INTRAVENOUS TUBE UNTANGLING DEVICE

Intravenous (IV) tube untangling devices are provided. The IV tube untangling device includes a single-piece integral housing having a top portion with a first inner surface, a bottom portion with a second inner surface and a flexible interface disposed on a first end of the housing and joining the top portion and the bottom portion. Tubing grooves are disposed on the first and second inner surfaces and are configured to receive multiple IV tubes. The flexible interface provides a biasing force configured to either keep the housing in a closed position or to keep the housing in an open position. The housing may include a securing tab. The IV tube untangling device is configured to slidably move along the multiple IV tubes to untangle and/or straighten the IV tubes. Methods of operating IV tube untangling devices are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to intravenous (IV) tube organization, in particular IV tube untangling devices.

BACKGROUND

In typical infusion applications, many IV lines may be used to and from various infusion components, pumps and fluid sources. Due to emergencies or other complications, tangled IV tubing is often inevitable. Tangled IV tubes or lines can create a hazard to both the patient and the health care providers. For example, tangled IV tubes can cause restrictions in fluid flow, restrict movement of attached infusion devices and cause errors in connecting replacement components, pumps or fluid sources. Typical IV tubing organizing solutions require detailed organizing before IV tubes become tangled. However, in a fast pace hospital environment, detailed IV tube organizing may not be possible, in which case IV tube tangling is essentially inevitable.

For these reasons, it is desirable to provide a simple and easy to carry device allowing health care providers to untangle multiple IV tube lines quickly and efficiently, as well as to keep the IV tubes organized after untangling.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides IV tube untangling devices and methods configured to receive and/or capture multiple IV tubes and then untangle and straighten the IV tubes by sliding the IV tube untangling device along the IV tubes.

In one or more embodiments, an intravenous (IV) tube untangling device is provided. The IV tube untangling device includes a single-piece integral housing, the housing including a top portion having a first inner surface, a bottom portion having a second inner surface and a flexible interface disposed on a first end of the housing, the flexible interface joining the top portion and the bottom portion. The IV tube untangling device also includes multiple first tubing grooves disposed on the first inner surface and multiple second tubing grooves disposed on the second inner surface, the first and second tubing grooves configured to receive the IV tubes. The flexible interface causes the second inner surface to be at an angle greater than zero degrees in relation to the first inner surface when the housing is in an open position. When the housing is in a closed position, the flexible interface provides a biasing force configured to move the top and bottom portions relative to each other back to the open position.

In one or more aspects, the second tubing grooves oppose the first tubing grooves when the housing is in the closed position. In one or more aspects, the opposed first and second tubing grooves are semi-cylindrical shaped. In one or more aspects, the opposed first and second tubing grooves form multiple cylindrical shaped IV tube channels, each channel configured to receive one IV tube. In one or more aspects, multiple guide portions are disposed between the first tubing grooves, each guide portion disposed between a pair of first tubing grooves and configured to guide an IV tube into one of the pair of first tubing grooves. In one or more aspects, multiple guide portions are disposed between the second tubing grooves, each guide portion disposed between a pair of second tubing grooves and configured to guide an IV tube into one of the pair of second tubing grooves.

In one or more aspects, a securing tab is disposed at a second end of the housing. In one or more aspects, the securing tab comprises a securing surface that is sized and shaped to engage and hold an outer surface of the top portion when the housing is in the closed position. In one or more aspects, the securing tab is configured to flex in a direction away from the first end of the housing when a similarly directed force is applied to the securing tab, and wherein the biasing force of the flexible interface is configured to cause the top portion to move away from the bottom portion when the securing surface moves clear of the outer surface of the top portion. In one or more aspects, the IV tube untangling device is configured to be slidably moved along the plurality of IV tubes when the housing is in the closed position, causing the IV tubes to one of untangle and straighten.

In one or more embodiments, an intravenous (IV) tube untangling device is provided. The IV tube untangling device includes a single-piece integral housing, the housing including a top portion having a first inner surface, a bottom portion having a second inner surface, a flexible interface disposed on a first end of the housing, the flexible interface joining the top portion and the bottom portion, and an open second end opposite the first end. The IV tube untangling device also includes multiple first tubing grooves disposed on the first inner surface and multiple second tubing grooves disposed on the second inner surface, the first and second tubing grooves configured to receive the IV tubes. The flexible interface causes the second inner surface to be parallel to the first inner surface when the housing is in closed position. When the housing is in an open position, the flexible interface provides a biasing force configured to move the top and bottom portions relative to each other back to the closed position.

In one or more aspects, the second tubing grooves oppose the first tubing grooves when the housing is in the closed position. In one or more aspects, the opposed first and second tubing grooves are semi-cylindrical shaped. In one or more aspects, the opposed first and second tubing grooves form a plurality of cylindrical shaped IV tube channels, each channel configured to receive one IV tube. In one or more aspects, multiple guide portions are disposed between the first tubing grooves, each guide portion disposed between a pair of first tubing grooves and configured to separate the pair of first tubing grooves. In one or more aspects, multiple guide portions are disposed between the second tubing grooves, each guide portion disposed between a pair of second tubing grooves and configured to separate the pair of second tubing grooves.

In one or more aspects, when a sufficient opening force is applied to the top and bottom portions to overcome the biasing force of the flexible interface, the housing is configured to cause the top portion to move relative to the bottom portion to form an angle greater than zero degrees between the top and bottom portions. In one or more aspects, the IV tube untangling device is configured to be slidably moved along the plurality of IV tubes when the housing is in the closed position, causing the IV tubes to one of untangle and straighten.

In one or more embodiments, method of operating an intravenous (IV) tube untangling device is provided. The method includes moving the IV tube untangling device into an open position, moving multiple IV tubes into the IV tube untangling device, guiding each of the IV tubes into one of a groove and a channel of the IV tube untangling device, moving the IV tube untangling device into a closed position, capturing side by side portions of the IV tubes within the IV tube untangling device, slidably moving the IV tube untangling device along the IV tubes, and causing lengthwise portions of the IV tubes to untangle and/or straighten.

In one or more aspects, the method includes moving the IV tube untangling device into an open position again and removing the IV tube untangling device from the IV tubes.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description below and, in part, will be apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements among the several views, there is shown inFIG. 1an example patient care system20having four infusion pumps22,24,26, and28each of which is fluidly connected with an upstream fluid line30,32,34, and36, respectively. Each of the four infusion pumps22,24,26, and28is also fluidly connected with a downstream fluid line31,33,35, and37, respectively. The fluid lines can be any type of fluid conduit, such as an IV administration set, through which fluid can flow through. It should be appreciated that any of a variety of pump mechanisms can be used including syringe pumps.

Fluid supplies38,40,42, and44, which may take various forms but in this case are shown as bottles, are inverted and suspended above the pumps. Fluid supplies may also take the form of bags or other types of containers including syringes. Both the patient care system20and the fluid supplies38,40,42, and44are mounted to a roller stand, IV pole46, table top, etc.

A separate infusion pump22,24,26, and28is used to infuse each of the fluids of the fluid supplies into the patient. The infusion pumps are flow control devices that will act on the respective fluid line to move the fluid from the fluid supply through the fluid line to the patient48. Because individual pumps are used, each can be individually set to the pumping or operating parameters required for infusing the particular medical fluid from the respective fluid supply into the patient at the particular rate prescribed for that fluid by the physician. Such medical fluids may include drugs or nutrients or other fluids. The infusion pumps22,24,26, and28are controlled by a controller60.

Fluid supplies38,40,42, and44are each coupled to an electronic data tag81,83,85, and87, respectively, or to an electronic transmitter. Any device or component associated with the infusion system may be equipped with an electronic data tag, reader, or transmitter.

Typically, medical fluid administration sets have more parts than are shown inFIG. 1. Many have check valves, drip chambers, valves with injection ports, connectors, and other devices well known to those skilled in the art, many or all requiring IV tubing. These other devices have not been included in the drawings so as to preserve clarity of illustration.

As shown inFIG. 2, a typical infusion set up results in a tangle of IV tubes50at the bedside. As discussed above, this tangle may happen as a result of fast paced emergency actions and/or simply due to the fast pace required of care givers in an infusion setting. As seen, it may quickly become very difficult to determine which IV tube50is connected to which infusion device, component or fluid source. Further, the tangle of IV tubes50can cause any given IV tube50to kink, thus restricting fluid flow through that IV tube50. In addition, the tangle of IV tubes50can also restrict movement of any given IV tube50, which correspondingly restricts movement of the attached infusion device, such as an IV pole with a fluid bag, for example.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, an IV tube untangling device100is shown. The IV tube untangling device100may be a one piece housing110having a top portion120with a top inner surface122and a bottom portion130with a bottom inner surface132. Multiple tubing grooves140are disposed on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces122,132. The tubing grooves140on the top portion120may directly oppose the tubing grooves140on the bottom portion130. The tubing grooves140may be semi-cylindrically shaped, such that when the IV tube untangling device100is in a closed and/or secured position the opposing tubing grooves140form channels150each having a cylindrical shape essentially mirroring the shape of an IV tube50. Tubing grooves140may be any suitable shape, such as oval, rectangular, square or triangular, for example. Guide portions142are disposed between the tubing grooves140.

A flexible interface160may be disposed on one end of the housing110, the flexible interface160joining the top portion120to the bottom130portion with a biasing force BF (e.g., spring like tension). The biasing force BF may bias the IV tube untangling device100towards an open position where the top portion120is at an angle in relation to the bottom portion130. A securing tab170may be disposed on the bottom portion130at the opposite end of the housing110from the flexible interface160. The securing tab170includes a securing surface172that is sized and shaped to engage and hold an outer surface124of the top portion120.

In use, the top portion120may be pushed down or towards the bottom portion130so that the securing tab170engages the top portion120, then the top portion120continues to be pushed toward the bottom portion130until the securing surface172engages and holds the outer surface124of the top portion120. The biasing force BF of the flexible interface160will cause the top portion120to move away from the bottom portion130(e.g., pop open) when the securing tab170is moved (e.g., pulled) outward to free the outer surface124from contact with the securing surface172. Portions of the top portion120and the securing tab170may be chamfered or angled to facilitate slidable movement between the top portion120and the securing tab170.

When the IV tubes50are engaged and/or secured within the channels150, the IV tube untangling device100may be slidably moved along the lengths of the IV tubes50to straighten out tangles between the IV tubes50(seeFIG. 6). After straightening out the tangled IV tubes50, the IV tube untangling device100may be opened and removed from the straightened IV tubes50, where the IV tube untangling device100may then be used again at another tangle of IV tubes50. According to aspects of the disclosure, the IV tube untangling device100may be left in place after untangling the IV tubes50, thereby providing a continuous organization of the engaged IV tubes50.

With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, an IV tube untangling device200is shown. The IV tube untangling device200may be a one piece housing210having a top portion220with a top inner surface222and a bottom portion230with a bottom inner surface232. Multiple tubing grooves240are disposed on each of the top and bottom inner surfaces222,232. The tubing grooves240on the top portion220may directly oppose the tubing grooves240on the bottom portion230. The tubing grooves240may be semi-cylindrically shaped, such that when the IV tube untangling device200is in a closed2position the opposing tubing grooves240form channels250each having a cylindrical shape essentially mirroring the shape of an IV tube50. Tubing grooves240may be any suitable shape, such as oval, rectangular, square or triangular, for example. Guide portions242are disposed between the tubing grooves240.

A flexible interface260may be disposed on one end of the housing210, the flexible interface260joining the top portion220to the bottom230portion with a biased or spring like tension. The tension may bias the IV tube untangling device200towards a closed position where the top portion220is essentially parallel to the bottom portion230. Unlike the IV tube untangling device100, IV tube untangling device200may not have a securing tab, but instead relies on the biasing force of the flexible interface260to remain in the closed position.

In use, the top portion220may be pulled up or away from the bottom portion230to overcome the bias force and to allow IV tubes50to be moved into the tubing grooves240. Once the IV tubes50are guided into the tubing grooves240(e.g., the tubing grooves240of the bottom portion230), the pulling force exerted on the top and/or bottom portions220,230may cease (e.g., user lets go), and the bias force of the flexible interface260causes the top portion220to move toward the bottom portion230(e.g., snap closed) and engage and/or secure the IV tubes50in the channels250.

When the IV tubes50are engaged and/or secured within the channels250, the IV tube untangling device200may be slidably moved in either lengthwise direction LD along the lengths of the IV tubes50to straighten out tangles between the IV tubes50. After straightening out the tangled IV tubes50, the IV tube untangling device200may be opened and removed from the straightened IV tubes50, where the IV tube untangling device200may then be used again at another tangle of IV tubes50. According to aspects of the disclosure, the IV tube untangling device200may be left in place after untangling the IV tubes50, thereby providing a continuous organization of the engaged IV tubes50.

The IV tube untangling device100,200is a simple and user-friendly device that may be manufactured at a low cost and easily carried around by health care providers, such as in their pockets. The one-piece configuration of the IV tube untangling device100,200easily allows users to quickly capture and untangle multiple IV tubes50in fast paced medical environments. The IV tube untangling device100,200is not required to be mounted or connected to any other devices, thus allowing the user to easily carry the IV tube untangling device100,200around for immediate use at any time.

The IV tube untangling device100,200may be used during manufacture and assembly of IV sets. For example, the IV tube untangling device100,200may be packaged together with the IV set as a tubing organizer in place of tape during the distribution and storage of the IV set. Once the IV set is removed from the packaging for use, the IV tube untangling device100,200may then be carried around and/or used as discussed above.

IV tube untangling device100,200may be made from any suitable material for infusion uses, such as plastic or metal, for example. The biasing force of the flexible interface160,260may vary based on the type of material used.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, a method300of operating an IV tube untangling device (e.g., IV tube untangling device100,200) is shown inFIG. 7. In step310, the IV tube untangling device is moved (e.g., biased, pulled) into an open position. Multiple IV tubes (e.g., IV tubes50) are moved into the IV tube untangling device in step320. Here, the IV tube untangling device may be moved onto a set of IV tubes or the IV tubes may be placed into the IV tube untangling device. In step330, the IV tubes are guided into grooves (e.g., tubing grooves140,240) and/or channels (e.g., channels150,250) of the IV tube untangling device. Here, guiding the IV tubes may be done by guides (e.g., guide portions142,242) in the IV tube untangling device.

The IV tube untangling device is secured in a closed position in step340, slidably capturing the IV tubes within the IV tube untangling device. For example, the IV tube untangling device may be forced closed to overcome a biasing force trying to keep the IV tube untangling device open. Here a locking tab (e.g., securing tab170) may keep the IV tube untangling device in the closed position, thus preventing the biasing force from opening the IV tube untangling device. As another example, a force overcoming a biasing force trying to keep the IV tube untangling device closed may be released, causing the IV tube untangling device to snap closed due to the biasing force towards the closed position. Here, the IV tubes will remain captured in the IV tube untangling device due to the biasing force in the closed direction.

In step350, the IV tube untangling device is moved along the IV tubes to untangle and/or straighten the IV tubes. The IV tube untangling device is left in a closed position on the untangled/straightened IV tubes to provide continued organization of the IV tubes in step360. In step370, the IV tube untangling device is opened and removed from the untangled/straightened IV tubes. The IV tube untangling device is used again in step380by repeating any or all of the steps of310to370.

As used herein, the terms “control” or “controlling” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “controlling” a device may include transmitting one or more messages to adjust an operational state or functional element of the device. The message may include specific instructions to be executed by a processor of the device to manifest the change. The “controlling” may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval by the device to be controlled, transmitting a value directly to the device to be controlled via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. For example, a control message may include a value to adjust a level of power from a power source of the controlled device. As another example, a control message may activate or deactivate a structural element of the controlled device such as a light, audio playback, a motor, a lock, a pump, a display, or other component of a device described herein. “Controlling” may include indirect control of the device by adjusting a configuration value used by the controlled device. For example, the control message may include a threshold value for a device characteristic (e.g., temperature, rate, frequency, etc.). The threshold value may be stored in a memory location and referred to by the controlled device during operation.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, a pump assembly includes a fluid flow pump, a tubing pathway configured to receive a fluid tube and a tubing dimension measurement assembly. The tubing dimension measurement assembly includes a processor, an emitter spaced from the tubing pathway and configured to generate an emission into the tubing pathway, and a collector spaced from the tubing pathway, the collector disposed to receive the emission from the emitter, wherein the tubing dimension measurement assembly is further configured to measure an outer diameter (OD) of a tube received in the pathway, wherein said measurement is based at least in part on the emission.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the methods of processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

As used herein, the terms “provide” or “providing” encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, “providing” may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to the recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. “Providing” may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, validating, verifying, inserting and the like via a hardware element.

As used herein, the term “message” encompasses a wide variety of formats for communicating (e.g., transmitting or receiving) information. A message may include a machine readable aggregation of information such as an XML document, fixed field message, comma separated message, or the like. A message may, in some implementations, include a signal utilized to transmit one or more representations of the information. While recited in the singular, it will be understood that a message may be composed, transmitted, stored, received, etc. in multiple parts.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

In any embodiment, data can be forwarded to a “remote” device or location,” where “remote,” means a location or device other than the location or device at which the program is executed. For example, a remote location could be another location (e.g., office, lab, etc.) in the same city, another location in a different city, another location in a different state, another location in a different country, etc. As such, when one item is indicated as being “remote” from another, what is meant is that the two items can be in the same room but separated, or at least in different rooms or different buildings, and can be at least one mile, ten miles, or at least one hundred miles apart. “Communicating” information references transmitting the data representing that information as electrical signals over a suitable communication channel (e.g., a private or public network). “Forwarding” an item refers to any means of getting that item from one location to the next, whether by physically transporting that item or otherwise (where that is possible) and includes, at least in the case of data, physically transporting a medium carrying the data or communicating the data. Examples of communicating media include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the internet or including email transmissions and information recorded on websites and the like.

Some embodiments include implementation on a single computer, or across a network of computers, or across networks of networks of computers, for example, across a network cloud, across a local area network, on hand-held computer devices, etc. The computers may be physical machines or virtual machines hosted by other computers. In certain embodiments, one or more of the steps described herein are implemented on a computer program(s). Such computer programs execute one or more of the steps described herein. In some embodiments, implementations of the subject method include various data structures, categories, and modifiers described herein, encoded on computer-readable medium(s) and transmissible over communications network(s).

Software, web, internet, cloud, or other storage and computer network implementations of the present invention could be accomplished with standardized programming techniques specifically adapted to cause one or more device to perform the various assigning, calculating, identifying, scoring, accessing, generating or discarding steps described.