SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING MOBILE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORTER SYSTEMS TO PATIENT TRANSPORTERS

摘要

The present invention relates to systems and methods for securing a mobile medical equipment supporter system, such as an infusion pump pole, to a mobile patient transporter, such as a gurney, thereby enhancing patient and attendant safety, The supporter system includes a primary support structure, one or more attachment points configured to secure medical delivery device(s) and/or medical monitoring device(s), a wheeled mobility assembly, and a hitcher assembly having a hitcher coupler configured to operatively mate with a corresponding hitchee coupler of the mobile patient transporter. In some embodiments, the mobility assembly includes a carousel with three or more rotatably attached wheeled extensions. The coupling process starts by decreasing the height of the patient transporter. Next, the hitcher coupler is aligned to the hitchee coupler. The hitcher coupler is then secured to the hitchee coupler by increasing the height of the patient transporter, thereby enabling the patient transporter to be propelled without a need to separately propel the supporter system. The supporter system footprint can also be reduced by further increasing the height of the patient transporter, thereby enhancing maneuverability.