Identification system for intravenous tubing

• US 20070088286A1
• Filed: 08/03/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arnold Brier
• Original Assignee: Arnold Brier
• Inventors: Brier, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US11/498,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20070088286A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/189
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407

Abstract

In general, the invention relates to an identification system for IV tubing. More particularly, colored patterned flags are adhered to IV lines, and matching patterned, colored labels are adhered to the reservoirs that attach to the lines. Each line and its corresponding reservoir are marked with at least one flag and label that have a unique color and pattern such that all of the flags and labels on one line and its corresponding reservoir match but differ in both color and pattern to all of the flags and labels on the other lines and reservoirs.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of intravenous (IV) lines, wherein each line delivers a fluid from a corresponding reservoir to a patient;

at least one colored flag on at least one portion of one of the lines; and

a colored label on the corresponding reservoir, wherein the at least one flag and the label are the same color.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one colored flag further comprises a pattern;

and the colored label further comprises a pattern, wherein the at least one flag and the label have the same pattern.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the colored flags and the colored label are adhesive-backed.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising at least one colored flag on at least one portion of each of the plurality of lines;

and a matching colored label on each of the corresponding reservoirs, wherein the at least one flag on a first line differs both in pattern and color from at least one flag on a second line.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the flags are located on multiple portions of each of the plurality of the lines, and wherein the flags are spaced at predetermined intervals along each line.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one colored flag on each of the plurality of lines is located near a site where the line enters the patient.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising an identification sticker on each label, wherein the identification sticker identifies the contents of a reservoir on which the label is placed, and wherein the pattern and color of the label are visible when the identification sticker is attached.

8. A method of identifying a plurality of intravenous (IV) lines, wherein each line delivers a fluid from a corresponding reservoir to a patient, comprising:

placing at least one colored flag on at least one portion of one of the lines; and

placing a colored label on the corresponding reservoir, wherein the at least one flag and the label are the same color.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one colored flag further comprises a pattern;

and the colored label further comprises a pattern, wherein the at least one flag and the label have the same pattern.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the colored flags and the colored labels are adhesive-backed.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising at least one colored flag on at least one portion of each of the plurality of lines;

and a matching colored label on each of the corresponding reservoirs, wherein the at least one flag on a first line differs both in pattern and color from at least one flag on a second line.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flags are located on multiple portions of each of the plurality of the lines, and wherein the flags are spaced at predetermined intervals along each line.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one colored flag on each of the plurality of lines is located near a site where the line enters the patient.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising an identification sticker on each label, wherein the identification sticker identifies the contents of a reservoir on which the label is placed, and wherein the pattern and color of the label are visible when the identification sticker is attached.

15. A kit for a labeling system for intravenous (IV) lines, wherein each line delivers a fluid from a corresponding reservoir to a patient, comprising:

a dispenser containing a plurality of sheets,

wherein at least one colored adhesive-backed flag for application to an IV line and at least one matching colored adhesive-backed label for application to a corresponding reservoir are adhered to each sheet, wherein the plurality of sheets contain a variety of colors of the at least one flag and the at least one matching label, and wherein the at least one flag and the at least one label may be easily peeled off each sheet.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the at least one colored flag further comprises a pattern;

and the at least one colored label further comprises a pattern, wherein the at least one flag and the at least one label have the same pattern.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein each sheet further comprises a colored tab that extends from the dispenser, wherein the colored tab matches the color of the at least one flag and at least one label on the sheet.

18. The kit of claim 16, wherein each sheet further comprises a colored, patterned tab that extends from the dispenser, wherein the colored, patterned tab matches the color and the pattern of the at least one flag and at least one label on the sheet.

19. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of identification sticker sheets, wherein each identification sticker sheet comprises a plurality of identification stickers for application to the colored labels, wherein the identification stickers are smaller than the colored labels such that the color of the label is visible when the identification sticker is attached.