Abstract:
A mobile floor standing console with a wheeled base, a lower rack mounted on the base, an upper rack extending vertically from the lower rack, a first articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack, a second articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack, a video camera attached to the second articulating arm, and a tablet personal computer attached to the first articulating arm; the console configured to be readily mobilized on the floor of an existing operating room and is capable of providing a connectivity point for communication, audiovisual, and data transfer services in the operating room.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/051,526, filed Oct. 24, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates to remotely demonstrating medical devices and, more specifically, to a portable, floor standing console configured to support and position electronic displays and video camera equipment for use in the vicinity of the operating table and surgical field. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Typically, in the performance of surgery on a patient, a 3D video camera is placed in or above the surgical area of the patient. The image from the camera can then be transmitted to a large display, such as a flat panel to provide an enlarged view of the surgical field for the operating doctor, as well as other doctors and staff in the operating room. 
         [0006]    The current trend in hospital operating rooms is not limited to the use of a camera, though. State of the art hospital operating rooms now contain, in addition to video cameras, a wide variety of audio, visual and technology tools, video recorders, speakers, microphones and voice recorders, video guided ultrasound imaging systems, and lasers, just to name a few of these tools. To accommodate all the audio, visual and medical equipment, many operating rooms have been built or retrofitted to include one or more booms suspended from the ceiling. The audio and visual equipment is then hung from the booms over the operating table. 
         [0007]    Other known operating room assistance systems enhance the practice of medicine through the use of portable stands that can be used with an adjustably positioned camera and a lighting unit. Further, some systems include a remotely-controlled video camera and light source that may share the same optical path, both of which are mounted on an articulating boom for video-imaging, videoconferencing, production and recording. Such units provide camera angles and lighting paths to improve interactive video and data production and communications capabilities between hospital operating room/procedure room environments and other remote locations for surgical/medical device assistance and demonstration, education, and consultation. 
         [0008]    Still, as the resolution and recording capabilities of both pan-tilt-zoom cameras and tablet personal computers continue to improve over time, and as Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity speeds continue to increase, there is more need for these portable stands to provide a connectivity point for communication and data transfer services in the operating room. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a portable, floor standing console with articulating arms for positioning a video camera and tablet personal computer around an operating table that can be readily mobilized on the floor of an existing operating room and is capable of providing a connectivity point for communication, audiovisual, and data transfer services in the operating room. 
       SUMMARY n 
       [0010]    This disclosure relates to a mobile floor standing console, which includes a wheeled base, a lower rack mounted on the base, an upper rack extending vertically from the lower rack, a first articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack, and a second articulating arm that is configured to extend outward away from the upper rack and collapse inward toward the upper rack. 
         [0011]    The floor standing console as disclosed provides a number of advantages, including peri-operative medical device support in the operating room, improved viewing angles and shorter distances for doctors and others who are viewing remotely via the electronic display. 
         [0012]    The use of the console also provides for a controlled sterile environment by restricting physical access to the operating room. Medical device sales representatives will no longer need access to patient care areas, but will instead gain access to the patient and patient care areas through a secure digital platform. In addition, the console may be used for remote medical device support, physician proctoring or any other educational, training or clinical support, in which a third-party requires autonomy in remotely visualizing and providing surgical and anatomical guidance. 
         [0013]    Since the portable console can be maneuvered around the operating table there is no need for the use of ceiling booms to suspend equipment or the ceiling booms can be reserved for larger equipment that is otherwise too heavy to be supported by a floor standing unit. 
         [0014]    Another advantage includes gesture-based control of the pan-tilt-zoom camera for both the users in the operating room and the remote users can manipulate through the use of the tablet device. In addition, the console provides the ability for users in the operating room and remote user to manipulate the flow of video, audio and data by toggling of video sources, selection of audio output source and selection of data sources. 
         [0015]    Further, the stand portion of the unit can be used to store electronic equipment and it provides a centralized on board computer that can be readily accessed by the surgeon and medical staff. The floor standing console can also be configured to deliver power and electronic connectivity to equipment. 
         [0016]    It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of examples that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of any claimed subject matter that may later claim priority to the present description. Furthermore, the scope of any such claimed subject matter would not be limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or contained herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Many aspects of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top, front side, isometric view of a floor standing unit, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top, back side, isometric view of the unit shown in  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of the inside of the storage, power, and connectivity compartment shown in  FIG. 2 , according to embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The embodiments in this disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and described in the text below, are adapted for use in operating room during surgical procedures, including, but not limited to, orthopedic and spinal procedures. 
         [0022]    The term electronic display shall mean an electronic visual display, informally a screen, and a display device for presentation of images, text, or video transmitted electronically, without producing a permanent record. Electronic visual displays may include television sets, computer monitors, tablet computers, smartphones, and information appliances. 
         [0023]    The term on-board computer shall mean and represent practically any type of computer, computer system or other programmable electronic device having mobile computing capabilities, including a personal computer, a tablet computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Personal Information Manager (PIM), cellular telephone, smartphone, and the like. 
         [0024]    With more detailed reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , reference numeral label  100  designates the floor standing unit or vertical console. Unit  100  has a base  10  with lockable swivel caster-wheels  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 , a lower rack  20 , an upper rack  30 , articulating arms  40  and  50 , pan-tilt-zoom camera  60 , electronic display  70 , compartment  80 , and an on-board computer  90 . 
         [0025]    in one embodiment,  FIG. 1  illustrates the unit  10  having base  10  and lockable, swivel caster wheels  12 ,  14 , and  16 . The base  10  may be made with tube metal or any other suitable material that can be used in a sterile environment such as an operating room. In a non-limiting embodiment, four rolling lockable caster wheels are used with the base  10 . Three wheels  12 ,  14 , and  16  are shown in  FIG. 1 , while the fourth wheel  18  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the specific structural and material configurations of the base  10  and caster wheels  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  are exemplary only. Other design configurations and any number of caster wheels may be used that generally fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , base  10  is connected to lower rack  20 . The lower rack  20  can be made with tube metal or any other suitable material that can be used in a sterile environment such as an operating room. The lower rack  20  includes handle  22 , which may be used to maneuver the console  100  via caster wheels  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . The handle  22  attaches to the stand  20  on one end with the other end being open-ended and configured to receive sterile sleeves (not shown) as may be necessary to protect the sterile environment. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the lower rack  20  can be of a hollow construction to allow placement of a built-in speaker  26  and a built-in microphone M. Any type and quantity of audio speakers  26  and microphones M that are sized appropriately to fit within the lower rack  20  can be used. The speaker  26  may be connected to the power supply  94  and  96  (which will be described later herein) and communicate with the electronic device  70  through Bluetooth® technology. 
         [0029]    Lower rack  20  includes a back side  24  to gain entry to the hollow construction and for positioning storage compartment  80 , which will be described later herein. Shelf  28  is positioned atop the lower rack  20 . 
         [0030]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 2  and continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , upper rack  30  is illustrated. Upper rack  30  can be made with tube metal or any other suitable material that can be used in a sterile environment such as an operating room. The upper rack  30  can be constructed to be hollow, as well. The upper rack  30  includes sidewall  32  and back wall  34  which is configured to be in a plane perpendicular to the plane of sidewall  32 . Back wall  34  also includes holes  36  (two exemplary holes are shown in  FIG. 2 ) in which to run wire  92 , which will be described later herein. 
         [0031]    In a non-limiting embodiment, articulating arms  40  and  50  are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The arms  40  and  50  are positioned in the same vertical plane with the top arm  50  positioned above the lower arm  40  and each arm attached to the same sidewall  32  of the upper rack  30 . 
         [0032]    The lower articulating arm  40  includes first segment  42  attached to the sidewall  32  of the upper rack  30  on the proximal end of the first segment  42 . Joint  44  connects the first segment  42  with a second segment  46 . The top articulating arm  50  is configured to be placed above arm  40  with both arms  40  and  50  configured to be in the same vertical plane. Similar to articulating arm  40 , articulating arm  50  includes first segment  52  attached to the sidewall  32  of the upper rack  30  on the proximal end of the first segment  52 , and a joint  54 , which connects the first segment  52  to second segment  56 . 
         [0033]    It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the specific structural and material configurations of articulating arms  40  and  50  are exemplary only. Other design configurations and any number of arms may be used that generally fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0034]    Articulating arms  40  and  50  are extendable as shown in  FIG. 1  and collapsible as shown in  FIG. 2 . The articulating arms  40  and  50  can have more than one joint  44  and  54 . The joints  44  and  54  may be friction joints or another type of joint that will allow articulation of the arms  40  and  50 , and the arms  40  and  50  can be constructed to be hollow. 
         [0035]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a pan-tilt-zoom camera  60  is attached to the distal end of articulating arm  50 . Any conventional pan-tilt-zoom camera  60  can be used. In a non-limiting embodiment, a rotational fastener  62  connects the pan-tilt-zoom camera  60  to articulating arm  50 . Camera handle  64  can be used to actuate the rotation of the camera  60 , as well as maneuver (extend or collapse) the articulating arm  50 . Camera handle  64  via arm  50  is also capable of helping to angle the camera  60  in a field of view over the electronic device  70 . Similar to handle  22 , the camera handle  64  attaches to the upper rack  30  on one end with the other end being open-ended and configured to receive sterile sleeves (not shown) as may be necessary to protect the sterile environment. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, articulating arm  40  includes an electronic display  70 . In one exemplary embodiment, the electronic display  70  is a tablet computer with a mobile application installed for connection to the Internet over Wi-Fi or 4G, allowing operating room personnel to communicate securely with personnel who are in a remote location. 
         [0037]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , frame  72  holds the electronic display  70  in adjustable positions for viewing and touch-screen access. The frame  72  is designed such that the tablet or electronic display  70  may be easily removed from the frame  72 . Frame  72  may have any number of pivot axes with an exemplary embodiment having a horizontal and vertical pivot axis (See  FIG. 2 ). The frame  72  includes an open-ended, electronic display handle  74 . Electronic display handle  74  is attached to the frame  72  on one end with the other end being open-ended and configured to receive sterile sleeves (not shown) as may be necessary to protect the sterile environment. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , storage compartment  80  is illustrated. The storage compartment  80  may also serve as a cable wrap for the power supply cable  94 . Storage compartment  80  includes door  88  to protect the contents. Divider  86  is provided for storing the on-board computer  90  (which will be described later herein) and electronic display  70 , as well as providing a compartment for the universal serial bus (USB) port  82  (one port is shown), and power outlets  84  (three exemplary power outlets are shown). It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that other exemplary configurations and positioning of the divider  86  fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, any number of ports  82  and power outlets  84  may be used that generally fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0039]    The on-board computer  90  may receive power by connecting to the power supply  94 . (See  FIG. 1 ). In another non-limiting embodiment, there may also be a battery pack  96  to charge the connected components when the power cable  94  is not connected to a wall mounted, power outlet (not shown). Wiring  92  may be used to power other components, such as the camera  60  and electronic display  70  that are housed in the upper rack  30 . (See  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
         [0040]    On-board computer  90  typically includes at least one processor (not shown) coupled to a memory (not shown). Processor herein may represent one or more processors (e.g. microprocessors), and memory herein may represent random access memory (RAM) devices comprising a main storage of computer  90 , as well as any supplemental levels of memory, e.g., cache memories, non-volatile or back-up memories (e.g. programmable flash memories), read-only memories, etc. In addition, memory may be considered to include memory storage physically located elsewhere in computer  90  e.g. any cache memory in a processor, as well as any storage capacity used as a virtual memory, e.g. as stored on a mass storage device (not shown) or on another computer (not shown) coupled to computer  90  via the Internet or a network (not shown). 
         [0041]    The on-board computer  90  also typically receives a number of inputs and outputs for communicating information externally. For interface with a user or operator, including doctors and medical staff, the on-board computer  90  typically includes one or more user-input devices (e.g.; a keyboard (not shown), a mouse (not shown), a microphone M, or a tablet  70  and an output unit or display  70  (e.g.; an LCD display panel). 
         [0042]    With respect to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the pan-tilt-zoom camera  60  can be connected to the on-board computer  90  for transmitting a video stream (not shown) to the on-board computer  90 . In addition, the on-board computer  90  can be capable of converting the video stream to an encrypted stream (not shown) that may consist of, for example, 128-bit advanced encryption standard. The video stream may be communicated from the on-board computer  90  through the Internet to a remote user via the electronic display  70 . 
         [0043]    The instant invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present disclosure is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all equivalency are intended to be embraced therein. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to recognize equivalent embodiments of the instant invention and be able to practice such embodiments using the teaching of the instant disclosure and only routine experimentation.