Infusion set improvements

• US 20060065772A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Grant, Kevin L., Gray, Larry B., Steinfels, Craig R., Tracey, Brian D., Harris, Matthew C., Klein, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/388.600
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/087 Tools for handling tubes, e.g. crimping tool for connecting tubes to a connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/36 without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/40 mobile or transportable
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4473 without arrangements or adaptations for rotating the core or former

Abstract

A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener

Claims

1. A method of adjusting an unstored length of tube to transfer a fluid into a living body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a user-wearable tube length adjuster, the adjuster including a storage module;

providing a tube capable of connecting a fluid source to the living body;

removably attaching the tube to the adjuster; and

storing a portion of the tube on the storage module to adjust the unstored length of tube.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of fixing the unwrapped length of the tube.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid source includes insulin.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the storage module includes at least one fixed hub, and storing the portion of the tube includes wrapping the portion of the tube on the at least one fixed hub.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the adjuster includes a case capable of being opened and closed, the method further comprising:

opening the case before wrapping a portion of the tube; and

fixing the unstored length of the tube by closing the case.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein removably attaching the tube to the adjuster includes removably attaching the tube to the storage module.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein storing a portion of the tube includes rotating the storage module.

8. A tube length adjuster comprising:

a case with an adjustable internal path configured to contain at least a portion of a tube;

a case with an adjustable internal path configured to contain at least a portion of a tube;

a storage module within the case, the storage module including

a slider capable of movement, and

a track capable of guiding the movement of the slider along the track;

wherein slider movement along the track in one direction lengthens the adjustable internal path and slider movement in another direction shortens the adjustable internal path.

9. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8, wherein the storage module includes a plurality of sliders, each slider capable of moving along at least one track.

10. A tube length adjuster according to claim 9, wherein each slider moves along a unique track.

11. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8, wherein all sliders are coupled together.

12. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8, wherein at least one slider is capable of moving independently of the movement of any other slider.

13. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8, wherein the slider includes a roller.

14. A tube length adjuster according to claim 13, wherein the roller and track are configured as a releasable ratchet.

15. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8 further comprising a friction structure for removably attaching the tube within the case.

16. A tube length adjuster comprising:

a rotating shaft having a tube guide; and

a handle including

an opening for threading a tube,

a holder for removably attaching the tube, and

a hollow region with a side having a spiral notch, the handle oriented such that an axis of the spiral notch is substantially parallel to an axis of the rotating shaft;

wherein the handle is coupled to the rotating shaft through the spiral notch such that a translation of the handle in a direction along the axis of the shaft rotates the rotating shaft and the tube guide around the axis of the rotating shaft.

17. A tube adjuster according to claim 16, wherein the spiral notch is ratcheted.