Ultrasound system control panel and display lift
The control panel ( 14 ) and display ( 16 ) of a cart-borne ultrasound system ( 10 ) are support by a lift ( 30 ) which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow ( 70 ) mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow ( 70 ) on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. When a control button ( 26 ) on the handle ( 24 ) of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.
1. A cart-borne ultrasound system comprising:
a cart housing mounted on wheels;
a control panel;
a display mounted for viewing when operating the control panel;
a lift configured to support the control panel and the display, wherein the lift is configured to articulate to raise, lower and rotate the control panel and the display, the lift comprising a pivot elbow configured to rotate the control panel and the display, the lift further comprising an elevation mechanism configured to raise and lower the control panel and the display, the lift further comprising a hydraulic strut coupled to the elevation mechanism;
a control button which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow the pivot elbow to rotate and the elevation mechanism to be raised and lowered and, when not actuated, causes the pivot elbow and elevation mechanism to be locked in position, and
at least one switch that is configured to lock the lift in position when the wheels are locked, when the control panel is located in a straight-ahead position, or a combination thereof.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic strut operates to support the weight of the control panel.
3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a first solenoid coupled to the pivot elbow and a second solenoid coupled to the hydraulic strut; wherein the solenoids are actuated by the control button to enable the pivot elbow to rotate and a piston of the hydraulic strut to extend or retract.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pivot elbow is located at the bottom of the lift and is coupled to the cart housing; and further comprising a second pivot elbow located at the top of the lift and coupled to the control panel.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the elevation mechanism further comprises a four-bar linkage coupled between the first and second pivot elbows, wherein the four-bar linkage operates to maintain a relative inclination between the first and second pivot elbows.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the hydraulic strut is a first hydraulic strut, the system further comprising a second hydraulic strut coupled to the four-bar linkage.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the control button is located on the control panel.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the control panel further comprises a handle, wherein the control button is located on the handle, and wherein the handle may be grasped by a user to raise, lower, or rotate the control panel.
9. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cart housing further comprises a brake which may be actuated by a user to lock the wheels, wherein, when the brake is not actuated, the pivot elbow and elevation mechanism are locked.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a switch coupled in-line between the control button and the solenoids, wherein the switch is closed to allow the solenoids to be energized by the control button when the brake locks the wheels.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the pivot elbow further comprises a switch, coupled to the brake, which senses when the control panel is located in a straight-ahead position, wherein the brake cannot be operated to unlock the wheels unless the control panel is sensed to be in the straight-ahead position.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control panel further comprises a control panel assembly; wherein the display is mounted on the control panel assembly, wherein the lift supports the control panel and the display.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pivot elbow further comprises gear teeth, and a solenoid-actuated pin which engages the gear teeth to prevent rotation of the pivot elbow.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control panel can be articulated by the lift to be oriented in a straight-ahead position, wherein the pivot elbow further comprises a detent which is engaged when the control panel is oriented in the straight-ahead position.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control button further comprises a lighted switch.