Skin protection device and method of using same
First Claim
1. A skin protector, comprising:
- a flexible elongated right arm member for wrapping about a right side portion of a tracheostomy tube housing for helping to space the right side portion of the housing from the neck skin of a patient;
a right side attachment arrangement fixed to said right arm member for helping to removably secure said right arm member to the right side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing;
a flexible elongated left arm member for wrapping about a left side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing for helping to space the left side portion of the housing from the neck skin of the patient;
a left side attachment arrangement fixed to said left arm member for helping to removably secure said left arm member to the left side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing; and
an cross arm member integrally connected between a distal end of the right arm member and a distal end of the left arm member for cooperating with said right arm member and said left arm member to help maintain an established fluid interconnection between said tracheostomy tube housing and a ventilator tube coupler;
said cross arm member for coupling a tension force against a back wall portion of the ventilator tube coupler to hold it in fluid and mechanical engagement with said tracheostomy tube housing; and
said tension force being established when the distal end portions of said left arm member and said left arm member are sufficiently stretched in tension to enable said cross arm member to pass over said ventilator tube coupler and be released in tension against said back wall portion of the ventilator tube coupler.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A new and improved skin protection device helps maintain the fluid and mechanical interconnection between a tracheostomy tube and an associated ventilator tube coupler while simultaneously substantially spacing the skin engaging surface of the tracheostomy tube external housing from the neck skin of a patient user. The device includes a fabric covered U-shaped elastic cradle member that has an attachment arrangement to removably attach the device to the tracheostomy tube and space it from the skin of the patient A removably attachable cradle cover is provided for attachment to the cradle member between its spaced apart tracheostomy attachment arms so as to cover the mechanical interconnection between the tracheostomy tube housing and the ventilator tube coupler to help prevent the under chin neck skin of the patient from becoming pinched in the mechanically interconnection between the tracheostomy tube and the ventilator tube coupler. The method of use the device includes attaching the cradle member to the tracheostomy tube, pulling it into tension by extending its length to pass over an end portion of the ventilator tube coupler and releasing the cradle member to engage in tension the ventilator tube coupler.
43 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A skin protector, comprising:
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a flexible elongated right arm member for wrapping about a right side portion of a tracheostomy tube housing for helping to space the right side portion of the housing from the neck skin of a patient; a right side attachment arrangement fixed to said right arm member for helping to removably secure said right arm member to the right side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing; a flexible elongated left arm member for wrapping about a left side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing for helping to space the left side portion of the housing from the neck skin of the patient; a left side attachment arrangement fixed to said left arm member for helping to removably secure said left arm member to the left side portion of said tracheostomy tube housing; and an cross arm member integrally connected between a distal end of the right arm member and a distal end of the left arm member for cooperating with said right arm member and said left arm member to help maintain an established fluid interconnection between said tracheostomy tube housing and a ventilator tube coupler; said cross arm member for coupling a tension force against a back wall portion of the ventilator tube coupler to hold it in fluid and mechanical engagement with said tracheostomy tube housing; and said tension force being established when the distal end portions of said left arm member and said left arm member are sufficiently stretched in tension to enable said cross arm member to pass over said ventilator tube coupler and be released in tension against said back wall portion of the ventilator tube coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of substantially protecting the neck skin of a patient using a tracheostomy tube with a housing and a ventilator with an associated ventilator tube coupler for patient assisted breathing comprising:
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providing a skin protector having a flexible elongated right arm member;
a right side attachment arrangement fixed to said tight arm member;
a flexible elongated left arm member;
a left side attachment arrangement fixed to said left arm member; and
a cross arm member integrally connected between a distal end of the right arm member and a distal end of the left arm member for cooperating with said right arm member and said left arm member to help maintain an established fluid interconnection between the tracheostomy tube housing and the ventilator tube coupler;wrapping removably said right arm member about a right side portion of the tracheostomy tube housing to space a right side portion of the tracheostomy tube from the side of the patient; wrapping removably said left arm member about a left side portion of the tracheostomy tube housing to space the left side portion of the tracheostomy tube from the skin of the patient; pulling said cross arm member reawardly away from the patient to simultaneously place in tension said right arm member and said left arm member; and releasing said cross arm member against a back wall portion of the ventilator tube coupler to couple a tension force exerted by the rig arm member and the left arm member between the ventilator tube coupler and the tracheostomy tube housing so they maintain fluid and mechanical engagement with one another. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification