IV RACK

Abstract: An IV rack (10) is a frame (20) having spaced horizontal bars (22, 23, 24, 25). IV containers (31) are hung from the top bar (22). Pumps (35) are mounted between the lower bars (24 and 25). Conductors (50) and accessible contacts (51) for the respective pumps (35) are mounted in and form a part of the IV rack (10) so that the pumps (35) can be connected to a single DC power supply (61) and a single AC power supply.

Description: IV Rack BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an IV rack. The rack is generally of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,795,122 and copending application Serial No. 07/524,038, filed May 16, 1990, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. In critical care situations, an IV rack of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,795,122 is used in order to supply the patient with the multiple fluids that may be required as dictated by the pa¬ tient's condition. Such fluids include heparin, nitroglycerin, antibiotics, nutrients and the like. In extreme situations, such as those involving burn patients, as many as twelve to fifteen IV infusions with twelve to fifteen pumps may be required. Each pump is connected to an electrical outlet that provides 110 volts to drive the pumps. The pump housing contains a DC power supply that is utilized to keep the pump operating when the 110 volt AC power supply is disconnected, as, for example, when a patient is transferred from his hospital room to another location in the hospital for diagnosis or treatment. The current hardware and practices suffer major disadvantages. The multiple conductors connect- ing the pumps to 110 volt AC outlets add to the general untidiness and complexity of the equipment surrounding the patient. Further, the DC power supply that is mounted in each pump housing substantially doubles the required size of the power supply and pump combination and greatly increases the weight of the combination. All of this in turn provides a practical limit for the number of pumps and power supplies to be mounted on an IV rack which must be transported with the patient from time to time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention has been to provide an IV rack for pumps and IV containers wherein the combination is greatly simplified and the weight and size reduced. Another objective of the present invention has been to provide an improved smaller, lighter weight pump. These objectives of the present invention have been attained by providing an IV rack wherein the electrical conductors from the power supply and contacts for the respective pumps are mounted in and become a permanent part of the IV rack. Provision is made for connecting the electrical conductors to a single AC power supply and a single DC power supply as contrasted to the multiple conductors required for separate power supplies to each pump. Further, the pump is provided without any battery and without any conductor suitable for con¬ nection to an AC power supply. Rather, the pump is provided with electrical contacts which will mate with the contacts in the IV rack, thereby connecting the pump to the desired power supply when the pump is inserted into the rack. In one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary DC power supply is in the form of a battery mounted in and forming a part of the rack. In an alternative embodiment, the power supply is mounted on a care cart of the type described in copending appli¬ cation Serial No. 07/524,038, and one conductor can make the connection to the IV rack from the power supply in the care cart. The advantages of the present invention are that the invention eliminates the tangle of electrical conductors coming from a plurality of pumps mounted on the rack, that there is a reduction in the size of the pump, thereby permitting the construction of a rack of a more reasonable size, and finally, that the pump is significantly reduced in weight and hence the assembly of multiple pumps on the single rack is much lighter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The several objectives, features and advan¬ tages of the present invention will become more readily apparently from the following detailed de- scription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which is: A diagrammatic view, partly in section, of an IV rack of the present invention and associated structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an IV rack 10. It is suitable for being mounted on an arm 12 pivoted at 13 from the ceiling of a hospital room 14. The ceiling mount is generally in accordance with Patent No. 4,795,122 which is incorporated herein by reference. The rack also has a depending stud 15 adapted to be received in a socket 16 mounted on a care cart 17 so that the rack 10 can be released from the ceiling arm 12, mounted on the care cart 17 and transported to another destination. Preferably the care cart 17 is of the type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 07/524,038. That care cart is adapted to be nested with respect to a mobile hospital bed so that the hospital bed and care cart can be moved as a unit to the patient's destination. The IV rack has a frame 20 which includes two spaced vertical posts 21 that are interconnected by a pair of upper horizontal bars 22, 23 and lower horizontal bars 24 and 25. The uppermost horizontal bar 22 has six hooks 30, each of which is adapted to receive a container 31 of IV solution. Horizontal bar 23, adjacent to the horizon¬ tal bar 22, has recesses 33, each of which receives the lower end 34 of the container 31 so as to minimize the swinging of the container- with respect to the rack when the rack is in transport. The lower horizontal bars 24 and 25 cooper¬ ate to receive and fix into position six pumps 35 mounted in generally rectangular housings 36. The upper bar 24 has six receptacles or sockets 38 each of which receives a cylindrical boss 39 mounted in the upper end 40 of the housing 36. A pair of contacts 41 project from the boss 39 and are connected in the interior of the housing by leads 42 through a motor 43 which drives the pump 35. The lower bar 25 has a horizontal platform 45 having six upwardly-projecting, shallow ribs 46. The lower surface of the housing, indicated at 47, has a corresponding recess 48 adapted to receive a rib 46. The combination of the boss 39 in the socket 38 and the boss 46 in the recess 48 securely holds the pump housing 36 on the rack. In the horizontal bar 24 are a pair of conductors 50. The conductors 50 form a bus to which six sets of contacts 51 are mounted in and accessible through each socket 38. The contacts 51 are engaged by the contacts 41 on the pump housing 36 so as to make electrical contact therewith. The bus 51 is connected through a rectifier 55 to a conductor 56 having a plug 57 suitable for insertion into a conventional 110 volt outlet. The rack has a center column 60. Option¬ ally, the center column 60 forms a housing for an auxiliary DC power supply 61 consisting of the bat¬ teries depicted in the drawing. The batteries are connected through a suitable control box 52 to the bus 50 so as to provide power to the pumps connected to the bus 50 when the AC supply is disconnected, as, for example, during transportation of the cart and patient to another destination. The batteries provide the same voltage as the rectified voltage from the AC power supply. Optionally, each pump can have internal controls by which the -frequency and quantity of the dosage of liquid from the respective IV containers can be programmed using a simple keyboard system on the pump as is presently conventional practice. Alterna¬ tively, a keyboard 70 can be mounted on a separate horizontal bar 71 on the rack and connected through suitable conductors to separate low voltage control contacts formed in the rack, as, for example, on the lower bar 25 so that connection is made when the pump is mounted on the rack. In the operation of the invention, a plural¬ ity of IV containers 31 are mounted on the rack 10 by hanging them on the appropriate hooks 30. A pump 35 and housing 36 are mounted on the rack immediately below its respective container. Tubing 75 from the IV container is connected to the pump. Tubing 76 from the pump is connected to the patient. The pump contacts 41 are inserted into the respective receptacle 38 so as to provide power to the motor 43 that drives the pump. The plug 57 is con¬ nected to an electrical outlet to provide rectified DC power to the bus 50. The dosage control is programmed into the pump either by manipulating the keyboard on the pump or by manipulating the keyboard 70 depending upon which alternative is employed. The patient is thus supplied with the various fluids from the several containers 31 and pumps 35 as needed. In the event that the patient must be transported to another destination, the arm 12 is lowered until the stud 15 is introduced into the socket 16 of the care cart 17. Then the plug 57 is disconnected and the auxiliary DC power supply takes over to provide the continuous operation of the pumps without interruption. As an alternative to the power supply built into the rack, which significantly adds to the weight of the rack, it is contemplated that an auxiliary DC power supply 77 would be mounted on the care cart 17. Contacts associated with the post 15 and socket 16 would make automatic connection of the bus 50 to the power supply 77 when the rack is lowered onto the care cart 17. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof:

Claims: Claims : — y — 1. An IV rack comprising: two spaced vertical posts, a plurality of spaced horizontal bars, electrical conductors in at least one of said bars, accessible electrical contacts mounted in said one bar, means for mounting at least one pump on said rack with pump contacts in electrical engagement with said bar mounted contacts, and means for mounting IV containers on said rack. 2. An IV rack comprising: two spaced vertical posts, two lower and two upper spaced horizontal bars, said two lower bars having cooperating configurated surfaces to receive a plurality of pumps with said bars being engageable with the upper and lower surfaces of said pumps to hold said pumps in said rack, said uppermost bar having means for support¬ ing a plurality of IV containers, one of said lower bars containing electrical conductors and accessible contacts for engagement by contacts on said pumps. 3. An IV rack comprising: a frame, means for mounting pumps on said frame, means for mounting IV containers on said frame connected to said pumps, and electrical conductors and contacts in said frame, said contacts being engageable by said pumps when said pumps are on said mounting means, and means for connecting a power supply to said conductor. 4. An IV rack as in claim 3 further comprising: batteries forming said power supply and mounted in said rack. 5. An IV rack comprising: a frame, electrical conductors and accessible con¬ tacts mounted in said frame, . a plurality of pumps mounted on said frame, said pumps having electrical contacts engaging said accessible contacts, a plurality of IV containers mounted on said frame, each container being connected to a pump, and a power supply for said pumps connected to said electrical conductors. 6. An IV rack as in claim 5 in which said power supply is mounted in said pump. 7. An IV pump comprising: a housing, a motor and pump disposed in said housing, exposed electrical contacts on said housing, and leads connecting said motor to said contacts, whereby plural pumps can be mounted on an IV rack having mating contacts and a single power supply. 8. An IV rack as in claim 1 further comprising: electrical control means integral with said frame for controlling the flow of fluids from said pump.

Inventors: FOSTER L DALE, KOERBER CLEMENT J, RUEHL JOHN WALTER, FOSTER, L., DALE, KOERBER, CLEMENT, J., RUEHL, JOHN, WALTER
Applicants: HILL ROM CO INC, HILL-ROM COMPANY, INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47B73
IPC codes: A47B73, A61G7, A61G12, A61G13, A61M5