Medical Ventilator Cart with Tilting Platform and Auto-Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical equipment carts lack efficient mechanisms for securely mounting and tilting medical ventilators, making it difficult to transport and manage these devices in patient care facilities, and they often have complex designs that hinder cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A cart design featuring a platform with a tilting assembly and an adapter plate with a locking mechanism that allows for secure mounting and tilting of medical ventilators, facilitating easier handling and cleaning by allowing the ventilator to be tilted relative to the cart and automatically locking into place, while the adapter plate can be easily released for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking assembly with handles is used to secure the adapter plate to the platform, then the ventilator is securely mounted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to automatically engage and lock the adapter plate to the platform when the ventilator is placed on the cart. The spring-loaded mechanism self-actuates upon engagement, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and reducing operational complexity while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual locking mechanisms with a spring-loaded automatic locking system. The mechanical spring mechanism automatically engages locking tabs when the adapter plate is positioned on the platform, providing secure mounting through simple mechanical action rather than complex multi-component locking systems.
2Ease of operation
If the platform is designed to tilt relative to the column, then the ease of operation improves for loading/unloading, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed with a tilting mechanism that allows it to rotate relative to the vertical column. This dynamic capability enables the platform to tilt forward or backward to facilitate easy loading and unloading of ventilators, while the mechanism can be locked in position when needed, providing operational flexibility without excessive complexity.
3Ease of repair
If the top surface of the platform is substantially devoid of recesses, then the ease of repair improves by preventing residue accumulation, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface of the platform is designed to be substantially flat and devoid of recesses, crevices, or irregularities. This homogeneous smooth surface prevents accumulation of cleaning residues and makes the platform easier to clean and maintain, while the design achieves this through standard manufacturing processes rather than requiring exceptional precision.
4Reliability
If the locking assembly is biased towards a locked configuration, then the reliability of secure mounting improves, but the ease of operation for release decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly uses a periodic action mechanism where the spring-loaded locking tabs engage automatically upon platform engagement, providing secure locked configuration. For release, a simple manual actuation reverses the action periodically, allowing easy operation for release while maintaining reliable locked positioning during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cart for medical equipment includes a base having one or more wheels, a column supported by the base, and a platform supported on the column and opposite the base. The platform is configured to mount a piece of medical equipment to the cart. The cart also includes an adapter plate securable to the piece of medical equipment and configured to releasably couple to the platform. The adapter plate includes a locking assembly having one or more handles that upon actuation releases the adapter plate from the platform.