WO2010141915A2

WO2010141915A2 - Docking station for incentive spirometry devices that have employment of verbal simulated humanlike voices

Info

Publication number: WO2010141915A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/037539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terry Keith Bryant
Original assignee: Terry Keith Bryant
Priority date: 2009-06-05
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Also published as: WO2010141915A3

Abstract

A docking station for receiving, storing and protecting an Incentive Spirometer. The docking station helps to significantly reduce, if not prevent, the Incentive Spirometer from falling to help reduce damage to all types of Incentive Spirometers. The docking station can comprise a cradle shaped unit preferably corresponding to the shape of the Incentive Spirometer that stands alone on a surface. For further protection, the docking station can be attached to the table, bedside or other surface through the use of brackets or clips or similar attachments. The docking station can be provided with one or more suction cups on its bottom surface to easily attach to a table or similar flat surface. The bottom or base portion of the docking station can be constructed from a heavier material or be provided with weight for further stability.

Description

DOCKING STATION FOR INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY DEVICES THAT HAVE EMPLOYMENT OF VERBAL SIMULATED

HUMANLIKE VOICES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates a docking station for Incentive Spirometery devices.

Background of the Invention

A conventional Incentive Spirometer is a polymer handheld medical device that is used for rebuilding the lungs post operative. It is normally the patient's responsibility to place the device in a proper place so that it can be re-used after the initial therapeutic session. However, due to the awkwardness of the patient having to find an appropriate place to store the medical device, it sometimes ends up falling on the ground or is put in a place where it cannot be reached easily. Conventional Incentive Spirometers do not have electronic parts secured thereto. However, with the inventor's previous invention of an Incentive Spirometer which does contain electronic parts, protection against falling, which could cause the device to malfunction, is even more important. Though there have been attempts to put a hanger formed in the housing of the Incentive Spirometer, this is not always convenient for the patient and there is not always a place to hang the device. Thus, there exists a need to provide some means of a convenient way to store and protect the Incentive Spirometer when it is not in use. The present invention is directed to this need.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention docking station provides a unique, convenient and easy way to dock the Incentive Spirometer where the patient or nurse can have easy access. The docking station of the present invention receives and protects an inserted Incentive Spirometer. The docking station helps to significantly reduce if not prevent the Incentive Spirometer from falling and thus reducing damage to all types of Incentive Spirometers (i.e. with or without electronic assemblies). Though safely stored and held within the stationery docking station, the Incentive Spirometer is readily available for use. The docking station of the present invention can comprise a cradle shaped unit preferably corresponding to the shape of the Incentive Spirometer that stands alone on a surface. For further protection, the docking station can be attached to the table, bedside or other surface through the use of brackets or clips or similar attachments to make it convenient for usage while being safely secured to the table, bedside, etc. Alternatively or in addition to the brackets or clips, the docking station can be provided with one or more suction cups on its bottom surface to easily attach to a table or similar flat surface. This also allows the docking station to be substantial in weight for holding the Incentive Spirometer. Additionally, the bottom or base portion of the docking station can be constructed from a heavier material or be provided with weight, to further stabilize the docking station, and help prevent it from falling over when die Incentive Spirometer is being inserted within the cradle portion for storage and protection.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As seen in Figure 1, a docking station in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated as docking station 10. Docking station 10 includes a base member 14 and a cradle portion 12 extending upward from the base member 14. Base member 14 includes an upper surface 18, outer sidewall 22 and a bottom surface 20. Sidewall 13 of cradle 12 defines an Incentive Spirometer receiving area 16. The bottom of receiving area 16 is defined by the corresponding portion of upper surface 18.

Preferably, the size of receiving area 16 is sufficient to receive and encompass at least the base portion 102 of Incentive Spirometer 100. Though not considered limiting, the shape of receiving area 16 preferably corresponds to the shape of base 102.

Base 14 can be heavier in weight than cradle 12 such to help stabilize and maintain docketing station 10 in a weighted down position and reduce tipping docking station 10 over when inserting an Incentive Spirometer, such as, but not limited to, Incentive Spirometer 100 into receiving area 16. To achieve the heavier weight, a heavier material can be selected for the construction of base 14 as compared to cradle 12 and/or one or more weight members can be incorporated as part of base 14. To further maintain the location and upward position of the docking station 10 on a table, flat surface or other area (all collectively referred to as "surface"), a means for maintaining can be provided with docket station 10 and preferably in association with base member 14.

As seen in Figure 2, a first means for maintaining consists of one or more suction cups 24 secured to the bottom surface 20 of base member 14 by conventional means.

As seen in Figure 3, an alternative maintaining mechanism consists of a retractable bracket 108, which, though not considered limiting, can operate and be structurally similar to a conventional retractable tape measure. Retractable bracket 108 can be pulled out from within base member 14, such as through a slot 30 in outer sidewall 22 of base 14. An outer end 1 10 of bracket 108 is turned downward and can be provided with an aperture 1 12. With outer end 1 10 adjacent to an edge of the surface, a screw, bolt or other fastener 107 is screwed or inserted through aperture 1 12 to secure bracket 108 to the surface. Although not considered limiting, it is preferred that a correspondent bracket assembly 108 be provided on the other side of base 14.

It is also within the scope of the invention, that the means for maintaining include one or more bracket assemblies 108, as well as the suction cups 24.

In use with docking station 10 secured to the surface, Incentive Spirometer 100 is safely disposed and contained within receiving area 16 of cradle 12. To prevent Incentive Spirometer 100 with its electronic assembly from being damaged by accidentally falling out of cradle 12 (i.e. tipping over, etc.), a significant portion of Incentive Spirometer 100, including base 102, is preferably contained and encompassed within receiving area 16 of cradle 12. However, enough of Incentive Spirometer 100 can be exposed to permit access to Incentive Spirometer 100 for the user while Incentive Spirometer 100 is disposed within receiving area 16. Thus, docking station 10 can be designed such that the user does not have to remove Incentive Spirometer from its secured and safe position within docking station 10 in order to use Incentive Spirometer 10.

The materials selected for the construction of cradle 12 and base 14 are not considered limited to any specific material(s) other than being compliant with sterilization regulatory standards.

It will be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, the invention is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

CLAIM 1. A docking station for an Incentive Spirometer, comprising: a base member having an upper surface; and a cradle portion extending upward from the upper surface of said base member, said cradle portion having a sidewall which defines an Incentive Spirometer receiving area; wherein a portion of said upper surface of said base member serving as a bottom portion of the Incentive Spirometer receiving area.

CLAIM 2. The docking station of Claim 1 wherein said base member having a side wall and a bottom surface.

CLAIM 3. The docking station of Claim 1 wherein a shape of said receiving area corresponds with an external shape of a portion of the Incentive Spirometer.

CLAIM 4. The docking station of Claim 1 wherein said Incentive Spirometer having a base portion, wherein the sidewall of said cradle portion extends upwards from said base member at a length such that the base portion of the Incentive Spirometer is fully received within said receiving area

CLAIM 5. The docking station of Claim 4 wherein the shape of said receiving area corresponds to the shape of the base portion of the Incentive Spirometer.

CLAIM 6. The docking station of Claim 1 wherein said base member being heavier in weight than said cradle portion.

CLAIM 7. The docking station of Claim 2 further comprising means for maintaining said base member secured to a support member and in an upward position with respect to the support member.

CLAIM 8. The docking station of claim 7 wherein said support member is a table or other object having a flat surface for disposing said base member thereon.

CLAIM 9. The docking station of claim 7 wherein said means for maintaining is one or more suction cups disposed to the bottom surface of said base member.

CLAIM 10. The docking station of claim 7 wherein said means for maintaining is a retractable bracket.

CLAIM 1 1. The docking station of claim 10 wherein in a retracted position a majority portion of said retractable bracket is contained within said base member.

CLAIM 12. A docking station for an Incentive Spirometer, comprising: a base member having an upper surface, a side wall and a bottom surface; a cradle portion extending upward from the upper surface of said base member, said cradle portion having a sidewall which defines an Incentive Spirometer receiving area; wherein a portion of said upper surface of said base member serving as a bottom portion of the Incentive Spirometer receiving area; and means for maintaining said base member secured to a support member and in an upward position with respect to the support member.

CLAIM 13. The docking station of Claim 12 wherein said Incentive Spirometer having a base portion, wherein the sidewall of said cradle portion extends upwards from said base member at a length such that the base portion of the Incentive Spirometer is fully received within said receiving area

CLAIM 14. The docking station of Claim 13 wherein the shape of said receiving area corresponds to the shape of the base portion of the Incentive Spirometer.

CLAIM 15. The docking station of Claim 12 wherein said base member being heavier in weight than said cradle portion.

CLAIM 16. The docking station of claim 12 wherein said means for maintaining is one or more suction cups disposed to the bottom surface of said base member.

CLAIM 17. The docking station of claim 12 wherein said means for maintaining is a retractable bracket.

CLAIM 18. A docking station for an Incentive Spirometer, said Incentive Spirometer having a base portion, comprising: a base member having an upper surface, a side wall and a bottom surface; a cradle portion extending upward from the upper surface of said base member, said cradle portion having a sidewall which defines an Incentive Spirometer receiving area; wherein a portion of said upper surface of said base member serving as a bottom portion of the Incentive Spirometer receiving area; wherein the sidewall of said cradle portion extends upwards from said base member at a length such that the base portion of die Incentive Spirometer is fully received within said receiving area; wherein the shape of said receiving area corresponds to the shape of the base portion of the Incentive Spirometer; wherein said base member being heavier in weight than said cradle portion; and means for maintaining said base member secured to a support member and in an upward position with respect.to the support member.

CLAIM 19. The docking station of claim 18 wherein said means for maintaining is one or more suction cups disposed to the bottom surface of said base member.

CLAIM 20. The docking station of claim 18 wherein said means for maintaining is a retractable bracket; wherein in a retracted position a majority portion of said retractable bracket is contained within said base member.