Patent Description:
Monitors that include electronic visual displays are utilized in a large number of applications within a wide variety of industries including, for example, the healthcare industry, the military, and the oil and gas industry. Many of the applications within such industries require such monitors to, at times, be portable, and, at other times, be stationary. For example, in the healthcare industry, when not being used in transport of a patient or when a patient is ambulatory, monitors can be connected to a monitor mount. Such monitor mounts can provide a variety of functions including providing physical support, a power source, and a conduit to one or more computer networks.

One type of monitor is a patient monitor which is used by healthcare facilities to monitor and display information about a patient, such as vital signs, status of connected devices (e.g., physiological sensors, etc.), and the like. Patient monitors can be portable devices that travel with the patient in order to provide continuous monitoring during care. When a patient arrives at a hospital room or other treatment location, the patient monitor is often plugged into or otherwise connected to a patient monitor mount. Patient monitor mounts provide a physical interface for the patient monitor and are generally fixed to the treatment location. Patient monitor mounts can also provide electrical connection to other devices or infrastructure, such as power to recharge patient monitor batteries, network connectivity to other medical devices or hospital computer systems, and the like.

During the course of providing healthcare to patients, practitioners typically connect at least one type of sensor to a patient to sense, derive or otherwise monitor at least one type of patient medical parameter. Such patient connected sensors are further connected to the monitor that includes all relevant electronic components that enable conversion, manipulation and processing of the data sensed by the at least one type of sensor in order to generate patient medical parameters. These patient medical parameters may be stored in one or more modules and are usable by healthcare practitioners (e.g., nurses, doctors, physician assistants, or any other person charged with providing a healthcare service to a patient) in monitoring a patient and determining a course of healthcare to be provided to the patient. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more modules may contain data, such as patient treatment data, to be transferred to the monitor mount and/or the monitor. The monitor may be selectively connected to a patient at any point during which a healthcare professional comes into contact with the patient and may remain connected with the patient as the patient moves through various locations within a particular healthcare enterprise (e.g., hospital) or between different healthcare enterprises (e.g., an ambulance and/or different medical facilities).

The monitor and/or the module can allow data representing the at least one patient medical parameter to be communicated to other systems within the healthcare enterprise. This data may then be used by different systems in further patient care.

Patient monitors have different sizes and provide different functionalities. With current systems, each type of patient monitor typically requires a dedicated monitor mount, a dedicated controller, and a dedicated user interface. Accordingly, such monitors are not interoperable and the performance advantages of each type of monitor cannot be combined and leveraged.

In addition, there is a growing need in acute care environments to improve clinical workflow, reduce alarm fatigue, and customize medical devices to better suit hospital protocols and use models.

Due to the above problems associated with current systems, there is a need for a modular system providing a universal and scalable platform including a monitor mount capable of mixed use with monitors having different sizes which are interoperable with the same controller and the same user interface, and that can be universally docked to the monitor mount.

<CIT> describes a system including a monitor mount and first and second monitors. The first monitor includes a first electronic visual display and has a size and shape configured to be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling. The second monitor has a size and shape configured to: (i) be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the second coupling, (ii) detachably secure the first monitor by the third coupling, and (iii) surround at least a portion of the first electronic visual display when the first monitor is secured to the second monitor.

<CIT> describes a modular patient monitor for various patient monitoring applications. In an embodiment, a modular patient monitor utilizes multiple wavelength optical sensor and/or acoustic sensor technologies to provide blood constituent monitoring and acoustic respiration monitoring (ARM).

In light of the above, the present invention is directed to a monitor and monitor system according to claims <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. The monitor mount includes a first coupling and a support portion, the first monitor includes a first electronic visual display and a first back portion, and the second monitor includes a second electronic visual display, a second back portion and a second coupling. The first monitor is configured to be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling. The second monitor is configured to be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling and the support portion. Each of the first back portion of the first monitor and the second back portion of the second monitor is configured to be detachably secured to the monitor mount by the first coupling. The first monitor is configured to be detachably secured to the second monitor by the second coupling. The second monitor is configured to surround at least a portion of the first electronic visual display of the first monitor when the first monitor is detachably secured to the second monitor. The second monitor can surround only a portion of the first monitor such that ends of the first monitor in a lateral direction of the first monitor are exposed. The monitor mount is able to secure each of the first monitor and the second monitor individually or both of the first monitor and the second monitor concurrently. In other words, the first coupling is configured to accept either the first monitor or the second monitor such that the monitor mount is configured to mount the first monitor alone, the second monitor alone, or a combination of the first monitor and the second monitor.

The monitor mount can also include a first power bus. The first monitor and/or the second monitor can optionally be powered by the first power bus when secured to the monitor mount.

The first monitor and/or the second monitor can also include a second power bus. If only one of the first monitor and the second monitor includes a second power bus, the other of the first monitor or the second monitor can be powered by the second power bus when the first monitor is secured to the second monitor. The first monitor and/or the second monitor, in some variations, is operable solely via the second power bus. In other variations, the first monitor and/or the second monitor is operable via either of the first power bus and the second power bus.

The first monitor and/or the second monitor can include a self-contained power source that allows the first monitor and/or the second monitor to be operated independently of the monitor mount.

The first monitor can include a sensor interface configured to receive data generated by at least one physiological sensor monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient. The at least one physiological sensor can include a wired connection to the sensor interface. The at least one physiological sensor can additionally or alternatively include a wireless connection to the sensor interface.

The second monitor can be a multiparameter monitor for continuously monitoring adult, pediatric and neonatal patients both at a bedside and on transport and can support all patient acuity levels hospital-wide.

Either of the first monitor or the second monitor can capture and display real-time vital signs at the bedside. Either of the first monitor or the second monitor can be used as a standalone monitor or in combination. The system of the present disclosure integrates patient data and provides continuous monitoring at the bedside and on transport.

The second monitor can be configured to be first coupled to the first coupling and the support portion and the first monitor can be configured to be subsequently coupled to the second coupling.

The first monitor can be configured to be coupled to and power the second monitor by the second power bus of the first monitor when neither of the first monitor and the second monitor are secured to the monitor mount.

The second monitor can be configured to be coupled to and power the first monitor by the second power bus of the second monitor when neither of the first monitor and the second monitor are secured to the monitor mount.

Each of the first coupling and the second coupling can take various forms including a mechanical coupling, an electro-mechanical coupling, and/or a magnetic coupling.

The monitor mount can further include a first communications interface coupled to at least one computing network. With this variation, the first monitor and/or the second monitor can include a second communications interface which transmits and receives data over the computing network via the first communications interface when the first monitor and/or the second monitor is secured to the monitor mount.

The monitor mount can also be configured to detachably secure one or more modules for monitoring the physiological parameter of the patient.

The monitor mount can be mounted at the bedside, from the ceiling, on a wall across the room, or even outside the room for isolation purposes.

The first monitor can visualize at least a portion of received data on the first electronic visual display. The second monitor can visualize at least a portion of received data on the second electronic visual display.

The first monitor can be configured to be detachably secured to and removed from a forward face of the monitor mount. In addition or in the alternative, the first monitor can be configured to be transversely inserted into and removed from the monitor mount. Furthermore, the first monitor can be configured to be transversely inserted into and removed from the monitor mount from each of a first lateral direction of the monitor mount and a second lateral direction of the monitor mount, wherein the first lateral direction of the monitor mount is opposite to the second lateral direction of the monitor mount. Such transverse insertion and removal can be performed with one hand by a user. In other words, it is not necessary to perform two separate motions to transversely insert or remove the first monitor from the monitor mount.

The first monitor can be configured to be transversely inserted into and removed from the second monitor. Furthermore, the first monitor can be configured to be transversely inserted into and removed from the second monitor from each of a first lateral direction of the second monitor and a second lateral direction of the second monitor, wherein the first lateral direction of the second monitor is opposite to the second lateral direction of the second monitor. Such transverse insertion and removal can be performed with one hand by the user. In other words, it is not necessary to perform two separate motions to transversely insert or remove the first monitor from the second monitor.

The system of the present disclosure therefore allows monitors to be mixed and matched across different care areas and geographies such that workflow is optimized. The system of the present disclosure also requires fewer mounting points than current systems, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs. Since the monitor mount and one or more monitors are integrated and consolidated, the space required for the system of the present disclosure is minimized. The system of the present disclosure can be used in dry and wet zones and contributes to an enhanced level of hygiene. According to caregiver preference, the system of the present disclosure can be scaled to the patient's needs - from basic monitoring to using the full range of all of the monitors. To support individual workflow, multiple monitors can be used, for example, to support anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and surgeons if a surgical display controller is used.

The system of the present disclosure provides a high acuity care system that improves aesthetics and ergonomics by allowing different caregivers to view the information they need at the same place. The system of the present disclosure can be used as part of a healthcare enterprise solution and can bring comprehensive information to the point of care, while continuously monitoring the patient. For example, the system of the present disclosure can provide access to images, lab results and other clinical data, while displaying real-time vital signs data at the point of care. Furthermore, the performance advantages of differently sized monitors can be combined and leveraged. For example, the portability of a smaller monitor and the increased functionality of a larger monitor can be independently or concurrently capitalized upon.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages. For example, the current subject matter enables the mounting of two monitors having different sizes, shapes, and functionality on a single monitor mount.

The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings and is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description includes various details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely examples. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the examples described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only, and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the", include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a processor" or "a memory" includes reference to one or more of such processors or memories.

The expressions such as "include" and "may include" which may be used in the present disclosure denote the presence of the disclosed functions, operations, and constituent elements, and do not limit the presence of one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In the present disclosure, terms such as "include" and/or "have", may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but should not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of the addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

In the present disclosure, the expression "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed words. For example, the expression "A and/or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

In the present disclosure, expressions including ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", and/or the like, may modify various elements. However, such elements are not limited by the above expressions. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the elements. The above expressions are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing an element from the other elements. For example, a first box and a second box indicate different boxes, although both are boxes. For further example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could also be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms defined in generally used dictionaries may not be overly interpreted.

The subject matter described herein is directed to systems and apparatuses directed to monitors (e.g., display monitors having visual electronic displays) and monitor mounts providing physical support and, in some cases, power and access to a communications / computer network. Use of such systems and apparatuses can, for example, occur in a medical environment such as the scene of a medical event, an ambulance, a hospital or a doctor's office. When a patient undergoes initial patient monitoring in such an environment, a minimum set of sensors can be connected to a patient to collect various types of patient information as described in detail herein. As a patient is moved from one area of care within the medical environment to another area of care, the patient monitor can travel with the patient. In some situations, the patient monitor can be mounted to a monitor mount to provide for stationary observation of the patient information on a visual electronic display. During the course of patient monitoring, the number of sensors can also increase due to increased testing and/or monitoring of the patient. In such a scenario, a patient monitor initially monitoring the patient can be docked into monitor mount having a second, larger monitor in order to expand the number of sensors available for patient monitoring and/or increase the number of patient parameters on a single visual electronic display by docking the smaller patient monitor within a larger patient monitor. The initial patient monitor can either remain within the larger patient monitor or be removed from the larger patient monitor.

In an exemplary implementation, the monitor mount <NUM> may be detachably secured to a support structure (not shown) (e.g., a wall-mounted arm) via any attachment mechanism (not shown) such as a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface adapted to an attachment mechanism in a hospital room in which a patient <NUM> is being monitored and/or treated via one or more modules, for example one or more physiological sensors and/or medical devices. The monitor mount <NUM> may detachably secure the second monitor <NUM>, and the second monitor <NUM> can detachably secure (or otherwise physically interface with) the first monitor <NUM>.

Therefore, the example system provides an interconnected, versatile, and comprehensive patient care solution with a high degree of configurability. The example system acquires data at the bedside and on transport, without having to disconnect a patient as he or she is moved from care area to care area. The example system can be scaled depending on the patient's changing acuity level and medical devices can be customized to better suit hospital protocols and use models. Accordingly, the example system thereby improves clinical workflow.

<FIG> is a logical diagram of a first monitor <NUM>, a second monitor <NUM>, and a monitor mount <NUM> which can detachably secure (or otherwise physically interface with) both of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate an example system including the first monitor <NUM>, a first exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM>, and a first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the example system including the first monitor <NUM>, the first exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM>, and a second exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the example system including the first monitor <NUM>, the first exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM>, and a third exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate an example system including the first monitor <NUM> and a second exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM>.

As will be described in further detail below, the first monitor <NUM> has a shape and size which differs from that of the second monitor <NUM>. Nonetheless, both of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> are able to be concurrently secured to the monitor mount <NUM>. In addition, while certain configurations are illustrated with regard to the monitor mount <NUM> and the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM>, it will be appreciated that these illustrations in <FIG> are examples and not limiting in nature (unless otherwise specified).

The first monitor <NUM> can, for example, be a patient monitor that is used to monitor various physiological parameters for a patient <NUM>. With such a variation, the first monitor <NUM> can include a sensor interface <NUM> that can be used to connect via wired and/or wireless interfaces to one or more physiological sensors and/or medical devices <NUM> (e.g., ECG electrodes, SPO<NUM> sensor, blood pressure cuffs, apnea detection sensors, respirators, etc.) associated with the patient <NUM>. The first monitor <NUM> can include one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM>. Various data and graphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via an electronic visual display <NUM> included in the first monitor <NUM>. This information can, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the patient <NUM> and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respiration information, etc.). Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display <NUM>. In some variations, the electronic visual display <NUM> includes a touch screen interface that allows a user of the first monitor <NUM> to input data and/or modify the operation of the first monitor <NUM>.

The first monitor <NUM> can additionally include a communications interface <NUM> which allows the first monitor <NUM> to directly or indirectly (via, for example, the monitor mount <NUM>) access one or more computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can include, various network cards / interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount <NUM> to the first monitor <NUM>.

The first monitor <NUM> can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit <NUM> that can be used to power the various components of the first monitor <NUM> (and optionally various components of the second monitor <NUM> and/or the monitor mount <NUM>). The power source / conduit <NUM> can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source / conduit <NUM> can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directly or by way of the second monitor <NUM> and/or the monitor mount <NUM>). In some variations, the first monitor <NUM> can only be powered and render information when secured or otherwise connected to one or more of the second monitor <NUM> and the monitor mount <NUM>.

The first monitor <NUM> can include a first electrical connector <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) configured to connect with a second electrical connector (not shown) of the second monitor <NUM> via a direct connection. When the first monitor <NUM> is secured with the second monitor <NUM>, a connection is made by the first electrical connector <NUM> with the second electrical connector (not shown). In some variations, the first monitor <NUM> may not include the first electrical connector <NUM>. Instead, the data communication between the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> may be wireless (e.g., optical), occurring across the communications interface <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM>.

The second monitor <NUM> can include one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM>. Various data and graphical user interfaces can be conveyed to the user via an electronic visual display <NUM> included in the second monitor <NUM>. This information can, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the patient <NUM> and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respiration information, thermoregulation, neonatal information, ventilator information, anesthesia information, incubation information, etc.) as received from the first monitor <NUM>. Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display <NUM>. In some variations, the electronic visual display <NUM> includes a touch screen interface that allows a user of the second monitor <NUM> to input data and/or modify the operation of the second monitor <NUM>.

The second monitor <NUM> can additionally include a communications interface <NUM> which allows the second monitor <NUM> to directly or indirectly (via, for example, the first monitor <NUM> and/or the monitor mount <NUM>) access one or more computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can include various network cards / interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount <NUM> to the second monitor <NUM> and the first monitor <NUM> to the second monitor <NUM>.

The second monitor <NUM> can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit <NUM> that can be used to power the various components of the second monitor <NUM> (and optionally various components of the first monitor <NUM>). The power source / conduit <NUM> can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source / conduit <NUM> can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directly or by way of the first monitor <NUM> and/or the monitor mount <NUM>). In some variations, the second monitor <NUM> can only be powered and render information when secured or otherwise connected to one or more of the first monitor <NUM> and the monitor mount <NUM>.

The second monitor <NUM> can include a second coupling <NUM> which is configured to detachably secure the first monitor <NUM>. In some variations, the second coupling <NUM> may be positioned in a receptacle 145B (as shown in <FIG>) of the second monitor <NUM>. The receptacle 145B may be defined in a lateral direction of the second monitor <NUM> and have open side portions for receiving the first monitor <NUM>. For example, the user can visually confirm the location of the second coupling <NUM> and transversely insert the first monitor <NUM> into the second monitor <NUM>. In some variations, the receptacle 145B may have an open top portion instead of open side portions such that the first monitor <NUM> can be dropped into the second monitor <NUM> from above; and removed from the second monitor <NUM> from above.

The monitor mount <NUM> can include one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM>. The monitor mount <NUM> can additionally include a communications interface <NUM> which allows the monitor mount <NUM> to directly or indirectly access one or more computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can include various network cards / interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface <NUM> can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as with the first monitor <NUM> and/or the second monitor <NUM>.

The monitor mount <NUM> can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit <NUM> that can be used to power the various components of the monitor mount <NUM> and/or the first monitor <NUM> and/or the second monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM>. The power source / conduit <NUM> can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source / conduit <NUM> can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet.

Any of the processors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may acquire data from any of the monitor mount <NUM> and one or more of the monitors <NUM>, <NUM> and store the acquired data in a memory and, upon connection of the monitor mount <NUM> and one or more of the monitors <NUM>, <NUM>, transfer the data stored in the memory to the monitor mount <NUM> or one or more of the monitors <NUM>, <NUM>. The data may include any of patient identification data including information identifying a patient; patient parameter data representing at least one type of patient parameter being monitored; and device configuration data including information associated with configuration settings for the monitor mount <NUM> and/or the one or more monitors <NUM>, <NUM>.

The monitor mount <NUM> can optionally also include any mounting interface, such as a VESA mounting interface <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>, for example) (e.g., a <NUM> or <NUM> square pattern) for mounting the monitor mount at the bedside, from the ceiling, on a wall of the room, or even outside the room for isolation purposes.

The monitor mount <NUM> can optionally also include an interface configured to receive a connector of a cable or wired connection for connecting a module, a monitor, other external unit or the like.

The monitor mount <NUM> can optionally also include one or more recesses for facilitating removal of the first monitor <NUM> and/or the second monitor <NUM>.

In some variations, the one or more processors <NUM> and the memory <NUM> are omitted such that the monitor mount <NUM> provides only physical support and optionally a power source.

The monitor mount <NUM> has a shape and size which allows the monitor mount <NUM> to detachably secure both of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> such that the respective monitors <NUM> and <NUM> can be removed by the user when desired.

The monitor mount <NUM> can include a first coupling <NUM> to allow the first monitor <NUM> and/or second monitor <NUM> to be secured to the monitor mount <NUM>. The monitor mount <NUM> is able to secure each of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> individually or both of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> concurrently. In other words, the first coupling <NUM> is configured to accept either the first monitor <NUM> or the second monitor <NUM> such that the monitor mount <NUM> is configured to mount the first monitor <NUM> alone, the second monitor <NUM> alone, or a combination of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM>. The first coupling <NUM> can include any mechanical attachment means such as a ledge, a rail, a rib, an abutment, and the like, or any combination thereof. The first coupling <NUM> can additionally or alternatively include different securing mechanisms including magnetic and/or electromagnetic locking mechanisms which cause the first monitor <NUM> to selectively be secured to the monitor mount <NUM>. In some cases, the first monitor <NUM> can slide into and out of the first coupling <NUM> from one or more lateral directions (i.e., from one or more sides of the monitor mount <NUM>) while in other variations, the first monitor <NUM> can be mounted to and removed from the front face of the monitor mount <NUM>. In some implementations, the first monitor <NUM> can both slide into and out of the first coupling <NUM> from one or more lateral directions and be mounted to and removed from the front face of the monitor mount <NUM>. Reference is made to <FIG> which shows the first coupling <NUM> in which the first monitor <NUM> can be inserted.

The positioning of the first monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM> can be such that the communications interface <NUM> on the first monitor <NUM> aligns with the communications interface <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> to allow, for example, a direct connection (e.g., electrical connection). In other variations, the communications interface <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> exchanges data with the communications interface <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> wirelessly (via, for example, optical communication by way of respective optical windows on the first monitor <NUM> and the monitor mount <NUM>). The communications interface <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> may be located on the first back portion <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM>.

The positioning of the first monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM> can also align the power source / conduit <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> to be coupled to the power source / conduit <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> which causes the monitor mount <NUM> to power the first monitor <NUM>.

The monitor mount <NUM> can include a support portion <NUM> to allow the second monitor <NUM> to be secured to the monitor mount <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> may be positioned at a top of the monitor mount <NUM> or a bottom of the monitor mount <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> can include any mechanical attachment means such as a ledge, a rail, a rib, an abutment, and the like, or any combination thereof. The positioning of the second monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM> can be such that the communications interface <NUM> on the second monitor <NUM> aligns with the communications interface <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> to allow, for example, a direct connection (e.g., electrical connection). In other variations, the communications interface <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> exchanges data with the communications interface <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> wirelessly (via, for example, optical communication by way of respective optical windows on the second monitor <NUM> and the monitor mount <NUM>). The communications interface <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> may be located on the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM>.

The support portion <NUM> can enable front-to-back docking of the second monitor <NUM> within monitor mount <NUM> by providing a shelf or similar feature extending outwardly. This feature of the support portion <NUM> can support and/or disperse the weight of the second monitor <NUM> during positioning of the second monitor <NUM>. For example, a user attempting to position the second monitor <NUM> within the monitor mount <NUM> can rest the second monitor <NUM> on the support portion <NUM> during the positioning while attaching the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> to the first coupling <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> can support a bottom face of the second monitor <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, as shown in <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> can enable hanging or suspension of a handle <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> from the monitor mount <NUM> by providing any mechanical attachment means such as a ledge, a rail, a rib, an abutment, and the like, or any combination thereof extending laterally from the top portion of mount <NUM>. This feature of the support portion <NUM> can support and/or disperse the weight of the second monitor <NUM> during positioning of the second monitor <NUM>. For example, a user attempting to position the second monitor <NUM> within the monitor mount <NUM> can hang or suspend the handle <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> from the support portion <NUM> during the positioning while attaching the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> to the first coupling <NUM>.

The positioning of the second monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM> can also align the power source / conduit <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> to be coupled to the power source / conduit <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> which causes the monitor mount <NUM> to power the second monitor <NUM> or vice-versa. In some variations, the positioning of the second monitor <NUM> when secured to the monitor mount <NUM> and/or when the first monitor <NUM> is also secured to the monitor mount <NUM> can also align the power source / conduit <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> to be coupled to the power source / conduit <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> (which in turn is connected to the power source / conduit <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM>) which causes the first monitor <NUM> to power the second monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front perspective view that shows a first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the monitor mount <NUM> includes the first coupling <NUM> and the support portion <NUM>. The communications interface <NUM> and the power / source conduit <NUM> can be positioned intermediate of the first coupling <NUM> so that the first monitor <NUM> or the second monitor <NUM> may interface therewith. Similarly, the communications interface <NUM> and the power / source conduit <NUM> can alternatively be included as part of the support portion <NUM> so that the second monitor <NUM> may interface therewith at that location. In some variations, communications interface <NUM> can be a wireless (e.g., optical) interface providing wireless (e.g., optical) communications between the monitor mount <NUM> and the first monitor <NUM>, between the monitor mount <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM>, and/or between the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> coupled together. <FIG> also shows various aspects of the monitor mount <NUM> including details about how the first monitor <NUM> can be transversely inserted into the monitor mount <NUM> (i.e., the first monitor <NUM> can slide into the monitor mount <NUM>) between the two portions of the first coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view that shows the relationship among the first monitor <NUM>, the second monitor <NUM>, and the first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. The first back portion <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> or the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> can be detachably secured to the first coupling <NUM>. The first monitor <NUM> can also be detachably secured to the second coupling <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side perspective view showing the relationship among the first monitor <NUM>, the second monitor <NUM>, and the first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM> when all the units are connected. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> is detachably secured to the first coupling <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> and the first monitor <NUM> is detachably secured to the second coupling <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM>. In some variations, as is illustrated in <FIG>, a portion such as a back portion of the second monitor <NUM> can surround/obscure at least a portion of the first monitor <NUM>; such portion of the first monitor <NUM> may include some or all of the electronic visual display <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM>. The first monitor <NUM> can be removed from the monitor mount <NUM> independently of the second monitor <NUM> (for example, with reference to <FIG>, by being removed transversely from the monitor mount <NUM>). In addition, the monitor mount <NUM> can be arranged to allow left side and/or right side transverse removal of the first monitor <NUM> from the monitor mount <NUM>. The second monitor <NUM> can be arranged to allow left side and/or right side transverse removal of the first monitor <NUM> from the second monitor <NUM>. In still other variations, the second monitor <NUM> with the first monitor <NUM> disposed therein can be removed from the monitor mount <NUM>. Stated differently, the combination of the first monitor <NUM> and the second monitor <NUM> can together be detached from the monitor mount <NUM>. In some variations, the second monitor <NUM> can have a shape and size to completely envelop and secure the first monitor <NUM> within the receptacle 145B. The first monitor <NUM> can be secured and interface within the second coupling <NUM> in the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM>. In some variations, when the first monitor <NUM> is mounted within the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM>, the communications interface <NUM> (e.g., optical communications interface), and optionally the power source / conduit <NUM>, on the second monitor <NUM> provide data communications with, and optionally power to, the first monitor <NUM> via the communications interface <NUM> (e.g., optical communications interface), and optionally the power source / conduit <NUM>, on the first monitor <NUM> within the receptacle 145B.

For example, with such an arrangement, data that otherwise would have been displayed by the electronic visual display <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> can be displayed by the electronic visual display <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM>.

Therefore, the monitor mount <NUM> of the present disclosure is capable of mixed use with monitors <NUM>, <NUM> having different sizes which are interoperable with the same controller and the same user interface, and which can be universally docked to the monitor mount <NUM>.

<FIG> is another side perspective view showing the relationship among the first monitor <NUM>, the second monitor <NUM>, and the first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second back portion <NUM> of the second monitor <NUM> is detachably secured to the first coupling <NUM> and the first monitor <NUM> is detachably secured to the second coupling <NUM>. The first monitor <NUM> may include the first electrical connector <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front perspective view showing the relationship between the first monitor <NUM>, and the first exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM> without the second monitor <NUM> being present. In <FIG>, the first back portion <NUM> of the first monitor <NUM> is detachably secured to the first coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> is a back perspective view of the first monitor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first monitor <NUM> has the sensor interface <NUM>, the first back portion <NUM>, the power source and/or conduit <NUM>, and the communications interface <NUM>. The first monitor <NUM> may include one or more of a groove, a slit, an aperture, a rib, a wall portion, a ridge, an abutment, or the like for facilitating the transverse insertion and/or removal of the first monitor <NUM> into the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM> and/or into the first coupling <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side perspective view of the second monitor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second monitor <NUM> has the handle <NUM>, the second back portion <NUM>, the second coupling <NUM>, the communications interface <NUM>, and the power source and/or conduit <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can facilitate the detachable securing of the second monitor <NUM> to the support portion <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) and/or the first coupling <NUM>. The second coupling <NUM> can have one or more guiding surfaces 145A for facilitating the transverse insertion and/or removal of the first monitor <NUM> into the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front perspective view that shows a second exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the monitor mount <NUM> includes the first coupling <NUM> and the support portion <NUM>. The communications interface <NUM> and the power / source conduit <NUM> can be positioned intermediate the first coupling <NUM> so that the first monitor <NUM> may interface therewith. Similarly, the communications interface <NUM> and the power / source conduit <NUM> can alternatively be included as part of the support portion <NUM> so that the second monitor <NUM> may interface therewith. Further, the monitor mount <NUM> includes recesses on either side of the first coupling <NUM> that can facilitate coupling / uncoupling of the first monitor <NUM> and/or the second monitor <NUM> to / from the monitor mount <NUM>.

<FIG> is a bottom perspective view that shows the relationship among the first monitor <NUM>, the second monitor <NUM>, and the second exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> of the monitor mount <NUM> can additionally include a release mechanism <NUM> which causes the second monitor <NUM> to selectively be released from the monitor mount <NUM>.

<FIG> is a back perspective view that shows the relationship among the first monitor <NUM>, the second monitor <NUM>, and the second exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the relationship between the third exemplary implementation of the monitor mount <NUM> and the first exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM> detachably securing the first monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> show the second exemplary implementation of the second monitor <NUM> detachably securing the first monitor <NUM>. The second monitor <NUM> may include a second electronic visual display <NUM> and a receptacle 145B including the second coupling <NUM>, a bridge portion <NUM> and two parallel surfaces <NUM>. The bridge portion <NUM> may connect the two parallel surfaces <NUM> and extend over the first monitor <NUM> when the first monitor <NUM> is secured in the second monitor <NUM>. A width of the bridge portion <NUM> in a lateral direction of the second monitor <NUM> may be less than a width of the second monitor <NUM> in the lateral direction of the second monitor <NUM>. Furthermore, a width of the bridge portion <NUM> in the lateral direction of the second monitor <NUM> may be less than a width of the first monitor <NUM> in a lateral direction of the first monitor <NUM>. In other words, the width of the receptacle 145B in these variations can be less than the width of the receptacle 145B in other variations. Such decreased receptacle width facilitates self-location of the first monitor <NUM> by the user. For example, the user can hold the first monitor <NUM> overhead, and without visually confirming the location of the second coupling <NUM>, insert the first monitor <NUM> such that the first monitor <NUM> contacts at least one guiding surface 145A of the second coupling <NUM> and slides into a position in which the first monitor <NUM> is detachably secured in the second monitor <NUM>. Stated differently, the at least one guiding surface 145A of the second coupling <NUM> is configured to initially receive the first monitor <NUM> and guide the first monitor <NUM> to a secured position within the second monitor <NUM>. As a first example, as shown in <FIG>, the first monitor <NUM> can be inserted downwardly from above into the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM> by first holding the first monitor <NUM> at a downward angle against a floor (i.e., the at least one guiding surface 145A) of the receptacle 145B, and thereafter the first monitor <NUM> can be rotated downwardly and into the second monitor <NUM>. As a second example, as shown in <FIG>, the first monitor <NUM> can be inserted upwardly from below into the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM> by first holding the first monitor <NUM> at an upward angle against the floor (i.e., the at least one guiding surface 145A) of the receptacle 145B, and thereafter the first monitor <NUM> can be rotated upwardly and into the second monitor <NUM>. This provides an advantage over a full-width receptacle because it is difficult to align a first monitor <NUM> with a full-width receptacle if the full-width receptacle is overhead. Such insertion and removal can be performed with one hand by the user. In other words, it is not necessary to perform two separate motions to insert or remove the first monitor <NUM> from the second monitor <NUM>. In some variations not shown, the receptacle may have an open top portion instead of open side portions such that the first monitor <NUM> can be dropped into the second monitor <NUM> from above; and removed from the second monitor <NUM> from above. The first monitor <NUM> may be received in the receptacle 145B of the second monitor <NUM> such that the first monitor <NUM> is adjacent to the bridge portion <NUM>, the two parallel surfaces <NUM>, and the second coupling <NUM>. A floor of the receptacle 145B may include the second coupling <NUM>. Furthermore, the second coupling <NUM> may include at least one guiding surface 145A configured to initially receive the first monitor <NUM> at an angle such that the first monitor <NUM> is rotated and thereafter guide the first monitor <NUM> to a secured position within the second monitor <NUM>. The bridge portion <NUM> may include a lateral slot and a top portion of the first monitor <NUM> may be transversely inserted into the lateral slot. The second monitor <NUM> may also include a handle and the bridge portion <NUM> and the handle may be formed as a single unit. In some variations, a top portion of the second monitor <NUM> may include holes for repositioning the bridge portion <NUM>.

A module (not shown) can provide one or more different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient. The module can acquire patient data including the monitored parameters allocated to a given patient from a network and collate the information for storage in a database. The module can be any of a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing data generated by at least one physiological sensor monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient (e.g., gas measurement, end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO<NUM>), SCIO, patient gas, thermoregulation, blood pressure, heart related measurement, pulse oximetry, respiration, neonatal measurement, ventilation, anesthesia information, incubation information, etc.), a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient (e.g., monitoring fluids administered to the patient and supplying anesthesia to the patient, respectively), a control module, a charging module, a compartment module, a converter module, a transmitter module, a relay module, a battery module, a camera module, a purge module, a robot module, an internal and/or external communication module, a power supply module, a global positioning system (GPS) module, a mobile and/or stationary data transfer module, an output board, a facility module, an output board, a dock module, an adapter module, a passive treatment module, an active treatment module, etc. A processor can process signals derived from the module. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, a processor <NUM> in a monitor mount <NUM>, a processor <NUM> in a (first) monitor <NUM> and/or a processor <NUM> in another (second) monitor <NUM> can process signals derived from the module. The monitor mount <NUM>, and the monitors <NUM>, <NUM> communication interface provide bidirectional communication between the corresponding processor and the module via a network.

Although various embodiments have been described above, these are to be regarded as merely examples. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the examples described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, any feature of any particular portion, embodiment or modification of the monitors <NUM>, <NUM> may be included or omitted from any of the other portions, embodiments or modifications of the monitors <NUM>, <NUM>. Any feature of any particular portion, embodiment or modification of the monitor mount <NUM> may be included or omitted from any of the other portions, embodiments or modifications of the monitor mount <NUM>.

Further, it is noted that the present disclosure may be implemented as any combination of a system, an integrated circuit, and a computer program on a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. The processor and any other parts of the computing system may be implemented as Integrated Circuits (IC), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), or Large Scale Integrated circuits (LSI), system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI components which perform a part or all of the functions of the computing system.

Each of the parts of the present disclosure can be implemented using many single-function components, or can be one component integrated using the technologies described above. The circuits may also be implemented as a specifically programmed general purpose processor, CPU, a specialized microprocessor such as Digital Signal Processor that can be directed by program instructions on a memory, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that can be programmed after manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor. Some or all of the functions may be implemented by such a processor while some or all of the functions may be implemented by circuitry in any of the forms discussed above.

The present disclosure may be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program embodying methods/algorithms for instructing the processor to perform the methods/algorithms. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium can be, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray disc, or an electronic memory device.

Each of the elements of the present disclosure may be configured by implementing dedicated hardware or a software program on a memory controlling a processor to perform the functions of any of the components or combinations thereof. Any of the components may be implemented as a CPU or other processor reading and executing a software program from a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

It is also contemplated that the implementation of the components of the present disclosure can be done with any newly arising technology that may replace any of the above implementation technologies.

Claim 1:
A monitor (<NUM>) comprising:
an electronic visual display (<NUM>); and
a receptacle (145B) including a bridge portion (<NUM>) and a coupling (<NUM>), the bridge portion having a bridge width in a lateral direction of the monitor; wherein:
the coupling is configured to detachably secure another monitor (<NUM>) such that the other monitor (<NUM>) is received in the receptacle (145B) of the monitor (<NUM>) and the bridge portion of the monitor (<NUM>) extends over the other monitor (<NUM>);
the receptacle further comprising a guiding surface (145A) configured to receive the other monitor to be inserted into the receptacle in a first position and rotate the other monitor into a secured position within the monitor,
the other monitor being engagable with the coupling in the secured position; and
the monitor is configured to surround at least a portion of an electronic visual display of the other monitor when the other monitor is detachably secured to the monitor;
the monitor having a monitor width in a lateral direction of the monitor, and
the bridge width being less than the monitor width in the lateral direction of the monitor.