Abstract:
A support arm for use in a respiratory circuit is provided. The support arm includes a plurality of arm segments that are movably connected with one another such that the arm segments are adjustable with respect to another. At least one inflatable bladder is provided. The bladder is operably disposed at a point of connection between at least two of the arm segments. The arm segments are locked into position with respect to one another upon inflation of the bladder. The arm segments are released and positionable with respect to one another upon deflation of the bladder. Also, a respiratory support member is attached to one of the arm segments. The respiratory support member is configured for engaging the respiratory circuit to support the respiratory circuit.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Ailments that affect the respiratory system can occur in people of any age group. These ailments can range anywhere from a temporary condition that requires minor treatment to a permanent disability that requires constant respiratory treatment. 
   Treatment of respiratory ailments may involve the use of various components configured in a respiratory circuit. For example, endotracheal intubation tubes are used primarily for the provision of an artificial airway in a patient&#39;s respiratory system for the passage of gasses and objects to and from the patient. Endotracheal tubes are typically rigid or semi-rigid cylindrical tubing that may extend from outside of the patient into the patient&#39;s lungs. Surgical instruments are then passed through this tubing into the patient&#39;s respiratory system in order to perform various medical procedures. 
   It may be the case that a patient&#39;s respiratory system is so severely impaired that a patient requires some or total assistance in breathing. Ventilators are commonly used to provide artificial respiration to patients in such circumstances. Ventilators are typically connected to a manifold of the breathing circuit to provide for artificial respiration of the patient. Ventilators may be configured so as to completely control the breathing of a patient, or configured such that the ventilator responds only when a patient has labored breathing to a predetermined extent. 
   Since a respiratory circuit has components located both on the inside and outside of a patient, the support and stability of a respiratory circuit is important in maintaining an optimal level of performance of the respiratory circuit and related components. It is sometimes the case that the tubing of a ventilator or even the tubing of a respiratory circuit is not rigid and needs to be supported. Also, it is often the case that a patient must be moved during the normal course of treatment, necessitating a change in position of the respiratory circuit. Additionally, even rigid or semi-rigid tubing in a respiratory circuit may need to be supported in order to provide for proper positioning of the tubing in relation to a patient or to provide for optimum patient comfort. In these circumstances, a support arm is sometimes used in order to support components of the respiratory circuit. 
   Typically, support arms have been located on a ventilator unit and extended therefrom in order to support tubing of the respiratory circuit. These support arms are typically provided with several joints that allow the support arm to enjoy a full range of motion. The tubing of the respiratory circuit is attached to one end of the support arm. This attachment may be a sliding support or a static connection. A caregiver may then manipulate the support arm such that the tubing is properly positioned. Support arms are typically provided with adjustment screws located at the various points of movement. A caregiver may manually tighten these adjustment screws in order to lock the support arm in the desired location. It is therefore the case that support arms typically require the caregiver to manually tighten and loosen from between two and four adjustment screws in order to properly manipulate and lock the support arm in the desired position. This adjustment requires the use of two hands by a caregiver. 
   The present invention is an improvement upon support arms that are used in supporting a respiratory circuit. 
   SUMMARY 
   Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
   The present invention provides for a support arm for use in a respiratory circuit. The support arm includes a plurality of arm segments that are movably connected with one another such that the arm segments are adjustable with respect to one another. At least one inflatable bladder is provided that is operably disposed at a point of connection between at least two of the arm segments. Inflation of the bladder causes the arm segments to be locked into position with respect to one another. Deflation of the bladder causes the arm segments to be released and therefore positionable with respect to one another. Also included is a respiratory support member that is attached to one of the arm segments. The respiratory support member is configured for engaging and support a component of the respiratory circuit. 
   Also provided in the present invention is a support arm as previously discussed where at least one of the arm segments may have a flexible section. Also, a least one of the inflatable bladders is located in the flexible section of the arm segment. The bladder is inflatable to rigidify the flexible section. 
   Further provided in the present invention is an embodiment of a support arm as previously discussed where the bladder is configured at a point of connection between all of the arm segments. 
   Also provided for in the present invention is an embodiment of a support member as previously discussed where the bladder is within at least one of the arm segments. 
   The present invention also includes an embodiment of a support arm for use with a respiratory circuit that has a plurality of arm segments. At least one of the arm segments is a rigid member, and at least one of the arm segments has a flexible section. The arm segments are connected to one another by swivel joints to allow the arm segments to swivel with respect to one another. A bladder is located inside of the arm segments. The bladder may be continuous through the arm segments. The bladder is inflatable in order to effect a locking of the arm segments with respect to one another. A respiratory support member is also provided and may be attached to one of the arm segments and is adjustable with respect to the arm segment. Inflation of the bladder causes a locking of the respiratory support member and prevents adjustment of the respiratory support member with respect to the arm segment. The respiratory support member is configured for engaging a component of the respiratory circuit. 
   In one particular embodiment, the present invention further provides for a support arm as immediately discussed where the support arm has three arm segments. Two of the arm segments are rigid and one of the arm segments has a flexible section. The respiratory support member is attached to the arm segment having a flexible section. 
   Additionally, the present invention includes a support arm for use with a respiratory circuit as previously discussed where one of the arm segments may have a control member attached thereto. The control member is located proximate to the respiratory support member. Activation of the control member causes deflation of the bladder and unlocking of the arm segments to allow a user to manipulate the arm segments. 
   Further provided for under the present invention is a support arm for use with a respiratory circuit as previously discussed where an embodiment of the respiratory support member has a ball and socket connection. This connection is used for effecting adjustment of the respiratory support member in relation to the arm segment. 
   In one particular multi-arm embodiment of the invention, the support arm has three segments. Two of the arm segments are a rigid member, and the other has a flexible section. One of the rigid arm segments is adjustably connected on one end to a ventilator. The two rigid arm segments are adjustably connected to one another by a first swivel joint. One of the rigid arm segments and the arm segment having the flexible section are adjustably connected to one another by a second swivel joint. The flexible section is formed by a corrugated member. Further, a respiratory support member is connected to the arm segment that has the flexible section. The respiratory support member has one end configured for engagement with a tube of a respiratory circuit to support the tube. The respiratory support member has a pivot connection to allow for adjustment of the respiratory support member. Also, a flexible bladder is present. The bladder is disposed through the arm segments. Inflation of the bladder effects a locking of the swivel joints and the flexible section to cause a locking of the arm segments and prevent relative motion between the arm segments. Inflation of the bladder effects a locking of the pivot connection of the respiratory support member to prevent adjustment of the respiratory support member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a support arm of the present invention. The support arm is shown supporting a component of a respiratory circuit. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a respiratory support member of the present invention. The respiratory support member has a respiratory support adjustment handle attached thereon. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the respiratory support member shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a flexible section in accordance with the present invention. The flexible section is free to move, and an uninflated bladder runs therethrough. 
       FIG. 5  is a view of the flexible section shown in  FIG. 4  with the bladder inflated. Once inflated, the flexible section is fixed and prevented from moving. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a support arm in accordance with the present invention. The drawing shows the swivel joints that connect the support arms. 
       FIG. 7  is an assembled perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a respiratory support member in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded assembly view of the embodiment of the respiratory support member shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a respiratory support member in accordance with the present invention. The view shows the respiratory support member having a ball and socket connection in a disengaged state. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the respiratory support member shown in  FIG. 10 . The drawing shows a bladder acting on sections of the respiratory support member to engage the ball and socket connection and hold the respiratory circuit gripping member. 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a swivel joint in accordance with the present invention. The drawing shows a bladder disposed within swivel cups and configured to engage a snap ring configuration. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded assembly view of the swivel joint shown in  FIG. 12 . The drawing shows the swivel joint at a different angle than that shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a respiratory support member in accordance with the present invention. A bladder is shown in an uninflated state, and two sections of the respiratory support member are not engaged. 
       FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the respiratory support member shown in  FIG. 14 . The bladder is shown in an inflated state engaging the two sections of the respiratory support member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations. 
   An exemplary embodiment of a support arm  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The support arm  10  is designed to be attached to a ventilator (not shown). However, it is to be understood that the support arm  10  may in other exemplary embodiments be attached to objects other than a ventilator. The support arm  10  is configured to hold a respiratory circuit component  28 . In order to properly position the support arm  10  such that it may support the respiratory circuit component  28 , the support arm  10  is constructed of a series of arm segments  12 . Although shown as having three arm segments  12  in  FIG. 1 , it is to be understood that the support arm  10  may be constructed of any number of arm segments  12 . The arm segments  12  are designed to be movable with respect to one another such that the support arm  10  can be articulated and moved into any desired position. In order to permit relative movement between the arm segments  12 , any manner of suitable swivel joints  24  are provided that connect the arm segments. 
   A first arm segment  100  is present and is connected on one end to a ventilator connection adjustment  56 . The ventilator connection adjustment  56  is provided with a ventilator connection adjustment handle  40 . The ventilator connection adjustment handle  40  may be loosened to in order to allow for adjustment of the first arm segment  100  with respect to a ventilator connection member  32 . In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ventilator connection member  32  is connected to a ventilator. The ventilator connection adjustment  56  may therefore allow the first arm segment  100  to move vertically, horizontally, or rotationally with respect to the ventilator connection member  32 . The other end of the first arm segment  100  is connected to a first swivel joint  110  which is also connected to an end of a second arm segment  102 . A point of connection  58  is defined between the first arm segment  100  and the second arm segment  102 . The first swivel joint  110  allows for relative rotational movement between the first arm segment  100  and the second arm segment  102 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the first arm segment  100  and second arm segment  102  are both rigid members. 
   The second arm segment  102  is likewise connected to a second swivel joint  112  that is also connected to a third arm segment  104 . The second swivel joint  112  allows for relative rotational movement between the second arm segment  102  and the third arm segment  104 . The second arm segment  102  and the third arm segment  104  define a point of connection  58 . 
   The third arm segment  104  has a flexible section  18  that runs along a part of the length of the third arm segment  104 . The flexible section  18  allows for the third arm segment  104  to be more precisely adjusted during the adjustment of the support arm  10 . The flexible section  18  is connected on one end thereof to a respiratory support member  16 . The respiratory support member  16  is connected to a respiratory circuit gripping member  50 . The respiratory circuit gripping member  50  engages a tube  46  of the respiratory circuit  28  and positions and supports the tube  46  in the proper location. 
   One advantage of a particular embodiment of the present invention resides in having a user adjust the support arm  10  to a desired position using only one hand. Once placed in the proper position for the support of a respiratory circuit  28 , the user may then use a control member  20  to lock the support arm  10  into the desired position. The control member  20  is located on the third arm segment  104 . However, it is to be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control member  20  may be placed on locations other than the arm segments  12 . However, locating the control member  20  on the third arm segment  104  and proximate to the respiratory support member  16  allows for the user to activate the control member  20  without having to move his or her hand off of the respiratory support member  16 . In other words, the user may position and lock the support arm  10  by the use of only one hand. 
   The control member  20  is equipped with an inflation button  34  and a deflation button  36 . The inflation button  34  and deflation button  36  are used to control the inflation and deflation of a bladder  14  that is not shown in  FIG. 1 , but which runs through the swivel joints  24 , the flexible section  18 , and the arm segments  12 . As will be explained in greater detail below, inflation of the bladder  14  causes the swivel joints  24  and the flexible section  18  to lock in their present position and prevents the support arm  10  from moving. Deflation of the bladder  14  causes these members to again become movable and flexible. Therefore, the support arm  10  of the present invention uses a bladder  14  to control the locking and unlocking of the support arm  10 . 
     FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a section of the flexible section  18  in accordance with the present invention. Here, the flexible section  18  is a corrugated member  44  that is composed of corrugated tube  26  which has a series of C-shaped interconnected members  42 . The interconnection of the C-shaped interconnected members  42  allows for the corrugated tube  26  to be flexible and moveable to a desired position. The bladder  14  is shown in an uninflated state running through the interior of the corrugated tube  26 . 
     FIG. 5  shows the flexible section  18  as in  FIG. 4 , however, the bladder  14  is shown in an inflated state. Once inflated, the bladder  14  pushes against the C-shaped interconnected members  42  and urges them against one another. This urging locks the C-shaped interconnected members  42  against one another and prevents movement of the corrugated tube  26 . Therefore,  FIG. 5  shows the flexible section  18  in a locked configuration. 
     FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a respiratory support member  16  in accordance with the present invention. The respiratory support member  16  includes two sections  22  movably connected to one another by a screw  52 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and a respiratory support adjustment handle  38 . A pivot connection  48  is shown being formed by a ball and socket connection  30 . This connection allows for the adjustment of the respiratory circuit gripping member  50 . The respiratory support adjustment handle  38  may be loosened such that the respiratory circuit gripping member  50  is removable from the respiratory support member  16 . Additionally, the respiratory support adjustment handle  38  may be tightened so that the ball and socket connection  30  is engaged and prevented from allowing the respiratory circuit gripping member  50  to move. Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the bladder  14  may extend into the respiratory support member  16 . When inflated, the bladder  14  is urged against both sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16 . This causes the two sections  22  to pivot and firmly engage the ball and socket connection  30  and prevent the respiratory circuit gripping member  50  from moving. Therefore, the locking of the respiratory circuit gripping member  50  into place may be accomplished through the use of a first adjustment by the respiratory support adjustment handle  38 , and then further securedly locked into place via inflation of the bladder  14 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  more particularly demonstrate the locking of the ball and socket connection  30 .  FIG. 10  shows an exemplary embodiment of the respiratory support member  16  in accordance with the present invention. Here as shown for clarity, the two sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16  do not engage the ball of the ball and socket connection  30 . In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sections  22  loosedly engage the ball of the ball and socket connection  30  even before inflation of the bladder  14 . The pivot connection  48  is thus loosedly engaged and the respiratory circuit gripping member  50  is free to move.  FIG. 11  shows the respiratory support member  16  of  FIG. 10  where the pivot connection  48  is engaged and prevented from moving. Here, the arm segment  12  is provided with two apertures  60 . The bladder  14  is present within the arm segment  12 , and inflation thereof forces the bladder  14  to move out of the apertures  60 . The inflated bladder  14  then contacts both of the sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16  and pivots the two sections onto the ball of the ball and socket connection  30 . This creates a locking force on the ball and socket connection  30  and hence results in a locking of the respiratory circuit gripping member  50 . 
   Again, this locking action by the bladder  14  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  FIG. 14  shows the bladder  14  in an uninflated state and the sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16  in an unlocked configuration.  FIG. 15  shows the bladder  14  in an inflated state and extending through the apertures  60  to engage the two sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16 . Here, the two sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16  are now in a locked configuration. 
     FIG. 6  shows another exemplary embodiment of a support arm  10  in accordance with the present invention. Here, a third swivel joint  114  is present and is connected to the first arm segment  100 . Also connected to the third swivel joint  114  is a fourth arm segment  106 . The third swivel joint  114  allows for relative movement between the first arm segment  100  and the fourth arm segment  106 . The fourth arm segment  106  is also connected to the ventilator connection member  32 . Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention includes various exemplary embodiments that consist of any number of swivel joints  24  and arm segments  12 . Also, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention exist where the ventilator connection adjustment  56  and the ventilator connection adjustment handle  40  are not present to allow for the adjustment of the arm segments  12 . Additionally,  FIG. 6  discloses an exemplary embodiment of the support arm  10  that does not have a respiratory support adjustment handle  38  that is used to adjust the respiratory support member  16 . 
   A respiratory support member  16  that does not have the respiratory support adjustment handle  38  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 8 . Here, the pivot connection  48  may be formed by simply having a frictional engagement of the ball and socket connection  30 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the two sections  22  of the respiratory support member  16  do not have to be engaged by a bladder  14 . Here, the two sections  22  are adhered to one another by commonly known techniques such as adhesion or sonic welding. As can be seen, the respiratory support member  16  can be a purely mechanical connection and does not need to have a bladder  14  for its proper operation in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7  shows this type of respiratory support member  16  being used on a support arm  10  in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The support arm  10  shown in  FIG. 7  is the assembled support arm  10  of  FIG. 6 . Here, inflation of the bladder  14  will only effect a locking of the swivel joints  24  and the flexible section  18 , and not the locking of the respiratory support member  16 . It is to be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the third arm segment  104  does not need to have a flexible section  18  included thereon. As such, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a third arm segment  104  that is completely rigid. In addition, the flexible section  18  does not have to be a corrugated tube  26 , but may be made flexible via other means commonly known in the art. 
     FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the swivel joint  24  in accordance with the present invention. Here, the swivel joint  24  has a snap ring configuration  54  that includes a first snap ring  66  and a second snap ring  68 . The first snap ring  66  is configured to be disposed within a first swivel cup  62 , and the second snap ring  68  is configured to be disposed within a second swivel cup  64 . The bladder  14  is disposed within the first swivel cup  62  and also within the second swivel cup  64 , although this cannot be seen in  FIG. 12 . While the bladder  14  is in an uninflated state, the first and second snap rings  66  and  68  do not engage one another and are free to rotate with respect to one another. In effect, the swivel joint  24  is free to swivel when the bladder  14  is uninflated. 
   The first snap ring  66  is provided with a series of first snap ring projections  70 , and the second snap ring  68  is provided with a series of second snap ring projections  72 . During inflation of the bladder  14 , the first and second snap rings  66  and  68  are urged against one another. The configurations of the first and second snap ring projections  70  and  72  are designed such that they intermesh with one another when the first and second snap rings  66  and  68  are urged against one another. This intermeshing causes a locking force between the first and second snap rings  66  and  68 . This locking force therefore prevents the swivel joint  24  from swiveling and hence locks the arm segments  12  in place. 
     FIG. 13  shows the swivel joint  24  of  FIG. 12  from a different angle. Although described as having the bladder disposed within each of the first and second swivel cups  62  and  64 , other exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a swivel joint  24  that has the bladder  14  disposed within only one of the swivel cups  62  or  64 . In addition, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a configuration of the swivel joint  24  where the bladder  14  is continuous through the swivel joint  24 . In such an exemplary embodiment, the bladder  14  may for instance pass through the center of both the first and second snap rings  66  and  68 . Additionally, other configurations of the swivel joint  24  are possible where the swivel joint  24  is locked in place due to the inflation of the bladder  14 . The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  is only one such configuration, and others are conceivable within the present invention. 
   Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a configuration where the bladder  14  is continuous throughout all of the arm segments  12 , the swivel joints  24 , the flexible section  18 , and into the respiratory support member  16 . Additionally, other exemplary embodiments may include configurations where the bladder  14  is present within the swivel joints  24 , the flexible section  18 , and the respiratory support member  16  and is connected to all of these sections via tubes through arm segments  12 . In essence, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a bladder  14  that is either one or several pieces. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention exists where the bladder  14  is outside of the arm segments  12  and wraps around the swivel joints  24  to lock them in place. The pressure used to inflate the bladder  14  may be provided by the ventilator through the ventilator connection member  32 . In one particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas source used to inflate the bladder  14  is provided by the compressor in the ventilator. However, it is to be understood that other gas sources may be utilized in order to inflate the bladder  14 . The bladder  14  allows for the user to manipulate and then lock the support arm  10  into place without having to manually tighten the swivel joints  24 . Such an arrangement is provided when single handed operation of the support arm  10  is desired. 
   It should be understood that the present invention includes various modifications that can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the respiratory circuit support arm described herein as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.