Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to a patient monitor. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a structure and method of dissipating heat generated by electronic component of the patient monitor.

Availability of patient physiological data is an important component of patient care. Portable, hand-held patient monitors are a useful tool in gathering such data, because they can move with the patient (and thus, continue the collection of physiological data) as the patient moves through the health care system. For example, a first responder can begin using the patient monitor in the field and that monitor can stay with the patient as the patient moves from the field, to an ambulance, to an emergency room, to an operating room, and then to a hospital room.

As portable patient monitors continue to be developed and improved, it has become desirable to increase the storage and computing power of such devices. Such improvements have lead to high heat loads and the need to improve heat dissipation. This presents a challenge in the context of portable patient monitors because of their relatively small size, the need to protect hospital patients and personnel from being exposed to hot surfaces, and the hygiene and cleaning requirements of equipment in a healthcare setting. In addition, due to the hygienic requirements of the hospital setting, the use of cooling fans is highly discouraged and thermal designs that rely on natural air convection are preferred. This requirement creates unique challenges to electronics cooling while maintaining the safety of patients, clinicians and staff. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable patient monitor that is capable of dissipating greater amounts of heat, while meeting these competing requirements.

<CIT> appears to disclose an electronic device including a metal plate that is exposed on at least one of a plurality of side surfaces of the electronic device so as to absorb heat from a heat generating component that generates heat inside the electronic device and guide the heat to an outside of the electronic device. In addition, an outer surface of the metal plate exposed to the outside is formed further inside the electronic device than a first member and a second member.

The invention is directed to the subject-matter of the independent claim.

In an embodiment, a patient monitor assembly is disclosed and includes a patient monitoring device. The patient monitoring device includes an outer housing having a rear housing portion and a front housing portion and an inner case at least partially disposed within the rear housing portion of the outer housing and enclosed by the front housing portion. The inner case includes a plurality of auxiliary ports adapted to receive cables from a plurality of physiological sensors. Further, the patient monitoring device includes a heat sink disposed between the front housing portion of the outer housing and the inner case. The heat sink includes a heat dissipation channel. The patient monitor assembly also includes a support bracket that is adapted to receive the patient monitoring device and engage the heat sink to facilitate removal of heat from the patient monitoring device.

The following disclosure is presented to provide an illustration of the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit, in any way, the inventive concepts contained herein. Moreover, the particular features described in this section can be used in combination with the other described features in each of the multitude of possible permutations and combinations contained herein.

All terms defined herein should be afforded their broadest possible interpretation, including any implied meanings as dictated by a reading of the specification as well as any words that a person having skill in the art and/or a dictionary, treatise, or similar authority would assign particular meaning. Further, it should be noted that, as recited in the specification and in the claims appended hereto, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural referents unless otherwise stated. Additionally, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" when used herein specify that certain features are present in that embodiment, but should not be interpreted to preclude the presence or addition of additional features, components, operations, and/or groups thereof.

The following disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top," "bottom," as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal" versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise, and includes terms such as "directly" coupled, secured, etc. The term "operatively coupled" is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

Referring initially to <FIG>, a portable patient monitor <NUM> is illustrated. In general, the patient monitor <NUM> may include a rear housing portion <NUM>, an inner case <NUM>, a heat sink <NUM>, and a user interface module <NUM>. The inner case <NUM> may fit into the rear housing portion <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> may abut the inner case <NUM>. Moreover, the user interface module <NUM> may be installed adjacent to the heat sink <NUM>. The assembly of these components relative to each other is described in greater detail below.

<FIG> shows further details of the portable patient monitor <NUM>. As illustrated, the rear housing portion <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> may include a back plate <NUM>. An outer wall <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM>. In particular, the outer wall <NUM> may extend from an outer perimeter of the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be forward relative to the back plate <NUM> and substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may include a lower wall portion <NUM> that may extend in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may also include an upper wall portion <NUM> opposite the lower wall portion <NUM> and spaced therefrom. The upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may extend in a direction away from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM> and substantially parallel to the lower wall portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may also include a left wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may also include a right wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> opposite and spaced from the left wall portion <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>.

<FIG> further shows that the back plate <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may be formed with a rear housing opening <NUM>. The rear housing opening <NUM> may provide access to one or more optical sensors (not shown) on the back of the inner case <NUM>, one or more labels (not shown) on the back of the inner case <NUM>, or a combination thereof. The left wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may be formed with a left housing opening <NUM>. The left housing opening <NUM> that may provide access to one or more connector ports, described below, on the inner case <NUM>. Further, the right wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may be formed with a right housing opening <NUM>. The right housing opening <NUM> may provide access to a battery (not shown) within the inner case <NUM>.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, the lower wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may be formed with a lower interlocking recess <NUM>. Moreover, the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may be formed with an upper interlocking recess <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, the interlocking recesses <NUM>, <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may engage corresponding features formed on the inner case <NUM>. The rear housing portion <NUM> may also include an interior <NUM> bound by the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>.

In a particular aspect, the rear housing portion <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material may include a thermally insulating polymeric material, e.g., a thermally insulating plastic. For example, the thermally insulating plastic may include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic, high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) plastic, low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, polymethylmethacrylate/acrylic (PMMA) plastic, polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic, polypropylene (PP) plastic, polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or modifications (e.g., glycol-modified), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT) and/or modifications (e.g., glycol-modified), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyphenol sulfone (PPSU), or a combination thereof.

The thermally insulating material may have a thermal conductivity coefficient, k, (W/(mK)) greater than or equal to <NUM>. Further, k may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, or greater than or equal <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of k described herein.

Still referring to <FIG>, the inner case <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> may include a back plate <NUM>. An outer wall <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM>. In particular, the outer wall <NUM> may extend from an outer perimeter of the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be forward and substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may include a lower wall portion <NUM> that may extend in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may also include an upper wall portion <NUM> opposite the lower wall portion <NUM> and spaced therefrom. The upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may extend in a direction away from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM> and substantially parallel to the lower wall portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may also include a left wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may also include a right wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> opposite and spaced from the left wall portion <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>.

<FIG> further shows that the left wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may be formed with several connector port openings <NUM>. The connector port openings <NUM> provide access to various connector ports, described below, within the inner case <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> and accessible via the rear housing portion <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the lower wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may be formed with a lower interlocking recess <NUM>. Moreover, the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> may be formed with an upper interlocking recess <NUM>. When the monitor <NUM> is assembled as illustrated in <FIG>, the interlocking recesses <NUM>, <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> may fit into and engage the interlocking recesses <NUM>, <NUM> formed on the inner case <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> may also include a processor, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> installed, or otherwise disposed, on a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> within an interior <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>.

In a particular aspect, the inner case <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive material. Further, the inner case <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive metal. For example, the thermally conductive metal may include aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, tungsten, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the thermally conductive material may include a thermally conductive metal alloy. The thermally conductive metal alloy may include aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, brass, bronze, or a combination thereof. Note the numbers associated with the different types of aluminum alloy (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are material designations that would be known to those of skill in the art and are not reference elements in any figures.

The thermally conductive material may have a thermal conductivity coefficient, k, (W/(mK)) greater than or equal to <NUM>. Further, k may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of k described herein.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the heat sink <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> may include a back plate <NUM>. An outer wall <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM>. In particular, the outer wall <NUM> may extend from an outer perimeter of the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be forward and substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may include a lower wall portion <NUM> that may extend in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may also include an upper wall portion <NUM> opposite the lower wall portion <NUM> and spaced therefrom. The upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may extend in a direction away from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM> and substantially parallel to the lower wall portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may also include a left wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The left wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may also include a right wall portion <NUM> that may extend between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> opposite and spaced from the left wall portion <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. The right wall portion <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>.

<FIG> further shows that the back plate <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may include several openings <NUM> through which the user interface module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the CPU <NUM> and other electrical components within the interior <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>. As shown, the heat sink <NUM> may also include a relatively shallow interior <NUM> bound by the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> and the back plate <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>.

In a particular aspect, the heat sink <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive material. Further, the heat sink <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive metal. For example, the thermally conductive metal may include aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, tungsten, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the thermally conductive material may include a thermally conductive metal alloy. The thermally conductive metal alloy may include aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, brass, bronze, or a combination thereof. In a particular aspect, the heat sink <NUM> may be designed so that when the monitor <NUM> is assembled as described herein, the heat sink <NUM> may be as close to a CPU as possible to facilitate efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the heat sink <NUM> while avoiding any potential heat impedance.

In another particular aspect, the thermally conductive material may have a thermal conductivity coefficient, k, (W/(mK)) greater than or equal to <NUM>. Further, k may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of k described herein.

Still referring to <FIG>, the user interface module <NUM> may include a front housing portion <NUM>. A touch display screen <NUM> may be disposed within the front housing portion <NUM>. When the monitor <NUM> is assembled as described herein, the front housing portion <NUM> and the rear housing portion <NUM> may make up an outer housing that may be made from the same material as the rear housing portion <NUM> and the front housing portion <NUM>.

In a particular aspect, the front housing portion <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material may include a thermally insulating polymeric material, e.g., a thermally insulating plastic. For example, the thermally insulating plastic may include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic, high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) plastic, low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, polymethylmethacrylate/acrylic (PMMA) plastic, polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic, polypropylene (PP) plastic, or a combination thereof.

The thermal insulating material may have a thermal conductivity coefficient, k, (W/(mK)) greater than or equal to <NUM>. Further, k may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, greater than or equal <NUM>, or greater than or equal <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, k may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of k described herein.

With reference to <FIG>, when the portable patient monitor <NUM> is assembled as depicted in <FIG>, the user interface module <NUM> may be partially fitted into the shallow interior <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. The user interface module <NUM> may be held in place with one or more machine screws (not shown). Further, as indicated in <FIG>, the monitor <NUM> may include a thermal gap pad <NUM> (which is form of a thermal interface) between a heat spreader plate <NUM> (another form of a thermal interface) and the heat sink <NUM>. The heat spreader plate <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive material. Moreover, the heat spreader plate <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive metal that is different from the thermally conductive materials used for the other thermal interfaces shown. The heat spreader plate <NUM> functions to spread heat from the CPU <NUM> over a larger area, as well as to provide a protective cover for the CPU <NUM>, and the thermal gap pad <NUM> provides a strong seal between the heat spreader <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM> to ensure optimal heat dissipation. A phase change material may be used to provide for thermal interface <NUM> that is also preferably provided between the CPU <NUM> and the heat spreader plate <NUM> to help stabilize the temperature of the CPU <NUM> and provide a strong thermal connection between the CPU <NUM> and the heat spreader plate <NUM>. Examples of suitable materials for the phase change material to make thermal interface <NUM> include salt-hydrates, n-alkanes, and non-paraffin organics. Thermal interphase <NUM> may also be constructed from other types of thermal interface material (e.g., materials that are thermally conductive).

For example, the thermally conductive material may include aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, tungsten, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the thermally conductive material may include a thermally conductive metal alloy. The thermally conductive metal alloy may include aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, brass, bronze, or a combination thereof.

As further shown in <FIG>, the monitor <NUM> may include a thermal interface <NUM> that may be sandwiched between the heat spreader plate <NUM> and the CPU <NUM> within the inner case <NUM>. The thermal interface <NUM> may be a phase change material or made of silicon-based material embedded with conductive particles (e.g., Al, ceramic, or any type of conductive materials). The heat sink <NUM> may be assembled to the inner case <NUM> so that the heat sink <NUM> fits partially into the interior <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>. One or more machine screws (not shown) may be used to assemble the heat sink <NUM> to the inner case <NUM>. The user interface module <NUM> may be electrically connected, or coupled, to one or more electrical elements within the inner case <NUM> through the one or more openings <NUM> formed in the heat sink <NUM>. It is to be understood that, when assembled as described herein, the combination, or assembly, of the inner case <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM> may be considered a thermal enclosure <NUM>.

Moreover, the assembly of the user interface module <NUM>, the heat sink <NUM>, and the inner case <NUM> may be assembled with the rear housing portion <NUM> so that the inner case <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> fits into the interior <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>. Specifically, the inner case <NUM> fits into the interior <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> so that the lower interlocking recess <NUM> formed in the lower wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> fits into and engages the lower interlocking recess <NUM> formed in the lower wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>. Further, the upper interlocking recess <NUM> formed in the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> fits into and engages the upper interlocking recess <NUM> formed in the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the inner case. The inner case <NUM> may be held in place within the rear housing portion <NUM> via one or more machine screws (not shown).

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, further details of the assembled portable patient monitor <NUM> are illustrated. <FIG> is a detailed view of box <NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> shows that the front housing portion <NUM> may include a back plate <NUM>. The back plate <NUM> of the front housing portion may include an inner wall <NUM> that may extend from a perimeter of the back plate <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> may extend from the back plate <NUM> in a direction that may be forward relative to the back plate <NUM> and substantially perpendicular to the back plate <NUM>. As shown, a lateral flange <NUM> may extend from the inner wall <NUM> in a direction that may be outward relative to the inner wall <NUM> and substantially parallel to the back plate <NUM>.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, the front housing portion <NUM> may include an outer wall <NUM> that may extend from a perimeter of the lateral flange <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> that may extend from the lateral flange <NUM> in a direction that may be forward relative to the lateral flange <NUM> and substantially perpendicular to the lateral flange <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> may fit around and engage the touch screen display <NUM> of the user interface module <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows that the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> may include a second portion <NUM> that may extend from the lateral flange <NUM> in a direction that may be rearward relative to the lateral flange <NUM> and substantially perpendicular to the lateral flange <NUM> and the back plate <NUM>. A channel <NUM> may be established between the second portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>, the inner wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>, and the lateral flange <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. The channel <NUM> may fit around and engage a portion of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> while a portion of the front housing portion <NUM> fits into the interior <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. Specifically, a distal end of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may fit into and engage the channel <NUM> formed in the front housing portion <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may be formed with a heat dissipation channel <NUM> near the distal end of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> may extend around the entire outer periphery of the heat sink <NUM>, e.g., around the outer periphery of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. In other words, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> may be formed in an outer surface of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> is continuous and may be formed in an outer surface of the lower wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink, an outer surface of the left side wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>, an outer surface of the upper wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>, and an outer surface of the right side wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>.

The heat dissipation channel <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> may be sized and shaped to provide effective heat dissipation to ambient air. Further, the arrangement of the heat dissipation channel <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM> relative to the inner case <NUM> and the front housing portion <NUM> may substantially prevent a user or patient from touching the heat sink <NUM>, e.g., the heat dissipation channel <NUM> formed therein. In one aspect, as shown in <FIG>, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> may have a concave shape when viewed in cross-section. Further, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> may be smooth and easy to clean.

As shown in <FIG>, the heat dissipation channel <NUM> may have a radius of curvature, R. R may be greater than or equal to <NUM> millimeters (mm). In another aspect, R may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. Moreover, R may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In yet another aspect, R may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of R described herein.

In a particular aspect, the heat dissipation channel <NUM>, the rear housing portion <NUM>, and the front housing portion <NUM> may establish a heat dissipation opening <NUM>. As indicated in <FIG>, the heat dissipation opening <NUM> may have an overall width, W. W may be measured from a lateral face of the second portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> to a lateral face of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>. W may be greater than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, W may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. Moreover, W may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In yet another aspect, W may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of W described herein.

In another aspect, the heat dissipation opening <NUM> may have an overall depth, D. D may be measured from an outer, peripheral face of the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> to a bottom of the heat dissipation channel <NUM>, as viewed in <FIG>. D may be greater than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, D may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. Moreover, D may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In yet another aspect, D may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of D described herein.

In still another aspect, the upper edge of the heat dissipation channel <NUM> is set back from the outer, peripheral face of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM> by a gap, G. G may be measured from an outer, peripheral face of the outer wall <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> to the upper edge of the heat dissipation channel <NUM>, as viewed in <FIG>. G may be greater than or equal to <NUM>. In another aspect, G may be greater than or equal to <NUM>, such as greater than or equal to <NUM>, greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>. Moreover, G may be less than or equal to <NUM>, such as less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>. In yet another aspect, G may be within a range between, and including, any of the minimum and maximum values of G described herein.

In a particular aspect, the arrangement of the inner case <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM>, e.g., fastening the inner case <NUM> to the heat sink <NUM> to create a thermal enclosure <NUM> may provide the necessary force to establish a conductive path from the CPU <NUM> to the heat sink <NUM>. For example, heat generated by the CPU <NUM> may be transferred with low impedance through the thermal interface <NUM> and the heat spreader plate <NUM> into the heat sink <NUM>. The heat flux moves through the heat sink <NUM> to the heat dissipation channel <NUM>. The heat dissipation channel <NUM> may be exposed to and have direct contact with ambient air and as such, the heat flux is radiated and dissipated into the ambient air via the exposed heat dissipation channel <NUM> and the heat dissipation opening <NUM>. Within the thermal enclosure <NUM> heated bulk air may be conducted indirectly into the inner case <NUM> which may equilibrate the temperatures over the surface of the inner case <NUM> and may substantially eliminate any hot spots on the surface of the inner case <NUM>. Any elevated temperatures on the inner case <NUM> may be isolated from a user, or patient, touch by the insulating layer of plastic provided by the outer cover <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a portable patient monitor assembly <NUM> is illustrated. As shown, the monitor assembly <NUM> may include a support bracket <NUM> and a portable patient monitor, e.g., the portable patient monitor <NUM> shown and described herein. <FIG> shows that the support bracket <NUM> may include an upper support structure <NUM> and a lower support structure <NUM>. As indicated, the support structures <NUM>, <NUM> may be sized and shaped to fit into the heat dissipation opening <NUM> formed on the monitor <NUM> and engage the heat dissipation channel <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>. The support structures <NUM>, <NUM> of the support bracket <NUM> may engage the heat dissipation channel <NUM> in order to facilitate the removal of heat from within the monitor <NUM>.

The support bracket <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive material. Further, the support bracket <NUM> may be constructed from a thermally conductive metal. For example, the thermally conductive metal may include aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, tungsten, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the thermally conductive material may include a thermally conductive metal alloy. The thermally conductive metal alloy may include aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, aluminum alloy <NUM>, brass, bronze, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> also indicates that the inner case <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> may include a power port <NUM>, one or more auxiliary connector ports <NUM>, a first set of patient monitoring ports <NUM>, and a second set of patient monitoring ports <NUM>. One or more wires, or cables, may be connected to the monitor <NUM> via the ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to allow the monitor <NUM> to receive power and to receive, consolidate, and display patient information and data from one or more physiological sensors. The patient information, or physiological information received from the physiological sensors, may include electrocardiograph (ECG) data, respiratory rate, noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP), invasive blood pressure (IBP) (systolic, diastolic, and mean), body temperature, pulse oximetry (SpO2), mixed venous oxygenation (SvO2), cardiac output, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), intracranial pressure, airway gas concentrations, or a combination thereof. The ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be accessible through the left housing opening <NUM> formed in the left wall portion <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>. The support bracket <NUM> may further include a window, or opening, through which the user interface <NUM> of the monitor <NUM> may be viewed while the monitor <NUM> is engaged with the support bracket.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor in furthering the art. As such, they are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof to the extent that they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A patient monitor device (<NUM>), comprising:
an outer housing having a rear housing portion (<NUM>) and a front housing portion (<NUM>);
an inner case (<NUM>) at least partially disposed within the rear housing portion (<NUM>) of the outer housing and enclosed by the front housing portion (<NUM>), wherein the inner case (<NUM>) includes a plurality of auxiliary ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to receive cables from a plurality of physiological sensors;
a heat sink disposed between the front housing portion (<NUM>) of the outer housing and the inner case (<NUM>), wherein the heat sink (<NUM>) includes a heat dissipation channel (<NUM>); and
a support bracket (<NUM>) that is adapted to receive the patient monitor device (<NUM>) and engage the heat sink (<NUM>) to facilitate removal of heat from the patient monitor device (<NUM>).