POD SYSTEM FOR SUCTION AND OXYGEN THERAPY

20240099918

18/472623

September 22, 2023

A pod including a flow management device disposed within a pod casing, and at least one fluidic coupling within the casing that is fluidically connected to the flow management device. The at least one fluidic coupling is configured to fluidically connect with a removable accessory insertable within the pod casing. The pod including the flow management device are located behind a finished surface, such as a wall of a hospital room. A pod system, an accessory insertable within the pod, and a method is also provided.

1. A pod comprising: a flow management device disposed within a pod casing; and at least one fluidic coupling within the casing that is fluidically connected to the flow management device, the at least one fluidic coupling configured to fluidically connect with a removable accessory insertable within the pod casing.

2. The pod according to claim 1, further comprising a control interface electrically coupled to the flow management device for controlling at least one function of the flow management device, wherein the control interface receives input from a graphical user interface.

3. The pod according to claim 1, wherein, when the accessory is inserted within the pod casing, the at least one fluidic coupling mates with at least one corresponding fluidic coupling of the accessory within the casing, and fluid managed by the flow management device flows through the accessory and in or out of an outlet of the accessory that is fluidically connected to the at least one corresponding fluidic coupling.

4. The pod according to claim 1, wherein the flow management device is a flow meter or flow regulator that includes at least one electronic valve for managing a flow of gas through the pod.

5. The pod according to claim 1, wherein the pod casing includes at least one knockout to allow entry of a supply line from a remote source.

6. The pod according to claim 5, wherein the flow management device is fluidically connected to the supply line within the pod casing.

7. The pod according to claim 1, further comprising an accessory receiving mechanism located within the pod casing, the accessory receiving mechanism facilitating an insertion and fluidic coupling of the accessory within the pod casing.

8. The pod according to claim 7, wherein the accessory receiving mechanism includes a first receiving structure on a first side of the pod casing and a second receiving structure on a second side opposite the first side of the pod casing.

9. The pod according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that at least partially covers an interior of the pod casing.

10. The pod according to claim 1, wherein tubing is connectable to the pod for delivering medical gas or oxygen to a patient, or to provide suction.

11. The pod according to claim 1, wherein the pod casing is configured to be disposed at least partially within a wall cavity.

12. A system comprising: a plurality of pods having flow management devices that are at least partially recessed within a finished surface.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a receptacle recessed within the finished surface, wherein the plurality of pods are arranged within the receptacle.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the finished surface is a wall of a hospital room, a headwall of a bed unit, an exterior surface of a freestanding gas delivery system, or an external surface of a robot arm of a robotic gas delivery system.

15. The system according to claim 12, further comprising removable accessories configured to be fluidically coupled to the plurality of pods, wherein a fluidic connection between each removable accessory and each pod is located within the pod and behind the finished surface.

16. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a power source electrically coupled to a control interface of each pod for controlling a flow through the pods.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein fluidic connections to a gas supply or a vacuum source are located within the pods and behind the finished surface.

18. A removable accessory for use with a pod, the removable accessory comprising: a body portion having a first side and a second side; at least one fluidic coupling disposed on the body portion configured to be fluidically coupled to a flow management device of the pod, as a function of the removable accessory being inserted within a pod casing of the pod; and an outlet fluidically connected to the at least one fluidic coupling, disposed on the body portion.

19. The removable accessory of claim 18, further comprising a canister operably attached to the body portion.

20. The removable accessory of claim 19, wherein the canister contains a liquid for humidifying a fluid passing through the removable accessory.

21. The removable accessory of claim 19, wherein the canister is configured to store medical waste suctioned from a patient through the outlet of the removable accessory.

22. The removable accessory of claim 18, further comprising a pod engagement mechanism disposed on the body portion.

23. The removable accessory of claim 22, wherein the pod engagement mechanism includes a first engagement structure at a first location on the body portion and a second engagement structure at a second location of the body portion, opposite the first location.

24. The removable accessory of claim 23, wherein the first engagement structure is configured to cooperate with a first receiving means of the pod and the second engagement structure is configured to cooperate with a second receiving means of the pod.

25. A method comprising: disposing a suction and oxygen (SOT) system including a flow management device behind a finished surface.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the SOT system includes at least one removable cover for inserting an accessory within the SOT system to allow a clinician to attach tubing to the SOT system for receiving oxygen, medical air, or a suction force managed by the SOT system.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the finished surface is a wall of a hospital room, a headwall of a bed unit, an exterior surface of a freestanding gas delivery system, or an external surface of a robot arm of a robotic gas delivery system.

61; 61; 61; 61; 61; 61

edspap.20240099918