BR102020002008A2 - FLEXIBLE BATHTUB FOR BED BATH - Google Patents

Abstract

A bathtub made entirely of silicone so that a bedridden person can be bathed in their own bed, without the need for locomotion or the use of moistened cloths and other devices. The bathtub also has a lower opening for the flow of water, allowing the bath to be done with running water.

Description

FLEXIBLE BATHTUB FOR BED BATH Introduction

[001] This descriptive report refers to a patent application for a bathtub manufactured entirely in silicone in order to allow a bedridden patient to bathe in their own bed.

[002] Its form of use facilitates the work of the caregiver/responsible and provides the correct hygiene of the patient.

Technique Comments

[003] Silicones are chemically inert compounds, odorless, tasteless and colorless, resistant to decomposition by heat, water or oxidizing agents, in addition to being good electrical insulators. They can be synthesized in a wide variety of forms with numerous practical applications, for example as polishing, sealing and protecting agents. They are also waterproofing, lubricants and in medicine they are used as basic material for dentures. Silicone is considered an inorganic product; due to this, it has as one of its main characteristics, a minimum useful life of 10 years.

[004] Silicone has as one of its main advantages the malleability and resilience. A product made of this material, depending on the treatment received, may be malleable to the point of being bent, twisted, crushed and naturally return to its original shape in the sequence.

[005] For all the advantages that this material offers, the number of products made of silicone has increased considerably.

[006] Still, it is common knowledge that the correct bodily hygiene of bedridden patients is among the main difficulties of those who take care of these people. Problems with the patient's movement and the use of inappropriate cloths and sponges generate frustration and, at times, inadequate hygiene. Over time, this can end up causing infections and further impairing the treatment of the health problem that caused the person to become bedridden.

[007] The difficulty is great when dealing with patients in hospitals, despite all the structure that many of them have for care, and even worse when the patient is in a home environment, where people are not always prepared to deal with this situation and the necessary structure for proper sanitation is lacking.

[008] It may seem obvious, but many people believe that because the patient is immobile, without physical effort, constant bodily hygiene is not necessary.

[009] The body, even if inert, continues sweating and producing secretions that need to be eliminated, under the risk of, if accumulated, generating irritations and infections. In addition, the bath and the feeling of cleanliness that it brings to the body help the patient's self-esteem and sense of well-being. It is also a time when he feels more strongly that he is being taken care of, which, psychologically, even contributes to remain firm in curing the disease. In some situations, it is possible to use the bath itself to massage the patient, helping to activate blood circulation.

[010] Usually, the bath of the bedridden who has mobility and movement difficulties is done with moistened cloths, gauze or even water, provided that it is possible to use a waterproof mattress or move the patient to the bathroom. Special care must be taken with cloths and towels so as not to bring bacteria to regions with wounds, which can lead to infections. It is always necessary to remember the need to reduce as much as possible the possibilities of the bedridden to contract more diseases. Therefore, also pay attention to cleaning the cloths, towels and sponges used in the bath. After the bath, it is still crucial to dry the patient well, especially in the creases.

[011] Nowadays, it is possible to find products and devices that help people bathe in different situations. For example, mountable and/or articulated bathtubs for bathing babies and young children are very common.

• - PI 0802081-7, intitulado “BERÇO BANHEIRA DOBRÁVEL”, o qual pleiteia um berço-banheira para uso em bebês de até 7 meses de idade. O berço-banheira é composto por oito placas de material de baixa espessura, as quais, após montagem e união são revestidas por uma peça inteiriça de tecido impermeável;
• - PI 9400561-3, intitulado “BANHEIRA VERTICAL FLEXÍVEL”, o qual pleiteia uma banheira para instalação em boxes que não possuem banheira fixa. Dita banheira vertical flexível é constituída por uma lona fixada a uma armação metálica que possui três níveis de altura, e a qual apresenta sistema de fixação que permite a estabilização deste conjunto no boxe. Assim, conforme a armação é ajustada em cada um de seus níveis, esta é acompanhada pela lona, formando uma espécie de boxe com regulagem de altura inferiormente fechado, para ser preenchido com água e utilizado como uma banheira.

[012] As examples of the above, the following documents can be cited, which represent the state of the art applied:

• - PI 0802081-7, entitled “FOLDING BATHTUB BERTH”, which claims a crib-bathtub for use with babies up to 7 months of age. The crib-bathtub is composed of eight sheets of thin material, which, after assembly and union, are covered with a one-piece piece of waterproof fabric;
• - PI 9400561-3, entitled “FLEXIBLE VERTICAL BATHTUB”, which claims a bathtub for installation in boxes that do not have a fixed bathtub. This flexible vertical bathtub consists of a canvas fixed to a metal frame that has three levels of height, and which has a fixation system that allows the stabilization of this set in the box. Thus, as the frame is adjusted in each of its levels, it is accompanied by the canvas, forming a kind of box with height adjustment inferiorly closed, to be filled with water and used as a bathtub.

[013] Anyway, despite the wide variety of similar products found on the market, in addition to waterproof sheets and inflatable mattresses, there are no really efficient products aimed at bathing bedridden people.

[014] Obviously, products adapted for showers in boxes, imply carrying the bedridden person to the bathtub adapted for bathing. Furthermore, these are not designed to adapt to the bed or even the floor near the bed where the bedridden person is. Such products commonly depend on a system for assembling parts or structuring frames and supports, which makes the routine of caregivers and nurses difficult.

[015] The bathtubs adapted for babies, in addition to having reduced dimensions, are rigid or depend on a series of parts and frames for assembly, even if their dimensions are changed. Furthermore, even the foldable ones depend on rigid parts for the baby's safety, which removes their practicality and adaptability to other applications.

[016] Thus, in addition to not being able to be specifically applied to bedridden people, especially adults, these mountable bathtubs are difficult to sanitize and store, which further distances them from the possibility of adapted use for bedridden people or with reduced movement.

[017] Still, as is customary, bathing bedridden patients using waterproof sheets and inflatable mattresses involve laborious steps of lashings and inflation.

Objectives of the invention

[018] In order to solve the problems described in the prior art, the inventor developed a bathtub made entirely of silicone, malleable and resilient, so that a bedridden person can be bathed in running water in their own bed, without the need to locomotion or the use of damp cloths. The bathtub also has a lower opening for the correct flow of water.

[019] With this bathtub, the bedridden person can receive a satisfactory bath, with water and soap, without wetting the bed and without great efforts on the part of their caregiver or guardian.

• - Oferecer facilidade de armazenamento quando não estiver em uso;
• - Proporcionar a pessoas acamadas um autêntico banho em seu próprio leito;
• - Retirar a necessidade da remoção das pessoas acamadas de seus leitos para tomar banho;
• - Proporcionar higiene e bem estar à pessoa acamada, contribuindo para sua recuperação;
• - Permitir um banho com água corrente e sabão, na temperatura desejada;
• - Causar o mínimo possível de incômodo e dor para o paciente;
• - Facilitar o trabalho do enfermeiro, cuidador ou responsável, reduzindo consideravelmente seu esforço físico, mental e emocional;
• - Economizar no uso de aparatos como bacias, jarros de água e toalhas ou lenços.

[020] The invention therefore intends to:

• - Provide easy storage when not in use;
• - Provide bedridden people with an authentic bath in their own bed;
• - Remove the need to remove bedridden people from their beds to take a shower;
• - Provide hygiene and well-being to the bedridden person, contributing to their recovery;
• - Allow a bath with running water and soap, at the desired temperature;
• - Cause as little discomfort and pain as possible for the patient;
• - Facilitate the work of nurses, caregivers or guardians, considerably reducing their physical, mental and emotional effort;
• - Save on the use of devices such as basins, water jugs and towels or handkerchiefs.

• Figuras 1 e 2 – ilustram a banheira de silicone em duas vistas de perspectiva superior;
• Figuras 3 e 4 – ilustram a capacidade maleável da banheira fabricada em silicone;
• Figura 5 – sequência ilustrando a capacidade resiliente da banheira, a qual, após ter sua parede dobrada ou compactada, essa retorna à sua configuração original;
• Figura 6 – ilustra sua melhor forma de uso, onde a banheira é levada até o leito do paciente, o qual é rolado pelo cuidador (não mostrado) para a posição em decúbito lateral para que o cuidador aproxime de suas costas uma das paredes da banheira, dobrando-a então para que o paciente adentre a banheira após ser virado para o lado oposto, em decúbito lateral contrário, rolando por cima da parede dobrada, a qual, por fim, retorna à sua posição original, estando assim o paciente dentro da banheira;
• Figura 7 – ilustra o banho do paciente dentro da banheira, sendo banhado em água corrente a partir de um chuveirinho ou extensão de mangueira, seja vinda do chuveiro ou de um reservatório de água próprio para tal. A figura mostra ainda que, conforme a água corrente banha o paciente, ela escoa imediatamente através da abertura inferior da banheira, através de uma mangueira acoplada ou incorporada, para um reservatório ou sendo direcionada a um local de escoamento;
• Figura 8 – ilustra que, ao final do banho, a água escoa completamente através da abertura, graças ao material de silicone do qual é feita a banheira, permitindo assim que o paciente seja enxugado ainda dentro desta.

[021] Explained so far in a summarized form, the invention is illustrated by the attached drawings.

• Figures 1 and 2 – illustrate the silicone bathtub in two top perspective views;
• Figures 3 and 4 – illustrate the malleable capacity of the bathtub made of silicone;
• Figure 5 – sequence illustrating the bathtub's resilient capacity, which, after having its wall folded or compacted, returns to its original configuration;
• Figure 6 - illustrates its best form of use, where the bathtub is taken to the patient's bed, which is rolled by the caregiver (not shown) to the lateral decubitus position so that the caregiver brings one of the bathtub walls to his back , then folding it so that the patient enters the bathtub after being turned to the opposite side, in opposite lateral decubitus, rolling over the folded wall, which finally returns to its original position, thus the patient is inside the bathtub;
• Figure 7 – illustrates the patient's bath in the bathtub, being bathed in running water from a shower head or hose extension, either coming from the shower or from a water tank suitable for this purpose. The figure also shows that, as the running water bathes the patient, it immediately drains through the lower opening of the bathtub, through an attached or incorporated hose, to a reservoir or being directed to a drainage location;
• Figure 8 – illustrates that, at the end of the bath, the water drains completely through the opening, thanks to the silicone material from which the bathtub is made, thus allowing the patient to be dried while still inside.

[022] In accordance with the attached drawings, the "FLEXIBLE BATHTUB FOR BED BATH", reason for this patent application, consists of a bathtub (1), as shown in figures 1 and 2, manufactured entirely in silicone by dedicated mold, and which has the dimensions of a single bed, approximately 188cm x 88cm.

[023] Said bathtub (1) has projected walls (2) of approximately 40cm in height and rounded corners and vertices.

[024] Said bathtub (1), during its manufacture, receives in any preferential part of its lower portion or bottom (3) an opening (4) for water flow (A), which can be closed by a detachable lid or dedicated valve with open and close positions or attached to a hose or hose section of the same material.

[025] As shown in figures 3, 4 and 5, the bathtub (1) made entirely of silicone has malleability and lightness, and can be folded, flexed or compacted, always returning to its original state without showing deformities. These characteristics make the bathtub (1) practical and easy to store, and when not in use, it can be stored anywhere, especially near or below the bed of the bedridden person (P) to be benefited by it. In addition, the bathtub (1) presents itself as a waterproof, non-toxic and non-adhering product.

[026] For its best method of use, as shown in the sequence in figure 6, it is enough that the responsible person or caregiver takes the bathtub (1) next to the bed (L) of the bedridden person (P), supporting it there. Thus, without the need to lift or move the bedridden person (P), it is enough for the caregiver, with little effort, to turn him over to the lateral decubitus position and with his hands bend or flatten the wall (2) of the bathtub (1) from the side closest to the bedridden person (P), placing it close to his/her back.

[027] Thus, in this position, the caregiver simply returns the bedridden person (P) to the supine position, rolling it in an equally simple movement, where then the bedridden person (P) remains on the wall (2) bent bathtub (1) silicone. Then, when the bedridden person (P) rolls again in the opposite direction, in opposite lateral decubitus, that is, into the bathtub (1), the folded wall (2), thanks to the resilience of the material, automatically returns to the initial position , unfolding, when then the bedridden person (P) is inside the bathtub (1), thus being ready to receive a bath on top of their own bed (L).

[028] Thus, as shown in Figure 7, the bedridden person (P) can be bathed with running water (A) from and through any method preferred by the caregiver, for example, by extending the shower head (CH) of the nearest shower, hose, water tank, etc.

[029] While the bedridden person (P) is bathed, the running water (A) flows simultaneously through the opening (4) of the lower portion of the bathtub (1), either through a built-in hose (M), hose (M) connected to the valve or any other method that directs water (A) to a drain or other proper drainage location.

[030] Thanks to the properties of silicone, the bathtub (1) allows receiving hot, warm or cold water, at any level below its top nozzle, without the risk of leaks.

[031] During the bath, the caregiver can properly sanitize the bedridden person (P), using soap, shampoo and other products of your choice. The projected walls (2) of the bathtub (1) of sufficient height, approximately 40cm, allow the caregiver to bathe the bedridden person (P) freely, without worrying about wetting the bed (L).

[032] At the end of the bath, after rinsing, the caregiver simply waits until all the water (A) comes out through the respective opening (4), when the caregiver can then dry the bedridden person (P) still inside the bathtub ( 1) with a towel.

[033] After removing the patient or bedridden person (P) from the bathtub (1), the latter can be washed and sanitized with soap and water at high temperature and disinfected with 70% alcohol or similar product.

• - O invento proporciona a pessoas acamadas um autêntico banho em seu próprio leito;
• - O invento retira a necessidade de as pessoas impossibilitadas ou com limitações, temporárias ou definitivas, serem removidas de seus leitos para tomar banho;
• - A banheira (1) aqui pleiteada poderá ser utilizada por pessoas acamadas em residências, casas de repouso, clínicas e hospitais;
• - A banheira (1) proporciona higiene e bem estar à pessoa acamada e contribui para sua recuperação;
• - A banheira (1) é especialmente benéfica para pacientes em estado vegetativo, em coma, portadores de atrofia muscular, tetraplégicos, pacientes com lesões cerebrais sem condição motora, vítimas de traumas, pacientes pós-cirúrgicos, idosos sem mobilidade e pacientes que sofrem com dores agudas ao serem removidos;
• - Por ser fabricada em silicone, a banheira (1) maleável e dobrável com abertura (4) para o escape da água permite um banho com água corrente e sabão, na temperatura desejada;
• - Por seguir as medidas aproximadas de um leito hospitalar, a banheira (1) pode ser utilizada sobre este;
• - O invento causa o mínimo de incômodo e dor para o paciente;
• - O invento facilita o trabalho do enfermeiro, cuidador ou responsável, evitando que este necessite transportar o paciente para outro lugar, reduzindo consideravelmente seu esforço físico, mental e emocional;
• - A banheira (1), por todas as vantagens oferecidas durante seu uso, economiza o uso de aparatos como bacias, jarros de água e toalhas ou lenços, o que resulta em grande economia.

[034] Finally, the inventor states that:

• - The invention provides bedridden people an authentic bath in their own bed;
• - The invention removes the need for people with disabilities or limitations, temporary or permanent, to be removed from their beds to take a shower;
• - The bathtub (1) claimed here may be used by bedridden people in homes, rest homes, clinics and hospitals;
• - The bathtub (1) provides hygiene and well-being to the bedridden person and contributes to their recovery;
• - The bathtub (1) is especially beneficial for patients in a vegetative state, in coma, patients with muscle atrophy, quadriplegics, patients with brain injuries without motor condition, trauma victims, post-surgical patients, elderly people without mobility and patients suffering from sharp pains when removed;
• - As it is made of silicone, the bathtub (1) malleable and foldable with an opening (4) for water escape allows a bath with running water and soap, at the desired temperature;
• - By following the approximate measurements of a hospital bed, the bathtub (1) can be used over it;
• - The invention causes the least inconvenience and pain for the patient;
• - The invention facilitates the work of nurses, caregivers or guardians, preventing them from having to transport the patient to another place, considerably reducing their physical, mental and emotional effort;
• - The bathtub (1), due to all the advantages offered during its use, saves the use of devices such as basins, water jars and towels or handkerchiefs, resulting in great savings.

Claims (3)

"MALEABLE BATHTUB", a bathtub (1) for bathing bedridden people (P) in its own bed (L), said bathtub (1) characterized by being manufactured entirely in silicone in the dimensions of a single bed (L), approximately 188cm x 88cm, said bathtub (1) with projected walls (2) of approximately 40cm in height and provided in its lower or bottom portion (3) with an opening (4) for water flow (A), which is provided with a lid detachable, valve or incorporating hose. "BATH IN BED", according to the bathtub (1) defined in claim 1, for its best method of use, the bathtub (1) is taken next to the bed (L) of the bedridden person (P) and supported on it, characterized by said bedridden person (P) be turned in lateral decubitus and the side wall (2) closest to the bedridden person (P) be positioned close to their back and then folded / compacted, with the bedridden person (P) then facing the in the other direction, in opposite lateral decubitus, rolling over the wall (2) folded into the bathtub (1), when then the crumpled wall (2) automatically returns to the initial position, thus the person is bedridden (P) inside the bathtub (1) to receive your bath. "BED BATH", according to claim 2, characterized in that during the bath, running water (A) coming from a shower head (CH) or hose drains through the lower opening (4) of the bathtub (1).

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