Abstract:
A portable intravenous stand comprising: (a) a base including a plurality of wheels; (b) a plurality of vertical supports extending from the base; (c) a plurality of cross-members mounted to the plurality of vertical supports to maintain the vertical supports in relative position to one another; and (d) an intravenous retainer loop mounted to at least one of the plurality of vertical supports.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/816,657, filed Jun. 27, 2006 and titled “TRI-POLE I.V. STAND,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to devices used as mobile support stands for intravenous (“I.V.”) fluid containers, pumps, monitors and other equipment. The exemplary embodiments described herein accommodate a greater number of pieces of equipment, with a smaller footprint, and with the same or better stability than prior mobile support stands. 
   It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a portable intravenous stand comprising: (a) a base including a plurality of wheels; (b) a plurality of vertical supports extending from the base; (c) a plurality of cross-members mounted to the plurality of vertical supports to maintain the vertical supports in relative position to one another; and (d) an intravenous retainer loop mounted to at least one of the plurality of vertical supports. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of cross-members includes an opening therethrough. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the plurality of vertical supports are uniformly distributed about a vertical axis extending through the base. In a further detailed embodiment, the base includes at least three symmetrical legs, and at least three of the symmetrical legs each include at least one of the plurality of wheels. In still a further detailed embodiment, the invention also includes supplemental weights mounted to the base. In a more detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a handle mounted to at least one of a vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports and a cross-member of the plurality of cross-members. In a more detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a plurality of intravenous retainer loops mounted to at least one of the plurality of vertical supports and the plurality of cross-members. In another more detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a plurality of clamps vertically repositionable along at least one of the plurality of vertical supports. In yet another more detailed embodiment, at least one of the plurality of supports is circular in cross-section. 
   It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a portable intravenous stand comprising: (a) a portable base; (b) a plurality of vertical supports mounted to the portable base, the plurality of vertical supports including at least three supports triangularly oriented; (c) a plurality of platforms mounted to the plurality of vertical supports, at least one of the plurality of platforms mounted to the at least three supports to maintain the at least three supports in a triangular orientation; and (d) an intravenous retainer loop mounted to at least one of the plurality of vertical supports. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, at least one of the plurality of platforms mounted to the at least three supports is vertically repositionable. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a supplemental weight mounted to the portable base, wherein the portable base includes a weight dowel receiving the supplemental weight. In a further detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a handle mounted to at least one of a vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports and a platform of the plurality of platforms. In still a further detailed embodiment, the invention also includes a plurality of intravenous retainer loops mounted to at least one of a vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports and a platform of the plurality of platforms. In a more detailed embodiment, the portable base includes at least three symmetrical legs, and at least three of the symmetrical legs each include a wheel. 
   It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a portable intravenous stand comprising: (a) a portable base; (b) a plurality of vertical supports mounted to the portable base, the plurality of vertical supports including at least three supports triangularly oriented; (c) a plurality of platforms repositionably mounted to the plurality of vertical supports, at least two of the plurality of platforms mounted to the at least three supports to maintain the at least three supports in a triangular orientation; (d) an intravenous loop mounted to at least one of: (i) the plurality of platforms, and (ii) the plurality of vertical supports; and (e) a plurality of repositionable clamps vertically repositionable along at least one of the plurality of vertical supports, where the portable base is disproportionately weighted to lower a center of gravity of the stand. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the portable base includes a weight dowel receiving a supplemental weight to lower the center of gravity of the stand. In yet another more detailed embodiment, at least a portion of the portable base is generally circular in cross-section, and the portion of the portable base generally circular in cross-section includes a plurality of semicircular cut-outs distributed along the periphery of the cross-section. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first exemplary intravenous stand pursuant to the instant invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the first exemplary intravenous stand rotated 120°; 
       FIG. 3  is an overhead view of an exemplary tray for use with the first exemplary intravenous stand of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of a second exemplary intravenous stand; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view from the front of the second exemplary intravenous stand of  FIG. 4 , loaded with intravenous pumps; and 
       FIG. 6  is a profile view of a rear portion of the second exemplary intravenous stand of  FIG. 4 , loaded with intravenous pumps. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass devices used as mobile support stands for intravenous (“I.V.”) fluid containers, pumps, monitors and other equipment. The exemplary embodiments described herein accommodate a greater number of pieces of equipment, with a smaller footprint, and with the same or better stability than prior mobile support stands. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a first exemplary mobile intravenous stand  10  includes a base  12  with castered wheels  20 , support poles  14 , an upper platform  16 , and an intermediate platform  18 . 
   The base  12  is generally circular in shape with six generally semi-circular cut-outs  32 . The base is supported from the floor by six castered wheels  20 , one mounted to each of the six projections from the base. Additionally, a weight  24  is affixed to the underside of the base  12  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The weight  24  is provided to assure that the center of gravity is approximate the base  12 , even when the stand  10  is completely loaded with equipment. 
   The support poles  14  are hollow cylinders mounted orthogonally to the base  12  in a triangular arrangement. The support poles  14  are attached to the intermediate platform  18  and the upper platform  16  by way of set screws perpendicularly interfacing the poles  14  extending through holes approximate the apexes of the platforms. The intermediate platform  18  and upper platform  16  are generally triangular in shape and have openings  26  through their approximate centers to accommodate objects such as power cords or other throughputs. A standard equipment mount  22  is attached to the upper platform  16 . A standard I.V. bag hanger  25  may be attached to the top of one or more of the support poles  14 . Bars  28  are mounted horizontally between the support poles  14  at a height to allow for easy gripping as handles. Power supply units  30  are mounted on the support poles  14  between the base  12  and the intermediate platform  18 . 
   In this first exemplary embodiment, the base  12  is 26 inches in diameter. The shape of the base  12  is designed to provide mounting locations for the castered wheels  20  that are widely spaced for increased stability while minimizing the overall weight of the mobile support stand. The weight  24  attached to the underside of the base  12  augments the stability of the stand by lowering its center of gravity. In exemplary form, the weight  24  is welded directly to the underside of the base  12 , and is between 35 lbs and 45 lbs. 
   The total height of the mobile support stand  10  is approximately 68 inches. The support poles  14  are equally spaced 12 inches on center. The support poles  14  are hollow to minimize the overall weight of the stand as well as maintaining the center of gravity as low as possible. The support poles  14  have an outer diameter of 0.875 inches to accept standard medical equipment mounting hardware. The equilateral triangular arrangement of the support poles  14  in the exemplary embodiment provides an optimum number of poles  14  for mounting equipment and increases the stability of the stand by allowing an even distribution of weight. This first exemplary embodiment can support at least fifteen syringe pumps, one infusion pump, and one monitor, as well a numerous bags of I.V. fluid. 
   The handles  28  attached between the support poles  14  provide a convenient place to grasp the stand  10  when moving it. 
   The upper platform  16  and the intermediate platform  18  each have an opening  26  through which cables may be run. Cable management is important to prevent the inadvertent unplugging of equipment. Additionally, restraining the cables near the center of the stand reduces the risk of catching a cable on a protruding object when the stand is moved and reduces the trip hazard from loose cables. 
   The equipment mount  22  attached to the upper platform  16  provides a convenient location for various medical monitors. It is easily visible and reachable by the nursing staff. Including the monitor mount on the I.V. support stand eliminates the need for another rolling stand or other support equipment that would take up additional floor space and increase the difficulty of transporting a patient. 
   The support poles  14  extend from the base  12  generally to the full height of the stand  10 . This design improves the strength and sturdiness of the stand and allows a greater number of pieces of equipment to be mounted safely. In addition, the weight of the supported equipment is directly transferred to the base  12 , thereby eliminating unnecessary structural weak points that could be present in a design with branching support poles. 
   The power supplies  30  located on the lower portion of the support stand provide a convenient place to plug in the equipment that is mounted on the stand. By including on-board power supplies, fewer cords have to be unplugged when the stand is moved. Locating the power supplies near the bottom of the stand contributes to the low center of gravity and therefore increases the stability of the stand. 
   Although this first exemplary stand  10  shows only one I.V. bag hanger, each of the support poles is capable of receiving a hanger attachment. The I.V. bag hangers attached to support stands using thumbscrews. 
     FIGS. 4-6  show a second exemplary I.V. stand  110 . This second exemplary stand includes a base  112  with castered wheels  120 , vertical support poles  114 , an upper cross-member platform  116 , and an intermediate cross-member platform  118 . In this exemplary embodiment, the base  112  comprises eight uniformly distributed legs  128  and a central cross-member platform  130  that includes a weight retainer  132 . The weight retainer  132  is adapted to receive the central cable passageway opening in circular or cylindrical supplemental weights  124  to lower the center of gravity of the stand  110 . Each of the cross-member platforms  116 ,  118  includes a central opening  126 , as well as secondary openings  136  approximate the apexes that allow throughput of each of the vertical support poles  114 . In exemplary form, each cross-member platform  116 ,  118  includes a set screw opening  138  extending normal to the openings  136 . Each set screw opening  138  receives a set screw  140  to mount the cross-member platform  116 ,  118  to the vertical support poles. Likewise, loosening of the set screws  140  allows for vertical repositioning of one or all of the cross-member platforms  116 ,  118 . 
   The second exemplary I.V. stand  110  also includes an I.V. bag loop  125  and a standard equipment clamp  122 . In exemplary form, the stand  110  is operative to support more than twelve syringe pumps  142 , an infusion pump (not shown), and a monitor (not shown), as well a numerous bags of I.V. fluid (not shown). 
   Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.