Harness interface conduit, tether line, and swivel for use in animals

• US 7,665,424 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Operations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Strategic Operations Incorporated
• Inventors: Ruiter, Matthew, Denault, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Trinh T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanderson; Joseph W
• Application Number:
  US11/176,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20070006820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 119/792, 119/793, 119/795, 119/814, 119/856, 119/712, 119/769, 119/421, 119/858, 604174-179
• US Class Current: 119/792
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals

Abstract

A harness for use in coupling with an animal interface, the animal interface comprising one or more of conduits for transmitting fluid, electrical signals, or optical signals. Swivel extension tether for quick connect to harness, dual-ended swivel, an extension line, and connection to upstream monitoring equipment. Method for using the harness in an animal for fluid communication access, an electrical signal interface, and an optical interface.

Claims

1. An interface device for coupling with an animal interface, wherein the animal interface comprises an external terminus that exits or enters the animal at an externalization site, the interface device comprising:

a. a conduit having an internal end and an external end;

b. a covering axially projecting from the conduit to cover the external terminus of the animal interface and the externalization site of the animal, wherein the conduit is permanently affixed to and passes through to an underside of the covering;

c. an internal terminal fitting attached to the internal end of the conduit and adapted to provide communicative attachment of the internal end of the conduit to the external terminus of the animal interface;

d. an external terminal fitting attached to the external end of the conduit and adapted to provide communicative attachment of the external end of the conduit to the external environment; and

e. a securement device attached to the covering for securing the covering to the animal.

2. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a swivel-extension tether having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is removably attachable to the external terminal fitting.

3. The interface device of claim 2, further comprising a dual-ended swivel at the distal end of the swivel extension tether.

4. The interface device of claim 2, further comprising a quick-connect fitting at the proximal end of the swivel extension tether and a second quick-connect fitting at the distal end of the swivel extension tether.

5. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the securement device is selected from the group consisting of:

a belly band, a jacket, and a vest.

6. The interface device of claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the securement device.

7. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the covering is a skirt.

8. The interface device of claim 7, wherein the skin is symmetrical about an axis, and wherein the conduit is substantially coaxial with the axis.

9. The interface device of claim 8, wherein the skin has a bottom surface defining a plane, and wherein the axis is perpendicular to the plane.

10. The interface device of claim 7, wherein the skirt further comprises a dome-shaped area.

11. The interface device of claim 7, wherein the skirt further comprises a vented dome.

12. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of internal termini adapted to provide communicative attachment of the animal interface to a plurality of internal ends of a multiplex conduit.

13. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of external termini adapted to provide communicative attachment of the animal interface to a plurality of external ends of a multiplex conduit.

14. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the conduit is adapted for fluid communication.

15. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the animal interface is selected from the group consisting of a percutaneous dwelling, an implanted dwelling, a subcutaneous dwelling, an intracerebral dwelling, an intraperitoneal dwelling, an intracisternal dwelling, an intrathecal dwelling, and an intravascular dwelling.

16. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the conduit conveys fluid, electrical signals, or optical signals to the animal interface.

17. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the animal interface is a catheter.

18. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the external terminal fitting is a quick-connect fitting.