Portable Apparatus for Life Support Equipment

Abstract

This invention provides, among other things, a compact apparatus for transporting life support systems. In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a frame that is adapted to receive one or more components of a life-support system. Optionally, the frame may be configured such that it can be detachably secured to a transportable support member.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising
 a frame configured to receive one or more components of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system;   wherein the frame is configured to be detachably secured to a transportable support member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transportable support member is a vertical support member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical support member is an IV pole. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transportable support member is a horizontal support member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the horizontal support member is affixed to a bed or a stretcher. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a detachable support element adapted to support a component of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to be detachably secured to the transportable support member via a connecting element on the transportable support member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the detachable support element is a clamp. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is adapted to be received by a bracket member on the transportable support member. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the transportable support member is an IV pole. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a first retaining member and a second retaining member, and wherein first retaining member and said second retaining member are connected by a plurality of support members. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said support members further comprise an additional support members. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said second retaining member further comprises a stabilizing member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said first retaining member, said second retaining member, or said plurality of support members comprise a material capable of being sterilized by heat, photo-sterilization or chemical sterilization. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the material is a metal. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the metal is stainless steel. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising
 a frame configured to receive one or more components of a life support system;   wherein the frame is configured to be detachably secured to a transportable support member.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said life support system is selected from the group consisting of a dialysis machine and a ventilator. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the transportable support member is a vertical support member. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the vertical support member is an IV pole. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the transportable support member is a horizontal support member. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the horizontal support member is affixed to a bed or a stretcher. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according  claim 19 , wherein the frame further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the frame further comprises a detachable support element adapted to support a component of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the frame is configured to be detachably secured to the transportable support member via a connecting element on the transportable support member. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 26  or  claim 27 , wherein the connecting element is a clamp. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the frame is adapted to be received by a bracket member on the transportable support member. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the transportable support member is an IV pole. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said frame comprises a first retaining member and a second retaining member, and wherein first retaining member and said second retaining member are connected by a plurality of support members. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein said first retaining member, said second retaining member, or said plurality of support members comprise a material capable of being sterilized by heat, photo-sterilization, or chemical sterilization. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the material is a metal. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         33 . A system for transporting an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system, the system comprising
 a frame configured to receive one or more components of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system, and   a transportable support member,   wherein the frame is configured to be detachably secured to a transportable support member.   
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the transportable support member is a vertical support member. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the transportable support member is a horizontal support member. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the vertical support member is an IV pole. 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the IV pole further comprises a bracket member adapted to receive the frame. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the frame further comprises a detachable support member adapted to support a component of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system.