IV Pole Topper With Flush Hooks and Color-Coded Patient Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheeled chairs, such as wheelchairs and transport chairs, face challenges in ease of use, storage, accommodating different sizes, and securely carrying medical equipment like oxygen bottles and charts, with issues related to brakes, armrests, footrests, and IV poles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a frame with wheels, an IV pole, and a removable IV pole topper with hooks, adjustable armrests, automatic footrest pivoting, and a braking system, along with features like a compact storage mechanism and color-coded IV pole toppers for information display, enhancing usability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional IV pole toppers are used, then IV bags can be hung, but the hooks extend outwardly creating safety hazards and poor aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the hooks as arcuate structures that follow the circular contour of the ribbon. The hooks are positioned along the perimeter of the circular ribbon and curve inward rather than extending radially outward, creating a smooth rounded profile that eliminates protruding hazards while maintaining hanging capability along the curved path
2Loss of information
If the IV pole topper is fixed, then it provides stable support, but it cannot convey variable information about patient condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements color-coded ribbons where different colors indicate different patient conditions or information categories. The colored ribbons are integrated into the topper structure, allowing visual information transmission without adding mechanical complexity. The color coding system provides immediate recognition of patient status while maintaining a simple overall design
3Adaptability or versatility
If the IV pole topper has a simple design, then it is easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide multiple functions like storage and information display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional topper where a single integrated structure provides multiple capabilities: the circular ribbon with hooks serves for hanging IV bags, the colored portions convey patient information, and the overall design maintains aesthetic appeal. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into one component rather than requiring separate attachments for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The topper is segmented into functional zones along the circular ribbon: hook regions for hanging, colored information display regions, and transition zones. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a unified overall structure that is relatively simple to manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A wheeled medical device—such as a cot, stretcher, bed, wheeled chair, or other medical device—includes a pole on which is mounted a removable topper. The topper may include a plurality of IV hooks used to support an IV bag. The hooks may be defined in an endless ribbon that is circular, or that is another closed shape. No prongs, hooks, or other projections extend outwardly from the topper, thereby reducing the potential dangerousness of accidental impacts with the topper. Whether the topper includes hooks or not, it may also be used as an information communication medium, such as through the use of colors, shapes, or other structures that signify certain information. The information may identify characteristics of the patient associated with the medical device or characteristics of the medical device itself, or still other information.