Abstract:
A device for organizing slack in a flexible line comprising a unitary element with clips formed in the top and bottom of the element for releasably retaining a flexible line at a point intermediate the ends of the line in the absence of an inwardly pinching bias. The device preferably has a saddle curved first major surface.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/783,276, filed Mar. 17, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Intravenous tubing (“IV tubing”) is used in conducting intravenous therapy. Intravenous therapy is a method for administering fluids or medications directly into the venous system, usually into a patient&#39;s vein. Oftentimes the tubing will connect an IV bag containing the fluids with a catheter that introduces the fluids into the vein.  
         [0003]     One of the problems encountered in medicine, for example, in hospitals, is keeping track of IV tubing. Oftentimes, the tubing becomes tangled, especially when multiple lines of IV tubing are used. Tangled and mixed-mixed up IV tubing can become an inconvenience and even a hazard.  
         [0004]     The prior art contains a number of examples of IV tubing organizers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,246 to Scott et al., describes an intravenous tube holder with a plurality of clips that could hold a length of the tubing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,892 to Boswell describes a surgical tubing clamp. Many other patents describe other kinds of IV tubing organizers.  
         [0005]     The prior art suffers from certain shortcomings or limitations. The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings or limitations in the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A first aspect of the invention is a device for organizing slack in a flexible line. A first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is a unitary element with clips formed in the top and bottom of the element for releasably retaining a flexible line at a point intermediate the ends of the line in the absence of an inwardly pinching bias.  
         [0007]     A second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is a unitary element having (i) clips formed in the top and bottom of the element for releasably retaining a flexible line at a point intermediate the ends of the line, and (ii) a saddle curved first major surface.  
         [0008]     A second aspect of the invention is a method of organizing slack in a flexible line. The method includes the steps of (i) obtaining a unitary element having clips formed in the top and bottom of the element capable of releasable securement of the element to the flexible line, (ii) obtaining a flexible line having ends, (iii) inserting the line into one of the clips at a point intermediate the ends of the line, wrapping the line around the element, and (iv) inserting the line into the other clip so as to prevent unraveling of the wrapped length of line. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with tubing wrapped around and secured to both ends of the device.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  without the tubing.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  without the tubing.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  without the tubing.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the tubing detached from one end and unwrapped from around the device.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an upper rear perspective view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a right side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a left side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a back view of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Nomenclature  
         [0000]    
       
           100  Device (First Embodiment)  
           101  Backing  
           102   a  First Ridge  
           102   b  Second Ridge  
           102   c  Third Ridge  
           102   d  Fourth Ridge  
           102   e  Fifth Ridge  
           102   f  Sixth Ridge  
           102   g  Seventh Ridge  
           102   h  Eighth Ridge  
           102   i  Ninth Ridge  
           102   j  Tenth Ridge  
           103   a  First Clip  
           103   b  Second Clip  
           104  Tubing  
           104   a  First End of Tubing  
           104   b  Second End of Tubing  
           105   a  Top of Device  
           105   b  Bottom of Device  
           105   c  Right Side of Device  
           105   d  Left Side of Device  
           106  Narrowed Portion of Clips  
           107  Widened Portion of Clips  
           108  Inwardly Projecting Tabs on Clips  
           200  Device (Second Embodiment)  
           201  Backing  
           202   a  First Rib  
           202   b  Second Rib  
           203   a  First Clip  
           203   b  Second Clip  
           205   a  Top of Device  
           205   b  Bottom of Device  
           206  Narrowed Portion of Clips  
           207  Widened Portion of Clips  
           300  Device (Third Embodiment)  
           301  First Major Surface of Device  
           302  Second Major Surface of Device  
           303   a  First Clip  
           303   b  Second Clip  
           305   a  Top of Device  
           305   b  Bottom of Device  
           305   c  Right Side of Device  
           305   d  Left Side of Device  
           308  Inwardly Projecting Tabs on Clips  
          Long Longitudinal Center Line  
          Lat Lateral Center Line  
          x Longitudinal Direction  
          y Lateral Direction  
          z Transverse Direction 
 
 Definitions 
 
       
     
         [0073]     As utilized herein, including the claims, the term “saddle curve” means a surface defining a convex curve in a first direction and a concave curve in second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.  
         [0074]     As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrases “substantially orthogonal” and “substantially perpendicular” mean positioned relative to one another at an angle of between 60° to 900.  
         [0075]     As utilized herein, including the claims, the term “unitary” means formed from a single mass of material.  
       Construction and Use of Specific Embodiments  
       [0076]     As disclosed, the invention is generally directed to a device for organizing IV tubing. However, the invention is not limited to such uses. The structure of the device may be useful for other purposes. Other purposes might include the wrapping of cords, ropes, or any other use where a wrapping device might be usable and beneficial.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0077]     The IV tubing organizer  100  shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  can be oriented with a longitudinal centerline Long generally bisecting the organizer  100 . The term longitudinal refers to a line, axis, or direction in the plane of the organizer  100  that runs parallel with the longitudinal centerline Long. The IV tubing organizer  100  shown in  FIG. 1  can further be oriented with transverse T and lateral Lat centerlines orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline Long.  
         [0078]     The length of the organizer  100  is the maximum dimension measured parallel to the longitudinal centerline Long in the longitudinal direction x. The width of the organizer  100  is the maximum dimension measured parallel to the lateral centerline Lat in the lateral direction y. The thickness of the organizer  100  is the maximum z direction dimension measured parallel to the z axis.  
         [0079]     When a range or interval is disclosed, the disclosure is intended to disclose both the endpoints and the intervals within the range. For example, a range of 0.005 to 0.010 includes 0.005, 0.006 and 0.010 within that range.  
         [0080]     FIGS.  1  to  4  show an IV tubing organizer  100  according to a first embodiment of the invention. The IV tubing organizer  100  can comprise backing  101 , ridges  102   a  to  102   j , and clips  103   a ,  103   b.    
         [0081]     On a first end  105   a  of the organizer  100 , a user can insert the tubing  104  into the first clip  103   a . The user can then wrap the desired amount of tubing  104  around the backing  101  and over the ridges  102   a  to  102   j  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Once having wrapped the tubing  104 , the user can insert the tubing  104  in the second clip  103   b  on the second end  105   b.    
         [0082]     The clips  103   a ,  103   b  can hold the tubing  104  in place on the IV tubing organizer  100 . The narrowing  106  in the clips  103   a ,  103   b  can be of a width that holds the tubing  104 , under normal use within the widening  107 . For many kinds of IV tubing, a width of 0.05 inches for the narrowing  106  can be suitable to maintain the tubing  104  within the widening  107  during normal use.  
         [0083]     Each clip  103   a  and  103   b  preferably includes a set of transversely z flexible, inwardly projecting tabs  108  for facilitating retention of tubing  104  placed within the clip  103   a  and  103   b.    
         [0084]     The IV tubing organizer  100  can be made of various materials including preferably plastics capable of being injection molded. However, various other materials including other plastics, foam, metal, ceramic, glass, cellulose-based materials can also be suitable.  
         [0085]     The IV tubing organizer  100  has several advantageous features. First, the IV tubing organizer  100  can help caregivers organize IV tubing  104 . For a typical set-up, a first end  104   a  of the IV tubing  104  leads to the IV bag (not shown). The second end  104   b  leads to the catheter (not shown). The IV tubing  104  needs to be long enough to allow the patient (not shown) to move relatively freely. On the other hand, in many instances, the IV tubing  104  can drag on the floor or hook on objects (not shown). This can yank the IV tubing  104  and can result in the catheter (not shown) being pulled from the patient (not shown). By taking up excess slack in the tubing  104 , the IV tubing organizer  100  can help manage excess tubing  104 .  
         [0086]     Second, the clips  103   a ,  103   b  can release the IV tubing  104  when the tubing  104  is strained. The material of the backing  101  near the narrowing  106  can be sufficiently flexible to bend when the tubing  104  is yanked. In addition the tubing  104  will have some give and can be pulled through the narrowing  106  when sufficient force is exerted on the tubing  104 .  
         [0087]     In the manufacturing process the desirable size of narrowing  106  (or channel) can be created depending on the particular application. For many applications it can be desirable to have a narrowing  106  of a size that retains the tubing  104  in the widening  107  when no significant strain is put on the tubing  104 . For example, it may be desirable to have the narrowing  106  have a width that prevents release of the tubing  104  from the organizer  100  when gravity exerts pulling force on the tubing  104  retained by the organizer  100 . This can prevent premature release of the tubing  104  when no pulling forces (other than gravity) are exerted on the IV tubing  104  held by the organizer  100 .  
         [0088]     The actual force that is exerted by gravity (and other forces) on tubing  104  held by the organizer  100  can be dependent on many things—for example, how many times the tubing  104  is wrapped around the organizer  100 , the position of the organizer  100  in space, the kind of tubing  104  in use, the position on the tubing  104  within the clips  103   a ,  103   b , elevation at which the tubing  104  is used, etc. A typical level of force that can be exerted by gravity on tubing  104  held by the organizer  100  can be present when the tubing  104  is not wrapped around the organizer  100  but is simply held in one of the clips  103   b  with the length of the organizer  100  parallel to the force of gravity as shown in  FIG. 5 . This can be identified as a “test release position.” Disregarding the IV bag (not shown), a typical length of IV tubing  104  that is approximately 4 millimeters in diameter and includes various attachments such as a drip chamber (not shown) might weigh approximately 0.10 lbs when empty and approximately 0.15 lbs when filled with a liquid. Therefore in order to retain in the clip  103   b  such a length of tubing  104  filled with a liquid, the narrowing  106  can be of a width that resists at least 0.15 lbs of force (i.e., the force of gravity identified in this example) for that size and type of tubing  104 .  
         [0089]     For most applications, it may be preferable to have a clip  103   b  that retains the tubing  104  when subjected to forces greater than gravity, e.g., if a catheter is inserted in the arm, when the arm moves and strains the length of tubing  104 . Such a force on the tubing  104  might be comparable to a 2 lbs force measured in the “test release position.” In order to allow for release in such cases it might be preferable to have a clip that releases within a range of 1.5 to 2 lbs of force.  
         [0090]     For other applications, it may be desirable to have a clip  103   b  that releases when subjected to a different level of force. To ensure easier release, it might be preferable to have a clip  103   b  that releases in the “test release position” in a range of 0.10 to 1.0 lbs of force. For more retention, it might be preferable to have a clip  103   b  that releases in a range of 1.0 to 2.0 lbs of force. For even greater retention it might be preferable to have a clip  103   b  that releases in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 lbs of force, or a range of 3.00 to 4.0 lbs. or a range of 4.0 to 5.0 lbs. The clip  103   b  can be manufactured to release at forces greater than or less than those specified here. However, for many applications, the ranges specified here can be suitable.  
         [0091]     Other configurations of the clips  103   a ,  103   b  are also possible. For example, one clip  103   b  might have a narrowing  106  of a different width than the other clip  103   a . This can allow, for example, one clip  103   b  to release easier than the other clip  103   a . This can ensure easy release of one clip  103   b , thereby allowing any wrapped tubing  104  to unwind (not shown), but the organizer  100  can still remain attached to the tubing  104  by the other clip  103   a.    
         [0092]     In addition, different kinds of retainers (not shown) other than the clips  103   a ,  103   b  discussed in relation to FIGS.  1  to  5  can be suitable. Those other retainers such as clamps, releasable adhesive bonds, hook and loop attachments, etc. (not shown), can be configured to release the tubing  104  within the desirable release range.  
         [0093]     Finally, the discussion above concerns one example of tubing  104 . Other kinds of tubing  104  or other kinds of lines can have different weights and thicknesses. For other kinds of tubing  104  or lines, different ranges of pulling forces can be desirable. An organizer  100  that has clips  103   a ,  103   b  that retain the tubing  104  or lines within those different ranges can still be within the scope of this invention.  
         [0094]     Third, the clips  103   a ,  103   b  can secure the tubing  104  without crimping the tubing  104 . The narrowing  106  in the clips  103   a ,  103   b  holds the tubing  104  within the widening during normal use. The widening  107  in the clips  103   a ,  103   b  can be sufficient to minimize pressure on the tubing  104 .  
         [0095]     Fourth, the ridges  102   a  to  102   j  also help secure the tubing  104  without crimping. The ridges  102   a  to  102   j  help ensure the wrapped tubing  104  can maintain a sufficiently wide radius around the sides  105   c ,  105   d  to prevent crimping.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0096]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a IV tubing organizer  200  according to a second embodiment. The IV tubing organizer  200  can resemble the IV tubing organizer  100  according to the first embodiment shown in relation to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0097]     The IV tubing organizer  200  has a top  205   a  and a bottom  205   b  with clips  203   a  and  203   b  provided therein. The clips  203   a  and  203   b  each have a narrowed portion  206  and a widened portion  207 . The organizer  200  has rounded side ribs  202   a  and  202   b  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The rounded side ribs  202   a  and  202   b  can take the place of the ridges  102   a  to  102   j  shown in relation to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0098]     The IV tubing organizer  200  can preferably be made of materials such as foam. The foam can be relatively stiff, allowing the IV tubing organizer  200  to maintain its shape under normal use. However, the materials described above in relation to the first embodiment or other materials can also be suitable.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0099]     A third embodiment of the device  300  is shown in  FIGS. 8-15 . The device  300  has a top  305   a , bottom  305   b , a right side  305   c , and a left side  305   d , with a first major surface  301  and a second major surface  302 .  
         [0100]     Tube retention clips  303   a  and  303   b  are formed at the top  305   a  and bottom  305   b  of the device  300  respectively. Each clip  303   a  and  303   b  preferably includes a set of transversely z flexible, inwardly projecting tabs  308  for facilitating retention of tubing  104  placed within the clip  303   a  and  303   b . The lateral y width of the clips  303   a  and  303   b  may be the same or different.  
         [0101]     The first major surface  301  is configured and arranged with a saddle curve wherein the first major surface  301  forms a concave curve along the longitudinal center line Long of the device  300 , and a convex curve along the lateral center line Lat of the device  300 . The saddle curve provides a smooth lateral y line of curvature and a longitudinal x inward bias to tubing  104  laterally y wrapped around the device  300 .  
         [0102]     The second major surface  302  is preferably configured and arranged to mimic the saddle curve of the first major surface  301 , with a concave curve formed along the longitudinal center line Long of the device  300 , and a convex curve formed along the lateral center line Lat of the device  300 .  
         [0103]     The radius of curvature about a longitudinal x axis is preferably decreased proximate the right  305   c  and left  305   d  sides of the device  300  so that tubing  104  wrapped around the device  300  does not contact the right  305   c  and left  305   d  edges, thereby further reducing the likelihood of kinking tubing  104  wrapped around the device  300 .  
         [0000]     Modifications  
         [0104]     The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the claims arising from this application. For example, while suitable sizes, materials and arrangement of the elements have been disclosed in the above discussion, it should be appreciated that these are provided by way of example and not of limitation as to the size, material and arrangement of the elements. Various modifications, as well as numerous structures within the scope of the invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the present specifications. The claims which arise from this application are intended to cover such modifications and structures.