Interactive display suspended for patient viewing

Abstract

An electronic display assembly for viewing by a person in a resting position includes: a carriage movable along a translation axis; a pivot arm coupled to the carriage, the pivot arm pivotable about a pivot axis; and a subassembly coupled to the pivot arm. The subassembly includes an electronic display for presenting video. The electronic display is adjustably positionable both along the translation axis by movement of the carriage along the translation axis and about the pivot axis by movement of the pivot arm about the pivot axis. The electronic display further includes an electronic input member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10 / 708,617, filed Mar. 15, 2004, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein, and which application is a nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 454,895, filed Mar. 14, 2003, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Modern healthcare providers are learning that true healthcare involves much more than perfunctory attention to physical ailments. The best care embraces the full spectrum of needs of a patient. A patient that is comfortable with attention and treatment is indeed likely to benefit from participation in preventive practices and regularly scheduled appointments for care. Indeed, preventive medicine is thoug...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030] An aspect of the present invention pertaining to providing healthcare includes an electronic display arrangement for viewing of video, wherein the person viewing the video is a patient receiving a healthcare service in a resting position or is a healthcare provider providing such healthcare service. The arrangement of this aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus for receiving a patient in a resting position, and an electronic display suspended above the apparatus and adjustably positionable for unobstructed viewing by the person. Furthermore, the electronic display includes a display screen and a protective member covering the display screen. In the feature of this aspect, the display screen comprises a touchscreen that, for example, is an infrared touchscreen or that utilizes projected capacitive technology. The protective member preferably is transparent and is removably attached to the electronic display, whereby the protective member may be replaced from time-to-time, as needed. For example, the protective member may be removably attached to the electronic display by a plurality of screws. In still other features, the protective member itself preferably comprises a polycarbonate material sold by General Electric under the trademark “LEXAN”; however, the protective member generally may comprise, for instance, a plastic material, a thermoplastic material, and / or a chemical-resistant material, and the protective member may include, for instance, scratch resistant characteristics, antistatic characteristics, antiglare characteristics, and impact resistant characteristics. The protective member also preferably is waterproof and impenetrable to pathogens. Moreover, the protective member preferably is screen printed with a black color on an inside surface thereof to present a solid black appearance to a viewer when the underlying display screen is not illuminated. In still other features of this aspect, a polarizing filter and / or a Bernoulli lens is disposed between the display screen and the protective member to improve visibility of the image presented to the patient.

Problems solved by technology

Even routine healthcare services such as oral hygiene procedures can provide a less than optimal patient experience.

Patients are typically at least bored while receiving such care.

The view of these monitors and televisions provided to the patient, however, is less than optimal, as many dental procedures require the patient to be fully reclined in the dental chair.

Headphones also inhibit effective communication between the patient and provider of the healthcare service during the procedure.

Virtual reality goggles may be similarly obstructive and are not comfortable to some patients who experience claustrophobia.

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