Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to a device for shifting patients, more preferably relates to a device for transporting medical patients from operating tables/stretchers/trolleys to beds or vice versa.

Background of the Invention

Transferring of patients from one support to another in hospitals and other medical facilities is usually performed by partially lifting of the patient and sliding of the patients from one support to another with the help of bedsheets or slidesheets or draw sheets. The transferring of patient from one support to another during the medical procedures or conduct of tests requires great effort and which requires greater number of attendants/caregivers. This transferring of patient may cause greater discomfort to the patient and the caregivers. The caregivers are also subjected to severe strain during the course of transferring/sliding the patient. In certain cases, this transfer process may aggravate the injury of the patient or may lead to an injury to the caregiver. Over the years, various supporting devices or aids have been invented to support the process of lifting or sliding patients from one support to the other. US Patent No. 4067079 provides a flexible plastic shifting slab with low friction coefficient. US Patent No. 3329978 discloses an aluminum sheet, which reduces the friction drag during sliding the patients. US Patent No. 5511255 discloses a thin flexible roll-able platform made from high density polyethylene for relatively easy sliding. A transfer board is positioned under the bedsheet on which the patient is lying to bridge the two surfaces and the patient is pulled with the help of the bedsheet. US Patent No. 4092748 provides a patient handling system, which consists of a patient handling sheet and a novel patient lift apparatus. The patient handling sheet has spaced longitudinal tubes, which are parallel to each other. The patient handling sheet is made by stitching the layers of sheets, to receive stretcher poles and longitudinally spaced transverse apertures. However, these longitudinal tubes create a very thick bulging portion on the bedsheet and therefore are spaced wide enough for lying just below the top of the bed, to the sides, so as not to interfere with the patient comfort.

All these aids are expensive and are not very user friendly. Summary

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a patient shifting device comprising a bedsheet or drawsheet having a plurality of longitudinal sleeves, wherein the plurality of longitudinal sleeves are in form of a double layered woven structure and lie over the bed itself. Each of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves is capable of receiving a rod. In yet another embodiment, the device works as a bedsheet when the rod is removed from each of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves and as a patient shifting device when the rod is inserted in each of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves.

In yet another embodiment, at least two of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves are spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance. In yet another embodiment, the predefined distance is in the range of 1 to 3 feet.

In yet another embodiment, the predefined distance is preferably about 2 feet.

In yet another embodiment, bursting strength of the bedsheet is 380N.

In yet another embodiment, the bedsheet or drawsheet is formed from 100 % cotton or polyester-cotton blend material. In yet another embodiment, the rod is a steel rod.

In yet another embodiment, length of the rod is greater than length of each of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves and the rod is removable from each of the plurality of longitudinal sleeves.

In yet another embodiment, a first longitudinal sleeve receives a first rod and a second longitudinal sleeve receives a second rod, the first longitudinal sleeve and the second longitudinal sleeve is selected from amongst the plurality of longitudinal sleeves to accommodate a patient on the bedsheetor drawsheet such that the first longitudinal sleeve and the second longitudinal sleeve fall on either side of the patient.

In another embodiment, size of drawsheet is smaller than size of bedsheet.

The device can be used as a bedsheet-cum-patient shifting device or only patient shifting device. In an implementation the longitudinal sleeves may be continuous sleeve or intermittent sleeves, i.e., sleeves may also be provided in form of pockets at predefined distances.

The device of the present invention improves the comfort of the patient and caregivers during the process of shifting of patients from one support to the other during hospitalization, for example, shifting the patient from operating table to bed, or from bed to stretcher and vice versa with little effort and without causing a discomfort and injury to the patient and caregivers. These aspects and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

To further clarify the advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is 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 with the accompanying drawings thereof:

Figure la shows plan view of a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure lbshows another plan view of the device comprising a plurality of longitudinal sleeves and a rod is passing through each of the longitudinal sleeves, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a shows another plan view of the device indicating the plurality of longitudinal sleeves, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2b shows a side view of the device indicating the plurality of longitudinal sleeves, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2c shows a side view of a drawsheet used for shifting and transporting patient in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows the construction or architecture of the bedsheet or drawsheet having longitudinal sleeves on one side of the bedsheet or drawsheet, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The number of picks and ends is for representation only and may vary according to the size of the sleeves. It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Description

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Figurela depicts the plan view of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a patient shifting device 100 comprising a bedsheet or drawsheet 102 having a plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104. The bedsheet or drawsheet 102 is preferably made up of 100% cotton or polyester- cotton blend to achieve the required strength. The required bursting strength of the bedsheet or drawsheet 102 is 380N. However, different materials may be used for manufacturing the bedsheet or drawsheet 102. The bedsheet or drawsheet 102 comprises a plurality of sleeves 104 along the length of the bedsheet or drawsheet 102. The plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104 are provided in the bedsheet or drawsheet 102 by dividing the cross section of the fabric into two parts and creating a double layer of woven structure during the weaving process. The two fabrics so created are not tied by any additional yarn. For example, as shown in figure la, two sleeves 104 are provided in the bedsheet or drawsheet 102 at a pre-defined distance 108 for receiving steel rods 106. The distance between the sleeves 104 may be varied depending upon the requirement. In an example, the predefined distance is in the range of 1 to 3 feet, more preferably the predefined distance is about 2 feet.

Figure lb depicts another plan view of the present invention. This figure shows that the use of bedsheet or drawsheet as a stretcher. In this figure, the bedsheet or drawsheet 102 having a plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104 and the rods 106 are passing through each of the longitudinal sleeves 104 and are encased by the longitudinal sleeves 104. The length of the rod 106 is greater than length of the each of the sleeves 104. The rods 106 are removable from the sleeves 104. The rods 106 are preferably made up of steel to achieve the required strength. However, different materials may be used for manufacturing the rods 106. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the length of the rod may also be smaller than the bedsheet.

Figure 2a shows another plan view of the patient shifting device 100. The device 100 comprises the plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104a, 104a', 104a", 104b, 104b', 104b" and rods 106a, 106b passing through the longitudinal sleeves 104a, 104b as shown in figure 2a. Depending upon the requirement, the distance between the rods 108 may be varied by inserting the rods 106a, 106b in at least two longitudinal sleeves to vary the pre-defined distance 108, 108a, 108b. The rods 106a, 106b are inserted in the longitudinal sleeves 104 such that first rod 106a falls on one side of the patient, while the second rod 106b falls on the other side of the patient. The device 100 accommodates a patient in such a manner that the discomfort caused to patient due to sag and shifting can be avoided. For accommodating different patients, i.e., patients of different age, different height and width, the plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104a-104a" and 104b-104b" are provided on both sides of the bedsheet or drawsheet 102. In the example shown in the figure, if the patient is a child, the rods 106a, 106b are made to pass through the inner most longitudinal sleeves 104a, 104b such that the longitudinal sleeves 104a, 104b fall on both sides of the patient and their selection avoids the unnecessary sag and discomfort to the patient. Further, if the patient is a grown up person, such as a man, the outer most or other longitudinal sleeves 104a', 104b 'may be selected to carry or transfer the patient. In this case, to carry the patient, the rods 106a, 106b may be passed through the longitudinal sleeves 104a' , 104b' . Figure 2b shows a side view of the patient shifting device 100. The figure indicates that amongst the plurality of longitudinal sleeves 104a-104a", 104b-104b", two rods are passed through any two longitudinal sleeves 104a- 104a", 104b -104b". The selection of the longitudinal sleeves 104a-104a", 104b-104b" depends on size of the patient. Further, when device 100 is used as a stretcher, two rods 106a, 106b are passed through the plurality of longitudinal sleeves in such a manner that one longitudinal sleeve 104a, 104a', 104a" receiving the rod 106a falls on one side of the patient and the other longitudinal sleeve 104b, 104b', 104b" receiving the rod 106b falls on the other side of the patient. The number of longitudinal sleeves is not restricted to the number of longitudinal sleeves shown in the figures, rather any desired number of the longitudinal sleeves may be provided in the device 100. The device 100 comprises at least two longitudinal sleeves 104 to receive the rods 106. Length of the rods 106a and 106b is greater than the length of the longitudinal sleeves 104a, 104a', 104a", 104b, 104b', 104b" such that a portion of the rods 106a, 106b is extending outwards from both ends of the sleeves 104a, 104a', 104a", 104b, 104b', 104b". The extended portion is provided in such a manner that caregivers may easily hold the rods 106a, 106b and lift the device 100 and the patient. The portion of the rods 106a, 106b extending outwards from both ends of the sleeves 104a, 104a', 104a", 104b, 104b', 104b "may be adjusted as per the requirement of the caregivers. The rods 106a, 106b may be telescopic. Further, in an embodiment, additional elements or components, which allow easy lifting of patient, may be connected at the ends of the rods 106a, 106b. The additional elements or components may be connected to the rods by any method such as screwing etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of longitudinal sleeves shown in the figures is for the purpose of representation and the same may not be construed as limiting. Further, when the device 100 is not used as a stretcher, i.e., when it is spread on the bed, it functions as a bedsheet or drawsheet. Figure 2c shows an embodiment in which a drawsheet 102 is used in place of a bedsheet for shifting/ transporting patient from operating tables/stretchers/trolleys 110 to beds or vice versa. The drawsheet 102 is smaller in size than size of the bed/operating table/trolley or alike as shown in Figure. The size of the drawsheet is smaller than the size of the bedsheet. The drawsheet can be of any size or dimension. Further, drawsheet is a small bed sheet placed crosswise over the middle of the bottom sheet of a mattress to cover the area between the person's upper back and thighs.

Figure 3 illustrates or depicts the construction/structure or architecture of the bedsheet or drawsheet 300 and sleeve 304 on one side of the fabric (cross-sectional view). The sleeves 304 are running throughout the fabric to the other end of the bedsheet. Base fabric 302 is made with a single fabric construction and the longitudinal sleeves 304 in the bedsheet or drawsheet 300 are made by dividing the cross section of the fabric into two parts and creating a double layer woven structure, face 306 and back fabric 308 during the weaving process. The two fabrics so created are not tied by any additional yarn, thereby make a sleeve into the woven fabric. With the insertion of first pick 310, weft interlacement takes place with warp yarns 312 in the base fabric 302 and warp yarns 312 in the face fabric 306, whereas the warp yarns 312 in the back fabric 308 make warp floats 314. All the back warp yarns are left down and half of the warp yarns from the face layer are lifted for interlacement in the face fabric. During next pick insertion 316, the weft yarn interlacement takes place with the warp yarns 312 in the base fabric 302 and the warp yarns 312 in the back fabric 308. All the face warp yarns are lifted and half of the warp yarns in the back layer are lifted for interlacement in the back fabric. The warp yarns 312 in the face fabric 306 make warp floats 318. Same occurs during the insertion of third pick 320 but with the interchanging of warp yarns, interlacement with warp yarn 312 in the base fabric 302 and warp yarns 312 in the face fabric 306 takes place after the warp yarns have been exchanged (i.e the face warp yarns which were lifted during the first pick insertion 310 are dropped down and others are lifted during the third pick insertion 320 so that interlacement between the warp and weft yarns in the face fabric is possible), and warp floats 314 in the back fabric 308 are created. Similarly when fourth pick 322 is inserted, the interlacement takes place with the warp yarns 312 in the base fabric 302 and the warp yarns 312 in the back fabric 308 after the exchange of warp yarns, and the warp yarn floats 318 in the face fabric 306 are created. The warp yarn density during the construction of double layer of cloths is kept higher than the base fabric 308 to accommodate the division of yarns into face fabric 306 and back fabric 308. The interlacement of weft yarns during construction of double layers of fabric, face and back fabric being done during the alternative picks. In the above embodiment, the fabric sleeves are being created in the warp direction, but these sleeves can also be created in the weft direction.

The invented bedsheet or drawsheet is preferably made from 100% cotton or polyester- cotton blend in double layered structure or any such material. However, different materials can be used for the bedsheet or drawsheet to provide the required strength. The steps or process to shift the patient during any shifting, e.g. from an operation table to trolley or bed involves spreading the bedsheet or draw sheet, which consist of longitudinal sleeves made in double layer woven structure, on the operating table before the procedure. The longitudinal sleeves on the bedsheet or drawsheet may lie along the sides of the patient when the patient lies in the center. After the procedure or during shifting the patient, insert the rods into the longitudinal sleeves with patient on the bedsheet or drawsheet atop the operating table. The shifting trolley or bed and the operating table are brought in proximity to shift or transfer the patient. The shifting trolley or bed and the operating table may or may not be at same level. The patient is lifted by the caregivers by holding the rods inserted in the sleeves and shifted to the bed/trolley.

The patient shifting device comprises a bedsheet or drawsheet made by dividing the warp threads into two layers and weaving the layers separately with alternate pick insertion, in such a way that sleeves have been created during the weaving process along the length of bedsheet or drawsheet. The body of the bedsheet or drawsheet is made from a single fabric and the sleeves have been produced in double layer structure during the fabric weaving process. No additional accessories are required for creating the sleeves in the bedsheet or drawsheet. The distance between the sleeves is such that when the patient lies in the center, these sleeves appear on his sides and does not cause any discomfort to the patient, even if he lies over the sleeves. The rods are passed through the sleeves such that sleeves encase the rods. The rods are stainless steel rods. The rods can be made from any material capable of holding weight of about 150 kg. This arrangement converts the bedsheet in form of a stretcher and the stretcher can be lifted easily by two attendants holding these rods from the edges. The bedsheet is sufficiently strong to support the weight of the patient. Since the sleeves have been created during the weaving process, the chances of failure of the sleeves are negligible. The same method can be used for shifting the patients from one support to the other. Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.