Apparatus and method for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing

• US 7,594,909 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unomedical A/S
• Original Assignee: Unomedical A/S
• Inventors: Göransson, Magnus Walter, Mogensen, Lasse Wesseltoft
• Primary Examiner(s): Desanto; Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US10/517,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,219 Days
• Field of Search: 242/378.4, 242/378, 242/378.1, 242/388.6, 242/388.7, 242/388.1, 604/500, 604/174, 604/177, 604/180
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4452 Simultaneous winding and unwinding of the material, e.g. winding or unwinding on a stationary drum while respectively unwinding or winding on a rotating drum using a planetary guiding roller

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing including a housing with cylinder part having a center axis, the housing further including at least one turnable unit. The apparatus is reusable. The system also enables the user to locate the apparatus anywhere on his body he may find suitable with regard to physiology and with regard to clothing. It is thus possible to arrange the apparatus underneath one'"'"'s sweater, in one'"'"'s waistband, pocket or the like. The simple adjustment of the apparatus is particularly suitable for the handicapped, and likewise it saves time for hospital staff in connection with patients who use infusion units.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising;

a cylinder part comprising a centre axis,

a first axle arranged about the centre axis of the cylinder part, and

at least one turnable unit turnable about-the first axle, the at least one turnable unit comprising a partition plate turnable about the first axle and a wheel part turnable independently to the partition plate and about the same first axle, the partition plate comprising a return wheel, the return wheel being arranged at a periphery of the partition plate such that the return wheel rotates with the partition plate about the first axle,

wherein the return wheel is configured to receive a portion of the length of tubing around a periphery of the return wheel.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a spring, said spring being connected to the partition plate and to a part which is stationary within the housing.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spring is connected to the partition plate and to a wall of the housing.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder part and wheel part are rotatable relative to each other.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cylinder part is a stationary axle.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cylinder part is a turnable axle.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return wheel is turnable about an axle mounted on the partition plate.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the cylinder part and a diameter of the turnable wheel part are essentially identical.

9. A method for adjustment of the length of an infusion tubing using an apparatus comprising a housing a cylinder part comprising a centre axis, a first axle arranged about the centre axis of the cylinder part, and at least one turnable unit turnable about the first axle, said turnable unit comprising a partition plate turnable about the first axle and a wheel part turnable independently to the partition plate about the same first axle, the partition plate comprising a return wheel positioned at a periphery of the partition plate so that the return wheel rotates with the partition plate about the first axle, the method comprising:

winding a first length of tubing around the cylinder part;

winding a second length of tubing around the wheel;

positioning a first free end part and a second free end part of the tubing exteriorly of the housing,

winding the first length of the tubing around said return wheel associated with the turnable unit and the turnable wheel part; and

pulling the first end part, the second end part or both to adjust the length of the tubing extending exteriorly to the housing.

10. A method according to claim 9, comprising transferring the tubing situated around the cylinder part to the turnable unit and conversely during adjustment of the length of the tubing.

11. A method according to claim 9, comprising winding the first length of the tubing about the cylinder part in a first direction and winding the second length of the tubing around parts of the turnable unit in a second direction opposite the first direction.