TRANSFORMABLE INTRAVENOUS POLE

• US 20090008899A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skytron, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Streamline Incorporated (Skytron, LLC.)
• Inventors: Blankenship, Peter, Norman, Brent, Blankenship, Sam
• Granted Patent: US 7,735,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/288.400
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/04 Parts, details or accessories, e.g. head-, foot-, or like rests specially adapted for stretchers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/008 mounted on a mobile base, e.g. on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/80 for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• 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

Abstract

A patient transporting device having a mobile IV pole which comprises a wheeled base with an enclosure that substantially covers the wheels and a bumper secured to the enclosure. A pole is coupled to the base, and a plurality of hook or other holders are provided for holding intravenous fluid reservoirs. The pole may include first and second arms that extend substantially vertically upwardly from the base, each arm made up of respective lower, central, and upper telescoping tubular portions. The lower portions of the arms are securely coupled to the base, the upper portions are rigidly interconnected with one another, and the central portions of the first and second arms are rigidly interconnected by a stabilization bar which has a plurality of routing channels therein for routing flexible tubing. An obliquely oriented handle is coupled to the pole and is axially movable along at least a portion of the pole. The IV pole may be provided with an electrical receptacle having a retractable power cord. A hook or other hanger also may be provided at a lower portion of the pole for hanging a catheter bag, and a further hook, eyelet, or other coupling may be provided for towing the IV pole along with a gurney, wheelchair, or bed, for example.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An IV pole comprising:

a shaft;

a wheeled base comprising at least two legs, each of said legs comprising at least one joint wherein each of said legs is pivotably engaged to said shaft, each of said legs further comprising at least one wheel; and

a raising mechanism engaged to said shaft, said raising mechanism being constructed and arranged to exert a mechanical force on each of said legs to pivot and to lift at least a portion of each of said legs to raise said wheels relative to said shaft.

22. The IV pole of claim 21, each of said legs comprising a first segment and a second segment, said first segment and said second segment being hingedly engaged to each other.

23. The IV pole of claim 21, said shaft comprising a hollow portion.

24. The IV pole of claim 23, said raising mechanism comprising a crank, and a rod engaged to said crank, said rod being pivotally engaged to said at least two legs, said rod extending through said hollow portion of said shaft, wherein actuation of said crank raises said rod and imposes said mechanical force on at least a portion of said legs which pivots at least a portion of said legs.

25. The IV pole of claim 21, further comprising a patient transporting device, said patient transporting device comprising:

a patient holding apparatus and an attachment mount engaged to said patient holding apparatus; and

said IV pole further comprising a top and a bottom,

wherein said wheeled base is engaged to a portion of said shaft, said wheels being vertically and longitudinally adjustable relative to said shaft, and wherein said attachment mount is constructed and arranged for releasably engaging said IV pole, said attachment mount being constructed and arranged to move said IV pole closer to said patient holding apparatus when said wheels are elevated with respect to a surface than when said wheels are on said surface.

26. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 25, said attachment mount comprising a tube, said patient holding apparatus comprising a bottom, a back, and a bar, said bar extending outwardly from said bottom and said back of said patient holding apparatus, wherein said tube is constructed and arranged to engage said bar.

27. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 25, wherein said attachment mount is pivotably engaged to said patient holding apparatus, said attachment mount being further constructed and arranged to permit said IV pole to pivot around said patient holding apparatus.

28. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 27, said attachment mount further comprises a plurality of positioning slots, said positioning slots being constructed and arranged to dispose said IV pole at fixed angles relative to said patient holding apparatus, wherein at least one of said positioning slots is constructed and arranged to place said shaft at a first distance from said patient holding apparatus when said wheels are elevated relative to said surface, and wherein at least one of said positioning slots is constructed and arranged to place said shaft at a second distance from said patient holding apparatus when said wheels are on said surface, and said first distance is less than said second distance.

29. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 25, further comprising a pin spring, said pin spring being engaged to said attachment mount, said pin spring providing a pulling tension against said attachment mount in the direction of said patient holding apparatus, wherein said pulling tension moves said IV pole closer to said patient holding apparatus.

30. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 25, wherein said at least two legs are vertically pivotably engaged to said shaft.

31. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 30, said attachment mount comprising a crank, said crank being constructed and arranged to elevate and lower said at least one leg relative to said shaft.

32. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 31, said IV pole further comprising a hollow portion and a rod extending from said crank to said wheeled base, said crank constructed and arranged to raise and lower said wheeled base relative to said surface.

33. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 25, wherein said IV pole is constructed and arranged to support bags or pumps when said wheels are adjusted into an elevated position relative to said surface.

34. The combination IV pole and patient transporting device of claim 27, further comprising a hooking pin engaged to said attachment mount.