Systems and methods for mounting medical equipment
Inventors
Jepsen, David Lee • Villarreal, Richard A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11602470-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods are described for mounting medical equipment on IV poles, bed rails and other supporting structures in medical facilities including operating rooms and critical care sections. A system including a mounting hanger and corresponding equipment housing is disclosed that allows quick mounting and dismounting of equipment from a supporting structure. The novel structural design of mounting hanger including a symmetrical t-slot feature and a plunger lock allows a piece of equipment to be mounted on a supporting structure in multiple orientations as per the requirement which allows a user to optimize the placement of equipment in the medical environment.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of mounting medical equipment on a support structure using a housing that includes at least one receiver section configured to receive the medical equipment. A mounting device is coupled with the at least one receiver section by inserting a portion of the mounting device into a portion of the receiver section and mating the portion with a locking area or an opening integrated within a surface of the receiver section. As the mounting device reaches a final mated position, a plunger lock located on the mounting device automatically engages with a portion of the receiver section to lock the mounting device with the receiver section.
The method further includes coupling the mounting device with the support structure, where the mounting is accomplished such that the plunger lock automatically engages during the coupling step. The mounting device is configured to be inserted and locked into the receiver section in multiple orientations, where orientations are defined by first, second, third, and fourth orientations with perpendicular relationships between the orientations.
In additional disclosed aspects, the coupling includes inserting the portion into the receiver section and mating with an opening, including coupling through inserting into a portion of the receiver section and mating with a locking area. The described coupling mechanics include inserting into an opening and transitioning into a final locking access area such that the plunger lock seats in an accommodating hole to positively lock the hanger.
Claims Coverage
The partial set includes two independent method claims. Each independent claim centers on coupling a mounting device to a housing receiver section so that an automatically engaging lock secures the mounting device in a final mated position, followed by coupling the mounting device to the support structure, with one claim including four perpendicular orientations.
Automatic plunger lock engagement to lock a mounting device in a final mated position
A method of mounting medical equipment on a support structure comprising acquiring a housing comprising at least one receiver section configured to receive the medical equipment; coupling at least one mounting device with the at least one receiver section by inserting a portion of the mounting device into a portion of the at least one receiver section and mating the portion with a locking area; and as the portion is inserted into a final mated position with the locking area, a plunger lock located on the mounting device automatically engages with a portion of the at least one receiver section to lock the mounting device with the receiver section; and coupling the mounting device with the support structure.
Four orientation insertion and automatic lock engagement through an opening in the receiver section
A method of mounting medical equipment on a support structure comprising acquiring a housing comprising at least one receiver section having an opening integrated within a surface of the receiver section configured to receive the medical equipment; coupling at least one mounting device with the at least one receiver section in which the mounting device has a first, second, third, and fourth orientation defined by perpendicular relationships; coupling comprising inserting a portion of the mounting device into a portion of the receiver section and mating the portion with the opening; and as the portion is inserted into a final mated position with the opening, a lock positioned on the mounting device automatically engages with the opening of the receiver section to lock the mounting device with the receiver section; wherein the mounting device is configured to be inserted and locked into the receiver section in any of the first, second, third, or fourth orientations; and coupling the at least one mounting device with the support structure.
Across the two independent claims, the core claim coverage is the use of an automatically engaging lock, including a plunger lock, to lock a mounting device to a housing receiver section in a final mated position, followed by coupling to a support structure. One independent claim additionally requires the mounting device to be insertable and lockable in four perpendicular orientations using an opening integrated within the receiver section.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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