Status or Alarm Indicator Device

• US 20170330430A1
• Filed: 07/31/2017
• Published: 11/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huntleigh Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Huntleigh Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Goodfield, Clive, Acosta, Julie, McNeil, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 10,490,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2209/00 Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0068 Medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

An indicator device includes a casing having rearward projecting elements from which coupling hooks extend. The device includes a downwardly facing window as well as two forwardly or upwardly extending windows. The device includes lights or lamps disposed adjacent the windows for generating status and/or warning signals. The device can be hooked onto a support such as a footboard of a hospital bed or placed on a floor with a window exposed. The window is able to direct light from the lighting elements to a surface such as a floor or footboard or other surface. This assists in a caregiver seeing light emanating from the device even when this is covered.

Claims

1. An indicator device for indicating a status or condition related to a patient, patient therapy and/or medical device or equipment associated with the patient, the indicator device comprising:

a casing comprising upper and lower ends;

at least one connector capable of being coupled to a support, such that the lower end of the casing is displaced above but faces in a downward direction towards a floor and the upper end of the casing facing an upwards direction towards a ceiling; and

at least one lighting element disposed to emit light from the lower end of the casing and projecting downward towards the floor or at least one lighting element disposed to emit light from the upper end of the casing and projecting upward towards the ceiling, the lighting element being operable to generate a light indicative of the status or condition.

2. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connector includes a hook element.

3. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connector is configurable between a deployed condition and a storage condition, in which the at least one connector is disposed within a perimeter of the casing.

4. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein a rear of the casing includes at least one generally flat support surface permitting the casing to lay on its side on a horizontal surface.

5. The indicator device according to claim 4, wherein the casing includes at least one projecting member to which the at least one connector is attached, the at least one projecting member providing the at least one generally flat support surface.

6. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes a window in its lower end, the at least one lighting element being disposed in the casing and arranged to transmit the emitted light through the window and wherein the indicator device is configured to project light through the window and onto a surface to form a symbol indicative of the status or condition.

7. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes a front face and at least one frontal lighting element disposed at or adjacent the upper end of the casing to emit light from the front face of the casing and at least partially in a direction from the upper end of the casing;

the at least one frontal lighting element being operable to generate a status or warning light.

8. The indicator device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one frontal window is disposed at an angle at least partially facing the upper end of the casing.

9. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting element includes at least one lamp having a color or a filter.

10. The indicator device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one lamp is a light emitting diode.

11. A hospital or home care apparatus including an indicator device according to claim 1.

12. The hospital or home care apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is a pump and is configured to monitor and control over a period of time pressure applied to a cuff when a cuff is in fluid communication with the pump.

13. The hospital or home care apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a cuff.

14. The indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted is in the form of a beam, such that light emitted from the lower end of the casing is viewable at least primarily as indirect light reflected off of a surface remote from the indicator device.

15. The indicator device according to claim 14, wherein the surface remote from the indicator device is a floor surface.

16. An indicator device according to claim 14, wherein the light emitted from the front face of the casing is observed as direct light.

17. A method for using an indicator device to monitor a condition or status of a patient, patient therapy and/or medical device or equipment associated with the patient, the method comprising:

emitting light from the indicator device indicative of the status or condition;

when a portion of the indicator device is at least partially obstructed, observing the emitted light as indirect, reflected light; and

taking responsive action in relation to the patient, patient therapy or medical device or equipment upon observing the indirect, reflected light.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of observing the emitted light as indirect, reflected light comprises predominantly observing the emitted light as indirect, reflected light.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator device is part of a pump configured to regulate pressure to a pressure cuff in fluid communication with the pump, and wherein the step of taking responsive action involves adjusting the cuff pressure.

20. A method for using a pump to monitor a condition or status of a patient, patient therapy and/or the pump, wherein the pump is configured to regulate pressure of a pressure garment in fluid communication with the pump and wherein the method comprises:

removably connecting the pump to a surface of a bed;

upon occurrence of the status or condition, projecting light from the pump onto a surface to form a visible symbol indicative of the status or condition;

taking responsive action in relation to the patient, patient therapy or pump upon observing the symbol.