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Publication Number
US-11191686-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A multi-cell inflatable jack includes a plurality of jack elements. Each of the plurality of jack elements includes a body having a predetermined perimeter shape and defining a perimeter chamber and a central chamber. A valve is coupled to the body and configured to provide air flow to one of the perimeter chamber or the central chamber. A plurality of flow control stringers are located between the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion and are configured to control an air flow rate into each of the perimeter chamber and the central chamber. At least one fastener is formed on the body and configured to attach the jack element to at least one additional jack element in a multi-cell stack.
Core Innovation
A pneumatic chair jack is provided for lifting patients. The jack uses a multi-cell stack of inflatable jack elements, where each jack element includes a body having a predetermined perimeter shape that defines a perimeter chamber and a central chamber. A valve coupled to the body provides air flow from an air source to the perimeter chamber, and the perimeter chamber is coupled to the central chamber.
Flow control structures in the form of flow control stringers are located between the perimeter chamber and the central chamber to control an air flow rate into each of the perimeter chamber and the central chamber. The flow control stringers include a perimeter stringer and lateral flow control stringers positioned within an internal volume defined by the perimeter stringer. The perimeter chamber is configured to substantially inflate prior to inflation of the central chamber when air flow is provided through the valve, and the lateral flow control stringers are configured to provide inflation of a first portion of the central chamber prior to inflation of a second portion of the central chamber.
Each flow control stringer defines at least one lengthwise slit, enabling the sequential inflation. Jack elements are coupled in a multi-cell stack using at least one fastener formed on the body, and at least one additional jack element includes a similar predetermined perimeter shape. The jack arrangement may include handles for a patient/caregiver grip and an optional inflatable back rest fluidly coupled to one or more chambers, and a staged inflation sequence raises the patient from a seated position to a standing position in stages.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims directed to a jack element, a jack system with at least two coupled jack elements, and a method of raising a patient using a multi-cell inflatable jack. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on chamber geometry, valve-driven controlled airflow using perimeter and lateral flow control stringers with lengthwise slits, sequential inflation, and multi-cell coupling by fasteners.
Perimeter and central chambers defined by a predetermined perimeter shape
A body having a predetermined perimeter shape and defining a perimeter chamber and a central chamber.
Valve and chamber coupling for perimeter-fed inflation
A valve coupled to the body and configured to provide air flow to the perimeter chamber, wherein the perimeter chamber is coupled to the central chamber.
Flow control stringers with perimeter and lateral stringers
A plurality of flow control stringers located between the perimeter chamber and the central chamber, comprising a perimeter stringer and a plurality of lateral flow control stringers positioned within an internal volume defined by the perimeter stringer, wherein the stringers control an air flow rate into each of the perimeter chamber and the central chamber and each defines at least one lengthwise slit.
Sequential inflation of perimeter before central and first portion before second portion
The perimeter chamber is configured to substantially inflate prior to inflation of the central chamber when air flow from an air source is provided through the valve, and the lateral flow control stringers are configured to provide inflation of a first portion of the central chamber prior to inflation of a second portion of the central chamber.
Multi-cell stack coupling via fasteners on corresponding bodies
At least one fastener formed on the body configured to attach the jack element to at least one additional jack element in a multi-cell stack, wherein the additional jack element includes a body having a similar predetermined perimeter shape.
System with first and second coupled jack elements
A system including a first jack element and a second jack element, wherein each jack element comprises the perimeter chamber, central chamber, valve, and flow control stringers, and the first jack element is coupled to the second jack element by at least one fastener on each of the first and second jack elements.
Inflatable back rest attachable to one of the jack elements
An inflatable back rest configured to attach to either the first jack element or the second jack element.
Method of raising a patient by staged inflation of inflatable jack elements
A method of raising a patient by positioning a multi-cell inflatable jack under a patient, and inflating a first inflatable jack element to raise a patient from a seated position to a first height, then inflating a second inflatable jack element to raise the patient from the first height to a second height configured to position the patient in a standing position.
Overall, the independent claim set covers a pneumatic chair jack architecture where a valve supplies air to a perimeter chamber that substantially inflates before a central chamber, with airflow controlled by perimeter and lateral flow control stringers defining lengthwise slits and enabling first-portion then second-portion inflation of the central chamber. Multi-cell stacks and systems are formed using fasteners to couple corresponding jack elements, and the method raises patients by staged inflation of first and second inflatable jack elements from seated to standing height.
Stated Advantages
Controlled stabilization and lifting via staged sequential inflation of jack elements and portions of the chambers.
Documented Applications
Raising a patient using a pneumatic chair jack by positioning a multi-cell inflatable jack under a patient and inflating jack elements to move the patient from a seated position to a standing position.
Providing an inflatable back rest that is attachable to one of the jack elements in the jack system.
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