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Title:
SAFETY SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORT OF AN OCCUPANT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/141906
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention concerns a safety system for transport of an occupant supported on a mattress or a foundation structure. The safety system comprises at least one sensor, a control unit and at least one airbag assembly arranged in signal communication and operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, by activation of the at least one airbag assembly for inflation of at least one air bag of the airbag assembly to protect and essentially maintain the occupant's position on the mattress or the foundation structure. The invention also comprises use and method claims.

Inventors:
HAUKELAND FRODE (NO)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2018/052661
Publication Date:
August 09, 2018
Filing Date:
February 02, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LAYSECURE AS (NO)
International Classes:
A61G11/00; A01K1/02; A61G3/00; B60R21/16
Domestic Patent References:
WO2006134363A22006-12-21
WO2012005658A12012-01-12
WO2013110584A12013-08-01
Foreign References:
US4834420A1989-05-30
US6736455B12004-05-18
DD240668A11986-11-12
CN201987127U2011-09-28
TW201231035A2012-08-01
CN201349823Y2009-11-25
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

Safety system for transport of an occupant supported on a mattress or a foundation structure,

charaterizedinthat the safety system comprises at least one sensor, a control unit and at least one airbag assembly arranged in signal

communication and operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, by activation of the at least one airbag assembly for inflation of at least one air bag of the airbag assembly to protect and essentially maintain the occupant's position on the mattress or the foundation structure.

Safety system for transport of an occupant on a mattress or a foundation structure in accordance with claim 1 ,

charaterizedinthat the safety system comprises at least a first air bag assembly arranged for the inflation of at least one air bag to protect mainly the head area of the occupant, and at least a second airbag assembly arranged for inflation of the least one air bag to protect mainly the torso area of the occupant.

Safety system for transport of an occupant on a mattress or a foundation structure in accordance with preceding claims,

charaterizedinthat the least one sensor is provided for measuring a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, and when the measured acceleration deceleration or impact exceeds a threshold value, an actuator module of the airbag assembly is provided for activation the inflation of the at least one air bag to protect and maintain occupants position on the mattress or the foundation structure.

4. Mattress or a foundation structure charaterizedinthat it comprises a safety system for transport of an occupant in accordance with the preceding claims.

5. Mattress or a foundation structure in accordance with claim 4,

charaterizedinthat it comprises

-a resting surface for supporting the occupant of the mattress,

-at least one protective structure arranged at a peripheral area of the support surface, and provided with the at least one sensor and the at least one airbag assembly .

Mattress or a foundation structure in accordance with 5,

c h a r a t e r i z e d i n t h a t the mattress or foundation structure has a direction of transport and that the at least one protective structure is arranged with the at least a sensor and the at least an airbag assembly arranged for providing protection for the occupant

-in the transport direction,

-in a direction transverse to the transport direction, and

-in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and the transport direction.

7. Mattress or a foundation structure in accordance with claim 4 or 5,

c h a r a t e r i z e d i n t h a t the at least one protective structure comprises a head board module, two long side modules and a foot board module, wherein -each of the long side modules is arranged with a first sensor and first airbag assembly and a second sensor and second airbag assembly for protection of the head area of the occupant,

-the foot board structure is arranged with a third sensor and third airbag assembly and a fourth sensor and fourth airbag assembly for protection of the torso area of the occupant.

8. Use of a mattress in accordance with one of the claims 4-7 in an incubator, a transport cage for pets or in a recreational vehicle (RV).

9. Method for securing an occupant in a resting position on a mattress or a

foundation structure, comprising a control unit, at least one sensor and airbags arranged in signal communication and operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact by the following steps

-inflating a first set of air bags to occupy a transverse portion of the mattress above the occupants head region,

-inflating a second set of air bags to occupy a longitudinal portion of the mattress along each side of the occupants torso.

10. Method for securing an occupant in a resting position on a mattress or a

foundation structure, carrying out the following steps previous to the steps of claim 9;

-detecting a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact by the sensors, -comparing the detected acceleration, deceleration or impact to a threshold value by the control unit and if exceeding the threshold value, then

- inflating the air bags.

Description:
SAFETY SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORT OF AN OCCUPANT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of the safe securing of an occupant during transport for instant in a vehicle, helicopter, aircraft, vessel or other means of transport. The invention may in addition also be useful when the occupant is transported to and from the actual means of transport, and the place of departure or destination, for instance a hospital.

In particular the present invention is applicable for securing an occupant such as an prenatal infant (bodyweight of 500-2500g) in a transport incubator, but the invention is also suitable for infants with larger body weight. The inventive idea of the safety system is to provide a reliable solution that secures an occupant during transport. The safety system is applicable also for securing persons with a larger body weight than an infant, or a non-human being such as a pet.

More specifically, the invention concerns a safety system for transport of an occupant supported on a mattress or a foundation structure. The invention also concerns a mattress or a foundation structure comprising the safety system, use of the mattress comprising the safety system in an incubator, a transport cage for pets or in a recreational vehicle (RV), and a method for securing an occupant in a resting position BACKGROUND

As of today, the securing of prenatal infants as well as larger sized newborns and babies to be transported is insufficient. A safety system for infants and children having a body weight over 3,5 kg is available in the ambulance, but for infants with a lower body weight, no satisfactory safety system is at present available on a regular basis. Often the infant is transported without any safety system for securing the infant in the incubator at all.

At present there is no prevailing standard for securing infants during transport in a incubator arranged in emergency vehicles.

When securing a prenatal infant for transport, an important aspect is to take into account that various medical equipment needs to be fastened to the infants body. Further the infant needs to be readily accessible for the medical personnel for continuous monitoring of the infant, and in the case where an emergency procedure needs to be performed. The need for satisfactory securing of the infant during transport must fit with the required medical equipment, and should be balanced against the special precautions that must be taken when transporting prenatal infants.

Prenatal infants are highly sensitive creatures, where the mere stress of being moved from one location to another endangers the infants possibility of surviving. Further the exposure to movements caused by the vehicle may have physical effects on the infant when inadequately restrained. When exposed to excessive vibration, especially if amplified due to inadequately restrainment, these have serious physiological effects on the baby. The effects of deceleration can have equally serious physiological effects on an infant's cardiovascular system, and the transport movement has a seriously detrimental effect on an infants's respiratory system.

Several attempts have been made to provide a sufficiently working safety system for securing an infant such as a prenatal infant during transport.

A solution often available in transport incubators is the use of securing straps for keeping the infant in position in case of sudden acceleration or deceleration. The drawback of such a solution is that the skin of the infant is sensitive to load impact and reactionary forces from the straps are likely to cause severe damages to the infant should a sudden acceleration or deceleration take place. Also, vibrations from the vehicle may be amplified to the body of the infant by the straps attachment in the incubator.

Several safety arrangements are known from the following prior art documents:

WO 2006134363 shows an improved arrangement for restraining an infant in a transport incubator to dampen the effect of vibrations on the infant. The

arrangement includes using support elements which receive restraining forces from the restraining belts holding the infant in position. The support elements are provided to deviate restraining forces away from the patient and direct the forces through the support element instead. WO 2012005658 discloses a transport incubator where a vacuum mattress filled with a granulate material has two side portions that are to be folded around the patient in an enclosed arrangement. The vacuum mattress is brought from a flexible state into a rigid state by evacuation of gas from the mattress. The resilience of the vacuum mattress can to a certain degree be adjusted for adaptation of the mattress shock absorbing capacities. Medical personnel expresses concern that this safety system may induce friction high pressure in contact with the skin of the infant leading to severe injuries on the infant. It is also observed that the safety system is not suitable for handling by one person and that several persons need to be present in order to carry out a satisfactory installment of the safety system. In WO20131 10584 a safety system for transporting infants is described by orientation of fixing blocks in positions surrounding the infant for maintaining the position of the infant in the incubator. Various straps are employed to keep the fixation blocks in place. The provisions of straps that restrain the fixation blocks display poor accessibility to the infant, and the fastening of medical equipment is also made cumbersome.

DD240668 also shows a safety system comprising blocks and straps for maintaining the position of the infant during transport.

CN201987127U, TW201231035, CN201349823Y describes various mattresses where aircushions are employed at various locations on the mattress to provide an enclosure and lateral protection for a patient

An object of the present invention is to solve, or at least substantially alleviate, the above-described disadvantages of the prior art safety system

A further object is to provide a versatile safety system that is reliable and suitable for various applications such as transport of infants in an incubator, transport of pets, transport of passengers in a Recreational Vehicle (RV) and other transport situations where securing of an occupant is significant, for reducing risk of injury as well as for other reasons.

It is further an object of the invention that the construction is simple and that working of the safety system does not incur stress on the occupant to be secured.

SUMMARY

The invention is defined in the independent claims. Further additional features are set forth in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a safety system for transport of an occupant supported on a mattress or a foundation structure. The safety system comprises at least one sensor, a control unit and at least an airbag assembly which are arranged in signal communication and are also operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, by activation of the airbag assembly for inflation of at least one air bag of the airbag assembly to protect and essentially maintain the occupants position on the mattress or the foundation structure.

As mentioned previously, the safety system may be suitable for use securing a prenatal infant or regularly born infant to be transported in an incubator, but the occupant may also comprise a human being of larger bodyweight than an infant or a pet. The safety system is suitable for securing an occupant which is to be

transported on a mattress, foundation structure or other kind of base or supportive structure. In one aspect of the invention, the occupant will be supported on the mattress or foundation structure in a lying position for instance resting on the back, in foetus position or any other position suitable for the current occupant.

If a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact should occur, the airbag(s) is/ are inflated to protect the occupant. This arrangement provides a simple and reliable solution that is suitable for an occupant in a lying position, but is also applicable for an occupant such as a pet which is not likely to be resting in a lying position.

The safety system when implemented for securing infants to be transported in an incubator has several advantageous features compared to existing solutions. During regular use, when no sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact has occurred, the safety system in accordance with the invention does not use regular straps or other elements positioned adjacent or in contact with the body of the infant. The risk of pressure injuries as discussed above are thus reduced, and in addition the

accessibility for the medical personnel to monitor or carry out medical procedures are ensured. The inventive safety system offers a solution that enables the securing of occupants during transport when the vulnerability of the occupant, the position of the occupant, the size of the occupant, the location of the occupant in the transport means or the occupant for other reasons, makes the use of the regular safety belt difficult or impossible. The purpose of the airbag is to provide the occupant with a soft cushioning and restraint during a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact event to prevent any impact or impact-caused injuries between the occupant and the interior of its surroundings for instance the interior of the incubator. The number of airbag(s) and the shape and size of the airbag(s) in accordance with the inventive safety system will be provided in accordance with the size of the occupant, its special needs, and the structure accommodating the occupant e.g. the transport incubator. When using one or several airbags, the airbag(s) may be inflated in uniform or non- uniform shapes and sizes, and the air bags may be customized to provide sufficient protection depending on which parts of the body the airbag is to protect and the structure wherein the occupant is resting.

The control unit of the safety system may comprise a local control unit specifically for controlling the airbags depending on the input from the sensors, but the control unit may also comprise a central airbag control unit (ACU). The ACU may monitor a number of related sensors and is arranged in signal communication with these sensors. The sensor(s) of the safety system may include accelerometers, impact sensors, side (door) pressure sensors, wheel speed sensors, gyroscopes, brake pressure sensors. Another possibility is to include both a local control unit and central airbag control unit (ACU) in the safety system. In one embodiment of the safety system, the at least one sensor may be provided for measuring a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact. When the measured acceleration, deceleration or impact exceeds a threshold value, an actuator module of the airbag assembly may activate the inflation of at least one air bag to protect and maintain and secure occupants position on the mattress or the foundation structure.

The sensor(s) may also be provided for measuring other parameters vital for detecting that the airbag(s) need to be inflated. The number of sensors and their location will be determined according to need and may be included in the mattress or the foundation structure or may be located at other places in the transport means. In one aspect four sensors and four airbag assemblies may be provided for instance included in the mattress or foundation structure. However, the number of sensors may vary, in one aspect the safety system may comprise one sensor providing input to all four airbags or any number of airbags, or for instance four sensors providing input for controlling four airbags. Also, the sensor(s) of the safety system may comprise sensor(s) already or present as part of the regular equipment in a vehicle or the transport means.

The safety system may comprise several airbag assemblies for instance four, and the individual airbag assembly may comprise an activator module each for the activation of an airbag. The activator module may comprise an inflation device for inflation of the airbag. The safety system may comprise one airbag assembly, where a central activator module may be provided for activation of the inflation device to inflate airbag(s). The use of a central activator module may be useful for

coordination of the inflation of the individual airbags. As previously mentioned the number of airbags and location of airbags relative to the occupant as well as the size, shape and flexibility or rigidity of the inflated airbag (depending on the amount of gas inflated in the air bag) may vary in accordance with field of use and operation conditions such as for instance the vulnerability of the infant, the resting position on the mattress, the medical equipment to be attached to the infant.

The safety system may comprise at least a first air bag assembly arranged for the inflation of at least one air bag to protect mainly the head area of the occupant, and at least a second airbag assembly arranged for inflation of the least one air bag to protect mainly the torso area of the occupant. In one aspect the airbag assemblies may be arranged as a set of first and second airbag assemblies, where the first set of airbag assemblies may be arranged for inflation of at least one air bag to protect mainly the head area of the occupant. The second set of airbag assemblies may be arranged for inflation of at least one air bag to protect mainly the torso area of the occupant. The safety system as described may be provided as an installation set to be included in a transportation unit such as an incubator or into a mattress, foundation structure or any other structure or unit located in proximity to the occupant during transport.

In one embodiment, the invention concerns a mattress or a foundation structure for transport of an occupant comprising a safety system as previously described. The mattress or a foundation structure then comprises a safety system for transport of an occupant supported on a mattress or a foundation structure. This safety system comprises at least one sensor, a control unit and at least an airbag assembly which are arranged in signal communication and are also operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, by activation of the airbag assembly for inflation of at least one air bag to protect and essentially maintain/secure the occupants position on the mattress or the foundation structure. The safety system employed with the mattress may comprise all features as explained above, where the safety system is described as independent of a mattress or foundation structure. However, as the skilled person will realize, the features of the independent safety system is also applicable when the mattress or foundation structure comprises this safety system.

The mattress or foundation structure may be provided in various shapes, materials and sizes in according to use. In some aspects, the mattress is arranged to fit in a transport incubator and the mattress may then be provided with surfaces and upholstering acceptable for medical use. In other aspects the mattress or foundation may provided fitting into a pet cage or may be provided as an adult- or child-size suitable for a Recreational vehicle.

In one embodiment the mattress or a foundation structure may comprise a resting surface for supporting the occupant of the mattress and at least one protective structure for instance shaped as a side wall arranged at a peripheral area of the support surface. The protective structure may be arranged projecting from the resting surface and may be provided to arrange a protective enclosure for the occupant. The protective structure may be arranged with the at least one sensor and the airbag assembly.

In one embodiment the at least one protective structure may comprise four modules wherein each module is arranged with a sensor and airbag assembly for instance to make up the corner areas of the protective structure.

In one version the mattress is fitted suitable to be inserted into a transport incubator, and the support structure may have a thickness of 3cm, the protective structure may have a height of 6cm and a depth of 2-3cm.

For the transport of the occupant, the mattress or foundation structure is arranged in a transport means which will have a main direction of transport during the actual transport. The mattress or foundation structure then also has a transport direction. The direction of transport usually corresponds to the forward and backward driving direction of the transport means or in the case where the driving direction is not rectilinear, to a component of the forward and backward driving direction of the transport means. The at least one protective structure may be arranged with at least a sensor and at least an airbag assembly arranged for providing protection for the occupant

-in the transport direction,

-in a direction transverse to the transport direction, and

-in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and the transport direction.

By the arrangement of the safety system securing is offered for the occupant in all three main directions during transport.

In one embodiment the at least one protective structure may comprise a head board module, two long side modules and a foot board module. The long side module may be arranged with plural sensors and airbag assemblies such as a first sensor and first airbag assembly and a second sensor and second airbag assembly for protection of the head area of the occupant. The sensors and airbag assemblies may be arranged in each of the long side modules in proximity to the head board module. The first and second airbag assembly may comprise airbags, such as first and second airbags which in an inflated mode occupy a transverse portion of the mattress above the occupants head region for protection. The foot board structure may be arranged with plural sensors and airbag assemblies such as a third sensor and third airbag assembly and a fourth sensor and fourth airbag assembly for protection of the torso area of the occupant for protection such as a barrier between the occupant and surroundings for instance a transport incubator. The third and fourth airbag assembly may comprise airbags, such as third and fourth airbags which in an inflated mode occupy a longitudinal portion of the mattress along each side of the occupants torso for protection such as a barrier between the occupant and surroundings for instance a transport incubator. As the skilled person will realize, the mattress or a foundation structure may be configured with other planar shapes than rectangular, such as squared, circular or any four-sided configuration.

The invention also concerns use of a mattress as described above in an incubator, a transport cage for pets or in a recreational vehicle (RV). The invention further concerns a method for securing an occupant in a resting position on a mattress or a foundation structure. The mattress comprises a control unit, at least one or plural sensors and airbag(s) arranged in signal communication with each other and operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact by the following steps -inflating a first set of air bags to occupy a transverse portion of the mattress above the occupants head region,

-inflating a second set of air bags to occupy a longitudinal portion of the mattress along each side of the occupants torso. Previous to the above mentioned method steps of

- inflating a first set of air bags to occupy a transverse portion of the mattress above the occupants head region,

-inflating a second set of air bags to occupy a longitudinal portion of the mattress along each side of the occupants torso, the method may in one embodiment comprise carrying out the following steps:

-detecting by the sensors a sudden deceleration or impact,

-comparing by the control unit the detected deceleration or impact to a threshold value by the control unit and if exceeding the threshold value, then

- inflating the air bags. In addition the method steps may comprise the initial following steps to be carried out previous to all the above mentioned method steps;

-providing the sensors to detect a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact ,

- providing the control unit to control the activation of an airbag based on signal input from the sensors and to measure a sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact based on input from the sensors and comparing the measured deceleration or impact to a threshold value and if exceeding the threshold value then inflating the air bags.

These and other characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows an example of a typical incubator for transport of infants according to the invention. Fig. 2 is an overall view of an embodiment of the safety system as installed in a mattress, seen from above the mattress.

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment as shown in fig 2 where the airbags have been inflated.

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment as shown in fig 2 where the airbags have been inflated. Fig. 4 shows the provisions of straps for the situation wherein the airbags are to be deflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 shows a transport incubator 1 where a mattress 2 as shown in fig. 2 is to be included. The mattress or foundation structure 2 of fig. 2 is provided with a safety system comprising four sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and four airbag assemblies each comprising an air bag in fig 2 as illustrated by the collapsed air bag 6a-6d. In accordance with the shown embodiment the sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the airbag assemblies are arranged in a protective structure 4 of the mattress 2. The protective structure 4 is arranged at the periphery of a support structure 5 of the mattress 2 and is shaped as an enclosure surrounding the occupant 20 who is to be resting on the support structure 5. As illustrated in fig 2-4, the protective structure 4 comprises a foot board module 8, a head board module 9 and a first and a second long side module 10, 1 1. The four sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and air bag assemblies are shown located in corner positions of the mattress. First and second sensors 3a, 3b and air bags 6a, 6b are arranged in first and second long side modules 10, 1 1 in a position close to the head board module. The third and fourth air sensors 3c, 3d and air bags 6c, 6d are arranged in the foot board module 8 of the mattress 2.

As the skilled person will realize other positions of the sensors and/or the air bag assemblies than the corner positions as shown in fig 1 are possible, the number of sensors and air bag assemblies may vary and in some circumstances the sensor may even have other locations than the mattress.

When transported in a vehicle the mattress or foundation unit has a transport direction as illustrated by arrow T, the direction transverse to the transport direction is illustrated by arrow U. The direction which is arranged perpendicular to the transverse direction and the transport direction is illustrated by arrow V. These three directions are all orthogonally arranged onto each other and make up a reference system illustrating the three main directions of the mattress 2 as shown in fig 2. Depending on the transport means to be used for the transport of the occupant 20, the transport direction of the transport means and hence the mattress 2 may be other than direction T, the reference system as shown will then be repositioned accordingly and the air bag assemblies may also be arranged differently in the mattress. The mattress 2 as shown in fig 1 is prepared for receiving an occupant 20 such as an infant, for instance a prenatal infant. The arrangement of the mattress or foundation structure as shown is also suitable for accommodating a larger human being for instance a child or a grown up, or a pet by adjustment of the size and/or the shape of the mattress/foundation structure.

In fig 3 the occupant is shown resting on its back on the support structure 5.

However, resting in other positions on the support structure are also possible for instance on the occupants side, such as in a foetus position.

The safety system also comprises sensor(s) and a control unit. The sensor(s), control unit and air bag assemblies are arranged in signal communication and are also operably arranged to respond to sudden acceleration, deceleration or impact, by activation of the airbag assemblies for inflation the air bags 6a-6d to protect and essentially maintain the occupant's position on the mattress as shown in fig 2, where the airbags are shown in inflated position.

As seen in fig 3 first and second air bags are inflated to protect mainly the head area of the occupant. The first and second 6a, 6b airbags are inflated from opposite sides of the mattress 2 directing the inflated air bags toward each other to occupy a transverse portion of the mattress above the head area of the infant.

The third and fourth air bags are inflated to protect mainly the torso area of the occupant. The third and fourth air bags are each inflated along first and second long side module 10, 1 1 in the longitudinal direction of the occupant 20 between the occupant 20 and the long side module 10, 1 1 of the mattress.

As seen from fig 3 the inflated air bags provide a barrier between the occupant and its near surroundings for instance a transport incubator. To provide sufficient protection for the occupant 20 of the mattress 2, first and second air bag 6a, 6b have a different shape and size than third and fourth air bag 6c, 6d as seen from fig 3.

Fig 4 shows attachments 41 , 42, 43 and 44 which are arranged for the fastening of strops 51 , 52, 53, 54 for securing the occupant after airbags deflate.

In the above detailed description, various aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Various modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the invention, are considered to lie within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims