# Patent

## Title
Stretchable IV pole attachment apparatus

## Abstract

An IV pole attachment apparatus includes an attachment portion, a first appendage, a second appendage, a receiving portion, protrusions, and an appendage connection portion. The IV pole attachment apparatus is constructed of silicone or another form of elastomeric substance. One end of IV pole attachment apparatus is a ring-shaped attachment portion. The attachment portion is seamlessly molded to the appendage connection portion. Appendage connection portion is seamlessly connected to the first appendage and the second appendage. The first appendage contains three spaced protrusions molded in a linear consecutive arrangement into the appendage. The first appendage is pulled through the receiving portion. The greater diameter of the protrusions keeps them from easily passing back thorough the aperture of the receiving portion and allows for a buckling action that secures the IV pole attachment apparatus to an IV pole.

## Background
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of medical devices accessories; in particular, IV pole attachment devices.
BACKGROUND
Infection control is an ever-increasing concern in hospital environments. Harmful infectious diseases can be spread by contact with a patient's contaminated body fluids. Healthcare providers are constantly on a quest to minimize the risk of exposure to harmful organisms. Bladder bags present a unique problem in that unlike IV bags, which hang from a hook above a patient's heart on a IV pole, bladder bags must utilize the effects of gravity and hang below the patient to function correctly. Because of this necessity, the bladder bag cannot be placed on the higher hooks of the IV pole and are generally hung over the side of the patient's bed. These bags are not sterile and function to hold the waste products from the patient. Accidental leakage from these bags can unknowingly contaminate the hospital furniture and potentially expose health workers and family member to infectious diseases.
A review of the prior art reveals several different types of fasteners for an IV pole. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,131 B1 issued to Bentley and Rosenau discloses a bracket that attaches to an elongated prop such as an electrical conduit, pipe, railing, IV stand, wheel chair frame, stake, hospital bed guards, or post is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. US20110084181 A1 discloses a Pole Universal Drainage Bag Holder. It works as a collaboration of the following parts: The Clamp Front Opening, the Middle Holding Section and the Clamp Handles. The clamp front opening is used to hold a catheter or I.V. bag or a drainage bag any general size.
U.S. Pat. No. US20100243834 A1 discloses an adjustable clamp that can attach to an IV pole.
U.S. Pat. No. US20080011907A1 discloses an intravenous line organizer clamped to an IV pole.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,138B2 discloses a mounting apparatus with a flexible shaft with a first end for releasable attachment to the support member and a second end for releasable attachment to the device. A generally C-shaped clamping member at the first end releasably attaches the apparatus to the support member.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,859B2 discloses a band buckled around a pole. A hanger arm that has a top end attached to the band at an attachment point, and has a bottom end with a load hook.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,245,857 B2 discloses A storage device includes a locking slot formed in an upper portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the instrument to retain the instrument within the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,444discloses a device pertaining primarily to supplementary fastening devices in the form of a rigid or semi rigid clip having a loop shaped portion for fastening the hook of a garment hanger or other hook including device to a clothesline or other generally linear member to which the hook is hooked.
U.S. Pat. No. 20030167605 A1 discloses a fastening strap system, particularly of the hook-and-loop variety (with hooks on one side of the strap and loops on the other side), for selectively and independently binding and/or releasing a plurality of sets of essentially longitudinal objects, such as wires, from one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,454 B1discloses a sign housing mounted to a swivally-mounted base and a pair of flexible and resilient, semi-circular parts are integrally formed with the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,793 discloses a pole clip needle cap holder.
U.S. Pat. No. ,7959,122 B1 discloses a catheter drainage bag holding assembly includes a clamp with an arcuate member having a pair of free ends. The arcuate member forms at least 60% of a complete circle. A threaded rod is threadably coupled to and extends through the arcuate member. The arcuate member is positionable on a post and the rod is abuttable against the post.
U.S. Pat. No. D391,636 S discloses a catheter pole attachment utilizing a nut and bolt anchoring system.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,959 B2 discloses a suction nozzle holster.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,188 A discloses a bundling strap for enclosing an article such as a wire or group of wires comprising a strap of flexible material having intergrally formed along one face thereof a row of rachet-like teeth, an enclosure formed at one end of said strap and projecting in a direction transverse thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,901 A discloses a drain bag hanger which utilizes metal clamps and link chain.
U.S. Pat. No. US 20020096608 A1 discloses a holder with a base rotatably mounted to the IV stand. An arm is supported by the base and extends away from the base such that the arm holds the cords and the tubes extending from the medical apparatus.
The patent documents above disclose a myriad of attachment mechanisms to be used on an IV pole. However, due to the nature of their design having multiple parts and crevices, a large surface area is created that is not easily decontaminated for infection control purposes. In addition, many of the devices are made of materials in which regular disposal would not be economically efficient.
Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems with infection control with regards to the placement of patient bladder bags. Applicant has developed a solution to address these deficiencies and problems, and is embodied by the present invention, which is described in detail below.
SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
An object of the present disclosure is the continuous molded structure of the body that allows for easy decontamination of the IV pole attachment apparatus.
Another object of the present disclosure is that the elastomeric material and simple body design make disposal of the IV pole attachment apparatus economically feasible.
Another object of the present disclosure is that the tacky property of the elastomeric material allows the IV pole attachment apparatus to maintain a grip on the IV pole.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is molded into a single continuous elastomeric body. This allows for easy decontamination because of the lack of crevices and grooves. In addition, the simple elastomeric design and construction allows for economic efficiency in discarding the apparatus when necessary.
A specific embodiment of the present disclosure includes an IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising a body comprising, a ring portion having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook; a first appendage extending from a surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage; and, a second appendage extending from a surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains an attachment portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage.
Another specific embodiment of the present disclosure includes an IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising a body constructed of molded elastomeric material, the body comprising, a ring portion having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook; a first appendage extending from a surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage; a second appendage extending from a surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains an attachment portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage, the first appendage extending through the aperture of the second appendage defining a loop.
Yet another specific embodiment of the present disclosure includes a disposable IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising a body, the body comprising, an attachment portion having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook; a first appendage extending from a surface of the outer perimeter of the attachment portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage; and, a second appendage extending from a surface of the outer perimeter of the attachment portion, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains a receiving portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the IV pole attachment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detailed description of the present disclosure. Variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Moreover, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. For example, the words “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner” and “outer” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word “a” is defined to mean “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a disposable IV pole attachment apparatus. Embodiments of the present disclosure solve problems associated with the prior art IV pole attachment devices. Most of the designs of the prior art attachment devices are not conformed to hold bladder bags for patients to IV poles. The designs that could be utilized either have large surface areas with various moving parts which make them difficult to decontaminate effectively, or the materials used to make them are not conducive to the device being manufactured as a disposable product. A disposable attachment apparatus is desirable as the contents of a bladder bag can accidentally leak onto the structure to which it is attached. Harmful bacteria and viruses can be secreted in body fluids, therefore it is important to decontaminate any items exposed to body fluids for proper infection control. Prior art attachment devices present with various hooks and screws that increase the surface area of the device and allow for small crevices, which can be difficult to decontaminate. Without proper infection control, healthcare workers and subsequent patients and visitors are placed at risk.
Another problem with the prior art is the complex design and materials used to make the attachment devices. An IV Pole attachment with various hooks and buckles is not as easily manufactured as one molded into a single piece. In addition, attachment devices made of metal are more costly to manufacture and are generally recycled and not disposed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a more efficient, cost effective, and safe IV pole attachment apparatus. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the problem of large surface area and crevices is solved by the molded continuous body of the IV Pole attachment apparatus. The continuous body of the apparatus can be easily disinfected or wiped down, as there are no parts containing crevices that could hold contaminated fluids.
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the problem of complex design is solved by a simple one-piece body of molded elastomeric material. Further, this elastomeric material is inexpensive which in turn makes it economically feasible to produce the apparatus as a disposable product. A disposable product is always the preferred method of infection control in hospital settings.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of an IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is shown. According to an embodiment, device 100 is generally comprised of an attachment portion 102, a first appendage 104, a second appendage 106, a receiving portion 108, protrusions 110, and an appendage connection portion 112. The IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is constructed of silicone or another form of elastomeric substance. The elastomeric substance of IV pole attachment apparatus 100 may be alternatively constructed from a flexible antimicrobial substance or combination thereof. One end of IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is the attachment portion 102. Attachment portion 102 is ring-shaped; it may be alternatively constructed in a different geometric shape, such as square, triangle, rectangle, irregular, and the like. The shape of attachment portion 102 can be any commercially viable shape capable of receiving a hook from a bladder bag. The silicone of attachment portion 102 is substantially thicker than the silicone of the appendage portions. The silicone of attachment portion 102 may be approximately 20% to 200% thicker than the silicone of the appendage portions 104 and 106. This increase in thickness allows the attachment portion 102 to support the weight of an attached bladder bag. Attachment portion 102 is seamlessly molded to the appendage connection portion 112. Appendage connection portion 112 is seamlessly connected to the first appendage 104 and the second appendage 106. The first appendage 104 contains three spaced protrusions 110 molded into the appendage in a linear consecutive arrangement. The first appendage 104 may be alternatively constructed to contain more or less protrusions, depending on the length of first appendage 104. The protrusions 110 are spherical in shape. The protrusions 110 may be alternatively constructed in various shapes, such as cylindrical, irregular, star-shaped, and the like. The first appendage 104 is pulled through the aperture of the receiving portion 108. The protrusions 110 that line the first appendage 104 are greater in diameter than the aperture of the receiving portion 108. The elastomeric material allows the protrusions 110 to be forced through the aperture of the receiving portion 108. The greater diameter of the protrusions 110 keeps them from easily passing back thorough the aperture of the receiving portion 108 and allows for a buckling action that secures the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 to an IV pole. The second appendage 106 is approximately half the length of the first appendage 104. The second appendage 106 may be alternatively constructed in a longer length. The second appendage 106 contains a receiving portion 108 seamlessly molded into the appendage. The receiving portion 108 is square. The receiving portion 108 may be alternatively constructed in another geometric shape. The receiving portion 108 is constructed to provide for an aperture capable of receiving a spherical protrusion 110 from first appendage 104. The receiving portion 108 may be alternatively constructed to provide for an aperture capable of receiving a protrusion of a different geometric shape. The diameter of the aperture within the receiving portion 108 is less than the diameter of the protrusions 110.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a top perspective view of the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 in a locking position is demonstrated. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, protrusions 110 are molded into the first appendage 104. A protrusion 110 on the first appendage 104 is pulled through the aperture of the receiving portion 108. The greater diameter of the protrusion 110 allows the first appendage 104 and the second appendage 106 to maintain a buckled position as shown. This buckled position causes the appendage connection portion 112 to form a U-shape attachment loop 202. The attachment loop 202 fits flush against the IV pole.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 attached to an IV pole 302. The IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is buckled onto the IV pole 302 by placing the appendage connection portion 112 flush against the IV pole 302 and pulling the first appendage 104 through the aperture of the receiving portion 108 of the second appendage 106. The sides of the receiving portion 108 must be pulled apart in order to increase the diameter of the aperture and allow a protrusion 110 on the first appendage 104 to pass through. Once the protrusion 110 is pulled through the aperture of the receiving portion 108, the elastomeric material reforms a smaller diameter aperture, in turn restricting the passage of the protrusion 110 back through the receiving portion. As shown, the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is in this buckled position. The apparatus connection portion 112, the second appendage 106, and the upper portion of the first appendage 104 sit flush against the IV pole 302 when the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is in the buckled position. As shown, attachment portion 102 is formed as a circular structure thicker in elastomeric material than the first appendage 104 and the second appendage 106. This thickness allows the attachment portion 102 to withstand the weight of a filled bladder bag. The IV pole attachment apparatus 100 is easily removed from the IV pole 302 for decontamination or disposal. To remove the IV pole attachment apparatus 100, the elastomeric material of the receiving portion 108 is pulled apart to form an aperture large enough for the first appendage 104 and the protrusion 110 to pass back through. This unbuckling releases the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 from the IV pole 302.
FIG. 4 is a perspective in-use view of the IV pole attachment apparatus 100. FIG. 4 demonstrates how the bladder bag 402 hooks onto the IV pole attachment apparatus 100. This provides for a more sanitary way to maintain the bladder bag 402 while still having the bladder bag 402 positioned below the patient for proper functioning. The IV pole attachment apparatus 100 provides a place to hang the bladder bag other than on the patient or the room furniture. The use of the IV pole attachment apparatus 100 improves infection control by preventing contamination of the patient's clothing and furniture due to accidental leakage. Due to the simple continuous body of the IV pole attachment apparatus 100, it is easily disinfected or disposed of after use.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

## Claims

1. An IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising:
a body comprising,
a ring portion having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook;
a first appendage extending from a first surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage, the at least one protrusion being spherical in shape;
a second appendage extending from a second surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains an attachment portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage;
a U-shaped portion extending between the first appendage and the second appendage, the U-shaped portion being configured such that the U-shaped portion sits flush on an IV pole when in use; and,
an appendage connection portion being seamlessly molded to the ring portion, the first appendage, and the second appendage.

2. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is constructed of an elastomeric material.

3. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second appendage is approximately half the length of the first appendage.

4. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring portion is between 20% to 200% thicker than the first appendage and the second appendage.

5. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 4 wherein the attachment portion further comprises an inner circumference defining an aperture.

6. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 5 wherein the inner circumference defining the aperture is less than that of a circumference of the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage.

7. An IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising:
a body constructed of molded elastomeric material, the body comprising,
a ring portion having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook;
a first appendage extending from a first surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage;
a second appendage extending from a second surface of the outer circumference of the ring portion, the ring portion being between 20% to 200% thicker than the first appendage and the second appendage, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains an attachment portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage, the first appendage extending through an aperture of the second appendage defining a loop; and,
an appendage connection portion being seamlessly molded to the ring portion, the first appendage, and the second appendage.

8. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the body is molded in one continuous structure.

9. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage is linear in shape.

10. The TV pole attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second appendage is approximately the same length of the first appendage.

11. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus is disposable.

12. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage is spherical in shape.

13. A disposable IV pole attachment apparatus, comprising:
a body comprising,
an attachment portion having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter having a side wall defining an aperture configured to receive a hook;
a first appendage extending from a surface of the outer perimeter of the attachment portion, wherein the first appendage contains at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage;
a second appendage extending from a surface of the outer perimeter of the attachment portion, the second appendage being adjacent to the first appendage, wherein the second appendage contains a receiving portion configured to receive the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage;
a U-shaped portion extending between the first appendage and the second appendage; and,
an appendage connection portion being seamlessly molded to the attachment portion, the first appendage, and the second appendage.

14. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the attachment portion is of a geometric shape other than a ring.

15. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage is spherical in shape.

16. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one protrusion disposed upon the first appendage is linear in shape.

17. The IV pole attachment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the attachment portion is between 20% to 200% thicker than the first appendage and the second appendage.