A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to medical devices such as patient monitors and particularly to handle devices for patient monitors.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] A handle is a part of, or attachment to, an object that can be moved or used by hand. The design of each type of handle involves substantial ergonomic issues. The three nearly universal requirements for a handle are as follows. The handle should have sufficient strength to support the object or otherwise transmit the force involved in the task served by the handle. The handle should have sufficient length to permit the hand or hands gripping it to reliably exert that force. The handle should have a sufficiently small circumference to permit the hand or hands to surround it far enough to grip it as solidly as needed to exert that force. The other requirements of a specific handle may be listed as follows. A sheath or coating is provided on the handle to provide a friction against the hand thereby reducing the gripping force needed to provide a reliable grip function to the person carrying a device. The handle should have sufficient circumference to distribute the force comfortably and safely over the hand, especially when the handle is made up of two pieces.

[0003] A patient monitoring system is widely used in hospitals and in ambulances. While shifting the patients the user / staff nurses need to carry the patient monitors with the patients on the other side. So the handle of the patient monitor has a potential risk for failure, unless the handle is properly reinforced.

[0004] None of the currently available devices are flexible as well as rigid to withstand load. Hence there is a need to develop a handle device which is flexible as well as rigid to withstand the load applied to prevent damage to the handle. Also there is a need to develop a thin handle which is easily inserted into the housing of the medical device.

[0005] The above mentioned shortcoming, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary object of the invention is to develop a flexible thin handle device which is flexible as well as robust to withstand the loads applied thereby preventing damage to the handle during use.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to develop a flexible thin handle device for medical devices which is easily inserted into the slot provided in the housing of the medical device to provide an aesthetic appearance to the handle device.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a flexible thin handle device which is as thin as possible to withstand the applied load and to prevent damage during use.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible thin handle device for medical devices. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handle device has a central bent portion and a flat portion at the ends. The central bent portion is formed in a bow shape. Both the inner surface and the outer surface of the central bent portion are formed in an arc shape. The outer surface has a smooth surface. The inner surface is formed with pluralities of ribs provided at equal intervals. The thickness of the ribs formed at the inner surface is mutually different for different ribs. The ribs are also formed in an arc shape. The flat end portion has a recess. A projection is formed at the flat portion provided at both ends to fasten the handle with the housing of the medical device.

[0011] The handle device has a locking mechanism to latch the handle with the medical device. The locking mechanism includes a recess formed at the handle portion and a projection formed at the housing so that the recess at the flexible thin handle receives the projection formed in the medical device housing to lock the handle with the medical device.

[0012] The housing of the medical device has a slot to receive the handle device. The slot is provided with a projection which is easily inserted into the recess to lock the handle with the medical device housing during the insertion of the handle device into the housing. After inserting the handle device into the housing of the medical device, the handle device is fastened with the medical device.

E) BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG.1 illustrates a front perspective view of the thin flexible handle device for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG.2 illustrates a back perspective view of the outer surface of the thin flexible handle device for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG.3 illustrates a bottom view of the inner surface of the thin flexible handle device for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG.4 illustrates a top perspective view of the inner surface of the thin flexible handle device for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG.5 illustrates a rear side perspective view of a medical device with a thin flexible handle device in dismounted condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG.6 illustrates a backside perspective view of medical device fixed with a thin flexible handle device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible thin handle device for medical devices. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handle device has a central bent portion and a flat portion at the ends. The central bent portion is formed in bow shape. Both the inner surface and the outer surface of the central bent portion are formed in arc shape. The outer surface has a smooth surface. The inner surface is formed with pluralities of ribs provided at equal intervals. The thickness of the ribs formed at the inner surface is mutually different for different ribs. The ribs are also formed in an arc shape. The flat end portion has a recess. A projection is formed at the flat portion provided at both ends to fasten the handle with the housing of the medical device.

[0023] The handle device has a locking mechanism to latch the handle with the medical device. The locking mechanism includes a recess formed at the handle portion and a projection formed at the housing so that the recess at the flexible thin handle receives the projection formed in the medical device housing to lock the handle with the medical device.

[0024] The housing of the medical device has a slot to receive the handle device. The slot is provided with a projection which is easily inserted into the recess to lock the handle with the medical device housing during the insertion of the handle device into the housing. After inserting the handle device into the housing of the medical device* the handle device is fastened with the medical device.

[0025] With respect to FIG.l-FlG.6j the handle device 10 has a central bent portion 2, a flat portion 1 at the ends and holes 3 are provided on the flat portion for fastening the handle 10 to the medical device 8(FIG.5&6). The central bent portion 2 is formed in bow shape. Both the inner surface and the outer surface of the central bent 2 portion are formed in arc shape 6. The outer surface has a smooth surface. The inner surface is formed with pluralities of ribs 5 (FIG.3) provided at equal intervals. The thickness of the ribs 5 formed at the inner surface is mutually different for different ribs. The ribs 5 are also formed in arc shape. The flat end portion 1 has a recess 4(FIG.3). A projection 7 is formed at the flat portion 1 provided at both ends to fasten the handle 10 with the housing of the medical device 8.

[0026] The handle device 10 has a locking mechanism to latch the handle 10 with the medical device 8. The locking mechanism includes a recess 4 formed at the handle portion and a projection 6 formed at the Housing so that the recess at the flexible thin handle 10 receives the projection 6 formed in the medical device 8 housing to lock the handle 10 with the medical device 8.

[0027] The housing of the medical device 8 has a slot to receive the handle device 10. The slot is provided with the projection 6 which is easily inserted into the recess 4 to lock, the handle 10 with the medical device 8 housing during the insertion of the handle device 10 into the housing. One M3 threaded metal insert 9 is inserted first and then handle device 10 is inserted in to the medical device 8. After inserting the handle device 10 into the housing of the medical device 8, the handle device 10 is fastened with the medical device 10 with the mounting assembly screws 11.

[0028] FIG. I illustrates a front perspective view of the thin flexible handle device for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. I, the handle device 10 has a central bent portion 2and a flat portion 1 provided at both the ends, The flat portion has a projection 7 provided with holes 3 for fastening the handle 10 to a medical device 18, The outer surface has a smooth surface. The outer surface is formed in an arc shape. The central bent portion 2 is formed protruding outwards from the flat end portions 1

[0029] F1G.2 illustrates a back perspective view of the outer surface of the thin flexible handle device 10 for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.2, The flat end portion has recess/groove 4 for receiving a projection provided in the medical device housing to accommodate the handle device in a slot provided in the medical device housing and to fasten the handle device to the medical device housing.

[0030] FiG.3 illustrates a bottom view of the inner surface of the thin flexible handle device 10 for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.3, the flat end portion has a recess 4 formed at the inner surface to receive a projection formed at the medical device housing so that the handle device 10 is fastened securely with the medical device housing. The inner surface of the central bent portion 2 is formed with pluralities of ribs 5. The ribs 5 are also formed in an arc shape. The ribs 5 are formed at equal intervals along the length of the inner surface. The thickness of the ribs 5 is mutually different for different ribs.

[0031] FIG.4 illustrates a top perspective view of the inner surface of the thin flexible handle device 10 for medical devices according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.4, the two flat portions 7 provided at both the ends of the central bent portion 2 has a vertical projection provided with a boss having a hole 3 to receive a fastener to fix the handle device securely with the medical device housing.

[0032] F1G.5 illustrates a rear side perspective view of a medical device 8 with a thin flexible handle device 10 in dismounted condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.5, the medical device has a housing 8 provided with a slot at the back side to receive the flat end portion of the handle device 10 so that the handle device is arranged within the contours of the medical device housing 8 and is nor protruded out of the medical device housing 8. The device housing 8 has a projection 6 which is received into the recess provided at the flat end portion of the handle device 10. A metal insert 9 and a screw 11 are inserted into the hole provided at the projected portion in the flat end portion of the handle device 10 to fix the handle device 10 with the medical device housing 8.

[0033] F1G.6 illustrates a backside perspective view of medical device fixed with a thin flexible handle device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.6, the handle device 10 is inserted into the slot provided in the medical device housings and fixed to the medical device housing 8 by inserting a fastener into the holes provided at the projection in the flat end portion of the handle device 10.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible thin handle device for medical devices. The handle device is formed flexible as well as rigid to withstand the applied load and to prevent the damage during use. The handle is formed as thin as possible to withstand the applied load and to prevent the damage during use. The flexible, thin, compact handle device for medical devices is easily inserted into the slot provided in the housing of the medical device so that the handle is not projected out of the rear surface of the housing for the medical device to provide an aesthetic appearance to the handle device.

[0035] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0036] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

1. A flexible thin handle device for medical devices comprising: a central bent portion;
a flat portion provided at the two ends of the central bent portion; pluralities of ribs formed at the inner surface of the central bent portion; and a locking mechanism.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the central bent portion is formed in arc shape.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pluralities of ribs are formed at the inner surface of the central bent portion at equal intervals.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the pluralities of ribs formed at the central bent portion is mutually different for different ribs.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pluralities of ribs are formed in arc shape.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flat end portion has a projection at one end.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the projection has a recess to receive a fastener to secure a handle to a medical device housing.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a protrusion and a recess.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion in the locking mechanism is provided at the medical device housing.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed at the inner surface of the flat portion provided at the ends to receive the protrusion.

11. The device according to claim I, further comprising a slot provided at the medical device housing to receive and hold the flat portion so that a handle unit is arranged within the housing of the medical device.