ECG CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A cable management system comprising an electronics module;
- a plurality of drive modules and a cable cartridge for each drive module;
each cable cartridge including a housing defining an interior compartment and a cable opening configured to allow a cable to pass from the interior compartment through said cable opening;
said cable cartridge further including a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing and having an electrical slip ring;
an electrically conductive lead wire having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being mechanically attached to said spool and electrically connected to said slip ring, said lead wire being adapted for transmitting electrical signals; and
a stationary electrical contact in electrical communication with said slip ring; and
each drive module including means for electrically coupling said stationary electrical contact to said electronics module;
means for releasably engaging a cable cartridge;
means for controllably rotating said cable spool; and
means for communicating output signals from said electronics module to output signal cables.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scalable cable management system comprises an electronics module with a microcontroller; a plurality of drive modules and a releasably engaged cable cartridge for each drive module. Each cable cartridge houses a lead wire cable spool with an electrical slip ring connected to the wire. Stationary electrical contacts pickup signals from the slip ring for use by the electronics module. A device such as an electric or spring-driven motor, with a gear train and an optional clutch, controllably rotate the cable spool. A cleaning assembly cleans portions of the lead wire as it is extended or retracted. The microcontroller receives strain signals representative of tension on a lead wire from cable strain gauge. The electronics module may also include a defibrillator protection sub-system, a crossbar transfer switch, an instrumentation amplifier and a communications unit. Test terminals are also provided for assessing integrity of each lead wire.
46 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cable management system comprising an electronics module;
- a plurality of drive modules and a cable cartridge for each drive module;
each cable cartridge including a housing defining an interior compartment and a cable opening configured to allow a cable to pass from the interior compartment through said cable opening;
said cable cartridge further including a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing and having an electrical slip ring;
an electrically conductive lead wire having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being mechanically attached to said spool and electrically connected to said slip ring, said lead wire being adapted for transmitting electrical signals; and
a stationary electrical contact in electrical communication with said slip ring; and
each drive module including means for electrically coupling said stationary electrical contact to said electronics module;
means for releasably engaging a cable cartridge;
means for controllably rotating said cable spool; and
means for communicating output signals from said electronics module to output signal cables. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- a plurality of drive modules and a cable cartridge for each drive module;
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21. A cable cartridge comprising a housing defining an interior compartment and a cable opening configured to allow a cable to pass from the interior compartment through said cable opening;
- a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing;
an electrically conductive lead wire mechanically attached to said spool, said lead wire having a determined maximum tensile strength and being adapted for transmitting electrical signals;
a cable strain gauge assembly configured to produce a strain signal representative of a determined tension on the lead wire.
- a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing;
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22. A cable cartridge comprising a housing defining an interior compartment and a cable opening configured to allow a cable to pass from the interior compartment through said cable opening;
- a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing;
an electrically conductive lead wire mechanically attached to said spool, said lead wire having a lubricated insulated outer layer.
- a cable spool rotatably mounted in the interior compartment of the housing;
Specification