Integrated support structures for mobile medical systems

• US 8,844,951 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: De Jong, Duane, Cheline, Aaron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMMONS, STEVE M
• Application Number:
  US13/863,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20130277932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 280/79.3, 280/47.34, 280/47.35, 280/35, 280/762, 280/769, 312/223.3, 248/122.1, 248/214, 248/121, 248/218.4, 361/600, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361807-810, 600/301, 600/407, 600/437, 220/751, 211/107, 211/105.1, 211/105.2, 211/123
• US Class Current: 280/79.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/00 Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials A47F5/0006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• 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 12/008 mounted on a mobile base, e.g. on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/16 Touchpads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/78 for clamping
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/00 Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/10 characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a portable medical instrument system. The system includes a frame for supporting system process and user interface components. One or more support rails are interconnected with the frame to provide an accessories support system to securely receive medical accessory components. In at least one embodiment, the support rails have a configuration substantially matching a bedrail of a hospital bed. In another aspect, the support rails have a height to width ratio of about 2 to 1. In still a further aspect, the support rails have a height to width ration of 1 to 0.375. According to yet another aspect, at least one of the support rails may be molded from portions of the portable medical system itself.

Claims

1. A cart for carrying medical instrumentation, the cart comprising:

a frame having first and second parallel spaced vertical portions, the first spaced vertical portion having a first interior surface and the second spaced vertical portion having a second interior surface opposed to the first interior surface, the first and second interior surfaces being spaced apart by a first distance such that the first and second parallel spaced vertical portions are configured to receive the medical instrumentation therebetween;

a support rail attached to the frame such that the support rail is cantilevered from the frame, wherein the support rail includes a first section and a second section extending from the frame parallel to each other and to a first axis and a third section coupled to the first and second sections and extending perpendicular to the first and second sections, wherein the first section of the support rail includes a first end portion coupled to the first interior surface of the first spaced vertical portion of the frame and wherein the second section of the support rail includes a second end portion coupled to the second interior surface of the second spaced vertical portion of the frame, the first and second end portions being disposed parallel to each other and to the first axis and being separated by a second distance approximately equal to the first distance, and the first and second end portions attaching the first and second sections of the support rail to the frame;

wherein the first section of the support rail further includes a first transition zone and a first loop section, the first transition zone being disposed between the first end portion and the first loop section and being angled with respect to the first end portion such that a vertical plane coextensive with the first end portion is not coplanar with the first loop section, and wherein the second section of the support rail further includes a second transition zone and a second loop section, the second transition zone being disposed between the second end portion and the second loop section and being angled with respect to the second end portion such that a vertical plane coextensive with the second end portion is not coplanar with the second loop section, the first and second loop sections being parallel to each other and to the first axis and being separated by a third distance greater than the second distance;

wherein the third section of the support rail has a length approximately equal to the third distance between first and second loop sections of the support rail, and wherein a first end of the third section of the support rail is continuously coupled to the first loop section of the first section of the support rail and wherein a second end of the third section of the support rail is continuously coupled to the second loop section of the second section of the support rail such that the first loop section, the third section of the support rail, and the second loop section form a continuous loop;

a bottom platform joined to the frame for holding processing components of the medical instrumentation, the bottom platform including wheels for rolling the cart; and

a top platform for holding at least a user interface device;

wherein the support rail is disposed between the top platform and the bottom platform and within an outer profile of the cart defined by the top platform and the bottom platform; and

wherein the first loop section, the second loop section, and the third section of the support rail are sized and shaped similar to a rail on which medical accessories are mounted during use with a patient such that the medical accessories are mounted to the support rail in a similar manner for storage on the cart.

2. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a first support structure configured to receive medical accessories disposed on a side of the top platform.

3. The cart of claim 2, wherein the first support structure is molded on at least one side of the top platform.

4. The cart of claim 1, wherein the support rail has a height and a width and wherein the height is at least twice as large as the width.

5. The cart of claim 4, wherein the height is approximately one inch and the width is approximately 0.375 inches.

6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the support rail has at least one of rectangular cross section, a rounded cross section, a circular cross section, and an oval cross section.

7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the support rail is molded from the frame.

8. The cart of claim 1,

further comprising a casing on the bottom platform to enclose a medical instrument, the casing being disposed between the first and second parallel spaced vertical portions of the frame;

wherein the continuous loop formed by first loop section, the third section of the support rail, and the second loop section has an extended perimeter configured to accommodate the casing therein.

9. The cart of claim 8, further comprising a second support structure placed on at least one side of the casing.

10. The cart of claim 9, wherein the second support structure is molded from the casing.

11. The cart of claim 9, wherein the second support structure is attached to the casing.

12. The cart of claim 8, wherein the casing is formed from at least one of acrylic, plastic, or metal.

13. The cart of claim 1, wherein the top platform further includes a third support structure configured to receive medical accessories and positioned on a side of the top platform opposite the side of the top platform including a handlebar, the support structure being spaced apart from and disposed parallel to the third section of the support rail.

14. The cart of claim 13, wherein the third support structure is held by two prongs protruding from the top platform.

15. The cart of claim 14, wherein the third support structure has a length that is approximately equal to a distance between the two prongs.

16. The cart of claim 1, wherein the support rail is substantially C-shaped.