Patient line management system

• US 20040232286A1
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Newkirk, David C., Schwartz, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/002 Supply appliances, e.g. columns for gas, fluid, electricity supply vertical ducts or channels for receiving utility lines E04F17/08; installations of electric cables or lines, wall trunking H02G3/0431; structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles F21V33/0068; stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles F16M11/00; buildings for public purposes E04H3/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/005 mounted on the wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/107 Supply appliances supply appliances for dental machines A61C1/0007
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction

Abstract

A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment is provided. The system has an elongated support member that can be manipulated into a plurality of positions by a caregiver. A line holder is coupled to the support member and is configured to selectively retain lines (tubes).

Claims

1. A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment, the system comprising

an elongated support member that is adjustable to a plurality of self-supporting positions, and

a line holder coupled to the support member, the line holder having a opening for insertion of a line to be held.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a wire and a polymeric coating on the wire.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a gooseneck.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of ball and socket joints.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the line holder is substantially ring-shaped and has a substantially centrally located mount ring for receiving the support member.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount ring defines an aperture.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member is mounted on a patient care equipment support.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the support member is mounted to a bracket and the bracket is mounted on the patient care equipment support.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the bracket is movable relative to the patient care equipment support.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the bracket has a lock for locking movement of the bracket relative to the patient care equipment support.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the support member is configured to extend in a cantilevered fashion away from the equipment support to support the weight of a plurality of lines.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the support member is able to be manipulated by a caregiver into a range of positions.

13. A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment, the system comprising

an elongated support member that is adjustable to a plurality of self-supporting positions, and

a line holder comprising a spine having a plurality of arms extending therefrom, the line holder having an open position wherein a line can be inserted and a closed position wherein the line is retained by the line holder.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of arms extend in a substantially parallel direction away from the spine.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of arms extend at angles relative to each other when the line holder is in the open position.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the spine is substantially “

C”

-shaped.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the spine is flexible so as to allow movement of the arms relative to each other.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the line holder comprises a clasp for holding the line holder in the closed position.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the clasp comprises a first tooth on one of the plurality of arms and a second tooth on another of the plurality of arms.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first and second teeth engage each other when the line holder is in the closed position.

21. The system of claim 13, further comprising a pad mounted on one of the plurality of arms, the pad being configured to engage a line without obstructing a flow of a fluid passing through the line when the lineholder is in the closed position.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the line holder further comprises a “

C”

-shaped clamp for mounting the line holder on the support member.

23. A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment, the system comprising

an elongated support member manipulatable into a plurality of positions by a caregiver and to hold such positions, and

a line holder coupled to the support member, the line holder being configured to retain such lines.