Bolster for corporeal access tube assembly

• US 5,860,960 A
• Filed: 05/01/1997
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Quinn, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stright, Jr., Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/847,193
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 604/117, 604/174, 604/175, 604/177, 604/178, 604/179, 604/280
• US Class Current: 604/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0019 inserted by using a pull-wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0026 Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0038 expandable, e.g. umbrella type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0042 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0057 fixing a tube end, i.e. tube not protruding the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0061 fixing at an intermediate position on the tube, i.e. tube protruding the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0073 Multi-lumen tubes
• 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 2025/0073 Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A corporeal access tube assembly and a retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly. An elongated body formed of silicone rubber is split along a substantial portion of its length to form two legs joined together at corresponding one ends. The legs are separable from their other ends to receive the tube segment between them. When the legs are brought together and secured in that relationship they grip a tube segment and cause it to flex into a configuration where an outer portion lies flush against a patient'"'"'s abdomen, for example.

Claims

1. A retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly, wherein said tube assembly includes a flexible access tube segment, comprising:

a) an elongated body formed of rubber-like material;

b) said body having a passage therein extending substantially along the length of said body and adapted to receive a tube segment;

c) said elongated body being split along at least a substantial portion of its length to form at least two legs which are joined together at corresponding one ends by a bridge and are separable at corresponding other ends;

d) a base surface on one of said legs for seating against a patient; and

e) an element mounted on said body adjacent said corresponding other ends for preventing said legs from separating, said element being removable from said body to permit said legs to separate at said corresponding other ends.

2. The retention bolster of claim 1 further characterized in that:

f) said body is molded in one piece from silicone rubber.

3. The retention bolster of claim 1 further characterized in that:

f) said passage is generally L-shaped and includes a long segment extending generally longitudinally of said body and a short segment extending generally perpendicular to said long segment.

4. The retention bolster of claim 3 further characterized in that:

g) said long and short segments of said passage are disposed at an acute angle to each other when said removable element is in position on said body.

5. A retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly, wherein said tube assembly includes a flexible access tube segment, comprising:

a) an elongated body molded of silicone rubber;

b) said body having a passage therein extending substantially along the length of said body and adapted to receive the tube segment;

c) said body being split along at least a substantial portion of its length to form an upper leg and a lower leg which are joined together at corresponding one ends by a bridge and are separable at corresponding other ends;

d) a base surface on said lower leg for seating against a patient;

e) said passage being generally L-shaped and including a long segment extending generally longitudinally of said body and a short segment extending generally perpendicular to said long segment;

f) a removable O-ring for normally holding said legs flush against each other in order to retain a tube segment in said passage.

6. The retention bolster of claim 5 further characterized in that:

g) one of said upper and lower legs has an annular collar formed therein adjacent its other end;

h) said passage extending through said annular collar.

7. The retention bolster of claim 6 further characterized in that:

i) said body has an annular depression formed around it for receiving said O-ring.

8. The retention bolster of claim 6 further characterized in that:

i) said collar is formed on said upper leg.

9. A corporeal access tube assembly comprising:

a) a segment of flexible access tube including a body formed of silicone rubber, said body containing a coil spring extending along at least a portion of the length of the segment; and

b) a bolster gripping said tube segment on the portion containing said coil spring;

c) said bolster including an elongated body formed of silicone rubber;

d) said body having a passage therein extending substantially along the length of said body and adapted to receive said tube segment;

e) said elongated body being split along at least a substantial portion of its length to form at least two legs which are joined together at corresponding one ends by a bridge and are separable at corresponding other ends;

f) a base surface on one of said legs for seating against a patient; and

g) an element mounted on said body adjacent said corresponding other ends for preventing said legs from separating, said element being removable from said body to permit said legs to separate.

10. The corporeal access tube assembly of claim 9 further characterized in that:

h) said body of said flexible access tube segment includes a lumen in said portion containing said coil spring and located outside of said coil spring.

11. The corporeal access tube assembly of claim 10 further characterized in that:

i) said portion of said tube segment containing said coil spring is bent at an angle of at least 90°

.

12. The corporeal access tube assembly of claim 9 further characterized in that:

h) said two legs comprise an upper leg and a lower leg, said base surface being formed on said lower leg.

13. A retention bolster for a gastrostomy tube assembly, wherein said tube assembly includes a flexible access tube segment, comprising:

a) an elongated body molded in one piece of rubber-like material;

b) said body having a passage therein extending substantially along the length of said body and adapted to receive the tube segment;

c) said passage being generally L-shaped and including a long segment extending generally longitudinally of said body and a short segment extending generally perpendicular to said long segment;

d) said body being split along a substantial portion of its length to form an upper leg and a lower leg which are joined together at corresponding one ends by a bridge and are separable at corresponding other ends;

e) a base surface on said lower leg for seating against a patient;

f) said upper leg having an annular collar formed therein adjacent its other end;

g) said passage extending through said annular collar; and

h) a removable elastic ring for holding said legs against each other in order to grip and retain a tube segment in said passage.

14. A retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly, wherein said tube assembly includes a flexible access tube segment, comprising:

a) an elongated body formed of rubber-like material;

b) said body having a passage therein extending substantially along the length of said body and adapted to receive a tube segment;

c) said elongated body being split along at least a substantial portion of its length to form at least two legs which are joined together at corresponding one ends by a bridge and are separable at corresponding other ends;

d) a base surface on one of said legs for seating against a patient; and

e) an element mounted on said body for preventing said legs from separating, said element being removable from said body to permit said legs to separate;

said removable element being an O-ring.

15. The retention bolster of claim 14 further characterized in that:

g) said O-ring is formed from silicone rubber.