System and method of using a color-coded medical apparatus

• US 20080097406A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eleanor A. Freed
• Original Assignee: Eleanor A. Freed
• Inventors: Freed, Eleanor A.
• Application Number:
  US11/505,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097406A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1407 Infusion of two or more substances

Abstract

Color-coded medical apparatus, system and method for the administration of fluids. The tubing has a distal end and a body and contains a visible marking for identification of the fluid being administered from an intravenous bag through the tubing. The tubing and intravenous bag may be color-coded a predetermined color. The color is used to differentiate one fluid from another. Likewise, a colored collar can be used to engage pre-existing tubing in order to differentiate one fluid from another. The system for the administration of fluids incorporates at least one color-coded tube and intravenous bag of a first color and a second color-coded tube and intravenous bag of a second color, allowing one to differentiate between a first fluid and a second fluid by correlating the first color with the second color.

Claims

1. A flexible tube for use in medical procedures comprising:

a distal end and a body; and

a visible marking of a predetermined color located on and substantially surrounding the tube along the length of the tube, whereby the visible marking is adapted for identification of the tube.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the visible marking comprises a layer of material.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the visible marking corresponds to a predetermined fluid.

4. A medical apparatus for use in medical procedures comprising:

a flexible tube comprising a distal end and a body;

a visible marking of a predetermined color located on and substantially surrounding the tube along the length of the tube, whereby the visible marking is adapted for identification of the tube; and

an intravenous bag fluidly coupled to the tube, wherein the intravenous bag is colored the predetermined color of the tube.

5. A visible marking for identifying a medical tube comprising:

a colored collar having a distal end and body with an inner diameter capable of fitting around the exterior surface of the medical tube, wherein the colored collar enables identification of the tube.

6. The visible marking of claim 5, wherein the colored collar comprises a semi-flexible material which extends around a portion of the exterior surface of the medical tube.

7. A system for the administration of at least two medical fluids to a patient comprising:

a first container having a first color and containing a first fluid;

a first tube having the first color, the first tube fluidly coupled to the first container;

a second container having a second color and containing a second fluid; and

a second tube having the second color, the second tube fluidly coupled to the second container,

wherein the second color enables correlation between the second tube and the second container.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a third container having a third color and containing a third fluid; and

a third tube having the third color, the third tube fluidly coupled to the third container,

wherein the third color enables correlation between the third tube and the third container.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first container is a first intravenous bag, the second container is a second intravenous bag, the first fluid is a first medical fluid, and wherein the second fluid is a second medical fluid.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the third container is a third intravenous bag and third fluid is a third medical fluid.

11. A method of delivering fluids to a patient comprising the steps of:

a) administering a first fluid to the patient, wherein the first fluid is contained within a first bag fluidly coupled to a first tube, the first bag and first tube having a first color;

b) administering a second fluid to the patient, wherein the second fluid is contained within a second bag fluidly coupled to a second tube, the second bag and the second tube having a second color; and

c) differentiating between the first fluid and the second fluid by correlating the first color with the second color.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of administering a third fluid to the patient, wherein the third fluid is contained within a third bag fluidly coupled to a third tube, the third bag and third tube having a third color.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of identifying a type of fluid on the basis of its color.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first bag is a first intravenous bag, the second bag is a second intravenous bag, the first fluid is a first medical fluid, and wherein the second fluid is a second medical fluid.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the third bag is a third intravenous bag and third fluid is a third medical fluid.