Patent Publication Number: US-2010123049-A1

Title: Medical gas hose support system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention herein resides in the art of medical apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus as employed in various settings within medical centers. Specifically, the invention relates to a medical gas hose support system for use in operating rooms, and in which the medical gas hoses are readily available for accessability by medical professionals, but are not intrusive or otherwise cause obstacles to movement within the medical facility. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of medical gas within medical facilities is commonplace and well known. Typically, various medical gas outlets are provided in the wall or ceiling of a room and connection is made to these outlets with medical gas hoses which are then necessarily taken to the apparatus or machine utilizing them for administration to the patient. In the past, these medical gas hoses have either simply passed over the floor of the operating room, where they are taped in place, or they have been hung from the ceiling of the room by the use of various supports and connectors. Both are insecure and given to accident. Medical gas hoses on the floor provide an obstacle for walking about the operating room and can give rise to tripping or stumbling. In addition, they inhibit the motion of items of equipment within the room that have cause to move throughout the space. Similarly, hoses hung from the ceiling of the room cause obstruction within the room and offer potentials for injury to those within the space. The current alternative to these methods of medical gas hose support is both costly and cumbersome to the room operation. It also results in obstruction to movement of the room occupants. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a medical gas hose support system in which the medical gas hoses are securely maintained and out of the path of room personnel. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a medical gas hose support system in which the medical gas hoses are readily accessible for movement to and from the necessary equipment and for uses required by the room staff. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a medical gas hose support system in which the system and accompanying medical gas hoses can be stored and deployed quickly, easily, and reliably, as needed. 
     Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a medical gas hose support system that may be readily constructed using state of the art devices and techniques, and which can be readily adapted for implementation in virtually any medical facility. 
     The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a medical gas hose support system for operating room use, comprising: a bracket assembly adapted for mounting to a wall of an operating room; a first arm having a first end thereof pivotally connected to said bracket; a second arm having a first end thereof pivotally connected to a second end of said first arm; and medical gas hoses maintained by said first and second arms and extending therealong. 
     Other aspects of the invention that will become apparent herein are achieved by a medical gas hose support system for operating room use, comprising: a wall-mounted bracket assembly; a first hollow arm having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said bracket assembly; a second hollow arm having first and second ends, said first end of said second arm being pivotally connected to said second end of said first arm; medical gas hoses passing from said bracket assembly and through said first and second hollow arms and out of said second end of said second arm; and wherein said first and second arms are pivotally interconnected through a connector comprising a pair of contacting cams, maintaining a clearance at said interconnection for passage of said medical gas hoses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a complete understanding of the various aspects, structures and techniques of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial illustration of the medical gas hose support system of the invention shown in a posture of partial extension; 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial illustration of the medical gas hose support system of the invention shown in a stored position; 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial illustration of the medical gas hose support system of the invention showing full extension and hose support thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the bracket assembly and its interconnection with a first arm of the medical gas hose support system of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an end of the second arm of the medical gas hose support system of the invention along with the hose clamping system to prevent undue stresses on the wall or ceiling gas outlets, showing the medical gas hoses extending therefrom; 
         FIG. 6  is a pictorial illustration of the spacer, cam and gear assembly employed for interconnecting the first and second arms of the medical gas hose support system of the invention, while preventing kinking or pinching of the medical gas hoses; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of a first arm of the medical gas hose support system of the invention showing connecting flanges at the end thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of the wall plate clevis connector of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the pin employed for interconnection between the flanges of  FIG. 7  and the clevis connector of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , it can be seen that a medical gas hose support system made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral  10 . The system  10  comprises a cover  12  fixed in relation to the wall of a room  14 . An array of medical gas hoses  16  passes from the cover  12  for appropriate interconnection to either wall or ceiling mounted outlets (not shown) on the wall  14  or ceiling of the room. Typically, the hoses are for various types of medical gases, while the invention further contemplates that the array  16  may also include electrical conductors and the like. 
     The assembly  10  includes a first arm member  18  pivotally connected to a second arm member  20  through a pivotal connection plate or bracket  22 . The arm members  18 ,  20  are preferably hollow tube members, having a hollow interior defining a passage therethrough. The array of tubes  16  passes through this passage within the arms  18 ,  20  and through the pivotal connection assembly  22 , with the array  16  exiting the arm  20  at the end  24  thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , which illustrate various positions of the arms  18 ,  20 , it can be seen that the cover  12  consists of upper and lower semi-cylindrical cover members providing an opening or slot therebetween through which the arm  18  may pivotally pass. This slot is covered by a curtain or seal  26  which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a bristle seal comprising downwardly extending bristles from the upper portion of the cover  12 , and upwardly extending bristles extending from the lower portion thereof. This curtain or seal serves to conceal and protect the pivotal interconnection of the arm  18  to the wall  14  and provides a barrier to dust and dirt accumulation within the enclosure, as best shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a clevis bracket wall plate assembly  28  is secured to the operating room wall  14  as by attachment to wooden support plates  15  secured between wall studs (not shown) and is provided with a pivot pin  30  that passes through upper and lower end flanges of the arm  18  at a first end thereof. The cover  12  is attached to a cover bracket  13 , which is secured to the clevis bracket  28 . The end of the arm  18  has an aperture  18   a  in a top wall thereof to receive passage of the array  16  of hoses and conductors into the internal passage of the arms  18 ,  20 . The opposite end of the interconnected arm assembly  18 ,  20  is shown in  FIG. 5 , where the end  24  of the arm  20  is shown as being hollow and from which the array of hoses and conductors  16  passes, while being held in place by hose clamp  25 . The clamp  25  prevents undue stress from being placed on the wall or ceiling connections of the medical gas hoses, thereby eliminating the potential for stress-induced connection failures. 
     As presented above, a first end of the arm  18  is pivotally connected to a clevis bracket wall plate assembly  28  by a pin  30 . The second end of the arm  18  is connected to a first end of the arm  20  through a pivotal connection bracket  22 , thus shown in  FIG. 6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , cylindrical cams  32 ,  34  are provided at respective ends of the arms  18 ,  20 , and are defined by substantially semicircular cam disk portions  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  as illustrated. These semicircular cam disks are in contacting engagement with each other during relative pivotal movement between the arms  18 ,  20  to ensure that necessary spacing is maintained therebetween during such articulation of the arms  18 ,  20  in order to ensure a clearance is achieved for passage of the array of hoses and conductors  16 . As illustrated, the cylindrical cams  32 ,  34 , having the upper and lower cam disks  36 - 42  thereon, may be formed as integral portions of the respective arms  18 ,  20 . 
     Pinion gears  44 ,  46  respectively associated with the arms  18 ,  20  are also provided in intermeshing engagement with each other. The pinion gears provide rigidity and stability to the interconnection of the arms  18 ,  20  as they pivot with respect to each other. Further, the pinion gears  44 ,  46  provide some resistance to such pivoting, such that the arms  18 ,  20  are not given to inadvertent movement or rotational displacement with respect to each other, but are responsive to the application of an intentional force applied for purposes of achieving such movement. As shown, nut and bolt assemblies  50 ,  52  are provided at the top and bottom of the pivotal connector  22  to secure the respective cylindrical cams  32 ,  34  and pinion gears  44 ,  46  to the associated arm  18 ,  20  as shown. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7-9 , the structure required for mounting the medical gas hose support system  10  to a room wall  14  can be appreciated. As shown, flanges  54  extend from top and bottom edges of the arm  18  and are provided with apertures or holes  56  passing therethrough. A wall plate assembly  28  is secured to the wall  14  as by attachment to wooden plates  15  ( FIG. 4 ) by means of appropriate lag screws  60  or nut and bolt assemblies. The wall plate assembly  28  includes mounting bracket  58  and clevis brackets  62  with aligned holes  64  passing therethrough. This clevis bracket wall plate assembly  28  is thus adapted to receive the end of the arm  18 , with the holes  56  of the flanges  54  aligned with the holes  64  of the clevis brackets  62  such that the arm  18  may be secured to the clevis bracket wall plate assembly  28  by means of the pivot pin  30 . 
     Those skilled in the arm will appreciate that the assembly just described allows for pivotal movement of the first arm  18  throughout an arc of approximately 180°. Similarly, the pivotal connector  22  allows for substantially full circular movement of the arm  20  with respect to the arm  18 , without binding or pinching the array of medical gas hoses and conductors  16  during such movement. As a consequence, the medical gas hose support system  10  can be substantially stored along the wall  14  of the room, or deployed to any of a range of various desirable orientations and positions, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . During such movement, the medical gas hoses and other conductors are unobtrusive and pose no obstacle to full utility of the room. 
     Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been achieved by the structure presented and described above. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.