Apparatus for electrical connection of glove monitor to patient

• US 5,658,277 A
• Filed: 10/07/1994
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William H. Marshall
• Original Assignee: Novatec Medical Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Williams, Robert E., Bennett, John K., Marshall, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/320,170
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 606/34, 128/641, 324/557, 340/540, 340/605, 174/55 G, 435/38-40, 435/909
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/30 Devices for detecting perforations, leaks or tears
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/187 for flexible or elastic containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/40 by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges

Abstract

Apparatus for electrically, detachably attaching a monitor such as a glove monitor between a health care worker and a patient utilizing a particular magnetic, electrical connection so that the health care worker can easily connect and disconnect from electrical connection to the patient for movement about the room or elsewhere.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detachably, electrically connecting a glove monitor to a patient in order to detect holes or other anomalies in gloves during use, comprising:

a glove monitor adapted for electrical attachment to a health care worker, said glove monitor including means adapted for attachment to said health care worker and including a first electrical connection adapted to extend from said glove monitor to said health care worker;

an electrically conductive, magnetic element and means for attachment of said electrically conductive magnetic element to a patient support member, said electrically conductive, magnetic element including a second electrical connection, said second electrical connection adapted to extend between said electrically conductive, magnetic element and a patient;

said glove monitor having a detachable electrical lead extending therefrom, said detachable electrical lead including an electrical conductor having a first end for connection to said glove monitor and a second end terminating in a detachable ferro-magnetic element, said detachable ferromagnetic element being electrically connectable to and detachable from said electrically conductive, magnetic element attached to said patient support member whereby a health care worker is able to electrically connect said glove monitor to said patient and electrically detach said glove monitor from said patient as necessary.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, further including:

said electrically conductive, magnetic element being a generally elongated strip of magnetic material including an electrically conductive portion for attachment to said patient support member; and

,

said second electrical connection including a second electrical conductor having a first end electrically attached to said magnetic strip and a second end terminating in an electrically conductive element adapted for attachment to said patient.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, further including:

said electrically conductive magnetic element being formed of at least two generally elongated strips of magnetic material having electrically conductive portions for attachment to said patient support member, said elongated strips being attachable in adjacent, parallel relationship; and

said second electrical connection including a second electrical conductor having a first end electrically attached to said electrically conductive portions of the at least two generally elongated strips of magnetic material and a second end terminating in an electrically conductive element adapted for attachment to said patient.

4. Apparatus of claim 3, including:

said detachable ferro-magnetic element being of sufficient size to electrically attach to both of said electrically conductive portions of said magnetic strips simultaneously.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, including:

said electrically conductive magnetic element having a magnetic attraction, said magnetic attraction of said electrically conductive, magnetic element being sufficiently strong to draw said detachable ferro-magnetic element into electrical connection whenever said detachable ferromagnetic element is in close proximity to said electrically conductive magnetic element.

6. Apparatus of claim 1, including:

said electrical conductor of said detachable electrical lead having a coiled portion such that said attachment of said second end detachable ferro-magnetic element to said electrically conductive, magnetic element attached to said patient support member is yieldable to allow said health care worker freedom of movement while maintaining electrical connection between said detachable ferro-magnetic element and said magnetic element.

7. Apparatus of claim 1, including:

an alarm circuit in electronic communication with said electrically conductive magnetic element and including alarm means to sound an alarm whenever said detachable ferro-magnetic element is separated from attachment to said electrically conductive magnetic element.

8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said alarm means includes signal means indicating whenever said detachable ferromagnetic element is detached from said electrically conductive magnetic element.

9. Apparatus of claim 8, including:

said alarm means including means for suppressing any undesirable voltage surge from said lead extending to said patient.

10. Apparatus for detachably, electrically connecting a glove monitor to a patient supported on a patient support structure in order to detect holes or other anomalies in gloves during use, comprising:

a glove monitor;

said glove monitor including an electrical circuit which is adapted to extend in one direction between the patient and the health care worker, said electrical circuit including a detachable electrical connection, said detachable electrical connection including an electrical lead including a conductor which terminates in a detachable ferro-magnetic element, and a stationary, electrically conductive magnetic element adapted to be mounted on said patient support structure, said detachable ferro-magnetic element being electrically connectable and detachable from said stationary electrically conductive magnetic element whereby electrical connection between said health care worker and said patient is detachable and reattachable when said ferro-magnetic element is placed in close proximity to said electrically conductive stationary magnetic element.