Medical tube/wire holding device and associated tube/wire holding method

• US 5,797,884 A
• Filed: 05/03/1996
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Susan F. Johnston
• Original Assignee: Timothy N. Byrd
• Inventors: Byrd, Timothy N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynnwood
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gring, N. Kent
• Application Number:
  US08/642,460
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174, 604/93, 604/264, 604/177, 604/178, 604/179, 604/180, 128/DIG. 26
• US Class Current: 604/180
• 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 2025/0273 having slits to place the pad around a catheter puncturing site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body

Abstract

A medical tube/wire holding device and method. The holding device (10) includes a flexible body (14) defining first and second end portions (16, 18), and defining an opening (20) therethrough disposed between the first and second end portions such that the body defines first and second engaging straps (22, 24) disposed on opposite sides of the opening (20) for engaging at least one medical tube (12) or wire. The holding device (10) also includes a mechanism for releasably securing the first end portion of the body of the device to a patient, and a mechanism for securing the first and second engaging straps about at least one medical tube or wire. The holding method includes the steps of releasably securing the first end portion (16) of the body (14) to the patient at a desired location, and positioning at least one medical tube or wire such that it traverses the body (14). The second end portion (18) of the device is then moved around the tube or wire and inserted through the opening (20) in the body such that the first and second engaging straps (22, 24) of the holding device engage, and hold the position of, the tube or wire. The second end portion (18) of the body is then secured in place such that it is prohibited from moving back through the opening (20) in the body (14).

Claims

1. A medical tube/wire holding device for maintaining the desired position of at least one medical tube/wire, said holding device comprising:

a flexible body having a lower surface and defining first and second end portions, said body further defining an opening therethrough disposed between said first and second end portions such that said body defines first and second engaging straps disposed on opposite sides of said opening, said opening being adapted to receive therethrough at least a selected portion of said second end portion of said body after at least a portion of said body has been received around said medical tube/wire;

a mechanism for releasably securing said first end portion of said body to a supporting surface; and

a mechanism for securing said body about at least one medical tube/wire after said preselected portion of said second end portion of said body is received through said opening in said body, said mechanism for securing said first and second engaging straps about at least one medical tube/wire including a locking bar carried by said second end portion of said body, said locking bar defining first and second opposite end portions for releasably engaging said first and second engaging straps, respectively, and defining greater rigidity than said flexible body, whereby said selected portion of said second end portion is releasably prohibited from moving through said opening in said body.

2. The medical tube/wire holding device of claim 1 wherein said second end portion of said body is provided with a plurality of said locking bars selectively spaced along the length of said second end portion.

3. The medical tube/wire holding device of claim 1 wherein said second end portion of said body defines a narrower width than the balance of said body so as to facilitate the insertion of said second end portion through said opening of said body.

4. The medical tube/wire holding device of claim 1 wherein said medical tube/wire holding device further comprises a locking bar extension for being secured to said second end portion of said body, said locking bar extension including at least one further locking bar, and wherein said holding device further includes a securing mechanism for securing said locking bar extension to said second end portion of said body such that said further locking bar is selectively spaced from said locking bar whereby said locking bar and said further locking bar are disposed for alternative engagement with said first and second engaging straps.

5. The medical tube/wire holding device of claim 4 wherein said locking bar extension includes an extension tab for releasably engaging said second end portion of said body and wherein said mechanism for securing said locking bar extension to said second end portion of said body includes adhesive means for bonding said extension tab to said second end portion of said body.

6. The medical tube/wire holding device of claim 5 wherein said adhesive means includes an adhesive covered surface portion provided on said second end portion of said body.

7. A medical tube/wire holding method for releasably securing at least one medical tube/wire to a supporting surface so as to maintain the desired position of the medical tube/wire, said method utilizing a holding device having a flexible body defining first and second opposite end portions and an opening therethrough disposed between the first and second opposite end portions such that the body defines first and second engaging straps disposed on opposite sides of the opening, said method comprising the steps of:

releasably securing the first end portion of the body of the holding device to a supporting surface at a desired location;

positioning at least one medical tube/wire such that said medical tube/wire traverses the body of the holding device;

moving the second end portion of the holding device about the medical tube/wire and inserting at least a selected portion of the second end portion of the holding device through the opening such that the body of the holding device engages, and holds the position of, the medical tube/wire; and

releasably securing the position of the second end portion of the holding device such that the second end portion is prohibited from moving back through the opening in the body of the holding device such that the medical tube/wire is maintained by the holding device, said step including placing the first and second end portions of a locking bar carried by the second end portion of the body of the holding device in contact with the first and second engaging straps, respectively, whereby the second end portion is releasably prohibited from moving through the opening in the body of the holding device such that the medical tube/wire is maintained in position by the holding device.