U.S. patent application number 09/774979 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for comfort support system for medicinal and therapeutic devices.
Invention is credited to Ekey, Barbara N..
Application Number | 20020103451 09/774979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25102919 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020103451 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ekey, Barbara N. |
August 1, 2002 |
Comfort support system for medicinal and therapeutic devices
Abstract
A medical apparatus support system including a pouch assembly
for comfortably and effectively supporting a medical device, such
as an intravenous supply bag. The pouch assembly including an
opening to receive the supply bag in a pocket and a slit to allow
egress of a supply tube associated with the supply bag positioned
near the lower portion of the pocket, wherein the pouch assembly
further includes an extension extending from a position proximal
the slit.
Inventors: |
Ekey, Barbara N.; (Warren,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thompson Hine & Flory LLP
2000 Courthouse Plaza N.E.
P.O. Box 8801
Dayton
OH
45401-8801
US
|
Family ID: |
25102919 |
Appl. No.: |
09/774979 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/60 ;
602/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/146
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/60 ;
602/61 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. For use with a medical apparatus connected to a medical patient,
a support system comprising: at least one primary adjustable belt
shaped to be worn about the shoulder, abdomen, thorax, or waist of
a patient; at least one secondary adjustable belt shaped to be worn
about the arm or the leg of a patient; a pouch assembly having a
front and a back including a pocket shaped to receive a medical
apparatus, said pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion,
said pocket including an opening to receive said medical apparatus
in said pocket positioned near said upper portion of said pocket
and a slit to allow egress of a line associated with said medical
apparatus positioned near said lower portion of said pocket, said
pouch assembly further including an extension extending from a
position proximal said pouch assembly lower portion; at least one
primary belt loop attached to said pouch assembly, said primary
belt loop shaped to receive said primary adjustable belt; at least
one secondary belt loop attached to said pouch assembly, said
secondary belt loop shaped to receive said secondary adjustable
belt; wherein said pouch assembly supports said medical apparatus
in a secure and operable against said patient.
2. The support system of claim 1 further comprising at least one
support loop attached to said extension for securing an auxiliary
device of said medical apparatus.
3. The support system of claim 2 wherein said support loop
comprises a flap of fabric having a free end with one element of a
releasable closure attached thereto, an end that is affixed to said
extension, and a complementary element of said releasable closure
attached to said extension such that said flap of fabric may be
releasably attached to said extension to support an auxiliary
device between said flap of fabric and said extension.
4. The support system of claim 3 wherein said releasable closure is
selected from the group consisting of hook and loop material,
snaps, buttons, and clasps.
5. The support system of claim 1 further comprising at least two
support loops attached to said pouch assembly.
6. The support system of claim 5 wherein one of said support loops
is positioned proximal said slit in a horizontal orientation with
respect to said extension and is shaped to hold an intravenous drip
reservoir.
7. The support system of claim 5 wherein one of said support loops
is positioned in a vertical orientation with respect to said
extension and is shaped to hold a bundle of said line attached to
said apparatus.
8. The support system of claim 1 wherein said primary belt loop is
attached to said back of said pouch assembly proximal said opening,
one of said secondary belt loops is attached to said back of said
pouch assembly proximal said slit, and another of said secondary
belt loops is attached to said extension.
9. The support system of claim 8 including two secondary belt loops
attached to said extension.
10. The support system of claim 1 wherein said pouch assembly is
made of a relatively non-abrasive material and having padding
incorporated therein.
11. The support system of claim 1 including padding positioned in
said pouch assembly to bias a medical apparatus positioned in said
pocket towards said slit.
12. The support system of claim 1 including an elastic material
positioned proximal said opening to aid in securing a medical
apparatus within said pocket.
13. The support system of claim 1 wherein the use of said pouch
assembly to support a medical apparatus eliminates the need for a
johnny pole.
14. For use with a medical apparatus connected to a medical
patient, a support system comprising: one primary adjustable belt
shaped to be worn about the shoulder of a patient; two secondary
adjustable belts shaped to be worn about the arm of a patient; a
pouch assembly having a front and a back including a pocket shaped
to receive an intravenous supply bag, said pocket having an upper
portion and a lower portion, said pocket including an opening to
receive said supply bag in said pocket positioned near said upper
portion of said pocket and a slit to allow egress of a supply tube
associated with said supply bag positioned near said lower portion
of said pocket, said pouch assembly further including an extension
extending from a position proximal said pouch assembly lower
portion; one primary belt loop attached to said pouch assembly,
said primary belt loop shaped to receive said primary adjustable
belt; at least two secondary belt loops attached to said pouch
assembly, said secondary belt loops shaped to receive said
secondary adjustable belts; at least one support loop attached to
said extension said support loop comprising a flap of fabric having
a free end with one element of a releasable closure attached
thereto, an end that is affixed to said extension, and a
complementary element of said releasable closure attached to said
extension such that said flap of fabric may be releasably attached
to said extension to support an auxiliary device between said flap
of fabric and said extension; padding positioned in said pouch
assembly proximal said opening to bias said supply bag towards said
slit; wherein said pouch assembly supports said supply bag in a
secure and operable against said patient.
15. A method for supporting a medical apparatus connected to a
medical patient comprising: selecting a primary adjustable belt
shaped to be worn about the shoulder of a patient; selecting two
secondary adjustable belts shaped to be worn about the arm of a
patient; selecting a pouch assembly having a front and a back
including a pocket shaped to receive an intravenous supply bag,
said pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, said
pocket including an opening to receive said supply bag in said
pocket positioned near said upper portion of said pocket and a slit
to allow egress of a supply tube associated with said supply bag
positioned near said lower portion of said pocket, said pouch
assembly further including an extension extending from a position
proximal said pouch assembly lower portion; said pouch assembly
including one primary belt loop attached to said pouch assembly,
said primary belt loop shaped to receive said primary adjustable
belt, at least two secondary belt loops attached to said pouch
assembly, said secondary belt loops shaped to receive said
secondary adjustable belts; inserting said primary belt through
said primary belt loop and around the shoulder of said patient;
adjusting said primary belt to a desired length; inserting said
secondary belts through said secondary belt loops; adjusting said
secondary belts to a desired length; inserting an intravenous
supply bag in said pocket while feeding an associated line through
said slit to an insertion point on said patient such that said
supply bag is supported on a shoulder of said patient.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to medicinal and therapeutic
supports, and more particularly to comfortable supports to be worn
about the body, namely the shoulders, abdomen, thorax, upper thigh
or head, for antibiotic and other types of medicinal delivery
systems, drainage receptacles, and medical diagnostic and
monitoring equipment.
[0002] Often in the treatment of medical patients it may be
required to provide continuous intravenous medicines to the
patient, such as antibiotics, continuously. Often times, these
intravenous medicines may be required even after the patient's
hospital stays are over. Additionally, sometimes patients require
diagnostic or monitoring equipment that need to be attached to or
in close proximity to the body most of the time. Most of the
aforementioned apparatuses are attached to the body of the patient
at various insertion points by intravenous tubes, electrical
sensors, drainage tubes, etc., hereinafter generally referred to as
"lines." Traditionally, these apparatuses have been required to be
supported by a "johnny pole" including a support hook at one end
and wheels at the other so that the patient can drag along the pole
and attached medical apparatuses with them wherever they go.
Needless to say this arrangement can be awkward and inconvenient
for the patient, and sometimes can result in longer than necessary
hospital stays.
[0003] For this reason it is generally preferred that these
apparatuses be attached and supported on the body of the patient so
that the need for the awkward and unwieldy "Johnny pole" can be
eliminated. Furthermore, if at all possible, it is desired that the
medical apparatus be supported at or close to the insertion point
of the medicinal intravenous tubes, the diagnostic apparatus
sensor, the drainage tubes, etc. in order to limit the possibility
of the tangling or interferences of the lines as they are usually
held in place delicately. Additionally, entanglement with the
wearer, the wearer's clothes, etc., is also an undesirable
condition that should be avoided.
[0004] In the past, in a somewhat unsuccessful attempt to eliminate
the need for a johnny pole, it was common to pin or tape the
medical apparatuses to clothing worn by the patient or to the
bandage or the incision itself. While not very comfortable, this
procedure was somewhat effective in helping out the patient,
especially while the patient was in the hospital where an open gown
was worn, thereby easing the ability of the patient to accommodate
basic bodily functions. However, the awkwardness and discomfort is
increased with multiple sets of apparatuses and the related lines.
In addition, outside the hospital, where patients wear standard,
relatively constricting clothes, it is not practicable to use the
prior art pinning and taping methods to support the apparatuses. As
mentioned above, other problems arise from the entanglement of the
lines. For example, these lines are generally connected to the
apparatuses with an ample amount of "slack" so that they will be
usable in varying applications by patients of differing sizes and
shapes. However, the extra length of the lines can become easily
entangled with the wearer, the wearer's clothing, etc., especially
when several apparatuses are being used. While several attempts
have been in the past to resolve some of these noted problems,
these attempts have achieved only moderate success.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,233 to Turner attempts to
address some of these problems specifically with respect to
drainage receptacles providing a single large pouch to be worn on a
belt which extends about the waist of a post operative patient to
support a fluid drainage receptacle. The pouch of that device
includes a pouch extension and an elongated loop of fabric which
receives the belt and supports the pouch so that the pouch opening
hangs down below the belt and deflects in an angular position when
the lip of the pouch is pulled away from the wearer, thereby
allowing easy access to the interior of the pouch.
[0006] While the Turner patent resolves some of the problems
associated specifically with prior art post operative drainage
receptacle supports, it is not generally effective for other
devices. Specifically, while the apparatus disclosed in the Turner
patent is acceptable for some drainage receptacle support
situations, it is generally ineffective for supporting an
intravenous medicinal supply. This particularly true if the
insertion point of the intravenous line is above the waist of the
patient.
[0007] Accordingly, there exists a need for a lightweight support
device for medical apparatuses to be worn by post operative
patients which comfortably secures the apparatuses against a
wearer, a support device which eliminates the prior art need for an
unwieldy support device such as a johnny pole, a support device
which can be worn under clothing, a support device which
facilitates the operation of the apparatuses, a support device
which prevents line entanglements, a support device which holds the
apparatuses in a desired, operational position, a support device
which may be used with apparatuses of varying sizes and shapes, a
support device that can be positioned above the insertion point of
an intravenous line, and a support device which can be positioned
in a manner to avoid tangling and stress on the related apparatus
lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a medical apparatus support system
which may be used to securely support a number of medical
apparatuses, including medicinal delivery systems, drainage
receptacles, and medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment and
the like, and can be worn comfortably on the body of a medical
patient such that the need for an unwieldy support device such as a
johnny pole is eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, the present
invention provides an intravenous medicinal support device that can
be worn on the shoulder of a patient above the insertion point of
the intravenous line in order to provide gravitational assistance
to the flow of the medicine. In all embodiments, the present
invention includes at least one adjustable belt and at least one
pouch shaped to receive a medical apparatus. For one preferred
embodiment disclosed herein, a shoulder belt and specially adapted
pouch including a feature to help insure the operational
positioning and security of an intravenous supply bag or other
medical apparatus in the pouch is provided. In a preferred
embodiment, a pouch extension and arm straps are included to
provide further support for the medicine supply bag and the
intravenous drip reservoir. Of course the pouches for holding the
apparatuses in accordance with the present invention may be
constructed in many different ways, and can include a side panel or
gusset so that the pouches may comfortably receive larger sized
apparatuses. Preferably, the pouches and other supports of the
present invention are made from a lightweight, non-abrasive,
washable fabric having padding positioned between the apparatus and
the body of the wearer.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flap
of fabric or other suitable material is affixed near the exit point
of the intravenous bag, preferably on a pocket extension, to
support an auxiliary device, such as an intravenous drip reservoir.
The flap is secured to the pocket extension to form a hinge and
includes one element of a releasable closure, such as a snap, a
button, strips of hook and loop material or the like, affixed to
the free end of the "hinge." The other element of the releasable
closure is then affixed to one side of the pouch extension thereby
enabling the flap to form a loop when the flap is releasably
fastened to the other side of the pouch extension. The loop can
then be used to support the intravenous drip reservoir, thereby
preventing the reservoir from putting stress on the medicinal
supply bag. Similarly, the loop can be used to secure excess slack
from the intravenous line tube or diagnostic line from a diagnostic
apparatus, thereby lessening the possibility that the lines will
become entangled with the wearer, door handles of other
objects.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide a medical apparatus support system which may be used to
securely support a number of medical apparatuses, including
medicinal delivery systems, drainage receptacles, and medical
diagnostic and monitoring equipment and the like, that can be worn
comfortably on the body of a medical patient. Other objects and
advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of a medicinal and therapeutic apparatus support system of the
present invention, shown worn by a postoperative patient;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the belt of an alternate
embodiment of the support system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side elevational view of an
embodiment of a pouch for use in the medicinal and therapeutic
support system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As best shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, a support system, generally
designated 10, for a medicinal or therapeutic apparatus, preferably
a medicinal delivery system such as a medicinal bag 12, includes a
primary adjustable shoulder belt 14, at least one secondary
adjustable upper arm belt 16, and a pouch assembly 18. The pouch 18
assembly preferably comprises a pocket 20, a pouch extension 22,
and at least two belt loops 24, 26. The primary adjustable shoulder
belt 14 is shaped to be worn around the abdomen, thorax, head or
upper thigh of a patient 28, but preferably is shaped to be worn
over one shoulder 30 of the patient and underneath the arm 32
attached to the opposite shoulder 34. While a human patient 28 is
shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 may be employed on animals, such as
horses and cows as well, and therefore are to be included with the
term "patient" as used herein. Additionally, while the preferred
embodiment of the invention shown herein is shown as worn by a
patient 28 over the shoulder of the patient 28, one of ordinary
skill will see that the primary belt 14 could be worn around the
waist of a patient and the secondary belt 16, 16B could be worn
about the upper thigh of a patient 28 to provide support for a
medical apparatus having a line 40 insertion point below the waist
of the patient 28.
[0015] The pouch assembly 18 includes at least two belt loops 24,
26 shaped to slidably receive a primary adjustable shoulder belt
14, and at least one secondary adjustable upper arm belt 16, and an
includes a pocket 20 to receive an individual medicinal or
therapeutic apparatus, such as a medicinal bag 12. Preferably, the
pocket 20 includes an upper opening 36 and a lower slit 38. The
upper opening 36 is sized to easily receive the medicinal or
therapeutic apparatus 12. The lower slit 38 is sized to allow the
line 40, such as an intravenous supply tube, from the apparatus 12
to exit the pocket 20 while still providing adequate support to the
apparatus 12. The line 40 then may be fed to the incision or
insertion point 42 of the line 40 on the patient 28.
[0016] Preferably the pouch assembly 18 includes a feature to help
ensure that the apparatus, such as a medicinal bag 12, is held
securely in the pocket 20 in a desired operational position. As
shown best in FIG. 2, this feature can be an elastic strip 43 that
encircles the upper opening of the pocket 20 to secure the bag 12
in the pocket. As shown best in FIG. 3, this feature can be
additional padding 45 that is placed between the pocket 20 and
lower portion of the pouch assembly 18. Preferably this padding 45
is positioned proximal the upper opening 36 and operates to bias
the bag 12 toward the lower slit 38. In this manner, as intravenous
liquid is drained from the bag 12, complete draining of the bag 12
to the patient 28 is facilitated. Additionally, the padding 45
operates to help secure the bag 12 in the pocket 20.
[0017] Preferably, the pouch assembly 18 also includes a pouch
extension 22 with a releasable support loop 44 positioned thereon
to provide additional support for the line 40 or another auxiliary
device, such as an intravenous drip reservoir 46. The support loop
44 is preferably comprised of a flap of fabric 48 or other suitable
material that is affixed near the slit 38 on the pouch extension
22. The flap 48 is secured to the pouch extension 22 to form a
hinge and includes one element of a releasable closure, such as a
snap, a button, strips of hook and loop material or the like,
affixed to the free end of the "hinge." The other element of the
releasable closure is then affixed to one side of the pouch
extension 22 thereby enabling the flap 48 to form the support loop
44 when the flap 48 is releasably fastened to the other side of the
pouch extension 22. The loop 44 can then be used to support the
intravenous drip reservoir 46, thereby preventing the reservoir
from putting stress on the apparatus 12. Similarly, the loop 44 can
be used to secure excess slack from the line 40 thereby lessening
the possibility that the line 40 will become entangled with the
wearer, door handles of other objects.
[0018] As shown best in FIG. 2, changes and additions to the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 are possible without
departing from the overall scope of the present invention. More
specifically, in a preferred embodiment, another secondary
adjustable upper arm belt 16B, and corresponding belt loop 24B is
provided with the pouch assembly 18 to provide additional support
to the apparatus 12. Additionally, the pouch extension 22 may
include another belt loop 26B for providing the opportunity to
further adjust the support provided to the apparatus 12.
Furthermore, the pouch extension 22 may also include an additional
line support loop 44B constructed similarly to the support loop 44
to provide the ability to collect excess slack in the form of a
bundle 50 from the line 40. These additional features provide the
patient 28 with the ability to adjust the support system 10 of the
present invention to provide as much comfort and support as
possible. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would
understand that these same features may be added several more times
to provide even more adjustment ability and it is to be understood
that such modifications are considered within the scope of the
present invention.
[0019] In all of the embodiments of the present invention, the
adjustable belts 14, 16, 16B may be made of any suitable material
and construction but are preferably made from an elastic fabric
material that has a non-abrasive facing attached to the inside
portion facing the patient 28. The adjustment ability of the belts
14, 16, 16B may be accomplished using any suitable method but is
preferably accomplished by attaching hook material 52 to the inside
of the free end of the belts 14, 16, 16B and spacing complementary
strips of loop material 54 around the outside of the belts 14, 16,
16B spaced a distance apart from each other.
[0020] The pouch assembly 18 and pocket of the present invention
may also be made of any suitable material and construction but is
preferably made from a soft, non-abrasive material such as cotton
material preferably including a padding material incorporated
therein.
[0021] A preferred method of operation of the support system 10 of
the present invention is as follows. The primary adjustable
shoulder belt 14 is placed through belt loop 24 and over the
shoulder 30 of the patient 28. The belt 14 is then fed under the
arm 32 of the patient 28 and secured snugly using the hook 52 and
loop 54 material. The pouch assembly 18 is then positioned on the
shoulder 30 of patient 28. Next, the secondary adjustable arm belts
16, 16B are similarly threaded through their respective belt loops
26 or 26B, 24B and secured around the upper arm of the patient 28
such that the pouch extension 22 extends downwardly along the arm
of the patient 28. The medical apparatus, such as a medicinal
supply bag 12, is then placed through the opening 36 into the
pocket 20 such that is supported in a downward position with any
associated lines, such as an intravenous supply line 40, extending
through the slit 38. If an intravenous drip reservoir 46 is used,
it can be secured to the pouch extension 22 using the support loop
44. Furthermore, any excess slack from the intravenous line 40 is
collected and folded upon itself to form a bundle 50. The bundle 50
is then held securely in place using the support loop 44B.
[0022] While the form of the apparatus therein described
constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the precise form of
apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing
from the scope of the invention:
* * * * *