Abstract:
An oxygen hose reel assembly having improved safety and usability features. The oxygen hose reel assembly can include automated mechanical and/or electrical systems for dispensing or recoiling oxygen tubing. The oxygen hose reel assembly can incorporate a lightweight, integral design such that the oxygen hose reel assembly is readily adapted for use in a variety of locations and can be portable between differing locations. The oxygen hose reel assembly can include control means providing a patient the ability to operate the oxygen hose reel assembly remotely. The oxygen hose reel assembly can further include a hose mechanism for accommodating hose related stresses such that these stresses are not translated to the patient.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/676,435 filed Apr. 29, 2005 and entitled “AUTOMATED OXYGEN HOSE REEL”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to the field of tubing reels. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an automated assembly for providing increased functionality and safety to hose reel assemblies for dispensing and retracting oxygen tubing.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     For a variety of medical reasons, both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients can be prescribed an around-the-clock regiment of therapeutic gas, most commonly oxygen. Often these patients suffer from ailments such as, for example, emphysema, which limits the function and/or capacity of the respiratory system. As such, the introduction of concentrated oxygen by placement of an oxygen hose in proximity to the patient&#39;s nose can help to restore the body&#39;s oxygen level and to reduce incidents of fatigue and light headedness.  
         [0004]     In general, the oxygen hose can be connected to an oxygen source such as, for example, individual bottles of oxygen or an oxygen concentrator. Typically, a length of oxygen hose is wrapped around a hose reel so as to provide the patient or health care professional with the ability to vary the length of the oxygen hose that is unspooled from the hose reel. Examples of representative hose reels are as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,120 to Novosel, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,490 to Falcone, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,444 to Paplow et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,858 to Peterson, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.  
         [0005]     The length of the unspooled oxygen hose is especially important for ambulatory patients who must perform common tasks and activities while wearing their oxygen hose. For instance, ambulatory patients who utilize an oxygen hose at home may at times need upwards of  50  feet or more of tubing so as to allow the patient to move throughout their home. The unspooled tubing can create potential hazards for the wearer in that the potential exists for the tubing to become caught or wrapped around furniture, corners, doors, etc., which can lead to unexpected tugs and jerks on the wearer. In addition, the unspooled tubing can be a tripping hazard for the patient and/or other individuals in the home.  
         [0006]     What is needed is an oxygen hose reel that incorporates operational and safety features allowing both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients to safely and conveniently manage their oxygen hose.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present disclosure addresses an oxygen hose reel assembly having features promoting safety and usability. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise an automated mechanical and/or electrical system for recoiling or dispensing oxygen tubing. The oxygen hose reel assembly can incorporate a lightweight, integral design such that the oxygen hose reel assembly is readily adapted for use in a variety of locations. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a control means providing a patient with the ability to operate the oxygen hose reel assembly remotely. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a hose mechanism for accommodating hose related stresses such that these stresses are not translated through the hose to the patient.  
         [0008]     In one aspect, an oxygen hose reel assembly of the present invention can comprise a lightweight, portable design such that the oxygen hose reel assembly can be positioned as desired by a patient or caregiver. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a handle allowing the assembly to be hand carried and positioned to accommodate the needs of a patient. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a mounting bracket allowing the assembly to be mounted in proximity to the user such as, for example, on a wheelchair, bed or directly to an oxygen tank. The oxygen hose reel assembly can further comprise a quick-release hose reel allowing for quick maintenance and replacement of old or damaged hose with a new oxygen hose.  
         [0009]     In another aspect, an oxygen hose reel assembly of the present invention can comprise an automated mechanical and/or electrical system for retracting and dispensing the oxygen hose. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a line release mechanism wherein a patient or caregiver can selectively choose a desired rate for the oxygen hose to be dispensed form the hose reel assembly. The line release mechanism can play out additional oxygen hose upon the recognition of unsafe forces such as, for example, torque, on the oxygen hose as detected by sensors in the oxygen hose reel assembly. The oxygen hose reel assembly can further comprise a line recoil mechanism for coiling excess or slack oxygen hose as directed by a patient or caregiver. The line recoil mechanism can comprise recoil safety mechanisms such as, for example, an interrupt system and/or torque limiting system, such that line recoil does not transmit or inflict uncomfortable and/or unsafe conditions on the patient.  
         [0010]     In another aspect, an oxygen hose reel assembly of the present invention provides a patient and/or caregiver with a convenient control package for selectively dispensing or retrieving oxygen hose. The control package can comprise a hand operated control using control interfaces such as, for example, buttons and knobs to operate the oxygen hose reel assembly. The control package can comprise a wireless protocol such as, for example, Radio Frequency circuitry, Infrared Circuitry, Bluetooth and other suitable wireless protocols such that wiring between the control package and the oxygen hose reel assembly can be eliminated. In an alternative embodiment, the control package can comprise a voice activated protocol allowing the patient and/or caregiver to control the oxygen hose reel assembly through voice commands.  
         [0011]     In another aspect, the oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise a rechargeable battery system such that the increased functional and safety characteristics of the assembly can accompany a patient during daily activities. The oxygen hose reel assembly can comprise an integral battery charging cord allowing the battery pack to be recharged at home, in a car or any other place an electrical outlet or receptacle is accessible.  
         [0012]     The above summary of the various representative embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, front view of an embodiment of an oxygen hose reel of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, rear view of the oxygen hose reel of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the oxygen hose reel of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the oxygen hose reel of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
       [0018]     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     A representative embodiment of an oxygen hose reel assembly  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  4 . Oxygen hose reel assembly  100  generally comprises a body  102  defining a front surface  104 , rear surface  106 , top surface  108 , bottom surface  110  and a pair of sides  112   a,    112   b.  Body  102  generally comprises a base enclosure  114 , a cover  116  and an access lid  118 . Cover  116  can comprise a reel mounting knockout  120  and a drive access cutaway  122 . Base enclosure  114  can comprise mounting bores  124  for removably attaching a bracket assembly  126 . Bracket assembly  126  can comprise a variety of configurations depending upon where the oxygen hose reel assembly  100  is to be mounted such as, for example, on a wheelchair, a bed, an oxygen tank or an oxygen concentrator. In an alternative embodiment, a strap assembly can be attached to bracket assembly  126  such that oxygen hose reel assembly  100  can be attached to and worn by a patient. Suitable strap assemblies can make use of a variety of fastening assemblies such as, for example, a hook and loop fastener as well as snap, button or buckle assemblies, for securing the strap assembly to the patient. As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a variety of fasteners  127  such as, for example, screws can be used to assembly oxygen hose reel assembly  100 .  
         [0020]     Body  102  can be fabricated of suitable materials such as, for example, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and the like or plastics such as, for example, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), polycarbonate, polyester and the like. In a preferred embodiment, body  102  is fabricated of impact resistant, lightweight materials that allow a patient and/or caregiver to conveniently and safely pick-up and position the oxygen hose reel assembly  100  in desired locations. Body  102  can further comprise a handle assembly  129  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  either molded as part of the body  102  or suitably attached to the exterior of body  102  to assist in transporting the oxygen hose reel assembly  100 .  
         [0021]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , oxygen hose reel assembly  100  generally comprises a reel assembly  128 , a drive assembly  130  and a control assembly  132 . Reel assembly  128  can comprise a hose fitting  134 , a hose elbow  136 , first bearing  138 , a hose reel  140 , coiled oxygen hose  142 , a gear mount  144 , a second bearing  146  and a reel mount  148 . Drive assembly  130  can comprise a magnetic clutch  152 , a gear  154 , a first bearing shaft  156 , a second bearing shaft  158 , a top clamp  160 , a top ring clamp  162 , a ring  164 , a limit guide shaft  166 , a limit bushing  168 , a dispensing guide shaft  170 , a dispensing bushing  172 , a bottom ring clamp  174 , a bottom clamp  176 , a motor  178  and a motor mount  179 . Control assembly  132  can comprise a rechargeable battery pack  180 , a relay  182 , a first limit switch  184 , a second limit switch  186 , battery hold down bracket  187 , a receiver  188  and a controller  189 . Rechargeable battery pack  180  can comprise a suitable rechargeable battery such as, for example, Nickel-Cadmium (Ni—Cd) batteries, Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries and Lithium and Lithium Ion batteries. Rechargeable battery pack  180  can include a plug assembly mounted to the body  102  to allow for convenient recharging with a suitable electrical outlet. Receiver  188  generally comprises an integrated circuit design and can include a microprocessor, terminal blocks, wireless receiver and similar electronic components. Controller  189  generally comprises a wireless controller having inputs such as switches or buttons  190  and a wireless transmitter for communicating inputs to the receiver  188 . Controller  189  can communicate with the receiver  188  using suitable wireless communication protocols including RF (Radio Frequency) transmission, Bluetooth, Infrared and similar communication protocols.  
         [0022]     For purposes of illustration, use of oxygen hose reel assembly  100  will be described with reference to a bed. This description is not intended to be limiting but instead, it will be understood that oxygen hose reel assembly  100  can be suitably positioned in a variety of different locations such as, for example, mounted on a wheelchair or attached to an oxygen concentrator or tank, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]     In use with a bed, oxygen hose reel assembly  100  can be positioned on a bed rail, headboard, foot rail or other structural component using the bracket assembly  126 . An oxygen supply hose interconnects the hose fitting  134  to an oxygen supply such as, for example, an oxygen tank and/or oxygen concentrator. Hose fitting  134  and hose elbow  136  operably interconnect the coiled oxygen hose  142  with the oxygen supply such that oxygen gas can be delivered to the patient. To supply oxygen to the patient, a supply end of the coiled oxygen hose  142  is positioned within ring  164  and fed through the hose dispensing cutaway  122  wherein the supply end can be attached to a nasal oxygen cannula.  
         [0024]     In dispensing the coiled oxygen hose  142  from the oxygen hose reel assembly  100 , the dispensing process can be accomplished manually by pulling on the coiled oxygen hose  142 . Alternatively, the dispensing process can be accomplished automatically through use of the controller  189 . Using controller  189 , a patient or caregiver can transmit a signal to the receiver  188  directing the oxygen hose reel assembly  100  that a length of oxygen hose  142  is to be dispensed or “played out”. Receiver  188  electrically communicates with the relay  182  such that motor  178  is actuated such that gear  154  spins in a dispensing direction wherein hose reel  140  is turned so as to play out oxygen hose  142 . Controller  189  can provide the patient or caregiver with the ability to control the rate at which oxygen hose reel assembly  100  dispenses the oxygen hose  142  by varying the rate at which motor  178  spins the hose reel  140 . Oxygen hose  142  is directed out the hose dispensing cutaway  122  wherein the patient or caregiver can attach a nasal oxygen cannula and position the cannula in proximity to the nose for breathing oxygen. Using controller  189 , the patient or caregiver can direct the motor  178  to dispense additional oxygen hose  142  if additional slack is desired or to retrieve oxygen hose  142  in the event that too much hose has been dispensed or if the activity requiring the additional oxygen hose  142  has been completed and the patient wishes to recoil the oxygen hose  142 .  
         [0025]     When oxygen hose  142  is dispensed and delivering oxygen to a patient, first limit switch  184  and second limit switch  186  serve to monitor and prevent unsafe or uncomfortable situations from developing with respect to tension and/or torque in the oxygen hose  142  that would ultimately be experienced by the patient. First limit switch  184  and second limit switch  186  are mounted at the sides of the hose dispensing cutaway  122  so as to define an operational range  192  illustrated in  FIG. 3  for the oxygen hose  142 . The hose dispensing cutaway  122 , first bearing shaft  156 , second bearing shaft  158 , top clamp  160 , top ring clamp  162 , limit guide shaft  166 , limit bushing  168 , dispensing guide shaft  170 , dispensing bushing  172 , bottom ring clamp  174 , bottom clamp  176  cooperatively function to maintain ring  164  and correspondingly, the oxygen hose  142  within operational plane  192 . When forces are translated to oxygen hose  142 , the ring  164  slides within this operational plane  192  wherein the first limit switch  184  and second limit switch  186  serve as the end points defining the operational plane  192 . If the ring  164  and oxygen hose  142  slides and contacts the first limit switch  184  and/or the second limit switch  186 , a signal is transmitted to receiver  188  which immediately communicates with the relay  182  and consequently the motor  178 , wherein the motor  178  can be actuated so as to dispense additional oxygen hose  142  to relieve the forces on the oxygen hose  142 . In this manner, unsafe conditions wherein oxygen delivery can be interrupted or terminated such as, for example, by a kinked oxygen hose  142 , or in some instances where the nasal oxygen cannula can be painfully ripped away from the patient, are prevented. These unsafe conditions can be caused when a patient rolls over while sleeping, a patient moving about their home gets the oxygen hose  142  caught around a doorway or piece of furniture or in similar situations. In addition, when first limit switch  184  and second limit switch  186  are tripped, a patient or caregiver is prevented from using controller  189  to initiate recoil of the oxygen hose  142  that could further aggravate the forces acting on the oxygen hose  142 .  
         [0026]     Over extended periods of use, oxygen hose  142  can become brittle and require replacement. To replace oxygen hose  142 , access lid  118  is removed and a rotary coupler on the hose reel  140  allows the hose reel  140  to be quickly removed. At this point, a new oxygen hose  142  can be wound about the hose reel  140  and attached to the hose elbow  136  and fed through the hose dispensing cutaway  122  for use, or alternatively, a second pre-wound hose reel can be installed.  
         [0027]     In an alternative embodiment, controller  189  can comprise a voice-activated controller allowing a patient or caregiver to give voice commands to the oxygen hose reel assembly  100  for initiating the release or retraction of oxygen hose  142 .  
         [0028]     The present disclosure describes aspects of an oxygen hose reel assembly for providing desirable features related to functionality and safety. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that additional, alternative embodiments are contemplated and would not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.