Andrew H Richards

US Patent:

6350228, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Feb 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/503070

Inventors:

Andrew H. Richards - Westminster MD
Christopher A. Dykes - Columbia MD
Steve S. Tourison - Laurel MD

Assignee:

Datex-Ohmeda, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

A61G 1100

US Classification:

600 22

Abstract:

An infant care apparatus is provided that includes a support for underlying the infant within the apparatus for providing care to that infant. The apparatus has an alarm system that triggers upon the occurrence of some event indicating that a particular parameter or condition of the apparatus or infant is outside the prescribed limits or other fault condition. The alarm system thus provides a signal indicative of that alarm condition to activate a means of warning the caregiver of the existence of the alarm condition. A sound producing device and/or light producing device receives the signal produced by the audible sound or light producing device to alert the caregiver of the alarm condition. The sound producing device and the light producing device are positioned on the apparatus such that there is a sound barrier and light barrier, respectively, between the particular device and the infant so that the infant is protected from being startled, and thus stressed, by the alarm audible sound or light activation.

US Patent:

6447442, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Aug 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/632431

Inventors:

Andrew H. Richards - Westminster MD
Steven M. Falk - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Datex-Ohmeda, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

A61G 1002

US Classification:

600 22, 318430

Abstract:

A safety system that is used with an infant care apparatus comprising an infant platform with a planar surface for supporting the infant and a canopy that is vertically movable over the planar surface. A powered lifting mechanism operated by an electric motor causes the canopy to be selectively moved upwardly or downwardly by the user to enclose or open the space surrounding the infant. The safety system provides a continuous monitor of the torque of the motor and, when the torque exceeds a predetermined amount, the system disables the motor so that it terminates any further movement of the canopy. Thus, if the canopy encounters an obstacle in its travel upwardly or downwardly, the motor torque will increase as the motor tries to overcome that obstacle and the system will immediately disable the motor and terminate any further movement of the canopy to prevent damage to the obstacle or to the powered lifting mechanism.