Transformable intravenous pole

Abstract

An intravenous (IV) pole system for supporting medical equipment having a base with legs, a mast engaged to the base, and a lifting mechanism including a gas spring engaged to the base and the mast. Each of the legs includes at least one wheel. The lifting mechanism is constructed to position the legs in an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The lifting mechanism is further constructed to raise the legs and wheels relative to the base and relative to a surface. The lifting mechanism is configured to position the wheels proximate to the mast in the retracted configuration.

Description

[0001]This application is a reissue Application of U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,422 filed Nov. 30, 2007 entitled TRANSFORMABLE INTRAVENOUS POLE, which is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, application Ser. No. 11 / 711,478, filed Feb. 27, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,407, which claims priority to provisional application No. 60 / 777,467 filed on Feb. 27, 2006.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]In some embodiments this invention relates to an improved IV pole, its manufacture, and methods of use. More particularly some embodiments relate to intravenous poles with transformable base widths to better facilitate the transport of patients.[0006]2. Description of the Related Art[0007]For many years, patients needing intravenous fluid transfusions have been able to be moved by a patient transportation apparatus such as a wheelchair, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These IV poles, however, suffer from a number of drawbacks.

One unsatisfactory form of a mobile IV pole is a pole permanently attached to, and using out of, the patient transportation device such as that described in published US Patent Application 2006 / 0243500A1.

This form imposes significant burdens on hospital staff as each time the patient is moved, pumps and fluid bags must both be transferred onto the transportation device before the patient is moved, and then again the pumps and fluid bags must be transferred off of the transportation device once the patient arrives at their destination.

The repeated transferal of bags and pumps increases the risks of bags or pumps being dropped leading to wasted medicines needing replacement and wasted environmental services cleaning up spills as well as damage occurring to expensive pumps and equipment.

Similarly the permanently attached pole makes the transportation device bulky causing awkward and difficult movement, storage, and maintenance.

In the case of beds, permanently attached poles render the beds particularly bulky, and difficult to maneuver.

Other problems relate to difficulty in linen changes.

Further, beds with poles significantly increase the difficulty of patient transfer into and out of the bed.

Most seriously of all, constant removal and re-attachment of IV bags and pumps increases the risks of IV leads being strained or pulled entirely from the patient's body, complicating a patient's treatment and potentially putting the individual at risk of infection or improper treatment.

Another unsatisfactory form of mobile IV pole is a free standing wheeled pole that is moved alongside the patient transfer apparatus such as that described in published US Patent Application 2006 / 0222341A1.

This device unfortunately also imposes significant burdens on hospital staff.

Because patient transfer apparatuses may be heavy, and not designed for one handed pushing, repeatedly utilizing one person to simultaneously move both the pole and the transfer apparatus causes significant strain, which often results in back and sprain injuries in medical personnel.

Also, such pushing increases the risk of injury to a patient in that the pole may tip over onto the patient or that the patient transfer apparatus may strike walls or objects and aggravate an injury.

The alternative of utilizing multiple medical personnel to transport a single patient is inefficient and cost prohibitive in an era of scarce nurses and other medical personnel.

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