Abstract:
A connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having first and second support members with a patient support panel disposed therebetween, wherein the connector system includes an anti-rotation arm connectably linked between the medical device and a support member connector connectable to the second support member. The anti-rotation arm is connected to the medical device in a manner that rotationally fixes the anti-rotation arm with the medical device with respect to rotation about the first support member for fixed rotational displacement with the medical device. In use, the anti-rotation arm rotationally fixes the medical device about the first support member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a national phase filing, under 35 U.S.C. §371(c), of International Application No. PCT/CA2010/001422, filed Sep. 13, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. International Application No. PCT/CA2010/001422, in turn, claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/241,864, filed on Sep. 11, 2009; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/242,375, filed on Sep. 14, 2009; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/305,541, filed on Feb. 17, 2010, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to connectors and more particularly to connectors for holding medical devices on stretchers, particularly for use in confined space such as a helicopter. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Stretchers and other support devices used to transport patients are often used to hold medical equipment. In some situations it is desirable to be able to move the medical devices between two or more positions to permit access to the patient, or to permit a person to pass by in a confined space. Structures proposed for holding medical devices in these environments have disadvantages and so new structures that address one or more of the issues described above would be advantageous. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In military and emergency transport situations, stretchers and other support devices used to transport patients, often placed in helicopters and other transport vehicles, are exposed to conditions, the nature of which may transmit vibration to the structures holding the medical device. Structures proposed for holding medical devices in these environments have related disadvantages and so new structures that address these issues are proposed. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the invention is directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the connector system comprising an anti-rotation arm connectably linked between:
       the medical device, in a manner that rotationally fixes the anti-rotation arm with the medical device with respect to to rotation about first support member for fixed rotational displacement with the medical device;
           and a second support member connector connectable to the second support member;   wherein, in use, the anti-rotation arm rotationally fixes the medical device about the first support member.   
               
 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the anti-rotation arm rotationally fixes the medical device about the first support member regardless of whether the first and second support member connectors are rotationally fixed about the first and second support members respectively. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the first and second support members are frame members of a stretcher. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the connector system comprises at least first and second support member connectors, wherein, when in use, at least of the first and second support member connectors permits lateral movement with the respective support member of the patient support device. 
         [0012]    In one aspect, the invention is optionally directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the connector system adapted for use with a first support member connector including a medical device connector portion and a first anti-rotation arm connection on the medical device or the first support member connector, the connector system comprising a second support member connector, an anti-rotation arm, and a second arm connection, wherein the anti-rotation arm is rotationally fixed with respect to the first support member connector and wherein the second support member connector, in use, rotationally fixes the medical device about the first support member. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the invention is optionally directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the first support member having a substantially round cross sectional profile, the connector system comprising: 
         [0014]    a second support member connector including a second support member engagement portion engageable with the second support member; 
         [0015]    an anti-rotation arm connectable via a first arm connection to at least one of a medical device or a first support member connector affixing the medical device to the first support member, and connectable via a second arm connection to the second support member connector, 
         [0016]    wherein, in use, the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm, the first arm connection and the second arm connection are sufficiently rigid to rotationally fix the medical device about the first support member. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the connector system comprises a first support member connector, including a medical device connector portion connectable to the medical device and a first support member engagement portion engageable with the first support member. 
         [0018]    Thus in one aspect, the invention is directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members comprising a first support member connector including a medical device connector portion, a second support member connector, an anti-rotation arm, a first arm connection and a second arm connection, wherein the anti-rotation arm is rotationally fixed with respect to the first support member connector and wherein the second support member connector, in use, rotationally fixes the medical device about the first support member. 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated that some connections or engagements may be integrated or integrally formed and that subject to conveniences of portability, compactability (e.g. for shipping), timing of mounting or use, replaceability or flexibility in mounting, connectability, engageability or disassembly, at will, of certain parts does not limit the nature of the invention. 
         [0020]    According to one aspect of the invention, the connector system imparts rotational stability to counter rotation of the device about the first support member to which it may be adjacent (often at one of more predetermined distances dictated by the intrinsic features of the connector system). Accordingly, despite unexpected torques, less than ideal support member engagement portions (by design or wear and tear) and/or partial loosening of the engagement with the first support member and/or the second support member to engender rotational play about a first support member (particularly where the first support member has a profile that does not inhibit rotation such a round profile, or more broadly speaking where the profile of first support member engagement portion does not match the profile of the first support member) the anti-rotation arm conveniently enable the connector system to compensate. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, or according to an entirely new aspect at least one of the first support member connector, the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm, the first arm connection and the second arm connection permit relative lateral movement between the first support member and the second support member. Accordingly, in one aspect the invention is directed to a connector system comprising a second support member connector, an anti-rotation arm, and a second arm connection wherein at least one of the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm, and the second arm connection permit relative lateral movement between the first support member and the second support member. In one embodiment the invention is directed to a connector system comprising a first support member connector, a second support member connector, an anti-rotation arm, a first arm connection and a second arm connection at least one of which permits relative lateral movement between the first support member and the second support member. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the second support member connector includes a second support member engagement portion engageable with the second support member in such a way so as to substantially prevent vertical play therewith and permit lateral play therewith. 
         [0023]    In a further embodiment, or according to an entirely new aspect, the invention is directed to a connector system comprising a slidable or extendable component to permit relative lateral movement of the first and second support arms of the stretcher. 
         [0024]    As suggested above, the invention is also directed to a connector system comprising engageable or connectable components which are slidingly or variably engageable with the stretcher or with each other (or intrinsically or extrinsically extendable) such that the first and second support member move laterally with respect to another i.e. toward one another or away from one another, optionally, regardless of whether where the moving away occurs first or last (the moving away or the moving towards might also be limited to only to returning to an original position). For example, the first support member connector or the second support member connector may be slideably engageable with a support member of the stretcher. The anti-rotation arm may be intrinsically (spring loaded in a manner that accommodates suitable tension and compression properties or otherwise automatically extendable e.g. telescopable within limits) or extrinsically (manually adjustable) extendable. Especially, since some degree of stiffness of the ant-rotation arm is required to impart rotational stability, and particularly in an embodiment, where use of one anti-rotation arm only may be a feature of the device, the invention contemplates that slidable engagement or connection whether aided by part configurations, orientations, tolerances, variable movement latitudes and/or sizes accommodate this lateral play with attendant unexpected advantages including insulating the patient from the effects (sometimes including pain) of any movement and undesirable vibration and/or inhibiting loosening of connections or engagements. 
         [0025]    Accordingly in another aspect, the invention is directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the connector system comprising: 
         [0026]    a first support member connector, including a medical device connector portion connectable to the medical device and a first support member engagement portion engageable with the first support member; 
         [0027]    a second support member connector including a second support member engagement portion engageable with the second support member; 
         [0028]    an anti-rotation arm connectable via a first arm connection to at least one of the first support member connector and the medical device, and connectable via a second arm connection to the second support member connector, 
         [0029]    wherein, in use, at least one of the first support member connector, the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm, the first arm connection and the second arm connection permit relative lateral movement between the first support member and the second support member. 
         [0030]    Optionally, when the connector system is in use in relation to a support member of a patient support device and a medical device, at least one of the first support member connector, the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm are slideably or variably extendable, usable, engageable or connectable. 
         [0031]    According to another aspect the invention is directed to a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the first support member having a substantially round cross sectional profile, the connector system comprising: 
         [0032]    a first support member connector, including a medical device connector portion connectable to the medical device and a first support member engagement portion engageable with the first support member in such a way so as to substantially prevent vertical play therewith; 
         [0033]    a second support member connector including a second support member engagement portion engageable with the second support member in such a way so as to substantially prevent vertical play therewith; and 
         [0034]    an anti-rotation arm connectable via a first arm connection to at least one of the first support member connector and the medical device, and connectable via a second arm connection to the second support member connector, 
         [0035]    wherein, in use, the first support member connector, the second support member connector, the anti-rotation arm, the first arm connection and the second arm connection are sufficiently rigid to rotationally fix the medical device about the first support member regardless of whether the first and second support member connectors are rotationally fixed about the first and second support members respectively. 
         [0036]    According to another aspect the invention is directed a connector system for connecting a medical device to a patient support device having parallel, generally horizontal first and second support members and a patient support panel disposed between the first and second support members, the first support member having a substantially round cross sectional profile, the connector system comprising: 
         [0037]    a first support member connector, including a medical device connector portion connectable to the medical device and a first support member engagement portion engageable with the first support member; 
         [0038]    a second support member connector including a second support member engagement portion engageable with the second support member; and 
         [0039]    an anti-rotation arm connectable via a first arm connection to at least one of the first support member connector and the medical device, and connectable via a second arm connection to the second support member connector, 
         [0040]    wherein, in use, the anti-rotation arm is linked to medical device to fixedly rotate therewith about the first support member and engageable with the second support member in such a way so as to substantially prevent vertical play therewith and permit lateral play therewith and wherein the second support sufficiently rigid to rotationally fix the medical device about the first support member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a medical device, a stretcher and a set of connectors for connecting the medical device to the stretcher in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 1   b  is magnified perspective view of joints  22  of the stretcher; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a magnified perspective view of one of the connectors shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a magnified perspective view of another one of the connectors shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2  in a first position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  is another elevation view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2  in an intermediate position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  is another elevation view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2  in a second position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   f  are elevation views of the connector shown in  FIG. 2  illustrating a sequence of events from a connection to one side of the stretcher shown in  FIG. 1  to the other side of the stretcher; 
           [0051]      FIG. 9   a  is another magnified perspective view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; showing a support member connector with a limit member in a stowage position, showing a clamp with a limit member in a working position; 
           [0052]      FIG. 9   b  is another magnified perspective view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the clamp in a fully closed position with a limit member in a stowage position; and 
           [0053]      FIG. 9   c  is another magnified perspective view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the clamp in a fully open position; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  are perspective views showing a connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing two of the connectors shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  holding a medical device to a stretcher; and 
           [0056]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  are perspective views showing a connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 13   a  is an exploded view of a connector coupling device that is adapted to be used in conjunction with a connector of the type shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 13   b  is a magnified view of a clamp connector of the connector coupling device illustrated in  FIG. 12   a  shown from a different perspective 
           [0059]      FIG. 13   c  is an isometric view of the connector coupling device shown in  FIG. 13   a.    
           [0060]      FIG. 13   d  is a magnified view of a stabilizer connector of the connector coupling device shown in  FIGS. 13   a  and  13   c.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0061]    Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a stretcher  10 , a medical device  12 , and a set of connectors  14 , individually shown at  14   a  and  14   b,  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The stretcher  10  may be any suitable type of stretcher, such as a NATO litter. The stretcher  10  may include first and second support members  16 , shown individually at  16   a  and  16   b,  and a patient supporting panel  18  supported between the first and second support members  16   a  and  16   b.    
         [0062]    The first and second support members  16   a  and  16   b  may be substantially identical but for being mirror images of one another. Each support member  16  may include a plurality of support member segments  20  that are connected to each other end-to-end via joints  22 . 
         [0063]    As described in detail in our published PCT application WO 2009/132458 (the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference). the connectors  14  are used to hold the medical device  12  on the stretcher  10  and may be referred to herein, for convenience, as medical device clamps. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connector  14   a  includes a support member connector  24 , which may be any suitable type of connector, and may include, for example, a clamp  32 . The clamp  32  may include an upper jaw  34  and a lower jaw  36  which may be configured to engage the knuckle or joint of a stretcher shown in detail in  FIG. 1   b.  As seen in  FIG. 1   b,  the joint  22  interconnecting support member segments  20  has a squared off surface that matches the shape of the upper jaw  34  and a recess  23  adapted to receive lug  870 . To assist only rotational stability, the recess may also be configured as a suitably sized slot or indent the length of which may run parallel to the support member. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3  the support member engaging surfaces of upper and lower jaws  34  and  36 , respectively, may be have rounded support member engaging surfaces to clamp on to support members  16   a  or  16   b  at a some point along their length where is no joint. 
         [0065]    The joint or knuckle shown in detail in  FIG. 1   b,  may not be a feature of some stretchers, and as explained below with reference to the connector assembly  800  shown in  FIG. 13   a , the connector system may comprise a first support member connector, including a first support member engagement portion that has a medical device clamp receiving surface, for example such as clamp connector  850 , that is configured to simulate the shape of the joint  22  including a squared-off top surface  810  of its upper jaw  820  and a recess  802  corresponding is size and at least approximate position to recess  23  in joint  22  (elements optionally forming key parts of medical device clamp receiving surface). 
         [0066]    As described in detail in published PCT application WO 2009/132458, and referring to  FIG. 2  herein, the connector  14   a  includes a support member connector  24 , a first device connector  26 , a second device connector  28 , and a pair of link arms  30 . The support member connector  24  may be any suitable type of connector, and may include, for example, a clamp  32 . The clamp  32  includes an upper jaw  34  and a lower jaw  36 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first device connector  26  is configured to fixedly connect to a first side  38  of the medical device  12  and may connect to the medical device  12  by any suitable means, such as by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners  40  mating with threaded apertures (not shown) on the medical device  12  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0068]    The second device connector  28  is configured to fixedly connect to a second side  42  of the medical device  12 , which may be opposed to the first side  38 , and may connect to the medical device  12  by any suitable means, such as by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners  40  mating with threaded apertures (not shown) on the medical device  12  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the device connectors  26  and  28  are movable relative to the support member connector  24  between a first position shown in  FIG. 4  wherein the device connectors  26  and  28  are positioned to hold the medical device  12  adjacent the stretcher  10  and a second position shown in  FIG. 6  wherein the device connectors  26  and  28  are positioned to hold the medical device  12  above the stretcher  10 . In the first position, the medical device  12  is off the patient support panel  18  so as not to impinge on the available space for a patient (not shown) on the stretcher  10 . The second position is inboard of the first position so that the medical device  12  is less likely to interfere with the maneuvering of the stretcher  10  into position between stretcher-supporting stanchions (not shown) in a transport vehicle (not shown) such as a helicopter. 
         [0070]    In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, it is possible for the second position to correspond to holding the medical device  12  and the device connectors  26  and  28  below the stretcher  10  instead of holding them above the stretcher  10 . It is, however, preferable to hold them above the stretcher  10  for easier access by a medical device operator, such as a physician. 
         [0071]    It will be noted that the orientation of the first and second device connectors  26  and  28  in the second position is the same as their orientation in the first position. This is advantageous in that the medical device  12  need not be reoriented for use when being moved between the first and second positions. 
         [0072]    Movement between the first and second positions is achieved by means of the link arms  30 . The link arms  30  each have a first end  44  and a second end  46 . The support member connector  24  is rotatably connected to the first end  44  about a first axis A 1  and one of the first and second device connectors  26  and  28  is rotatably connected to the second end  46  about a second axis A 2 . The axis A 2  is preferably generally parallel to the axis A 1 . 
         [0073]    A connector position locking pin  48  is provided to lock the connector  14   a  in each of the first and second positions. When the connector  14   a  is in the first position, the connector position locking pin  48  may pass through a first position locking aperture  50  that extends through the link arms  30 , the support member connector  24  and the first device connector  26 . When the connector  14   a  is in the second position, the connector position locking pin  48  may pass through a second position locking aperture  52  that extends through the link arms  30 , the support member connector  24  and the second device connector  28 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The connector position locking pin  48  may be any suitable type of pin, such as a ball detent pin. Alternatively, any other suitable locking means may be provided. 
         [0074]    To move from the first position ( FIG. 4 ) to the second position ( FIG. 6 ), the connector position locking pin  48  is removed from the first position locking aperture  50 . The medical device  12  is moved from the position shown in  FIG. 4  through the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . The connector position locking pin  48  is inserted into the second position locking aperture  52 . 
         [0075]    For the purposes of movement between the first and second positions and for holding the connector  14   a  in the first and second positions it will be noted that the second device connector  28  is not a necessary component and may be omitted. In such cases where the second device connector  28  is omitted, the connector position locking pin  48  may instead pass through an aperture shown at  54  that passes through the link arms  30 , the support member connector  24  and the first device connector  26  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0076]    While two link arms  30  are shown in the Figures, it will be apparent that any suitable number of link arms  30  may be provided, such as one link arm  30 . 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the connector  14   a  may further include one or more support member connector orientation locking pins  56  that lock the support member connector  24  selectively in either a first orientation ( FIG. 8   a ) relative to the device connectors  26  and  28  for mounting on a first side  58  of the stretcher  10 , or a second orientation ( FIG. 8   f ) relative to the device connectors  26  and  28  for mounting on a second side  60  of the stretcher  10 . One of the support member connector orientation locking pins is shown at  56   a  and may be the connector position locking pin  48 . Another support member connector orientation locking pin is shown at  56   b  and forms the rotatable connection between the link arms  30  and one of the first and second device connectors  26  and  28 , thereby indirectly connecting the support member connector  24  to one of the first and second device connectors  26  or  28  (specifically the device connector  26  in  FIG. 8   a  and the device connector  28  in  FIG. 8   f ). 
         [0078]    The sequence of Figures from  FIG. 8   a  to  FIG. 8   f  illustrates the removal of the medical device  12  from the first side  58  of the stretcher  10  and the remounting of it to the second side  60  of the stretcher  10 . Specifically,  FIG. 8   a  shows the medical device  12  and connector  14   a  connected to the support member  16   a  on the first side  58  of the stretcher  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8   b , the medical device  12  and the entire connector  14   a  including the support member connector  24  may be removed from the support member  16   a  (egg. by opening of the clamp jaws  34  and  36  in embodiments wherein the support member connector  24  includes a clamp  32 ). As shown in  FIG. 8   c , the support member connector  24  is separated from the first device connector  26  by removal of the support member connector orientation locking pins  56 . As shown in  FIG. 8   d , the support member connector  24  is reoriented from its first orientation ( FIG. 8   c ) to its second orientation ( FIG. 8   d ), which may be generally opposed to its first orientation. As shown in  FIG. 8   e , the support member connector orientation locking pins  56  are reinserted to lock the support member connector  24  to the second device connector  28 , and to lock the connector  14   a  in the first position (i.e. so that the medical device is held adjacent the stretcher  10 ). As shown in  FIG. 8   f , the medical device  12  and the connector  14   a  are mounted to the support member  16   b  on the second side  60  of the stretcher  60  (e.g. by closing of the clamp jaws  34  and  36 ). 
         [0079]    By quickly being able to change the orientation of the support member connector  24  on the connector  14 , the medical device  12  can be moved easily and quickly from the left side of one stretcher  10  to the right side of another, while remaining in the same orientation. In this way, features that are desirable to have positioned close to a patient&#39;s head can be kept close to the patient&#39;s head regardless of whether the medical device  12  is on the left side or right side of the stretcher  10 . For example, for certain types of medical device  12 , a first end face  62  of the medical device  12  may include connections  64  for breathing tubes (not shown) from an oxygen mask (not shown). It is therefore desirable to have the first end  62  facing the patient&#39;s head (not shown). It is thus advantageous to be able to adjust the connectors  14  to permit the medical device  12  to be mounted to either side of the stretcher  10  while maintaining its orientation. 
         [0080]    It will be noted that the sequence of events illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   f  need not take place precisely in the order shown. For example, it is alternatively possible to initially remove the medical device  12  and the attached device connectors  26  ad  28  from the support member connector  24  while the support member connector  24  remains connected to the first side  58  of the stretcher  10 , and then to remove the support member connector  24  from the stretcher  10 . Similarly, it is possible to mount the support member connector  24  to the second side  60  of the stretcher  10  prior to locking of the medical device  12  and associated device connectors  26  and  28  to the support member connector  24  by means of the support member connector orientation locking pins  56 . 
         [0081]    To return the medical device  12  from the second side  60  of the stretcher  10  to the first side  58 , the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   f  may be taken in reverse. 
         [0082]    Once the support member connector orientation locking pin  56   b  is in place and connects the link arms  30  to one of the device connectors  26  and  28 , the connector  14   a  is selectively movable between its first and second positions to hold the medical device  12  adjacent to or on top of the stretcher  10 . 
         [0083]    Reference is made to  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  which show the support member connector  24  in more detail. The support member connector  24  may include the aforementioned clamp  32  and a limit member  66 . The clamp jaws  34  and  36  are movable between a fully open position ( FIG. 9   a ) and a fully closed position ( FIG. 9   b ). The limit member  66  is movable between a working position ( FIGS. 9   a  or  FIG. 9   c ) and a stowed position ( FIG. 9   b ). In the working position, the limit member  66  limits opening of the clamp jaws  34  and  36  beyond a selected maximum opening size (e.g. an example of which is shown in  FIG. 9   c ) towards the fully open position. In the stowed position, the limit member  66  is rotated out of the way so that when the connector  14   a  is in the second position and the medical device  12  with attached connector  14   a  is placed on a support surface (e.g. a floor, not shown), a generally horizontal floor engaging surface  68  on the connector  14   a  engages the floor to support the medical device  12 . The floor engaging surface  68  may be any selected part of the connector  14   a,  such as, for example, the underside of the lower clamp jaw  36 . 
         [0084]    The limit member  66  may have any suitable structure. For example, the limit member  66  may be made up of a threaded rod  70  and a handle  72  that is internally threaded for movement along the length of the threaded rod  70  and which is engageable with the lower clamp jaw  36  to set the selected maximum opening size of the clamp jaws  34  and  36 . In a preferred embodiment, the threaded rod passes through an aperture in the lower jaw and is captured so that there is no way for the lower jaw  36  to bypass the handle  72 . 
         [0085]    It is alternatively possible to have the threaded rod  70  pivotally connected to the lower clamp jaw  36  and to have the handle  72  engage the upper clamp jaw  34 . 
         [0086]    The clamp jaws  34  and  36  may be biased towards their fully open position. To this end a clamp jaw biasing member  73  may be provided, which may be any suitable type of biasing member, such as, for example, a torsion spring. 
         [0087]    Reference is made to  FIG. 1 . The connector  14   b  may be similar to the connector  14   a,  but is configured to hold the support member  16  at a different position than the connector  14   a.  For example, the connector  14   a  may be configured to hold the support member  16  at a joint  22 , whereas the connector  14   b  may be configured to hold the support member  16  along a support member segment  20 . For example, the joint may include a flat surface and a recess, which are exemplary embodiments of an anti-rotation feature of the support member  16 . Accordingly, the shapes of the clamp jaws  34  and  36  may be slightly differently configured on the connector  14   a  than on the connector  14   b  to accommodate the particular portions of the support member  16  that each connector  14  clamps onto.  FIG. 3  shows the clamp  32  on the connector  14   b  in more detail. 
         [0088]    In the figures and description a stretcher  10  has been used to illustrate the operation of the connectors  14 . It is alternatively possible for the stretcher  10  to be some other suitable type of patient support device, such as a gurney or a hospital bed. 
         [0089]    In the figures, the first and second device connectors  26  and  28  have been shown to be two separate members that mount individually to the medical device  12 . It is alternatively possible for the two device connectors  26  and  28  to be integrally connected together in a single U-shaped member. 
         [0090]    The medical device  12  may be any suitable type of medical device, and may be configured to provide diagnostic information concerning the patient or may be configured to provide some form of treatment (e.g. oxygen) to the patient or may be configured to provide both diagnostic information and treatment to the patient. 
         [0091]    The figures show two connectors being used to connect the medical device  12  to the stretcher  10 . It is alternatively possible for any other suitable number of connectors  14  to be used. For example, it is possible that a single connector  14  could be used, or alternatively three or more connectors  14  could be used. 
         [0092]    The medical device  12  could be configured to receive the link arms  30  directly instead of receiving the device connectors  26  and  28 . In such an embodiment, whatever means are provided to connect the link arms  30  to the medical device  12  could be considered to be device connectors. For example, if bolts (not shown) are provided that each have an unthreaded portion that acts as a shaft for a link arm  30  and that has a threaded portion for mounting in a threaded aperture in the medical device  12  then the bolts would be considered to be device connectors. 
         [0093]    The configuration of the medical device  12  is preferably relatively narrow in width. The width is shown in  FIG. 8   a  as W. By having a narrow width, the medical device  12  occupies less pass-through space beside the stretcher  10  when the medical device  12  is positioned beside the stretcher  10 , and also occupies relatively little patient support area on the stretcher  10  when the medical device  12  is positioned above the stretcher  10 . 
         [0094]    As a result of the narrow width W of the medical device  12 , the medical device  12  may be elongate in order for it to contain all the desired components, and may be relatively tall. By extending the length and/or height of the medical device  12  the width W can be kept relatively narrow. 
         [0095]    Reference is made to  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d , which show a connector system  500  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, suited for use with stretchers  502  with support members  504   a  and  504   b  that are, for example, simple cylindrical members. In  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d,  the connector system  500  includes a main connector or a first support member connector  501  that includes a first support member engagement portion, for example, a clamp which is releasably rotationally fixable with respect to the first support member, comprising a support member connector  503 , that connects (e.g. clamps) to the support member  504   a,  and that further includes a medical device connector portions, for example first and second device connectors  505  and  507  (seen in  FIG. 10   d ), and as such may be similar to the connector  14  ( FIG. 1 ). The connector system  500  however further includes an anti-rotation arm, for example, a rigid cross-arm  506 , a first arm connection for receiving the anti-rotation arm and a second support member connector, for example. in the form of a stabilizer connector  508  that connects to the second support member  504   b  on the other side of the stretcher  502 . In this way the medical device  12  is prevented from rotating as a result of slippage of the support member connector  503  on the cylindrical support member  504   a.  In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d,  the cross-arm  506  shown in  FIG. 10   a  connects at one end to the main connector portion or first support member connector  501 , via a first arm connection, and connects at the other end, via a second arm connection, to the stabilizer connector  508 . Optionally, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  the anti-rotation arm in the form of cross-arm  506  connects pivotally about a vertical axis  515  at the end connected to the main connector portion  501 , and pivotally about a vertical axis  517  at the end connected to the stabilizer connector  508 . In this way, the cross arm  506  can accommodate stretchers of different widths. 
         [0096]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d,  the cross-arm  506  extends underneath the stretcher  502  so as not to obstruct access to the top of the stretcher where the patient is located (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 10   a , only one of the connectors shown is a connector system  500  which includes the anti-rotation arm (cross-arm  506 ) and a second support member connector (the stabilizer connector  508 ) including a second support member engagement portion which is rotationally fixable with respect to the second support member. The other connector (which may form part of the system) is shown at  510  and may be similar to the connector  14  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0097]    Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 11 , both of the first support member connectors for holding the medical device  12  to the stretcher  502  may be connectors that form part of a connector system  500  and thus may both be equipped with anti-rotation arms, for example, cross-arms  506  and second support member connectors, for example, the stabilizer connectors  508 . 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a connector system  600  is shown as an alternative to the connector system  500  for connecting to the stretcher  502 . The connector system  600  may includes a pair first support member connectors in the form main connector portion  602  that may be similar to the connector  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , but principally includes an anti-rotation arm e.g. cross-arm  604  and second support member connector in the form of a stabilizer connector  606 . Referring to  FIG. 12   b , the cross-arm  604  extends above the stretcher  502  and connects at one end to the medical device  12 , optionally via a connector  608  that is similar to that which is described as life support device connector shown at  804  in  FIG. 25   a  of PCT application publication WO2008/052364 (Fisher et al), and which is held in a channel  610  on the medical device  12 , that is similar to the channels shown at 870 in  FIG. 27   a  of the aforementioned PCT application publication. Referring to  FIG. 12   a , the cross-arm  604  connects at its other end to the stabilizer connector  606  which is similar to the stabilizer connector  508  ( FIGS. 10   a - 10   d ) and which connects to the other support member  504   b  of the stretcher  502 . Similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   d,  the cross arm  604  may optionally be pivotable at each end about a vertical axis. The vertical axis is shown at  620  at the end connected to the medical device  12  and at  622  at the end connected to the stabilizer connector  606 . 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c , the connector system comprising the connector coupling device  800  comprises a first support member connector, for example, a clamp connector  850 , an anti-rotation arm e.g. cross arm  830  and a second support member connector, for example, a stabilizer connector  880 . The first support member connector optionally comprises at least one medical device clamp receiving surface. For example, the clamp connector  850  comprises an anti-rotation feature, for example, a flat or a squared off surface and optionally a recess  802  that is positioned on the upper jaw  820  of the clamp connector in a location that enables the upper jaw  820  including its top surface  810  and the lower jaw  825  to substantially simulate the profile (though not necessarily the exact size) of a standard joint  22  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of a stretcher. In this way the projection or lug  870  of the connector shown in  FIG. 2  can fit over the clamp connector  850  as though it were a joint of a stretcher with the lug  870  fitting within recess  802 . The connector coupling device  800  is thereby adapted to work with a connector having a jaw profile of the type shown in  FIG. 2  (with projecting lug  870 ). 
         [0100]    The first support member connector in the form of clamp connector  850  is optionally adapted to be associated with a biasing means ( 804 / 805 ) to bias the upper jaw  820  towards the lower jaw  825 . For example, the clamp connector  850  may be adapted to receive springs  804  and  805  to enable the connector coupling device  800  to exert a moderate clamping force on the support members  20  (which are typically covered with the canvass loops of the patient support surface) of a standard stretcher (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the type that does not have the joint  22 . 
         [0101]    The clamp connector  850  also includes a first arm connection, for example, a cross arm receiving portion  818 . Cross arm  830  and stabilizer connector  880  are analogous in function to the cross-arm  506  and the stabilizer connector  508  shown in  FIG. 10   a . The stabilizer connector  880  includes a sleeve portion  888 . The second support member connector comprises a second support member engagement portion that is optionally configured as sleeve portion  888  that provides the stabilizing function of the stabilizer connector  880  without clamping on the support member  16   b  ( 504   b  in  FIG. 10   a ) of the stretcher (the second support member). The distance between the upper portion  881  and the lower portion  882  of the sleeve portion  888  may be selected to exceed the diameter of the support member  16   b / 504   b  by an amount that confers the desired limits on the rotational movement of cross member  830  about the axis of the opposite support member  16   a  ( 504   a  in  FIG. 10   a ) to which clamp connector  850  is attached (about the first support member). The sleeve portion is otherwise configured (oriented and deep enough) to receive the second support member  16   b / 54   b  to a variable extent to as permit lateral movement of the first and second support members ( 54   a  and  54   b ) towards one another. This enables some vibration of the stretcher and movement of the patient to be tolerated by the connector system. The stabilizer connector  880  also includes a second arm connection, for example, cross arm receiving portion  889  which is optionally fitted with its own releasable clamp or clamping mechanism  890  (for example of the type used to adjust the height of a bicycle seat—see  FIGS. 13   c  and  13   d ) so that it can be readily adjusted along the length of the cross arm  830  (to receive a variable amount of the length of the cross arm) as patients of different weight will impact the distance between opposite stretcher members  20 , differently. 
         [0102]    As seen in  FIG. 13   d  the releasable clamp in the form of quick release camming lever  890  enables the cylindrical inner surface  894  of the cross arm receiving portion  889  to be clamped down on the cross arm  830  in virtue of the play provided by horizontal slit  892  in receiving portion  889 . 
         [0103]    While the above description constitutes a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to further modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.