PATIENT TURNING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A patient turning assistive device comprises a U-shaped body 101 accommodated underneath an individual’s lower limbs, a microphone 102 for providing input voice commands, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 to determine dimensions of user’s limbs, a plate 104 by means of a motorized slider 105 to provide translation to plate 104 for getting positioned in between user’s legs, a motorized ball and socket joint 106 for aligning plate 104 vertically in between user’s legs, a pair of hydraulically operated rods 107 configured with a flap 108 for lifting one side of user, a primary and secondary set of motorized pop out balls 109 for allowing body 101 to get tilted at an angle, an angle sensor for monitoring inclination angle of user, a pair of robotic arms 110 for positioning bag 111 in between individual’s thighs and a level sensor to monitor level of collected urine.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient turning assistive device that is capable of turning and lifting the patients lying of the bed by monitoring the angle and posture of the patients as well as assisting the individual in discharging the urine in case the user is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In hospitals or at homes, the patients faces many problems in turning for performing their daily life activities and always need the support in order to lead their life in the ongoing manner. The person also find difficulties in maintaining the correct posture of the body and even to woke up from bed some support or person is required as there is the need to turn and woke up for the medical treatments. The helping person also face the difficulties in handling the patients due to the posture and weight of the person and needs the extra effort in order to complete the activities of the patients.

[0003] Traditionally, people use to help the patients manually, by holding or lifting the patients as required in order to make the patients available to complete their daily activities. Many problems were faced by the patients and the helpers like there exist the chance of accidents of falling on bending in the wrong directions that results to the major loss in the health of the patients. Thus, there exist a need to make an invention that is capable of turning and helping the patients in an effective manner without involving any human intervention.

[0004] CN114191204A discloses about an invention that has a multi-posture auxiliary turning-over device for a bedridden patient and an implementation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of auxiliary turning-over dimensions. The multi-posture auxiliary turning-over device comprises a back cushion plate, the back cushion plate is formed by splicing two sets of cushion plates, and the two sets of cushion plates are connected through an adjusting assembly. According to the multi-posture auxiliary turning-over device for the bedridden patient and the implementation method of the multi-posture auxiliary turning-over device, the length is adjusted according to different heights of different patients, the adaptability of the whole device is improved, the turning-over safety is improved, the lumbar vertebrae of the patients are effectively protected, and the overall use safety is improved; according to the invention, the stability of reverse rotation is improved, automatic overturning can be carried out, the convenience of use is improved, resetting is effectively carried out, the inconvenience of traditional manual overturning is solved, the time is saved, the use is more convenient, the number of overturning times of a patient can be increased through automatic overturning, the effect of massaging legs can be achieved, and muscular atrophy caused by long-time lying is prevented. Although CN'204 is able to help the patients in turning for different activities by adjusting the size in accordance to the height of the patients. However, the device fails in monitoring the body posture of the patient lying of the bed.

[0005] CN213964068U discloses about an invention that an auxiliary turn-over device for patient, including: lying board, base, two rotary stay bar and at least one turn-over rod, the longitudinal section of lying board is convex downward arc shape, base is double arc shape, the top of base is connected to lying board bottom, rotary stay bar is located relative to the both sides of base bottom, rotary stay bar is installed on lying board, and at least one turn-over rod is installed on the lying board. And one end of the turnover rod is connected to the lying plate. According to the auxiliary turning-over device for the patient, the turning-over rod and the base are arranged, so that a nurse can turn over a person to be nursed lying on the lying plate by means of the turning-over rod and the base. Though, CN'068 is able to turn the lying person on the bed for the medical activities with the arc structure. However the device fails in lifting the person to sit in required situations.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are there present in the market as mentioned in the prior arts that helps the user in turning and helping the patients for different activities but lacks in monitoring the body posture of the lying person on the bed as well the device present also lacks in lifting the person to sit or stand as required by the medical practitioner to do the medical treatments.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of assisting the user in turning the patients in required directions by monitoring the body posture and correcting them in case is required. In addition to this the device is also capable of lifting the person to sit and stand as required for the medical treatments or other activities.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of turning and lifting the patients lying of the bed by monitoring the angle and posture of the patients.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of assisting the individual in discharging the urine in case the user is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a patient turning assistive device that is capable of turning and lifting the patients lying of the bed by monitoring the angle and posture of the patients as well as assisting the individual in discharging the urine in case the user is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a patient turning assistive device comprises of a U-shaped body fabricated with a cushioned member to be accommodated underneath an individual's lower limbs lying on a fixed surface, a microphone integrated in the body providing input voice commands regarding turning direction of the individual, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body to determine dimensions of the user's limbs, a drawer arrangement integrated in the body for properly accommodating the individual's limbs in between the body, a plate arranged on inner periphery of the body by means of a motorized slider to provide translation to the plate for getting positioned in between the user's legs and a motorized ball and socket joint is integrated in between the plate and the slider for aligning the plate vertically in between the user's legs.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a pair of hydraulically operated rods arranged on lateral sides of the body and configured with a flap positioned on the surface, a suitable rod to extend for lifting one side of the user, a primary and secondary set of motorized pop out balls arranged on bottom periphery of lateral ends of the body to rotate for allowing the body to get tilted at an appropriate angle in user-specified direction, a pair of robotic arms integrated on lateral sides of the body, each configured with an end of a impervious bag associated with the device for enabling the individual to discharge urine in the bag, a level sensor is embedded in the bag for monitoring level of the collected urine, a speaker installed on the body to produce audio signals for notifying the user and an angle sensor is embedded on the body for monitoring inclination angle of the user with respect to the surface.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a patient turning assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a patient turning assistive device that is capable of turning and lifting the patients lying of the bed by monitoring the angle and posture of the patients as well as assisting the individual in discharging the urine, in case the user is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of a patient turning assistive device is illustrated respectively, comprising a U-shaped body 101, a microphone 102 integrated in the body 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the body 101, a plate 104 arranged on inner periphery of the body 101 by means of a motorized slider 105, a motorized ball and socket joint 106 is integrated in between the plate 104 and the slider 105, a pair of hydraulically operated rods 107 arranged on lateral sides of the body 101 and configured with a flap 108 positioned on the surface, a primary and secondary set of motorized pop out balls 109 arranged on bottom periphery of lateral ends of the body 101, a pair of robotic arms 110 integrated on lateral sides of the body 101, each configured with an end of a impervious bag 111 associated with the device and a speaker 112 installed on the body 101.

[0023] The proposed device includes a U-shaped body 101 fabricated with a cushioned member that is to be accommodated underneath an individual's lower limbs lying on a fixed surface of a bed, in a comfortable manner. A microphone 102 integrated in the body 101 that is accessed by a concerned user for providing input voice commands regarding turning direction of the individual. The microphone 102 receives sound waves generated by energy emitted from the voice command in the form of vibrations. After then, the sound waves are transmitted towards a diaphragm configured with a coil. Upon transmitting the waves within the diaphragm, the diaphragm strikes with the waves due to which the coil starts moving the diaphragm with a back-and-forth movement in presence of magnetic field generated from the coil.

[0024] After that the electric signal is emitted from the coil due to back-and-forth movement of the diaphragm which is further transmitted to the microcontroller linked with the microphone 102 to process the signal and analyze the signal to detect input voice commands regarding turning direction of the individual. An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the body 101 to determine dimensions of the user's limbs. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the surrounding of the body 101. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 is real-time images of the surrounding of the body 101. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal, analyzes the information extracted from the received signal and determines the dimensions of the user's limbs.

[0025] Based on the detected dimension of the limbs of the microcontroller actuates a drawer arrangement integrated in the body 101 to increase/decrease dimensions of the body 101 for allowing ends of the body 101 to get arranged with outer periphery of the individual's limbs. The drawer arrangement comprises of a carriage assembly and a DC (direct current) motor that works in collaboration to extend and retract the body 101. The carriage assembly fitted with two rails that are used for sliding the body 101 up and down. The block opening located at the end of the rail and have two clips that are used to secure the body 101 with the limb. To extend the drawer, the drawer is pushed to open and the carriage assembly slide outward. This creates an opening to allow extension and retraction of the arrangement to provide translation the body 101 for properly accommodating the individual's limbs in between the body 101.

[0026] Further, a plate 104 arranged on inner periphery of the body 101 by means of a motorized slider 105 to provide translation to the plate 104 for getting positioned in between the user's legs. The motorized slider 105 used herein is powered by the DC motor that is capable of converting the electrical energy to the mechanical energy. The phenomenon of the energy conversion makes the motor to perform the bidirectional motion and provide the translation to the slider 105 that enables the plate 104 to translate and get positioned in between the user's legs.

[0027] A motorized ball and socket joint 106 is integrated in between the plate 104 and the slider 105 for aligning the plate 104 vertically in between the user's legs. The motorized ball and socket joint 106 includes a motor powered by the microcontroller generating electrical current, a ball shaped element and a socket. The ball move freely within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions that is controlled by the microcontroller that further commands the motor to position the ball precisely. The microcontroller further actuates the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint for aligning the plate 104 vertically in between the user's legs for properly gripping the user's legs separately.

[0028] Continually, a pair of hydraulically operated rods 107 arranged on lateral sides of the body 101 and configured with a flap 108 positioned on the surface. The rods 107 used herein is powered with a hydraulic unit that comprises the pump filled with the oil that aids in the extraction and retraction of the rods 107. The hydraulic unit is also connected with the air compressor, valves and piston that provides the means to the pusher to extend/retract. The piston and the valves attached dispense the oil and the compressed air to the pusher by the means of which the rods 107 extend or retract. The microcontroller processes the user-specified direction to evaluate an appropriate height at which the user is required to be lifted and actuates the suitable rod to extend for lifting one side of the user.

[0029] Further, a primary and secondary set of motorized pop out balls 109 arranged on bottom periphery of lateral ends of the body 101. The motorized pop-out balls consists of a spherical body 101 connected to a motorized mechanism on the body 101. When activated by the microcontroller, these mechanisms drive the balls outward from their resting positions, creating the rotational movements for the pop out balls 109. This motion is evaluated by the microcontroller as the force and actuates the pop out balls 109 that is positioned in contact with the surface, to rotate and allows the body 101 to get tilted at an appropriate angle in user-specified direction and enables the individual to descend from the bed.

[0030] As the individual is tilted, the microcontroller actuates an angle sensor is embedded on the body 101 for monitoring inclination angle of the user with respect to the surface. The angle sensor works by measuring the change in the magnetic field and optical signals. By analyzing the signals the sensor determines the accurate angle or position of the individual with respect to the fixed surface This information is then further transmitted to the microcontroller in the form of digital signal to analyze and detect angle with respect to the surface and in case some deformities are found, the microcontroller regulates actuation of the rod and the pop-out balls to enhance the position and angle of the individual.

[0031] Further, in case the individual desires to discharge urine and is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues, the user is required to provide input voice commands regarding the inability. A pair of robotic arms 110 integrated on lateral sides of the body 101, each configured with an end of an impervious bag 111 associated with the device for positioning the bag 111 in between the individual's thighs that enables the individual to discharge urine in the bag 111. The pair of robotic arms 110 disclosed herein comprise of three parts that is shoulder, elbow and the wrist, these all the three parts are connected to the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arms 110 that allows the upper part of the arms 110 to move the lower section independently. Lastly the wrist is at the tip of the upper arms 110 and attached to the end effector works as the hand to grip the impervious bag 111 and position the bag 111 in between the individual's thighs for enabling the individual to discharge urine in the bag 111.

[0032] Further, a level sensor is embedded in the bag 111 for monitoring level of the collected urine. The level sensor works by sending the lights to the upper surface of the urine stored in the bag 111 and waits for the lights to come back after getting reflected from the upper surface of the liquid and records the time of the emitting and bouncing back of the light to the sensor. The time is then converted in the form of the electric signal that is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal analyses the level of urine in the bag 111.

[0033] In case the monitored level exceeds a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 112 installed on the body 101 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to remove the urine from the bag 111 via a valve integrated on the bag 111. The speaker 112 works by converting electrical energy into sound energy. When the electric current is sent by the microcontroller, then a coil configured on a magnet of the speaker 112 induces a magnetic field. This makes a diaphragm moves back and forth which creates pressure waves in the air that the user perceives the sound for notifying the user to remove the urine from the bag 111 via a valve integrated on the bag 111.

[0034] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0035] The present invention works best in the following manner where the U-shaped body 101 is accommodated underneath the individual's lower limbs lying on the fixed surface of the bed, in the comfortable manner. The microphone 102 provides the input voice commands regarding turning direction of the individual. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 determines the dimensions of the user's limbs. Based on the dimension of the libs the body 101 get extend via the drawer arrangement to increase/decrease dimensions of the body 101 that allows the ends of the body 101 to get arranged with outer periphery of the individual's limbs for properly accommodating the individual's limbs in between the body 101. The plate 104 by means of the motorized slider 105 get translated for getting positioned in between the user's legs. The motorized ball and socket joint 106 align the plate 104 vertically in between the user's legs for properly gripping the user's legs separately. The pair of hydraulically operated rods 107 with the flap 108 positioned on the surface extend for lifting one side of the user up to the required and the evaluated height.

[0036] Additionally, the primary and secondary set of motorized pop out rotate and allows the body 101 to get tilted at the appropriate angle in user-specified direction, and enables the individual to descend from the bed. The angle is monitored by the angle sensor and in case the angle exceeds a threshold value the rods 107 and pop out balls 109 are operated to adjust the angle. In case the individual desires to discharge urine and is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues, the user is required to provide input voice commands regarding the inability and the pair of robotic arms 110 configured with the end of the impervious bag 111 position the bag 111 in between the individual's thighs for enabling the individual to discharge urine in the bag 111. The level sensor monitors the level of the collected urine, in case the monitored level exceeds the threshold value, the notification for vacating the bag 111 is generated by the speaker 112 to the user.

[0037] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A patient turning assistive device, comprising:

i) a U-shaped body 101 fabricated with a cushioned member, wherein said body 101 is to be accommodated underneath an individual's lower limbs lying on a fixed surface of a bed, in a comfortable manner;

ii) a microphone 102 integrated in said body 101 that is accessed by a concerned user for providing input voice commands regarding turning direction of said individual, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on said body 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 101, respectively to determine dimensions of said user's limbs;

iii) a drawer arrangement integrated in said body 101 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to increase/decrease dimensions of said body 101 for allowing ends of said body 101 to get arranged with outer periphery of said individual's limbs, in view of properly accommodating said individual's limbs in between said body 101;

iv) a plate 104 arranged on inner periphery of said body 101 by means of a motorized slider 105 that is actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to said plate 104 for getting positioned in between said user's legs, wherein a motorized ball and socket joint 106 is integrated in between said plate 104 and said slider 105 for aligning said plate 104 vertically in between said user's legs, in view of properly gripping said user's legs separately;

v) a pair of hydraulically operated rods 107 arranged on lateral sides of said body 101 and configured with a flap 108 positioned on said surface, wherein said microcontroller processes said user-specified direction to evaluate an appropriate height at which said user is required to be lifted, based on which said microcontroller actuates a suitable rod to extend for lifting one side of said user; and

vi) a primary and secondary set of motorized pop out balls 109 arranged on bottom periphery of lateral ends of said body 101, respectively, wherein said microcontroller actuates a suitable set of pop out balls 109 that is positioned in contact with said surface, to rotate for allowing said body 101 to get tilted at an appropriate angle in user-specified direction, thereby enabling said individual to descend from said bed.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said individual desires to discharge urine and is unable to descend due to weakness/health issues, said user is required to provide input voice commands regarding said inability.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein a pair of robotic arms 110 integrated on lateral sides of said body 101, each configured with an end of a impervious bag 111 associated with said device that are actuated by said microcontroller for positioning said bag 111 in between said individual's thighs for enabling said individual to discharge urine in said bag 111.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level sensor is embedded in said bag 111 for monitoring level of said collected urine, in case said monitored level exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 112 installed on said body 101 to produce audio signals for notifying said user to remove said urine from said bag 111 via a valve integrated on said bag 111.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle sensor is embedded on said body 101 for monitoring inclination angle of said user with respect to said surface, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said rod and said pop-out balls.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

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