Portable disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients

Abstract

A disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients includes a flexible waterproof bag enclosure, a patient access opening in the bag enclosure to enable a patient to be placed therein, and an adjustable closure for adjustably closing the access opening to selectively create a wholly or partially watertight bathing environment within the bag enclosure. A fresh water delivery system delivers water from a fresh water source into the bag enclosure, where it can be dispensed onto a patient. A waste water removal system removes and collects waste water from the bag enclosure. During use of the shower system, the patient is placed in the bag enclosure with the patient's head protruding from the patient access opening, and the closure is manipulated to close the access opening as desired. Using one or more dispensing nozzles associated with the fresh water delivery system, the patient is bathed with fresh water while waste water is collected and removed by the waste water removal system. Optional dryer, heater and whirlpool systems may be used to provide additional therapies. When bathing has been completed, the bag enclosure and other components of the shower system can be disposed of, as desired. Alternative bag enclosures may be used for bathing specific body parts, such as the head, arms and legs.

1 . A portable disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients, comprising: 
 a flexible waterproof bag enclosure;    a patient access opening in said bag enclosure to enable a patient to be placed therein;    an adjustable closure for adjustably closing said access opening to selectively create a wholly or partially watertight bathing environment within said bag enclosure;    a fresh water delivery system adapted to deliver water from a fresh water source into said bag enclosure, where it can be dispensed onto a patient; and    a waste water removal system adapted to remove and collect waste water from said bag enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said patient access opening comprises a neck opening proximate to a head end of said bag enclosure, and an elongated slit extending from said neck opening toward a foot end of said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       3 . A system in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said closure comprises a zipping mechanism associated with said elongated slit.  
   
   
       4 . A system in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said closure comprises a magnetic mechanism associated with said elongated slit.  
   
   
       5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said fresh water delivery system comprises one or more dispensing nozzles within said bag enclosure, a fresh water line extending from said dispensing nozzle(s) to a fresh water source, and one or more access ports on said bag enclosure for said water line.  
   
   
       6 . A system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein there is a single dispensing nozzle connected to a flexible hose that forms part of said water line, and a single access port in said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       7 . A system in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said hose extends through said access port to a source end where said hose has a water faucet adaptor for connection to a water faucet.  
   
   
       8 . A system in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said access port comprises an aperture in said bag enclosure that is gathered around said hose and secured thereto with a clamp or tie.  
   
   
       9 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  further including a water shutoff valve in said fresh water delivery system proximate to said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       10 . A system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein there are plural dispensing nozzles along side portions of said bag enclosure connected to a manifold that forms part of said water line, said water line further including a hose extending from said manifold to a source end where said hose has a water faucet adaptor for connection to a water faucet.  
   
   
       11 . A system in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said dispensing nozzles each comprise a flexible nozzle element formed as a perforated sheet disposed over one of said access ports and peripherally sealed to said bag enclosure, said access port comprising an aperture in said bag enclosure that is gathered around a portion of said manifold and secured thereto with a clamp or tie.  
   
   
       12 . A system in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said dispensing nozzles each comprise a rigid nozzle fitting extending through one of said access ports and connected to a portion of said manifold.  
   
   
       13 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said waste water removal system comprises a drain port fitting associated with an aperture in said bag enclosure, a waste water line extending from said drain port, and one or more waste water collection vessels connected to said waste water line.  
   
   
       14 . A system in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said drain port is situated at one or both of a foot end of said bag enclosure and an intermediate portion of said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       15 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  further including a forced-air heater system in fluid communication with said fresh water delivery system by way of a valve for selectively switching between fresh water and warm air delivery to said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       16 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  further including a chemical heater system comprising chemically activated heating elements disposed in waterproof pouches within said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       17 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  further including a whirlpool system in fluid communication with said waste water removal system by way of a valve for selectively switching between waste water removal and pressurized air delivery to said bag enclosure.  
   
   
       18 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bag enclosure is shaped and sized for bathing a discrete body portion of a patient.  
   
   
       19 . A portable disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients, comprising: 
 a flexible waterproof bag enclosure;    patient access means in said bag enclosure to enable a patient to be placed therein;    adjustable closure means for adjustably closing said access means to selectively create a wholly or partially watertight bathing environment within said bag enclosure;    a fresh delivery means for delivering fresh water into said bag enclosure; and    waste removal means for removing waste water from said bag enclosure.    
   
   
       20 . A portable disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients, comprising: 
 a flexible waterproof bag enclosure;    an opening in said bag enclosure to enable a patient to be placed within said bag enclosure;    an adjustable closure for adjustably closing said opening;    a feed port in said bag enclosure;    a feed tube extending through said feed port into said bag enclosure;    a water dispersing head in said bag enclosure attached to a first end of said feed tube;    a second end of said feed tube being adapted for connection to a water source;    a drainage port in bag enclosure;    a drain tube extending from said drainage port outside of said bag enclosure; and    a drain collector bag connected to said drain tube for collecting water drained from said bag enclosure.