Intravenous device

• US 4,453,933 A
• Filed: 11/24/1981
• Issued: 06/12/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark G. Speaker
• Original Assignee: Mark G. Speaker
• Inventors: Speaker, Mark G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US06/324,542
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 128/214, 128/133, 128/132, 128/DIG. 26, 128/207.15, 128/348, 604/174, 604/179
• US Class Current: 604/179
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0246 fixed on the skin having a cover for covering the holding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/026 where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

A device and a method for feeding a patient intravenously in a manner that reduces the potential for interruption of the intravenous therapy. The device includes an adjustable strap with fastening means for loosely securing the strap around a patient'"'"'s limb. The encircling length of the strap is adjusted such that the strap is permitted to move longitudinally along the limb where the natural contours of the limb prevent removal of the strap from the limb, and the natural contours preferably stop the longitudinal movement of the strap short of an intended infusion site on the limb. An intravenous feeding tube is affixed to the strap at a location intermediate the ends of the tube, the segment of tubing between the strap and the catheter end of the tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of the strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used. Further, a protection sleeve is provided for inserting and covering the patient'"'"'s limb, with the protection sleeve being connectable to the strap to isolate the strap and the infusion site so as to prevent patient access thereto.

Claims

1. An intravenous feeding device, comprising:

a strap with fastening means, adapted for loose securement around a patient'"'"'s limb, the encircling length of said strap adaptable to a position permitting longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb where the natural contours of the limb prevent removal of said strap therefrom;

a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir, the other end of said tube adapted for connection to a catheter for insertion at an infusion site on the patient'"'"'s limb, the segment of said tube between the intermediate location and the catheter end of said tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the natural contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used;

a protection sleeve adapted for inserting and covering the patient'"'"'s limb, and means to connect said sleeve to said strap.

2. The intravenous feeding device of claim 1 wherein said protection sleeve is a plastic, essentially transparent tube of sufficient length to cover beyond both the infusion site on the limb and the extreme distal and proximal points to which said strap is able to move longitudinally along the limb.

3. The intravenous feeding device of claim 2 wherein said protection sleeve is 20-30 mil polypropylene and has a plurality of holes in its walls, and said protection sleeve is open at its proximal end and closed at its distal end, and wherein said means to connect said protection sleeve to said strap comprises a leaf affixed to said strap and having a hole therein, and a first pin having a shaft with a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the shaft and barb adapted to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve and the hole in said leaf, with the barb adapted to prevent said first pin from backing out of the hole in said leaf, and the abuttment adapted as not to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve.

4. The intravenous feeding device of claim 3 wherein said first pin is plastic and said barb on said first pin is rounded.

5. The intravenous feeding device of claim 4 wherein said strap is adapted for the patient'"'"'s arm and said protection sleeve is tapered toward its distal end to adapt to the flat contours of the patient'"'"'s hand.

6. The intravenous feeding device of claim 5 further comprising a plastic extension sleeve open at both ends for inserting and covering the proximal portion of the patient'"'"'s arm, said extension sleeve having a bend therein to generally conform to a slightly bent elbow, said extension sleeve adapted at its distal end to fit into the open proximal end of said protection sleeve.

7. The intravenous feeding device of claim 5 further comprising a second pin adapted for inserting through and connecting the opposite walls of the tapered distal end of said protection sleeve, said second pin having a shaft with a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the shaft and barb of said second pin adapted to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve and between a patient'"'"'s fingers, with the barb adapted to prevent said second pin from backing out of the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve, and the abuttment adapted as not to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve.

8. The intravenous feeding device of claim 7 wherein said second pin is plastic and said barb on said second pin is rounded.

9. The intravenous feeding device of claims, 1 or 8, further comprising a catheter adapted for connection to said other end of said tube.

10. An intravenous feeding device, comprising:

a strap with fastening means, adapted for loose securement around a patient'"'"'s limb, the encircling length of said strap adaptable to a position permitting longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb where the natural contours of the limb prevent removal of said strap therefrom;

a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir, the other end of said tube adapted for connection to a catheter for insertion at an infusion site on the proximal part of the patient'"'"'s limb, the segment of said tube between the intermediate slack location and the catheter end of said tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the natural contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used; and

a loop adapted for placement over a finger toe or a toe on the distal end of the patient'"'"'s limb, said loop being connectable to said strap, and said loop adapted to stop rotational movement of said strap before all of the slack in the tube is used.

11. The intravenous feeding device of claim 10 wherein said loop has a tail section with a plurality of holes spaced therealong, and said strap has a stud affixed thereto for adjustably connecting said loop to said strap via any one of the plurality of holes on said tail section.

12. An intravenous feeding device, comprising:

a strap with fastening means, adapted for loose securement around a patient'"'"'s limb, the encircling length of said strap adaptable to a position permitting longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb where the natural contours of the limb prevent its removal from the limb and stop the longitudinal movement of said strap before it reaches an infusion site on the limb;

a plastic leaf having a hole at each end, said strap having a complementary apertured cuff affixed thereto for slideably receiving and overlying said leaf intermediate the holes at each end of said leaf;

a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir, the other end of said tube adapted for connection to a catheter for insertion at the infusion site on the patient'"'"'s limb, the segment of said tube between the intermediate location and the catheter end of said tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the natural contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used;

a loop adapted for placement over one of the patient'"'"'s fingers or toes, said loop having a tail section with a plurality of holes spaced therealong, said strap having two studs affixed thereto, one on each side of the complementary apertured cuff, said studs adapted to connect the loop to the strap via any one of the plurality of holes in said tail section to stop both rotational movement of said strap around the patient'"'"'s limb and the longitudinal movement of said strap toward the proximal part of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack in said tube is used;

a plurality of upstanding posts affixed to the top of the complementary apertured cuff for receiving and engaging said tube at a point between the catheter end of said tube and the intermediate location;

a bedrail strap adapted to encircle and attach to the upstanding rails on a hospital bed, said tube being affixed to said bedrail strap intermediate said strap for the patient'"'"'s limb and the end of the tube which is adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir;

a 20-30 mil polypropylene protection sleeve of tubular shape with a plurality of holes in its walls, said protection sleeve being closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end to allow insertion of the patient'"'"'s limb, said protection sleeve being of sufficient length to cover beyond both the infusion site on the limb and the extreme distal and proximal points to which said strap is able to move longitudinally along the limb and

two plastic pins for connecting said protection sleeve to said strap on the patient'"'"'s limb, each pin having a shaft with a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the barbed end of each pin being rounded, said shaft and said barb of said pins being adapted to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve and the holes in said leaf, with said barb adapted to prevent said pin from backing out of such holes, said abuttment on said pins being button-shaped and having a sufficient diameter to prevent said abuttment from passing through the holes in the wall of said protection sleeve.

13. In a method of intravenous feeding, the improvement comprising:

placing an adjustable strap with fastening means around a patient'"'"'s limb;

loosely fastening said strap around the limb in a position permitting longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb but such that the natural contours of the limb prevent the removal of said strap from the limb and also such that the natural contours of the limb will stop the longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb before said strap reaches an infusion site on said limb;

providing a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube being adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir, and the other end of said tube being adapted for connection to a catheter for insertion at an infusion site on the patient'"'"'s limb, the segment of said tube between the intermediate location and the catheter end of said tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the natural contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used;

inserting said catheter into the infusion site; and

inserting the patient'"'"'s limb into a protection sleeve which covers the limb and connecting said strap to said protection sleeve.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said protection sleeve is a plastic, essentially transparent tube of sufficient length to cover beyond both the infusion site on the limb and the extreme distal and proximal points to which said strap is able to move longitudinally along the limb.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said protection sleeve is 20-30 mil polypropylene and has a plurality of holes in its walls, and said protection sleeve is open at its proximal end and closed at its distal end, and wherein the step of connecting said strap to said protection sleeve comprises:

providing a leaf having a hole therein affixed to said strap;

providing a first pin having a shaft with a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the shaft and barb being adapted to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve and the hole in said leaf, with the barb being adapted to prevent said first pin from backing out of the hole in said leaf, and the abuttment being adapted as not to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve; and

inserting the barbed end of said first pin through a hole in the wall of said protection sleeve and through the hole in said leaf.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said strap is loosely fastened around the patient'"'"'s arm, and wherein said protection sleeve is tapered toward its distal end to adapt to the flat contours of the patient'"'"'s hand, and further comprising:

providing a second pin having a shaft with a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the shaft and barb of said second pin being adapted to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve, with the barb being adapted to prevent said second pin from backing out of the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve, and the abuttment being adapted as not to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve;

inserting the barbed end of said second pin through a hole in the wall of said protection sleeve toward the distal end of said protection sleeve; and

continuing the insertion of the barbed end of said second pin between two of the patient'"'"'s fingers and through a hole in the opposite wall of said protection sleeve.

17. In a method of intravenous feeding, the improvment comprising:

placing an adjustable strap with fastening means around a patient'"'"'s limb;

loosely fastening said strap around the limb in a position so that there is longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb but such that the natural contours of the limb prevent the removal of said strap from the limb;

providing a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube being adapted for connection to a fluid reservoir, and the other end of said tube being adapted for connection to a catheter for insertion at an infusion site on the patient'"'"'s limb, the segment of said tube between the intermediate location and the catheter end of said tube having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site, which is on the proximal part of the patient'"'"'s limb, will be stopped by the natural contours of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack is used; and

placing a loop connected to said strap over one of the patient'"'"'s fingers or toes at the distal end of the patient'"'"'s limb so as to stop rotational movement of said strap before all of the slack in said tube is used.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said loop is connected to said strap by providing said loop with a tail section having a plurality of holes spaced therealong;

providing said strap with a stud affixed thereto; and

placing said stud through one of the plurality of holes on said tail section.

19. In a method of intravenous feeding, the improvement comprising:

placing an adjustable strap with fastening means around a patient'"'"'s limb, said strap having affixed thereto both a leaf with a hole at opposite ends and a plurality of upstanding posts for receiving and engaging tubing;

loosely fastening said strap around the limb in a position permitting longitudinal movement of said strap along the limb, but such that the natural contours of the limb prevent the removal of said strap from the limb and stop the longitudinal movement of said strap before said strap reaches an intended infusion site on the limb;

providing a tube affixed to said strap at a location intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube being connected to a fluid reservoir placed behind the patient, the other end of said tube being connected to a catheter, the segment of said tube between the intermediate location and the catheter being doubled back and inserted into the upstanding posts on said strap, the segment of said tube between the upstanding posts on said strap and the catheter having sufficient slack such that the longitudinal movement of said strap away from the infusion site will be stopped by the natural contours of the limb before all of the slack is used;

connecting a loop placed over one of the patient'"'"'s fingers or toes to said strap to restrict rotational movement of said strap around the patient'"'"'s limb and the longitudinal movement of said strap toward the proximal part of the patient'"'"'s limb before all of the slack in said tube is used;

inserting the catheter into the infusion site on the patient'"'"'s limb;

providing a 20-30 mil polypropylene protection sleeve having a plurality of holes in its walls, said protection sleeve being closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end to allow insertion of the patient'"'"'s limb, said protection sleeve being of sufficient length to cover beyond both the infusion site on the limb and the extreme distal and proximal points to which said strap is able to move longitudinally along the limb;

inserting the patient'"'"'s limb into said protection sleeve to a point covering beyond both the infusion site on the limb and the extreme distal and proximal points to which said strap is able to move longitudinally along the limb;

connecting said protection sleeve to said strap with two plastic pins each having a barb at one end and an abuttment at the other end, the barbed end of each pin being inserted through a hole in the walls of said protection sleeve and through one of the two holes in said leaf, and further through a hole in the opposite wall of said protection sleeve, the barb being adapted to prevent the pin from backing out of the holes in the walls of the protection sleeve, and the abuttment being adapted as not to fit through the holes in the walls of said protection sleeve; and

affixing said tube, at a point between the fluid reservoir end of said tube and the protection sleeve, to a bedrail on the patient'"'"'s bed.