HOSPITAL CART FOR TRANSPORTING A CYLINDER OF GAS, IN PARTICULAR OF MEDICAL NO

Abstract

Disclosed is a mobile cart including a base for accommodating one or more gas cylinders, castors, a main column extending upwards from the base, a stowage cabinet arranged along the main column, an anchoring structure arranged at an upper end of the main column, a support post carried by the anchoring structure and equipped with fixing unit for a gas delivery apparatus, and a manual gripping handle allowing a user to manipulate the cart. Use of such a mobile cart to transport one or more cylinders of gas, in particular a NO/N2 mixture and/or oxygen, and a gas delivery apparatus.

Claims

1. Mobile cart comprising: a base comprising at least one storage location for accommodating at least one gas cylinder, several castors for moving the cart on the floor, a main column extending upwards from the base, a stowage cabinet, an anchoring structure of the main column, a support post carried by the anchoring structure and extending upwards, said support post carrying fixing means which are configured for fixing a gas delivery apparatus thereto, and at least one manual gripping handle allowing a user to manipulate the cart, wherein: the stowage cabinet is arranged along the main column, a secondary column extends upwards from the base and is rigidly connected to the anchoring structure, and the secondary column and the main column are arranged spaced apart from each other.

2. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the manual gripping handle is fixed to the anchoring structure.

3. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the manual gripping handle comprises an annular structure.

4. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet is flat and fixed to the main column.

5. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring structure comprises a tray on top of the main column.

6. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means carried by the support post comprise a perforated support plate permitting fixing of the gas delivery apparatus by screwing.

7. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the base additionally comprises a footrest which makes it easier for the user to set the cart in motion, when the cart is at a standstill on the floor, by exerting a pushing force on the cart with one foot.

8. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the stowage cabinet extends substantially between the base and the anchoring structure.

9. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises one or more internal stowage compartments accessible from the outside via one or more openings which are formed in the front face of the cabinet and provided with doors.

10. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the secondary column and the main column are arranged spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 15 and 25 cm.

11. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring structure has an annular shape which is open and is rigidly connected to the manual gripping handle via one or more joining arms.

12. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet has a flattened shape having a width and a thickness such that: L≥2.E.

13. The mobile cart according to claim 1, further comprising at least one gas cylinder accommodated in said at least one location of the base, and/or a gas delivery apparatus fixed to the fixing means of the support post.

14. The mobile cart according to claim 1, further comprising two cylinders containing a NO/N.sub.2 mixture and one oxygen cylinder, which cylinders are arranged on the base in such a way that the secondary column is accommodated in a space situated between said cylinders.

15. A method, for transporting one or more cylinders of gas and a gas delivery apparatus, the method comprising: providing the mobile cart of claim 1; placing the one or more gas cylinders in the storage location; fixing the gas delivery apparatus to the fixing means of the support post; and transporting the mobile cart.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas is a NO/N.sub.2 mixture.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas is oxygen.

18. The mobile cart according to claim 2, wherein the manual gripping handle comprises an annular structure.

19. The mobile cart according to claim 4, wherein the stowage cabinet extends substantially between the base and the anchoring structure.

20. The mobile cart according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises one or more internal stowage compartments accessible from the outside via one or more openings which are formed in the front face of the cabinet and provided with doors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] The invention will now be better understood from the following detailed description, which is given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0115] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a mobile cart according to the invention, in a non-equipped state, in a ¾ rear view,

[0116] FIG. 2 shows the cart of FIG. 1 viewed from the side,

[0117] FIG. 3 shows the cart of FIG. 1 viewed from above,

[0118] FIG. 4 shows the cart of FIG. 1 in a ¾ front view,

[0119] FIG. 5 shows the cart of FIG. 1 seen from the front,

[0120] FIG. 6 shows the cart of FIG. 1, in a ¾ front view, equipped with gas cylinders and with a gas delivery apparatus, and

[0121] FIG. 7 shows the cart of FIG. 6 in an ¾ rear view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0122] FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 show schematic views of an embodiment of a mobile cart 1 according to the invention which is intended for the hospital sector or similar and which is designed to be easily moved along the floor when it is manipulated, typically pushed or pulled, by a caregiver, for example a physician, a nurse of the like, within a hospital building or the like.

[0123] In FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the cart 1 is bare, that is to say not fitted out, whereas in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 it is fitted out with its equipment, namely in this case three gas cylinders 200 and a gas delivery apparatus 100, as explained below.

[0124] The mobile cart 1 of the invention comprises, in the lower part, a base 2 or chassis comprising several castors 30, in this case pairs of castors 30, for moving the cart 1 by rolling it along the floor. The (pairs of) castors 30, i.e. small wheels, are arranged on feet 32 that are fixed pivotably to extensions 31 of the base 2 or legs.

[0125] Advantageously, the extensions 31 or legs are formed in one piece with the rest of the base 2, for example by injection moulding or another technique. The base 2, including the extensions 31, can be made from polymer.

[0126] Preferably, the feet 32 comprise a blocking device, such as a brake or the like, for blocking the castors 30 in order to prevent the rotation of the latter, by which means it is possible to immobilize the cart on the floor and therefore avoid any accidental or inadvertent movement of the latter. The activation or, conversely, the deactivation of the device for blocking the castors 30 is effected by means of a control pedal 33 that can be actuated by the user, especially when the user presses on the latter with their foot.

[0127] As is illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the feet 32 also carry shock-absorbing devices 34, which are arranged between the feet 32 and the extensions 31 and serve to absorb the shocks that may occur during the movements of the cart 1, when the latter collides with other objects such as another cart, a bed, a piece of furniture, a door, etc.

[0128] Moreover, the cart 1 comprises a front face and a rear face, the rear face being situated towards the user when the latter is pushing the cart 1 in order to move it by rolling it along the floor. Thus, the front face of the cart 1 is the face situated to the right in FIG. 2, while the rear face is the one situated to the right in FIG. 2.

[0129] Moreover, the base 2 also comprises several storage locations 4 for accommodating containers holding pressurized gas, in this case three gas cylinders 200 comprising two cylinders 200a containing a NO/N.sub.2 mixture, for example a NO/N.sub.2 mixture containing from 100 to 1000 ppmv of NO and nitrogen for the rest, and a cylinder 200b containing oxygen, as is illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0130] The storage locations 4 for the gas cylinders 200; 200a, 200b are provided at the front face of the cart 1.

[0131] The gas cylinders 200 have a cylindrical body and generally an ogive shape. They are made, for example, of aluminium alloy, of composite materials or of steel. Each cylinder 200 is equipped with a gas distribution valve 201 (partially visible), for example an IPR, arranged at its neck and comprising the orifice communicating fluidically with the internal volume of the cylinder, and preferably a protective cap 202 for protecting the gas distribution valve 201 against shocks in particular. The gas distribution valves 201 of the gas cylinders 200; 200a, 200b are connected fluidically to the gas delivery apparatus 100 via flexible hoses, so as to supply the gas delivery apparatus 100 with NO/N.sub.2 mixture and with oxygen.

[0132] The storage locations 4 are formed in the base 2. They each comprise a small platform, preferably in the shape of a disc, which can be clearly seen in FIG. 3 and on which each gas cylinder 200 rests in an upright position. Preferably, the storage locations 4 are in a position low down, that is to say in immediate proximity to the floor, in order to facilitate changes of cylinders 200, i.e. loading/unloading, so as to avoid the user having to lift many cylinders 200, especially when they are full and heavy, in order to position them on said storage locations 4.

[0133] Advantageously, the storage locations 4 do not comprise an outer border, once again so as to facilitate the operations of changing cylinders.

[0134] The gas cylinders 200 are kept in place on the cart 1 by means of fastening devices 14, here straps 14a provided with connectors 14b, as are explained below; however, other fastening devices may be suitable. By fastening the gas cylinders 200, it is possible to prevent them from falling, especially during movements of the cart 1.

[0135] The cart 1 additionally comprises a main column 3 extending upwards from the base 2, that is to say vertically along the vertical axis (AA) of the cart 1. The main column 3 is rigidly connected at its lower end 3b to the base 2, for example being fixed there by screwing or the like.

[0136] An anchoring structure 8, also called a tray structure, is arranged at the upper end 3a of the main column 3. Here, the anchoring structure 8 forms a tray or a horizontal roof on top of the main column 3 and a secondary column, as is explained below. For example, the anchoring structure 8 is a plate or similar, here of a generally triangular shape (cf. FIG. 3) comprising joining arms 8a which are arranged at its three vertices and which connect to a manual gripping handle 10, as is set out in detail below; another shape could of course be suitable.

[0137] A stowage cabinet 5 is arranged along the main column 3. It is fixed there by screwing, for example. The stowage cabinet 5 extends between the base 2 and the anchoring structure 8. In other words, the cabinet 5 extends upwards from the base 2 along the vertical axis (AA) of the cart 1.

[0138] The cabinet 5 advantageously has a flattened shape in order to limit the size of the assembly. For example, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, it can have a height (H) of between 60 cm and 110 cm, a width (L) of between 15 cm and 60 cm, and a thickness (E) of between 5 cm and 18 cm. In all cases, its width (L) is equal to at least twice its thickness (E), i.e. L≥2.E.

[0139] In addition, the cabinet 5 can be made from polymer or another material, for example composite material.

[0140] Here, the cabinet 5 comprises a main wall 5a, also called the front face 5a, bordered at its periphery by side walls 5c projecting in the direction of the main column 3 in such a way as to delimit an internal space or volume which, in the proposed embodiment, is open towards the rear 5b, that is to say towards the main column 3 and the cylinders 200. In FIG. 1, the internal stowage compartments 15a are distinguished via the one or more rear openings.

[0141] According to another embodiment (not shown), the cabinet 5 can comprise, in addition to the front face or wall 5a, an additional rear wall that will occlude the one or more rear openings in such a way as to close the cabinet 5. In this case, the front face or wall 5a and the additional rear face are opposite each other and are connected to each other by peripheral borders 5c, being spaced apart from each other so as to delimit between them the internal space comprising the internal stowage compartments 15a. The rear face 5b is thus situated opposite the main column 3 and is preferably fixed thereto, that is to say also towards the cylinders 200.

[0142] As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the front face 5a of the cabinet 5 here comprises two doors 15, for example pivoting or tilting doors, for example doors pivoting or tilting about hinges situated at the bottom of the doors 15 and horizontal shafts (BB) perpendicular to the vertical axis (AA). Of course, the cabinet 5 could comprise a greater or lesser number of doors 15. The doors 15 thus open on the front face 5a of the cabinet 5, that is to say the rear side of the cart 1.

[0143] The doors 15 close openings 16 (not visible) formed in the front face 15a of the cabinet 5 and giving access to the internal stowage compartments 15a which are used to store medical items, such as accessories or the like, for example gas administration kits, breathing mask, tracheal tube, hoses, instructions for use, connectors, etc. These assemblies form nested stowage receptacles.

[0144] Moreover, the cart 1 also comprises a support post 6 carried by the anchoring structure 8, in particular fixed to the anchoring structure 8 in the region of its distal end 6b. The support post 6 extends upwards, that is to say along the vertical axis (AA). It has here a cylindrical shape, and the distal end 6b of the support post 6 passes through the anchoring structure 8.

[0145] According to one embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the distal end 6b of the support post 6 is accommodated in a tubular structure 18 forming a sleeve carried by the anchoring structure 8, preferably in its central part. Thus, the support post 6 can slide in the tubular structure forming the sleeve 18, such that the support post 6 is able to be set or adjusted in height in order to be able to be retracted or extended to a greater or lesser extent along the vertical axis AA, that is to say it is telescopic. Preferably, a locking device can be provided in order to keep the support post 6 in the desired position along the post 6, for example a rotary member of the rotary button type 17, which can be actuated by the user and is arranged at the structure forming the sleeve 18.

[0146] According to another embodiment, the support post 6 is fixed to the anchoring structure 8, preferably in its central region, in such a way as to be movable only in rotation about its axis (AA), that is to say it cannot move axially along the axis (AA) and is movable only about said axis (AA). Here too, a locking device can preferably be provided in order to keep the support post 6 in the desired position about the post 6.

[0147] According to yet another embodiment, the support post 6 is fixed in a non-movable manner to the anchoring structure 8, for example by screwing, welding or the like.

[0148] Moreover, the support post 6 can comprise means for adjustment of the height along the axis (AA) and/or of the angle and/or of the orientation of a support panel 19 carrying a gas delivery apparatus, as is explained below, and means for blocking in the desired position, that is to say at the desired height, and/or at the desired angle and/or in the desired orientation, such as a rotary member of the rotary button type which can be actuated by the user, cooperates with the post 6 and is preferably connected to a locking pin for securing the position. Of course, other adjusting/blocking systems may be used.

[0149] Being able to adjust the height of the support panel 19 along the support post 6, that is to say along the axis (AA), is advantageous since it can make it easier for the user to read the screen 102 situated on the front face 101a of the gas delivery apparatus 100 carried by the support panel 19, as is illustrated in FIG. 6. In fact, the support post 6, in particular the support panel 19, is intended to receive and carry a gas delivery apparatus 100, in particular for delivering NO/N.sub.2 mixture. To do this, in order to be able to fix the gas delivery apparatus 100 there as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, means 9 for fixing the apparatus, in this case a support panel 19, are provided on the support post 6, preferably in the region of its free end 6a.

[0150] The gas delivery apparatus 100 is intended to be fluidically connected to the patient circuit fluidically connecting a medical ventilator to a respiratory interface such as a mask or a tracheal tube delivering the gas, for example a gaseous mixture based on NO, oxygen and nitrogen, to the airways of the patient who is to be treated. The gas delivery apparatus 100 is supplied with gas, in particular with NO/N.sub.2, by one or more gas cylinders 200 via one or more flexible gas-conveying hoses to be connected to the outlet port of the one or more gas distribution valves 201.

[0151] Advantageously, as has already been mentioned, the fixing means 9 comprise a support panel 19 comprising orifices or perforations 19a for fixing by screwing, for example of the VESA type (Video Standards Electronics Association). For example, the support panel 19 has a rectangular shape and comprises several continuous perforations 19a intended to receive fixing screws for screwing into screw holes provided on the apparatus 100, for example formed in the rear face 101b of the body 101 of the apparatus 100, as is illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0152] The support post 6 can also comprise, in the region of its free end 6a, attachment means 20, that is to say fixing means, such as a tubular zone or the like, as is illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, intended to cooperate with a fastening, i.e. attachment, system which is provided on certain apparatuses 100, serving to and/or making it possible to fasten them, for example suspend them, on tubular structures such as the rung of a bed or the like.

[0153] Furthermore, in order to allow a user such as a caregiver to easily steer the cart 1 during its movement along the floor of a hospital building for example, a manual gripping handle 10 is provided, which the user can grasp with his hands in order then to manipulate the cart 1, typically to push it or pull it.

[0154] Here, the manual gripping handle 10 is rigidly connected to the anchoring structure 8 via the joining arms 8a. It has an annular overall shape. It is arranged around the support post 6 and the anchoring structure 8. The gripping handle 10 comprises one or more openings 10a permitting the passage of cables and/or of flexible hoses or the like, in order to gather these in a bundle in the internal space of the ring formed by the manual gripping handle 10.

[0155] In other words, the gripping handle 10 has the shape of an open ring which is dimensioned to allow it to be grasped manually by the user. For example, its diameter is of the order of about 2 to 5 mm. As will be seen, the handle 10 has an annular overall shape, i.e. the shape of an open ring, and is arranged all around the anchoring structure 8, which is advantageous because this configuration allows a user to grasp the cart 1 from all sides, that is to say irrespective of the user's position in relation to the cart 1, for example in order to realign it or reposition it in an operating theatre, for example of a hospital or the like.

[0156] As has already been mentioned, in order to strengthen the structure, the cart 1 furthermore comprises a secondary column 13 which also extends upwards from the base 2, that is to say along the vertical axis (AA), and is rigidly connected to the base 2 at its lower end 13b, for example by screwing or the like. Here too, the secondary column 13 is rigidly connected to the anchoring structure 8, that is to say the tray structure, at its upper end 13a.

[0157] In other words, the main column 3 and the secondary column 13 are arranged (approximately) parallel and offset relative to each other, i.e. spaced apart and fixed on the one hand to the base 2 and on the other hand to the anchoring structure 8, for example by screwing through the plate forming the anchoring structure 8.

[0158] Preferably, the distance between the main column 3 and the secondary column 13 is several centimetres, typically between about 10 and 30 cm, typically between about 15 and 25 cm.

[0159] The main column 3 and the secondary column 13 have an elongate shape, typically a tubular structure of square, rectangular, circular or some other cross section. They have a length of the order of about 50 to 120 cm. They are made from one or more strong materials, for example of polymer or of metal.

[0160] Preferably, the secondary column 13 is thinner than the main column 3; for example, the secondary column 13 has a square cross section of the order of 4×4 cm, whereas the main column 3 has a rectangular cross section of the order of 4×16 cm.

[0161] Using two parallel columns 3, 13 to support the anchoring structure 8 is advantageous compared to a single column according to the prior art, since it makes it possible to increase the solidity and robustness of the assembly by distributing, between these columns 3, 13, the weight that is exerted on them, i.e. the weight of the post 6, of the anchoring structure 8, of the panel 19, of the gripping handle 10 and of the apparatus 100.

[0162] In other words, using two parallel columns 3, 13 makes it possible to shift, i.e. centre, the mass (i.e. weight) of the post 6, of the anchoring structure 8, of the panel 19, of the gripping handle 10 and of the apparatus 100 towards the centre of the cart 1, by which means it is possible to eliminate any imbalance that may exist with carts having a single column in the prior art.

[0163] Moreover, using two columns 3, 13 also allows the two cylinders 200a to be brought closer together, thereby reducing the dimensions of the base 2 by reducing its footprint, hence also reducing the overall size and the total weight of the cart 1.

[0164] Advantageously, fastening devices 14, such as straps 14a with connectors 14b or any other suitable fixing device, are carried by the main column 3 and the secondary column 13. Preferably, their vertical positioning on the columns 3, 13 can be adjusted axially so as to be able to firmly and effectively fix cylinders 200 of different sizes.

[0165] In order to ensure good safety of use, the cylinders of NO/N.sub.2 are fixed by fastening devices 14 to the main column 3 and/or to the secondary column 13, preferably to both columns 3, 13. Furthermore, it is sufficient to fix the oxygen cylinder 220b only to the secondary column 13.

[0166] In addition, it will further be seen from FIG. 4 that the base 2 also comprises a footrest device 21 making it easier for the user to set the cart 1 in motion, when it is at a standstill on the floor, by exerting a pushing force on it with his foot. The footrest 21 is situated at the rear of the cart 1, that is to say opposite the gas cylinders.

[0167] The cart 1 can also comprise a system for emptying the hoses, such as a cylindrical stub on which the user presses the free end of the flexible gas hose in order to activate the check valve which is arranged there, in such a way as to cause purging or emptying of the residual gas located in the hose, which residual gas can then be evacuated to the surrounding atmosphere.

[0168] Generally, the cart 1 is particularly suitable for use in a hospital environment, especially in the context of therapeutic treatment of an adult, adolescent, child or neonate suffering from a pulmonary disease such as PPHN, ARDS or PH in cardiac surgery, with administration by inhalation of gaseous NO to the patient requiring same, so as to dilate the pulmonary vessels and thereby increase the blood oxygenation by improving the pulmonary gas exchange.