Abstract:
A wrist-worn device having a tether forming a bridge under which medical tubing can be extended and adapted to be worn by a patient undergoing fluid infusion via an IV insertion point so that the tubing, when subjected to accidental pulling or tugging, is restrained by the tether from damaging the IV connection point.

Description:
[0001]    This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/633,435 filed Feb. 10, 2012 entitled MEDICAL CUFF BY DEANA M. FILIPPELLI. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to a medical cuff and more specifically to an encircling band adapted to be worn on the arm of a medical patent. The band includes a tether-like portion under which a medical tube is loosely passed such that movement of the patient&#39;s arm will not cause the tubing to harmfully pull on the IV line, PICC or other intravenous portal to which the tubing is connected. 
         [0003]    Medical tubing used within a hospital/surgical setting is normally left unattached after the insertion point has been created. The IV insertion point or portal is normally sited on the inner forearm of the patient. Thereafter when infusion of fluids into a patient via the insertion point is desired, tubing is reconnected to the insertion point. Infusion can take place for significant periods of time dependent upon the patient&#39;s illness or medical needs, e.g., chemotherapy. During and between infusions, the tubes are left hanging or dangling freely from the insertion point or secured to the patient&#39;s body in a primitive manner such as by applying surgical tape. These tubes left unsecured can become tangled around body parts, e.g., arms or legs, can be stepped on especially by young or elderly patients or become obstructed by patients confined to bed. Any of these foregoing situations can cause the point of insertion either via IV tube or intravenous portal to become dislodged resulting in discomfort and distress to patients. In many such incidents, the portals require examination by staff and potentially re-accessed ultimately resulting in additional cost outlays to the medical facility. 
         [0004]    The device of the present invention provides a “holder” or cuff that is both reusable and comfortable. The design of the present invention allows the medical tubes to be securely fastened while still passing freely beneath a bridge formed by the attached tether. The effective length of the tether is adjustable therefore allowing for more than one tube to be concurrently fastened beneath the bridge. The device of the present invention is meant to be worn on the patient&#39;s wrist but can also be worn on a patient&#39;s arm, leg or ankle. Since the device of the present invention gathers tubes in one central location, the tubes are less likely to become tangled or accidentally caught or wedged on an object. Because the device is attached around the patient&#39;s wrist, arm, leg or ankle, natural patient movement is also achieved. 
         [0005]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The holder is comprised of two main components: the base component is a band preferably constructed of a reusable and washable material having elasticity providing for wearing comfort, and the second component is the tether also preferably constructed of a washable material and secured with dual snaps or other closure means such as hook and loop tape. This tether is inserted through slits, holes or openings incorporated within the band or cuff. The tether is secured to the band via dual snaps. This allows the tubes to be inserted into the holder “post” medical connection of the tube(s) to the point of IV insertion. Because the tether incorporates fastening elements, e.g., snap closures, the tubing can be easily placed under the tether. By design, the invention can allow for small, medium, and large tethers that will accommodate a single to several tubes simultaneously. The tether will also allow for various tube sizes. The band&#39;s elasticity accommodates patients of all shapes and sizes. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top stylized view of one form of the device of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view similar to  FIG. 1  with one portion of the tether unfastened to show how the bridge over the upper surface of the band is formed; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top stylized view of the device of the present invention being worn by a patient; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top stylized view of an alternate form of the device of the present invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top stylized view of still another alternate form of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring to the drawings and particularly  FIGS. 1-4 , the device  10  includes band  12  adapted to encircle the patient&#39;s appropriate body part (usually the wrist) and includes a generally cylindrical body  14  having an upper surface  15  with open ends  16  and a pair of slits or openings  18  in the upper surface  15  thereof. The slits  18  laterally extend a short distance and are longitudinally spaced from each other and serve to receive the lower strip  22  of an adjustable tether  20 . The tether  20  is preferably formed of a washable fabric and preferably of a different color from that of the band  12  to more clearly differentiate between the band  12  and the tether  20 . 
         [0015]    The tether  20  also includes an upper strip  24  similar to strip  22  and both strips  22 ,  24  include longitudinally spaced snap fasteners  25 ,  26  respectively such that when the lower strip  22  is inserted though the slits  18  and the upper strip  24  placed thereover, the snap fasteners  25 ,  26  can be aligned and when connected to each other, in effect, form a bridge  30  over the band upper surface  15  under or through which the medical tubing  28  may be positioned. Alternatively, the strips  22 ,  24  may be formed of one integral strip threaded through the slits  18  and then folded over itself to achieve a similar effect. The snap fasteners  25 ,  26  can be conventional metal snaps used in the garment industry or formed of a non-metallic composition such as plastic, nylon or polypropylene to eliminate any hospital concern relative to a patient wearing the device when undergoing a MRI or other metal sensitive testing procedures. 
         [0016]    Thus, the medical tubing  28  is free to move laterally through the tunnel or bridge  30  formed by the lower surface of the upper strip  24  and the s upper surface  15  of the band  12  when the tubing  28  is inadvertently pulled or tugged upon yet is restrained from upwardly, that is, movement outwardly from the band upper surface, by the upper strip (see in particular  FIG. 2  which is a section through line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  and the directional arrow A representing such undesirable tubing movement). The bridge  30  also provides longitudinal movement restraint for the tubing  28  such that the tubing  28 , when subject to longitudinally directed force with respect to the band  12 , will contact one of the snap connections  25 ,  26  on either side of the tunnel or bridge. Generally, the pulling or tugging to which the tubing is accidentally or purposely subjected includes both lateral and longitudinal force components. Accordingly, the device  10  is constructed to generally permit lateral movement of the tubing  28  especially when purposely directed through the bridge  30  as well as restraining longitudinal and upward movement. Such restraint helps prevent undesirable tugging on the IV attachment site. 
         [0017]    More than two equidistantly spaced snaps may be placed on the strips  22 ,  24  such that the longitudinal spacing of the snaps can be varied to accommodate variously sized and quantity of medical tubing. Also, different strips with differently spaced snaps can be utilized to achieve the above adjustability result. 
         [0018]    In addition, snaps may be affixed directly to the band  12  such as when the band  12  is constructed of a relatively durable material, e.g., the elastic materials used in wrist braces; and in such cases, the lower strip  22  would be eliminated and the upper strip  24  and the snaps thereon attached directly to the band. It should also be pointed out that the snaps are in reality a specific form of attachment or connection means and other connection means may be substituted for the snaps. For instance, hook and loop strips such as Velcro may be utilized instead of snaps. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an alternate form of the invention is shown. Therein, the band  12  includes only a two-component upper strip  27 A,  27 B that replaces strip  24  in the previously described embodiments. Both strips  27 A,  27 B are directly attached to the upper surface  15  of the band  12  as by sewing. The strip  27 A may also include two or more snaps longitudinally spaced from each other to enable a bridge formation of various sizes to accommodate different tubing and/or place greater restraint on tubing movement. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a still further modification of the device of the present invention is shown. Therein, two tethers  20  are positioned on opposite surfaces of the band  12  and oriented in normal, i.e., 90°, opposition to each other such that the band  12  may be worn so as to position either of such tethers  20 B, 20 C in the upward tube engaging position to enable primary tube restraint in either the longitudinal or lateral direction. The tethers depicted in  FIG. 6  can be of either of the configurations shown above and referred to as reference numeral  20  in  FIG. 3  and reference numeral  20 A in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0021]    While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying this invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without to departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.