Abstract:
A cover for intravenous fluid bags is used to disguise the IV bag thereby reducing the level of patient fear and intimidation created by medical equipment and environments. The decorative cover can be shaped to portray a familiar object (animal, plant, vehicle), or be provided with a blank surface that can accommodate colorful stickers, drawings or removable interchangeable objects selected by the patient. The cover is comprised of an opaque front surface and an attachment means for attaching the cover to the IV bag or the IV stand. The cover is easily attached or removed by medical staff and does not obstruct the normal monitoring of fluid progress from the bag.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/873,500 (Attorney Docket Number KFFS-P001V), filed Dec. 7, 2006 by inventor Karen Frances Frasier-Scott and entitled “Life Shield.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a covering for intravenous fluid bags used in the delivery of medical therapy to a patient. In particular, the present invention relates to a decorative cover for intravenous bags that when used, will reduce patient stress. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Approximately 50,000 children each year in the United States are diagnosed with cancer and are hospitalized for treatment. In addition, several thousand more children are hospitalized for severe illnesses and accidents each year. Statistics provided by the Lucille Packard Children&#39;s Hospital at Stanford of Palo Alto, Calif., show that children ages 14 and under account for one-third of all fall-related visits to hospital emergency rooms. In 2003, nearly 285,600 children ages 14 and under were treated in the U.S. for bicycle-related injuries. Nearly half (47 percent) of children ages 14 and under hospitalized for bicycle-related injuries are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. The statistics for other child related injuries is staggering. All of these children face a stay in a hospital. 
         [0004]    Visits to a hospital can be an intimidating, frightening, and stress producing experience for children. The fear and anxiety of being in a new environment, confronted with new faces and unfamiliar medical instruments, particularly critical care patients undergoing intravenous treatments, can be intimidating and extremely stressful. 
         [0005]    The medical equipment in the hospital environment can also be intimidating, in particular tubes running from the child&#39;s hand or arm to a myriad of bags hanging from metal poles on stands causes fear in the child because they realize they are going to be hooked up to or attached to some type of medical equipment. 
         [0006]    The stress resulting from the unfamiliarity with the surroundings, intimidating environment and intimidating medical equipment can stimulate a sympathetic nervous response. It is well-established that stress-induced sympathetic nervous system responses in patients lead to such objective physical findings as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, and emotional outbursts (Guyton, A. C. and J. E. Hall. 1996.  Textbook of Medical Physiology , ninth edition. WB Saunders Company: Philadelphia, chapter 60). The stress caused can also inhibit immune system function (Schimmer, B. P. and K. L. Parker. 2006. In:  Goodman  &amp;  Gilman &#39;s The pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics , eleventh edition. Brunton et al (eds), McGraw-Hill: New York, pp. 1591) which could slow and/or hinder recovery, posing an imminent health risk in critically ill children. Illness and injury themselves cause stress in patients, while the burden of being hooked up to or attached to the equipment and its cumbersome immobility causes additional stress. 
         [0007]    In research done on the problem of stress related to visualization of the hospital environment, when asked, one adult solution was to place items on the walls of the hospital room for the child to see. Children on the other hand wanted the intravenous bags hidden or protected from view mainly because the bags and stands were in closer proximity and were constantly with the child. While placing items on the walls of the child&#39;s hospital room helped to relieve stress by bringing familiar objects in the line of sight of the child, this in and of itself was not a complete solution. This is because when the child has to leave the environment of the hospital room, the intravenous bags and stand have to travel with the child and become a constant reminder that the child is still attached to medical equipment. Hiding the intravenous bag or disguising its presence in a way that the child is familiar with would aid in the reduction of stress. Another advantage of disguising or hiding the intravenous bag while the child is in motion outside the hospital room is the unintentional reduction of stress in other children who may see the disguised or hidden intravenous bag. Instead of focusing on the child&#39;s illness or injury, other children will tend to focus on the disguise to the intravenous bag. 
         [0008]    The visualization and stress production related to medical equipment has been recognized as a problem and has been addressed in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,946 discloses decorative coverings for stethoscopes to inhibit allergic reactions caused by tubing on the instrument as well as to lessen intimidation in young patients. The coverings described are hypoallergenic fabric stethoscope covers with hook-and-loop fasteners for attaching a closure portion of the cover and to affix the cover around the tubing of the stethoscope. Only fabric materials are disclosed or suggested for the decorative covers. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,165,035 and 6,520,639 disclose decorative coverings for medical equipment where the exterior of the covering is shaped to portray things such as animals, plants, vehicles, and buildings for use in disguising the various types of medical equipment. Specific embodiments of the invention included coverings for stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, opthalmoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, intravenous stands, crutches, and wheelchairs. The coverings are constructed of fabric. 
         [0010]    Other patents disclosing decorative covers for medical exam equipment include U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,755 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,647. Both patents disclose disguising medical equipment to make the equipment less intimidating to children. In one case, a toy-like object is molded to an otoscope (U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,755) while in the other case a mask is attached to the head of an opthalmoscope that is shaped like an animal or some other familiar object (U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,647). 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,336 describes an apparatus for warming intravenous fluids in intravenous fluid bags that consists of a wrap material. The wrap material is constructed of insulated nylon and is fixed around the intravenous fluid bag using some type of closure device. 
         [0012]    Problems with the prior art, primarily covers placed on or covering the intravenous stands, prove to be expensive and cumbersome and can interfere with medical personnel&#39;s monitoring the intravenous bag contents and replacing the intravenous bags and mobility of the stands when outside the hospital room environment. 
         [0013]    There is a need for a covering of the intravenous bag from the patient&#39;s view. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides an intravenous bag cover which can be decorated by drawing directly on the cover or by placing decorative stickers directly on the cover, or fabricating the cover in the shape of objects such as animals, birds or vehicles. The cover is of one-piece construction comprised of a moldable elastomeric material with a curved surface conforming to the shape of the intravenous bag it covers. 
         [0015]    One embodiment of the present invention is a cover for an intravenous fluid bag comprising: (a) a opaque front surface having a surface area as large as the largest intravenous fluid bag surface; (b) a side panel attached to the front surface substantially perpendicular to the front surface; and (c) a positioning means for positioning the front surface of the cover to block the frontal view of the contents of the intravenous fluid bag. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a cover for an intravenous fluid bag comprising: (a) an opaque front surface of the cover having a surface area as large as the largest surface of the intravenous fluid bag; and (b) two side panels, positioned on opposed edges of the front surface substantially perpendicular to the front surface, wherein the two side panels are rounded to cover two sides of the intravenous fluid bag when the front surface is positioned to cover the intravenous fluid bag surface opposed to the bag surface displaying information on the contents of the intravenous fluid bag; whereby the front surface of the cover blocks the frontal view of the contents of the intravenous fluid bag whenever the cover is positioned in front of the intravenous fluid bag surface opposed to the bag surface displaying information on the contents of the intravenous fluid bag and whereas viewing the information on the contents of the intravenous fluid bag is unhindered by the cover when the cover is so positioned. 
         [0017]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a cover for an intravenous fluid bag comprising: (a) an opaque front surface having a three sided frame attached thereto, wherein a first side of the frame is proximal a bottom edge of the front surface and a second and a third side of the frame are attached to opposed ends of the first side of the frame; (b) a side panel attached to an edge of the front surface substantially perpendicular to the front surface; and (c) a hook attached to an upper edge of the front surface of the cover; whereby whenever the cover is attached to the intravenous fluid bag pole with the hook, the cover blocks the frontal view of the contents of the intravenous fluid bag. 
         [0018]    The present invention also provides a kit comprising the cover, an attachment means for attaching the cover to the intravenous bag or intravenous stand and at least one means for decorating the cover. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows three intravenous fluid bags of differing sizes, a 50 ml bag, a 500 ml bag, and a 1000 ml bag suspended on an intravenous pole. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the information side of the intravenous fluid bag and a backside view of a cover attached to the IV bag. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a frontal view of a cover. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an oblique view of a cover with a hand drawn design. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows an oblique view of a pre-embossed figure on a cover. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of the cover with a three sided frame attached thereto and a removable plate that fits into the frame. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows an oblique view of a three sided embodiment of the cover with a transparent back panel. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows an oblique view of a three sided embodiment of the cover where the back panel is a frame. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  shows an oblique view of a cover having a hook attached to a top edge of the cover. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 10A-B  illustrate frontal and side views of a cover with a swivel hook attached to the cover. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  shows the back view of a cover with Velcro strips attached and a frontal view of an intravenous fluid bag with Velcro strips attached. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  shows one embodiment of a cover kit comprised of a pre-molded cover, a three-sided frame, removable plates, and decorative items such as a sticker and/or coloring materials. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  shows one embodiment of a cover kit comprised of a pre-embossed cover, and coloring materials. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  shows a pre-packaged, pre-sterilized cover. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    It is noted that like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings. The figures, or drawings, are not intended to be to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for covering intravenous (also referred to herein as “IV”) fluid bags used in the delivery of medical therapy to patients. The intravenous (“IV”) fluid cover  10  has a curved surface conforming to the shape of the intravenous bag it covers. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows an intravenous (“IV”) fluid bag  50  as used in hospital environments.  FIG. 1  shows three intravenous fluid bags of differing sizes, a 50 ml bag  60 , a 500 ml bag  70 , and a 1000 ml bag  80  suspended on a pole  90 . The IV bags are shown with drip lines  110 . The top of the pole  90  is capped by “P” shaped hooks  120  from which the intravenous fluid bags are suspended. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each intravenous fluid bag  50  displays information  100  regarding the contents of the intravenous bag. 
         [0037]    The purpose and place of the intravenous fluid bag in patient treatment is multi-functional. The intravenous fluid bags are used to deliver medical therapy to critically ill patients, post-operative patients, and to provide fluids to patients prior to and after surgery. 
         [0038]    Often treatments associated with intravenous fluid bags, whether in critically ill patients or pre- and post-operative patients, are directly connected to the patient&#39;s fear of pain. The combination of the intravenous fluid bag  50 , the drip line  110  and attachment to the patient&#39;s arm or hand are all commingled in the patient&#39;s mind to induce high levels of stress and fear. This is especially true in critically ill patients. 
         [0039]    The question is why cover the intravenous bag at all. Research has proven that patients, particularly children and older adults, can be particularly vulnerable to intimidation by the hospital environment, including unfamiliar medical equipment and medical personnel. The patients may become overly fearful, can be in a highly agitated state of anticipated pain, and are stressed due to an awareness of losing control of their environment. The present invention is designed to assist in alleviating the stress caused by the patient&#39;s intimidation by presenting a familiar object, drawing, or photo to cover the intravenous fluid bag, changing the patient&#39;s line of sight to a more familiar and comforting environment. 
         [0040]    Care must be taken however to insure that the cover can be easily and quickly installed and removed. The cover cannot interfere with the medical personnel&#39;s activities to monitor the fluids in the bag or hide the information side of the bag from view. Further, the cover should not inhibit intravenous pole movement to accommodate placement in different locations in the hospital room, moving the pole out of the hospital room, or placing the pole in the patient&#39;s home. 
         [0041]    The intravenous fluid bag cover  10  is made to cover at least one side of the intravenous fluid bag (i.e., the flat side opposite to the information side of the bag). Thus, the intravenous fluid bag cover  10  may take any shape that fulfills that function. For example, the specific dimensions of the cover  10  will vary depending on the standard dimensions of the size intravenous fluid bag that the cover  10  is designed to cover. Although the cover  10  can be made of any material, a preferred embodiment is made of a moldable elastomeric material that is rigid or semi-rigid. For example, one embodiment of the intravenous fluid bag cover  130 , shown in  FIG. 3 , is a one-piece moldable elastomeric material, such as styrene plastic, which can be sterilized by UV radiation. 
         [0042]    The intravenous fluid bag cover  10  typically includes an opaque front surface  150 , at least one side panel  160 , and a positioning means for positioning the front surface  150  in front of the IV bag to block one side of the IV bag from view. The positioning means typically attaches the cover  10  to the hooks  120  of the pole  90  or to the front surface of the bag  50  opposite the information side of the IV bag. The bag cover  10  must be easy to install on the bag  50  without hiding the information on the bag  50 . 
         [0043]    The front surface  150 , positioned directly in front of a side of the UV bag  50  opposite to the flat side of the IV bag having the information on the contents of the bag  10 , is decorated to direct attention from the intravenous fluid bag  50 . For example, the cover  130  has a flat surface face  150  and both the right and left edges  160  are rounded and molded to conform to the shape of the bag it covers. 
         [0044]    The face or front surface  150  of the cover  10  can be configured in any number of ways, as long as it covers enough surface area on the front of the intravenous fluid bag  50  to prevent the patient&#39;s direct observation of the contents of the bag. For example, the cover can comprise a flat, relatively smooth blank front surface  150  that a patient or other person can decorate by applying stickers, prefabricated scenes, magnetic objects, floral arrangements, or animal caricatures. In addition, the patient or caregiver may personalize the front surface  150  with a drawing  155  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0045]    Alternatively, the front surface  150  can have selectably removable plates  220  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . To accommodate the removable plates  220 , the front surface  150  of the cover  10  may include a frame  210  attached to the front surface  150  which would allow for insertion and removal of the plates  220 , or other objects such as a favorite photo, a pre-drawn picture from home, or interchangeable scenic views, sports figures, floral vistas, all of which can be replaced by simply sliding the current plate or representation out and dropping in a new representation. For example, the plates  220  can fit into a three-side pocket-like frame  210  attached to the front surface  150 . The pocket-like frame  210  can accommodate photos, prefabricated inserts, or the removable plates  220 . 
         [0046]    The patient can draw on the plates  220 , or the patient can decorate the plates  220  with stickers or other objects. In addition, the plate might be used by hospital personnel to display a patient identifier. Regardless of its use, one removable plate  220  can be interchanged with another decorated plate  220 . 
         [0047]    Another embodiment of the cover  250 , shown in  FIG. 5 , is a pre-molded material, or an embossed material, having a representation of a familiar object or figure such as an animal, a religious symbol, a vehicle, or cartoon character. The cover  250  can be further embellished by drawing on its surface as well as placing pre-adhesive and pre-designed stickers on it. 
         [0048]    Optionally, the cover  10  may include one or two sides  160  attached to the front surface  150  of the cover  10 . The sides  160  of the cover  10  may be a variety of configurations. For example, the sides may be rectangular, rounded, oblong, or contoured as seen in  FIG. 3 . The sides  160  may also be encompassed in part of an embossed design. 
         [0049]    The cover  10 , whatever its configuration, is made to cover a sufficient portion of the surface area of the front of the intravenous fluid bag  50  to prevent the patient&#39;s direct observation of the contents of the bag. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment not shown in the figures, the cover is constructed of cloth in the form of a bag that can be attached to the intravenous fluid bag by slipping the cloth bag over the intravenous fluid bag. The rear or back side of the cloth bag would have a clear plastic window for viewing information on the intravenous fluid bag. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the cover  300  consists of three plates forming a three-sided box structure. A first plate  310  serves as the front surface  150  described above. For example, the first plate  310  my be constructed of an opaque elastomeric material upon which stickers can be applied, photos attached, magnetic objects attached to, or is a blank surface for drawing. The second plate  320  is constructed of a clear or transparent elastomeric material which allows an easy and unhindered view of vital information on the bag. The two plates are fitted together in an approximately parallel fashion by a third plate  330  constructed of an elastomeric material, such that the cover assumes the shape of a 3-sided box so that the bag  50  can slip into the cover via the open side. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cover  350 , similar to the cover  300  shown in  FIG. 7 , except that the second plate  360  is not a solid plate but is a frame where the vital information on the bag  50  is clearly visible in the open area surrounded by the frame of the second plate  360 . 
         [0053]    In another embodiment the cover  10  is made of a single, molded elastomeric unit that fits around three sides of an intravenous fluid bag as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
         [0054]    The cover  10  is positioned with an attachment means to the intravenous fluid bag  50  or to the pole  90 . A variety of attachment means are suitable for attaching the cover  10  to the bag  50  or the pole  90 . For example, the cover  10  may be attached to the pole hook  120  using a simple fixed hook  410 , or a flexible hook, attached to the cover  10  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Similarly, the cover  10  may be attached to the pole hook  120  using a hook  420  attached to a swivel device  440  that allows the cover  10  to be easily swiveled about the pole hook  120  to provide unhindered visual access to the information side of the IV bag  50 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-B . 
         [0055]    In yet another embodiment, the cover can be attached to the intravenous fluid bag  50  by means of one or more strips  460  of a double-sticky adhesive or a Velcro-like material with hooks and loops, where the cover adhesive strips  460  are placed on the inside of the front surface of the cover  10 , and comating adhesive strips  480  are placed on the IV bag  50  as shown in  FIG. 11 . When the adhesive strips  460  are comated with the strips  480 , the cover  10  is adhered to the non-information side of the IV bag  50 . In this embodiment, the cover may be constructed as a single flat plate of elastomeric material. 
         [0056]    Other methods of attaching the cover to the intravenous fluid bag are also contemplated by the present invention and would include but not be limited to a cloth hanger affixed to the top of the cover, a hole punched into the top of the cover  10  that is large enough for insertion of the hook  120  found at the top of the intravenous pole  90 , straps attached to the sides of the cover that can be tied to the intravenous fluid bag  50 , or metal clips that can be attached to the cover and clip to the edges of the intravenous fluid bag  50 . Any method of affixing a cover to an intravenous fluid bag, without disrupting the flow of fluid or interfering with the monitoring of the fluid and its contents, can be used with the cover  10 . The attachment means must also allow for a quick and easy attachment and removal. 
         [0057]    The present invention includes a prepackaged sterilized cover  600 , where a decorated prepackaged and sterilized cover is selected by the patient and used in environments for the immune impaired patient, such as a patient in a burn unit. The prepackaged sterilized cover  600 , shown in  FIG. 14 , may be sterilized by gamma radiation or any other means. 
         [0058]    The present invention also includes kits containing a cover  10  and materials for decorating or embellishing the cover (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). One embodiment of a kit illustrated in  FIG. 12  includes a cover  10 , a selectably attachable frame  210 , a set of removable plates  220 , a pre-adhesive set of stickers or pre-designed objects  510  (representing sports figures, animals, dinosaurs, cartoon characters, or stock photos of animals, vehicles, flowers, or religious icons), and a set of coloring pens  520  for drawing on the front surface  150  of the cover or on the removable plates  220 . Another example of a kit comprises a pre-embossed cover  250  and coloring pens  520 . 
         [0059]    The contents of the kits of the present invention can be given to a patient prior to, or in case of emergency situations after, a medical procedure for decoration or embellishment. This decoration or embellishment makes the overall environment of the intravenous fluid bag and pole less stressful and after application of the decoration, a more familiar and friendlier object. 
         [0060]    When in the waiting room, this preparatory embellishment of the cover is less frightening to a patient and reduces the stress level in the patient because he or she is distracted by choosing which stickers to place on the cover or which colors to choose when drawing on the cover. The embellishment of the cover makes it a piece of art or a toy-like item designed by the patient which provides a very familiar object to be placed in the hospital room. The distraction of working on the cover is also an aid to care-giving adults, by focusing their attention on working with the patient to design the cover. The care-giver&#39;s level of stress and apprehension will generally diminish as the patient&#39;s stress decreases. 
         [0061]    A means of disguising an intravenous fluid bag is not only limited to children in a hospital setting. Mentally challenged children in long-term care facilities and adults in nursing care facilities or home care facilities can also benefit from the covers. These patients suffer from stress just as children admitted to hospitals for injuries or illness show stress. Their environments also contain hospital equipment including intravenous bags and stands. The disclosed cover goes beyond any prior art by placing a cover over the intravenous fluid bag thus making the bag look like a familiar object, such as an animal, a vehicle, a sports figure, a bouquet of flowers, a cartoon character, or any other decoration that is applied of a free-hand drawing or embellishment. A pre-fabricated cover with a photograph or previously drawn picture of something personal to the patient is also contemplated as part of the present invention. 
         [0062]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, many variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the claims which follow.