Automatic retraction mechanism for medical measuring cables in mobile patient monitoring devices
The automatic retraction mechanism addresses cable tangling and hygiene issues by using a coil and spiral spring to neatly wind cables into a compartment, improving efficiency and safety in emergency settings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202025003346
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing medical measuring cables in devices like ECG, defibrillators, and vital parameter monitors become tangled, dirty, and require manual winding, leading to increased time, hygiene issues, and confusing handling in emergency and rescue environments.
An automatic retraction mechanism with a coil, spiral spring, and locking mechanism that automatically winds the cables into a compartment, using mechanical energy storage and a damping system to regulate speed, ensuring neat winding without twisting or overlapping.
The mechanism reduces organizational effort, improves hygiene, extends cable life, and enhances efficiency and safety by eliminating manual winding and tangling, suitable for retrofitting existing devices.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The present technology relates to a mechanical retraction mechanism for medical measuring cables, especially for devices for patient monitoring, such as ECG, defibrillator or vital parameter monitors (e.g. Corpuls 3, Lifepak 15, Zoll X series).
[0002] In emergency and rescue environments, several measuring cables are used simultaneously, for example to record ECG signals, SpO2, NIBP, temperature or CO2 values.
[0003] These cables are repeatedly pulled out of the device, laid down, and rolled back up during use.
[0004] After use, the cables often become tangled, dirty, or have to be wound up manually.
[0005] This leads to increased time expenditure, hygiene problems and confusing handling.
[0006] The technology overcomes these disadvantages through an automatic retraction and winding system that is fully integrated into the device housing and automatically returns the cable to an internal compartment after a button is pressed.
[0007] The mechanism consists of a coil (2) with an integrated spiral spring (3) on which the measuring cable (1) is wound.
[0008] When the cable is pulled out, the spiral spring is tensioned and stores mechanical energy.
[0009] A locking mechanism (4) makes it possible to fix the cable at a desired length during operation.
[0010] After pressing the retraction button (5), the locking mechanism is released, the spiral spring relaxes, and the coil automatically and evenly retracts the cable into the cable compartment (6).
[0011] To prevent excessively rapid retraction, a damping system is provided that regulates the retraction speed to avoid damage to the plugs or the device.
[0012] The system works entirely mechanically, requires no electrical energy source and can be retrofitted to existing devices as a modular system if needed.
[0013] In addition, an internal cable guide ensures that the cable is wound up neatly, without twisting or overlapping.
[0014] The system is easy to clean, requires little maintenance, and significantly improves hygiene and order in the workplace.
[0015] This solution reduces the organizational effort after each use, extends the service life of the cables and contributes to efficiency and safety in emergency services and clinical environments. Reference symbol list:
Claims
[1] Device for automatic winding of medical measuring cables in mobile patient monitoring devices, characterized by , that the measuring cable (1) is arranged on a coil (2) with an integrated spiral spring (3), wherein the spiral spring (3) is tensioned when the cable is pulled out and, after actuation of a retraction button (5), the cable is automatically retracted into a housing (6). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that a locking mechanism (4) is provided which fixes the cable (1) at a desired length during use and is automatically released by pressing the retraction button (5). [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a damping system slows down the return of the cable to prevent damage to connectors. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the system is fully integrated into the device housing (6) and is designed to be easily disassembled for hygienic cleaning. [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cable routing inside the housing (6) ensures a twist-free and orderly winding of the cable (1). [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the retraction mechanism is designed as a modular component and can be retrofitted into existing devices.