PORTABLE ELECTRONEURODIAGNOSTIC CART
A wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device capable of portability and overhead airplane storage that comprises a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame, an equipment holder secured about the lower frame, a back frame secured the lower frame, a frame coupled in sliding relation with the back frame between an opened and closed position, and an articulating computer tray carried by the frame via at least one pivoting joint.
The present invention relates to a portable, collapsible medical carrier device, and more particularly to a portable, collapsible medical carrier device that is configured to store, transport and function as a work station for electroneurodiagnostic medical equipment and setup capable of utilizing pre-existing wire connections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA surgical procedure generally involves cutting into a patient. The surgical procedure may be a major procedure, such as entering a body cavity, removing organs, or altering normal anatomy. It can also be a minor procedure where the procedure occurs without extensive damage to tissue and small incisions.
In order to monitor patients in these surgical procedures, doctors incorporate intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (“IONM”). A trained clinician will utilize IONM equipment by monitoring electrical impulses to monitor in real-time the nervous system and specific pathways during surgery, providing surgeons with important information from the nervous system, particularly during brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system surgeries.
For many surgeries, a technician is called in with their equipment to monitor a patient during the surgery. The technician will generally either carry their equipment in a travel bag or utilize a large cart that remains in the medical unit due to its size and weight.
Once in the operating room, the technician will setup all of the equipment on an operating room table. Due to the numerous wire connections required to use the IONM equipment for surgery, it is very cumbersome and time consuming to setup the IONM equipment before surgery and to put away the IONM equipment after surgery. The technicians are not presently able to utilize their equipment without first securing an OR table (which serves as a workstation) and making significant wire connections between the equipment before surgery, or utilizing equipment with non-portable carts.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that allows the IONM operator to quickly and efficiently setup both before and after surgery. There is a need for a device that allows for the equipment to be stored, transported and utilized where the electrical connections are capable of being permanent. Additionally, there is a need for a device with the ability to travel, including on airplanes, safely and efficiently with the IONM equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention advantageously provides a portable, collapsible medical carrier device that is configured to store, transport and function as a work station for electroneurodiagnostic medical equipment and setup capable of utilizing pre-existing wire connections for the electroneurodiagnostic equipment.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a principal object is to provide the electroneurodiagnostic carrier with a quick and efficient means for device set up and breakdown where electrical connections between the electrical devices is optionally permanent.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, another object is to afford a device that in the folded and collapsed state (the storage state) will fit in an overhead bin of an airplane.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a neuromonitoring cart to provide an integrated workstation for neuromonitoring during surgical procedures.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a medical equipment holder secured about the lower frame, the medical equipment holder configured to secure a base unit, two electrical stimulators, an amplifier, and a configuration to facilitate storage such that the medical equipment holder affords a race and/or track for looping wires that ultimately extend between the held device and an operating room table.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device capable of easily being lifted and stowed in an overhead airplane compartment and/or in the trunk and/or body of a vehicle.
Yet further, another object of the present invention is to provide a wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device that includes a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame, an equipment holder secured about the lower frame, a back frame secured perpendicular with the lower frame, a vertical frame coupled in vertical sliding relation with the back frame, the vertical frame slides between an opened and closed position, an articulating computer tray carried by the vertical frame via at least one pivoting joint, the articulating computer tray capable of opening after the vertical frame is slid open, and the inner support frame extends out in relation to the outer legs for support against toppling.
In yet another embodiment, the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device the inner support frame that forms a rectangular frame includes two side frame members, a front frame member, and a rear frame member, each of the two side frame members secure on a forward portion with end portions of the front frame member and each of the two side frame members secure on a rear portion with end portions of the rear frame member. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes two wheels, each rotatable about an axis, mounted about rear corners of the lower frame, at least four feet mounted with the lower frame. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes a grippable handle positioned about the vertical frame. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes an equipment holder that includes a front panel and a rear panel forming an inner housing for medical equipment, and the front panel has multiple module receptacles. The module receptacles frictionally mount multiple neuromonitoring equipment. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes an articulating computer tray in a closed position secures a laptop from all sides behind the inner housing, and further includes a mouse tray that swivels out when the computer tray is in an opened position.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes at least one spring loaded plunger that maintains the vertical frame in a raised position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes a cover that encloses contents of the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device. The cover may be a hard cover, a soft cover, or a combination thereof.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes a telescoping travel handle secured about the back frame.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device comprises a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame, a medical equipment holder secured about the lower frame, the medical equipment holder configured to secure a base unit, an electrical stimulator, and an amplifier, a back frame secured perpendicular with the lower frame, a vertical frame coupled in vertical sliding relation with the back frame, an articulating computer tray carried by the vertical frame via at least one pivoting joint, two wheels, each rotatable about an axis, mounted about rear corners of the lower frame, and the inner support frame extends out in relation to the outer legs for support against toppling. The articulating computer tray pivots ninety degrees between open and closed.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device includes a medical equipment holder that includes a plurality of module receptacles that frictionally mount a plurality of neuromonitoring equipment.
Other objects will become evident as the present invention is described in detail below.
Embodiments of the present application are described herein in which similar elements are given similar reference characters, and a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention advantageously provides a collapsible medical carrier device for transporting medical equipment such as intraoperative neuromonitoring systems.
Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Referring now to the drawings figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements.
The collapsible medical carrier device includes a frame 12 with a lower frame base 14. Two wheels 16, each rotatable about an axis, are provided mounted near each rear left and right corner of the lower frame base 14 (see
The collapsible medical carrier device 10 rests upright on front feet 18 and back feet 20 (see
The lower frame base 14 includes outer legs 22 and an extendable inner support frame 24 (see
An upper frame portion 32 of the lower frame base 14 is provided mounted over the outer legs 22 (see
A back vertical frame 42 (see
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In operation, the vertical receptacles 74, 80, 86 each secure respective medical equipment 1004, 1006, 1008 that may optionally be used while secured to their respective receptacle or any of the individual pieces of medical equipment 1004, 1006, 1008 can releasably detach from their receptacle such that the equipment can be moved closer to a operative patient.
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In one non-limiting operation, the laptop tray 62 pivots ninety degrees (90°) between a closed position and an open position. To transition the laptop tray 62 from the open position to the closed position, the tray 62 is lifted upwards a few degrees past the ninety degrees and then the tray will drop downwards to the closed position.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the retaining members 102 are formed of hook and loop material with reciprocating hook and loop material on the bottom of the laptop computer 1010 (not shown) for securing the laptop 1010 to the upper surface 98 when in both an opened and closed position (see
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In operation, when the lever arm 136 is rotated from the standing position shown in
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While the instant invention depicts 80/20 metal frame members held together with various t-nuts, bolts, and other connectors, as well as facilitating motion with linear bearings and locking hinges, alternate framing and motion members are contemplated and are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the outer legs 22 and an extendable inner support frame 24 are secured together via linear bearing members 190 (see
In a non-limiting embodiment, the vertical carriage frame 50 is coupled in vertical sliding relation to the back vertical frame 42 via linear bearing members 54.
As used herein, when the term “and/or” is used, it shall include all combinations of one or more of the associated described items.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are contemplated in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It will be readily apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure or sacrificing all of its material advantages. The examples and embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the instant disclosure.
Claims
1. A wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device comprising:
- a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame;
- an equipment holder secured about said lower frame;
- a back frame secured perpendicular with said lower frame;
- a vertical frame coupled in vertical sliding relation with said back frame, said vertical frame slides between an opened and closed position;
- an articulating computer tray carried by said vertical frame via at least one pivoting joint, said articulating computer tray capable of opening after said vertical frame is slid open; and
- wherein said inner support frame extends out in relation to said outer legs for support against toppling.
2. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 wherein said inner support frame forming a rectangular frame includes two side frame members, a front frame member, and a rear frame member, each of said two side frame members secure on a forward portion with end portions of said front frame member and each of said two side frame members secure on a rear portion with end portions of said rear frame member.
3. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 2 further comprising two wheels, each rotatable about an axis, mounted about rear corners of said lower frame.
4. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 3 further comprising at least four feet mounted with said lower frame.
5. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 further comprising a grippable handle positioned about said vertical frame.
6. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 wherein said equipment holder comprising a front panel and a rear panel forming an inner housing for medical equipment, and wherein said front panel having a plurality of module receptacles.
7. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of module receptacles frictionally mount a plurality of neuromonitoring equipment.
8. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 7 wherein said articulating computer tray in a closed position secures a laptop from all sides behind said inner housing.
9. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 8 further comprising hook and loop material positioned on a surface of said articulating computer tray for securing a laptop thereon.
10. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 9 further comprising a mouse tray that swivels out when said articulating computer tray is in an opened position.
11. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 further comprising at least one spring loaded plunger that maintains said vertical frame in a raised position.
12. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 further comprising a cover that encloses contents of said wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device.
13. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 1 further comprising a telescoping travel handle secured about said back frame.
14. A wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device comprising:
- a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame;
- a medical equipment holder secured about said lower frame, said medical equipment holder configured to secure a base unit, an electrical stimulator, and an amplifier;
- a back frame secured perpendicular with the lower frame;
- a vertical frame coupled in vertical sliding relation with said back frame;
- an articulating computer tray carried by the vertical frame via at least one pivoting joint;
- two wheels, each rotatable about an axis, mounted about rear corners of the lower frame; and
- wherein the inner support frame extends out in relation to the outer legs for support against toppling.
15. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 14 wherein said articulating computer tray pivots ninety degrees between open and closed.
16. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 15 wherein said articulating computer tray pivots ninety degrees between open and closed.
17. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 14 wherein said medical equipment holder includes a plurality of module receptacles that frictionally mount a plurality of neuromonitoring equipment.
18. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 17 wherein said articulating computer tray in a closed position with said medical equipment holder secures a laptop from all sides.
19. A wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device comprising:
- a lower frame that includes two outer legs and an inner support frame;
- a medical equipment holder secured about said lower frame, said medical equipment holder configured to secure a base unit, two electrical stimulators, an amplifier;
- a back frame secured perpendicular with the lower frame;
- a vertical frame coupled in vertical sliding relation with said back frame;
- an articulating computer tray carried by the vertical frame via at least one pivoting joint;
- two wheels, each rotatable about an axis, mounted about rear corners of the lower frame; and
- wherein the inner support frame extends out in relation to the outer legs for support against toppling.
20. The wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device of claim 19, wherein said wheeled intraoperative neuromonitoring transport device capable of stowing in an overhead airplane compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2021
Publication Date: Nov 3, 2022
Inventor: Robert Lampman (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Application Number: 17/246,450