U.S. patent application number 12/378105 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for mobility assist device and method for self-transfer between bed and wheelchair.
Invention is credited to Nikolay Yefimov.
Application Number | 20100200030 12/378105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539363 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yefimov; Nikolay |
August 12, 2010 |
Mobility assist device and method for self-transfer between bed and
wheelchair
Abstract
A mobility assist device for paraplegic individuals who are
non-weight bearing through their bilateral lower extremities and
one or two wrists to move in bed and also to transfer from a bed to
a wheelchair or commode, or vise versa. The device has a support
plate that is intended for supporting the forearm of a non-weight
bearing wrist and for securing the forearm to the support plate.
For self-transfer of the individual from a bed to a wheelchair, the
individual bridges the space between the bed and the wheelchair
located near the bed. By using the muscles of the healthy hand and
the muscles of the handicapped hand supported by the device, the
individual stepwise moves his body along the sliding board to the
wheelchair until he/she find himself/herself on the wheelchair
seat. The sliding board is then removed. Transfer from the
wheelchair to the bed is carried out in the reverse sequence.
Inventors: |
Yefimov; Nikolay; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIKOLAY YEFIMOV
2475 - 46th Avenue
San Francisco
CA
94116
US
|
Family ID: |
42539363 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378105 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/66 ; 135/65;
135/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/0161 20130101;
F16B 7/105 20130101; A61H 2201/1633 20130101; A61H 3/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/66 ; 135/75;
135/65 |
International
Class: |
A45B 3/00 20060101
A45B003/00; A45B 9/00 20060101 A45B009/00 |
Claims
1. A mobility assist device for use by an individual who has
non-weight bearing lower extremities and at least one hand with a
non-weight bearing wrist, the mobility assist device comprising: a
frame formed at least from a pair of rods rigidly interconnected at
one end with a cross bar; a forearm support means for supporting
the forearm of the hand of the individual who has a non-weight
bearing wrist, the forearm support means being attached to the
frame in an intermediate position of the frame and oriented
perpendicular to the pair of rods that form the frame; and a
forearm securing means for securing the forearm to the forearm
support means in a manner that allows the individual to perceive
his/her entire body weight, or a part thereof, by the forearm when
the device is used as a support for said individual.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein each rod of the frame consists of
a tubular rod and a support leg, each tubular rod and the
respective support leg being telescopically moveable with respect
to one another and having a locking mechanism for locking the
support leg with respect to the tubular rod in a selected
position.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the forearm support means further
comprises a substantially semicircular pad made from a soft
material for supporting and embracing said forearm when the forearm
is placed onto the semicircular pad and means for securing the
forearm to the substantially semicircular pad when the individual
uses the device to support at least a part of his/her body
weight.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises a
buckle attached to one end of the semicircular pad; a belt, one end
of which is attached to the side of the semicircular pad opposite
to said one side and the other end capable of being guided through
the buckle; and a fastening mechanism for securing said other end
of the belt when the belt is tightened around said forearm of the
individual.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the fastening means comprises a
fastener composed of tiny hooks and loops engageable with each
other in a securable manner.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the forearm support means further
comprises a substantially semicircular pad made from a soft
material for supporting and embracing said forearm when the forearm
is placed onto the semicircular pad and means for securing the
forearm to the substantially semicircular pad when the individual
uses the device to support at least a part of his/her body
weight.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the securing means comprises a
buckle attached to one end of the semicircular pad; a belt, one end
of which is attached to the side of the semicircular pad opposite
to said one side and the other end capable of being guided through
the buckle; and a fastening mechanism for securing said other end
of the belt when the belt is tightened around said forearm of the
individual.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the fastening means comprises a
fastener composed of tiny hooks and loops engageable with each
other in a securable manner.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the forearm support means is
pivotally attached to the frame in an intermediate position of the
frame and is provided with a third rod that is pivotally connected
to the forearm support means.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the third rod consists of a
third tubular rod and a third support leg, which are telescopically
moveable with respect to one another and have a third locking
mechanism for locking the third support leg with respect to the
third tubular rod in the selected position.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the forearm support means
further comprises a substantially semicircular pad made from a soft
material for supporting and embracing said forearm when the forearm
is placed onto the semicircular pad and means for securing the
forearm to the substantially semicircular pad when the individual
uses the device to support at least a part of his/her body
weight.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the securing means comprises a
buckle attached to one end of the semicircular pad; a belt, one end
of which is attached to the side of the semicircular pad opposite
to said one side and the other end capable of being guided through
the buckle; and a fastening mechanism for securing said other end
of the belt when the belt is tightened around said forearm of the
individual.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the fastening means comprises a
fastener composed of tiny hooks and loops engageable with each
other in a securable manner.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a height shorter
than the distance from the support surface on which the individual
sits and on which the device rests during use to the armpit of the
individual in a sitting position.
15. The device of claim 9, wherein the device has a height shorter
than the distance from the support surface on which the individual
sits and on which the device rests during use to the armpit of the
individual in a sitting position.
16. A method of self-transfer of a handicapped individual having
non-weight bearing lower extremities and at least one non-weight
bearing wrist from one location having a first support surface to
another location having a second support surface, the method
comprising the following steps: (a) providing a sliding board and a
mobility assist device that has a frame comprising at least a pair
of rods rigidly interconnected at one end with a crossbar, a
forearm support means for supporting the forearm of the hand of the
individual who has the non-weight bearing wrist, the forearm
support means being attached to the frame in an intermediate
position of the frame and oriented perpendicular to the pair of
rods that forms the frame, and forearm securing means for securing
the forearm to the forearm support means in a manner that allows
the individual to perceive all or a part of his/her body weight by
the forearm when the device is used as a support for said
individual; (b) assuming by said individual a sitting position on
the first support surface with the elbow of his/her hand having the
non-weight bearing wrist resting on the first support surface, the
other hand of the individual being located on the side of the
second location; (c) placing one end of the sliding board with said
other hand under his/her buttock and the other end of the sliding
board onto the second support surface so that the sliding board
bridges the span between the first location and a second location;
(d) placing by said individual the device onto the first support
surface for using the device as a crutch by placing the transverse
crossbar under the individual's armpit of the hand having the
non-weight bearing wrist; (e) securing the forearm in the forearm
support means by using the forearm securing means; (f) lifting the
body to alleviate pressure exerted by the weight of the
individual's body on the sliding board by using the muscles of said
other hand and of the forearm of the hand having the non-weight
bearing wrist and shifting himself/herself toward the second
location; (g) repeating step (f) until reaching a position on the
second support surface in the second location; and (h) releasing
himself/herself from the sliding board by pulling it out.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first location is a bed and
the second location is a wheelchair.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first location is a
wheelchair and the second location is a bed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a mobility assist device
for a handicapped individual, in particular, to a device for
assisting a paraplegic individual to independently transfer
himself/herself from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to
a bed, i.e., without assistance from another individual. More
specifically, the invention relates to a method and device for
assisting individuals who are non-weight bearing through their
bilateral lower extremities and also one or both wrists to move in
bed and to transfer from a bed to a chair or commode.
[0002] Many devices and methods that assist handicapped individuals
to increase their independence and mobility are known in the
art.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,486 issued in 1994 to L.
Hoover discloses a crutch, which can be used, particularly by
paraplegics, to move between sitting and standing positions. The
crutch includes a unique foot mechanism that gives added stability
to the user of a pair of the crutches during such sitting/standing
transitions and that can be retracted so as to avoid interference
with normal crutch-aided walking. A set of such crutches,
incorporating both power extension/retraction and power foot
adjustment, is capable of extended powered operation with
on-sliding board electrical power, uses power only for adjustment,
and is self-locking into various positions. The power assist of the
crutches is controlled by switches strategically located on the
crutch handles so that the user can manipulate the control switches
without releasing his/her hold on the crutch handles. Also
disclosed is a unique method of assisting disabled persons who use
such crutches to move between seated and standing positions without
further assistance.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,744 issued in 1995 to Browning discloses
an adjustable mobility assist device, which has a base, means for
obtaining leverage against a stationary object, and grasping means
that allow the user to reach out and up while rising from a seated
position. In its several embodiments, the device can be adapted for
use in rising from a chair, bed, or commode. Handles are provided
so that the device can also assist in walking. Arms are also
included for supporting the user's arms, a reading or eating tray,
and the like. The device is portable and can be moved from one
piece of furniture to another in the user's home.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,671 issued in 1998 to J. Bzoch discloses
an orthosis with a clamp designed to clamp the orthosis to the arm
of a chair. Adjustment devices incorporated in the orthosis permit
adjustment of the position and orientation of the orthosis in all
degrees of freedom, and the armrest of the orthosis can be
lengthened or shortened.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,911 issued in 1999 to R. Steele
describes a device that rests on a floor surface for enhancing the
self-mobility of a person. The device comprises a base structure
that consists of a plurality of floor rail stabilizers and a base
platform. The floor rail stabilizers include parallel sides. The
base platform is comprised of a base frame and a base plate fixably
attached to the base frame with the base frame having parallel side
surfaces and being fixably attached in flush surface-to-surface
relation to the plurality of floor rail stabilizers for strength
and stability. The base platform is located and positioned between
the plurality of floor rail stabilizers for holding the device to
the floor surface. A plurality of upright side stands are sized and
positioned on the floor rail stabilizers for sustaining and
transferring the lateral force applied by the person. Each upright
side stand is comprised of a plurality of vertical rail members and
a plurality of angled rod members. Each upright side stand is
located and positioned with each angled rod member positioned in a
direction toward the back end of the corresponding floor rail
stabilizer to provide stability and each vertical rail member
thereby transferring the lateral force to the corresponding angled
rod member. Each angled rod member thereby transfers the lateral
force to the corresponding floor rail stabilizer to resist tipping
and to relieve the corresponding vertical rail member of
stress.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,789 issued in 2007 to A. Nativ describes
a mobile apparatus for assisting a person with limited mobility.
The person may be assisted by the apparatus when walking. The
apparatus includes a seating surface resiliently mounted to provide
partial body weight support to the person. A person using the
mobility assist may grasp lateral handles disposed on the apparatus
while walking, or he/she may attempt to mobilize without the use of
the lateral handles. Multiple elastic cords positioned to generate
a lifting force that varies according to the number of elastic
cords employed provide the degree of resilience in the seat. The
degree of resilience can be adjusted in accordance with the
relative collapse of the lower extremities of the person. As the
walking ability of the person progresses, such lifting force can be
reduced over time by reducing the number of elastic cords
employed.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,844 issued in 2007 to K. Stewart, III,
et al, relates to a lightweight portable vertebrae decompression
support device that comprises a pair of armrests with selectively
adjustable members connecting the armrests and a base member. The
base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment
raises and lowers the height of the armrests with respect to the
base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to
decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back
surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can
be adjusted to fit various girths.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,467 issued in 2008 to J. Aarestad
discloses a lift and transfer device and a method, wherein a
patient support assembly supported on a lift and on a wheeled
platform includes a main support arm pivoted to the lift. First and
second transversely extending support arms carrying a back support
section and a leg support are cantilevered from the main support
arm. The main support arm is positioned for lifting a patient from
a bed. The main support arm is rotated from a first to a second
angular position for lowering a patient to a wheelchair. First and
second pivot arms each have an upper end pivotally supported to the
back support section and a lower end having a torso grip pad
positioned adjacent to one side of the patient. Horizontal force
applied by each torso grip pad and friction provide patient
support.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,184 issued in 2008 to P. Delhotal
discloses a mobility assist device for moving an individual with
limited mobility or allowing such an individual to move without
assistance from another individual. The device includes a
substantially rigid frame or body assembly having sufficient
strength to support the weight of the individual; a plurality of
lockable/brakeable rolling members attached to the substantially
rigid frame or body assembly; and a seat member attached to the
substantially rigid frame or body assembly, wherein the seat member
includes a seat bottom member and a deployable seat back member
that is selectively adjustable from at least a first upright
position to a second reclined position, wherein in the second
reclined position the seat bottom member and the deployable seat
back member are substantially collinear, thereby functioning as a
ramp that facilitates loading/unloading of the individual into/out
of the seat member and the mobility assist device.
[0011] However, none of the devices and methods described above
make it possible for an individual who is non-weight bearing
through his/her bilateral lower extremities and one or both wrists
to move in bed or to transfer himself/herself from bed to
wheelchair, or vice versa, without assistance.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the invention to provide a device and
method for improving self-mobility of an individual who is
non-weight bearing through his/her bilateral lower extremities and
one or both wrists. It is a further object to provide a device that
can hasten the rehabilitation process of patient independence and
can also be used at home or another facility until the patient is
able to ambulate. It is another object to provide a device that can
be used by patients with multiple extremity fractures for improving
their mobility. It is a more specific object to provide the
aforementioned individuals with a device and method that allow an
individual to move in bed and to transfer himself/herself from bed
to wheelchair, or vice versa, without assistance. Still another
object is to provide the device of the aforementioned type that is
light in weight, adjustable according to specific dimensions of the
individual, foldable, and suitable for placing on a wheelchair.
[0013] An individual who is non-weight bearing through his/her
bilateral lower extremities and one or both wrists cannot
independently, i.e., without assistance of another person, transfer
himself/herself from a bed to a wheelchair, or vice versa. However,
this becomes possible by use of the device and method of the
invention.
[0014] In general, the device of the invention (hereinafter
referred to as "device") comprises a short crutch that has a height
slightly shorter than the distance from the support surface, e.g.,
of a bed or a wheelchair, to the armpit of the person sitting on
this support surface. The device requires the use of a sliding
board as an auxiliary item. The sliding board always can be located
at hand, that is, near or on the bed in an easily reachable
position.
[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the device
consists of two parallel rods adjustable in length and
interconnected with a transverse crossbar at the upper ends and
with a forearm-supporting plate, which is sufficiently wide to
support the forearm of the individual who has a non-weight bearing
wrist. The upper surface of the crossbar and the support surface of
the forearm-supporting plate are coated with a soft, resilient
material. The forearm-supporting plate is provided with a
forearm-securing means, such as a flexible strip or a belt with a
buckle, for tightly securing the wrist of the non-weight bearing
forearm to the device during use of the latter.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention and in addition
to the features described above, the forearm-supporting plate is
pivotally connected to an auxiliary crossbar installed between the
parallel vertical rods, and a third vertical bar for use as a
support leg for the forearm-supporting plate is pivotally connected
to the bottom of the forearm-supporting plate. Such a construction
improves stability of the forearm-supporting plate during use and
makes the device foldable for convenience of storage and
transportation.
[0017] The device is used as a crutch in the following manner. In
order to transfer oneself from a bed to a wheelchair, which is
preliminarily positioned at the end of the bed opposite to the
pillow, the individual assumes a sitting position on the bed with
the elbow of his/her injured or handicapped hand resting on the
bed. The healthy hand is located on the wheelchair side. With the
healthy hand, the individual places one end of the sliding board
under his/her buttock and the other end onto the seat of the
wheelchair so that the sliding board bridges the span between the
bed and the wheelchair. Next, the individual places the device on
the bed. The device is then used as a crutch so that the transverse
crossbar is placed under the individual's armpit of the handicapped
arm, which rests on the forearm-supporting plate, while the healthy
hand rests on the wheelchair side of the sliding board. In this
situation, by using the muscles of the healthy hand and of the
handicapped arm the individual can slightly lift his/her body to
alleviate the pressure exerted by his/her weight on the sliding
board so that he/she can shift his/her body toward the wheelchair.
Such a procedure is repeated many times, and when in subsequent
operations the individual moves closer to the wheelchair the device
rests on the sliding board instead of the bed. These steps are
repeated until the individual finds himself/herself on the part of
the sliding board that is supported by the wheelchair. The
individual then removes the sliding board with his/her healthy
hand. Transfer from a wheelchair to a bed is carried out in reverse
sequence of the above-described operations. In order to facilitate
this operation and to allow the individual to reach the board with
his/her healthy hand, the edge of the sliding board on the
wheelchair side should not be placed too far under the individual's
body. Furthermore, it is recommended that the edges of the sliding
boards be beveled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a handicapped person
mobility assist device according to one aspect of the invention,
the device having two support legs and a forearm-supporting plate
rigidly attached to the frame.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a fragmental exploded view that illustrates
attachment of the adjustable legs to the tubular rods of the device
frame.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device according to another
aspect of the invention, the forearm-supporting plate being
pivotally connected to the transverse bar of the frame and being
provided with a third support leg pivotally connected to the bottom
of the forearm-supporting plate.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view that illustrates folding of the
device.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of the device of the invention in the
direction of arrow A in FIG. 3; the forearm-supporting pad and the
forearm-securing belt are not shown.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic view that illustrates positions of the
bed, wheelchair, and a handicapped individual with non-weight
bearing lower extremities or at least one non-weight bearing hand,
the positions being shown directly prior to use of the device of
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts the handicapped individual resting on the bed
with the elbow of his/her injured hand and being inclined toward
the weight-bearing elbow for insertion of one side of the sliding
board under his/her buttock and for placing another side of the
board onto the seat of the wheelchair.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows the handicapped individual already seated on
the sliding board, the sliding board bridging the space between the
bed and the wheelchair.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows the handicapped individual in a mobile
condition with his/her injured or handicapped hand resting on the
forearm-supporting plate of the device, while the healthy hand of
the individual rests on the sliding board, the vertical arrows
showing the direction of applied forces and the horizontal arrow
showing direction of movement.
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts the individual in a position closer to the
wheelchair after repetitions of the step shown in FIG. 9.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows the individual sitting partially on a
wheelchair seat and partially on the siding board, this position
allowing the individual to release himself/herself from the device
and from the sliding board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] An individual who is non-weight bearing through his/her
bilateral lower extremities or in one or both wrists cannot
independently, i.e., without assistance of another person, transfer
himself/herself, e.g., from a bed to a wheelchair, or vice versa.
However, this becomes possible by use of the device and method of
the invention. In the context of the present invention, the term
"non-weight bearing lower extremities" means amputated or fractured
legs, and the term "handicapped hand" means a hand without a wrist
or a hand with broken fingers. Individuals with such problems are
frequent patients in acute care hospitals, especially in trauma
centers. Non-weight bearing lower extremities and handicapped hands
cannot support the body weight of a handicapped individual. The
mobility assist device of the present invention provides the
individual with such a capacity.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a handicapped person
mobility assist device according to one aspect of the invention.
The device, which as a whole is designated by reference numeral 20,
has a frame 22 formed by a pair of rods 24a and 26a. The rod 24a
consists of a tubular rod 24 and a support leg 28. The rod 26a
consists of a tubular rod 26 and a support leg 30. The support legs
28 and 30 are telescopically inserted into the lower ends of the
tubular rods 24 and 26, respectively. A crossbar 32 that has a soft
upper surface 34 connects the upper ends of the tubular rods 24 and
26.
[0031] The device 20 is provided with a forearm-supporting plate 36
that, in the modification shown in FIG. 1, is connected to the rods
24a and 26a in the intermediate position of their length, e.g.,
near the lower ends of the tubular rods 24 and 26. Attached to the
forearm-supporting plate 36 is a substantially semicircular pad 38
made from a soft material for supporting and embracing the
handicapped arm of the individual during use of the device. The
semicircular pad 38, in turn, is provided with a forearm-securing
means, e.g., in the form of a belt 40, one end of which is attached
to one side of the semicircular pad 38 and the other end is guided
through a buckle 42 attached to the other side of the semicircular
pad 38. The belt can be tightly wrapped around the forearm of an
individual (not shown in FIG. 1) and fixed in the tightened state
by securing means such as a hook-and-loop fastener known under
trademark Velcro.
[0032] The tubular support legs 28 and 30 may have on their lower
ends bearing shoes 44 and 46 molded, e.g. from rubber. A mechanism
of attachment of the support leg, e.g., the support leg 28, to the
respective tubular rod 24 is shown in FIG. 2, which is a fragmental
exploded view of the attachment mechanism. The mechanism consists
of a spring-loaded locking element, e.g., a semispherical member 48
that is urged outward for protrusion from the periphery of the
tubular rod 24 by a spring 50 so that when the tubular support leg
28 is telescopically fitted onto the end of the rod 24, the
protruding part of the semispherical member 48 snaps into a
selected hole of holes 52a, 52b, 52c formed in the wall of the
support leg 28. The parts are fixed in the selected position by
means of a locknut 29 that is threaded on the outer thread 31
formed on the end of the support leg 28. The selected position of
the leg 28 relative to the tubular rod 24 determines the height D1
of the device 20 as well as the distance D2 from the surface on
which the device rests (not shown in FIG. 1) to the position of the
forearm of the individual during use of the device 20 as a mobility
assist means. The distance D1 should be selected so that in the
working position of the individual's forearm, the soft upper
surface 34 of the crossbar 32 is slightly below the armpit of the
user and the load exerted by the partial weight of the individual's
body is perceived not by the crossbar 32 but by the
forearm-supporting plate 36.
[0033] The mobility assist device 120 according to another aspect
of the invention is shown in FIG. 3, which is a side view of the
device. FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 that illustrates
folding of the device 120, and FIG. 5 is a view of the device 120
of the invention in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the
forearm-supporting pad and the forearm-securing belt not being
shown.
[0034] Parts and units of the device of this second modification
that are identical to those shown and described for the first
modification and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be designated
by the same reference numerals but with the addition of 100, and
their description will be omitted. For example, the device 120 of
the second modification has a crossbar 132, a tubular rod 124, a
support leg 128, etc.
[0035] To distinguish the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the
device shown in FIG. 3, the forearm-supporting plate 160 is
pivotally connected to a transverse bar 162 (FIG. 5) of the frame
122 and is provided with a third rod 163, which is pivotally
connected to the bottom of the forearm-supporting plate 160 with
possibility of rotation around a pivot axle 166 (FIGS. 3 and 4). In
the modification of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the third rod 163 consists of
a support leg 164, which is telescopically fitted onto a tubular
bar 165 (FIG. 5). The fixation and adjustment mechanism of the
tubular bar 165 and the third support leg 164 is identical to that
shown in FIG. 2 for the bar 24 and the support leg 28. In order to
limit pivotal rotation of the support leg 164 in the direction away
from the frame 122, a stopper 168 is provided on the lower side of
the forearm-supporting plate 160. The third support leg 164 has a
bearing shoe 170.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the device 120 can be folded for
convenience of storage and transportation. For folding, the
forearm-supporting plate 150 is turned around the crossbar 162 in
the counterclockwise direction of the arrow B (FIG. 4), and the
third bearing leg 164 is turned in the clockwise direction of the
arrow C around the pivot axle 166. In a completely folded position
(not shown), the device 120 can be placed on the wheelchair and can
also be used as a footrest.
[0037] Use of devices 20 and 120 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 to illustrate the sequential steps of
the device use. FIG. 6 is a schematic view that illustrates
positions of the bed, wheelchair, and a handicapped individual with
non-weight bearing lower extremities and at least one non-weight
bearing wrist, the positions being shown directly prior to use of
the device of the invention. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6,
wherein the handicapped individual rests on the bed with the elbow
of his/her injured hand and is inclined toward the weight-bearing
elbow for insertion of one side of the sliding board under his/her
buttock and for placing another side of the board onto the seat of
the wheelchair. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but shows that
the handicapped individual is already seated on the sliding board
and that the sliding board bridges the space between the bed and
the wheelchair. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but shows that
the handicapped individual is in a mobile condition with his/her
injured or handicapped hand resting on the forearm-supporting plate
of the device, while the healthy hand of the individual rests on
the sliding board, the vertical arrows showing direction of applied
forces and the horizontal arrow showing direction of movement. FIG.
10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but shows the individual in a
position closer to the wheelchair after repetitions of the step
shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but shows the
individual sitting partially on a wheelchair seat and partially on
the siding board, the position allowing the individual to release
himself/herself from the device and from the sliding board. In the
aforementioned drawings, the individual who uses the device of the
invention is designated by reference numeral 200, the bed is
designated by reference numeral 202, and the wheelchair is
designated by reference numeral 204. The sliding board 205 made
from plastic or wood is needed for use as an auxiliary item.
[0038] As the following description equally relates to devices 20
and 120 of both modifications, reference will be made only to the
device 20. In fact, the device 20, or device 120, is used as a
short crutch having a height that is slightly shorter that the
distance from the device support surface 202a of the bed 202 to the
armpit 200b (FIGS. 6 and 9) of the individual 200 who sits on the
support surface 202a of the bed 202.
[0039] In order to transfer oneself, e.g., from the bed 200 to a
wheelchair 204, which is preliminarily positioned at the end of the
bed 202 opposite to a pillow 202b, the individual 200 assumes a
sitting position on the bed 202 with the elbow 200c of his/her
injured or handicapped hand 200d resting on the bed 202 (FIG. 7).
The healthy hand 200e is located on the wheelchair side. With the
healthy hand 200e, the individual 200 places one end of the sliding
board 205 under his/her buttock and the other end onto the seat
204a of the wheelchair so that the sliding board 205 bridges the
span between the bed 202 and the wheelchair 205 (FIG. 7). If
necessary, the sliding board 205 is positioned in place by an
assistant. As shown in FIG. 7, in order to facilitate insertion of
the sliding board 205, the edges of the sliding board can be
beveled.
[0040] Next, the individual places the device 206 of the invention
on the bed 202 (FIG. 9). The device 206 is then used as a crutch so
that the transverse crossbar 34 (FIG. 1) is placed under the
individual's armpit 200b of the handicapped arm 200d, which rests
on the semicircular pad 38 of the forearm-supporting plate 36
(FIGS. 1 and 7). In FIGS. 9 through 11, the device is shown
schematically, and the details, including the semicircular pad 38,
are not shown. The healthy hand 200e rests on the wheelchair side
of the sliding board 205.
[0041] In this situation, by using the muscles of the healthy hand
200e and of the handicapped arm 200d, the individual 200 can
slightly lift his/her body to alleviate the pressure exerted by
his/her weight on the sliding board 205 so that he/she can shift
his/her body in the direction of the arrow D (FIG. 9) toward the
wheelchair 204. The vertical arrows show directions of forces
resulting from the body weight of the individual.
[0042] Such a procedure is repeated many times so that in
subsequent operations the device 206 rests on the sliding board 205
instead of the bed 202 (FIG. 10). These steps are repeated until
the individual 200 finds himself/herself on the part of the sliding
board 205 that is supported by the wheelchair 204. The individual
then removes the sliding board 205 with his/her healthy hand 200e
in the direction of the arrow E.
[0043] Transfer from a wheelchair 204 to a bed 202 is carried out
in the reverse sequence of the above-described operations. In order
to facilitate this operation and to allow the individual 200 to
reach the board 205 with his/her healthy hand 200e, the edge of the
sliding board on the wheelchair side should not be placed too far
under the individual's body.
[0044] Thus, it has been shown that the invention provides a device
and method for improving self-mobility of an individual who is
non-weight bearing through his/her bilateral lower extremities and
one or two non-weight bearing wrists. The device hastens the
rehabilitation process of patient independence in a hospital and
also can be used at home until the patient is able to ambulate. The
device can be used by patients with multiple extremity fractures
for improving their mobility. Because of the invention, the
aforementioned individuals are provided with a device and method
that allow movement in bed and transfer from bed to wheelchair, or
vice versa, without assistance. The device is light in weight,
adjustable according to specific dimensions of the individual,
foldable, and suitable for storing, transporting on a wheelchair,
or for using on a wheelchair as a foot rest.
[0045] Although the invention has been shown and described with
reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that these
embodiments should not be construed as limiting the areas of
application of the invention and that any changes and modifications
are possible provided that these changes and modifications do not
depart from the scope of the attached patent claims. For example,
the handicapped individual who has two non-weight bearing wrists
would use two devices, one for the right hand and another for the
left hand. The device frame can be assembled from aluminum tubular
elements or can be molded from a plastic material. The device may
have one support leg or more than three support legs. The support
legs can be attached to the frame elements and fixed in the
adjusted position by means other than the spring-loaded
semispherical member and the locking nut, e.g., with pins
insertable into through holes of the legs and tubular rods.
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