Patient Positioning Device

Abstract

A patient positioning device includes an elongated flexible laminated sheet adapted to be arranged on a bed beneath the body of a patient and having a friction-type top surface for frictionally supporting the patient and a slippery bottom surface slidable along the bed, longitudinal end loop handles at each corner of the sheet for pulling the patient along the bed and for removable anchoring to the bed to locate the patient in a predetermined position thereon, and a pair of longitudinal side strap handles spaced along each side of the sheet for transversely shifting and particularly lifting the patient, thereby adapting the device for use as a soft stretcher in transporting the patient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the art of patient positioning, and more particularly to a new and improved patient positioning device especially adapted for use in shifting a patient longitudinally along and transversely of a bed, but also adapted for use as a soft stretcher in lifting and transporting a patient.

2. Description of the Prior Art

One of the major problems in caring for bed ridden patients in hospitals or elsewhere is the tendency for a patient to slide or slump longitudinally along the bed from the desired position to an uncomfortable cramped position. While this sliding can occur toward either end of the bed, depending upon whether the legs or upper parts of the patient's body are elevated, such as in the transversely hinged spring and/or mattress support structure of a typical hospital type bed, the most recurrent situation encountered is the tendency of a patient, whose upper body is elevated in a semi-sitting position, to slide toward the foot of the bed, resulting in the patient assuming an uncomfortable cramped position. In order to restore the patient to the desired position, it is often necessary for two attendants to slide and/or lift the patient back to a comfortable position. The larger, heavier and/or more helpless the patient, the more difficult this operation becomes.

One attempt to alleviate this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,816, wherein a supplemental bed sheet combination composed of a transversely positioned elongated bed sheet having transverse tubes or loops intermediate its ends is positioned so that the loops lay along the longitudinal edges of the mattress beneath the patient with the end flaps tucked beneath the mattress. When it is desired to reposition the slumped patient, two attendants are required, each of whom inserts an elongated wooden pole through the tubes and then lifts and moves the patient longitudinally to the desired position on the bed. Of course, this patented device represents an improvement over direct manual movement of the patient, but still requires the presence of two strong attendants to accomplish the desired result, as well as the insertion and withdrawal of the two poles, and untucking and retucking of the flaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved patient positioning device which is so constructed and designed as to eliminate the need for two attendants as well as the poles and flaps of the patented device for such longitudinal shifting of the patient on the bed. To this end, the inventive patient positioning device includes an elongated flexible sheet adapted to be placed lengthwise on a bed beneath the body of a patient, such sheet having upper means forming a friction type top surface adapted to frictionally support the patient's body and lower means forming a slippery bottom surface adapted to slide along the bed, all in order to facilitate longitudinal shifting of the patient on the bed by a single attendant pulling such sheet and the patient thereon along the bed.

Another object is to provide such patient positioning device including end handle means on such sheet to facilitate such longitudinal shifting and to locate the patient in a predetermined position by removably anchoring such end handle means to the bed.

A further object is to provide such patient positioning device including side handle means on such sheet to facilitate transverse shifting, and particularly lifting of the patient, thereby adapting such device for use as a soft stretcher in transporting the patient.

Still another object is to provide such patient positioning device wherein such sheet includes an upper layer of fibrous material forming such friction-type top surface and a lower layer of plastic material forming such slippery bottom surface and wherein such device includes means for permanently or removably securing such upper and lower layers together.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a hospital bed with a first preferred embodiment of the inventive patient positioning device arranged on the bed beneath a patient illustrated in solid lines as having slumped to an uncomfortable forward position near the foot of the bed and in dotted lines as having been pulled rearwardly by the arms of a single attendant to the desired position closer to the head of the bed.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bed, patient and positioning device of FIG. 1 and showing the hinged spring and mattress support structure articulated to raise the head portion and break the leg and foot portions of such support structure for locating the patient in a semi-sitting comfortable position represented by dotted lines, with the uncomfortable slumped forward position of the patient being represented by solid lines, as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan perspective view of such first preferred embodiment of the inventive patient positioning device and illustrating the upper fibrous layer of the sheet forming a friction-type patient supporting top surface, together with the fibrous reinforcing border tape, end loop handles and side strap handles, all permanently sewn in place.

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing structural details of the sewing of a fibrous side strap handle.

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3 and showing structural details of the sewing of a fibrous end loop handle.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged section taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 3 and showing structural details of the sewing of the fibrous border tape.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom plan perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the lower plastic layer of the sheet forming a slippery bottom surface for sliding along the bed.

FIG. 8 is a top plan perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the inventive patient positioning device wherein the upper fibrous layer is removably fastened to the lower plastic layer, the former being provided with the side strap handles and end loop handles.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 8 and illustrating structural details of the sewing of an end loop handle.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 8 and illustrating structural details of the sewing of a side strap handle.

FIG. 11 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 11--11 of FIG. 8 and illustrating in both dotted and solid lines structural details of the removable fastening of the upper layer of the sheet to the lower layer thereof, with the detached lower layer being shown in dotted lines, and the reinforcing border tape on the upper layer having a false upper lip shown in dotted lines prior to sewing in place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a typical hospital bed is generally indicated at B and includes an upright head B1 and an upright foot B2 connected by the usual runners B3. Suitably supported on runners B3 is a spring containing frame S composed of a head portion S1, and intermediate or leg portion S2 and a foot portion S3, suitably hinged together for articulation for placing a patient P in a semi-sitting position such as shown in FIG. 2, with the hinged connection between head portion S1 and leg portion S2 being suitably connected to bed runners B3 below the hips of the patient and the hinged connection between leg portion S2 and foot portion S3 being located beneath the knee joint of the patient. Inasmuch as the detailed construction of the bed B, and particularly the mechanisms for articulating the hinged portions of spring frame S, form no part of the present invention, details of such mechanisms are not shown.

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, a mattress M is supported on spring frame S and conforms to the articulated portions thereof for supporting the patient. Actually, the position of patient P shown in full lines represents the slumped forward position, with the desired position being shown in dotted lines at P'.

A first preferred embodiment of the inventive patient positioner is generally indicated at 20 and is shown as being arranged on mattress M of bed B beneath the patient, such inventive device also being shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 under the patient in the slumped forward position P and in dotted lines under the patient in the desired position P', with the hands H of a single attendant being shown in FIG. 1 for pulling the patient longitudinally from the undesirable solid line position to the desired dotted line position, such attendant (not shown) conveniently standing behind the head B1 of bed B.

Turning to FIGS. 3-7, the structure of the first preferred embodiment 20 of the inventive patient positioning device is illustrated in detail. Thus, the inventive device includes an elongated and generally rectangular, flexible laminated sheet which typically is about 4 feet long by about 3 feet wide and includes an upper layer 22 (FIG. 3), a lower layer 24 (FIG. 7), end loop handles 26, side strap handles 28, reinforcing border tape 30 and thread 32.

Upper layer 22 is formed of fibrous material, which preferably is a woven fabric, such as the flannel or muslin employed in bed sheets generally, although it may be a non-woven fabric. This layer 22 forms a friction-type top surface which is relatively rough, for frictionally supporting the body of the patient. Lower layer 24 preferably is formed of suitable plastic material with little or no stretch, and with or without internal reinforcement, such as polyethylene for example, and thus forms a low friction or smooth, slippery bottom surface for sliding along the bed. As a result, the combination of such friction-type top surface and slippery bottom surface facilitates longitudinal shifting of the patient on the bed by a single attendant pulling the sheet and the patient thereon along the bed to the desired dotted line position such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Upper layer 22 and lower layer 24 are suitably permanently secured together such as by the one row shown, or more rows, of thread 32 stitched therethrough along their side and end margins. Alternatively, these two layers could be so secured together by bonding, either adhesively or by heat. As a matter of fact, the lower layer 24 could be formed as a coating on the underside of upper layer 22, and such coating could be of suitable slippery plastic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene for example.

Preferably at each corner, the sheet is provided with end loop handles 26 suitably secured in place and preferably formed of suitable fibrous material, which may be the same as or similar to that employed for upper layer 22. In addition, the sheet also is provided with a pair of side strap handles 28 spaced longitudinally along each side margin and suitably secured in place. Like end loop handles 26, these side strap handles preferably are formed of suitable fibrous material and preferably are sewn in place by threads 32.

Although not absolutely necessary, in the first preferred embodiment illustrated, a reinforcing, preferably fibrous border tape 30 is folded over the side and end edges of upper and lower layers 22, 24 to cover their margins, as shown in FIG. 6, and preferably is sewn in place by thread 32 for permanently attaching such upper and lower layers together. In employing reinforcing border tape 30, this preferably is applied first, followed by application of longitudinal end loop handles 26 and side strap handles 28. The former preferably are secured, as shown in FIG. 5, by arranging their free ends over tape 30 above and below the upper and lower layers adjacent each corner of the sheet and by sewing the thread 32 through each of these components. As for each pair of longitudinal side strap handles 28, which are spaced along each side margin of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 4, they preferably are arranged over tape 30 above upper layer 22 and sewn in place by thread 32 passing through each of the components.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment 20 of the inventive patient positioning device is shown as being arranged longitudinally on mattress M beneath the body of the patient who has slid or slumped forwardly to the solid line position P. In view of the fact that the inventive device 20 is made of flexible materials, it readily can be folded and/or rolled beneath the body of the patient and then spread out, just as sheets are changed on a bed while the patient remains in the bed by rolling the patient first to one side and then the other to permit interposition of device 20.

In order to slide the patient back up to the desired dotted line position P', it is but a simple matter for a single attendant to grip the rear corners, but preferably the rear end loop handles with his or her hands H as he or she stands behind the head B1 of bed B and reaches forwardly for this purpose. As noted above, the combination of the friction-type top surface formed by upper layer 22 and the slippery bottom surface formed by lower layer 24, together with end loop handles 26, cooperative to facilitate such desired sliding movement of the patient, and eliminate the need for the use of other devices or more than one attendant to accomplish the desired result.

Once the patient has been properly repositioned, say to the dotted line position P' of FIGS. 1 and 2, and if desired, inventive device 20 readily may be removed in the same manner as it was inserted, by rolling the patient from side to side and folding and sliding device 20 transversely from beneath the body of the patient. On the other hand, inventive device 20 could be left in place to locate and maintain the patient in the desired dotted line position P' simply by anchoring rear end loop handles 26 to mattress M, such as by means of pins or other suitable fasteners not shown. Alternatively, and especially when the mattress M and spring frame S are arranged in a flatter position, such end loop handles could be made long enough to be removably anchored to the bed by looping the same over the bed posts (not shown) sometimes provided at both the head and foot of the bed.

As for side strap handles 28, these perform a useful function in adapting inventive device 20 for use as a "soft" stretcher, such as by providing grips for one attendant to slide the patient transversely of the bed, if necessary, or for two attendants to lift the patient and transport him or her, such as between the bed and a chair or a table.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, a second preferred embodiment of the inventive patient positioning device is generally indicated at 40, and principally differs from the first preferred embodiment 20 in that the upper fibrous layer is removably secured to the lower plastic layer to facilitate separate cleaning and replacement of the two layers. Dimensionally speaking, however, the two devices essentially are the same. Thus, such second preferred embodiment includes upper layer 42, lower layer 44, end loop handles 46, side strap handles 48, reinforcing border tape 50, thread 52 and snap fasteners 54.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, upper layer 42 may be made of suitable fibrous material such as that referred to above for upper layer 22 to provide the friction-type upper surface, while lower plastic layer 44 may be formed of suitable plastic material, such as the polyethylene indicated for lower layer 24, to provide the smooth or slippery bottom surface. Likewise, preferably adjacent each corner, the sheet is provided with preferably fibrous end loop handles 46 suitably secured in place as by thread 52 and a pair of preferably fibrous side strap handles 48 spaced longitudinally along each side margin and suitably secured in place, as by thread 52.

However, upper and lower layers 42, 44 are removably secured together adjacent their side and end margins preferably by a series of snap fasteners made of suitable material such as metal or rigid plastic, and generally indicated at 54. The lower female members 56 preferably are suitably secured to plastic layer 44, such as by clinching the upper bulbous socket part 56a through the retaining ring part 56b with the plastic layer 44 being pierced and compressed between the two parts. Alternatively, these two parts could be embedded in plastic layer 44, such as by molding the same in situ. In addition, the upper male members 58 are suitably secured to upper layer 42, such as by clinching the enlarged lower end of the elongated and generally T-shaped stem part 58a into the bulbous sheath part 58b, with the margin of upper fibrous layer 42 being pierced and compressed between these two parts. Thus, the bulbous sheath parts 58b of male fasteners 58 are adapted to mate with the complementary shaped socket parts 56a of female fasteners 56. As will be evident, the positions of the male and female fastener members could be reversed, if desired.

Although not absolutely necessary, in such second preferred embodiment, a preferably fibrous reinforcing border tape 50 preferably is folded over the edges of the side and end margins of upper layer 42 and preferably is sewn in place by one or more rows of thread 52, such as the two rows shown. In order to avoid contact between upper fastener members 58 and the patient, border tape 50 preferably is provided with a reversely and outwardly folded upper or "false" lip 50a. This lip is folded back after attachment of upper fastener members 58, the stem parts 58a of which also pierce the intermediate and lower lips 50b, c of border tape 50 when installing such upper fasteners. Then, the components of upper layer 42 and border tape 50 are sewn together by stitching thread 52 therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 9, the upper and lower free ends 46a, b of end loop handles 46 may be sewn in place at the same time as the foregoing components, with lower free end 46b preferably below lower border tape lip 50c and upper free end 46a preferably concealed beneath upper lip 50a. However, upper free end 46a could be atop upper lip 50a, and handles 46 could be sewn in place separately, as are side handles 48, as shown in FIG. 10.

As a further alternative, the end loop handles 46 could be secured suitably to or made a part of lower plastic layer 44, instead of upper fibrous layer 42, if so desired. The same is true of side handles 48.

From a functional standpoint, the use of the second preferred embodiment 40 essentially is the same as that for first preferred embodiment 20, with the preferably fibrous end loop handles 46 being employed for the desired longitudinal shifting of the patient along the bed and the preferably fibrous side strap handles 48 being employed for the desired transverse shifting, lifting and transporting of the patient. The principal advantage of the second preferred embodiment 40 over the first preferred embodiment 20 is that the removable upper fibrous layer 42 can be washed separately and replaced by another clean fibrous layer to permit continued use of device 40, while the lower plastic layer 44 readily can be cleaned whenever necessary, usually at less frequent intervals.

It now will be seen how the inventive device accomplishes its various objects, and numerous advantages thereof likewise will be apparent. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the inventive concept, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A patient positioning device comprising an elongated and generally rectangular, flexible laminated sheet adapted to be placed lengthwise on a bed beneath the body of a patient, said sheet having an upper layer of fibrous material forming a friction-type top surface adapted to frictionally support the patient's body and a lower layer of plastic material forming a slippery bottom surface adapted to slide along the bed, and means securing said upper and lower layers together along their side and end margins, all in order to facilitate longitudinal shifting of the patient on the bed by a single attendant pulling said sheet and the patient thereon along the bed.

2. The patient positioning device of claim 1 wherein said securing means include a reinforcing border tape means of fibrous material covering the side and end margins of said upper and lower layers and sewn in place, for permanently attaching said upper and lower layers together, with said plastic material being polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. The patient positioning device of claim 1 wherein said securing means include a series of snap fasteners severally composed of mating male and female members, with said female members being spaced along the side and end margins of one of said upper and lower layers and said male members being spaced along the side and end margins of the other of said upper and lower layers, for removably attaching said upper and lower layers together, with said plastic material being polytetrafluoroethylene.