MECHANICAL INTERFACE FOR MEDICAL DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] In the field of medical care for patients, whether after an accident, e.g. in an ambulance, or in intensive care, various medical devices are needed depending on the injury or illness of the patient being treated, e.g. to monitor blood pressure, heartbeat and / or breathing.

[0002] The type and severity of the injury(ies) determine which equipment and supplies are needed. Furthermore, the injured person is transported from the accident site to a hospital's emergency room using various means of transport (NATO or patient stretcher; ambulance, helicopter, etc.). During this transport, the equipment required for treatment and monitoring must remain in close proximity to the injured person. It goes without saying that some of this equipment is sensitive to impacts.

[0003] Especially when it comes to the initial treatment of injured or wounded persons, the equipment required for their treatment must be able to be quickly and securely attached to a patient stretcher, hospital transport vehicle, or ambulance. Depending on the equipment and the conditions on site, the equipment must also be protected from vibrations or hard impacts.

[0004] DE 20 2020 105 649 U1 discloses a device holding device, in particular for attaching a mobile medical device, and a medical device.

[0005] The invention aims to provide a solution that allows medical devices or other technical equipment to be connected to a base quickly, reliably, and securely, all under the challenging conditions of emergency medicine.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a mechanical interface for medical devices and other technical equipment, comprising a receptacle and a counterpart detachably connectable to the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has a support area and several spaced-apart receiving bolts, wherein recesses are formed in the counterpart and are arranged such that the receiving bolts enter the recesses of the counterpart when the counterpart is placed on the support area of ​​the receptacle.

[0007] This detachable mechanical interface allows the counterpart, with its recesses, to be positively connected to the receptacle or its mounting bolts by placing the counterpart, with its "underside," onto the mounting surface of the receptacle. The mounting bolts of the receptacle then engage in the recesses of the counterpart. This creates a positive connection, and a medical device or other piece of equipment mounted on the counterpart is firmly attached to the receptacle.

[0008] For example, if the mounting is located in the interior of an ambulance next to the place where the patient is during transport, various medical devices can be positioned near the patient as needed by placing the desired device with its attached counterpart onto the mounting surface and securing it with the mounting bolts.

[0009] The positive-locking connection via mounting bolts and recesses in the counterpart is very quick and easy to establish and can be disassembled again after use of the device. It can transmit sufficiently large forces so that the medical device on the counterpart is secured against slipping and / or falling under all circumstances.

[0010] The interface according to the invention can be attached to, for example, an ambulance, an incubator base, or a hospital transport vehicle using threaded screws. The mounting bolts then protrude upwards beyond the mounting area, and any medical device equipped with a counterpart according to the invention can be placed on the support surface.

[0011] If the mount is to be flexibly attached to a vehicle or other supporting structure, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention two or more spaced-apart fittings / T-nuts are arranged on a side of the mount opposite the support area, which are compatible with a lashing rail as known from aviation and transport.

[0012] These lashing rails have been on the market for years. They are often made of aluminum and feature a T-shaped groove. At the narrowest point of the T-shaped groove, there are regularly spaced extensions, usually circular in shape. The fittings that interact with the lashing rail have round diameter extensions spaced at the same intervals as the extensions in the T-slot of the lashing rail. The fittings can be inserted into the extensions in the T-slot of the lashing rail when the diameter extensions of the fittings align with these extensions.

[0013] If the diameter extensions of the fittings are located in the T-slot and the fittings are then shifted by half the distance between the extensions in the T-slot, a positive fit is created between the fittings and the T-slot, as with a conventional T-nut and a conventional T-slot. These special positions of the fittings in the lashing rail are also referred to as the "positive fit position" in connection with the invention.

[0014] One advantage of these lashing rails and the associated fittings is that the fittings (and in the case of the interface according to the invention) the receptacle connected to them can be positively attached at various points on the lashing rail without the need for tools.

[0015] To ensure that the fittings, and with them the mounting bracket, cannot unintentionally move relative to the lashing rail into a position where a positive fit is not maintained, a (preferably spring-loaded) locking pin is provided on the mounting bracket. When extended, this locking pin engages in one of the extensions in the T-slot of the lashing rail, thus securing the mounting bracket and the fittings in the desired positive-fit position. This enables a secure, extremely robust, and quickly releasable positive fit between the fittings / mount and the lashing rail. As mentioned previously, the principle behind these lashing rails is well-known from the aviation industry for securing seats in passenger aircraft, as well as in the logistics sector for the flexible attachment of lashing points on vans and trucks.This system is now used according to the invention in connection with a mechanical interface for medical devices and equipment, so that its advantages can also be exploited for the medical field and in particular rescue services, but also patient transport and intensive care medicine.

[0016] For the mounting bracket to be compatible with a lashing rail commonly used in the aviation or transport industries, the fittings and the locking pin must be aligned on the mounting bracket. This allows the fittings, with their diameter extensions, to be inserted into the extension of the lashing rail's T-slot. Furthermore, the locking pin can engage in the extension of the T-slot of the lashing rail whenever the fittings attached to the mounting bracket are in a positive-locking position.

[0017] Alternatively, damping elements can be installed on the side opposite the mounting bolts. These elements can be screwed to a vehicle floor, a hospital transport vehicle, or a damping plate. The damping elements mitigate shocks transmitted through the vehicle or the supporting structure that carries the mechanical interface or the mounting. This protects the mechanical stresses on the medical devices mounted on the device, even during harsh rescue or intensive care situations, extending their service life and reducing the risk of malfunctions.

[0018] Alternatively, the damping elements can be attached to a damping plate at one end, and the mounting bracket attached to the damping elements at the other end. Such damping elements are available in various designs, damping rates, and spring rates from specialist retailers. They often have threaded sleeves at one end, allowing the mounting bracket to be easily screwed onto the damping elements. The damping elements may have a flange plate at the opposite end. This flange plate allows the damping elements to be bolted to the floor of a vehicle, a load-bearing structure, or a support plate. If the damping elements are attached to a support plate, then this support plate can be bolted to either a vehicle or a load-bearing structure.Alternatively, it is also possible to provide fittings and a spring-loaded locking bolt on the support plate, so that the support plate can be attached to a lashing rail in the manner described above.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving bolts each have a transverse bore. A locking bolt, in particular a ball locking bolt or a spring pin, can be inserted into this transverse bore. This prevents the mating part from unintentionally loosening or lifting off the receiving part. That is, even if the receiving part is turned upside down, the mating part remains positively connected to the receiving part.

[0020] With this type of "double" positive locking between counterpart and receiver, the mechanical interface can reliably transmit forces into all areas without the counterpart being able to detach from the receiver.

[0021] A particularly elegant implementation of the interface according to the invention provides that the counterpart with the recesses is integrated into the housing of a medical device. In this case, the recesses are typically located on the underside of the housing, with their arrangement corresponding to that of the receiving bolts. When the device is placed onto the receptacle, the receiving bolts engage in the recesses located on the underside of the housing. To then lock the device or the housing to the receptacle, openings are provided on the front, back, or sides of the housing. Locking bolts or a spring pin are inserted through these openings into the transverse bore of the receiving bolts.

[0022] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention, as well as the interaction of the individual components and assemblies in various constellations, are presented and explained below in connection with the drawing. drawing

[0023] They show: Figures 1 and 2: Embodiments of the inventive devices; Figure 3: An exploded view of a first application example of the interface according to the invention; Figure 4: A carrier plate with damping elements, a spring-loaded locking bolt, and adjusting plates in an isometric view; Figure 5: An isometric view of the second embodiment from below; Figures 6 and 7: The embodiment according to the Figures 3 and 4in various views; Figure 8 a side view of the second embodiment; Figure 9 the support plate of the second embodiment without damping elements and without a receptacle, which is placed on a surface in which a lashing rail is located; Figures 10 to 13 examples of various counterparts that are compatible with a receptacle of the interface according to the invention; Figure 14 the device according to Figure 13 , as mounted on a recording according to the first embodiment; Figure 15 the device according to Figure 13 , mounted on the receptacle of the second embodiment; Figure 16 shows a further application example of the second embodiment; and Figure 17 shows a receptacle that is firmly screwed to an incubator. Description of the exemplary implementations

[0024] The interface according to the invention is characterized by great flexibility and a wide range of applications. Therefore, the figures can only represent a limited number of specific configurations of receptacles, counterparts, etc. It is inherent in the nature of an interface that the various components of receptacles, carrier plates, damping elements, and counterparts can be configured in an almost unmanageable number of constellations. A detailed description of all configurations is not possible, so the figures in the Figures 1 to 17 The constellations shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope and application of the interface according to the invention. The interface according to the invention comprises a receptacle and a corresponding counterpart. Such a counterpart is, for example, in the Figure 3 depicted.

[0025] In the Figure 1An isometric view of the first embodiment of a receptacle 1 according to the invention is shown. The counterpart to the receptacle 1 is shown in the Figure 1 not shown.

[0026] The one in Figure 1 The depicted mounting 1 can be a rectangular plate made of sheet metal or plastic, at the corners of which four mounting bolts 3 are screwed or otherwise fastened. For the sake of clarity, not all mounting bolts 3 are labeled. The mounting bolts 3 have a transverse bore 5 (see Figure 2 The transverse bore 5 serves to receive a locking bolt 7, so that a positive locking connection is formed by the receiving bolts 3 and a counterpart 9, as is the case, for example, in the Figure 3 It is shown to lock or secure.

[0027] The interaction between counterpart 9 and recording 1 will be presented and explained in detail below.

[0028] The top (in the Figure 1 The area of ​​the receptacle 1 is hereinafter also referred to as the receiving area. The counterpart 9 is placed on the receiving area. When the counterpart 9 is placed on the receptacle 1, the receiving bolts 3 move into the recesses 15 in the counterpart 9 (see figure). Figure 3 ) until the transverse bores 5 protrude from the top of the counterpart 9. In this position, the locking bolts 7 can then be inserted into the transverse bores 5. This locks or secures the positive-locking connection between the counterpart 9 and the receptacle 1.

[0029] The exemplary embodiment in Figure 1The illustrated embodiment of a receptacle 1 can, for example, be screwed to a vehicle or other load-bearing structure using socket head cap screws (not shown). The receptacle 1 thus provides a fixed point on which various medical devices equipped with a counterpart 9 according to the invention can be attached as needed. When another device is to be docked to the receptacle 1, the interface is released by removing the locking pins and lifting off the counterpart 9 along with the device mounted on it. Subsequently, another device with counterpart 9 is placed onto the receptacle 1. This process takes only a few seconds. Therefore, the interface according to the invention offers great flexibility combined with high mechanical strength and high reliability.

[0030] In the Figure 3An exploded view shows a configuration in which the counterpart 9 is designed as a plate with four recesses 15. A medical device 17 is attached to the counterpart 9, so that when the counterpart 9 is placed on the underlying receptacle 1, the receiving bolts 3 penetrate through the recesses 15 and the transverse bores 5 of the receiving bolts 3 protrude from the top of the counterpart 9. In this position, the locking bolts 7 can then be inserted into the transverse bores 5, thereby connecting the counterpart 9 and the attached medical device 17 to the receptacle 1 in a positive-locking, secure, and extremely robust manner.

[0031] If the device, which is to be placed on the receptacle 1 of the interface according to the invention by means of a counterpart 9, is very sensitive and / or the supporting structure which supports the receptacle 1 or the vehicle to which the receptacle 1 is attached transmits shocks into the receptacle 1, it is advantageous if the receptacle 1 is connected to the supporting structure or a carrier plate 13 via damping elements 11, as shown in the Figure 2 The carrier plate 13 is shown to be coupled. It can in turn be screwed to the non-visible supporting structure or a vehicle. The damping elements arranged between the carrier plate 13 and the receptacle 1 dampen shocks emanating from the carrier plate 13, reducing their amplitude and thus decreasing the mechanical stresses on a device connected to the vehicle via the mechanical interface.

[0032] In the Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate 13 is not, as in Figure 2 , not by screws, but by means of fittings and a locking bolt, positively locking to a lashing rail 19.

[0033] The lashing rail 19 is also in the Figure 6 and 9 visible. The principle of this lashing rail 19 is that a T-slot is formed in an extruded profile, usually made of aluminum. At regular intervals (corresponding to dimension "A" in Figure 5 The T-slot has extensions, usually with a circular outer contour. These are connected by complementary shaped fittings that have circular diameter extensions, the spacing of which "A" is specified in the... Figure 5is entered. If the diameter extensions of the fittings 25 are located directly above the extensions of the T-slot, the diameter extensions of the fittings 25 can be inserted into the T-slot through the extensions in the T-slot. If the fittings 25 are then moved by half a distance (= 0.5 x "A") in the T-slot, a positive fit is created between the T-slot of the lashing rail and the diameter extensions, similar to a conventional T-nut and a T-slot. In this positive-lock position of the fitting(s) 25, it is not possible to pull the fitting out of the T-slot. This is only possible again when the fitting is moved by half the distance "A" relative to the lashing rail. xx

[0034] To prevent this, a locking pin 23 is provided between the fittings. The locking pin 23 has a cylindrical end section whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the extensions in the T-slot of the lashing rail 19. When the end of the locking pin 23 engages in an extension of the T-slot, it ensures that the support plate 13 and the fittings 25 attached to the support plate 13 cannot move relative to the lashing rail 19. Consequently, a positive fit between the diameter extensions of the fitting and the T-slot of the lashing rail is guaranteed, and a very robust and positively locking connection, which is secure in various positions, is established in a manner known per se. Because the system of such a lashing rail with the corresponding fittings is already known to those skilled in the art, the details of this system will not be discussed further.

[0035] In the Figure 4An isometric view of another embodiment of the carrier plate 13 including damping elements 11 is shown. The image 1 is not shown. In particular, a grip element 21 of the spring-loaded locking bolt 23 can also be seen. Figure 5 Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the underside of the carrier plate 13. In this view, the other end of the spring-loaded locking bolt 23 can be seen. The handle element 21 belongs to the locking bolt 23.

[0036] Furthermore, in the Figure 5 Two fittings 25 can be seen, which are screwed to the underside of the support plate 13. In the Figure 4 The corresponding screw heads are visible on the top of the carrier plate 13.

[0037] The one in Figure 5The fittings 25 shown as examples are elongated bodies that have two more or less circular diameter expansions at a distance A. The distance A of the diameter expansions 26 is matched to a lashing rail 16 (not shown) which has expansions in the T-slot at the same distance.

[0038] The distance between the two fittings 25 corresponds to an integer multiple of the distance A between the diameter expansions. In this embodiment, the locking pin 23 is arranged in the middle between the fittings 25. The center point of the locking pin 23 is offset by half a distance "A" to an integer multiple of "A". In this embodiment, the distance between the center point of the locking pin 23 and the first diameter expansion of the fitting 25 is equal to 2.5 x A.

[0039] In other words: When the locking bolt 23 is inserted into an extension of the T-slot, the diameter extensions 26 on the fittings 25 are located at a point on the lashing rail 19 where no extension of the T-slot is present. Consequently, a positive fit between the fittings 25 and the lashing rail 19 is ensured in this position.

[0040] To release this positive locking mechanism, the locking bolt 23 must be lifted against the force of a spring using the handle element 21, so that the locking bolt 23 disappears into the support plate 13. The support plate 13, along with the fittings 25, can then be displaced relative to the lashing rail 19 by 0.5 x A. The diameter extensions 26 of the fittings 25 are then located precisely where the extensions are in the lashing rail, and the support plate 13, along with the fittings 25 and all components connected to the support plate 13, can be lifted out of the lashing rail 19.

[0041] In the Figures 4 and are visible on the underside of the support plate 13 as adjusting plates 27. In this embodiment, the adjusting plates 27 are moved downwards to a greater or lesser extent by means of a knurled nut 29. The adjusting plate 27 functions approximately like a height-adjustable machine foot.

[0042] If the upper edge of the lashing rail 19 is not flush with the surface of a supporting structure 29 which receives the lashing rail 19 (see Figure 6 and 9 ), then the support plate 13 would "tilt" if the fittings 25 are positively connected to the lashing rail 19.

[0043] To prevent this, the leveling plates 27 are provided. They compensate for the "height difference" between the upper edge of the lashing rail 19 and the surface of the supporting structure 29. For this purpose, the leveling plates 27 are secured in the Figure 5turned downwards until they rest on the surface of the supporting structure 29, thus creating a secure and play-free connection between the support plate 13 and the supporting structure 29.

[0044] In a simplified embodiment, it is also possible to provide only one adjusting plate 27 and one knurled nut 29. Even then, it is possible to attach the support plate 13 to the supporting structure 29 without play using the lashing rail 19.

[0045] In the Figure 7 Is that based on the Figures 3 and 4The illustrated embodiment with the attached receptacle 1 is shown. In this illustration, it is clearly visible that the receptacle 1 is attached to the three damping elements 11 and that the mounting bolts 3 of the receptacle 1 are located on the "other side" of the damping elements from the receptacle 1, as are the damping elements 11. A large central recess is provided in the receptacle. The handle element 21 can be easily gripped and operated through this recess.

[0046] The Figure 8 Figure 1 shows a side view of this embodiment. This side view shows the receptacle 1 with the receptacle bolts 3, the damping elements 11, the fittings 25, the adjusting plate 27 with the knurled nut 29, and the locking bolt 23.

[0047] In the Figure 9 The carrier plate 13 is shown without damping elements 11 and without receptacle 1, wherein the carrier plate 13 is positively engaged in the lashing rail 19 with the fittings 25.

[0048] In the Figures 10 to 13 Various embodiments of counterparts 9 are shown. Figures 10 to 12 On a counterpart 9, various housings are arranged. A specific medical device (not shown) can be inserted into each of these housings. Once this device is in the specific housing on the counterpart 9, it can be positively attached to the receptacle 1 using the counterpart 9.

[0049] In the Figure 13A medical device 35 is shown in which the counterpart is integrated into the housing of the device 35. This means that recesses are present on the underside of the device 35 into which the receiving bolts 3 insert. Two small openings 33 are visible on the front of the device. The locking bolts 7 are inserted through these openings 33, thus connecting the medical device 35 to the receiving bolts of the receptacle 1. This situation is shown in the Figure 14 Here's a more detailed illustration. The medical device is shown in image 1, according to... Figure 1 The unit is in place and the locking bolts 7 are inserted.

[0050] In the Figure 15 The same medical device 35 is shown with receptacle 1, damping elements 11 and carrier plate 13. In the Figure 16 This embodiment is equipped with yet another medical device. Reference symbol list

[0051] 1 Mounting 3 Mounting bolt 5 Transverse bore 7 Locking bolt 9 Counterpart 11 Damping element 13 Support plate 13 Support plate 15 Recess in the counterpart 17 Medical device or equipment 19 Lashing rail 21 Handle element 23 Locking bolt 25 Fitting 27 Adjustment plate 29 Knurled nut 31 Support structure 33 Opening 35 Device

Claims

1. A mechanical interface for medical apparatuses (35) and other equipment, comprising a receptacle (1) and a counterpart (9) which is releasably connectable to the receptacle (1), the receptacle (1) having a support region and a plurality of spaced-apart receptacle bolts (5), cut-outs (15) arranged so as to be complementary to the receptacle bolts (5) being formed in the counterpart (9), such that the receptacle bolts (5) enter the cut-outs (15) of the counterpart (9) when the counterpart (9) is located on the support region of the receptacle (1), characterized in that on a side of the receptacle (1) opposite the support region, two fittings / slot nuts (25) are arranged which are spaced apart from one another, in that the fittings / slot nuts (25) are compatible with a lashing rail (19), and in that a (resilient) stop bolt (23) is provided on the receptacle (1), and in that a carrier plate (13) is provided on a side of the receptacle (1) opposite the support region, and in that at least one damping element (11), preferably three damping elements (11), are provided between the receptacle (1) and the carrier plate (13), and that the fittings / slot nuts (25) and the (resilient) stop bolt (23) are arranged on the carrier plate (13).

2. The interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the fittings / slot nuts (25) and the stop bolt (23) are arranged in alignment with one another on the receptacle (1) or the carrier plate (13).

3. Interface according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one height-adjustable compensating plate (27) is arranged on the receptacle (1) or the carrier plate (13), and in that the at least one compensating plate (27) is positioned at a distance (S) from an imaginary connecting line between the fittings / slot nuts (25).

4. The interface according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle bolts (3) have a transverse bore (5), and in that a locking pin, preferably a quick release pin (7), or a spring split pin can be inserted into the transverse bore (5) in order to lock / secure the interlocking connection between the receptacle bolt (3) and the cut-out.

5. The interface according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counterpart is integrated into or fastened to a housing of a medical apparatus (35) or piece of equipment.