Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-20
2001-06-12
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S724000, C361S689000, C312S223200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246573
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computers, monitors, and cabinets in general, and to wall mounted computers and monitors in particular.
Computers have long been used for record keeping and billing functions within a doctor's or dentist's office. More recently, sophisticated diagnostic equipment has incorporated computers for processing imaging and other diagnostic data. In addition, modern electronic displays have found use in communicating with patients concerning diagnosis and treatment options. The availability of miniature cameras has allowed dentists to capture digital images of a patient's dental work, allowing problem areas and proposed treatment options to be discussed with the patient with greater clarity. Miniaturized circuitry has enabled such techlnologies as digital intra-oral cameras, and digital x-ray devices. In addition, informative videos, recorded on interactive DVD disks may be provided to assist the patient in understanding proposed procedures.
In the past, doctors and dentists often worked with models to illustrate pathologies and proposed corrective treatment options. Today real time manipulable computer models can be used. These models can offer greater fidelity and a wider range of muscle, organ, orthopedic, dental, and procedural models and are potentially lower cost and more quickly available to the treating medical personnel. Further, the potential exists for recording and emailing a computer based patient discussion to the patient's home computer. Computer models can be used for capturing digital images and displaying reconstructed dentistry or cosmetic surgery thereby providing reassurance and motivation to patients undergoing progressive and time consuming procedures.
The rapid introduction of computer-based imaging and patient communication into existing medical offices, however, presents a problem. Most examination rooms were designed before the development of computer display systems, and, even in new construction, the cost of space drives examination spaces (opratories) to the minimum size which is practical. The typical solution of a cart mounted computer and monitor can result in undesirable crowding of the examination room. The power, monitor, and camera cords further restrict movement when such equipment is in use. Where several systems are needed the problem becomes critical.
What is needed is a way to integrate a computer into an examination room while minimizing equipment footprint and maximizing accessibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general purpose Windows-Intel based computer is mounted between wall studs. The mounting has a metal box which attaches between a pair of studs and a computer box, a removable support structure for a mass storage device, and a connector bracket which is removably fastened to the metal box. The computer box has a peripheral molding, a component housing enclosed by two vertical sides of the computer box, an upper horizontal side, a transverse horizontal support extending between the two vertical sides, and a metal panel extending from the transverse support to a position adjacent the sides and top of the computer box. A translucent panel is mounted to the transverse support below the metal plate. The translucent panel overlies the connector bracket when positioned parallel to the metal panel. The translucent panel may be pivoted about the hinge mounting, to provide access to electrical or optical connectors mounted to the connector bracket below the computer. Rotation of the translucent panel also provides access to mass storage devices, in particular a DVD-ROM player, and a floppy disk drive from beneath the transverse support. A monitor support post is mounted to the transverse support. The support post is mounted to pivot towards and away from the metal panel from approximately vertical to an angle of fifteen degrees from the vertical. A flat panel monitor is removably mounted on the support post. The monitor has a frictional type mounting which allows the monitor to rotate about an axis defined by the post. The monitor is connected by a cable to the computer box so that the monitor may be removed from the post and held by a patient or medical technician or mounted on an article of furniture such as an examining chair.
An air permeable rubber gasket is positioned between the sides of the computer box and the metal panel. Fans mounted internally to the computer box draw air from beneath the translucent panel into the computer box. Air exits from the computer box through the permeable rubber gasket between the sides of the computer box and the metal panel. One or more sources of illumination may be mounted to the shelf beneath the transparent panel so that the transparent panel can be used to display dental x-rays. Alternative embodiments may include mounting the metal box on a wall exterior, and/or utilizing a wireless data link between the computer and the flat panel display. The flat panel display may also be connected to a data port located apart from the computer box. For example, if the display is releasably mounted to an examination chair, a data port co-located on the chair could be used.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display system which requires minimal examining room floor space and room volume.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a computer and display system which can be comfortably viewed by a patient.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer for use in an examining room which is resistant to contamination by fluids.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a computer for use in an examining room which is easily cleaned with disinfectant.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Crye Caleb Clark
Khan Ekramul
Khan Enamul H.
Osbourne Michael J.
CIEOS, Inc.
Duong Hung Van
Lathrop & Clark LLP
Picard Leo P.
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