The present invention relates to a medical device storage apparatus, and more particularly, to a storage apparatus for storing elongate medical instruments, such as endoscopes.
In recent years, endoscopes have become an integral tool in the medical industry for the identification and treatment of various diseases and conditions. Endoscopes come in a variety of sizes and configurations, but typically include a body having a visual display, and an elongate flexible or rigid tubular portion coupled to the display. The tubular portion is designed for insertion into the body of a patient. Optical instrumentation, for example, lenses, lights and/or fiber optic bundles, is positioned in the end of the elongate portion (opposite the body) to assist in imaging internal organs and tissues of the patient.
Endoscopes and other elongate medical devices usually require specialized storage cabinets. These cabinets usually are designed to hold the devices (a) without bending the elongate portions so that fiber optic bundles or other sensitive components within those portions remain undamaged, and (b) above the ground so that the optical instrumentation is in a safe position. Conventional endoscope storage cabinets usually include a fixed shelf defining a u-shaped recess disposed several feet above the bottom of the cabinet. The endoscope body is supported by the shelf surrounding the recess, and the elongate portion of the scope hangs freely below.
Although conventional endoscope storage cabinets provide storage for endoscopes, they suffer several shortcomings. First, because many endoscopes are relatively long, the shelves on which they are stored must be high above the floor. This makes it difficult for shorter individuals to access the endoscope. Second, conventional storage cabinets provide little protection for the instrumentation in the hanging end of the endoscope. Accordingly, if an inattentive user quickly removes the scope from the cabinet, the hanging end of the scope may drop on the ground and damage the instrumentation. Third, the shelving in endoscope cabinets usually hugs the cabinet wall to reduce the dimension of the cabinet. As a result, individuals with large hands have difficulty accessing and removing the body of the endoscope from the shelf.
The aforementioned problems are overcome by a medical device storage apparatus including a mounting bracket and a holder movably coupled to the bracket. The holder is configured to receive a body of the medical device, and is moveable between a storage position in which the holder is disposed at a first height, and an accessed position in which the holder is disposed at a second height, less than the first.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an optional tension element that receives an elongate portion of the medical device, which can be draped over the tension element. The tension element engages the elongate portion and raises it upward, or at least prevents it from descending to the ground, as the holder transitions from the storage position to the accessed position.
In another embodiment, the apparatus can include a guide element coupled to at least one of the mounting bracket and the holder. The guide element can optionally be in the form of a housing which covers several of the components of the apparatus. The guide element can include a protrusion and/or a channel which engages the elongate portion of the medical device to align it with the tension element.
The medical device storage apparatus provides a simple and effective mechanism for safely storing and easily accessing elongate medical devices, for example endoscopes. First, because the holder can be moved to a lower height, the apparatus can provide easy access to the stored medical device for users of varying stature. Second, the optional tension element can prevent the hanging end of the medical device from accidentally being dropped to the floor. In turn, this protects costly instrumentation in the end from damage. Third, when moved from the storage position to the accessed position, the holder can move the medical device away from the wall to which the apparatus is secured. This can provide roomy, comfortable access to the device.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.
I. Overview
An embodiment of the medical device storage apparatus is shown in
In use, a medical device, for example, an endoscope 100, is stored on the apparatus 10, with the head or body 110 of the device being held by the holder 20. The elongate portion 106 of the endoscope 106 hangs below the holder, and can be draped at least partially over the tension element 50. A distal end 104 of the endoscope, which may include optical or other sensitive instrumentation, hangs below the tension element 50. In the storage position or mode shown in
Although the apparatus 100 is described herein as being an endoscope, the apparatus 10 is well suited for storing a variety of other medical devices that include an elongate portion. Further, the components of the apparatus 10 described herein can be constructed of any material as desired, for example, metal, alloys, synthetic materials and/or combinations of the same.
II. Construction
With reference to
The internal components of the apparatus 10 are shown in
Coupled to and above the mounting bracket 40 is a holder bracket 60 including a holder 20. Although shown as separate components, the holder bracket 60 and holder 20 can be a single, integral unit. The holder 20 can be constructed with an exterior cushion layer adapted to gently contact and/or cradle the endoscope 100. For example, a foam-backed polyvinyl sheet can be wrapped around or over the holder 20, and secured to the holder with an adhesive.
The holder 20 can include a handle 23 which enables a user to grasp the holder and access the endoscope 100. Although shown connected to the holder 20, the handle 23 can be connected to any component of the apparatus 10 above the mounting bracket which enables the user to move the holder 20. The holder 20 can define a recess 22 into which a portion of the endoscope fits. A portion of the holder 20 can further include a stabilization recess 24 to ensure that the head 110 is properly aligned within the recess 22 and/or holder 20.
Optionally, the holder 20 can be configured to receive multiple endoscopes. In such an embodiment, the holder can include multiple recesses 22 and stabilization recesses 24 spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to accept several endoscopes. The spacing also can be of a specific shape, for example, the recesses can be in a quadrant configuration. Where the holder 20 is configured to hold multiple endoscopes, the apparatus 10 can include multiple tension elements 50 (described below). In such a construction, the mounting bracket and/or housing 36 can be modified to accept the multiple tension elements. For example, the mounting bracket can be extended on opposite sides and include additional brackets to which the additional tension elements mount. Other components of the apparatus 10 can alternatively be modified to support the additional multiple tension elements.
As shown in
The apparatus 10 also includes a biasing element 80 and a compression element 70. The biasing element 80 can be pivotally secured at one end to the first elongate element 42, and at the other end, to the second elongate element 44 with fasteners 46 and 48, respectively. The biasing element 80 can be a coil spring, an elastomeric material, or any body or device that returns to its original shape when released after being distorted. Although shown as being joined with the first elongate member 42 and the second elongate member 44, the biasing element 80 can alternatively be joined with the holder bracket 60 at one end and the second elongate member 44 at the other end, or with the first elongate member 42 at one end and the mounting bracket 40 at the other end, or to the holder bracket 60 at one end and the mounting bracket 40 at the other end, or in any other configuration that slows the return of the apparatus 10 to the storage position.
The compression element 70 can be pivotally secured at one end to the first elongate element 42 with fastener 46, and at the other end, to the mounting bracket 40 with fastener 47. Although shown as a gas cylinder spring, the compression element 70 can be any body or device that re-expands to its original shape or dimension when released after being distorted. Furthermore, although shown as pivotally joined with the first elongate member 42 and the mounting bracket 40, the compression element 70 can be joined at one end with the holder bracket 60 and the mounting bracket 40 at the other end, or in any other configuration that urges the apparatus 10 to return to the storage position.
A tension element 50 can be mounted to the mounting bracket 40. As shown, the tension element is in the form of a reel, which is rotatably mounted to the bracket 40, including opposing flanges that form a channel within which the elongate portion 106 of the endoscope can rest. The tension element can alternatively be joined to either of the elongate connecting members 42 or 44, or even to the holding bracket 60, or the holder 20, or either of the housings 30, 36. In one such alternative embodiment, a threaded insert (not shown) can be associated with the housing 36, for example by heat inserting the insert into the housing. A threaded fastener can be coupled to the insert. This fastener can be an axle on which the reel is mounted. Although shown as a rotatable reel, the tension element can be a fixed non-rotatable reel or spool, or even a member projecting from the remainder of the apparatus 10 and adapted so that the endoscope elongate portion 106 can be draped over that element.
Another optional feature that can be included with the apparatus is a locking feature 90, shown in
III. Method of Manufacture and Use
Methods for manufacturing and using the medical device storage apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to
In use, an endoscope 100 is positioned on the apparatus 10 as shown in
To move the storage apparatus 10 from the storage position shown in
As shown in
Where included, the locking feature 90 (
After the endoscope 100 is removed from the apparatus and the handle 23 is released (and the optional locking feature 90 is disengaged), the stored energy in the compression element 80 returns the holder toward and/or to the stored position. The biasing element 70 concurrently counteracts the compression element to ensure that the holder 20 is not catapulted at an unmanageable speed to the storage position.
Further, if the endoscope is placed on the holder 20 when the apparatus is in the accessed position, the compression element 80 and biasing element 70 cooperate to move the endoscope in a relatively slow motion toward the stored position. Additionally, during such movement, the distal end 104 of the endoscope is lowered slowly and securely toward the ground until it rests a safe distance away 108 from the ground.
The above descriptions are those of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.