Shower guard for IV site

• US 5,605,534 A
• Filed: 12/26/1995
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey W. Hutchison
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey W. Hutchison
• Inventors: Hutchison, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, KIM M
• Application Number:
  US08/579,630
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 602/3, 602/13, 604/174, 604/177, 604/179, 604/180, 128/849, 128/882
• US Class Current: 602/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/041 Accessories for stiffening bandages, e.g. cast liners, heel-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/004 Bandage protectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/008 Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage corn plasters A61F13/063
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00412 for use with needles, tubes or catheters
• 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 2025/0246 fixed on the skin having a cover for covering the holding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body

Abstract

A protective device or shower guard for covering an IV site having a tube connected thereto to prevent contact of the IV site with water and other contaminants, including a water impermeable, protective sleeve open at one end for placement over the end of the limb and the IV site, a water impermeable flexible band connected to the inside of the sleeve adjacent to the open end of the sleeve, the band extending completely around the inside of the sleeve, the band having a passage extending completely therethrough for receipt of the tube connected to the IV site, a generally rectangular flap formed on the inside of the band adjacent to the passage for selective opening to enable the tube to be placed in the passage, and a seal for sealing the flap to the band after placement of the tube in the passage to prevent liquids from flowing through the band between the flap and the band and through the passage around the outside of the tube. The sleeve preferably has a strap connected to the outside thereof adjacent to the open end of the sleeve between the open end of the sleeve and the band for wrapping around the open end of the sleeve to securely connect the open end of the bag to the limb and prevent the sleeve from sliding on the limb. Furthermore, the sleeve preferably has an accordion-like section between each end of the sleeve which can expand in length.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to cover an IV site on a limb having a tube connected thereto in order to prevent contact of the IV site with water and other contaminants, the apparatus comprising:

a. a water impermeable sleeve open at one end for placement over the end of said limb and over said IV site, said sleeve having a plurality of folds therein adapted to expand and contract in order to receive limbs of various length,

b. a band connected to the inside of said sleeve adjacent to the open end of said sleeve, said band having

i. a passage formed therein and extending completely therethrough for receipt of said tube connected to said IV site,

ii. a flap integrally formed on the inside of said band covering said passage for selective opening to enable said tube to be placed in said passage, a portion or said passage being formed in said flap, and

iii. a seal for sealing said flap to said band after placement of said tube in said passage to prevent liquids from flowing through said band between said flap and said band and through said passage around the outside of said tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of folds are located adjacent to said band.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said band is water impermeable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said band extends completely around the inside of said sleeve.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a strap connected thereto for securely connecting said open end of said bag to said limb and preventing said sleeve from sliding on said limb.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said band is made from sponge rubber.

7. In an apparatus adapted to cover covering an IV site on a limb having a tube connected thereto in order to prevent contact of the IV site with water and other contaminants, the improvement comprising:

a. a water impermeable sleeve open at one end for placement over the end of said limb and over said IV site,

b. a water impermeable band connected to the inside of said sleeve adjacent to the open end of said sleeve, said band extending completely around the inside of said sleeve, said band having

i. a passage formed therein and extending completely therethrough for receipt of said tube connected to said IV site,

ii. a flap integrally formed on the inside of said band covering said passage for selective opening to enable said tube to be placed in said passage, a portion of said passage being formed in said flap, and

iii. a seal for sealing said flap to said band after placement of said tube in said passage to prevent liquids from flowing through said band between said flap and said band and through said passage around the outside of said tube.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said band is made from a clear, flexible polymeric material.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said band is elastic.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flap is generally rectangular in shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sleeve has a strap connected thereto for securely connecting said open end of said bag to said limb and preventing said sleeve from sliding on said limb.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said strap is connected to the outside of said sleeve adjacent to said open end of said sleeve between said open end of said sleeve and said band for wrapping around said open end of said sleeve.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said strap is generally rectangular in shape and has two ends.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said strap has a seal at each end thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said seal is hook and loop material.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said seals are connected to opposite sides of said strap.

17. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said band is made from sponge rubber.

18. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said band extends completely around the inside of said sleeve, and said band is water impermeable.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said band is made from a clear, flexible polymeric material.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said band is elastic.