Method and apparatus for power connection in a modular patient care system

A modular patient care system, comprising:

• an interface unit for providing a user interface to said system and for providing electrical power to said system, said interface unit comprising a power lead;
• and
• a plurality of functional units for providing patient therapies or monitoring, said plurality of functional units including a first functional unit and a second functional unit, said first functional unit being capable of removable connection to said interface unit, said second functional unit being capable of removable connection to said first functional unit and having a first lead, said second functional unit further comprising means for providing a first signal to said first functional unit when connected thereto and a load coupled to said first lead for receiving electrical power therefrom;
• wherein said first functional unit further comprises:
• a first lead configured and dimensioned to contact said power lead of said interface unit when said first functional unit is connected to said interface unit;
• a second lead for electrically contacting said first lead of said second functional unit;
• a load coupled to said first lead for receiving electrical power therefrom;
• detecting means for detecting said first signal from said second functional unit;
• means for permitting an electrical coupling of said second lead to said first lead of said first functional unit responsive to said first signal from said second functional unit and for electrically isolating said second lead from said first lead of said first functional unit in the absence of said first signal from said second functional unit;
• whereby said second lead is permitted to be electrically coupled to said power lead of said interface unit when said second functional unit is connected to said first functional unit, and electrically isolated from said power lead when said second functional unit is disconnected from said first functional unit.

A modular patient care system having a plurality of units including an interface unit for providing a user interface to said system and for providing electrical power to said system, said plurality of units also including a plurality of functional units for providing patient therapies or monitoring, said interface unit comprising:

• a left side, a left lead coupled to said left side, and a left signal providing means at said left side;
• a right side, a right lead coupled to said right side, and a right signal providing means at said right side;
• a power source;
• means for coupling said left lead to said power source responsive to a right signal from an attached adjacent left functional unit;
• and
• means for coupling said right lead to said power source responsive to a left signal from an attached adjacent right functional unit;
• wherein each functional unit comprises:
• a left side and a right side, said left side being capable of coupling to the right side of any other unit, whereby said interface unit and functional units are capable of being arranged in a linear array of units having a leftmost unit and a rightmost unit;
• a left lead at left side and a right lead at said right side, said left lead for coupling to the right lead of an adjacent left unit, said right lead for coupling to the left lead of an adjacent right unit;
• a load coupled to said left lead through a left one-way power means and capable of receiving electrical power therefrom, said load also being coupled to said right lead through a right one-way power means and capable of receiving electrical power therefrom;
• a left signal providing means for providing a left signal to an adjacent left unit;
• a right signal providing means for providing a right signal to an adjacent right unit;
• a left detecting means for detecting the right signal of an adjacent left unit;
• a right detecting means for detecting the left signal of an adjacent right unit;
• and
• means for coupling said left lead to said right lead responsive to the presence of the combination of a left signal from a right adjacent unit and a right signal from a left adjacent unit in the linear array;
• whereby said loads of each functional unit in the linear array are electrically coupled to said power source,
• whereby said left lead of said leftmost unit of said linear array is electrically isolated from said power source, and
• whereby said right lead of said rightmost unit is electrically isolated from said power source.

A modular patient care system, comprising:

• a plurality of modules including a first module and a second module, said second module comprising a first portion grippable by a user, said second module being configured and dimensioned so as to be capable of being held by a single hand of the user by gripping said first portion;
• a hinge connector pair configured and dimensioned to allow hingeable engagement of said second module to said first module near a first end of said second module;
• a latch mechanism for securing said second module to said first module near a second end of said second module, said latch mechanism comprising a first part connected to said first module and a second part connected to said second module near said second end, said second part being capable of springably securing to said first part when forced into said first part;
• means for releasing said second part from said first part;
• a guide mechanism separate from said hinge connector pair and said latch mechanism and located therebetween, said guide mechanism for discouraging off-axis engagement of said first and second modules and for providing mechanical stability for said first and second modules when engaged;
• wherein
• said means for releasing is located sufficiently distal from said first portion of said second module such that a second hand is required to actuate said releasing means when the first hand of the user is gripping said first portion;
• whereby
• said second module is capable of being structurally engaged to said first module in a one-handed, single step operation, and whereby an at least two-step or two-handed operation is required to structurally disengage said second module from said first module.