WO2004021951A2

WO2004021951A2 - Systems for immobilization of accident victims

Info

Publication number: WO2004021951A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/027252
Authority: WO
Inventors: David R. Enerson
Original assignee: Enerson David R
Priority date: 2002-09-03
Filing date: 2003-09-03
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2003268317A1; AU2003268317A8; WO2004021951A3

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for immobilizing an individual (12) adjustable to provide a linear or a curvilinear axis. The support frame (14) carries at least one support arm (20) configured to wrap around an individual (12) to immobilize and stabilize the individual in a desired position. A telescoping pole (54) is coupleable to the frame (14) and permits lifting of the individual y resume or transport personnel (66) while the rescue or transport personnel maintain an essentially upright position.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND EXTRACTION OF ACCIDENT VICTIMS Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/407,785, filed September 3, 2002, and entitled "Systems and Methods for Immobilization and Extraction of Accident Victims." Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to apparatus and related methods for immobilization and extraction of victims from an accident site, e.g., removal of a victim from a car after a car accident . Background of the Invention

Fire fighting and other emergency personnel are typically called upon to remove victims from car accidents, fires, and other accident sites. In order to prevent further injury to the victim, it is generally necessary to immobilize the victim prior to transportation to a medical facility. Conventional extraction devices typically do not permit total immobilization of the victim prior to removal from the accident site. For example, conventional systems generally require that the victim be removed from the car before being fully immobilized, risking further injury. In addition, conventional systems require emergency personnel to lift the victim from inside the car. Damage to a vehicle after an accident often makes it difficult for emergency personnel to properly position themselves to lift the victim. Further, lifting of a victim from a non-erect position often results in back strain and other injuries to emergency personnel.

The need exists for simple, cost effective methods of immobilizing and extracting victims from accident sites.

Summary of the Technical Features

The invention provides systems and methods for immobilization and extraction of accident victims. The systems and methods are particularly well-suited to removing a car accident victim from a vehicle following an accident, and therefore the invention will be described in relation to this use. It is to be appreciated however, that the systems and methods can be employed to immobilize, remove, and transport an accident victim from a variety of accident sites.

One feature of the invention provides a frame comprising hinged sections adjustable to provide a linear or a curvilinear axis and carrying at least one support arm configured to wrap around a victim to immobilize and stabilize the victim in a desired position.

Another feature of the « invention provides a telescoping pole for coupling to an extraction device and permitting lifting of an accident victim from an essentially upright position. Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a side view of a device for immobilizing and extracting a victim from an accident site embodying features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view showing attachment of the device to a victim within a vehicle and use of the telescoping pole by emergency personnel to lift the victim from the vehicle.

Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 having a tripod support for supporting a victim in a seated position.

Figure 6 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1 and illustrating use of the device to support a victim in a prone position. Figure 7 is a side view of the device shown in

Figure 1 and illustrating adjustment of the device.

Figure 8 illustrates use of the device shown in Figure 1 by emergency personnel to transport a victim down a flight of stairs. Figure 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an extraction device embodying features of the invention. Detailed Description

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a device 10 for immobilizing and extracting a victim 12 from an accident site. The device 10 includes a main support frame 14 coupled to a pick up bar 16. The frame 14 comprises a series of sections hingedly connected by locking nuts 18, which permit the sections to pivot independently from one another and thereby allow the frame 14 to adjust to the specific size and position of the victim 12. The frame 14 may be made of any suitable materials . In a preferred embodiment, the frame 14 is made of a light-weight but strong metal alloy. The frame 14 may be adjusted to provide a linear axis, as seen in Fig. 6, or a curvilinear axis, as seen in Fig. 5.

A series of body support arms 20 are carried by the frame 14 and sized and configured to wrap around the victim 12 to thereby stabilize and support the victim 12 in a desired position (best seen in Fig. 3) . Fig. 1 illustrates an arrangement having two upper body support arms 20 (approximately shoulder and abdominal regions) and two lower body support arms 20 (approximately thigh and ankle regions) . The number, position, and width of supports 20 may be varied to accommodate variance in size and weight between victims 12. For example, an additional support arm 20 may be provided in the thigh region to accommodate a taller victim 12 (not shown) .

Support arms 20 may be moved in fore and aft directions along the axis of frame 14 and secured in a desired location by locking nuts 22. Locking nuts 24 provide a hinged connection which allows adjustment of arms 20 between opened and closed positions.

Desirably, the frame 14 also carries a pair of arm supports 26 that help to stabilize the victim's 12 arms. The supports 26 may be moved in fore and aft directions along the axis of the frame 14 and secured in a desired position to accommodate the size and position of the victim 12. Ties or other fastening means may be provided to stabilize the arms on the supports 26 (not shown) .

The frame 14 may also carry a series of pads 28. The pads 28 may be adjustable in a variety of directions, as best seen in Fig. 7. This arrangement permits the pads 28 to apply a slight pressure against the victim 12 to further stabilize the victim 12 in a desired position. The number and configuration of the pads 28 may be varied to accommodate the individual victim 12. A foot rest 30 may extend from the frame 14 to further support the victim 12.

In a preferred embodiment, a head support 32 is carried by the frame 14 to immobilize and stabilize the victim's 12 head and neck regions, thereby minimizing risk of further injury. The support 32 includes a front support member 34, a rear support member 36, and a pair of side support members 38. The support members 34, 36, and 38 can be adjustable into a variety of positions to accommodate the size and position of the victim 12, as best seen in Fig. 7.

The pick up bar 16 may be configured to carry an oxygen tank bracket 40 in which an oxygen tank 42 may be secured. IV hooks 44 may also be provided to secure

IV bags 46. A holder or support for IV bag 46 may also be carried by bar 16 (not shown) .

In some instances, it is necessary to lift a victim 12 from an accident site by means of a helicopter. Therefore, a helicopter hook 48 may be provided for attachment to a helicopter cable 50 (see Fig. 5) . As best illustrated in Figure 4, pick up bar

16 includes a ball adapter 52. The ball adapter 52 may be coupled to a telescoping pole 54 by ball engagement member 56. Pole 54 includes an outer portion 58 for slidably receiving an inner portion 60, thereby permitting adjustment of pole 54 to a variety of lengths. Pole 54 may be secured in a desired length by use of locking member 62.

Pole 54 can include a series of shoulder supports 64. The shoulder supports 64 are sized and configured to rest on the shoulders of emergency personnel 66 for lifting of the victim 12 from the vehicle 68 or^' other accident site.

As best seen in Fig. 7, the device 10 permits adjustment in an infinite number of positions. This allows the device to be customized to the height, weight, and position of a specific victim 12, thereby permitting maximum immobilization and stabilization of the victim 12 in a desired position. In addition, the device 10 may be provided in several sizes, e.g., child size, small adult size, and large adult size, to accommodate a victim 12 of any weight and height .

The victim 12 may ultimately be secured in a seated position, illustrated in Fig. 5. In this arrangement, the victim 12 is stabilized in the seated position by a tripod support 70 carried by the frame 12. As seen in Fig. 6, the victim 12 may alternatively be secured in a prone position, e.g., for subsequent placement on a stretcher.

In use, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the frame 14 is approximately centered in front of the victim 12 in the vehicle 68. The frame 14 is adjusted to provide a desired linear or curvilinear axis (as previously described) and secured in the desired position by locking nuts 18. Body support arms 20 are adjusted and secured in a desired position using locking nuts 22 and 24. Head support 32, pads 28, foot rest 30, and arm supports 26 are individually adjusted and secured in a desired position. After immobilizing and securing the victim 12 in the device 10, telescoping pole 54 is adjusted to a desired length using locking member 62 and passed through the vehicle 68. The device 10 is then coupled to the telescoping pole 54 by engaging ball adapter 52 with ball engagement member 56.

Emergency personnel 60 on each side of the vehicle 62 are positioned to carry and stabilize telescoping pole 54 in an upright position using shoulder supports 58. The personnel 60 move to advance the pole 54, thereby advancing and lifting the victim 12 from the vehicle 68, as indicated by arrow in Fig. 4.

After extracting the victim 12 from the vehicle 68, the device 10 is removed from the pole 54. The victim may then be further secured in a desired position, e.g., by use of tripod support 70. The victim 12 may then be placed in a transport vehicle, e.g., ambulance, for transport to a medical facility.

It is often necessary to transport a victim 12 through and over a variety of obstacles or over varied terrain. With reference to Fig. 8, the device 10 may also be employed to carry a victim 12 up or down stairs 72 or over steep terrain. It is to be understood that the device 10 may also be employed for other uses, such as by mortuary personnel to transport a cadaver up or down a staircase.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of an extraction device 74 embodying features of the invention.

The device 74 is similar to the embodiment shown in

Figs. 1-8, but the support frame 76 is configured for placement along the side of a victim 12. Sections of frame 76 may be individually positioned and secured by locking nuts 24. The device 74 desirably carries an offset pick up bar 78 similar to pick up bar 16 previously described. A series of support arms 80 are sized and configured for passage through slots 82 in frame 76. It is contemplated that the configuration, number, and placement of support arms 80 may vary. Support arms 80 can, for example, include a brace portion 84 for placement behind the victim 12 and a strap portion 86 for wrapping around the victim 12. The strap 86 may be secured by any suitable fastening means, e.g., buckle 88.

The support arms 80 may be constructed of any suitable material, e.g., nylon. In use, the frame 76 is placed beside the victim 12. The frame 76 is placed in a desired linear of curvilinear axis and secured by locking nuts 24. Support arms 80 are then passed through slots 82 and secured around the victim 12. The victim 12 may then be lifted from the vehicle and transported as previously described. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. An apparatus for immobilizing an individual, the apparatus comprising a support frame comprising hinged sections adjustable to provide a linear or a curvilinear axis and carrying at least one support arm configured to wrap around an individual to immobilize and stabilize the individual in a desired position.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the support arm is adapted to be moved in fore and aft directions along the axis of frame and secured in a desired location along the axis of the frame .

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an arm rest carried by the frame to support an arm of the individual .

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising at least one support pad carried by the frame and moveable along in fore and aft positions along the frame to support the individual .

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a foot rest carried by the frame.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a head support carried by the frame and adapted to stabilize the individual's head and neck.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a bracket carried by the frame and sized and configured to hold an oxygen tank.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a hook carried by the frame and sized and configured to hang an intravenous bag.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a helicopter hook carried by the frame.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a tripod support carried by the frame.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a telescoping pole coupleable to the frame and permitting lifting of the individual by rescue or transport personnel while the rescue or transport personnel maintain an essentially upright position.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a shoulder support carried by the telescoping pole.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the frame is adapted for placement anterior to the individual .

14. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the frame is adapted for placement lateral to the individual .