Patent ID: 12208058

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure can repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various embodiments and across the figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows can include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and can also include embodiments in which additional features can be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features are not in direct contact. Finally, the embodiments presented below can be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one embodiment can be used in any other embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities can refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.”

All numerical values in this disclosure can be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure can deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. Furthermore, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an” refer to both singular forms (i.e., “one”) and plural referents (i.e., one or more) unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms “up” and “down”; “upward” and “downward”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; “above” and “below”; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular spatial orientation since the apparatus and methods of using the same can be equally effective at various angles or orientations.

A detailed description of the present invention will now be provided. Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions will now be described in greater detail below, including specific embodiments, versions and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions, when the information in this disclosure is combined with publicly available information and technology.

A rail system for attaching and securing a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device or automated chest compression device to a patient carrier board is provided herein. Any patient carrier board can be used, including a scoop type patient carrier or common back board. For example, the Scoop Type Patient Carrier System manufactured and developed by Hartwell Medical LLC can be retrofitted using the rail system described.

The rail system can include an elongated base structure and at least one clamp mechanism.FIG.1depicts an enlarged perspective view of an illustrative elongated base structure100, according to one or more embodiments andFIG.2depicts a side view of the base structure100shown inFIG.1, according to one or more embodiments provided herein. Referring toFIGS.1and2, the elongated base structure100can be any a rod, stick, wand, staff, pipe, board or other rigid device that provides a point of attachment for the clamp300.

The elongated base structure100can include two or more recessions, grooves, indentions, or other smaller diameter sections200that are spaced axially across the length of the base structure100. These grooves, indentions, or smaller diameter sections200can be disposed on or about the base structure100or can be machined or otherwise formed within the base structure100. The spacing between the grooves200can vary or can be the same throughout. For example, the spacing between any two grooves200can range from a low of about 1 in., about 2 in., or about 3 in. to a high of about 4 in., about 5 in., or about 10 in. apart.

FIG.3depicts a schematic view of an alternative elongated base structure100having a flat outer surface, opposed to a rounded exterior. In this embodiment, the elongated base structure100can have a flat upper surface210, or flat lower surface, or both. The flat surface210can provide increased versatility by providing, for example, a better fitting surface for engaging the clamp mechanism300when disposed on the elongated base structure100. The clamp mechanism300, for example, can include a flat engagement surface that is sized to fit and engage the flat surface210on the base structure100. The engagement of two flat surfaces is thought to provide less slippage and prevent rotation when downward forces are acted thereon.

FIG.4depicts an illustrative side schematic of a clamp mechanism300that can be used with the elongated base structure100, according to one or more embodiments. The clamp mechanism300can include a first jaw portion or section310and a second jaw section or portion320. The first jaw portion310and the second jaw portion320can be monolithic or can be two or more separate components that are connected or otherwise attached together. Each jaw section310,320can include a curved or contoured portion311,321that defines a first aperture or opening335. In use, the jaw sections310,320can straddle or otherwise fit over and grasp a hand hole of a patient carrier, as shown inFIGS.6and7. Alternatively, the jaw sections310,320can attach to any flat surface on the side of the carrier. In certain embodiments, the clamp mechanism300can include a locking hinge or pivot322that connects the first jaw portion310to the second jaw portion320.

FIG.5depicts an illustrative schematic view of three clamp mechanisms300attached to a single elongated base structure100to provide an assembled rail system400, according to one or more embodiments. Referring toFIGS.4and5, the first section310can be configured to rest against a lower surface or backside of the patient board (not shown) and bias against the board when in use as described in more detail below. The first section310can further have an extended lip315that counters a downforce of a suitable compression device when used with a patient carrier. The second section320can include a second aperture or other opening325for sliding across the base structure100. The second section320can then be bolted or otherwise secured to the base structure100. The second section320can be sized and configured to rest on top of the board. Once assembled, the first and second sections310,320provide a secure attachment to the board. In certain embodiments, each clamp mechanism300can be extendable or configured to telescope within itself, so as to adjust the overall length of the clamp300, which determines the distance between the opening325to the extended lip315.

FIG.6depicts an illustrative plan view of the assembled rail system400disposed on a scoop type patient carrier500, according to one or more embodiments.FIG.7depicts another illustrative perspective view of the patient carrier500when assembled with the base structure100and clamp mechanisms300, andFIG.8depicts an enlarged view of the right side of the assembled board depicted inFIG.6. Referring toFIGS.6-8, the first and section sections310,320of the clamp mechanism300can be placed about a hand-hole510and secured to one another, holding the clamp mechanism300in place. The rail system400can have any number of clamp mechanisms300for securing the base structure100to the patient board. Three clamp mechanisms300are shown, but two or four or more can be used, depending on the length of the base structure100and/or size/weight of the patient to be transported.

FIG.9depicts an illustrative side view of the assembled board500depicted inFIGS.6and7, andFIG.10depicts an illustrative end view of the assembled board500depicted inFIGS.6and7, according to one or more embodiments described.

Because the clamp mechanisms300are removable, the elongated base structure100can be located anywhere about the length of the patient board500. This allows the board500to better accommodate patient size in terms of height, girth and body shape, which allows first responders to locate the patient anywhere on the board500to make transportation easier, without sacrificing the efficacy of the compression device.

Referring toFIGS.6and10, the rail system400can be used to secure any type of automated chest compression system900to a patient board500. Suitable automated chest compression systems900include, but are not limited to, compression systems that are commercially available from Lucas and Defibtech Lifeline. These are arch type systems that include an arched base support with a mechanically operated compression piston that moves up and down against the sternum of a patient, as depicted inFIG.10. Such systems900can be easily attached to the rail system400using the existing clamps or other attachment devices of the compression system itself without further modification and can be easily removed from the patient carrier500when not needed or in the way.

The ability to quickly and easily attach and remove chest compression systems900to a patient carrier500utilizing the rail system400described can provide an efficient lifesaving solution. It should be appreciated that time is of the essence when attending to and transporting patients in need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The rail system400provides for the quick attachment and release of a compression system to patient boards with little or no assembly time and without tools. The rail system400also has a low profile such that the rail system400can remain affixed to any patient board when not in use and stored in an ambulance, fire truck, or other first response vehicle. The rail system400also does not have to be removed when used with the two-piece scoop type patient boards.

FIG.11depicts an illustrative end view of the assembled board500, showing the clamp mechanism300rotating inward while not in use. This configuration allows for easier transportation and stowage when a chest compression system900is not connected to the rail system400.

FIG.12depicts an alternative design of an assembled board500, whereby the elongated support structure100is integrated into the board500. For example, an existing board500could be altered by removing a linear area between the hand holes and replaced with the elongated support structure100. Alternatively, a new board could be made integral with the elongated support structure100. In either case, the clamps300would not be required to attach a chest compression system900directly to the board500.

The rail system400including the base structure100and clamps300can be made from any or more suitable materials capable of maintaining its rigidity and shape during chest compressions, so as to allow the integrity of the compressions to be consistent. Such suitable materials include but are not limited to any one or more metals (such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, nickel), metal alloys, fiberglass, wood, composite materials (such as ceramics, wood/polymer blends, cloth/polymer blends, etc.), and plastics (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylethylketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide resins (such as nylon 6 (N6), nylon 66 (N66)), polyester resins (such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene isophthalate (PEI), PET/PEI copolymer) polynitrile resins (such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS), methacrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, methacrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymers; and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)), polymethacrylate resins (such as polymethyl methacrylate and polyethylacrylate), cellulose resins (such as cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate); polyimide resins (such as aromatic polyimides), polycarbonates (PC), elastomers (such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), ethylene propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM), styrenic block copolymers (SBC), polyisobutylene (PIB), butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, halobutyl rubber and the like)), and mixtures, blends, or copolymers of any and all of the foregoing materials.

Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, meaning the values take into account experimental error, machine tolerances and other variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The foregoing has also outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other methods or devices for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they can make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, all patents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this application are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted.