Intravenous (IV) tube organization and labeling apparatus and system

An intravenous (IV) tube organization apparatus includes at least one identification placard configured to couple to an IV tube. The identification placard includes a first tube capture portion configured to couple the identification placard to the IV tube, and a data portion to receive and display information regarding the IV tube. The IV tube organization apparatus also includes at least one arrangement clip configured to couple to the IV tube. The IV tube organization apparatus also includes a distinguishing characteristic to differentiate the apparatus from another apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the medical industry, liability for mistakes is a significant concern due to the huge costs that have been associated with such mistakes for many years. Among those mistakes that may be made, intravenous (IV) administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals present a particular liability. IV administration of a fluid and/or pharmaceutical includes direct injections or infusions of the fluid and/or pharmaceutical into the blood stream of a patient through a vein through the use of an IV administration device (also referred to herein as an “IV device”). Since delivery of the fluids and/or pharmaceuticals directly into a vein of the patient provides for one of the fastest ways to deliver the fluids and/or pharmaceuticals, very little or no time may be provided to remedy an incorrect dosage via the IV device. Accordingly, there is a need for constant improvement in the ability to mitigate harmful errors, especially with regard to errors surrounding IV administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for organizing and labeling IV tubing. In particular, the disclosure is directed to components of an apparatus useful for designating and maintaining IV tubing in an organized manner to mitigate medical errors related to inadvertent misuse of an IV tube. Such an error is most likely to occur when a patient is connected to more than one IV tube. As described above, because delivery of the fluids and/or pharmaceuticals directly into a vein of the patient provides for the fastest way to deliver the pharmaceuticals, very little or no time may be provided to remedy an incorrect dosage via the IV device. Accordingly, there is a need for constant improvement in the ability to mitigate harmful errors, especially with regard to errors surrounding IV administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals, and the present systems and methods mitigate medical errors by organizing IV tubing.

As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “IV-deliverable composition” is meant to be understood broadly as any combination of fluids, crystalloids, colloids, blood, blood substitutes, albumin, plasma, saline, medications, pharmaceuticals, and/or other IV deliverable compositions. Further, the IV-deliverable composition includes any measure of a dosage of the IV-deliverable composition such as a volume or mass of the IV-deliverable composition.

Illustrative Embodiments of an IV Tube Management and Labeling Apparatus

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a system100of a plurality of IV administration sets120-1,120-2, . . .120-x, where x is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as “IV set(s)120” unless specifically addressed otherwise). An IV set120includes at least one IV tube organization apparatus110-1,110-2, . . .110-s, where s is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as IV tube organization apparatus(es)110unless specifically addressed otherwise) and an IV tube102-1,102-2, . . .102-t, where t is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as IV tube(s)102unless specifically addressed otherwise). Nevertheless, an IV tube organization apparatus110may be provided separately from an IV tube102. InFIG. 1, a set of three IV tube organization apparatuses110are depicted as applied to a corresponding number of IV tubes102-1,102-2, . . .102-t.

The IV tubes102may include any recognized medical tube structure used for IV fluid delivery. Further, the IV tubes102may include a variety of associated devices coupled thereto. These associated devices may include, for example, a bag fluidically coupled to the IV tubes102to serve as a reservoir for the IV-deliverable composition, and an injection port within the bag through which an IV-deliverable composition may be injected. Further, the associated devices may include a drip chamber to measure a number of drops issued by the bag as measured in, for example, gutta per minute (gtt/min). Still further, the associated devices may include a number of injection ports located along a length of the IV tube102where an IV-deliverable composition may be injected directly into the IV tube102. Even still further, the associated devices may include a roller clamp to adjust a rate of flow through the IV tubes102and/or slide clamps to stop or restrict the flow through the IV tubes102.

In an embodiment, an IV tube organization apparatus110includes a first and largest component referred to herein as an identification placard104-1,104-2, . . .104-p, where p is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as identification placard(s)104unless specifically addressed otherwise). The identification placard104may include a data portion118-1,118-2, . . .118-r, where r is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as data portion(s)118unless specifically addressed otherwise). The data portion118may be located on the identification placards104, and may include a space to provide information that may be written or otherwise presented (e.g., sticker, stamp, digitally scannable marker, visual note, etc.) to assist a medical professional, hospital staff, and pharmaceutical administrators, among others (collectively referred to herein as a medical practitioner) to identify what IV-deliverable composition may be or has been administered via the IV tube(s)102to which a respective identification placard104is coupled. The information included on the data portion118may include, for example, a medication entry112-1,112-2, . . .112-m, where m is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as medication entry(ies)112unless specifically addressed otherwise). The medication entry112may include a designation “Medication:” with an open area surrounding that designation where the IV-deliverable composition(s) that are or may be administered via the respective IV tube102is indicated. Indicating what IV-deliverable composition(s) are or may be administered via the respective IV tube102assists in mitigating harmful errors with regard to errors surrounding IV administration of IV-deliverable composition(s).

The information included on the data portions118of the identification placard104may also include, for example, a temporal entry114-1,114-2, . . .114-d, where d is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as temporal entry(ies)114unless specifically addressed otherwise). The temporal entry114may include a designation “Date & Time:” with an open area surrounding that designation where the date and time of the administration of the respective IV tube102and/or associated IV-deliverable composition(s) are administered via the respective IV tube102were or may be administered. Indicating when fluids and/or pharmaceuticals were administered or may be administered via the respective IV tube102also serves to mitigate harmful errors with regard to errors surrounding IV administration of pharmaceuticals by providing specific information as to when the respective IV tube102and/or associated fluids and/or pharmaceuticals were or are to be administered.

The information included on the data portion118of the identification placard104may also include, for example, an administrator identification entry116-1,116-2, . . .116-i, where i is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as administrator identification entry(ies)116unless specifically addressed otherwise). The administrator identification entry116may include a designation “Initials:” with an open area surrounding that designation where the administrator's initials, signature, or other designation that administered respective IV tube102and/or associated fluids and/or pharmaceuticals via the respective IV tube102. Indicating who has or will administer the fluids and/or pharmaceuticals via the respective IV tube102also serves to mitigate harmful errors surrounding IV administration of pharmaceuticals by providing a source to which another individual may go to obtain more information about the respective IV tube102and/or associated fluids and/or pharmaceuticals administered.

In one example, the data portion118of the identification placard104including the medication entry112, the temporal entry114, and the administrator identification entry116may be presented as a preprinted label that includes the “Medication:”, “Date & Time”, and/or “Initials:”, among other designations. In this example, the preprinted label may include a paper surface on which information may be written. In another example, the preprinted label may include a laminate surface on which non-permanent information may be recorded, erased, and used again to record other information.

In an embodiment not shown, the data portion118of the identification placard104may include an electronic display device such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD) writing tablet, a graphics tablet, a digitizer, an electronic drawing tablet, an electronic drawing pad, a digital drawing tablet, an electronic pen tablet, a digital art board, and a tablet computing device, among other writable and rewritable tablet devices.

The identification placards104may be coupled to one another via mating first and second ends as depicted inFIG. 1. For example, the first identification placard104-1includes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end, the second identification placard104-2includes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end, and the third identification placard104-pincludes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end. The first fastener and the second fastener for each identification placard104are formed to mate and couple with one another. Thus, the second fastener of the first identification placard104-1may mate and couple with the first fastener of the second identification placard104-2, and the second fastener of the second identification placard104-2may mate and couple with the first fastener of the third identification placard104-pas arranged and depicted inFIG. 1. Any number of identification placards104may be coupled in this manner to arrange and identify the IV tubes102. The first fastener and second fastener of the identification placards104are described further herein in connection withFIGS. 3A and 3B.

The IV tube organization apparatus110of the system100may also include a second component referred to herein as an arrangement clip106-1,106-2, . . .106-n, where n is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as arrangement clip(s)106unless specifically addressed otherwise). It is possible that the IV tubes102may become entangled one with another, and this entanglement may be the reason that errors surrounding IV administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals occur. Further, the IV tubes102may simply fall out of order further down the length of the IV tubes102. The case of entanglement or disarrangement may still be the case even though the identification placards104may couple to one another and arrange the IV tubes102. Thus, it may be beneficial to provide at least a second set of anchors, namely arrangement clips106along the length of the IV tubes102along with the identification placards104to mitigate entanglement and/or disarrangement of the IV tubes102that may lead to errors in IV administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals.

Like the identification placards104, the arrangement clips106may be coupled to one another via a number of mating first and second ends as depicted inFIG. 1. The arrangement clips106may be coupled to one another via a number of mating first and second ends as depicted inFIG. 1. For example, the first arrangement clip106-1includes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end, the second arrangement clip106-2includes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end, and the third arrangement clip106-nincludes a first fastener on a first end and a second fastener on a second end. The first fastener and the second fastener for each arrangement clip106are formed to mate and couple with one another. Thus, the second fastener of the first arrangement clip106-1may mate and couple with the first fastener of the second arrangement clip106-2, and the second fastener of the second arrangement clip106-2may mate and couple with the first fastener of the third arrangement clip106-nas arranged and depicted inFIG. 1. Any number of arrangement clips106may be coupled in this manner to arrange the IV tubes102. More regarding the first fastener and second fastener of the arrangement clips106are described herein in connection withFIGS. 4A and 4B.

The IV tube organization apparatus110of the system100may also include a third component referred to herein as a correlating clip108-1,108-2, . . .108-c, where c is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as correlating clip108unless specifically addressed otherwise). The correlating clip108may serve, like the identification placard104and the arrangement clip106, to mitigate harmful errors surrounding IV administration of fluids and/or pharmaceuticals by providing another indicator that identifies the respective IV tube102, with the identification placard104and/or the arrangement clip106. The correlating clip108may be coupled to a respective one of the IV tubes102through a use of a tube capture portion configured to attach to the IV tube102. In one example, the correlating clip108may include opposing sides of a deformable material. The material from which the correlating clip108are made may include any material that may undergo elastic deformation where the deformation is temporary and returns to its original shape after removal of an applied force such as when an IV tube102is forced through the narrow opening and into a channel where the IV tube102may reside. For example, the correlating clip108may be made of plastics, metals, and other elastically deformable materials. The correlating clip108is used to further identify which IV tube102the identification placard104and arrangement clip106are identifying by being able to be placed anywhere along the length of the IV tube102. Further, any number of correlating clips108may be placed on an IV tube102to identify that IV tube along any portion of the length of the IV tube102.

In the examples described herein, the correlating clip108may include an identifying feature that is associated with their respective identification placards104and arrangement clips106. For example, a first correlating clip108-1may include an identifying feature that is also included on the first identification placard104-1and the first arrangement clip106-1. Similarly, a second correlating clip108-2may include an identifying feature that is also included on the second identification placard104-2and the second arrangement clip106-2. Further, a third correlating clip108-cmay include an identifying feature that is also included on the third identification placard104-pand the third arrangement clip106-n. The identifying feature common among the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and the correlating clip108of a particular IV tube organization apparatus110may include, for example, a common color, texture, pattern, image, other distinguishing characteristic, or combinations thereof that indicates to a user that the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and the correlating clip108are a set used to identify a common IV tube102to which they are all coupled. In this manner, an IV tube organization apparatus110may be quickly identified along any length of the IV tube102to which it is coupled resulting in a reduction in or mitigation of errors related to inadvertent misuse and/or misidentification of an IV tube102.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a package200containing a plurality of IV tube organization apparatuses110as packaged for distribution, according to an example of the principles described herein. Like many other types of medical supplies, the IV tube organization apparatuses110may be packaged to keep the IV tube organization apparatuses110individually separated until utilized in an IV administration scenario. A single IV tube organization apparatus110including at least one identification placard104, at least one arrangement clip106, and at least one correlating clip108may be packaged in individual package(s)202-1,202-2, . . . ,202-v, where v is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as individual package(s)202unless specifically addressed otherwise). In the example ofFIG. 2, the individual packages202may include a cellophane or similar transparent packaging that encapsulates the IV tube organization apparatus110so that the distinguishing characteristic of the IV tube organization apparatus110may be viewed by a user. For example, the IV tube organization apparatuses110in the individual packages202may include a distinguishing characteristic of color where a different IV tube organization apparatus110contained within different individual packages202are differently colored. Other distinguishing characteristics or combinations thereof may be used to distinguish the IV tube organization apparatuses110within their respective individual packages202. In this manner, the user may select an IV tube organization apparatus110that is distinguishable over another IV tube organization apparatus110that may already be in use or is to be used together in administering IV-deliverable composition(s) to a patient.

In one example, the individual packages202may be opaque or at least partially opaque with a distinguishing characteristic that matches the distinguishing characteristic of the IV tube organization apparatus110included therein. For example, the individual packages202may have a color that matches a color of the IV tube organization apparatus110enclosed therein.

Package200may further include an assemblage packaging204to contain a plurality of the individual packages202. In one example, a plurality of the individual packages202may be included within the assemblage packaging204where at least one of the plurality of individual packages202has a distinguishing characteristic that is different from at least another individual package202. In this example, a plurality of IV tube organization apparatuses110with different distinguishing characteristics may be included within the assemblage packaging204. This allows for the IV tube organization apparatuses110with different distinguishing characteristics to be used in connection with the administration of a plurality of IV-deliverable compositions to one or more patients and mitigate any errors that may result in confusing the different IV tubes102. In practice, a first IV tube organization apparatus110-1with a first distinguishing characteristic may be coupled to a first IV tube102-1. A second IV tube organization apparatus110-2with a second distinguishing characteristic different from the first distinguishing characteristic may be coupled to a second IV tube102-2. A third IV tube organization apparatus110-swith a third distinguishing characteristic different from the first and second distinguishing characteristics may be coupled to a third IV tube102-t. The same may be arranged for any number of additional IV tube organization apparatuses110in order to distinguish different IV tubes102from one another.

With reference again toFIG. 2, the IV tube organization apparatus110may be sold as individual packages202and/or as a plurality of individual packages202included within the assemblage packaging204. In this example, a user may obtain a plurality of IV tube organization apparatuses110to organize a corresponding number of IV tubes102. In one example, the individual packages202may include medical-grade packaging materials, may be packaged using medial-based processes including sterilization processes, and/or may be designed based on medical-based standards and practices. In the examples described herein, the IV tube organization apparatuses110may be manufactured and packaged in a group as a system in the individual packages202for use as a system, and a plurality of the IV tube organization apparatuses110may be both packaged in the individual packages202and the assemblage packaging204to be used together as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3Ais a rear-facing perspective view of an identification placard104of the IV tube organization apparatus110and system ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. Further,FIG. 3Bis a front-facing perspective view of the identification placard104of the IV tube organization apparatus110and system ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. As described herein, a plurality of identification placards104may be coupled together as depicted in, for example,FIG. 1. Thus, an identification placard104includes a first anchor302formed on a first end, a first snap-fit fastener316formed on a second end, and a first tube capture portion308located between the first snap-fit fastener316and the first anchor302. The first anchor302, first tube capture portion308, and the first snap-fit fastener316may be coupled to or formed on a first side328-1of the placard portion326of the identification placard104. In one example, support structures334-1,334-2may be formed between the first anchor302and the first tube capture portion308, and the first tube capture portion308and the first snap-fit fastener316, respectively to provide structural support and rigidity to the identification placard104.

Although the first anchor302and the first snap-fit fastener316are depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3B, any type of mating fastening devices may be used to couple two identification placards104to one another. Other fasteners include, for example, clips, clasps, clamps, hook-and-eye closures, and snaps, among a myriad of other types of fasteners. In one example, the first end may include a magnetic element (embedded or exposed) with a first dipole, and the second end may also include a magnetic element (embedded or exposed) a second dipole opposite the first dipole such that when two identification placards104are brought in proximity to one another, the opposite first and second dipoles may attract and magnetically couple the identification placards104.

In the example ofFIGS. 1 through 3B, the first anchor302located on the first end may include a base portion306protruding from the placard portion326of the identification placard104. A protrusion304may extrude from the base portion306. Further, a recess330may be defined within a second side328-2of the placard portion326. The recess330may be formed in the second side328-2of the placard portion326offset from the edge of the first end such that a ridge332is formed between the recess330and the edge of the placard portion326. Mating elements of the first snap-fit fastener316may engage with the elements of the first anchor302.

Thus, on the second end of the identification placard104, the first snap-fit fastener316is formed and may include a first arm318protruding from the placard portion326. The first snap-fit fastener316may include a cantilever snap-fit fastener where a deformable and/or deflectable lever or pin is moved in order to effectuate or undo the snap-fit. The first arm318includes a bend along its length such that the first arm318initially extends perpendicular to a first side328-1of the placard portion326, and extends away from the placard portion326in parallel with a length of the placard portion326. The first arm318may include a first catch320formed on the end of the first arm318. As a first identification placard104-1is moved into a coupling position with, for example, the second identification placard104-2, the first snap-fit fastener316of the first identification placard104-1may engage with the first anchor302of the second identification placard104-2by the deflection of the first arm318and first catch320of the first snap-fit fastener316around the protrusion304of the first anchor302. As the first catch320passes the protrusion304, the first arm318and first catch320return to an original, non-deflected position. In this state, the protrusion304assists in retaining engagement between the first anchor302and the first snap-fit fastener316since a force sufficient to at least deflect the first arm318and first catch320is required to separate the first identification placard104-1from the second identification placard104-2.

The first snap-fit fastener316further includes a second arm322extending away from the placard portion326in parallel with a length of the placard portion326. The second arm318includes a second catch324formed on a distal end of the second arm322. As the first identification placard104-1is moved into a coupling position with, for example, the second identification placard104-2, the first snap-fit fastener316of the first identification placard104-1may engage with the first anchor302of the second identification placard104-2by the deflection of the second arm322and the second catch324of the first snap-fit fastener316around a ridge332. The second catch324passes the ridge332, the second arm322and the second catch324return to an original, non-deflected position. In this state, the ridge332assists in retaining engagement between the first anchor302and the first snap-fit fastener316since a force sufficient to at least deflect the second arm322and second catch322is required to separate the first identification placard104-1from the second identification placard104-2. In this manner, the first identification placard104-1and the second identification placard104-2may be coupled together. Further, any number of identification placards104may be coupled together in this manner as depicted inFIG. 1, where the first identification placard104-1, the second identification placard104-2, and the third identification placard104-pare depicted as being coupled together in the manner described herein.

The identification placards104may also include the first tube capture portion308. The first tube capture portion308may be any type of device that couples the identification placards104to their respective IV tubes102. In the examples described herein, the first tube capture portion308may be referred to as a c-clip given its c-shaped cross-section. In the examples described herein, the identification placards104may include a pair of opposing jaws310-1,310-2extending from the first tube capture portion308. The jaws310-1,310-2are separated by an opening314defined in the first tube capture portion308. A channel312may also be defined within the first tube capture portion308. A width of the opening314is narrower than the width of the channel312such that when an IV tube102is forced between the jaws310-1,310-2and into the channel312, the portion of the jaws310-1,310-2that abut the channel312retain the IV tube102in the channel312. In practice, the IV tube102and/or the jaws310-1,310-2may be subjected to elastic deformation when the identification placard104is coupled to the IV tube102. The IV tube102and/or the jaws310-1,310-2deflect and/or deform from an original shape when the IV tube102is inserted between the jaws310-1,310-2of the identification placard104, and the IV tube102and/or the jaws310-1,310-2return to the original, undeflected and/or undeformed shape when the IV tube102is seated within the channel312. Coupling the identification placards104in this manner assists in organizing the respective IV tubes coupled to the identification placards104by arranging the IV tubes102in a visually perceptible manner. With this organization, a medical practitioner may be able to easily identify which of the several IV tubes102fluidically deliver which IV-deliverable composition.

In the examples described herein, the first anchor302, the first tube capture portion308, and/or the first snap-fit fastener316may be monolithically formed with the placard portion326. In another example, the first anchor302, the first tube capture portion308, and/or the first snap-fit fastener316may be coupled to the placard portion326through, for example, plastic welding processes, gluing, and other coupling processes.

The second side328-2of the placard portion326of the identification placard104may include the medication entry112, the temporal entry114, the administrator identification entry116of the data portions118as depicted inFIGS. 1-3B. Although not depicted, in one example, the first side328-1of the placard portion326of the identification placard104may also include data portions as well as the second side328-2to provide more surface area on which additional information may be recorded.

FIG. 4Ais a rear-facing perspective view of an arrangement clip106of the IV tube apparatus and system100ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.FIG. 4Bis a front-facing perspective view of the arrangement clip106of the IV tube apparatus and system100ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. As described herein, a plurality of arrangement clip106may be coupled together as depicted in, for example,FIG. 1and as similarly described herein in connection with the identification placards104. The coupling of a plurality of arrangement clips106together assists in organizing IV tubes102coupled to the respective arrangement clips106. Further, when used in connection with the identification placards104as depicted inFIG. 1, the identification placards104and arrangement clips106provide organization of the IV tubes102along the length of the IV tubes102such that two anchor points for every IV tube102of the plurality of IV tubes102are created. Further, as the IV tubes102hang from a stand, the IV tubes102may become tangled or misarranged along the length of the IV tubes102. The use of both the identification placards104and arrangement clips106ensure that the IV tubes101remain in an organized state further along the length of the IV tubes102. The arrangement clips106described herein include elements similar to those elements of the identification placards104. In another example, the elements of the arrangement clips106including those used to couple the arrangement clips106together may be the same or different from the elements of the identification placards104.

An arrangement clip106includes a second anchor402formed on a first end, a second snap-fit fastener416formed on a second end, and a second tube capture portion408located between the second snap-fit fastener416and the second anchor402. The second anchor402, second tube capture portion408, and the second snap-fit fastener416may be coupled to or formed on a first side428-1of a backing portion426of the arrangement clip106. In one example, support structures434-1,434-2may be formed between the second anchor402and the second tube capture portion408, and the second tube capture portion408and the second snap-fit fastener416, respectively, to provide structural support and rigidity to the arrangement clip106.

Although the second anchor402and the second snap-fit fastener416are depicted inFIGS. 4A and 4B, any type of mating fastening devices may be used to couple two arrangement clips106to one another. Other fasteners include, for example, clips, clasps, clamps, hook-and-eye closures, and snaps, among a myriad of other types of fasteners. In one example, the first end may include a magnetic element with a first dipole, and the second end may also include a magnetic element a second dipole opposite the first dipole such that when two arrangement clips106are brought in proximity to one another, the opposite first and second dipoles may attract and magnetically couple the arrangement clips106.

In the example ofFIGS. 1, 2, 4A, and 4B, the second anchor402located on the first end may include a base portion406protruding from the backing portion426of the arrangement clip106. A protrusion404may extend from the base portion406. Further, a recess430may be defined within a second side428-2of the backing portion426. The recess430may be formed in the second side428-2of the backing portion426offset from the edge of the first end such that a ridge432is formed between the recess430and the edge of the backing portion426. Mating elements of the second snap-fit fastener416may engage with the elements of the second anchor402.

Thus, on the second end of the arrangement clip106, the second snap-fit fastener416is formed and may include a first arm418protruding from the backing portion426. The second snap-fit fastener416may include a cantilever snap-fit fastener where a deformable and/or deflectable lever or pin is moved in order to effectuate or undo the snap-fit. The first arm418includes a bend along its length such that the first arm418initially extends perpendicular to a first side428-1of the backing portion426, and extends away from the backing portion426in parallel with a length of the backing portion426. The first arm418may include a first catch420formed on the end of the first arm418. As a first arrangement clip106-1is moved into a coupling position with, for example, the second arrangement clip106-2, the second snap-fit fastener416of the first arrangement clip106-1may engage with the second anchor402of the second arrangement clip106-2by the deflection of the first arm418and first catch420of the second snap-fit fastener416around the protrusion404of the second anchor402. As the first catch420passes the protrusion404, the first arm418and first catch420return to an original, non-deflected position. In this state, the protrusion404assists in retaining engagement between the second anchor402and the second snap-fit fastener416since a force sufficient to at least deflect the first arm418and first catch420is required to separate the first arrangement clip106-1from the second arrangement clip106-2.

The second snap-fit fastener416further includes a second arm422extending away from the backing portion426in parallel with a length of the backing portion426. The second arm418includes a second catch424formed on a distal end of the second arm422. As the first arrangement clip106-1is moved into a coupling position with, for example, the second arrangement clip106-2, the second snap-fit fastener416of the first arrangement clip106-1may engage with the second anchor402of the second arrangement clip106-2by the deflection of the second arm422and the second catch424of the second snap-fit fastener416around a ridge432. The second catch424passes the ridge432, the second arm422and the second catch424return to an original, non-deflected position. In this state, the ridge432assists in retaining engagement between the second anchor402and the second snap-fit fastener416since a force sufficient to at least deflect the second arm422and second catch422is required to separate the first arrangement clip106-1from the second arrangement clip106-2. In this manner, the first arrangement clip106-1and the second arrangement clip106-2may be coupled together. Further, any number of arrangement clips106may be coupled together in this manner as depicted inFIG. 1, where the first arrangement clip106-1, the second arrangement clip106-2, and the third arrangement clip106-pare depicted as being coupled together in the manner described herein.

The arrangement clips106may also include the second tube capture portion408. In the examples described herein, the second tube capture portion408may be referred to as a c-clip given its c-shaped cross-section. The second tube capture portion408may be any type of device that couples the arrangement clips106to their respective IV tubes102. In the examples described herein, the arrangement clips106may include a pair of opposing jaws410-1,410-2extending from the second tube capture portion408. The jaws410-1,410-2are separated by an opening414defined in the second tube capture portion408. A channel412may also be defined within the second tube capture portion408. A width of the opening414is narrower than the width of the channel412such that when an IV tube102is forced between the jaws410-1,410-2and into the channel412, the portion of the jaws410-1,410-2that abut the channel412retain the IV tube102in the channel412. In practice, the IV tube102and/or the jaws410-1,410-2may be subjected to elastic deformation when the arrangement clip106is coupled to the IV tube102. The IV tube102and/or the jaws410-1,410-2deflect and/or deform from an original shape when the IV tube102is inserted between the jaws410-1,410-2of the arrangement clip106, and the IV tube102and/or the jaws410-1,410-2return to the original, undeflected and/or undeformed shape when the IV tube102is seated within the channel412. Coupling the arrangement clips106in this manner assists in organizing the respective IV tubes coupled to the arrangement clips106by arranging the IV tubes102in a visually perceptible manner. With this organization, a medical practitioner may be able to easily identify which of the several IV tubes102fluidically deliver which IV-deliverable composition.

In the examples described herein, the second anchor402, the second tube capture portion408, and/or the second snap-fit fastener416may be monolithically formed with the backing portion426. In another example, the second anchor402, the second tube capture portion408, and/or the second snap-fit fastener416may be coupled to the backing portion426through, for example, plastic welding processes, gluing, and other coupling processes.

FIG. 5Ais a rear-facing perspective view of a correlating clip108of the IV tube apparatus and system100ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. Further,FIG. 5Bis a rear, plan view of the correlating clip108of the IV tube apparatus and system100ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. Still further,FIG. 5Cis a top, plan view of the correlating clip108of the IV tube apparatus and system100ofFIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. As described herein, the correlating clips108may include an identifying feature that is associated with their respective identification placards104and arrangement clips106. The identifying feature common among the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and the correlating clip108of a particular IV tube organization apparatus110may include, for example, a common color, texture, pattern, image, other distinguishing characteristic, or combinations thereof that indicates to a user that the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and the correlating clip108are a set used to identify a common IV tube102to which they are all coupled. In this manner, an IV tube organization apparatus110may be quickly identified along any length of the IV tube102to which it is coupled resulting in a reduction in or mitigation of errors related to inadvertent misuse and/or misidentification of an IV tube102. By way of an example, the first IV tube organization apparatuses110-1including the first identification placard104-1, the first arrangement clip106-1, and the first correlating clip108-1may all include the same distinguishing characteristic. This allows a medical practitioner to consistently identify the associated first IV tube102-1along an entire length of the first IV tube102-1.

In one example, a plurality of correlating clips108may be coupled to an IV tube102with each correlating clip108coupled to the same IV tube having the same distinguishing characteristic. In this example, the correlating clips108coupled to the same IV tube102may serve to assist a medical practitioner to identify which of a plurality of IV tubes102they are interacting with. For example, a correlating clip108may be coupled to the IV tube relatively closer to a bag fluidically coupled to the IV tube102to allow the medical practitioner to identify when interacting with the bag and while, for example, introducing an IV-deliverable composition into the bag. The medical practitioner may correlate the distinguishing characteristic of the correlating clip108with the distinguishing characteristics of the identification placards104and the arrangement clips106coupled to the IV tubes102within the system100to identify which of the identification placards104and the arrangement clips106correlate with that particular correlating clip108. In this manner, the medical practitioner may be able to use the correlating clip108to identify which of a number of IV tubes102are to be used to deliver the IV-deliverable composition based on, for example, the information included on the correlating identification placard104.

The correlating clip108may include similar elements with respect to the first tube capture portion308of the identification placards104and the second tube capture portion408of the arrangement clips106. The correlating clips108may be any type of device that couples to a respective IV tube102. In the examples described herein, the correlating clip108may be referred to as a c-clip given its c-shaped cross-section. In the examples described herein, the correlating clips108may include a pair of opposing jaws502-1,502-2extending from a body portion508. The jaws502-1,502-2are separated by an opening506defined in the correlating clip108. A channel504may also be defined within the correlating clip108. A width of the opening506is narrower than the width of the channel504such that when an IV tube102is forced between the jaws502-1,502-2and into the channel504, the portion of the jaws502-1,502-2that abut the channel504retain the IV tube102in the channel504.

The correlating clips108may include a first angled portion510-1located on the first jaw502-1and a second angled portion510-2located on the second jaw502-2. The angled portions510-1,510-2may assist the medical practitioner in inserting the IV tube102into the correlating clip108by reducing an amount of friction between the IV tube and the correlating clip108.

In practice, the IV tube102and/or the jaws502-1,502-2may be subjected to elastic deformation when the correlating clip108is coupled to the IV tube102. The IV tube102and/or the jaws502-1,502-2deflect and/or deform from an original shape when the IV tube102is inserted between the jaws502-1,502-2of the arrangement clip106, and the IV tube102and/or the jaws502-1,502-2return to the original, undeflected and/or undeformed shape when the IV tube102is seated within the channel504.

Coupling the correlating clips108in this manner assists in organizing the respective IV tubes coupled to the correlating clip108by arranging the IV tubes102in a visually perceptible manner and correlating the identification placards104and arrangement clips106with the correlating clip108. With this organization, a medical practitioner may be able to easily identify which of the several IV tubes102fluidically deliver which IV-deliverable composition.

In one example, the system100may include at least two components of the IV tube organization apparatuses110including the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and correlating clip108. For example, the system100may include an identification placard104for each of the respective IV tubes102, and at least one of the arrangement clip106, and the correlating clip108. Thus, the system100may include a first component including the identification placard104, and a “second” component, which may refer to either of the aforementioned arrangement clip106or the correlating clip108, each of which includes a tube capture portion.

When a medical practitioner seeks to utilize the system100for its IV tube102organizational and correlating properties, the identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and correlating clip108may be implemented as follows. The identification placard104, the arrangement clip106, and correlating clip108push onto the IV tubes102. For example, the identification placards104may be pushed onto the IV tubes102via the first tube capture portion308. Similarly, the arrangement clips106may be pushed onto the IV tubes102via the second tube capture portion408. Further, the correlating clips108may be pushed onto the IV tubes102similar to the first and second tube capture portions308,408.

Once the identification placards104, the arrangement clips106, and/or correlating clips108have been coupled to a plurality of respective IV tubes102such as depicted inFIG. 1, the medical practitioner may couple the identification placards104to one another and/or couple the arrangement clips106to one another. In this manner, the IV tubes102may be coupled together via the identification placards104and/or the arrangement clips106.

In one example, the identification placards104and/or the arrangement clips106may be placed below a pump used to move fluids through the IV tubes to allow for labeling and grouping of the IV tubes102. In one example, the arrangement clips106may be placed below the identification placards104to support the arrangement of the IV tubes102at a mid-line portion of the IV tubes102. Further, the correlating clips108may be placed at or near the patient into whom the IV-deliverable composition is being administered in order to correlate the distinguishing characteristic of the correlating clips108to their respective identification placards104and/or the arrangement clips106as well as the IV tube to which they are respectively coupled. It is noted that the medical practitioner is to place identification placards104, the arrangement clips106, and/or the correlating clips108that include the same distinguishing characteristic onto the same IV tube102in order to ensure that the distinguishing characteristic identifies the same IV tube102.

In the examples described herein, the first tube capture portion308, the second tube capture portion408, and/or the correlating clips108for connecting the components to the IV tubes102may be easier to push on than to pull off. This may assure that adjustments to the positions of the identification placards104, the arrangement clips106, and/or the correlating clips108are not easily made after once placed reducing any unintended changes to the system100without the medical practitioner considering his or her actions before making the change.

The male/female interlocking sections assist a user to organize and manage IV tubes102in clusters such as depicted by the IV tube organization apparatuses110described herein. Further, each of the IV tube organization apparatuses110-1,110-2,110-smay be color coded to eliminate line tracing time and to avoid mistakes that may otherwise be made by a medical practitioner in distinguishing between the IV tubes102. That elements of an IV tube apparatus and system100may all be one single color compared to the elements of another IV tube organization apparatus110of a different color.

CONCLUSION

Although several embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.