DE20018317U1 - Business car - Google Patents

Description

Utility model description ^tf visit trolley ^ff

Dr. med. Gregor Ley Dipl.-lng. Christoph Doerrer Dr. rer. nat. Lars Greiffenberg

Authorized service agent:

Dr. med. Gregor Ley Zaubzerstrasse 64 81677 Munich Tel.:089-47077512 e-mail: gregor@ley-online.de

Utility model description "Visitenwagen"·*!&iacgr; III IIII October 2000

1. Description:

During the daily rounds in the hospital, the doctor visits each patient one after the other to discuss the latest diagnostic and therapeutic status with them. To do this, he needs up-to-date information about the patients, such as examination findings, X-ray images and laboratory results, which he carries with him in a ward trolley. A conventional ward trolley is pushed on wheels and contains drawers and compartments for storing these files, patient charts and X-ray images. In addition, there is usually a worktop on top or, in some cases, one that folds out to the side for storing documents that are used from time to time or as a writing surface.

For several years now, an increasing number of doctors in hospitals have been using portable computers (laptops) to help doctors edit, save and manage information that is important to them for diagnosis and treatment planning. For example, a CD-ROM drive can be used to quickly and easily access detailed drug lists or extensive medical reference works, or to save complicated calculation formulas such as those used to plan chemotherapy. Since a laptop is a mobile device, doctors can sometimes edit the data outside of the ward or at home.

However, taking the laptop with you on the daily rounds often carries the risk of theft, as the doctor sometimes spends a lot of time in the patient's room during the rounds and the trolley - on which the laptop is usually parked - is left unattended in front of the room door.

There is also a risk of damage if you take your laptop with you during rounds: for example, rolling over doorsteps or hitting a wall while moving the rounds trolley often causes violent shocks that can damage the hard drive. The risk of contamination from liquids, for example, is also a constant in the hectic daily routine of a ward. Another disadvantage is that the already very limited usable work surface of the rounds trolley is significantly reduced by placing a laptop on it.

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Utility model description "Visitenwagen" .'JJ I I &iacgr; !II! October 2000

For the reasons mentioned above, even today, despite the clear advantages, laptops are often not carried during daily rounds.

In addition, fluorescent screens are used in everyday clinical practice to examine X-ray images in detail. These produce uniform white light, allowing the doctor to obtain the best possible illumination and thus the best possible assessment of the X-ray image placed in front of it. Such fluorescent screens are usually anchored to the wall in the doctor's office.

To examine X-ray images, which is often necessary during a visit, the doctor must therefore go to the nearest light box, which is often far away. This is a laborious and time-consuming procedure and is therefore often not practiced.

Cordless telephones have been used in hospitals for several years. This technology allows staff the greatest possible flexibility when making calls and has therefore led to a significant optimization of work. The battery charger for such devices is usually installed in a central location on a ward - e.g. in the doctor's office or nursing station - so that the cordless telephone is usually placed in the charger when not in use.

However, it is not possible to make proper use of the advantages of this technology, particularly during the ward round. In principle, the doctor can carry a cordless phone with him for the numerous telephone calls that are necessary during the ward round, but practical experience in hospitals shows that the phone is repeatedly used by other staff during the ward round and is therefore removed from the ward trolley, only to be put back in the charging cradle at a central location. Using the cordless phone again during the ward round then means that the doctor sometimes has to walk a long and therefore time-consuming way to the charging cradle.

The invention is based on the task of improving conventional ward trolleys in such a way that the above-mentioned deficiencies that the doctor is faced with during the daily ward round are eliminated. In particular, the doctor should also be given the opportunity to permanently use modern information and

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Utility model description "Visitenwagen" . * &Idigr; J III I Il I October 2000

To safely carry communication tools such as a laptop and a telephone as well as a fluorescent screen for viewing X-ray images in order to save time-consuming journeys and optimize the work process.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a ward trolley which has the features formulated in the protection claims.

The invention means that a laptop can be carried during daily rounds without being stolen or damaged, but can still be used outside of the rounds independently of the doctor's trolley. In addition, the doctor can have a telephone at all times during the rounds and can optimally assess X-ray images using the fluorescent screen.

Four embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The embodiments 1 and 2 each describe the invention with all the inventive properties mentioned. The embodiments 3 and 4 describe the invention in the form of an attachment for mounting on a conventional ward trolley and contain only a part of the aforementioned inventive properties.

Figure 1 shows the invention in such a way that all the features described are housed in one trolley. At the front of the trolley, there are compartments for taking X-ray images (1) at the bottom. Above this is a drawer (2) that can be pulled out to the front, in which patient files can be stored, for example using hanging files. Above the drawer there are two flat drawers (3) one above the other that can be pulled out to the front, usually without a front panel, in which the patient charts are stored. According to the invention, the ward trolley has an additional flat, (sideways) pull-out drawer (5) at the top directly below the worktop (4), which can be locked. Because the drawer is located directly below the worktop, the device housed in it can be operated ergonomically while standing during the ward round. An integrated electronic combination lock (6) is preferably used as the locking mechanism in order to allow as many staff as possible easy and quick access to the contents of the drawer. The controls for setting the

Ley/Doerrer/Greiffenberg

Utility model description "Visit trolley"

October 2000

Number codes should not be too small to enable quick operation even with disposable gloves. The drawer is lined on the inside with a shock-absorbing material (7) such as foam or a gel cushion so that a sensitive, shock-sensitive electronic device such as a laptop (8) can be safely stored in the drawer. As an alternative shock absorption, a dampening suspension of the drawer or a dampening mechanism in the wheels of the ward trolley can be used. An additional locking mechanism on the underside of the laptop could protect the device from theft even when the drawer is pulled out. In addition, the drawer does not have side panels so that when the drawer is pulled out to the side, the keyboard of a laptop can be easily operated from the front of the ward trolley. At the rear end of the worktop, a shaft (9) runs down into the ward trolley into which a battery-operated fluorescent screen (10) can be lowered for viewing X-ray images. If required, the illuminated screen can be pulled out upwards during the rounds and locks into place when fully extended. The lighting is switched on automatically. If the illuminated screen is no longer required, it can be sunk back into the shaft, and the light can optionally be switched off. A charging cradle (11) for a cordless telephone is also installed on the ward trolley. On the one hand, it offers the option of holding the telephone, and on the other hand, the telephone's battery can be charged when connected to the power supply. The charging cradle can be accommodated in a recess (12) in the worktop, preferably at the rear left end - so as to hinder working on the worktop as little as possible. The charging cradle can also be attached to the side of the ward trolley or, to prevent theft, inside the lockable drawer. Alternatively, the cordless telephone can be permanently installed on the ward trolley, with only the handset being flexibly connected to the telephone or trolley by a cable. This design has the advantage that the telephone cannot be removed from the trolley and is therefore available to the doctor at any time during the rounds.

In order to enable the doctor to carry out print jobs from his laptop directly during the rounds, a battery-operated printer (13) is installed at the bottom of the trolley, next to the compartments for storing X-ray images, which can be connected to the laptop in the drawer via a cable running inside the trolley. In this context, it can also be used as a mobile fax machine.

Ley/Doerrer/Greiffenberg ... .... ·*..**,.".

Utility model description "Visitenwagen" .ji. *.,* ·!·*··* *·»**..* October 2000

possible, in which the functions of telephone, laptop and printer are combined with the help of appropriate software.

At the back of the trolley there is a power plug (14) for simultaneously charging the batteries for the telephone, the fluorescent screen, the printer and the electronic device in the drawer (e.g. laptop).

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the invention in the form of an additional trolley for use alongside a conventional ward trolley, in which the inventive features are largely identical to those of the previous embodiment.

The trolley consists of a platform (15) on rollers, on which a drawer (16) is installed. As described in the previous version, the drawer can also be pulled out to the side, is lockable (17), is shock-proof (18) and has no side panels. An electronic device such as a laptop (19) can be safely stored in it. A worktop (20) is attached to the top of the drawer, on which notes can be taken or files can be filed, for example.

The following mechanism also makes it possible to integrate a fluorescent screen for viewing X-ray images into the trolley: The battery-operated fluorescent screen (21) is attached to the rear end of the worktop with a hinge (22) and, when folded, rests on the trolley with its back as a table top. After folding it up into the vertical position, the lighting is automatically switched on and the fluorescent screen can be used to view X-ray images.

In addition, there is a charging cradle (23) to accommodate a cordless telephone (24) next to the worktop.

A battery-operated printer (25) can also be installed at the base of the trolley. Using a cable laid inside the trolley, this can be connected to a laptop in the drawer and can carry out print jobs from the laptop. The above-mentioned use as a mobile fax machine is also possible here.

As described in the previous version, there is also a mains plug (26) on the back of the trolley for charging all batteries simultaneously.

In order to be able to use the car for storing and using an electronic device, such as a laptop, independently of the visit, the

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Utility model description "Visit trolley"

.'ti &igr;&iacgr;&idigr;&iacgr; : : &iacgr; October 2000

Platform on which the drawer is mounted is height-adjustable (27). This means that the trolley can also be used as a mobile computer workstation while sitting. To ensure that the trolley is stable, the castors can be lowered or locked (28).

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the invention in a form in which it can be mounted on a conventional trolley (29). A movable arm (30) can be anchored to the rear outer end of the worktop of a conventional trolley with screws (31). A platform (32) is attached to the end of the arm, on which a drawer (33) is installed. The drawer can also be pulled out to the side, is lockable (34), is shock-proof (35) and has no side panels, as described in embodiment 1. An electronic device such as a laptop (36) can be housed in it in a way that is protected against theft and shock. A worktop (37) is attached on top of the drawer.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of the invention again in a form in which it can be mounted on a conventional ward trolley (38). Here too, a movable arm (39) can be anchored to the worktop of a conventional ward trolley with screws (40). A platform (41) is attached to the end of the arm, which is covered with a foam cushion or a gel cushion (43) to dampen the vibrations of a sensitive, shock-sensitive electronic device placed on it, such as a laptop (42). The platform can be completely covered by a lockable (44) lid (45) that can be opened to the rear, so that, for example, a laptop can be stored during the ward, protected from theft and damage. When opened, however, a laptop placed on the platform can be operated without restriction. As already described in exemplary embodiment 1, an electronic combination lock is preferably used here as the locking mechanism on the lid.

Ley/Doerrer/Greiffenberg y _t ··

Claims (16)

1. Mobile medical trolley mounted on castors, characterized in that a lockable and shock-proof drawer serves to securely accommodate a sensitive and theft-prone electronic device. 2. Ward trolley according to claim 1, wherein the conventional elements of a ward trolley such as drawers, worktop and compartments for holding X-ray images, patient files and patient charts are retained. 3. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the drawer is installed on a platform, and - the drawer can be locked with an electronic combination lock, - the drawer slide rail is spring-loaded, - the drawer is lined with a foam or gel cushion inside for cushioning, - the drawer can preferably be pulled out to the side and has no side panels to enable the best possible operation of a laptop keyboard, for example, - there is a worktop above the drawer, - the platform is height adjustable. 4. Medical trolley according to claim 2, wherein - the drawer can be locked with an electronic combination lock, - the drawer slide rail is spring-loaded, - the drawer is lined with a foam or gel cushion inside for cushioning, - the drawer can preferably be pulled out to the side and has no side panels to enable the best possible operation of a laptop keyboard, for example, - the drawer is located directly below the worktop. 5. A trolley according to claim 1 to 4, wherein a laptop can be additionally secured by a hook mechanism attached to the bottom of the drawer engaging the securing device located on the underside of a laptop. The hook mechanism can be operated by a lock on the underside of the drawer. 6. A ward trolley according to claim 1 to 5, wherein a fluorescent screen is provided for viewing X-ray images, - which is preferably battery-operated, - which can be retracted into a guide rail at the rear of the carriage, - which can be locked in the extended position, - whose lighting switches on automatically when pulled out and switches off again when lowered. 7. A ward trolley according to claims 1 to 5, wherein a fluorescent screen is provided for viewing X-ray images, - which is preferably battery-operated and can be folded forward onto the worktop, - which can be locked in a vertical position, - whose lighting switches on automatically when opened and off when closed. 8. A medical trolley according to claim 1 to 7, wherein a device for receiving a cordless telephone in the form of a charging cradle is firmly anchored on the outside of the trolley, and the telephone can be secured to the trolley with a chain or cord. 9. A medical trolley according to claims 1 to 7, wherein a wireless telephone is firmly anchored in the medical trolley and only the handset is flexibly connected to the medical trolley by a cable. 10. A medical trolley according to claim 3 and 4, wherein a device for receiving a cordless telephone in the form of a charging cradle is integrated into the lockable drawer. 11. A cart according to claim 1 to 10, wherein a printer is additionally integrated into the cart, which - can be connected to a laptop in the drawer using a cable installed inside the trolley, - preferably battery-operated. 12. A medical trolley according to claim 11, wherein the properties of a fax machine are achieved by software-supported linking of the functions of telephone, laptop and printer. 13. A medical trolley according to claims 1 to 12, wherein the trolley can be connected to the power grid by means of a power cable and thus the batteries for the laptop, printer, fluorescent screen and telephone can be charged simultaneously by cables running inside the medical trolley. 14. A trolley according to claim 1 to 13, wherein the rollers - can be lowered into the car, - can be determined, - are spring-loaded to absorb shocks. 15. Platform with a pivoting arm for attachment to a conventional trolley, characterized in that a lockable and shock-proof drawer is installed on the platform for the safe storage of a sensitive and theft-prone electronic device, and - the pivoting arm is suspended on a spring, - the drawer can be locked with an electronic combination lock, - the drawer is lined with a foam or gel cushion inside for cushioning, - the drawer should preferably be extendable to the side and have no side panels to allow the best possible operation of a laptop keyboard, for example. 16. Platform with a pivoting arm for attachment to a conventional trolley, characterized in that a lockable cover protects a vulnerable electronic device located on the platform, and - the pivoting arm is suspended on a spring, - the lid can be opened backwards, - the lid can be locked with an electronic combination lock, - the platform is covered with a foam or gel cushion to cushion any sensitive electronic device placed on it.