U.S. patent application number 13/471182 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-04 for modular patient support system.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIVENGOOD ENGINEERING, INC.. Invention is credited to Heather N. Bean, Amy L. Livengood, Joseph C. Livengood, Philip A. Livengood, Joseph D. LoBue, Barry T. Phillips.
Application Number | 20120246869 13/471182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40507331 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120246869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Livengood; Joseph C. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2012 |
MODULAR PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM
Abstract
A castor wheel assembly, alone or in combination with a patient
support platform or mobile support cart, is provided. The mobile
support cart includes a stop mode in which the castor wheels are
prevented from rolling across the floor by a braking mechanism. The
platform is capable of supporting devices that may be attached or
associated with a patient throughout their stay at a healthcare
facility. The castor wheel assembly can incorporate a braking
mechanism operated by a cable that extends through a mounting
plate.
Inventors: |
Livengood; Joseph C.; (Fort
Collins, CO) ; Bean; Heather N.; (Fort Collins,
CO) ; Livengood; Amy L.; (Fort Collins, CO) ;
Livengood; Philip A.; (Fort Collins, CO) ; LoBue;
Joseph D.; (Nunn, CO) ; Phillips; Barry T.;
(Fort Collins, CO) |
Assignee: |
LIVENGOOD ENGINEERING, INC.
Fort Collins
CO
|
Family ID: |
40507331 |
Appl. No.: |
13/471182 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12244623 |
Oct 2, 2008 |
8191909 |
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13471182 |
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11329860 |
Jan 10, 2006 |
7562883 |
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12244623 |
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60976965 |
Oct 2, 2007 |
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60642836 |
Jan 10, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/46 ;
29/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/1415 20130101;
Y10T 16/1847 20150115; A61B 50/10 20160201; A61H 2003/046 20130101;
A61B 50/13 20160201; A61H 2003/043 20130101; A61G 2203/80 20130101;
A61G 12/001 20130101; A61H 3/04 20130101; Y10T 29/49863
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/46 ;
29/446 |
International
Class: |
B60B 33/02 20060101
B60B033/02; B23P 11/02 20060101 B23P011/02 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A castor wheel assembly, comprising: a bracket; a wheel mounted
to the bracket; a mounting plate, the mounting plate including a
first hole; a bearing, wherein the bracket is interconnected to the
mounting plate by the bearing, wherein the bearing has a first axis
of rotation, and wherein the bearing includes an open area through
which the first axis of rotation passes; a brake arm, the brake arm
including a contact area; a swivel interconnected to the brake arm,
wherein the first axis of rotation passes through at least a
portion of the swivel; a pivot point between the contact area and
the swivel, wherein the brake arm is interconnected to the bracket
at the pivot point, and wherein the brake arm is operable to pivot
between a position in which the contact area is engaged with a
surface of the wheel and a position in which the contact area is
disengaged from the surface of the wheel; a biasing member
interconnected to the brake arm, wherein the biasing member biases
the brake arm such that the contact area is disengaged from the
surface of the wheel.
22. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising: a brake cable,
wherein the swivel interconnects the brake cable to the brake arm,
and wherein the brake cable extends through the first hole of the
mounting plate.
23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the biasing member includes a
spring.
24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the spring is a coil spring,
and wherein at least a portion of the brake cable passes through
the coil spring.
25. The assembly of claim 24, further comprising: a ferrule,
wherein a brake cable housing associated with the brake cable is
centered in the first hole by the ferrule, and wherein the bracket
is free to rotate 360 degrees about the first axis of rotation.
26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the brake cable includes an
outer housing and an inner cable, wherein an end of the outer
housing is fixed by the ferrule, and wherein an end of the inner
cable is interconnected to the swivel.
27. The assembly of claim 25, further comprising: a retention nut,
wherein the ferrule is secured to the mounting plate by the
retention nut.
28. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising: a plurality of
mounting points formed in the mounting plate, wherein the first
hole in the mounting plate is within an area between the mounting
points.
29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein the mounting points are
holes.
30. An assembly, comprising: a first wheel and brake assembly,
including: a mounting plate; a central hole formed in the mounting
plate; a bracket; a bearing interconnecting the mounting plate to
the bracket, wherein the bracket can swivel relative to the
mounting plate about a first axis of rotation, and wherein the
first axis of rotation passes through the central hole formed in
the mounting plate; a wheel interconnected to the bracket; a
braking mechanism, wherein the braking mechanism includes: a brake
arm pivotally connected to the bracket, the brake arm having a
first end and a second end, the first end adapted for engaging a
surface of the wheel, the first end including a contact area; a
biasing member, wherein the biasing member biases the contact area
of the brake arm away from the surface of the wheel; a brake cable
having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the
second end of the brake arm, the first end having a first portion
extending between at least the second end of the brake arm and the
first hole in the plate member, the first portion of the brake
cable being substantially aligned with the first axis of
rotation.
31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein a tensioning of the brake
cable causes the brake arm to pivot such that the contact area at
the first end of the brake arm is brought into engagement with the
surface of the wheel.
32. The assembly of claim 31, wherein the plate member includes a
plurality of mounting points, at least some of the plurality of
mounting points defining an area through which the axis of rotation
passes.
33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the mounting points are
mounting holes.
34. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the brake cable includes a
hollow outer housing and a flexible inner cable, wherein the hollow
outer housing is terminated at a ferrule, and wherein at the point
of termination of the hollow outer housing the flexible inner cable
is coincident with the axis of rotation.
35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the biasing member is a coil
spring, and wherein at least a portion of the flexible inner cable
passes through the coil spring.
36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the contact area of the brake
arm includes a brake pad.
37. The assembly of claim 36, wherein the brake arm is rigid.
38. The assembly of claim 32, further comprising: a second wheel
and brake assembly; a mobile platform, wherein the second wheel and
brake assembly includes a brake cable, wherein the brake cables of
the first and second wheel and brake assemblies are interconnected
to a common control, wherein the common control is operable to
tension the brake cables of the first and second wheel and brake
assemblies simultaneously.
39. A method for braking a caster wheel, comprising: providing a
castor wheel, wherein the castor wheel is rotatably mounted to a
bracket, and wherein the bracket is rotatably mounted to a mounting
plate; providing a brake arm, wherein the brake arm is
interconnected to the bracket at a pivot point; disposing at least
a first portion of a brake cable in a substantially coaxial
alignment with an axis of rotation of the bracket, wherein a first
end of the brake arm is interconnected to the brake cable;
tensioning the brake cable, wherein the first end of the brake arm
is drawn towards the mounting plate, and wherein at least one of a
second end of the arm and a brake pad at the second end of the arm
is placed into contact with a surface of the wheel.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: after tensioning
the brake cable, releasing the tension from the brake cable,
wherein a biasing member moves the at least one of a second end of
the brake arm and a brake pad is moved out of contact with the
surface of the wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/244,623, filed Oct. 2, 2008, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/976,965, filed Oct. 2, 2007, and which is also a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/329,860, filed Jan. 10, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,883, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/642,836, filed Jan. 10, 2005. The entire content of the above
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to support
platforms and/or carts that provide enhanced patient mobility.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Current practice for patients in a healthcare facility
involves having multiple unrelated treatment, maintenance and/or
monitoring devices that are attached to the patient. These include
intravenous fluids and drugs, drainage catheters, suction
catheters, leg compression stockings and vital sign monitoring
devices. Such devices often create a hazard for the patient both
directly and indirectly. The myriad of devices may become entangled
and inadvertently removed if not adequately accounted for by the
patient or caregiver. This may require an invasive intervention,
including surgery, in order to replace the removed device.
[0004] The number of devices generally associated with the patient
require the patient to have the physical and mental ability to
manage organizing or carrying the devices to ambulate even as far
as the bathroom. Since patients are debilitated by the nature of
their illness and medications, two staff persons are frequently
required to help the patient move even short distances. One staff
member must assist the patient, providing physical support, while
the other manages the attached devices. The patients thus do not
get out of bed and ambulate as often since the staff of the typical
health facility is not able to provide this kind of support readily
to all of the patients at all times.
[0005] The resulting immobility increases the patient's risk for
deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus and pneumonia.
Additionally, mobility improves gut motility and decreases the time
a patient must wait before obtaining enteral nutrition and
ultimately discharge from the healthcare facility. Patients that
require prolonged hospital stays or admission to skilled-nursing
facilities for non-medical indications related to mobility and
personnel support may be able to be discharged home sooner with a
device that provides the same type of care. The cost to the
healthcare system may be reduced by decreasing the stays in
expensive healthcare facilities and decreasing complications that
are costly both in patient morbidity and monetary value.
[0006] The patient-care staff is also at risk for injury, as they
must provide physical support to the debilitated patient. Back
injuries are frequent in healthcare staff as a result of the
physical nature of assistance provided. Allowing the patient to
rely on an ambulatory assist device will help the patient-care
staff as well by keeping them out of harm's way.
[0007] Current poles that provide an intravenous ("IV") fluid
and/or liquid medication delivery source are often times taken with
patients when the patient moves around, such as when a patient
walks in a hospital hallway. The patient typically places at least
one hand on the IV pole to move the IV pole while walking. However,
typical IV poles are approximately 6 to 7 feet tall, and are often
unstable for providing weight support to a patient, particularly
when one or more substantially full IV bags are positioned near the
top of the pole. As a result, a patient is at risk of further
injury by falling if the IV pole tips and/or falls over. In
addition, in order to prevent tipping, conventional IV poles have
widely spread wheels, which require a large amount of floor space.
IV poles are completely unable to manage uneven terrain as is found
outside the confines of the patient care facility, and as may be
found at home or in the field for disasters or military
operations.
[0008] In addition to being relatively unstable, current IV poles
do not provide for the additional needs of a patient that is moving
about. For example, IV poles do not include an oxygen source for
assisting the patient with breathing. Current IV poles also do not
include various pumps or suction devices that may be necessary for
continuous operation to provide proper medical treatment to the
patient. In addition, vitals monitoring equipment and communication
devices are typically not present on a standard IV pole.
Furthermore, even if an IV pole is adapted to include a monitoring
device or pump, the IV pole tends to become even more unstable
because the resulting added weight of the device typically is
positioned relatively high along the pole.
[0009] In connection with patients that require assistance walking,
various "walker" devices are available. A typical walker includes
handrails interconnected to a stable base. However, because use of
a walker usually requires both hands of the patient, a patient is
typically unable to take an IV pole with them when using a
walker.
[0010] Patient care devices and services such as suction and oxygen
are not built in to the facilities of several countries and
regions. This is also true in field situations of military conflict
or civilian disaster. Patients may be far from a medical facility
or in the hallway of a medical facility not equipped with patient
support equipment/services. Yet a further difficulty exists in
maintaining electrical power to electronic devices such as
monitoring equipment, suction pumps and/or injection pumps while
the patient is walking with an IV pole or walker, or while the
patient is being moved in their bed or while the patient is not
located next to an electrical outlet. This may occur in: 1) the
operating room while needing to adjust the bed height or keep the
pumps charged during a long procedure, 2) during a disaster when
patients may be stationed in hallways or temporary areas, 3) during
military conflict or civilian situations that require creation of
field hospitals with limited generator availability, and 4) in
countries or regions that do not have consistent access to power.
Accordingly, an apparatus that maintains electrical power to these
devices would be advantageous, as would an apparatus that provides
power in case of an electrical outage or blackout.
[0011] In order to move patient support equipment, carts supported
by castors are in wide use. Castors may be found in such
applications as shopping carts, chairs, hospital beds, and mobile
carts. Castors may be fixed or may be capable of swiveling.
Typically, remotely operable braking mechanisms used in connection
with castors are deployed only on fixed castors. Currently, there
is a need for remotely operable braking mechanisms that can be
deployed on swiveling castors. More particularly, there is a need
for braking mechanisms that can be applied in any rotational
position of the castor, and that can be used with castors capable
of supporting relatively heavy loads. Additionally, there is a need
for control mechanisms that can be used to control a number of
castor brakes as well as other cart components.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present invention is directed to solving these and other
problems and disadvantages or the prior art. Embodiments of the
present invention provide a mobile support cart or platform that is
structurally stable and can thereby provide weight bearing
assistance to a patient without being predisposed to tipping over.
A mobile support cart in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention includes upper and lower platforms interconnected by
first and second support members. The first and second support
members and the upper and lower platforms may define a plurality of
storage spaces operable to store one or more medical devices that
may be needed by a user of the mobile support cart. In addition,
the first and second support members and the upper and lower
platform may provide a plurality of attachment points. The upper
platform may include an ergonomic handle for safe and comfortable
user by a patient or other user of the cart.
[0013] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
mobility of the cart is provided by a number of wheels that are
disposed on the underside of the lower cart platform. The wheels
may include a plurality of castors or castor wheels and a tracking
wheel. A braking system may be provided in connection with the
castors to brake the cart and/or maintain the cart in a stationary
position. Alternatively or in addition, the tracking wheel may be
associated with a brake. The tracking wheel may be operable to be
lowered and raised between an engaged and a disengaged position. In
the engaged position, the tracking wheel is in contact with the
underlying support surface (e.g., the floor) on which the mobile
support cart moves.
[0014] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
transmission system is provided that controls the operation of the
braking mechanism associated with the castors and the tracking
wheel. The transmission system may define a number of modes that
establish various degrees of mobility for the cart. In accordance
with embodiments of the present invention, three specific modes are
defined. In particular, "stop", "walk" and "roll" modes are
defined. In the "stop" mode, the castor brakes or braking
mechanisms are engaged. In the "walk" mode, the castor brakes are
released and the tracking wheel is lowered to its engaged position.
In the "roll" mode, the castor brakes are released and the tracking
wheel is raised to its disengaged position. In the "stop" mode, the
mobile support cart is maintained in a stationary position. In the
"walk" mode, the tracking wheel provides guidance or tracking to
the movement of the cart. In the "roll" mode, the mobile support
cart has its greatest range of motion. In particular, the wheels
can rotate or swivel through the 360 degree movement of the
castor's bracket or fork.
[0015] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
control mechanism includes a control arm provided on the underside
of the top platform. The arm may include first and second handles
that are disposed on the front and rear portions of the top
platform. The control arm may include a tracking wheel provided in
association with a curved guidance member having a plurality of
detents. In particular, pivoting the control arm about a pivot
point moves the tracking wheel along an edge of the curved guidance
member. Each detent defines a set position for the control arm.
These set positions may control the castor wheel brakes and
tracking wheel to establish the above described "stop", "walk" and
"roll" modes.
[0016] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
top platform may include recessed portions that provide a means for
mounting an oxygen bottle or cylinder onto the cart. Alternatively
or in addition, IV receiver pole holes may be associated with the
top platform to provide a mounting for IV poles.
[0017] Further embodiments of the present invention provide a
braking mechanism. Generally, the braking mechanism includes a
cable and an associated brake arm, wherein the cable is positioned
to allow braking at any point in the castor wheel's 360-degree
rotation or swivel. The braking mechanism is associated with a
control mechanism that includes a single actuator that operates to
separately engage two Bowden cables or two groups of Bowden
cables.
[0018] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
mobile support cart is provided that includes:
[0019] an upper platform;
[0020] a lower platform;
[0021] a vertical member interconnecting the lower platform and the
upper platform;
[0022] a plurality of castor wheels interconnected to the lower
platform, the castor wheels comprising assemblies, each castor
wheel assembly including: [0023] a mounting plate, wherein the
mounting plate is secured to the lower platform; [0024] a bracket,
wherein the bracket is rotatably mounted to the mounting plate such
that the bracket is free to swivel relative to the mounting plate;
[0025] a wheel mounted to the bracket;
[0026] a plurality of braking mechanisms, wherein one of the
plurality of braking mechanisms is associated with each castor
wheel assembly included in the plurality of castor wheel
assemblies;
[0027] a tracking wheel assembly, including: [0028] a tracking
wheel arm, pivotally mounted to the lower platform at a first end;
[0029] a tracking wheel rotatably mounted to a second end of the
tracking wheel arm, wherein the tracking wheel can be placed in
either of a lowered position to engage a support surface or a
raised position such that the tracking wheel does not engage the
support surface;
[0030] a transmission system operable to control the plurality of
bracking mechanisms and a position of the tracking wheel, wherein
the transmission system can be placed in a selected mode,
including: [0031] a walk mode, in which the wheels of the castor
wheel assemblies are free to rotate and in which the tracking wheel
is in the lowered position to engage the support surface; [0032] a
roll mode, in which the wheels of the castor wheel assemblies are
free to rotate and in which the tracking wheel is in the raised
position; [0033] a stop mode, in which the braking mechanisms are
engaged such that the wheels of the castor wheel assemblies are
inhibited from rotating and in which the tracking wheel is in the
lowered position.
[0034] In accordance with other embodiments of the present
invention, a castor with a braking mechanism is provided that
includes:
[0035] a mounting plate having a central hole formed therein,
wherein the central hole is along an axis R;
[0036] a bearing having an open area formed in an area
corresponding to an axis of rotation of the bearing;
[0037] a bracket, wherein the bracket is interconnected to the
mounting plate by the bearing having an open area formed in an area
corresponding to an axis of rotation of the bearing, wherein the
axis of rotation of the bearing is parallel to the axis R, and
wherein the bracket is capable of swiveling with respect to the
mounting plate about the axis of rotation of the bearing;
[0038] a wheel interconnected to the bracket;
[0039] a brake arm mounted to the bracket by a pivot, the brake arm
including: [0040] a first end including a control member attachment
point, the first end having a location adjacent the open area
formed in an area corresponding to an axis of rotation of the
bearing; [0041] a biasing member operable to bias the brake arm in
a first direction; [0042] a contact area, wherein the control
member one of: 1) allows the biasing member to pivot the brake arm
in the first direction such that the contact area engages the
wheel, or 2) acts against the biasing member to pivot the brake arm
in a second direction opposition the first direction such that the
contact area is disengaged from the wheel.
[0043] These and other features and advantages of embodiments of
the present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following description, particularly when taken together with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary mobile cart in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the mobile cart shown in
FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3 is an underside view of the mobile cart shown in FIG.
1;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the mobile cart
shown in FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an underside portion of the mobile
cart shown in FIG. 1, showing a transmission system in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention in a first position;
[0049] FIG. 6 is another plan view of an underside portion of the
mobile cart shown in FIG. 1, showing a transmission system in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention in a second
position;
[0050] FIG. 7 is still another plan view of an underside portion of
the mobile cart shown in FIG. 1, showing a transmission system in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention in a third
position.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a castor, which includes
a braking mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the castor shown in FIG.
8;
[0053] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the castor shown in FIG.
8;
[0054] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a braking mechanism, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method of braking a castor
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and
[0056] FIG. 13 is a state diagram depicting the various states of a
mobile support cart in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] The present invention is generally directed to a mobile
support cart or platform for use in increasing the mobility of a
patient. The present invention is suited for use in a hospital,
clinic or other patient care facility. In addition to these
environments, the present invention may also be used in other
settings such as, for example, a disaster recovery area. A mobile
support cart or platform in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention provides structure for accommodating a number of
medical devices which may be associated with a patient. A mobile
support cart, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, may include a number of selectable modes that define
various degrees of mobility for the mobile support cart. In a first
mode, an onboard braking system may be engaged that places the
mobile support cart in a stopped or braked position by preventing
rotation of the castor wheels. In a second mode, the braking system
may be disengaged and a tracking wheel may be lowered. In the
second mode, the mobile support cart may be guided by the tracking
wheel along a user defined path. In a third mode, the braking
system is disengaged and the tracking wheel is raised. In this
third mode, the patient support platform has its greatest range of
motion. More particularly, the castor wheels provided on the base
of the mobile support cart are allowed to freely rotate and swivel,
thereby providing forward, backward and lateral motion for the
mobile support cart.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 1, a mobile support cart in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention is generally identified
by reference numeral 100. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a mobile
support cart 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention includes an upper platform 104 and a lower platform 108.
The upper platform 104 and the lower platform 108 are
interconnected by one or more vertical members, including at least
a first support member 112. The upper platform 104 and the lower
platform 108 may additionally be interconnected by a second support
member 116. The first 112 and second 116 support members may
generally include flat, planar surfaces disposed in a substantially
vertical orientation. As shown, the second support member 116 may
be slightly less wide than the first support member 112. As also
shown, the first support member 112 may be split into two separate
vertical members or may feature an open area adjacent the lower
platform 108. A cover 114 may be associated with one of the
vertical members, such as the second support member 116, to assist
in the routing of control cables.
[0059] As can be seen in the side view of the mobile support cart
100 shown in FIG. 2, the second support member 116 is separated
from the first support member 112 by a predetermined distance. The
mobile support cart 100 may include a number of storage areas. As
seen in FIG. 2, a first storage area 204 is provided between the
first 112 and second 116 support members. A second storage area 208
is provided forward of the second support member 116. (As used
herein, forward refers to the forward direction of motion of the
cart when the cart is pushed or otherwise used for mobility support
by a patient.) A third storage area 212 is provided by the top
surface of the upper platform 104. A fourth storage area 214 is
provided by the top surface of the lower platform 108. These
storage areas provide a means for mounting or otherwise carrying
medical or other devices that may be needed by the patient. In
addition, mounting points may be provided for receiving and/or
interconnecting devices to the mobile support cart 100, either
directly or through an adapter or container. For example, threaded
holes 218 may be provided by the support members 112, 116. A
further example are the IV pole receiver holes 128. Such devices
may include without limitation IVs and IV poles, IV and entreal
pumps, oxygen cylinders, suction wound vacuums, portable
ventilators, chest tubes, catheters and drains, ventricular
assistant devices, cardiac monitors and defibulators, blood
pressure monitors, pulse oxymeters, transesophageal cardiac
monitors, tissue oxygenation monitors, invasive cardiac monitors
and/or odometers. Plug and play computational devices may be
mounted in, for example, the first storage area 204. A wireless
communication interface may be provided in connection with the
onboard plug and play devices to facilitate transfer of medical
data.
[0060] An onboard power supply system may be provided for
delivering power to one or more of the onboard medical devices. As
can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, a mobile support cart 100 in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention includes a power outlet
box 120 disposed on a rear portion of the mobile support car 100.
More particularly, the power outlet box 120 may be mounted
underneath the upper platform 104 and on a rear facing side of the
first support member 112. (As used herein, rear or rearward refers
to the reverse direction of motion of the cart when the cart is
pulled by a patient.) Electrical power may supplied from a wall
outlet or other source through a power cord 216. The power cord 216
may be extendable and retractable with respect to the power outlet
box 120. Alternatively or in combination, the power outlet box 120
may be provided in association with an onboard power source or
universal power supply 220. As shown in FIG. 2, the universal power
supply 220 may be mounted or otherwise located on the lower
platform 108. The universal power supply 220 is mounted in this
position to provide added stability to the mobile support cart 100.
In particular, as the universal power supply 220 provides
substantial weight to the cart, the universal power supply 220 is
provided close to the base of the cart, thereby lowering the center
of gravity of the cart. Examples of a universal power supply 220
include an isolation transformer, a battery, and/or a fuel
cell.
[0061] Referring again to FIG. 1, a number of features are
illustrated herein that facilitate attachment of onboard equipment.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the mobile support cart 100 includes an
attached IV pole 124. The attached IV pole 124 is mounted to the
mobile support cart 100 through an IV pole receiver hole 128, which
is disposed on the surface of the upper platform 104. The mobile
support cart 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes two IV pole receivers
128. It should be understood however, that a number of IV pole
receiver holes may be associated with a particular mobile support
cart 100.
[0062] The upper platform 104 may additionally include two recessed
side cut portions 132. The recessed side cut portions 132 are
adapted to receive a cylindrical object such as an oxygen tank or
bottle. In particular, the oxygen tank or bottle may be placed on
the surface of the lower platform 108, in a position where the
upper end of the cylinder or bottle is cradled at its upper end by
the recessed side cut portion 132 of the upper platform 104. The
cylinder or bottle may then be secured in place by a fastener
member, which attaches to one or both of the support members 112
and 116 to thereby immobilize the cylinder or bottle.
[0063] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile support cart 100
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a
platform handle 136. The platform handle 136 may be of an ergonomic
design adapted specifically for patient comfort and safety. The
platform handle 136 is disposed approximately at lower to mid chest
level and includes two raised hand gripping portions 140. The
platform handle 136 provides for a symmetric axial loading of the
patient's arms. In this regard, the platform handle 136 transfers
the force associated with moving the mobile support cart 100 to the
scapula and/or to the back and not to the sternum of the patient or
user. The platform handle 136 also allows the quadriceps to
participate in the pushing of the mobile support cart. In using the
platform handle 136, the patient's joints are at a midpoint in
their range of motion. Generally, the design of the mobile support
cart 100, including the platform handle 136, is adapted to resist
rotational movement, thereby preventing excessive strain on the
patient and the patient's limbs. The above described advantages are
in contrast with the standard mobile IV pole known in the art. In
moving a standard IV pole, a patient must rely exclusively on the
pectoralis and smaller muscle groups to move the pole. This creates
leverage on the sternum and a twisting strain on the torso.
Moreover, the patient's joints are extended beyond the midpoints of
their ranges of motion, thereby increasing strain on the joints.
Moreover still, prior art mobile IV poles are prone to twisting and
catching on surfaces, thereby exposing the patient to greater risk
of injury.
[0064] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a number of castors 304
provide mobility for the mobile support cart 100. The castors 304
are better seen in FIG. 3, which shows an underside of the mobile
support cart 100. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, the mobile support cart 100 includes a plurality of
castors 304 or means for traversing an underlying or supporting
surface. Additionally, the mobile support cart 100 includes a
tracking wheel 308 or means for providing tracked movement. As can
be seen in FIG. 3, two castors 304 are mounted on a front or
forward portion of the lower platform 108. Two of the castors 304
are mounted on a rearward portion of the lower platform 108. The
tracking wheel 308 is mounted in or near the center of the lower
platform 108. FIG. 2 shows a profile of the mobile support cart,
including components associated with the tracking wheel 308. As
shown therein, the tracking wheel 308 is part of an assembly that
includes a tracking wheel arm 224. The tracking wheel arm 224 is
mounted at an attachment point 228 that is disposed at the forward
end of the lower platform 108. The tracking wheel arm 224 is
additionally associated with a biasing spring 232. The biasing
spring 232 operates to bias the lever arm 224 in a downward
position, wherein the tracking wheel 308 is engaged with the
underlying surface.
[0065] The mobile support cart 100 may include a transmission or
transmission system having a lift cable that is operable to lift
the tracking wheel 308 and tracking wheel arm 224 against the
action of the biasing spring 238. In the raised position, the
tracking wheel 308 is disengaged from the underlying surface. FIG.
4 provides an illustration of components that may be included in a
transmission system 404 in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. FIG. 4 shows an underside of the top platform
104 including connections to other cart components. Particular
portions of the mobile support cart 100 are omitted from FIG. 4 to
simplify the illustration. The transmission system 404 includes a
control arm 408 that can be moved into at least two and preferably
three positions to select from two or three modes of operation. The
control arm 408 is operatively associated with a first or short
lever 412 and a second or long lever 416. The short lever 412 is
interconnected to one or more brake cables 420. The long lever 416
is interconnected to a lift cable 424 or means for raising and
lowering the tracking wheel 308. The brake cables 420 and/or the
lift cable 424 may comprise Bowden cables or the like and are
operatively associated with the castors 304 and the tracking wheel
308, respectively. The lift cable 424 that is associated with the
long lever 416, is used to lift or otherwise control a different
cart component than those controlled by the brake cable(s) 420. For
example, the lift cable 424 may be used to control whether the
tracking wheel 308 is in a retracted position in which the tracking
wheel 308 is disengaged from the floor or support surface, or is in
a lowered position in which the tracking wheel is engaged with the
floor or support surface. Alternatively, the lift cable 424 may be
used to actuate other cart components such as a transmission, a
gear system, or additional braking mechanisms.
[0066] In moving the short lever 412 and the long lever 416, the
control arm 408 includes an attachment point that provides a
rotatable connection to the upper platform 104. In particular, a
pivot type connection 428 is provided at or near the center of the
underside of the upper platform 104. The control arm 408 is adapted
to move or pivot about the attachment point 428. The control arm
408 may include a first 432 and second 436 handle that may be
gripped by a user to rotate the arm 408. The first or rear handle
432 may be provided at the rear of the control arm 408. The rear
handle 432 is typically operated by a patient who is using the
mobile support cart 100 to enhance his or her mobility. The second
or forward control handle 436 may be provided at the forward end of
the control arm 408. Typically, this forward control handle 436 is
used by doctors, nurses or other hospital staff in moving or
controlling the mobile support cart 100 or in demonstrating the
various modes of the cart to a patient who is typically located at
the rear of the mobile support cart 100.
[0067] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
control arm 408 includes a guide wheel 440 provided in association
with a curved guidance member 444. The guide wheel 440 is biased by
a guidance wheel spring 448 that maintains the guide wheel 440 in
operative contact with the curved guidance member 444. The guide
wheel 440 is mounted to the control arm 408. For example, the guide
wheel 440 may be mounted within a slot 452 formed in the control
arm 408. The curved guidance member 444 is disposed so that it is
in contact with the guide wheel 440. For instance, the curved
guidance member 444 may be disposed in the slot 452 in the control
arm and may be mounted on the underside of the upper platform 104.
As the control arm 408 is rotated about the attachment point 428,
the guidance wheel 440 moves along an edge 442 of the curved
guidance member 444. A number of discrete set positions are defined
for the rotatable arm 408 by a number of detents 504 (see FIGS.
5-7) associated with the forward edge 442 of the curved guidance
member 444. In particular, as the control arm 404 is moved such
that the guide wheel 440 reaches a defined control position, the
guide wheel 440 is drawn into the particular detent 504 to provide
a set point for the control arm 408. More particularly, the guide
wheel 440 is biased by a guide wheel spring 448. As a result, a
force is required to dislodge the guide wheel 440 from a detent 504
in the curved guide member edge 444. In this way, a number of
tangible set positions is established for the control arm 408.
Moreover, because any one of these operating modes provided by the
mobile supply cart can be selected using the control arm 408, the
control arm 408 is part of a single selection mechanism that can
also include the guidance wheel 440, guidance member 444, the short
lever 412, the long lever 416, The Bowden cables 420, 424 and other
associated components.
[0068] In embodiments of the present invention that include a
tracking wheel 308, the mobile support cart 100 may include three
modes. In a "stop" mode, the mobile support cart 100 is prevented
from moving freely. In a "walk" mode, the mobile support cart 100
is allowed to move, but the tracking wheel 308 prevents or inhibits
lateral movement, to provide guided or tracked movement. In a
"roll" mode, the mobile support cart 100 is allowed to move freely.
As shown in FIGS. 5-7, first, second and third detents 504a-c may
be associated with the curved guidance member 444 to provide three
set points for the control arm 408 that set the mobile support cart
100 in the three modes. These three modes are described in
connection with FIGS. 5-7, which each show one of the three
positions of the transmission system 404.
[0069] In FIG. 5, the control arm 408 has been moved into a
position that engages the short lever 412 such that the short lever
412 has been moved from the short lever's first position to the
short lever's second position and leaves the long lever 416 in the
long lever's first position. Here, the cart is in a "stop" mode. In
particular, as the short lever 412 rotates, it retracts and applies
a tensile force to the inner cable of the brake cables 420. This
causes a braking mechanism associated with each castor 304 to
engage. Additionally, in the "stop" mode the tracking wheel 308 is
not retracted. In the "stop" mode the guidance wheel 440 is located
in the first detent 504a.
[0070] In FIG. 6, the control arm 408 is moved into a neutral
position that leaves both the short lever 412 and the long lever
416 unaffected such that they are in the first or vertical
positions to which they are normally biased. Here, the cart is in a
"walk" mode. In particular, the braking mechanisms associated with
the castors 304 are not engaged and the tracking wheel 308 is not
retracted. Accordingly, the tracking wheel 308 is engaged with the
floor or underlying surface under the action of the spring 232. In
this position, the tracking wheel 308 operates to provide tracked
movement of the mobile support cart 100. In the "walk" mode the
guidance wheel 440 is located in the second detent 504b.
[0071] In FIG. 7, the control arm 408 is moved into a position that
engages the long lever 416 such that the long lever is moved to a
second position of that lever and leaves the short lever 412 in the
first position of that lever. Here, the cart is in a "roll" mode.
In particular, as the long lever 416 rotates, it applies tension to
and retracts the lift cable 424. This causes the tracking wheel 308
to be retracted against the action of the spring 232 such that the
tracking wheel is lifted and is disengaged from the support surface
or floor. With the tracking wheel 308 disengaged from the floor,
the mobile support cart 100 is allowed to roll freely. In the
"roll" mode the guidance wheel 440 is located in the third detent
504c.
[0072] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate an exemplary castor wheel 304 assembly
812 that includes a braking mechanism 804 in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. The braking mechanism 804 is
used to brake an associated castor wheel 812 in such a way that the
castor 812 maintains the freedom to swivel 360 degrees. The castor
wheel assembly 812 includes a wheel 306 mounted to a bracket or
fork 816. The wheel 304 together with the bracket 816 is
interconnected to a mounting plate 820 by a swivel or bearing to
allow the wheel 304 and bracket 316 to swivel. The braking
mechanism 804 features a brake cable 420 operatively associated
with a brake arm 824. The brake cable 420 may comprise a Bowden
cable having a flexible inner cable within a hollow outer housing.
The brake cable 420 passes through a central hole located in the
mounting plate 820 and through an open area formed in an area
corresponding to and encompassing an axis of rotation of the
bearing. The mounting plate 820 may include a plurality of mounting
points 822 (see FIG. 10), and an area generally between at least
some of the plurality of mounting points 822 defines an area
through which the axis of rotation R passes. In accordance with
embodiments of the present invention, the mounting points 822
comprise holes through which fasteners may be received or passed
through the mounting plate 820. The brake arm 824 is pivotally
mounted to the bracket 816. A biasing member such as a spring 828
normally biases the brake arm 824 to a position disengaged from the
castor wheel 304. A user may engage the braking mechanism 804 by
actuating an associated control mechanism, such as the transmission
system 404, which is disclosed herein. Alternatively, the braking
mechanism 804 may be controlled by other control mechanisms or
actuators, such as a handgrip lever brake. An actuation of the
associated control mechanism places the inner cable of the brake
cable in tension and causes the inner cable of the brake cable 420
to retract such that the end of the brake arm 824 to which the
inner cable is attached is drawn towards the mounting plate 820.
The inner cable acts against the bias of the spring 828 causing the
end of the brake arm 824 opposite the end attached to the inner
cable to pivot into engagement with the wheel 306. The inner cable
of the brake cable 420 passes through the mounting plate 820 along
an axis R, about which the wheel 306 and bracket 816 swivels. This
orientation of the brake cable 420 allows the braking mechanism 804
to engage at any point in the 360-degree swivel motion of the wheel
306 and bracket 816 around the axis R. In addition, the freedom of
the wheel 308 and the bracket 816 to swivel relative to the
mounting plate 820 is not inhibited or limited by the braking
mechanism 804.
[0073] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a braking mechanism 804, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The braking
mechanism 804, shown in FIG. 11 includes an insert member or
ferrule 1100 that operates to maintain the alignment of the brake
cable 420. In particular, the portion of the brake cable 420 that
passes through the mounting plate 820 is maintained in alignment
with the axis of rotation R of the castor wheel 304 and bracket
816. More particularly, the location of the end of the brake cable
420 housing remains fixed with respect to the plate 824, as the
castor wheel 304 and bracket 816 rotates with respect to the
mounting plate 820. The brake arm 824 is interconnected to the
inner cable 1102 of the brake cable 420 through a swivel 1104 that
allows the brake arm 824 to rotate with respect to the brake cable
420. Both the insert member 1100 and the swivel 1104 may include a
thrust bearing 1108 that facilitates the interconnection of the
brake cable 420 to the castor 812. The insert member 1100 may be
held in place by a retention nut 1112. A contact area or brake pad
1116 may be disposed on the end of the brake arm 824 for engagement
with the castor wheel 304. In accordance with embodiments of the
present invention, the brake pad 1116 comprises a rubber stop. A
castor wheel assembly 812 may be manufactured with the various
parts described in connection with FIG. 11, including the insert
member 1100, the swivel 1104 and the brake arm 824. Alternatively,
one or more of these parts may be machined for incorporation with
an existing plate castor.
[0074] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the steps in a method of
braking a castor, in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. Initially, at step 1200 a first portion of a brake cable
420 is disposed in a substantial coaxial alignment with an axis R
about which a wheel mount or bracket 820 swivels. At step 1204, the
brake cable 420 is tensioned. At step 1208, as a result of the
tensioning the brake cable 420, a brake arm 824 is rotated about a
pivoted attachment point. At step 1212, as a result of the rotation
of the brake arm 824, an end of the brake arm 824 is brought into
engagement with the wheel 306, to thereby brake to wheel 306.
[0075] FIG. 13 is a state diagram depicting the different states in
which a mobile support cart 100 having a transmission system 404 in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be placed.
When the transmission system 404 is placed in a "stop" position
1304, the mobile support cart 100 is in the "stop" mode 1308, with
the castor brake mechanisms or braking mechanisms 804 applied, and
with the support surface or floor engaged by the tracking wheel
308. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
transmission system 404 is placed in the "stop" position by moving
a handle 432 or 436 of the control arm 408 into a position marked
on the upper surface of the upper platform 104 as corresponding to
the stop mode.
[0076] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
transmission system 404 can be moved from the "stop" mode 1308 to a
"walk" mode 1316 by moving the control arm 408 from the "stop"
position to the "walk" position. In the "walk" mode 1316, the
castor brake mechanisms 804 are released, and the support surface
or floor is engaged by the tracking wheel 306.
[0077] From the "walk" mode 1316, the transmission system 404 can
be placed in a roll position 1320. Placing the transmission system
404 in the "roll" position 1320 can include moving a handle 432 or
436 of the control arm 408 to a position marked on the top surface
of the upper platform 104 as corresponding to the "roll" mode 1324.
In the "roll" mode 1324, the braking mechanisms 804 are released,
and the tracking wheel 306 is disengaged from the support
surface.
[0078] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
from the "roll" mode 1324, the transmission system 404 can be
placed back into the "walk" position 1312b, to place the mobile
support cart 100 in the "walk" mode 1316. Therefore, it can be
appreciated that at least some embodiments of a mobile support cart
100 in accordance with the present invention require that the
"walk" mode 1316 be entered, at least momentarily, when switching
from any of the other modes 1308 or 1324. However, other
embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this
way.
[0079] Although particular examples and embodiments of a mobile
support cart 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein, variations of the mobile
support cart 100 are possible, and are within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the transmission system 404 is not
necessarily limited to an arrangement comprising short and long
arms 412, 416 and cable actuated control of the braking mechanisms
804 and of the tracking wheel 308. For example, push rods and/or
screw type members may be used to transfer control inputs from a
control arm 408 to the braking mechanisms 804 and/or the tracking
wheel 308. In addition, although certain exemplary embodiments have
featured braking assemblies 804 that are biased towards a
disengaged position, other embodiments of the present invention may
incorporate braking mechanisms 804 that are biased towards an
engaged position. According to such embodiments, in a "walk" 1316
or "roll" 1324 mode, the transmission system 404 would be operated
to act against the bias, while in the "stop" mode 1308 the
transmission system 404 would be operated to release the braking
mechanisms 804 such that the biasing member was free to place the
contact area or brake pad into contact with the castor wheels 304.
The position of the tracking wheel 308 may, according to
embodiments of the present invention, be biased towards a raised
position, although biasing the tracking wheel 308 towards a lowered
or engaged position can be advantageous where the support surface
is uneven. As yet another variation, embodiments of the present
invention may feature a control arm 408 that is turned or rotated
by a user to select the desired mode 1308, 1316 or 1324. According
to such embodiments, the control arm 408 may be associated with
cams or lifters to control the positions of the braking mechanisms
804 and the tracking wheel 306.
[0080] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the
description is not intended to limit the invention to the form
disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications
commensurate with the above teachings within the skill or knowledge
of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention.
The embodiments described herein above are further intended to
explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such or in other embodiments and with various modifications
required by the particular application or use of the invention. It
is intended that the appended claims be construed to include
alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior
art.
* * * * *