Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Cardiovascular
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-07
2003-09-16
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Cardiovascular
C600S383000, C600S544000, C385S137000, C385S139000, C385S102000, C248S068100, C248S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06620105
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a device for organizing multiple leads, and more specifically, one which organizes EEG and EKG leads so as to preclude them from becoming tangled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is becoming increasingly important in the field of health care for health care professionals to manage their time efficiently. The increasing demands being made on these individuals undoubtedly also have resulted in increased stress. Therefore, it is desirable for tasks to be able to be accomplished in less time, with greater efficiency, and with less stress. Two such tasks concern the administration of electroencephalographs (EEG) and electrocardiographs (EKG). The wires associated with the machines that conduct the aforementioned monitoring have a tendency to become entangled. Thus, either immediately after their use or immediately prior to their next use, a health care professional needs to untwist and straighten out the wires.
Typically, this untwisting and straightening can be accomplished only through the expenditure of considerable time and effort. Many prior efforts to solve the problem have focused on devices that maintain the wires in a separated state through the use of more than one such device spaced a distance apart along the wires. An example of this type of device is disclosed in Owen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,419, wherein the use of a plurality of harnessing devices is shown. However, this approach potentially requires the use of several such devices. Furthermore, in order to practice the invention, the devices would probably have to stay on the wires, thus necessitating a larger number of such devices be utilized at the monitoring location, since more than one monitoring machine would probably be present. Therefore, attempting to solve the problem with devices like Owen et al could become relatively expensive, and require that the devices be used in a relatively inefficient way.
Another proposed solution to the problem is shown in Andel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,100. Three different embodiments of the invention are shown, with each designed to position and align a matrix of wires in an orderly array. In the first embodiment the wires must be inserted into an appropriate aperture and passed through the interior of the device, since there is no lid-type component. To keep the wires from moving once inserted into the device, the second embodiment provides a tether that extends across each of the inserted wires. If the ends of the wires are greater in diameter than the apertures, then the wires can not be placed within the housing. This potential drawback is addressed in the third embodiment by the inclusion of a “J” shaped cover lid. While the manufacturing of the third embodiment of Andel could pose problems relating to cost or ease of manufacture, additionally it should be noted that each of the channels formed in the base of the device are narrowed at their lowermost end for capturing the wire placed therein. Thus, moving the device over the wires in an effort to untangle them after monitoring has occurred apparently was not contemplated by Andel, who arguably wanted the wires in this third embodiment to be in frictional contact with the walls of the channels once the wires were at their desired position relative to the harness.
Thus it can be appreciated that neither patent provides for a single device which can be used with multiple leads to organized them and untangle them by sliding the device over the wires. It is thus apparent that the need exists for an improved device for organizing multiple leads or the like, and more specifically, one which organizes EEG and EKG leads so as to preclude them from becoming tangled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems associated with organizing multiple leads so as to preclude them from becoming tangled is overcome in accordance with the present invention by forming of a device which organizes leads such as EEG and EKG leads. The device comprises a first component, and a separate second component, with the first and second components being secured together by at least one fastener, and with the device having formed therein a plurality of grooves for the placement therein of leads. The device has an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces, and two ends, with the first and second components being secured together by a pair of fasteners, with one each of the fasteners being located adjacent opposite ends of the device. With respect to certain portions of the device, the first component and second components each have side surfaces that are coplanar.
In one embodiment, the first component has a plurality of apertures formed therein, while the second component has a plurality of integral fasteners, such that one each of the fasteners extending through each of the apertures to secure the first and second components together. The second component comprises a base, a pair of side surfaces each having an interior and an exterior surface, at least one of the interior surfaces having at least two spaced apart flanges, with the flanges being attached to the base, and with the flanges projecting towards the opposite interior surface and with a plurality of integral fasteners attached to the base. Each of the interior surfaces has at least two spaced apart flanges projecting towards the opposite interior surface. The first component has a plurality of upright wall members, with the wall members forming at least one sidewall in each groove, and with the second component having a side surface, with the side surface having an interior surface having at least two spaced apart flanges, each of which flanges are directly adjacent to one of the upright wall members. Additionally, the fastener has serrations and a projection formed thereon.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the first component has two ends, each of the ends terminating in a fastener in the form of a clasp, each clasp engaging the second component and securing the first component to the second component. In this embodiment, the second component has formed thereon a plurality of upright wall members, each of which wall members has a lower wall section and an insert portion. The first component has a bottom surface having formed therein a plurality of apertures, with one of the wall members being inserted into one each of the apertures. The second component has two ends, each of which ends has formed therein a first recessed portion, with the clasp directly adjacent said first recessed portion. Finally, the device is symmetrical about both its length and width.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device for precluding multiple leads from becoming tangled.
A further objective is that such a device be easy and inexpensive to fabricate.
Another objective is that such a device be easy to use.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3027419 (1962-03-01), Owen et al.
patent: 5144100 (1992-09-01), Andel
patent: 5389082 (1995-02-01), Baugues et al.
patent: 5566269 (1996-10-01), Eberle, Jr. et al.
patent: 6464181 (2002-10-01), Sakakura
Fuqua Shawntina
Kremblas, Foster Phillips & Pollick
Phillips Patrick P.
Walberg Teresa
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