Consolidated monitoring cable arrangement

Abstract

A consolidated monitoring cable arrangement allows multiple cables extending between a surgical gurney, or other type of patient support platform, and a peripheral monitoring stand to be consolidated into a single cable. The present use of multiple cables has the disadvantage that the region between a gurney and a monitoring stand is cluttered. This can present a hazard to medical personnel, particularly when an emergency situation requires that concentration be focused on the needs of the patient. In a primary form, the subject cable arrangement uses two boxes, one on the gurney and another on the monitoring stand; a detachable cable connects the two boxes. Shorter cables of uniform length are used to connect a patient on the gurney and equipment on the monitoring stand to a respective box. Besides the aforementioned safety advantage, this cable arrangement reduces the expense of frequent replacement of damaged cables.

1. A patient monitoring system comprising a patient support platform, a peripheral stand, one or more monitoring displays on the peripheral stand, monitoring probes for attaching to a patient and a cable arrangement carrying monitoring data between the patient support platform and the one or more monitoring displays, the cable arrangement comprising:
 (a) a base unit positioned at the peripheral stand and having a series of first connection points each connected to a respective one of the one or more monitoring displays in the stand, the base unit also having one or more second connection points, each one of a series of input lines of each first connection point being internally connected directly to one of a series of input lines of the one or more second connection points;  
 (b) a satellite unit positioned on the patient support platform and having a series of third connection points each connected to a respective monitoring probe, said satellite unit being positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of the monitoring probes, the satellite unit also having one or more fourth connection points, each one of a series of input lines of each third connection point being internally connected directly to one of a series of input lines of the one or more fourth connection points; and  
 (c) a cable connecting the one or more second connection points in the base unit directly to the one or more fourth connection points on the satellite unit, the cable being readily detachable from the one or more fourth connection points;  
 wherein all of the probes are connected to the satellite unit over the patient support platform, all of the one or more monitoring displays are connected to the base unit at the peripheral stand; and the platform and stand are connected solely by said cable, the region between the patient support platform and the peripheral stand being thereby maintained in a less cluttered state than if each probe was independently connectable to the respective display.  
 
     
     
       2. A cable arrangement system as in  claim 1 , wherein there is only a single second connection point and a single fourth connection point. 
     
     
       3. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the patient support platform is a surgical gurney. 
     
     
       4. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the cable is detachable only from the satellite unit. 
     
     
       5. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the cable is detachable from both the base unit and the satellite unit. 
     
     
       6. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the input lines is adapted to carry electrical signals. 
     
     
       7. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the satellite unit is secured by fastening means to the patient support gurney platform. 
     
     
       8. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the satellite unit has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the third connection points on the satellite unit. 
     
     
       9. A system as in  claim 7 , wherein the satellite unit has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hooked hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the third connection points on the satellite unit. 
     
     
       10. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the probes comprise temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level and heart electrical activity measurement devices. 
     
     
       11. A patient monitoring system comprising a patient support platform, a peripheral stand, one or more monitoring displays on the peripheral stand, monitoring probes for attachment to a patient, and a cable arrangement carrying monitoring data between the patient support platform and the one or more monitoring displays, the cable arrangement comprising:
 (a) a connection box positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of the monitoring probes, the box having a series of first plug receptacles and one or more second plug receptacles, each one of a series of input lines for each first plug receptacle being directly internally connected to one of a series of input lines of the one or more second plug receptacles, each of the first plug receptacles receiving a plug from a respective patient monitoring probe; and  
 (b) a cable having a plug on its one end connected detachably with the one or more second plug receptacles of the connection box, the other end of the cable terminating in a series of plugs each connected to a respective monitoring display on the peripheral stand;  
 wherein all of the probes are connected to the connection box over the patient support platform, and the platform and stand are connected solely by the cable, the region between the patient support platform and the peripheral stand being thereby maintained in a less cluttered state than if each probe was independently connected to the respective display.  
 
     
     
       12. A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the patient support platform is a surgical gurney. 
     
     
       13. A system as in  claim 11 , wherein each of the input lines is adapted to carry electrical signals. 
     
     
       14. A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the connection box has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the first plug receptacles. 
     
     
       15. A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the probes comprise temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level and heart electrical activity measurement devices. 
     
     
       16. A patient monitoring probe connection system used in conjunction with a patient support platform and remote monitoring equipment, said system comprising multiple probes each applied at one end to a patient on the patient support platform, a satellite connection bar on the platform establishing connections between opposite ends of the probes and the remote monitoring equipment, said satellite connection bar being positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of said probes, said satellite connection bar comprising first external connectors for releasably receiving opposite ends of said probes over the platform, a second external connector, and internal connections within the bar directly between said fist first external connectors on the one hand and said second external connector on the other hand; and
 a consolidated connection cable having two ends with a connector at one end complementary to and releasably connected to said second external connector, and means at the other end connected to said remote monitoring equipment.  
 
     
     
       17. A patient support platform according to system as in  claim 16 , wherein the consolidated connection cable includes a connector at its other end for connection to a connection bar adjacent the monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       18. A patient monitoring system comprising a patient support platform, a peripheral stand, one or more monitoring displays on the peripheral stand, monitoring probes for attaching to a patient and a cable arrangement carrying monitoring data between the patient support platform and the one or more monitoring displays, the cable arrangement comprising:
 ( a )  a base unit positioned at the peripheral stand and having a series of first connection points each connected to a respective one of the one or more monitoring displays in the stand, the base unit also having one or more second connection points, each one of a series of input lines of each first connection point being internally connected directly to one of a series of input lines of the one or more second connection points;      ( b )  a satellite unit positioned on the patient support platform and having a series of third connection points each connected to a respective monitoring probe, said satellite unit being positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of the monitoring probes, the satellite unit also having one or more fourth connection points, each one of a series of input lines of each third connection point being internally connected directly to one of a series of input lines of the one or more fourth connection points; and      ( c )  a cable connecting the one or more second connection points in the base unit directly to the one or more fourth connection points on the satellite unit;        wherein all of the probes are connected to the satellite unit over the patient support platform, all of the one or more monitoring displays are connected to the base unit at the peripheral stand; and the platform and stand are connected solely by said cable, the region between the patient support platform and the peripheral stand being thereby maintained in a less cluttered state than if each probe was independently connectable to the respective display.     
     
     
       19. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the cable is detachable from the base unit. 
     
     
       20. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein there is only a single second connection point and a single fourth connection point. 
     
     
       21. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the patient support platform is a surgical gurney. 
     
     
       22. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein each of the input lines is adapted to carry electrical signals. 
     
     
       23. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the satellite unit is secured by fastening means to the patient support platform. 
     
     
       24. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the satellite unit has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the third connection points on the satellite unit. 
     
     
       25. A system as in  claim 23 , wherein the satellite unit has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the third connection points on the satellite unit. 
     
     
       26. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the probes comprise temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level and heart electrical activity measurement devices. 
     
     
       27. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein the cable includes tubing connected to said base unit and said satellite unit, said tubing having a passage being formed therethrough to allow for fluid flow. 
     
     
       28. A system as in  claim 18  further comprising a protective plastic cover placed over a portion of said cable. 
     
     
       29. A patient monitoring system comprising a patient support platform, a peripheral stand, one or more monitoring displays on the peripheral stand, monitoring probes for attachment to a patient, and a cable arrangement carrying monitoring data between the patient support platform and the one or more monitoring displays, the cable arrangement comprising:
 ( a )  a connection box positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of the monitoring probes, the box having a series of first plug receptacles, each of the first plug receptacles being formed to receive a plug from a respective patient monitoring probe; and      ( b )  a cable connected to the connection box, the other end of the cable being connectable to said one or more monitoring displays on the peripheral stand;        wherein all of the probes are connected to the connection box over the patient support platform, and the platform and stand are connected solely by the cable, the region between the patient support platform and the peripheral stand being thereby maintained in a less cluttered state than if each probe was independently connected to the respective display.     
     
     
       30. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the cable is detachable from said one or more monitoring displays. 
     
     
       31. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the cable is detachable from the connection box and said one or more monitoring displays. 
     
     
       32. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the patient support platform is a surgical gurney. 
     
     
       33. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the cable is adapted to carry electrical signals. 
     
     
       34. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the connection box has a series of hook members extending therefrom, each of the hook members being adapted to support a probe cable extending between a probe and a respective one of the first plug receptacles. 
     
     
       35. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the probes comprise temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level and heart electrical activity measurement devices. 
     
     
       36. A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the cable includes tubing, said tubing having a passage formed therethrough to allow for fluid flow. 
     
     
       37. A system as in  claim 29  further comprising a protective plastic cover placed over a portion of said cable. 
     
     
       38. A patient monitoring probe connection system used in conjunction with a patient support platform and remote monitoring equipment, said system comprising multiple probes each applied at one end to a patient on the patient support platform, a satellite connection bar on the platform establishing connections between opposite ends of the probes and the remote monitoring equipment, said satellite connection bar being positionable on the patient support platform independent of the positioning of said probes, said satellite connection bar comprising first external connectors for releasably receiving opposite ends of said probes over the platform; and
   a consolidated connection cable having one end connected to said satellite connection bar, and means at the other end connected to said remote monitoring equipment, wherein said consolidated connection cable is directly connected to said first external connectors via internal connections in said satellite connection bar.     
     
     
       39. A system as in  claim 38 , wherein the consolidated connection cable is detachable from said remote monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       40. A system as in  claim 38 , wherein the consolidated connection cable is detachable from said satellite connection bar and said remote monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       41. A system as in  claim 38 , wherein the consolidated connection cable includes a connector at its other end for connection to a connection bar adjacent the monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       42. A patient monitoring cable arrangement comprising:
 ( a )  a cable having one or more data paths for use in connecting one or more patient probes with one or more monitors;      ( b )  a base unit at one end of said cable and being connectable to said one or more monitors to connect said one or more data paths to said one or more monitors; and      ( c )  a satellite unit at the other end of said cable being connectable to said one or more patient probes to connect said one or more data paths with said one or more patient probes, said satellite unit being positionable independent of the positioning of said one or more patient probes.     
     
     
       43. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 42 , wherein said cable can be detached from said satellite unit. 
     
     
       44. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 42 , wherein said cable can be detached from said base unit. 
     
     
       45. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 42 , wherein said cable can be detached from said satellite unit and said base unit. 
     
     
       46. A patient monitoring cable arrangement comprising:
 ( a )  a cable having one or more data paths for use in connecting one or more patient probes with one or more monitors, said cable having a first end and a second end, said first end of said cable being connectable to said one or more monitors to connect said one or more data paths to said one or more monitors; and      ( b )  a satellite unit at said second end of said cable being connectable to said one or more patient probes to connect said one or more data paths with said one or more patient probes, said satellite unit being positionable independent of the positioning of said one or more patient probes.     
     
     
       47. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 46 , wherein said first end of said cable terminating in a series of plugs each connectable to said one or more monitors. 
     
     
       48. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 46 , wherein said cable can be detached from said satellite unit. 
     
     
       49. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 46 , wherein said cable can be detached from said one or more monitors. 
     
     
       50. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 46 , wherein said cable can be detached from said satellite unit and said one or more monitors. 
     
     
       51. A method for monitoring data collected by monitoring probes on a patient, comprising:
 ( a )  positioning a connection box on a patient support platform;      ( b )  applying at least one monitoring probe to the patient, said at least one monitoring probe being positioned independently from the position of said connection box;      ( c )  connecting said at least one monitoring probe to said connection box; and      ( d )  connecting said connection box to monitoring equipment peripheral to said patient support platform to monitor or display data collected by said at least one monitoring probe.     
     
     
       52. A method as in  claim 51 , wherein said monitoring equipment includes at least one monitoring display. 
     
     
       53. A method as in  claim 51 , wherein the step of connecting said connection box to said monitoring equipment includes connecting a cable from said connection box directly to said monitoring equipment, wherein said cable includes one or more data paths associated with each said monitoring probe for carrying data from said connection box to said monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       54. A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said connection box. 
     
     
       55. A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       56. A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said connection box and said monitoring equipment. 
     
     
       57. A method as in  claim 51 , wherein the step of connecting said connection box to said monitoring equipment includes connecting a cable from said connection box directly to a base unit, and connecting said base unit to said monitoring equipment, wherein said cable includes one or more data paths associated with each said monitoring probe for carrying data from said connection box to said base unit. 
     
     
       58. A method as in  claim 57 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said connection box. 
     
     
       59. A method as in  claim 57 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said base unit. 
     
     
       60. A method as in  claim 57 , wherein said cable is detachably connected to said connection box and said base unit. 
     
     
       61. A method as in  claim 57 , wherein said cable is a single cable between said connection box and said base unit. 
     
     
       62. A method as in  claim 51 , wherein said patient support platform is a surgical gurney. 
     
     
       63. A system as in  claim 1 , wherein said base unit is separate from the one or more monitoring displays. 
     
     
       64. A system as in  claim 18 , wherein said base unit is separate from the one or more monitoring displays. 
     
     
       65. A patient monitoring cable arrangement as in  claim 42 , wherein said base unit is separate from said one ore more monitors. 
     
     
       66. A method as in  claim 57 , wherein said base unit is separate from said monitoring equipment.