EP-4737785-A1 - ACCESSORY CONNECTOR FOR PATIENT SUPPORT

Abstract

An accessory connector (20) for securing an accessory (18) to a patient support assembly includes a body (22) that has first and second ends and a hook (24) that is disposed at the first end. An accessory engagement feature (26) is disposed at the second end. The accessory engagement feature (26) includes a linear distal engagement end (28) with a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the body (22). The hook (24) includes opposing sides (32, 34) that define opposing recesses (36, 38). The hook (24) extends at an acute angle relative to the body (22).

Inventors

• SCHINDLER, MAIK
• KUTZ, Stephan
• VASUKI RAO, Vishakh
• HAUDEK, Tino
• BAUMGÄRTNER, Julia
• Doß, René

Assignees

• Baxter Medical Systems GmbH + Co. KG

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20251031

Claims (15)

1. An accessory connector (20) for securing an accessory (18) to a patient support assembly, comprising: a body (22) having first and second ends; a hook (24) disposed at the first end; an accessory engagement feature (26) disposed at the second end, wherein the accessory engagement feature (26) includes a linear distal engagement end (28) having a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the body (22), and wherein the hook (24) includes opposing sides (32, 34) defining opposing recesses (36, 38), the hook (24) extending at an acute angle relative to the body (22).
2. The accessory connector (20) of claim 1, wherein the hook (24) is constructed from a material having high elasticity.
3. The accessory connector (20) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook (24) is configured to swing about a rail (40) supporting said accessory connector (20).
4. The accessory connector (20) of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the accessory engagement feature (26) is fixedly coupled with said accessory (18).
5. The accessory connector (20) of claim 4, wherein said accessory connector (20) is one of glued, fastened, welded or integral with a housing of said accessory (18).
6. The accessory connector (20) of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the body (22) and the hook (24) includes a low flexural strength.
7. The accessory connector (20) of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the body (22) and the hook (24) is constructed of a polymeric material.
8. The accessory connector (20) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hook (24) includes a latch.
9. The accessory connector (20) of claim 8, wherein the latch is spring biased to a closed position.
10. The accessory connector (20) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hook (24) includes a tapered distal end (60).
11. The accessory connector (20) of claim 10, wherein the hook (24) includes an enlarged protuberance (62) at the tapered distal end (60) of the hook (24).
12. The accessory connector (20) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hook (24) and body (22) include a planar construction.
13. The accessory connector (20) of claim 12, wherein the hook (24) includes a planar portion (43) that is connected to the body (22) by an arced intermediate section (45).
14. The accessory connector (20) of claim 13, wherein the planar portion (43) of the hook (24) extends away from the body (22).
15. The accessory connector (20) of any preceding claim, wherein said accessory (18) is a remote control.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to an accessory interface or an accessory connector for an operating table or patient table accessory, and more particularly to an accessory connector that secures an accessory, such as a remote control, to a patient support, while minimizing the likelihood of damage to the accessory. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an accessory connector for securing a controller to a patient support includes a body that has a hook and an accessory engagement feature. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses and a rounded distal end that extends away from the body of the accessory connector. A rail is configured to support the hook. A sidewall of the patient support is configured to support the rail. The rounded distal end of the hook is in abutting contact with the patient support. An accessory is operably coupled with the accessory engagement feature of the body. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an accessory connector for securing a controller to a patient support assembly includes a body with first and second ends. A hook is disposed at the first end and an accessory engagement feature is disposed at the second end. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end with a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the body. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses. The hook extends at an acute angle relative to the body. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support assembly includes a patient support with a rail that extends from a side of the patient support. The system also includes an accessory connector with a body, a hook, and an accessory engagement feature. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end that has a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the accessory connector. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses. The hook extends at an acute angle relative to the body and is configured to receive the rail. Aan accessory is configured to control the patient support and is operably coupled with the accessory engagement feature of the body of the accessory connector. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an accessory connector includes a body with a hook and an accessory engagement feature. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end with a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the body. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses. The hook extends at an acute angle relative to the body. A rail is configured to support the hook. An accessory is operably coupled with the accessory engagement feature of the body. The hook and / or at least one body may be covered with a polymeric material. The at least one body and / or the hook may be constructed completely of a polymeric material. The hook may be configured to swing about a rail. The hook may include a latch. The latch may be spring biased to a closed position. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an accessory connector for securing a controller to a patient support includes a body that has a hook and an accessory engagement feature. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses and a rounded distal end that extends away from the body of the accessory connector. A rail is configured to support the hook. A sidewall of the patient support is configured to support the rail. The rounded distal end of the hook is in abutting contact with the patient support. An accessory is operably coupled with the accessory engagement feature of the body. The accessory engagement feature may be fixedly coupled with an accessory. The accessory may be a remote control. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an accessory connector for securing a controller to a patient support assembly includes a body with first and second ends. A hook is disposed at the first end and an accessory engagement feature is disposed at the second end. The accessory engagement feature includes a linear distal engagement end with a planar extent that is spaced from and parallel with a planar extent of the body. The hook includes opposing sides that define opposing recesses. The hook extends at an acute angle relative to the body. The hook may be constructed from a material having high elasticity. The hook may be configured to swing about a rail supporting an accessory connector. The accessory may be one of glued, fastened, welded or integral with a housing of the accessory. At least one of the body and the hook may include a low flexural strength. According to still another aspect of the