Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Including readily dissociable fastener having numerous,... – Combined with diverse fastener
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-10
2001-06-19
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Including readily dissociable fastener having numerous,...
Combined with diverse fastener
C024S298000, C604S179000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247211
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a new medical tubing tethering device that provides a mechanism for easily and safely tethering a medical tubing and/or a catheter to the patient. This new medical tubing tethering device minimizes any direct pulling force on a supported catheter or the medical tubing that may result from either the patient or the equipment moving.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of medicine and in the treatment of patients, access to the body's vascular system is imperative. The vascular system is generally accessed in a conventional way, such as a hypodermic needle or a catheter. These devices are avenues to monitor certain physiological parameters, to sample blood for analysis, to infuse replacement blood/fluids, and to deliver medications. Whatever the reason and for what ever the duration the access is required, inadvertent removal or dislodgement of the access coupling can effect treatment efficacy and compromise the patient's condition.
Typically access is provided by a winged infusion needle or a catheter being placed in a blood vessel and then taped to the patient's skin to anchor the exit site of the winged infusion needle or the catheter. The extension tubing, of the winged infusion needle or the catheter, is then looped and taped at another adjacent site to the patient's arm or to an arm board. In addition to this, clinical practice calls for a piece of tape to be placed around the intravenous medical tubing so it adheres back onto itself. A safety pin is then used to puncture and clip both an end portion of the tape and an adjacent portion of the patient's clothing to secured those to components to one another. Such connection keeps the intravenous medical tubing from pulling directly on the catheter
eedle connection and/or the exit site. Pulling primarily results from movement of the patient, although it can occur when clinicians are manipulating equipment during treatment and/or repositioning of the patient.
It is a primary concern to eliminate the above mentioned tape and safety pin method from current practice because it poses a potential for a sharps injury to either, or both, the patient and/or care giver, e.g the safety pin has the potential for injuring the patient when it is placed and also could stick the care giver. This results in a potential for cross-contamination and infection of either, or both, the patient and care giver. With respect to pediatric applications, a child may possibly open the safety pin and get stuck or stick an unsuspecting care giver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems and drawbacks associated with the prior art devices and methods.
The medical tubing tethering device, according to the present invention, relates to tethering a vascular system access device and/or the fluid delivery tubing that connects to the access device and to the patient in order to prevent inadvertent dislodgement or removal of the vascular system access device and/or the fluid delivery tubing.
The invention, in its simplest form, provides a first attachment means for attaching to either the patient, the patient's clothing, or some other patient related support apparatus and a second attachment means for attaching to at least one tube, such as an extension tube, a catheter, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention consists of a coil or helix member that can be wrapped around an intermediate section of the medical tubing as the second attachment means. The helix is connected to a clamp or clip (the first attachment means) that can safely and easily attach to the patient's clothing. The expandable characteristics of the helix member allows it to be wrapped around one or more tubing lines. The medical tubing tethering device can be economically constructed from a plastic material and/or metals or other known materials.
Another embodiment is constructed of a strip off flexible plastic or fabric with pressure sensitive adhesive on at least one side of the flexible plastic tether. The strip of flexible plastic is permanently connected to a clamp or clip for attachment to the patient's clothing. A release liner is peelable from the adhesive and the flexible plastic strip is then wrapped or wound around one or more medical tubings to provide the second attachment means.
The third and fourth embodiments both utilize a strip of flexible material carrying a hook or a loop fastener, on at least one surface thereof, for connection to the medical tubing. The opposite end of the strip of flexible material can be attached to the patient's clothing with a clip (the third embodiment) or additional hook and loop fasteners (the fourth embodiment).
If desired, the clip for each of the above embodiments, of the present invention, can incorporate a locking mechanism that would prevent curious patients, e.g. children, from removing or repositioning the clip without clinical assistance.
A further enhancement to the medical tubing tethering device is an associated stand alone anchor member. If a conventional attachment to the patient's clothing is unacceptable for a particular application, then the stand alone anchor attachment is preferred. This anchor attachment comprises a piece of plastic, fabric or like material with a pressure sensitive adhesive base surface. This base surface is adhered at an appropriate anchor location for the patient and the medical tubing tethering device is then attached to the anchor member via the first attachment means. In another embodiment of the anchor member, the anchor is a strip of material with associated hook and loop fasteners which are wrapped around an appendage or other apparatus and secured in a conventional manner.
These and further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and with referenced to the following disclosure and the appended claims.
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patent: 5704916 (1998-01-01), Byrd
patent: 5709665 (1998-01-01), Vergano et al.
patent: 5774950 (1998-07-01), Stout
patent: 5879335 (1999-03-01), Martinez et al.
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Medcare Medical Group, Inc.
Sandy Robert J.
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