Fastening system and method

• US 5,261,893 A
• Filed: 05/14/1991
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: David S. Zamierowski
• Inventors: Zamierowski, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, CHALIN A
• Application Number:
  US07/699,936
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174-176, 604/179, 604/180, 604/304, 604/305, 604/307, 604/313, 604/26, 604/49, 604/332, 604/280, 128/DIG. 26, 128/155, 128/156
• US Class Current: 604/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/023 wound covering film layers without a fluid retention layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/05 specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/006 Bandage fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0017 possibility of applying fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00259 thin film
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00412 for use with needles, tubes or catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00476 for nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00748 with hydrocolloids or superabsorbers wound bandages with alginate A61F2013/00229; plasters with cyano-acrylic adhesive A61F2013/00459; plasters for treating burn with hydrogel A61F2013/00523; adhesive for plasters, with hydrogel A61F2013/00676; water-based A61F2013/00689; for use on mucosae A61F2013/00714; for use on wounds A61F2013/00719; with absorbent adhesives A61F2013/00757; with fumed silica A61F2013/00787; with viscoelastic oil-elastomer gel A61F2013/00893
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00868 thin film
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00919 for physical therapy, e.g. cold or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00927 with biological activity, e.g. enzymes for debriding wounds or others, collagen or growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/453 for collecting urine or other discharge from male member A61F6/04 takes precedence ; devices for taking sperm samples A61B10/0058
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0213 where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0226 specifically adapted for the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0253 where the catheter is attached by straps, bands or the like secured by adhesives
• 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 2025/0266 : using pads, patches, tapes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/167 : Penis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 : Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 : Cannula supporters

Abstract

A fastening system includes a membrane assembly which can comprise a pair of body panels secured together at a seam. The membrane panels can comprise a semi-permeable material. A sheath assembly has a tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween. The sheath assembly can be fastened to the membrane assembly by adhesively securing the sheath assembly adjacent to its proximate end between the membrane panels at the membrane assembly seam. A sheath-to-tube fastener is provided for fastening the sheath assembly to a tube. A fastening method includes the steps of fastening two panels of a membrane assembly together at a seam, fastening a sheath assembly to the membrane assembly between the panels at the seam, and fastening a tube to the sheath. In one embodiment of the present invention a surgical sponge is fastened to the membranes in fluidic connection with the sheath, which is fastened to a suction tube for drawing blood from a surgical site.

Claims

1. A fastening system for fastening an elongated tube proximate to a skin surface, which system comprises:

(a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face;

(b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and a sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material;

(c) membrane-to-sheath fastening means for fastening said membrane assembly directly to said sheath assembly; and

(d) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening said sheath assembly to said tube with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces.

3. The invention of claim 2, which includes:

(a) said membrane-to-sheath fastening means comprising said sheath assembly being adhesively secured within said membrane assembly seam.

4. The invention of claim 2, which includes:

(a) said first membrane panel including first and second end edges and a pair of opposite side edges;

(b) said first membrane panel further including a first flap panel extending from the first end edge thereof;

(c) said second membrane panel comprising a second flap panel adhesively secured to said first flap panel at the seam; and

(d) said first and second flap panels forming a membrane assembly extension.

5. The invention of claim 1, which includes:

(a) an adhesive layer on said sheath assembly within said sheath passage.

6. The invention of claim 5, which includes:

(a) a sheath adhesive backing strip extending through said sheath passage in releasable engagement with said sheath adhesive layer.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said sheath-to-line fastening means comprises a cinch belt with a hook-and-loop fastener.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said sheath-to-tube fastening means comprises a twist tie.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said sheath-to-line fastening means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener mounted on said sheath, with hook and loop portions thereof positioned in spaced relation on said sheath.

10. The invention of claim 3 wherein:

(a) said sheath assembly is secured in said membrane assembly seam in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; and

(b) said sheath assembly includes a split mouth at its proximate end with a pair of tabs each connected to a respective membrane assembly panel.

11. A system for fastening a sponge to a suction tube, said sponge including two opposite ends, two opposite sides, and a top and a bottom face, said system comprising:

(a) a membrane assembly including at least one body panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges;

(b) said body panel comprising a flexible material;

(c) a flexible sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly having a split, open mouth at its proximate end with first and second sheath mouth tabs, said mouth tabs being directly fastened to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end;

(d) sponge fastening means for fastening said sponge to said body panel with a portion thereof between said sheath mouth tabs; and

(e) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening the sheath to a suction tube.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein:

(a) said sponge is positioned with a portion protruding past said membrane assembly to expose a portion of said top and/or bottom faces; and

(b) said surgical sponge includes a backing layer with less permeability than a remaining portion of said sponge, said backing layer at least partially covering the exposed portion of said top or bottom face of said sponge.

13. The invention of claim 11 wherein:

(a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces; and

(b) said mouth tabs are fastened within said membrane assembly seam.

14. A system for fastening a pair of elongated tubes proximate to a patients skin, which comprises:

(a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges;

(b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and at least one sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material;

(c) said sheath assembly being secured directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; and

(d) first and second sheath-to-tube fastening means each adapted for fastening a respective tube to said sheath assembly with at least one of said tubes at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

15. The invention of claim 14 which includes:

(a) said sheath assembly being split adjacent to its distal end and including first and second sheath half sections; and

(b) each said tube being fastened to a respective sheath half section.

16. The invention of claim 14 wherein:

(a) said sheath assembly includes first and second branches each fastened to a respective tube.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein:

(a) said sheath assembly first and second branches are interconnected by a T-connector.

18. The invention of claim 16 wherein:

(a) said sheath assembly first and second branches are interconnected by a Y-connector.

19. The invention of claim 14, which includes:

(a) a second sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said second sheath assembly comprising a flexible material;

(b) said second sheath material being secured directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said second sheath assembly proximate end; and

(c) said second tube being fastened to said second sheath assembly.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein:

(a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces.

21. A method of fastening a flexible tube proximate to a patient'"'"'s skin, which comprises the steps of:

(a) providing a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face;

(b) providing a sheath with a generally tubular configuration and proximate and distal ends with a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material;

(c) adhesively securing the sheath directly to the membrane assembly;

(d) fastening said membrane panel at its adhesive face to the patient; and

(e) fastening the tube to the sheath, with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

22. The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises a nasogastric tube and which includes the additional steps of:

(a) releasing said tube from said sheath;

(b) repositioning said tube with respect to said patient; and

(c) reattaching said sheath to said tube.

23. The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises an intravenous tube, and which includes the additional steps of:

(a) inserting a cannula into the patient at a puncture site;

(b) providing a heparin lock on said cannula;

(c) covering said puncture site and said cannula with said membrane assembly;

(d) inserting a hypodermic needle through said membrane assembly and into said heparin lock; and

(e) connecting said hypodermic needle to said intravenous tube.

24. The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises part of a Foley catheter, and which includes the additional steps of:

(a) inserting the Foley catheter into the urethra of a patient;

(b) placing the membrane assembly over the urethra/catheter junction; and

(c) inserting the catheter tube through the sheath.

25. The invention of claim 23 wherein a second tube is connected to the patient, and which includes the additional steps of:

(a) providing a second sheath assembly;

(b) connecting said second sheath assembly to said membrane assembly; and

(c) connecting said second tube to said second sheath assembly.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein:

(a) said providing a membrane assembly step includes

(i) providing first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face; and

(ii) adhesively joining said panels together at their respective adhesive faces to provide a seam.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein:

(a) said adhesively securing step includes

(i) adhesively securing the sheath within the membrane assembly seam.

28. A method of fastening a sponge with first and second faces to a suction tube, which comprises the steps of:

(a) providing a membrane assembly with at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face;

(b) providing a flexible sheath assembly with a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends and a passage extending therebetween;

(c) fastening said sheath assembly directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end;

(d) placing at least a portion of said sponge adjacent said membrane assembly;

(e) adhesively securing said membrane assembly panel to said sponge with said sponge fluidically communicating with said sheath; and

(f) placing said suction tube at least partially within said sheath passage and attaching said

29. The invention of claim 28, which includes the additional steps of:

(a) attaching said sponge to said membrane assembly in an orientation such that said sponge protrudes past said membrane assembly to expose a portion of said faces; and

(b) providing said sponge with a layer having less permeability than a remainder of said sponge, said less permeable layer at least partially covering the exposed portion of said first or said second face.

30. The invention of claim 28 wherein:

(a) said providing a membrane assembly step includes

(i) providing first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face; and

(ii) adhesively joining said panels together at their respective adhesive faces to from a seam.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein:

(a) said adhesively securing step includes

(i) adhesively securing the sheath within the membrane assembly seam.