Apparatus and method for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing

• US 20050234423A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unomedical A/S
• Original Assignee: Unomedical A/S
• Inventors: Mogensen, Lasse Wesseltoft
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4452 Simultaneous winding and unwinding of the material, e.g. winding or unwinding on a stationary drum while respectively unwinding or winding on a rotating drum using a planetary guiding roller

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus/a medical utensil (1) for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing (2), comprising a housing (3) with an axle/cylinder part (4) arranged about a center axis, said housing (3) further comprising at least one turnable unit (6), wherein the housing (3) comprises a first axle (4); and about which axle (9) the turnable unit (6) turns. Hereby winding is enabled of an infusion tubing with adjustment of the connecting length between pump and the site of infusion, and wherein the apparatus is independent of infusion cannula and pump. The apparatus enables reuse due to said independence. The system also enables the user to locate the winding unit anywhere on his body he may find suitable with regard to physiology and with regard to clothing. It is thus possible to arrange it underneath one'"'"'s sweater, in one'"'"'s waistband, pocket or the like. Moreover an automatic winder is accomplished, and wherein increase and reduction of the length is accomplished in a simple manner. The construction is particularly suitable for the handicapped, and likewise it saves time for hospital staff in connection with patients who use infusion units.

Claims

1. An apparatus/a medical utensil (1) for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing (2), comprising a housing (3) with an axle/cylinder part (4) arranged about a centre axis, said housing (3) further comprising at least one turnable unit (6) and a first axle (9), the centre axis of which coincides with the centre axis of the axle (4), and about which axle (9) the turnable unit (6) turns, characterised in that the turnable unit (6) comprises a turnable first plate—

partition plate 10—

which is turnable about the first axle (9) and a wheel/cylinder part (11) turnable about the same axle (9); and

in that, at its periphery, the partition plate (10) comprises a circular plate/wheel—

return wheel (12)—

around the periphery of which lengths of the tubing abut.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that, said axle/cylinder part (4) and wheel/cylinder part (11) are rotatable relative to each other.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axle (4) is a stationary axle.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axle (4) cylinder part is a turnable axle.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return wheel (12) is turnable about an axle mounted on the partition plate.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a spring, said spring being connected to the partition plate (10) and to a part which is stationary within the housing (3), preferably the walls of the housing (3).

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the axle/the cylinder part (4) and the turnable cylinder part (11) are essentially identical.

8. A method for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing (2) by means of an apparatus comprising a housing (3) with an axle/cylinder part (4) arranged about a centre axis, said housing (3) further comprising at least one turnable unit (6) and a first axle (9), the centre axis of which coincides with the centre axis of the axle (4), and about which axle (9) the turnable unit (6) turns, said turnable unit (6) comprising a turnable first plate—

partition plate 10—

which is turnable about first axle (9) and a wheel/cylinder part (11) turnable about the same axle (9), characterised in that a first length of tubing is wound around the axle (4);

that a second length of tubing (18) is wound around the wheel/cylinder part (11);

that a first free end part (7) and a second free end part (8) are positioned exteriorly of the housing, and that said turnable first plate (10) comprises a circular plate/wheel (12) at its periphery where said second end part is conveyed around said return wheel (12) associated with the turnable unit and the turnable wheel/cylinder part (11).

9. A method according to claim 8;

characterised in that tubing situated around the axle (4) is transferred to the turnable unit (6) and conversely during adjustment/unwinding of the length of the tubing.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the tubing is wound about the axle in a first direction and wound around parts of the turnable unit in a second direction opposite the first direction.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)