Multifunctional Floor Pods

• US 20080212337A1
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optimus Licensing AG
• Original Assignee: Optimus Services, LLC
• Inventors: Mangiardi, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,841,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/572
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/40 Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/362 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/50 for storing hazardous materials in the laboratory, e.g. cupboards, waste containers sample containers B01L3/50
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0093 specially adapted for collecting refuse from arrangements in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/06 with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks B65F1/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 5/48 Special adaptations of floors for incorporating ducts, e.g. for heating or ventilating in block-shaped elements E04C1/39; in slab- or sheet-shaped elements E04C2/52
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/005 Electrical coupling combined with fluidic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

An ambient lighting system for a hospital operating room environment and a method of using said system is described. An apparatus comprising the combination of a translucent sheet and a backlight LED panel or colored light source (colored lamp(s) or LED(s) in an alcove) provides a diffuse light when light from said panel, alcove, or other source is presented to the translucent sheet, is scattered, and represented as unfocused light on the exposed surface of the translucent sheet. Usage of the apparatus in an operating room provides a calming environment. The method and apparatus may be adapted to include wireless control over the intensity, color, and on/off state of the light. Further, usage of known translucent materials provides a sterile and safe surface.

Claims

1. An ambient lighting system for a hospital operating room, comprising

at least one translucent sheet on a wall of a hospital room having an exposed surface and a non-exposed surface, the interior of said translucent sheet and the exposed surface adapted to provide a diffuse ambient light when light is presented to said non-exposed surface;

at least one light source adapted to provide light presented to said translucent sheet'"'"'s non-exposed surface;

a control box adapted to provide power to said light and further adapted to select among light sources and adjust the color, intensity, and on/off state of any light-source.

2. The ambient lighting system of claim 1 in which said control box is further adapted to communicate wirelessly with another communication device and allow said communication device to control said intensity, said color, and said on/off state of any said light-source.

3. The ambient lighting system of claim 1 in which said translucent sheet is non-porous and has a low dielectric constant.

4. The ambient lighting system of claim 3 in which said translucent sheet is Avonite.

5. The ambient lighting system of claim 1 in which said system is adapted to provide an immersive lighting environment.

6. The ambient lighting system of claim 1 in which said light source is a focused, colored light, an array of colored lights, an array of colored, focused lights, or an array of unfocused, colored lights.

7. The ambient lighting system of claim 1 in which said light source is an array of back-panels joined to said non-exposed surface of said translucent sheet, said back-panels comprising at least one colored LED on at least one said back-panel.

8. A method of providing an ambient light in a hospital operating room, comprising

providing the ambient lighting system of claim 2;

integrating a) panels containing colored LEDs onto;

or b) colored light-sources near said non-exposed surfaces of said translucent sheets;

selecting a desired color and intensity on said control box and powering at least one said light directed onto said non-exposed surface of said translucent sheet, thereby providing a diffuse ambient light;

9. The method of claim 8 in which said translucent sheet is non-porous and has a low dielectric constant.

10. The method of claim 9 in which said translucent sheet is Avonite.

11. The method of claim 9 in which said translucent sheets are periodically sterilized.

12. The ambient lighting system of claim 2 in which said translucent sheet is non-porous and has a low dielectric constant.

13. The ambient lighting system of claim 12 in which said translucent sheet is Avonite.