Patent Application
20250169918
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to a connection device, particularly to a connection device for devices in a medical setting.
Hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare settings are stressed due to a lack of staff and an increasing number of patients. Healthcare workers may be expected to perform tasks individually that were previously performed by multiple people. Additionally, healthcare workers may be expected to work more quickly in order to complete various tasks and improve patient health outcomes.
In one example, a system includes a first device, a second device, and a connection device coupled to a coupling element mounted on the first device at a first end and clamped to the second device at a second end, wherein the connection device further comprises a tether extending from the first end to the second end.
It should be understood that the brief description above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
The following description relates to various embodiments for a connection device. The connection device comprises a tether comprising a brush clamp at a first extreme end and a pin at a second extreme end, wherein the pin engages with a pin hole of a first device and the brush clamp clamps to a tube of a second device. The pin hole may be arranged on a quick connect device mounted to the first device. The quick connect may be one of a plurality of quick connect devices mounted at different locations of the first device.
Turning now to
The first device 110 may include a platform 112 coupled to a body 116. A pad 114 may be arranged on the platform 112. A patient may lay on the pad 114 while a healthcare worker pushes the first device 110 through a medical environment. A plurality of wheels 118 may be coupled to the body 116. In one example, the platform 112 is arranged on a top of the body 116 and the plurality of wheels 118 are arranged on a bottom of the body 116, wherein the bottom is opposite to the top relative to the direction of gravity. In one example, the first device 110 is a bed cart.
A second device 120 may include a body 122. In one example, the body 122 is a tube. A plurality of wheels 124 may be coupled to a bottom of the body 122. A plurality of hooks 126 may be coupled to a top of the body 122, wherein the top is opposite to the bottom. In one example, the plurality of hooks 126 may couple to a bag, such as an intravenous fluid (IV) bag. In one example, the second device 120 is a rolling IV pole.
A connection device 130 may be coupled to the first device 110 at a first end and to the second device 120 at a second end. The connection device 130 may transfer energy from the first device 110 to the second device 120. As such, when the first device 110 is pushed and rolled across a ground on which the first device 110 is arranged, the second device 120 may move in conjunction with the first device 110. In one example, the connection device 130 may extend in a direction angled to the direction of gravity. For example, the connection device 130 may extend normal to gravity when coupled to the first device 110 and the second device 120.
Turning now to
A clamp body 210 may be arranged at the first end. The clamp body 210 may include a U-shape having a first arm 211 and a second arm 213 extending from a body 212. In one example, the clamp body 210 is symmetric. The clamp body 210 may be a brush clamp.
The first arm 211 may extend in a direction normal to the body 212 and the second arm 213 may extend in the direction normal to the body 212. The first arm 211 and the second arm 213 may be identical to one another in size and shape. The first arm 211 and the second arm 213 may include a “d” shape. Said another way, the first arm 211 and the second arm 213 may include a first portion having a first width that extends from the body 212 and a second portion with a second width extending from the first portion. The second width is greater than the first width. In one example, the first arm 211 and the second arm 213 comprise a curved, asymmetrical shape.
The first arm 211 and the second arm 213 may be spaced apart from one another by an opening 214 and a slot 218. A plurality of bristles 216 may extend across the opening 214 and control entry and exit of a device into the slot 218, such as the second device 120 of
The plurality of bristles 216 may include a thickness and density configured to maintain the second device 120 within the slot 218 when the first device 110 is being rolled while also allowing a healthcare worker to quickly and easily force the second device 120 passed the plurality of bristles 216 and into the slot 218. Each bristle may include a diameter between 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Additionally or alternatively, a diameter of each bristle may be between 0.3 to 0.4 mm. In one example, the diameter of each bristle is 0.36 mm.
A density of the plurality of bristles 216 may include between 150 to 250 bristles per cm, or 175 to 225 bristles per cm, or 190 to 210 bristles per cm. In one example, the plurality of bristles 216 includes 200 bristles per cm.
The slot 218 may be larger than the opening 214. In one example, a distance of the slot 218, measured along its longitudinal axis 299, extends beyond a distance of the opening 214 measured along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 299. By doing this, the second device 120 may be arranged at an extreme end of the slot 218 and misaligned with the opening 214. In this way, the first arm 211 and/or the second arm 213, along with the plurality of bristles 216, may retain the second device 120 within the slot 218.
The second end 204 may include a pin 220. The pin 220 may include a first body 222 and a second body 224. The first body 222 may include a cylindrical shape with a first diameter. The second body 224 may include a cylindrical shape with a second diameter, wherein the second diameter greater than the first diameter.
A third body 226 may be arranged between the first body 222 and the second body 224. The third body 226 may include linear sections in combination with curved sections. In one example, the third body 226 comprises a square shape with curved corners. Additionally or alternatively, the third body 226 may include a square with 90° corners.
An arm 230 may be coupled to each of the clamp body 210 and the pin 220. The arm 230 may include a first connector 232 coupling a first cap 234 of the arm 230 to the clamp 210. In one example, the first connector 232 is physically coupled to the body 212 via a fastener, wherein the fastener is concealed via the first connector 232. The fastener may be accessible from the slot 218.
A second cap 236 may be arranged at the second end 204. In one example, the second cap 236 is integrally formed with the second body 224. The first cap 234 and the second cap 236 may extend over an outer layer 238 of the arm 230. The first cap 234 and the second cap 236 may be fixedly coupled to the arm 230 via one or more of an adhesive, a weld, a fusion, and a compression fit.
The arm 230 may be flexible. The arm 230 may include a single wire surrounded by the outer layer 238, wherein the wire is configured to bend, twist, kink, and execute other actions that deviate from linear. A length of the arm 230 may be fixed. In one example, the arm 230 may be rigid along its longitudinal axis normal to the axis 299 and flexible (e.g., adjustable) along its short axis, normal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to a radius of the arm 230.
Turning now to
In one example, the arm 230 is a tether, a rope, or other similar device. A diameter of the arm 230 may be between 5 to 10 mm, 6 to 9 mm, or 7 to 8 mm. In one example, the diameter of the arm 230 is equal to exactly 7.3 mm and comprises a 1 gauge (e.g., 1 American wire gauge (AWG)).
Turning now to
Additionally or alternatively, the quick connect 310 may be coupled to the first device 110 via welds, fusions, adhesives, tape, and other similar elements. The first device 110 may include a plurality of mounting points, each configured to receive and maintain the quick connect 310 in a fixed position.
The quick connect 310 may include a first opening 314 and a second opening 316. The first opening 314 may be larger than the second opening 316. In one example, the first body 222 may engage with surfaces shaping the second opening 316 and the third body 226 may engage with surfaces shaping the first opening 314. As such, the first opening 314 may include linear portions that complementarily fit with linear portions of the third body 226. The first body 222 may be retained in the second opening 316 via one or more of a spring arm, a ball spring, or other retaining mechanism.
Turning now to
The clamp 210 is coupled to the body 122. In one example, the body 122 may be forced through the plurality of bristles 216 and enter the slot 218. The clamp 210 may be rotated such that the longitudinal axis 299 of the slot 218 may be parallel to a direction of travel 490. The direction of travel 490 may indicate a direction in which the first device 110 is pushed and the second device 120 rolls. The second device 120 may be moveable within the slot 218. The second device 120 may move along the longitudinal axis 299 and/or rotated within the slot 218.
In one example, the second device 120 may be positioned within the slot 218 and pressed against one of the first arm 211 of the second arm 213. In one example, the second device 120 may be pressed against the first arm 211 when travelling in a first direction, identical to the direction of travel 490, and pressed against the second arm 213 when travelling in a second direction, opposite the direction of travel 490.
Turning now to
In one example, a stiffness of the arm 230 may include where the arm 230 is configured to maintain a position previously defined by a user. For example, if the arm 230 is positioned in the stored position 500, then the arm 230 may maintain the connection device 130 in the stored position 500 until a further force, not including gravity, is applied to the arm 230. Similarly, the arm 230 may maintain connected positions, as shown and described in
Turning now to
Turning now to
In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the quick connect 310 may be mounted to a track coupled to the first device 110. The quick connect 310 may be slidingly and fixedly coupled to the track based on an actuation of a clamp or other locking mechanism. For example, the quick connect 310 may be coupled to and moveable along the track when in a disengaged position. A user may move the quick connect 310 along the track to a determined position prior to locking the quick connect 310 in an engaged position. When in the engaged position, the quick connect 310 may not move along the track. The track may extend along an entire perimeter of the first device 110 or along an entire length of a side of the first device 110.
The disclosure provides support for a system including a first device, a second device, and a connection device coupled to a coupling element mounted on the first device at a first end and clamped to the second device at a second end, wherein the connection device further comprises a tether extending from the first end to the second end. A first example of the system further includes where the connection device comprises a pin at the first end and a clamp at the second end, the first end opposite the second end. A second example of the system, optionally including the first example, further includes where the tether comprises at least one wire arranged within an outer layer. A third example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the tether comprises a fixed length along its longitudinal axis. A fourth example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the tether is flexible about its radius. A fifth example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the connection device comprises a clamp, wherein the clamp comprises a slot and a plurality of bristles arranged in an opening. A sixth example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where a length of the slot measured along its longitudinal axis is longer than a length of the opening. A seventh example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the clamp is rotatable about the second device. An eighth example of the system, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the second device is arranged within and moveable in the slot.
The disclosure provides additional support for a connection device including a clamp configured to couple to a tube, wherein the clamp comprises a U-shaped body, an opening, and a slot and a plurality of bristles extending between a first arm and a second arm of the clamp, wherein the plurality of bristles moves in response to a threshold force. A first example of the connection device further includes where the clamp is arranged at a first end of the connection device, further comprising a pin arranged at a second end of the connection device opposite the first end, wherein the pin engages with a coupling element spaced away from the tube. A second example of the connection device, optionally including the first example, further includes where the tube is a pole of an intravenous fluid (IV) pole. A third example of the connection device, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes a tether extending from the clamp to a pin, wherein the tether comprising a at least one wire housed within an outer layer. A fourth example of the connection device, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the plurality of wires is flexible in a radial direction of the tether. A fifth example of the connection device, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where a size of the slot is greater than a size of the opening.
The disclosure provides further support for a connection device configured to couple to a first device and a second device, the connection device including a clamp configured to couple to a pole of the second device, wherein the clamp comprises a U-shaped body, an opening, and a slot, a plurality of bristles extending between a first arm and a second arm of the clamp, wherein the plurality of bristles moves in response to a threshold force, and a pin arranged at an opposite end of the connection device relative to the clamp, wherein the pin engages with a coupling element of the first device. A first example of the connection device further includes where the connection device is stored on the first device. A second example of the connection device, optionally including the first example, further includes where the coupling element is one of a plurality of coupling elements mounted to the first device. A third example of the connection device, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where the first device is a bed frame and the second device is an intravenous fluid (IV) pole. A fourth example of the connection device, optionally including one or more of the previous examples, further includes where a flexible tether extends between the clamp and the pin.
As used herein, the term “approximately” is construed to mean plus or minus five percent of the range unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-language equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
