Systems and methods for mounting medical equipment

Inventors

Jepsen, David Lee • Villarreal, Richard A. • Bowman, Ryan

Assignees

Cadwell Laboratories Inc

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 system for mounting medical equipment on a support structure using at least one mounting hanger. The mounting hanger includes a first portion that is substantially u-shaped and configured to couple the mounting hanger with the support structure, and a second portion having a protruding section and a plunger lock with a locking section, coupled through a connecting portion.

A key structural relationship is the electrical insulation provided by electrically insulating components positioned on a first side of the connecting portion. The electrically insulating component is positioned between the connection portion and the first portion for providing electrical insulation to the mounting hanger, and in certain embodiments the connecting portion includes electrically insulating components and electrically insulating spacers arranged in connecting portion holes, with screws passing through aligned holes to mechanically couple the insulated connection.

The invention also provides a compatible interface between the mounting hanger and the medical equipment. A receiving bracket is attachable to an exterior surface of the medical equipment and includes a slot for receiving the protruding section, screw coupling holes, and a housing depression for receiving the locking section of the plunger lock to securely attach the mounting hanger to the housing. In another aspect, a housing comprises at least one receiver section configured to receive the protruding section, and the plunger lock is configured to automatically lock the protruding section with the receiver section when the protruding section is fully inserted.

The disclosed arrangement supports mounting with receiver sections at different vertical levels on the housing, enabling vertical repositioning of medical equipment on the support structure. The hanger and receiver interface are described as enabling mounting in multiple orientations through symmetric t-slot geometry and matching locking-access areas, including vertical and horizontal orientations and multiple rotational orientations. An electrically isolated hanger variant is also disclosed using insulating plastic plates and insulating spacers to avoid establishing a ground/discharge path.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims cover three main inventive features: electrical insulation at the hanger connection, a receiving bracket and housing-depression locking relationship, and automatic locking into receiver sections via a plunger lock.

The claims focus on an insulated hanger connection combined with a plunger-lock mounting interface, including either a receiving bracket with a housing depression or a housing receiver section that automatically locks upon full insertion. Dependent claims further refine hanger geometry, t-slot shape, receiver opening and locking access areas, and centering or hole engagement.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications