Patient-support device and docking cart combination

• US 20040236175A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Draeger Medical Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Richards, John H., McDermott, Ian, Boone, Otho N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,311,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/04 Oxygen tents ; Oxygen hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/002 height-adjustable patient support
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/003 height-adjustable heater
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/80 for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/50 for radiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A combination (10, 110, 210,310) comprises a patient-support device (12) and one or more carts (14, 114,214, 314) that dock to the patient-support device (12). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214, 314) that dock to the patient-support device (12) have pivotable storage bins (50, 150, 250, 350). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214,314) have equipment-carrying surfaces (54, 154,254,354). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214, 314) have work surfaces or trays (52, 152, 352) that move between storage and use positions. One of the disclosed carts (314) has a storage module (330) that transfers from a frame (316) of the cart (314) to a base (18) of the patient-support device (12).

Claims

1. A combination comprising

a patient-support device having a surface on which a patient rests, the patient-support device having a cart-receiving space, and

a cart dockable to the patient-support device, the cart having a post and a container coupled to the post, and when the cart is docked to the patient-support device the container is movable about the post between a first position in which at least a portion of the container is situated in the cart-receiving space and a second position in which at least a majority of the container is situated outside the cart-receiving space.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the post has a vertical orientation.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a collar coupled to the post and a main container portion coupled to the collar.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the collar has a bore that receives a portion of the post and a rotative bearing interface is provided between the bore and the post.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cart includes a tray coupled to the post for pivoting movement.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the tray is situated above the container.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the container has a lower collar, the tray has an upper collar, and a thrust bearing interface is provided between the upper and lower collars.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the post is situated outside the cart-receiving space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cart further comprises a first base and a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, the post extends upwardly from the first base, and the container is supported by the post above the first base and in spaced-apart relation with the first base.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the patient-support device comprises a second base and a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, a lower space is defined beneath the second base, and at least a portion of the first base is situated in the lower space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

11. The combination of claim 10, further comprising a docking mechanism having a first portion coupled to the first base and a second portion coupled to the second base, the first portion interfaces with the second portion to dock the cart to the patient-support device, and the first and second portions are situated beneath the second base when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

12. The combination of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the second base is situated between the first base and the container when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the patient-support device comprises an infant thermal support device having a patient-support platform and an infant enclosure carried by the patient-support platform, an infant space being defined between the patient-support platform and the infant enclosure, the patient-support platform carries heating equipment that is operable to heat the infant space, and the cart-receiving space is defined beneath the patient-support platform.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the infant enclosure comprises a set of walls extending upwardly from the patient-support platform and a canopy that is situated atop the set of walls to form the infant enclosure.

15. The combination of claim 13, wherein the cart includes a tray that is movable between a storage position beneath the patient-support platform and a use position alongside the patient-support platform.

16. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cart includes a shelf having an equipment-support surface beneath the container.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the equipment-support surface is formed to include a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of a piece of equipment therein.

18. A combination comprising

a patient-support device having a first base, a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, a patient-support platform supported above the first base, a first space being defined above the first base and beneath the patient-support platform, and

a cart having a second base, a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, a structure supported above the second space, the structure being configured to carry at least one of supplies and equipment, a second space being defined above the second base and beneath the structure, the cart being dockable to the patient-support device such that the structure is received at least partially in the first space and the first base is received at least partially in the second space.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein a majority of the structure is received in the first space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein a majority of the first base is received in the second space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

21. The combination of claim 18, further comprising a docking mechanism having a first portion coupled to the first base and a second portion coupled to the second base, the first portion interfaces with the second portion to dock the cart to the patient-support device, and the first base having a fixed orientation relative to the second base when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein the first base comprises a base frame and a shroud covering the base frame, the first portion is coupled to the base frame underneath the shroud, and the first and second portions of the docking mechanism interface underneath the shroud when the cart is docked to the patient support device.

23. The combination of claim 18, wherein the structure comprises a bin that is movable between a storage position in which at least a majority of the bin is received in the first space and a use position in which at least a portion of the bin is outside the first space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein the bin pivots about a horizontal axis when moving between the storage position and the use position.

25. The combination of claim 23, wherein the bin pivots about a vertical axis when moving between the storage position and the use position.

26. The combination of claim 23, wherein the cart comprises a post, the bin comprises a main container portion and a collar coupled to the main container portion, and the collar has a bore that receives a portion of the post.

27. The combination of claim 23, wherein the structure comprises a shelf situated above the bin.

28. The combination of claim 23, wherein the structure comprises a shelf situated beneath the bin.

29. A combination comprising

a patient-support device having a first base, a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, a patient-support platform supported above the first base, a first space being defined above the first base and beneath the patient-support platform, and

a cart having a second base, a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, a structure supported above the second space, the structure being configured to carry one of supplies and equipment, a second space being defined above the second base and beneath the structure, the cart being dockable to the patient-support device such that the structure is received in the first space.

30. The combination of claim 29, wherein a majority of the structure is received in the first space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

31. The combination of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the first base is received in the second space when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

32. The combination of claim 29, further comprising a docking mechanism having a first portion coupled to the first base and a second portion coupled to the second base and the first portion interfaces with the second portion to dock the cart to the patient-support device.

33. The combination of claim 32, wherein the first base comprises a base frame and a shroud covering the base frame, the first portion is coupled to the base frame underneath the shroud, and the first and second portions of the docking mechanism interface underneath the shroud when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

34. A combination comprising

a patient-support device having a first base and a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, the first base having a base frame and a shroud covering at least a portion of the base frame,

a cart having a second base, a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, and

a coupling assembly having a first portion associated with the first base and a second portion associated with the second base, the cart being movable to a docking position having a majority of the second base situated underneath the shroud and having the first portion interacting with the second portion to couple the cart to the patient-support device.

35. The combination of claim 34, wherein the first portion is coupled to the base frame beneath the shroud.

36. The combination of claim 35, wherein the first portion interacts with the second portion beneath the shroud to couple the cart to the patient-support device.

37. The combination of claim 34, wherein the cart has a structure configured to carry at least one of supplies and equipment, the cart has a first support that supports the structure above the second base, and a portion of the first base is situated between the second base and the structure when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

38. The combination of claim 37, wherein the patient-support device has a patient-support platform situated over the first base, the patient-support device has a second support that supports the patient-support platform above the first base, and a majority of the structure is situated between the patient-support platform and the base when the cart is docked to the patient-support device.

39. A cart comprising

a base,

a plurality of wheels coupled to the base,

a post extending upwardly from the base,

a plurality of storage bins, each storage bin having a main container portion and a coupler extending from the main container portion to couple the respective storage bin to the post for pivoting movement about the post.

40. The cart of claim 39, wherein the coupler of each storage bin comprises a collar having a bore that receives a portion of the post therein.

41. The cart of claim 40, further comprising a block coupled to the post, the block having a top surface, and the collar of one of the bins having a bottom surface that abuts the top surface of the block.

42. The cart of claim 39, further comprising a box mounted to the post above the plurality of storage bins and the box has an interior region.

43. The cart of claim 39, wherein the post extends vertically upwardly from the base.

44. The cart of claim 39, further comprising a rotative bearing interface between each of the plurality of storage bins and the post.

45. The cart of claim 39, further comprising a thrust bearing interface between each of the plurality of storage bins and the post.

46. The cart of claim 39, further comprising a tray coupled to the post for pivoting movement.

47. The cart of claim 46, wherein the tray is situated above the plurality of storage bins.

48. The cart of claim 46, further comprising an additional post coupled to the tray and a plurality of additional storage bins coupled to the additional post for pivoting movement.

49. The cart of claim 39, further comprising a tray and an arm assembly, the post comprising a first member and second member that is extendable and retractable relative to the first member, and arm assembly coupling the tray to the second member.

50. The cart of claim 49, further comprising a foot pedal that is depressed to extend and retract the second member of the post relative to the first member to raise and lower, respectively, the tray relative to the base.

51. The cart of claim 49, wherein the arm assembly is configured to permit repositioning of the tray relative to the post.

52. A cart comprising

a base,

a plurality of wheels coupled to the base,

a support extending upwardly from the base

an equipment-support shelf extending form the support in a cantilevered manner above the base, and

a storage bin coupled to the support for pivoting movement.

53. The cart of claim 52, wherein the equipment-support shelf is formed to include a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of a piece of equipment therein.

54. The cart of claim 52, wherein the storage bin is coupled to the support above the equipment-support shelf.

55. The cart of claim 52, wherein the support comprises a push bar having a vertical portion to which the storage bin is coupled for pivoting movement and having a grippable handle portion coupled to the vertical portion.

56. A combination comprising

a transportable patient-support device having a patient-support surface on which a patient rests, the patient-support device having a first base and a first set of wheels coupled to the first base, the patient-support device having a module-receiving space above the first base and beneath the patient-support surface,

a transportable cart frame having a second base and a second set of wheels coupled to the second base, and

a storage module selectively coupleable to the cart frame to be transported therewith and to the patient-support device to be transported therewith, the storage module being received in the module-receiving space when coupled to the patient-support device, and the storage module having means for storing items.

57. The combination of claim 56, wherein a portion of the second base of the cart frame is situated underneath the first base of the patient-support device when the storage module is transferred between the cart frame and the patient-support device.

58. The combination of claim 56, wherein the means for storing items comprises a slide-out drawer having a transparent front panel.

59. The combination of claim 56, wherein the means for storing items comprises a flip-out bin.

60. The combination of claim 56, wherein the means for storing items comprises a recess formed in a side wall of the storage module and a bar that extends across the recess.