MEDICAL UTILITY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

A medical utility device, including a unitary body having a base surface, an upper surface, and an intermediate surface, and a plurality of receptacles configured to removably engage a portion of a collection tube in connection with a venipuncture procedure.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter herein relates generally to a medical utility device, and, more particularly, to a medical utility apparatus and method of use in connection with a venipuncture procedure.

Medical and healthcare personnel often collect samples or specimens of bodily fluids, such as blood, from patients for diagnostic purposes. Generally, medical personnel collect blood into collection tubes by puncturing a vein with a needle. For example, a phlebotomist or other personnel generally may obtain blood from a vein, also referred to as venipuncture procedure, from a patient using a needle or other extraction or drawing device, such as a butterfly needle. The extraction device is connected to tubing that can be inserted or attached to a storage device, such as an evacuated collection tube, for transfer and storage of the specimen. For example, a butterfly needle may insert or pierce a rubber stopper of a glass evacuated collection tube to transfer a blood specimen from the patient through the tubing and into the tube. After the desired specimen is obtained, the needle is removed from the tube, and the tube is used for storage and transport of the specimen.

Due to the cost of labor and supplies, it is important that collection, handling, storage, and transport of the specimen are performed efficiently, safely, and accurately to prevent loss, destruction, or contamination of the specimen. In particular, these characteristics are important when multiple specimens are taken from a patient in a single procedure. Conventional devices and methods are clumsy, inefficient, and have a high risk of breaking a collection tube, such as by rolling off a table. In addition, handling individual collection tubes increases the chance of accidental needle sticks.

Therefore, what is needed is a medical utility device that provides safe, efficient handling, storage and transport of collection tubes in connection with a venipuncture procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a medical utility device is provided that includes a unitary body having a base surface, an upper surface, and an intermediate surface, and a plurality of receptacles configured to removably engage a portion of a collection tube in connection with a venipuncture procedure.

In another embodiment, a medical utility device is provided that includes a unitary body having a base surface, an upper surface and an intermediate surface extending between the base surface and the upper surface, a plurality of receptacles configured to removably engage a portion of a collection tube in connection with a venipuncture procedure, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to engage the collection tube in an upright position, and wherein the unitary body is configured for engagement by a user in connection with a venipuncture procedure.

In yet another embodiment, a method of storage for a plurality of collection tubes includes providing a medical utility device having a unitary body having a base surface, an upper surface and an intermediate surface extending between the base surface and the upper surface, and a plurality of receptacles configured to removably engage a portion of a corresponding collection tube in connection with a venipuncture procedure, and collecting a blood specimen into at least one of the plurality of collection tubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the inventive subject matter by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive subject matter, describes several embodiments of the inventive subject matter, as well as adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the inventive subject matter. Additionally, it is to be understood that the inventive subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventive subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting on all embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

As shown inFIGS. 1-6, an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, generally referred to as a medical utility device10.FIG. 1is a perspective view of a medical utility device10engaged with a plurality of collection tubes12.FIG. 2is a side view of the medical utility device10with a collection tube12removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical utility device10includes a plurality of receptacles14that are configured for removable engagement with a corresponding plurality of collection tubes12in connection with a venipuncture procedure (FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the collection tube12is a Vacutainer® blood collection tube manufactured by BD medical. However, any suitable collection tube can be used.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the medical utility device10.FIG. 4is a top view of the medical utility device10.FIG. 5is a side view of the medical utility device10. The medical utility device10includes a unitary base16having a base surface18, an upper surface20, and an intermediate surface22extending therebetween. The unitary base16includes a hub36extending through the unitary base16along a central axis. The base surface18is a generally planar surface that is configured for stable resting on any generally flat or planar surface. The upper surface20is generally planar and parallel with the base surface18.

The intermediate surface22extends upwardly from and generally perpendicular to the base surface18. The intermediate surface22defines a perimeter24with a pattern that is generally pentagon-shaped with rounded corners26. The perimeter24includes indented portions28disposed in between each of the rounded corners26. In an exemplary embodiment, the indented portions28are arcuately shaped and have a radius that is generally equal to the radius of the rounded corners26. The shape of the intermediate surface22provides for ergonomic handling holding and handling by a user. For example, the user's fingers can engage with the indented portions28for secure holding and convenient rotation of the medical utility device within the user's hand (FIGS. 7-10).

The unitary base16includes the plurality of receptacles14that are each configured to removably receive and engage a corresponding collection tube12. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacles14are generally circular holes that extend downwardly from the upper surface20and terminate at a lower end30proximate to the base surface18. As shown, the lower end30is generally hemispherical to generally correspond to the shape of a lower end of the collection tube12. A through-hole32extends from the lower end30of the receptacle14through to the base surface18. The through-hole32provides for airflow so that the collection tubes12can be inserted and removed from the receptacle without creating any change in pressure that would interfere with engagement between the receptacles14and the collection tubes12. The receptacles14are preferably sized to engage with a lower portion of the collection tubes12using a friction fit. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any method of engagement or mechanical clamping mechanism can be used. A raised rim34is located proximate to an upper end of at least one of the receptacles14. In alternative embodiments, other methods of removably securing the collection tube12within the receptacle may be used. In addition, the unitary base can include any number of receptacles14.

The receptacles14are positioned proximate to each rounded corner26. For example, the center of each receptacle14may align with the center of the radius for the corresponding rounded corner26. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the receptacles can be located at any location in the unitary base. In addition, the unitary base16may include any number of receptacles, including one. Although the illustrated embodiment discloses a generally pentagon-shaped perimeter24, those skilled in the art will recognize that in alternate embodiments the perimeter24, rounded corners26, and/or indented portions28can be any size, shape, or geometry. For example, the rounded corners26may be generally rectilinear shaped, generally arcuately shaped generally symmetrical, generally non-symmetrical, or any combination thereof. The indented portions28may be generally rectilinear shaped, generally arcuately shaped generally symmetrical, generally non-symmetrical, or any combination thereof. In addition, the perimeter24can include rounded corners26of a consistent size, shape and geometry or a plurality of sizes, shapes, and geometries. Also, the perimeter24can include indented portions28of a consistent size, shape and geometry or a plurality of sizes, shapes, and geometries.

In one or more embodiments, the medical utility device10may be manufactured from any suitable material, including but not limited to, polymers, metals, metal alloys, or any combination of suitable materials. In one or more embodiments, the utility device10may be manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer material, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polylactide, polycarbonate, polybenzimidazole, polyetheretherketone, polyoxymethylene, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, polyethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene oxide, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. In one or more embodiments, the medical utility device10may be manufactured by additive manufacturing.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of a medical utility device10engaged with the plurality of collection tubes12and an extraction device40.FIG. 8is a perspective view of the medical device10engaged with the plurality of collection tubes12and the extraction device40engaged with one of the collection tubes12. In the illustrated embodiment, the extraction device40includes a butterfly needle42and a holder44, such as a vacuum tube holder, connected by tubing46. The holder44may include a detachable connection, such as a Luer-lok™ connection, that engages with the tubing42and a safety valve48which engages with the collection tube12. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the extraction device alternatively may include other types of needles, tubing, and/or holders.

In operation, the user inserts the plurality of collection tubes into corresponding receptacles14of the base16. The user inserts the butterfly needle42into a patient for drawing blood. The user utilizes one hand to hold the holder44and uses the other hand to hold the medical utility device10. The user engages the holder44and aligns the holder44with one of the plurality of collection tubes12. The holder44is placed over the upper end of the collection tube12so that the safety valve48inserts through a rubber stopper50of the collection tube12. In this way, a blood specimen is drawn through the extraction device40and into the collection tube12. Once the blood specimen is collected, the user removes the holder44from the collection tube12.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the medical device10engaged with a plurality of collection tubes12and the extraction device40engaged with another one of the collection tubes12. The user utilizes his hand to rotate the medical utility device10and aligns the holder40with the second collection tube12. The holder44is placed over the upper end of the collection tube12so that the safety valve48inserts through a rubber stopper50of the collection tube12. In this way, a blood specimen is drawn through the extraction device40and into the collection tube12. Once the blood specimen is collected, the user removes the holder44from the collection tube12. This process is repeated until all of the collection tubes12contain blood specimens. However, in alternate embodiments, any number of collection tubes can contain blood specimens.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of a user holding the medical device10engaged with the plurality of collection tubes12.FIG. 11is a perspective view of a medical device10engaged with the plurality of collection tubes12resting on a surface52. At any time during the process of drawing the blood specimen, the user may conveniently hold the medical utility device10in an upright position or rest the medical utility device10on any flat surface52for storage. In this way, the medical device effectively functions as a rack for holding a plurality of collection tubes with specimens. Multiple medical utility devices10can be arranged in an interfacing manner for safe storing large amounts of collection tubes12.

This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.