Solar charged mobile working stations

• US 8,378,620 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Inventors: Reckelhoff, Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US12/438,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20110006724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/107, 320/114, 320/115, 136/243, 136/244, 136/245, 136/291, 136/293
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0437 Trolley or cart-type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A medical work station having a solar charging system. The medical work station includes a cart that carries a computer for providing access to and keeping track of medical information. The solar charging system is operatively connected to the computer to provide a solar power input. This solar input provides a constant replenishing of power to the computer as long as there is a source of UV light, such as through inside lighting or through sunlight.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a medical work station including a cart having a computer and a battery, wherein said computer includes a display screen, wherein the cart further comprises a base having a plurality of wheels coupled thereto, a mast extending generally vertically up from the base, a work surface operably coupled to the mast and a drawer system disposed below the work surface and at least partially about the mast, and wherein the battery is included within the base; and

a solar charging system that is operatively connected to said medical work station, wherein said solar charging system has a solar power input that provides a constant replenishing of power to said computer as long as there is a source of UV light.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a central administrator that is operatively connected to said computer.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said computer has wireless network connection for communicating with said central administrator.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said computer communicates with said central administrator without the active assistance of the user.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solar charging system includes a plurality of solar panels that are connected to said computer.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of solar panels is rotatably connected to said computer.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of solar panels is releasably connected to said computer.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solar charging system generates about 1 Amp of power indoors without input from natural light.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solar charging system generates about 2 to about 3 Amps of power with the input of natural light.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solar charging system generates sufficient power to avoid recharging said computer if it is operated at less than about 50% duty time.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said display screen draws less than about 2 Amps of power.

12. A system comprising:

a base defining a battery slot;

a mast extending generally vertically up from the base;

a work surface operably coupled to the mast;

a computer comprising a controller; and

a computer monitor that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the computer monitor is operably coupled to the mast so as to be positioned above the work surface;

a drawer system disposed between the work surface and the base;

a battery removably positioned within the battery slot, wherein the battery comprises a housing and a handle coupled to the housing to facilitate removal and replacement of the battery; and

a solar charging system that has a solar power input that provides power to operate the computer.

13. A cart as in claim 12, wherein the battery is configured to be recharged while in the battery slot or when removed from the cart using a separate charger.

14. A cart as in claim 12, wherein the drawer system comprises a first drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the work surface, wherein the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer;

and a second drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer.

15. A cart as in claim 14, wherein the first drawer housing and the second drawer housing are each configured to hold a pair of laterally spaced-part drawers.

16. A system, comprising:

a base;

a mast extending generally vertically up from the base;

a work surface operably coupled to the mast;

a computer comprising a controller; and

a computer monitor that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the computer monitor is operably coupled to the mast so as to be positioned above the work surface;

a drawer system operably coupled to the mast so as to be disposed between the work surface and the base;

a battery removably coupled with the base and electrically coupled to the computer controller through the central mast; and

a solar charging system that has a solar power input that provides power to operate the computer.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein said solar charging system includes a plurality of solar panels that are connected to said computer.

18. A system as in claim 16, wherein the drawer system comprises a first drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the work surface, wherein the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer;

and a second drawer housing that is configured to be removably coupled beneath the first drawer housing defines an interior that holds at least one pull-out drawer.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein the first drawer housing and the second drawer housing are each configured to hold a pair of laterally spaced-part drawers.

20. A system as in claim 16, further comprising a central administrator that is operatively connected to said computer.