly reduce patient jarring when reaching essentially
floor level. Patient jarring can be further reduced with a spring
assisted descent.
[0012] Staff can use a bed height controller to raise or lower the
support platform. In some embodiments, a (manually and/or
automatically activatable) rapid lowering control can be activated
to rapidly lower the support platform to essentially floor level
(e.g., in approximately two seconds or less). Accordingly, when a
staff member observes (either directly or via in-room surveillance
devices) an exit event, the staff member can activate the rapid
lowering control (either remotely from a central station or locally
in a patient's room). Further, in-room sensors can detect an exit
event and, in response to the detected exit event, the in-room
sensors can automatically activate the rapid lowering control.
Manually activatable controllers can be integrated with (e.g.,
externally mounted on) or separately located from the height
adjusting safety bed. Separately located controllers can be within
a patient's room or even at a nursing station.
[0013] In addition to rapid lowering due to unwanted bed exiting
(automatic or manually driven), the bed height may be manually
raised or lowered by staff to facilitate daily transfers of the
patient. The ability to precisely control bed height yields
superior clinical outcomes for a range of patient heights and
transfer modalities (i.e. bed to stand, walker, wheelchair or
scooter).
[0014] During lowering, sensors (e.g., infrared, light beam, etc.)
can be used to sense any objects beneath the support platform that
would prevent lowering the support platform to essentially floor
level. Thus, during lowering, the sensors can be used to ensure
that no objects are in the path of the descending support platform.
If the sensors detect an object that may result in collision, the
sensors can initiate an emergency stop of the platform lifts to
stop the descent.
[0015] In some embodiments, once lowered, a patient is essentially
the height of the mattress plus approximately zero to three inches
above the floor. This significantly reduces the potential fall
distance (e.g., relative to a typical support platform height) for
the patient that is attempting to exit the support platform and
correspondingly reduces the energy of impact and associated
physiological and psychological trauma.
[0016] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] To further clarify the above and other advantages and
features of the present invention, a more particular description of
the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is
appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed in
a raised configuration.
[0019] FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed in
a lowered configuration.
[0020] FIG. 1C illustrates an example view of platform lift with a
channel allowing vertical movement of a connecting bracket.
[0021] FIG. 1D illustrates an example locking clamp for attaching
detaching a support platform to a platform lift.
[0022] FIG. 1E illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift in a raised configuration.
[0023] FIG. 1F illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift in a lowered configuration.
[0024] FIG. 1G illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift with spring assisted descent in a raised configuration.
[0025] FIG. 1H illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift with spring assisted descent in a lowered configuration.
[0026] FIG. 1I illustrates an example screw driven platform lift in
a raised configuration.
[0027] FIG. 1J illustrates an example screw driven platform lift in
a lowered configuration.
[0028] FIG. 1K illustrates an example chain and gear driven
platform lift in a raised configuration.
[0029] FIG. 1L illustrates an example chain and gear driven
platform lift in a lowered configuration.
[0030] FIG. 1M illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed
including a mattress in a raised configuration.
[0031] FIG. 1N illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed
including a mattress in a lowered configuration.
[0032] FIGS. 1O-1Q illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed
with an attached patient transfer lifter.
[0033] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed in
a patient location.
[0034] FIG. 2B illustrates another example of a height adjusting
bed in a patient location.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for
responding to a support exiting event.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Embodiments of the present invention extend to systems and
methods computer program for adjusting the height of patient
supports. The invention more particularly relates to systems and
staff activated methods for lower the height of a patient support
at least closer (and essentially all the way) to floor level in a
relatively quick and controlled manner to reduce fall distances.
The systems and methods are designed to reduce the likelihood and
significance of patient injuries resulting from falls when a
patient attempts to exit the support
[0037] The term "patient fall" shall be broadly understood to
include falling to the ground or floor, falling into stationary or
moving objects, falling back onto a support, or any other falling
motion caused at least in part by gravity that may potentially
cause physical injury and/or mental or emotional trauma.
[0038] The terms "rest" and "resting" as it relates to a patient
resting on a support shall be broadly understood as any situation
where the support provides at least some counter action to the
force of gravity. Thus, a patient may "rest" on a support while
lying still, sitting up, moving, lying down, or otherwise
positioned relative to the support so long as the support acts in
some way to separate a patient from the floor or surface upon which
the support is itself positioned.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, a height
adjusting safety bed includes a support platform configured to
support a mattress on top. FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a
height adjusting bed 100 in a raised configuration. As depicted,
height adjusting bed 100 includes support platform 101 and platform
lifts 102. Support platform 101 can be of virtually any material
with adequate support to mitigate flexion during patient loading.
In some embodiments, support platform 101 is made of a metallic
mesh with metallic support beams. The base of each platform lift
102 is resting on the floor and thus can be considered to be at
floor level 144.
[0040] Support platform 101 has corresponding number of connecting
brackets 106 that are used to attach support platform 101 to
platform lifts 102. Each platform lift 102 has a channel 104 that
permits the corresponding connecting bracketing 106 to move
vertically within the channel 104. Accordingly, support platform
101 is permitted to move vertically. FIG. 1C illustrates an example
view of platform lift 102 with a channel 104 allowing vertical
movement of a connecting bracket 106. As depicted, connecting
bracket 107 can move vertically to any height between upper stop
141 and lower stop 142.
[0041] Lower stop 142 can be height 146 above floor level 144.
Lower stop 142 being above floor level allows component space 147
to house lift components used to raise and lower connecting bracket
106. Upper stop 143 can be height 148 above floor level 144. Height
148 can be high enough to permit adjustment of support platform 101
to appropriately accommodate patients of varying heights. For
example, upper stop 143 can be approximately 34 inches above floor
level. In some embodiments, the height of support platform 101 is
initially set to the standard height of a hospital or nursing home
bed, such as, for example, 21 inches above floor level 144.
[0042] Each platform lift 102 can include one or more internal
components that permit a connecting bracket 106 to attach
to/detached from lift components of the platform lift 102. In some
embodiments, internal components are specifically configured to
receive a connecting bracket 106. For example, the upper portion of
lift components can include a horizontal plate with a mechanical
connecting feature (e.g., a vertical protrusion, hole, etc.)
configured to match with a corresponding connecting feature (e.g.,
a hole, vertical protrusion, etc.) respectively of a connecting
bracket. In other embodiments, the components of a platform lift
are not specifically configured to receiving a connecting bracket
106.
[0043] Height 144 of connecting bracket 106 can be configured to
essentially the same as height 146. This permits support platform
101 to be lowered to essentially floor level 144 when height
adjusting bed 100 is in it is lowest configuration. For example,
FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed 100 in a
lowered configuration. As depicted in FIG. 1B, support platform 101
is essentially at floor level 144.
[0044] Each connecting bracket 106 can include one or more
attachment/detachment features to attach to/detach from the lift
components a platform lift 102. Each attachment/detachment feature
can be at least partially incorporated in a connection plate 107 of
connecting bracket 106. In some embodiments, each
attachment/detachment mechanism is fully integrated into a
connection plate 107. For example, it may be that connection plate
107 is a locking clamp for connecting to the lift components of
platform lift 102. Accordingly, a connection bracket can include
one or more connection plates.
[0045] Other external components can also be used to secure a
connection plate 107 to lift components of a platform lift 102. For
example, an upper portion lift components can include a horizontal
plate with a vertical protrusion, wherein the vertical protrusion
has a horizontal hole for receiving a safely pin. A connection
plate 107 can include a hole configured to accept the vertical
protrusion. When connection plate 107 is seated on the horizontal
plate, the hole allows the protruding portion to extend above the
connection plate 107. A safety pin can then be inserted into the
horizontal hole to secure connecting bracket 106 to the lift
components.
[0046] FIG. 1D depicts an example of an attachment/detachment
connection plate 107 for attaching a connecting bracket 106 to and
detaching a connecting bracket 106 from the lift components 112 of
a platform lift 102. However, virtually any mechanical connecting
means, such as, for example, a connecting pin, a screw, a clamp,
etc., can be used to attach a connecting bracket 106 to and detach
a connecting bracket 106 from the lift components of a platform
lift.
[0047] Returning now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, conduit 103 runs to each
platform lift 102. Conduit 103 can be a pneumatic conduit allowing
compressed air to travel to and from each platform lift 102. To
raise the support platform 101, conduit 103 can be filled with
compressed air. To lower support platform 101, compressed air can
be released from conduit 103. Accordingly, embodiments of the
invention include a pneumatic lift mechanism to raise and lower
support platform 101.
[0048] However, platform lifts 102 can utilize virtually any lift
component technology, such as, for example, mechanical, pneumatic,
or hydraulic, to raise or lower the support platform 101. In some
embodiments, a spring assist is used to decelerate lowering of the
support platform 101. In embodiments, using hydraulic lift
mechanisms, conduit 103 can be a hydraulic conduit.
[0049] FIG. 1E illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift 102 in a raised configuration. FIG. 1F illustrates an example
pneumatic driven platform lift 102 in a lowered configuration. An
example pneumatic driven platform lift 102 can be connected to each
corner of support platform 101. Each pneumatic driven platform 102
can be connected to conduit 103 and receive compressed air from a
common source.
[0050] As depicted in FIGS. 1E and 1F, connection plate 107 of
connecting bracket 106 is attached to pneumatic lift components 112
(e.g., variable sized hollow cylinders) using any of the previously
descried mechanisms. The air pressure (psi) within lift components
112 can be adjusted to corresponding adjust the height of support
platform 101. Pressure can be increased to raise support platform
101 and pressure can be decreased to lower support platform
101.
[0051] When the air pressure is increased (flow of compressed air
is into lift components 112), lift components 112 expand vertically
to raise support platform 101. On the other hand, when the air
pressure is decreased (flow of compressed air is out of lift
components 112), lift components 112 compress vertically to lower
support platform 101. When air pressure is not sufficient to raise
support platform (e.g., when essentially all compressed air is
released from lift components 112), support platform 101 is lowered
to essentially floor level 144.
[0052] FIG. 1G illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform
lift 102 with spring assisted descent in a raised configuration.
FIG. 1H illustrates an example pneumatic driven platform 102 lift
with spring assisted descent in a lowered configuration. As
depicted in FIGS. 1G and 1H, pneumatic driven platform lift 102
also includes spring 108. An example pneumatic driven platform lift
platform 102 with spring assisted descent can be connected to each
corner of support platform 101. Each pneumatic driven platform 102
with spring assisted descent can be connected to conduit 103 and
receive compressed air from a common source.
[0053] In a raised configuration, spring 108 expands within
platform lift 102. As support platform 101 is lowered, spring 108
compresses providing resistance to and slowing the descent of
platform lift 102. Accordingly, spring 108 is essentially a shock
absorber to lessen any jarring of a patient when support platform
101 is lowered.
[0054] It should be understood that in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D,
lift components 112 can be hydraulic lift components and conduit
103 can be hydraulic conduit. Accordingly, in these embodiments,
support platform 101 can be raised and lowered using fluid instead
of compressed air.
[0055] FIG. 1I illustrates an example screw driven platform lift
102 in a raised configuration. FIG. 1J illustrates an example screw
driven platform lift 102 in a lowered configuration. An example
screw driven platform lift 102 can be connected to each corner of
support platform 101. Each screw driven platform 102 can be
connected to a drive motor 114. Threaded connection plates 107U and
107L can include threads that match threads 113. Thread connection
plates 107U and 107L can include a clamp that facilitates
attachment to/detachment from threads 113.
[0056] Thus, drive motor 114 can rotate threads 113 in one
direction (e.g., clockwise) to raise support platform 101 and can
rotate threads 113 in another opposite direction (e.g., counter
clockwise) to lower support platform 101. Drive motors 114 can be
connected to a control line (either digital or analog) and a power
(electrical) connection. The control lines control the power
applied to and direction of the drive motors 114 so that the drive
motors 114 uniformly turn in the same direction at the same speed.
In the lowest position, support platform 101 is lowered to
essentially floor level 144.
[0057] FIG. 1K illustrates an example chain and gear driven
platform lift 102 in a raised configuration. FIG. 1L illustrates an
example chain and gear driven platform lift 102 in a lowered
configuration. An example chain and gear driven platform lift 102
can be connected to each corner of support platform 101. Each chain
and gear driven platform 102 can be connected to a drive motor
114.
[0058] Connection plate 107U is connected to chain 115 at
connection point 121. Connection plate 107L is connected to change
115 at connection point 122. Connection plates 107U and 107L can be
connected to chain 115 using a connecting pin. Thus, drive motor
114 can rotate gear 116 and/or gear 117 in one direction (e.g.,
counter clockwise) to raise support platform 101 and can rotate
gear 116 and/or gear 117 in another opposite direction (e.g.,
clockwise) to lower support platform 101. Drive motors 114 can be
connected to a control line (either digital or analog) and a power
(electrical) connection. The control lines control the power
applied to and direction of the drive motors 114 so that the drive
motors 114 uniformly turn in the same direction at the same speed.
In the lowest position, support platform 101 is lowered to
essentially floor level 144.
[0059] FIG. 1M illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed 100
including a mattress 123 in a raised configuration. FIG. 1N
illustrates an example of a height, adjusting bed 100 including a
mattress 123 in a lowered configuration. In a raised configuration,
support platform 101 is height 131 (e.g., 21 inches) above floor
level. Thus, a patient resting on mattress 123 would be the sum of
height 131 plus mattress height 132 above floor level 144. In a
lowered configuration, support platform is height 133 (e.g., zero
to three inches) above floor level. Thus, a patient resting on
mattress 123 would be the sum of height 133 plus mattress height
132 above floor level 144.
[0060] FIGS. 1O-1Q illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed
100 with an attached patient transfer lifter. As depicted in FIG.
1O, pivoting lift arm 154 is mechanically secured to support
platform 101 at pivot 158. Pivot 158 permits pivoting lift arm 154
to be rotated 360 degrees. Thus, pivoting lift arm 154 can be
rotated to extend over platform lift 102 and over a portion of
support platform 101.
[0061] FIG. 1O further depicts wheelchair 153 relative to height
adjusting bed 100. The height of seat 157 is height 161 (e.g., some
standard distance above floor level 144). Initially, support
platform 101 is also transitioned to essentially height 161 as
well. Pivoting arm 154 can be pivoted to extend past platform lift
102 such that flexible lift cradle 155 is positioned above seat
157. A patient in wheelchair 153 can then be transferred to and
secured in flexible lift cradle 155.
[0062] FIG. 1P depicts another view of wheelchair 153 relative to
height adjusting bed 100. After a patient is secured in flexible
lift cradle 155, support platform 101 can be raised to height 162.
Raising support platform 101 to height 162 permits flexible lift
cradle 155 and the secured patient to pivot out of wheelchair
153.
[0063] FIG. 1Q depicts another view of wheelchair 153 relative to
height adjusting bed 100. In FIG. 1Q, flexible lift cradle 155 has
been pivoted and is positioned over a portion of support platform
101. When positioned over support platform 101, a patient can be
transferred from flexible lift cradle 155 to support platform
101.
[0064] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a height adjusting bed 100
in a patient location 203. Patient location 203 can be a room in a
healthcare facility or patient 218's home. In some embodiments,
patient location 203 is configured for patient monitoring, more
particularly with respect to monitoring potential support exiting,
detecting a position and/or movement of a patient that is
predictive of support exiting, obtaining human verification of
actual support exiting, and intervening if support exiting is
confirmed.
[0065] As depicted, height adjusting bed 100 can include
pneumatically controlled platform lifts 102. Each pneumatically
controlled platform lift 102 is connectable to compressed air
source 227 and release valve 228. Each of the pneumatically
controlled platform lifts 102 are similarly configured to include
lift components 112. Each of the pneumatically controlled platform
lifts 102 can also include a spring 108.
[0066] Each of the pneumatically controlled platform lifts 102 are
connectable to compressed air source 227 and release valve 228 via
conduit 103. Compressed air source 227 and release valve 228 can
operate to adjust the height of height adjusting bed 100. For
example, compressed air source 227 can force compressed air into
conduit 103 to raise the height of height adjusting bed 100. On the
other hand, release valve 228 can release compressed air from
conduit 103 to lower the height of height adjusting bed 100.
[0067] Height controller 231 can be used to control compressed air
source 227 and release valve 228 so that a staff or family member
can adjust the height of height adjusting bed 100. For example,
during a controlled exit by patient 218 (e.g., for purposes of a
transfer), the height of height adjusting bed 100 can be raised or
lowered from a standard height (e.g., 21 inches) to compensate for
the height of patient 218. The height can be adjusted to a standing
(or walker assisted) position for patient 218. Patient 218 can
position himself/herself on the edge of height adjusting bed 100
and then the bed is raised (if patient 218 is taller) or
potentially lowered (if patient 218 is shorted) to transition to
standing position. Height controller 231 can be connected directly
to compressed air source 227 and release valve 228 or can be
connected to computer system 202. Height adjusting control 231 can
be integrated with (e.g., externally mounted on) or separately
located from height adjusting safety bed 100, such as, for example,
within a patient's room or even at a nursing station.
[0068] Rapid lowering control 229 is a manually activated control
that can be used to signal release valve 228 to release any
compressed air in conduit 103 in a relatively short period of time
(e.g., approximately 2 seconds). Rapid lowering control 229 can be
connected directly to release valve 228 or can be connected to
computer system 202. Rapid lowering control 229 can be integrated
with (e.g., externally mounted on) or separately located from
height adjusting safety bed 100, such as, for example, within a
patient's room or even at a nursing station.
[0069] Sensors 212 can include any or a number of different types
of sensors, such as, for example, pressure pads, scales, light or
IR beam sensors, cameras, acoustic sensors, and induction field
sensors, that monitor patient 218 to detect potential bed exiting
events. Sensors 212 can be physically attached to height adjusting
bed 100 and/or physically located elsewhere at patient location 203
(e.g., wall mounted, floor mounted, ceiling mounted, free standing,
etc.) Cameras can be useful in monitoring lateral (i.e.,
side-to-side) and longitudinal (i.e., head-to-foot) patient
movements, although it may also monitor other movements.
[0070] Sensors 212 can also includes an audio-video interface that
can be used to initiate one-way and/or two-communication with
patient 218. The A/V interface can include any combination of known
A/V devices, e.g., microphone, speaker, camera and/or video
monitor. According to one embodiment, the A/V interface is mounted
to a wall or ceiling so as to be seen by patient 218 (e.g., facing
the patient's face, such as beyond the foot of the patient's bed).
The A/V interface can include a video monitor (e.g., flat panel
screen), a camera mounted adjacent to the video monitor (e.g.,
below), one or more microphones, and one or more speakers. The A/V
interface may form part of a computer system 202 that controls the
various communication devices located in the patient room.
[0071] Thus, sensors 212 can be connected to and interoperate with
computer system 202 to determine whether some combination of sensed
inputs is indicative of a potential bed exiting event. For example,
event detection module 216 can include one or more algorithms (for
performing image analysis, video processing, motion analysis, etc.)
that process a set of sensed inputs to determine if a potential bed
exiting event is occurring.
[0072] Alternately, one or more of sensors 212 can be connected
directly to release valve 228. The one or more sensors can signal
release valve 228 to release any compressed air in conduit 103 in a
relatively short period of time.
[0073] Computer system 202 can be connected to compressed air
source 227 and release valve 228 to control the height of height
adjusting bed 100 when appropriate. Computer system 202 can also
signal release valve 228 to release any compressed air in conduit
103 in a relatively short period of time.
[0074] In some embodiments, air pressure levels are used to measure
patient body weight. When a patient enters a bed, the increase in
measured air pressure may be utilized to predict patient body
weight. Patient body weight data may be electronically transferred
from the bed lift system to the clinical/quality assurance system
for the given medical facility.
[0075] In these embodiments, pneumatically driven lift supports
house an air pressure gauge within pneumatic sleeves. Calibration
of air pressure levels can be converted to weight data on total
platform weight (bed+patient). Coordination of weight data with
image analysis data can be used to intelligently indicate "weight
with patient in bed" and "weight of empty bed."
[0076] Similar mechanisms can be used to control the height of a
height adjusting bed using hydraulics. When lowering a height
adjusting bed, fluid can be recollected in an appropriate reservoir
(e.g., at the fluid supply source).
[0077] In embodiments that utilize mechanical lift components,
height controllers, rapid lowering controls, sensors, and computer
systems can be connected to drive motors 114.
[0078] FIG. 2B illustrates another example of a height adjusting
bed 100 in a patient location 203. As depicted in FIG. 2B, patient
location 203 can be network connected to central station 204. For
example, computer system 201 can be connected to a common network
with computer system 202. When a combination of sensed inputs is
indicative of a potential bed exiting event, computer system 202
can send notification 217 to computer system 201. Provider 205 can
receive notification 217 and, when appropriate, intervene. For
example, provider 205 can send electronic communication back to
computer system 202 or can dispatch responder 207 to patient
location 207.
[0079] Thus, embodiments of the invention facilitate manual and/or
automated responses to bed exiting events to reduce the potential
fall distance for a patient that is attempting to exit a support
platform. For example, a staff member or family member can enter a
patient's room (by happenstance, during normal rounds, in response
to a notification, etc.) and visual detect that the patient is
attempt to exit their bed. In response, the staff member or family
member can activate rapid lowering control 229 to signal release
valve 228 to rapidly release compressed air (or fluid) in conduit
103 and thus quickly lower the bed's support platform, for example,
to essentially floor level.
[0080] Alternately, sensors 212 can sense specified inputs
indicative of an attempted bed exit, such as, for example,
obstruction of an IR or light beam, change in weight of a support
platform, etc. In response, sensors 212 can directly signal release
valve 228 to rapidly release compressed air (or fluid) in conduit
103 and thus quickly lower the bed's support platform to
essentially floor level.
[0081] It may also be that event detection module 216 processes a
set of sensed inputs to determine that a potential bed exiting
event is occurring. In response, computer system 202 can signal
release valve 228 to rapidly release compressed air (or fluid) in
conduit 103 and thus quickly lower the bed's support platform to
essentially floor level. Along with or subsequent to lowering the
bed's support platform, computer system 202 can send notification
217 to central station 204.
[0082] In other embodiments, when set of sensed inputs indicate
that a potential bed exiting event is occurring, computer system
202 sends notification 217 to computer system 201 for verification
prior to lowering height adjusting bed 100.
[0083] In response to notification 217 (whether it be to verify an
attempted bed exit prior to lowering height adjusting bed 100 or to
indicate that height adjusting bed 100 has been lowered), provider
205 can use in-room surveillance devices (e.g., to activate the A/V
interface to patient location 203) to observe/interact with patient
218 and verify the bed exiting event. When a bed exiting event is
verified, provider 205 can initiate further network communication
(e.g., to computer system 202) to remotely signal release valve 228
to rapidly release compressed air (or fluid) in conduit 103 and
thus quickly lower the bed's support platform to essentially floor
level. In either case, a staff member, for example, responder 207,
can be dispatched to patient location 213 for assistance.
[0084] In embodiments that utilize mechanical lift components,
motors 114 can be activated to rapidly turn a screw drive or chain
and gears and thus (potentially rapidly) lower the bed's support
platform, for example, to essentially floor level.
[0085] Accordingly, in response to a potential bed exiting event,
height adjusting bed 100 can be rapidly lowered in a controlled
manner to essentially floor level through the actions of an
individual, in response to directly sensed inputs, or as a result
of data processing activities. The descent can be decelerated in a
manner that reduces patient jarring. For example, pneumatic
lowering yields a lowering characteristic that is sufficiently
rapid yet still decelerates slowly enough to significantly reduce
patient jarring when reaching essentially floor level. Patient
jarring can be further reduced with a spring assisted descent
(e.g., using spring 208) when using any of pneumatic, hydraulic, or
mechanical lift components.
[0086] In some embodiments, height adjusting bed 100 includes an
emergency stopping mechanism and one or more sensors (e.g.,
infrared, light beam, etc.). The emergency stopping mechanism can
stop the descent of support platform 100, even during a rapid
descent in response to an attempted bed exit. The stopping
mechanism can be a single mechanical mechanism external to platform
lifts 102 or can be integrated into each platform lift 102. The one
or more sensors are configured to detect objects beneath support
platform 101 and signal the emergency stopping mechanism to stop
platform descent when an object is detected.
[0087] During lowering, sensors can be used to sense any objects
(e.g., a patient's foot, leg, etc.) beneath the support platform
that would prevent lowering the support platform to essentially
floor level and/or cause injury to a patient. Thus, during
lowering, the sensors can be used to ensure that no objects are in
the path of the descending support platform. If the sensors detect
an object that may result in collision, the sensors can initiate an
emergency stop of support platform 101 and/or platform lifts 102 to
stop the descent.
[0088] In some embodiments, once lowered, a patient is essentially
the height of the mattress plus approximately zero to three inches
above the floor. This significantly reduces the potential fall
distance (e.g., relative to a typical support platform height) for
the patient that is attempting to exit the support platform.
[0089] In some embodiments, a height adjusting bed is connected to
a stationary compressed air (or fluid) source of sufficient
pressure (e.g., 100+ psi) to raise a height adjusting bed to a
desired (e.g., standard) height. For example, hospital and
rehabilitation facility rooms can have in-wall compressed air lines
(tapped into the building infrastructure) of sufficient pressure to
pneumatically lift a height adjusting bed.
[0090] In other embodiments, such as, for example, home
environments, a height adjusting bed is connected to a moveable
compressed air (or fluid) source of sufficient pressure to raise a
height adjusting bed to a desired height. For example, a mobile
compressor or tank of compressed air can be used to pneumatically
lift a height adjusting bed. The mobile compressor or compressed
air tank can be physically located in separate room from the
patient.
[0091] A height adjusting bed can include a mechanical latch that
locks the support platform (temporarily) at a current height. The
mechanical latch can be engaged to lock the bed at a current height
prior to moving in the bed while a patient remains resting on the
support platform. The mechanical latch allows the compressed air
(or fluid) source to be disconnected with out the support platform
lowering. When the bed arrives at its destination, compressed air
(or fluid) can be reconnected and the mechanical latch disengaged.
Since staff members are likely in close physical proximity during
bed movement, there is a reduced chance of an unattended fall.
Alternately, a patient can be restrained during transport to avoid
a fall.
[0092] In some embodiments, a movable cart is connectable to height
adjusting bed 100. The moveable cart can be positioned within and
attached to each platform lift. Thus, height adjusting bed 100 can
be secured to the moveable cart and moved (with or without patients
resting on support platform 101) between different physical
locations within a facility.
[0093] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 300 for
responding to a support exiting event. Method 300 will be described
with respect to the components of patient location 203.
[0094] Method 300 includes an act of accessing input from sensors
that are monitoring a patient resting on a patient support
platform, the support platform being a specified height above floor
level (act 301). For example, computer system 202 can access input
from sensors 212 that are monitoring patient 218 resting on support
platform 101. Support platform 101 can be a specified height (e.g.,
approximately 21 inches) above floor level.
[0095] Method 300 includes an act of detecting from the accessed
input that the patient is attempting to exit the patient support
platform (act 302). For example, computer system 202 can detect
that patient 218 is attempting to exit support platform 101. Event
detection module 216 can execute various algorithms related to
patient 218's movements, positions, etc, to detect that patient 218
is attempting to exit support platform 101.
[0096] Method 300 includes an act of lowering the height of the
support platform from the specified height to a lower height to
reduce the potential fall distance of the patient in response to
detecting that the patient is attempting to exit the patient
support platform (act 303). For example, support platform 101 can
be lowered from its specified height to some lower height response
to detecting that patient 218 is attempting to exit support
platform 101. Lowering of support platform reduces the potential
fall distance of patient 218. In some embodiments, support platform
101 is rapidly (e.g., in two seconds or less) lowered to
essentially floor level (e.g., zero to three inches above floor
level) in response to detecting that patient 218 is attempting to
exit support platform 101. Accordingly, the potential fall distance
for patient 218 can be reduced from 21 inches (or any other current
height) plus mattress width, to zero to three inches plus mattress
width before patient 218 can complete the attempted exit from
platform support 101.
[0097] Computer system 202 can automatically lower support platform
101 in response to the attempted support exit. Alternately, as
previously described, sensors 212 can cause support platform 101 to
be rapidly lowered without intervention from computer system 202.
In either event, release valve 228 can be sent a signal to release
any compressed air (or fluid) from the lift mechanism of support
lifts 102. When mechanical lifts are used, a similar signal can be
sent to drive motors.
[0098] Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize
a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer
hardware, as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within
the scope of the present invention also include physical and other
computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable
instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media
can be any available media that can be accessed by a general
purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media
that store computer-executable instructions are physical storage
media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable
instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and
not limitation, embodiments of the invention can comprise at least
two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: physical
storage media and transmission media.
[0099] Physical storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store
desired program code means in the form of computer-executable
instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer.
[0100] A "network" is defined as one or more data links that enable
the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or
modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is
transferred or provided over a network or another communications
connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of
hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views
the connection as a transmission medium. Transmission media can
include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry or
desired program code means in the form of computer-executable
instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0101] Further, it should be understood, that upon reaching various
computer system components, program code means in the form of
computer-executable instructions or data structures can be
transferred automatically from transmission media to physical
storage media. For example, computer-executable instructions or
data structures received over a network or data link can be
buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a "NIC"),
and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to
less volatile physical storage media at a computer system. Thus, it
should be understood that physical storage media can be included in
computer system components that also (or even-primarily) utilize
transmission media.
[0102] Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example,
instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to
perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer
executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate
format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific
to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be
understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims
is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts
described above. Rather, the described features and acts are
disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
[0103] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention
may be practiced in network computing environments with many types
of computer system and electronic device configurations, including,
personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, hand-held
devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, one-way and two-way
pagers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in
distributed system environments where local and remote computer
systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless
data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data
links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed
system environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote memory storage devices.
[0104] Computer systems can be connected to a network, such as, for
example, a Local Area Network ("LAN"), a Wide Area Network ("WAN"),
or even the Internet. Thus, the various components can receive data
from and send data to each other, as well as other components
connected to the network. Networked computer systems may themselves
constitute a "computer system" for purposes of this disclosure.
[0105] Networks facilitating communication between computer systems
and other electronic devices can utilize any of a wide range of
(potentially interoperating) protocols including, but not limited
to, the IEEE 802 suite of wireless protocols, Radio Frequency
Identification ("RFID") protocols, infrared protocols, cellular
protocols, one-way and two-way wireless paging protocols, Global
Positioning System ("GPS") protocols, wired and wireless broadband
protocols, ultra-wideband "mesh" protocols, etc. Accordingly,
computer systems and other devices can create message related data
and exchange message related data (e.g., Internet Protocol ("IP")
datagrams and other higher layer protocols that utilize IP
datagrams, such as, Transmission Control Protocol ("TCP"), Remote
Desktop Protocol ("RDP"), Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"),
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), etc.) over the network.
[0106] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *