1. A single use imaging device for use with and communicating with a control unit comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor;
an opening proximate to an optic mount and configured to facilitate transmission of light from said optics to said image sensor;
a memory comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;
a heat sink for transferring heat away from the image sensor;
a thermal pad that is in physical contact with said image sensor and said heat sink, such that said thermal pad electrically isolates said image sensor from said heat sink;
wherein said thermal pad is thermally conductive to conduct heat generated by said image sensor to said heat sink; and
an electronic communication circuit configured for providing electronic communication between said imaging device and said control unit.
2. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is disposed between said image sensor and said heat sink, such that image sensor is electrically isolated from said heat sink.
3. The imaging device of claim 2, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor across substantially all of the surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
4. The imaging device of claim 2, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor at a portion that is less than all surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
5. The imaging device of claim 2, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor at a plurality of portions that are less than the entire surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
6. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with a single surface of said heat sink.
7. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with a plurality of surfaces of said heat sink.
8. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink across substantially all surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
9. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink at a portion that is less than the entire surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
10. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink at a plurality of portions that are less than the entire surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
11. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad comprises a first portion that is thermally conductive and a second portion that is electrically isolating.
12. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is flexible.
13. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is substantially rigid.
14. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said thermal pad is compressible.
15. The imaging device of claim 14, wherein said thermal pad is compressed between said image sensor and said heat sink.
16. A method for electrically isolating an image sensor in an imaging device while dissipating heat generated by said imaging sensor comprising;
powering on an imaging device comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor;
an opening proximate to an optic mount and configured to facilitate transmission of light from said optics to said image sensor;
a memory comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;
a heat sink for transferring heat away from the image sensor;
a thermal pad that is in physical contact with said image sensor and said heat sink, such that said thermal pad electrically isolates said image sensor from said heat sink;
wherein said thermal pad is thermally conductive to conduct heat generated by said image sensor to said heat sink; and
an electronic communication circuit configured for providing electronic communication between said imaging device and a control unit;
transferring heat generated by said imaging sensor to said heat sink via said thermal pad;
maintaining thermal connectivity between said imaging sensor and said heat sink via said thermal pad during the duration of operation; and
powering off said imaging device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises monitoring thermal conditions of said imaging device; and wherein said imaging device is powered off when said monitoring of the thermal conditions returns a value out side of a predetermined range.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises monitoring thermal conditions of said imaging device; and wherein said imaging device remains powered on when said monitoring of the thermal conditions returns a value that is within a predetermined range.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein said imaging device transmits thermal data to the control unit.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said control unit transmits an instruction to said imaging device in response to said thermal data.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein thermal data is recorded to said memory within said imaging device.
22. A system for obtaining imagery during a medical procedure comprising:
a single use imaging device comprising:
a housing;
an image sensor;
an opening proximate to an optic mount and configured to facilitate transmission of light from said optics to said image sensor;
a memory comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;
a heat sink for transferring heat away from said image sensor;
a thermal pad that is in physical contact with said image sensor and said heat sink, such that said thermal pad electrically isolates said image sensor from said heat sink;
wherein said thermal pad is thermally conductive to conduct heat generated by said image sensor to said heat sink; and
a control unit that electronically communicates with said imaging device.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is disposed between said image sensor and said heat sink, such that image sensor is electrically isolated from said heat sink.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor across substantially all of the surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor at a portion that is less than all surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said image sensor at a plurality of portions that are less than the entire surface area defined by a surface of the image sensor that faces the heat sink.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with a single surface of said heat sink.
28. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with a plurality of surfaces of said heat sink.
29. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink across substantially all surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
30. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink at a portion that is less than the entire surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
31. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is in substantial contact with said heat sink at a plurality of portions that are less than the entire surface area defined by the heat sink surfaces facing said thermal pad.
32. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad comprises a first portion that is thermally conductive and a second portion that is electrically isolating.
33. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is flexible.
34. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is substantially rigid.
35. The system of claim 22, wherein said thermal pad is compressible.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein said thermal pad is compressed between said image sensor and said heat sink.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A storage system for an apparatus that delivers a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient, the apparatus including a flow generator having at least one of a control panel, a power inlet attachable to a power cord, and an outlet attachable to an air delivery conduit, the storage system comprising:
a container including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion providing a storage compartment adapted to receive the flow generator, and the second portion being movably mounted to the first portion for movement between (1) an open position in which the second portion uncovers the storage compartment to allow access to the storage compartment and (2) a closed position in which the second portion closes the storage compartment to inhibit access to the storage compartment,
wherein at least one of the first and second portions provides at least one opening therethrough that allows access to at least one of the control panel, the power inlet, and the outlet of the flow generator supported by the container when the container is in the closed position.
2. The storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a handle provided to at least one of the first and second portions.
3. The storage system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional storage compartment adapted to support at least one of a patient interface, an air delivery conduit, and a power cord.
4. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second portions is constructed at least in part of a sound proofing material adapted to muffle sound generated from the flow generator in use.
5. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the opening is elongated and extends along a side wall of the container.
6. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions provide a base structured to maintain the container in a substantially upright position on a support surface.
7. The storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a cable management system structured to handle the air delivery conduit and the power cord of the apparatus.
8. The storage system according to claim 7, wherein the cable management system includes a rotatable reel.
9. The storage system according to claim 7, wherein the air delivery conduit includes a collapsible spring within its air passage that allows the air delivery conduit to assume a substantially flat condition.
10. A storage system for an apparatus that delivers a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient, the apparatus including a flow generator having at least one of a control panel, a power inlet attachable to a power cord, and an outlet attachable to an air delivery conduit, the storage system comprising:
a container including a bottom wall and side walls extending from the bottom wall that define a storage compartment having an upwardly facing opening adapted to receive the flow generator;
at least one of the side walls providing at least one opening therethrough to allow access to at least one of the control panel, the power inlet, and the outlet of the flow generator supported by the container.
11. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the container includes at least one additional storage compartment adapted to support at least one of a patient interface, an air delivery conduit, and a power cord.
12. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the container is dimensioned to be received within a cabinet drawer.
13. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the container is dimensioned to be received within a briefcase.
14. The storage system according to claim 10, further comprising a top portion adapted to cover the upwardly facing opening.
15. A stand for supporting a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient, the stand comprising:
a base; and
spaced apart arms coupled to the base, the spaced apart arms configured and arranged to engage opposing walls of the flow generator to stably support the flow generator in a generally vertical orientation.
16. The stand according to claim 15, wherein one or both of the arms are adjustable to allow the support of flow generators having various lengths or widths.
17. A flow generator assembly, comprising:
a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient; and
the stand according to claim 15.
18. The flow generator assembly according to claim 17, wherein one or both of the arms are adjustable to allow the support of flow generators having various lengths or widths.
19. The flow generator assembly according to claim 17, wherein the flow generator includes a height, a width and a length, and the height andor length are greater than the width.
20. The flow generator assembly according to claim 17, wherein a bottom surface of the flow generator is dimensioned to fit between the arms and to abut the base of the stand, with opposed surfaces of the opposed walls in a length direction of the flow generator being substantially parallel to inner surfaces of the arms.
21. The flow generator assembly according to claim 17, wherein the stand is structured to support the flow generator across its length or width.
22. A flow generator assembly, comprising:
a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient; and
a bracket attachable to the flow generator and adapted to mount the flow generator to a bed or a wall adjacent the bed.
23. The flow generator assembly according to claim 22, wherein the bracket is adapted to engage a headboard of the bed.