Bag support

A bag support for supporting a bag, the bag support being mountable to a post, the bag having a pouch and a hook extending from the pouch. The bag support includes: a support body; a mounting clip for mounting the bag support to the post, the mounting clip including a pair of clip jaws extending substantially outwardly from the support body in a spaced apart relationship relatively to each other, the clip jaws defining a clip plane extending therebetween, the clip plane being substantially parallel to both of the clip jaws, the clip plane defining a longitudinal direction extending substantially perpendicularly to the clip plane; and a hook receiving element extending from the support body, the hook receiving element defining a hook receiving aperture, the hook receiving aperture being substantially parallel to the clip plane. Inserting said post substantially longitudinally between said clip jaws allows the insertion of the hook into said hook receiving aperture so that the hook is substantially parallel to the post.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to equipment for supporting objects and is particularly concerned with a bag support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical bags such as drainage or catheter bags or drip bags are used extensively in the medical field along with so-called catheters. A catheter is a thin and flexible tube inserted into a bodily passage or cavity in order to allow fluids to pass into or out of it. The catheter is generally connected to a catheter bag or drainage bag which collects the fluids passing out. Alternatively, the catheter is connected to a drip bag which stores the fluids passing into the body. Catheterization is used in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical centers, care homes and the like typically for patients that are consigned to a bed or wheelchair.

Conventional drainage or drip bags are typically fabricated from polymeric resins and are typically not sufficiently rigid to support themselves in an upright position, for example, during collection of body fluids. Moreover, such containers may not be laid flat during collection because of the potential of leakage back through the fluid inlet port, with potential hazard to the patient. Furthermore, some bags also provide an accurate volume reading of the fluid connected, but to do so it is necessary that the bag be supported substantially vertically.

Examples of fluids collected by conventional drainage bags include body fluids resulting from surgery as well as urinary discharges. Since it is preferable to place the drainage below the patient for gravity flow, conventional drainage bags are typically suspended on the patient's bed, more particularly on the rail of the bed frame.

During typical hospital care, the patient, the bag and the patient's bed are frequently manipulated for performing various tasks necessary to care for the patient. In order to accomplish these tasks, it is necessary that, during these manipulations, the bag be retained in the desired orientation with respect to the ground. As mentioned previously, the bag typically hangs in a vertical orientation to permit accurate measurement of its fluid content and, for example, avoid fluid backflow to the patients. Also, the bag must be supported with reduced risks of falling off its support even when filled with drainage fluid. Some patients require multiple drainage bags and, hence, the challenges associated with appropriately supporting the drainage bags are multiplied.

Most conventional medical bags such as drainage bags include either an attachment ring or an attachment hook extending therefrom in order to allow the bag to be secured, typically to the railing of the bed frame.

So-called IV (intravenous) poles are also used extensively in a variety of medical settings. Such poles are typically used for securing drip bags at a level located above the patient in order to use gravity to bias the fluid out of the bag and into the patient's body. There exist a variety of situations wherein it is desirable to allow for both the drip and drainage bags to be secured to a common IV pole. For example, this would allow a patient to become ambulatory without requiring that the patient or care giving personnel carry the drainage bag. Also, mounting the drainage bag or bags on the IV pole would free up the bed frame and potentially lead to a reduced risk of entangling the catheters with a potential health hazard to the patient.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved bag support.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide such an improved bag support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a bag support for supporting a bag, the bag support being mountable to a post, the bag having a pouch and a hook extending from the pouch. The bag support includes:a support body;a mounting clip for mounting the bag support to the post, the mounting clip including a pair of clip jaws extending substantially outwardly from the support body in a spaced apart relationship relatively to each other, the clip jaws defining a clip plane extending therebetween, the clip plane being substantially parallel to both of the clip jaws, the clip plane defining a longitudinal direction extending substantially perpendicularly to the clip plane;a hook receiving element extending from the support body, the hook receiving element defining a hook receiving aperture, the hook receiving aperture being substantially parallel to the clip plane;whereby inserting said post substantially longitudinally between said clip jaws allows the insertion of the hook into said hook receiving aperture so that the hook is substantially parallel to the post.

Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed bag support is designed so as to be readily mountable to supporting structures such as conventional IV poles. Also, the proposed bag support is designed so as to be mountable to conventional IV poles or the like through a set of quick and ergonomic steps without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity and without altering or damaging the IV pole or other supporting structure. Therefore, the proposed bag support is well suited for use with medical bags, among other possibilities.

Also, the proposed bag support may be easily retrofitted to IV poles or the like having a variety of shapes and sizes.

Still furthermore, the proposed bag support is designed so as to be usable for supporting a variety of medical bags including drip, catheter or drainage bags of various shapes and sizes. Also, the proposed bag support allows for medical bags having both attachment hooks and attachment rings extending therefrom to be readily installed on the bag support again through a set of quick and ergonomic steps and without requiring manual dexterity. The proposed bag support allows for quick engagement and disengagement of the medical bag onto and away from the bag support with reduced risks of damaging the medical bag.

Furthermore, the proposed bag support is designed so as to allow more than one medical bag to be attached thereto with reduced risks of interference between the bags and their corresponding catheters. Still furthermore, the proposed bag support is designed so as to be relatively compact so as to reduce the risks of interference both during shipping and storage and in actual use.

Yet, still furthermore, the proposed bag support is designed so as to be manufacturable using conventional forms of manufacturing so as to provide a bag support that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a bag support10for supporting a bag12. The bag support10is shown mounted a post14. However, the reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the bag support10is mountable to any other suitable supporting structure.

The bag12includes a pouch16and a hook18extending from the pouch16. In some embodiments of the invention, as shown inFIG. 1, the hook18is substantially L-shaped and includes a hook proximal segment19extending from the pouch16and a hook distal segment21extending substantially perpendicularly from the hook proximal segment substantially opposed to the pouch16. The hook distal segment21extends through a hook receiving aperture formed into the bag support10, as described in further details hereinbelow.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bag12is a medical bag for receiving a body fluid. In other embodiments of the invention, the bag12is a medical bag for delivering a medical fluid to be injected intravenously into an intended user. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the bag12is any other suitable bag.

The bag support10includes a mounting clip22for mounting the bag support10to the post14. The mounting clip22includes a pair of clip jaws24extending substantially outwardly from a support body20in a spaced apart relationship restively to each other. The clip jaws24define a clip plane26extending therebetween. The clip plane26is substantially parallel to both of the clip jaws24. The clip plane also defines a longitudinal direction28extending substantially perpendicularly to the clip plane26.

The bag support10includes a hook receiving element30extending from the support body20. The hook receiving element30defines a hook receiving aperture32. The hook receiving aperture32is substantially parallel to the clip plane26.

Inserting the post14substantially longitudinally between the clip jaws22allows the insertion of the hook18into the hook receiving aperture32so that the hook18is substantially parallel to the post14. In some embodiments of the invention, the hook distal segment is supported substantially parallel to the post14when the hook18is supported into the bag support10.

In some embodiments of the invention, as shown inFIG. 1, the hook receiving element30defines a hook abutment surface34, the hook abutment surface34being provided for abutting against the hook18when the hook18is inserted through the hook receiving aperture32. In embodiments of the invention wherein the hook18includes the hook distal segment21, the hook distal segment21abuts against the hook abutment surface34when the hook18is supported by the bag support10.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the hook abutment surface34is defined at the periphery of another hook receiving aperture32defines by the hook receiving element30. In these embodiments, the hook receiving element30defines a pair of hook receiving apertures32, the hook receiving apertures32being each substantially parallel to the clip plan26. The hook receiving apertures32are substantially in register with each other and substantially longitudinally spaced-apart from each other.

The hook receiving element30includes a receiving element base36. In some embodiments of the invention, for example in the bag support10illustrated inFIG. 1, the bag support10′ illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3and the bag support10′″ illustrated inFIG. 4, the receiving element base36and36′ extends from the support body20. In other embodiments of the invention, for example in the bag support10′″ illustrated inFIG. 5, the receiving element base36′ is substantially spaced-apart from the support body20.

As better shown inFIG. 3, the receiving element base36includes a base first lateral segment38, a base second lateral segment40substantially opposed to the base first lateral segment38and a base central segment42extending therebetween. For example, the base first lateral, second lateral and central segments38,40and42are each substantially plate-shaped. In these embodiments, the base first lateral segment38includes a first lateral plate48, the base second lateral segment40includes a second lateral plate50and the base central segment42includes a central plate52.

In some embodiments of the invention, the base first and second lateral segments38and40are angled towards the clip22relatively to the base central segment42. In embodiments of the invention wherein the base first lateral, second lateral and central segments38,40and42include respectively the first lateral, the second lateral and the central plates48,50and52, the first lateral and second lateral plates extend from the central plate52and are angled at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees, and in a specific example at about 45 degrees relatively to the central plate52.

However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the base first lateral and second lateral segments38and40are angled at any other angle relatively to the base central segment42and may also take any other suitable shape. For example,FIG. 4illustrates an alternative bag support10″ wherein lateral plates48″ and50″ are angled at about 90 degrees relatively to a central plate52″.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example in the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 1, each of the base central, first lateral and second lateral segments38,40and42each define a respective pair of hook receiving apertures32that are substantially in register with each other, extend in a plane substantially parallel to the clip plane26and are in a substantially longitudinally spaced-apart from each other. For example, each of the hook receiving apertures32is formed into a respective flange54extending substantially parallel to the clip plane26and substantially away from the clip jaws24. As seen inFIG. 3, the flanges54extend from the first lateral, second lateral and central plates48,50and52.

While a bag support can include six flanges54as shown in the drawing, it is within the scope of the invention to have bag supports similar to the bag support10that include any suitable number of flanges.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example for the bag support10″ shown inFIG. 4, the bag support10″ may be used with bags that are suspendable using a loop of material such as, for example, a rope55. In these embodiments, notches56may extend substantially longitudinally into the base first and second lateral segments38and40. For example, the notches56are each provided pair-wise substantially in register with each other and substantially longitudinally spaced-apart from each other. The notches56extend towards each other into the base first and second lateral segments38and40.

In some embodiments of the invention, as shown inFIGS. 5,6and7, the base central plate52is substantially spaced-apart from the support body20′,20″. To that effect, base protrusions44extend between the base central segment42and the support body20′,20″.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, the base protrusions44may be substantially elongated and may extend substantially longitudinally between the support body20′ and the base central segment42. For example, the base protrusions44extend integrally from the support body20′.

As shown inFIG. 6, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the base protrusions44′ are substantially conical and are provided in any suitable number and any suitable geometrical arrangement. For example, three base protrusions44′ are located at the vertices of a substantially equilateral triangle and extend integrally from the support body20″. Also, in other embodiments of the invention, the base protrusions may take any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments of the invention, the support body20,20′,20″ is substantially plate-shaped and is secured to the base central segment42using rivets. However, the support body20and the base central segment42may be secured to each other in any suitable manner, for example by being welded to each other.

An example of the clip jaws24′ usable with the present invention is better illustrated inFIG. 3. These clip jaws include each a respective jaw proximal segment58located substantially adjacent the support body20and a respective jaw distal segment60located distally relatively to the support body20. Each of the clip jaws24also includes a respective jaw central segment62extending between the jaw proximal and distal segments58and60.

In some embodiments of the invention, the jaw distal segments60taper toward each other in a direction leading towards the support body20. Also, the jaw central segments62are substantially concave in a plane substantially parallel to the clip plan26and are oriented so as to taper in a direction leading away from each other. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the jaw central segments62are substantially V-shaped. However, the jaw central segments may have any other suitable shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a variant shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, each of the jaw central segment62includes jaw protrusions64extending substantially outwardly therefrom toward the other one of the jaw central segments62. For example, the jaw protrusions64are provided pair-wise substantially longitudinally opposed relatively to each other and are formed integrally into the jaw central segment62, as better illustrated inFIG. 2.

In use, the bag support10is mounted to the post14as follows. First, the jaw distal segments60are abutted against the post14. Exerting a force onto the bag support10directed towards the post14forces the two clip jaws24apart from each other. After the exertion of a predetermined force onto the bag support10, the post14is received between the jaw central segments62. This causes the clip jaws24to exert a force onto the post14so that the bag support10remains at a fixed location relatively to the post14even under the influence of longitudinal forces.

In embodiments of the invention wherein the jaw protrusions64are present, the jaw protrusions64may bite into the material composing the post14, therefore increasing the resistance to longitudinal movements of the bag support10relatively to the post14.

Indeed, it is often desirable in a hospital environment that the material used to manufacture equipment be stainless steel as it has good biological compatibility and high resistance to disinfecting and other sanitizing treatments. In these cases, having a bag support made of stainless steel clipping onto a post14made of stainless steel may cause relatively small frictional forces between the bag support10and the post14, which may lead to the bag support10sliding relatively to the post14under the weight of medical bags12secured to the bag support10. The jaw protrusions64help in preventing these relative movements between the bag support10and the post14.

In embodiments of the invention wherein only one bag12is attached to the support10, the jaw protrusions64may not be necessary as the weight of the bag12and bag support10assembly is then relatively small.

After the bag support10has been mounted to the post14, the bag12may be attached to the bag support10. To that effect, in embodiments of the invention wherein the hook18is substantially L-shaped, the hook distal segment21is inserted into two substantially longitudinally spaced-apart hook receiving apertures32. If the post14is substantially vertical, the hook18is supported by one of the hook receiving apertures that is located upwardly relatively to the other hook receiving aperture32. Then, the weight of the bag12inclines the hook distal segment21until the hook distal segment21abuts against the hook abutment surface34formed by the lower hook receiving aperture32.

Therefore, the hook18is relatively easily mounted to the bag support10, relatively easily removed from the bag support10while being relatively stably support into the bag support10. Furthermore, in embodiments of the invention wherein the hook18is substantially L-shaped and substantially rigidly attached to the pouch16, the bag support10allows to support the bag12in a substantially vertical orientation, which prevents spills from the medical bag12and allows medical personnel to detect the degree to which the bag12is spilled relatively easily.

The angulation between the base first lateral and second lateral segments38and40and the base central segment42allows to support more than one bag12onto the same bag support10in a relatively compact manner. In addition, this angulation allows supporting the bag12relatively close to the post14, which reduces any torque that may be exerted by the bag12onto the post14, therefore improving the stability of the combination bag support10and bag12.

As shown inFIG. 4, if desired, a rope55may be inserted through the notches56to attach other types of medical bags to the bag support10. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the bag support10is suitable for receiving bags having hooks18that have alternative shapes without departing from the scope of the invention.

In embodiments of the invention wherein the support body20is substantially spaced apart from the receiving element base36, the bag support10is relatively easily cleaned from fluid that may spill onto the support body or the receiving element base using, for example, pressurized water.