Abstract:
The invention relates to a portable vacuum connector device  100 . The connector device can be attached to various surfaces such as surfaces of CT scanner or other medical equipment by means of vacuum cups or connectors  102 . The vacuum connector device  100  has a connection structure  101  such as a rail to which a portable medical device can be attached via its connection feature  202 , e.g. a hook. Accordingly, the connector device  100  makes may make it easier to let the portable medical device follow the patient as the patient is moved from location to location. An air pressure sensor  104  is provided for monitoring the vacuum level and for enabling generation of an alarm via an external monitoring device such as the portable medical device  201.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to vacuum connectors, particularly for vacuum connectors for medical devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Patients managed with mechanical ventilators frequently require transport among multiple diagnostic and treatment areas of the hospital. During transport it is physiologically desirable for the patient and convenient for the clinical staff to be able to continue mechanical ventilation uninterrupted. Some ventilators for assisted respiration are portable enough to be easily transported with the patient by hanging the hook-shaped ventilator handle on the bed headboard or bedrails. 
         [0003]    Once at the location, with transfer of the patient from the bed onto operating room table, or transfer to catheterization lab or CT gantry, finding a place to hang the ventilator that is near the patient may be challenging. Even though the ventilator is portable enough to be attached to the bed, once the patient is moved onto e.g. the CT gantry the bed would ordinarily be removed so that there are no remaining places to put the ventilator. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it is a problem to find connection facilities for portable medical devices in a process where a patient is transported between different locations and different medical devices. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has appreciated that improvements for enabling better attachment possibilities for portable medical devices would be of benefit, and has in consequence devised the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It would be advantageous to achieve improved possibilities for finding attachment options for portable medical devices. It would also be desirable to enable portable medical devices to be attached to various surfaces such as surfaces of larger medical equipment such as CT scanners or the like. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a connector that solves the above mentioned problems of finding attachment facilities of portable medical devices, or other problems, of the prior art. 
         [0007]    To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention a portable connector device for providing a secure connection structure for a portable medical device is presented that comprises
       the connection structure shaped to enable connection with a connection feature of the portable medical device,   one or more vacuum connectors for making a vacuum connection with a surface, where the vacuum connector has a cavity circumscribed by a rim for making contact with the surface, where the one or more vacuum connectors are connected with the connection structure,   a vacuum provider for providing a vacuum in the cavity,
 
an air pressure detector for measuring the air pressure in the cavity of the vacuum connector, where the air pressure detector is configured to provide data related to the measured air pressure to an associated external monitoring device capable of generating an alarm in dependence of the provided data.
       
 
         [0011]    By means of the vacuum connectors the portable connector device may be attached to various surfaces such as surfaces of medical equipment used e.g. for examination of patients. Accordingly, as the patient is moved from a bed to a medical examination device the portable connection device may be vacuum connected to a surface of the medical examination device and the portable medical device may be attached to the connection structure of the portable connection device. 
         [0012]    Clearly it is extremely important that portable medical device is securely attached so that the patient does not risk that the portable medical device falls down. Accordingly, the vacuum connection must not fail. The possibility of monitoring the air pressure and generating an alarm in response to detection of a decreasing air pressure reduces the risk of a vacuum failure. 
         [0013]    Thus, if a continuous increase in air pressure is detected or if the air pressure increases above a given threshold hospital personnel may be called in automatically by the external monitoring device to take care of the critical situation. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment the monitoring device may be comprised by the portable medical device. Since portable medical devices may have monitoring and alarm functions associated with the primary medical functions of the device, e.g. ventilation functions, these monitoring and alarm functions may advantageously be utilized also for monitoring the measured air pressure provided by the vacuum connectors and for generating an alarm if a too high air pressure is detected. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment the vacuum provider may be an air connector for enabling connection with an external vacuum generator. In order to improve the reliability of the vacuum connectors, the vacuum may be generated by an external vacuum generator such as an external vacuum pump which is connected to the portable connection device via the air connector. Advantageously, the external vacuum generator may continuously provide suction to the vacuum connectors so that the risk of vacuum failures may be reduced, particularly for long term attachments of portable medical devices. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment the vacuum generator is comprised by the portable medical device. Since portable medical devices such as ventilators may have vacuum functions associated with the primary medical functions of the device, e.g. ventilation functions, this vacuum function may advantageously be utilized also for providing a vacuum for the cavity of the vacuum connectors. 
         [0017]    A second aspect of the invention relates to a portable medical device comprising
       one or more vacuum connectors for making a vacuum connection with a surface, where the vacuum connector has a cavity circumscribed by a rim for making contact with the surface,   a vacuum provider for providing a vacuum in the cavity,   an air pressure detector for measuring the air pressure in the cavity of the vacuum connector, where the air pressure detector is configured to provide data related to the measured air pressure,   an alarm device capable of generating an alarm in dependence of the measured air pressure.       
 
         [0022]    This second aspect of the invention may provide one or more of the advantages of the first aspect since the second aspect mainly differ from the first aspect by integrating the components of the portable connector device, except the connector structure, with the portable medical device. Advantageously, the vacuum connectors may be embedded in the portable medical device so that they can be hidden when they are not in use. 
         [0023]    A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing a secure connection structure for a portable medical device, the method comprises
       attaching a portable connector device according to the first aspect to a surface,   attaching the portable medical device to the connection structure of the portable connector device,   monitoring the air pressure in the cavity of the portable connector device,   supplying the data related to the measured air pressure to the associated external monitoring device.       
 
         [0028]    In summary the invention relates to a portable vacuum connector device. The connector device can be attached to various surfaces such as surfaces of a CT scanner or other medical equipment by means of vacuum cups or connectors. The vacuum connector device has a connection structure such as a rail to which a portable medical device can be attached via its connection feature, e.g. a hook. Accordingly, the connector device makes may make it easier to let the portable medical device follow the patient as the patient is moved from location to location. An air pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the vacuum level and for enabling generation of an alarm via an external monitoring device such as the portable medical device. 
         [0029]    In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a portable connector device  100 , 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of a vacuum connector  102  of the portable connector device, 
           [0033]      FIG. 3A  shows connection of a portable medical device  201  with the portable connector device  100 , 
           [0034]      FIG. 3B  shows a portable medical device  300  having integrated vacuum connectors  102 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a portable connector device  100  for providing secure connection possibilities for a portable medical device such as a medical ventilator. Some portable medical devices have a hook or similar connection feature  202  (see  FIG. 3A ) so that they can be hung on the rail of a bed when the patient is moved. However, when the patient is moved from the bed, e.g. onto a CT gantry in a CT scanner room, there may not be any convenient places to place or hang the portable medical device. The portable connector device  100  is designed to provide a connection possibility for such portable medical devices. For example, the connector device may be attached to the surface of a CT scanner and the portable medical device can be connected to a rail of the connector device  100 . 
         [0036]    The connector device  100  is shown with two vacuum connectors  102 , but may also be configured with only one, alternatively with more than two vacuum connectors such as three, four or more vacuum connectors. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of the vacuum connector  102 . The vacuum connector comprises a shell  194  and a rim  191  which circumscribes the opening of the shell. The shell and the rim together define a cavity  192 . The rim may be made of elastic material such as rubber for making an airtight connection with a surface  193 . When the air pressure in the cavity  192  is reduced relative to the surrounding air pressure so as to generate a vacuum in the cavity the rim  191  is pressed against the surface  193  so that the vacuum connector is connected to the surface  193  and, thereby, makes a vacuum connection with the surface  193 , such as a suitable surface of a CT scanner or other medical apparatus. The shell  194  may be made of solid or elastic material and may be integrally formed with the rim  191 . The general configuration of vacuum connector  102  as described here is known. The general vacuum connector  102  may be known as vacuum or suction cups. 
         [0038]    The vacuum in the cavity of the vacuum connectors is provided by a vacuum provider. The vacuum provider may be embodied by a lever  103   a  which acts on a mechanism which creates a vacuum by increasing a volume of the cavity  192 . Similarly, the vacuum provider may be embodied by a pump (not shown) integrated with the vacuum connector  102  and which is capable of creating a vacuum in the cavity  192 . Alternatively, the vacuum provider may be embodied by an air connector  103   b  which is connectable with an external vacuum generator  106  such as an electric vacuum pump for creation of a vacuum, e.g. via an air hose  122 . The air connector  103   b  may comprise a valve for ensuring that the vacuum is not lost in case of loss of the vacuum from the external vacuum generator  106 . It is understood that the creation of a vacuum in the cavity  192  requires an air tight connection of the rim  191  with a surface  193 . 
         [0039]    In an embodiment the vacuum generator  106  is part of the portable medical device  201 . For example, a medical ventilator has a built-in pump system for ventilating patients. This built-in pump system may advantageously be utilized also as the vacuum generator  106  for creation of a vacuum for the vacuum connectors  102 . 
         [0040]    The portable connector device  100  further comprises a connection structure  101 , such as a rail, ring, a hook or other suitable connection structure shaped to enable connection with a the portable medical device, possibly via a connection feature  202  of the portable medical device. The connection structure  101  is connected with the vacuum connectors  102 . For example, a rail  101  may connect two connection structures as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]    The portable connector device  100  further comprises an electrical air pressure detector  104  such as a piezoresistive or capacitive air pressure detector for measuring the air pressure in the cavity  192  of the vacuum cup. The electrical output measurement signal from the air pressure detector  104  may be processed by an electrical circuit comprised by the connector device  100  into data values related to the measured air pressure. The unprocessed measurement signal or the processed measurement signal is made available or supplied to an associated external monitoring device  105  capable of generating an alarm in dependence of the provided data. The signal may be made available or supplied via an electrical connector of the portable connector device through a wired or wire-less connection  121 . 
         [0042]    The external monitoring device  105  may be configured to only monitor the measured vacuum data from the air pressure detector  104 , or the monitoring device  105  may be comprised by the portable medical device  201 . Portable medical devices  201  such as medical ventilators may have an input for monitoring various measured signals and, therefore, such an input may be used for monitoring the measured air pressure data or equivalent processed data related to the measured air pressure. If the data format of the measured air pressure signal is not compatible with the input of the portable medical device, the measured air pressure signal may be converted into a signal, i.e. a data signal which is related to the measured air pressure, which is compatible with the input of the portable medical device. For example, the data signal which is related to the measured air pressure may be a simple binary signal which is low (e.g. a digital zero) when the air pressure is low enough to provide a secure connection of the vacuum connectors  102 , and which is high (e.g. a digital one) when the air pressure becomes too high so that the vacuum connection is at risk. Alternatively, the measured air pressure signal may be processed to form a voltage signal having maximum and minimum voltages corresponding to the maximum and minimum voltages which can be sensed by the input of the portable medical device  201 . The conversion of the measured air pressure to the binary signal may be performed by the electrical circuit (not shown) comprised by the connector  100 . 
         [0043]    In an embodiment the portable connector device  100  is configured to be collapsible to enable easy storage and transport of the device. The collapsible design may be realized by making the connection structure bendable by connecting parts of the connection structure with one or more hinges  131 . 
         [0044]    The portable connector device may be configured in various ways. For example, the connection structure  101  may be a rope provided with vacuum connectors  102  at both ends; the connection structure  101  may be a ring connected to one or more vacuum connectors  102 ; or the connection structure  101  may be a hook attached to a single vacuum connector  102 . 
         [0045]    The geometry and dimensions of the portable connector device may be specifically designed to enable attachment to specific medical equipment. For example, a CT scanner may only have a few places and limited areas where the connector device  100  can be attached and, therefore, the geometry and dimensions of the connector  100  may be specifically designed to meet the mounting possibilities of the medical equipment. Also the vacuum connectors  102  and especially the surface properties of the rims  191 , such as the softness or elasticity of the surface of the rims  191  may be selected so at to obtain the optimum connection properties with e.g. non-smooth surfaces  193 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary embodiment of a portable connector device  100  which is mechanically connectable via the connection structure  101  to portable medical device  201  via the hook  202  of the medical device  201 . The air pressure sensor  104  is connectable with the portable medical device  201  (e.g. via a wired connection  121 ) so that an alarm device  207  comprised by the medical device  201  can generate an alarm in case of critical vacuum level in the cavity  192 . The alarm device  207  may be a general alarm device configured to generate alarms in dependence of other measured medical conditions, or specifically configured for generating alarms in dependence of the measured air pressure. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3B  shows a portable medical device  201  having integrated vacuum connectors  102  for making a vacuum connection with an external surface, where the suction cups are integrated with the portable medical device  201 . The vacuum connectors are equivalent to vacuum connectors of  FIG. 1  and may have an integrated vacuum provider in the form of a manual pump or lever  203   a  for establishing a vacuum in the cavity  192  as in the portable connector device  100  in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, a vacuum pump  203   b  of the portable medical device  201  may be connected to the vacuum connector  102  for making a vacuum in the cavity  192 . An air pressure detector is provided similarly to the other embodiments for measuring the air pressure in the cavity of the vacuum connector. The air pressure detector is connected to an alarm device  207  which is equivalent to the alarm device  207  of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0048]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single electronic circuit such as a processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.