Visibly enhanced caregiver call device

• US 20080063151A1
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crest Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crest Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Sowada, Mark, Niedzielski, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,935,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/70 with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort

Abstract

A call button device includes an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor. Also included is a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor. Finally, the device includes a pendant member having an actuable switch that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor. The pendant member also includes a luminous portion configured to provide non-electrical illumination in a low light environment.

Claims

1. A call button device, comprising:

an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor;

a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor; and

a pendant member that includes an actuable switch that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor, wherein the pendant member also includes a luminous portion configured to provide non-electrical illumination in a low light environment.

2. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the luminous portion extends around a substantial portion of the circumference of the pendent member.

3. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the pendant member comprises a housing having an exterior surface with an aperture formed therein, and wherein at least a portion of the luminous portion extends from the aperture.

4. The call button device of claim 3, wherein the first aperture extends generally radially around the exterior surface of the housing.

5. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the pendant member has an internal cavity formed therein, and wherein at least part of the luminous portion is positioned within the internal cavity.

6. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the luminous portion incorporates a phosphorescent material.

7. A system for alerting healthcare providers when a patient requires assistance, including the call button device of claim 1.

8. A pillow speaker device, comprising:

an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor;

a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor; and

a speaker member that includes a button that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor, wherein the speaker member also includes a luminous portion configured to provide non-electrical illumination in a low light environment.

9. The pillow speaker device of claim 8, wherein the luminous portion comprises at least a portion of a panel that surrounds the button.

10. The pillow speaker device of claim 8, wherein the luminous portion comprises at least one portion of the button.

11. The pillow speaker device of claim 8, wherein the button is a membrane-type button and wherein the luminous portion comprises at least a portion of the button.

12. The pillow speaker device of claim 8, wherein the luminous portion incorporates a phosphorescent material.

13. A system for alerting healthcare providers when a patient requires assistance, including the pillow speaker device of claim 8.

14. A method of constructing a medical device, comprising:

constructing a non-electrical luminous device component, the device component being one of a plurality of components that together form the medical device; and

incorporating the device component into the medical device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein constructing a non-electrical luminous device component comprises molding the device component.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein constructing a non-electrical luminous device component comprises molding the device component out of a phosphorus material.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein constructing a non-electrical luminous device component comprises constructing a membrane-type button.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein constructing a non-electrical luminous device component comprises incorporating a phosphorous material into a membrane-type button.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein constructing a non-electrical luminous device component comprises incorporating a phosphorous material into a panel associated with a membrane-type button.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein incorporating the device component into the medical device comprises incorporating the device component into one of a set of medical devices, wherein the set consists of a call button device and a pillow speaker device.