Configurable Workstations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021106984-A1
Application number	US-202017065755-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2020
Priority date	Oct 10, 2019
Publication date	Apr 15, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A configurable workstation includes a support frame defining a workspace for performing a scientific procedure, multiple modules that are configured to be selectively installed to the support frame for customizing a functional profile of the configurable workstation, and a server computing device hosting an application that provides a user interface for controlling operations of the configurable workstation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A configurable workstation comprising:
a support frame defining a workspace for performing a scientific procedure; a plurality of modules that are configured to be selectively installed to the support frame for customizing a functional profile of the configurable workstation; and a server computing device hosting an application that provides a user interface for controlling operations of the configurable workstation.

2 . The configurable workstation of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modules comprises a plurality of table-top modules that are configured to be oriented horizontally at the support frame and a plurality of wall modules that are configured to be oriented vertically at the support frame.

3 . The configurable workstation of claim 2 , wherein the support frame comprises a table at which one or more table-top modules of the plurality of table-top modules can be selectively installed to provide a substantially flat work surface at the workspace and a wall at which one or more wall modules of the plurality of wall modules can be selectively installed to define a vertical boundary of the workspace.

4 . The configurable workstation of claim 3 , wherein the table comprises a platform defining an opening sized to receive the one or more table-top modules and rails to which the one or more table-top modules are attachable for installation to the frame.

5 . The configurable workstation of claim 4 , wherein each table-top module of the plurality of table-top modules comprises a housing that is attachable to the rails, and wherein the table-top module is equipped with a pushing mechanism for pushing the table-top module up away from the rails to level the table-top module with respect to the platform and any adjacent table-top modules installed at the table to provide the flat work surface.

6 . The configurable workstation of claim 5 , wherein the table-top module is further equipped with a pulling mechanism for pulling the table-top module downward towards the rails to lock the table-top module in a lateral position at the table.

7 . The configurable workstation of claim 4 , further comprising a gasket that is configured to seal a gap between the table-top module and an adjacent table-top module.

8 . The configurable workstation of claim 3 , wherein the wall defines an opening sized to receive the one or more wall modules.

9 . The configurable workstation of claim 8 , further comprising a gasket that is configured to seal a gap between adjacent wall modules of the one or more wall modules installed at the vertical opening.

10 . The configurable workstation of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of table-top modules comprises one or more of an anti-vibration platform, an incubator, a cooling unit, one or more heating plates, a microscope module, and a blank table platform.

11 . The configurable workstation of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wall modules comprises one or more of a humidifier, an ICSI arch, a wall tunnel, one or more monitors, a power outlet panel, and a blank wall panel.

12 . The configurable workstation of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the plurality of modules comprise an RFID capability for tracking a specimen handled at the workstation.

13 . The configurable workstation of claim 1 , wherein the support frame and the plurality of modules comprise multiple medical devices that are subject to regulatory review.

14 . The configurable workstation of claim 13 , wherein each medical device of the multiple medical devices comprises equipment for carrying out a dedicated medical function, a power port, hardware, firmware, a user interface, and a network communication board for communicating with the server computing device.

15 . The configurable workstation of claim 14 , wherein the multiple medical devices are configured to communicate with each other and with the server computing device via a network.

16 . The configurable workstation of claim 15 , wherein the network comprises a mesh network.

17 . The configurable workstation of claim 14 , wherein each medical device of the multiple medical devices is configured to be powered and operated independently of other medical devices of the multiple medical devices.

18 . The configurable workstation of claim 1 , wherein the support frame comprises a table providing a work surface at the workspace and a wall defining a vertical boundary of the workspace.

19 . The configurable workstation of claim 18 , wherein the table comprises a platform defining a plurality horizontal openings along a front edge of the platform and an air chamber positioned underneath the platform.

20 . The configurable workstation of claim 19 , wherein the support frame comprises an air duct positioned along a rear edge of the platform, and wherein a gap is defined between the rear edge of the platform and the air duct.

21 . The configurable workstation of claim 20 , wherein the air duct is in fluid communication with the plurality of horizontal openings and the gap.

22 . The configurable workstation of claim 20 , wherein the air duct is a first air duct, and wherein the support frame further comprises a second air duct that is positioned above and in fluid communication with the first air duct.

23 . The configurable workstation of claim 19 , further comprising:
one or more fans disposed above the workspace and configured to circulate air downward into the workspace; and a filter disposed beneath the one or more fans for filtering the air that flows from the one or more fans.

24 . The configurable workstation of claim 23 , wherein the one or more fans comprise two fans arranged in serial in the air-flow path.

25 . The configurable workstation of claim 23 , wherein the configurable workstation is configured to flow air along a recirculation airflow path downward from the one or more fans, into the workspace, underneath the platform of the table, upwardly behind the wall, and back to the one or more fans.

26 . The configurable workstation of claim 23 , further comprising one or both of an exhaust fan and a vent for exhausting air from an interior region of the support frame to an ambient environment.

27 . The configurable workstation of claim 1 , further comprising an air duct system that is configured to be selectively installed to the support frame for changing an airflow path at the configurable workstation.

28 . The configurable workstation of claim 27 , wherein the air duct system is removable from the support frame to allow air to be circulated downward into the workspace by the one or more fans along a flow-through airflow path.

29 . The configurable workstation of claim 27 , wherein the configurable workstation is convertible between a Class II biosafety cabinet and a Class I laminar flow cabinet.

30 . The configurable workstation of claim 2 , wherein the support frame comprises:
an upper panel structure that defines the workspace; a lower panel structure that supports the upper panel structure; and a table that extends intermediately between the upper and lower panel structures and that provides a work surface at the workspace.

31 . The configurable workstation of claim 30 , wherein the upper panel structure is configured to support one or more of the plurality of wall module

Assignees

• Coopersurgical Inc

Inventors

• Chen Shuo Robert
• Dasilva Rodrigo
• Thalliens Angulo Wilfrido Enrique
• Morales Adam H
• Williams Robert
• Thompson Robert
• Lane Luke Thomas
• Rasmussen Vagn
• Stanhope Timothy

Classifications

• B01L2200/028

  Modular arrangements · CPC title

• G16H40/20

  for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms · CPC title

• B01L2200/0684

  Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles · CPC title

• B01L2300/1805

  Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks · CPC title

• G05B19/042

  using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) · CPC title