Abstract:
Clips or straps may be used to position a patient-controlled-analgesia (PCA) pump control in a position where a patient can easily operate a PCA pump. A strap that allows a PCA pump control to always be in hand or very close at hand is preferable to a strap or clip that merely keeps a PCA pump control nearby.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/891,553 filed Oct. 16, 2013, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
     All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a hand strap for use by a patient to hold a control used to operate a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. A PCA pump is a device that is used to allow a patient to self-administer pain medicine, and is often used by post-operative patients or individuals who suffer from chronic pain. The pump is typically attached to an intravenous (IV) line that is inserted into a suitable vein. The purpose of a PCA pump is to allow a patient to manage their own pain control by self-administering regular doses of medicine, while preventing such a patient from self-administering an overdose of medicine. The PCA pump is generally programmed to administer a prescribed amount of medicine during a specific period of time. The PCA pump control allows the patient to have access to an allotment of pain medicine that is made available periodically, while preventing the possibility of overdose. The patient may access a portion of, or all of, each periodic allotment by manually operating the PCA pump control. The use of a PCA pump typically requires the patient to hold a PCA pump control in their hand, and to then depress a button to start the flow of pain medication. The difficulty with most PCA pump controls is that the patient needs to either hold the control for long periods of time, or be able to easily find the PCA pump control when a dose of medicine is desired. 
     For some patients, reduced mobility of the limbs and hands can make it extremely difficult to easily grasp the PCA pump control or hold the control for long periods of time. Such reduced mobility may be due to a post-operative condition, or may be a chronic condition due to illness, disease, or aging. If the pump control is not readily and easily accessible, it can be difficult or impossible for some patients to use the pump control, which defeats the purpose of a PCA pump. Not having ready access to pain medicine when needed may significantly slow or impede patient recovery, resulting in longer hospital stays and increased health care costs. 
     While there are prior art solutions for keeping the control close at hand, the majority of such solutions involve keeping the pump control within reach, but not necessarily close at hand. A need exists for improvement in the field of devices for keeping a PCA pump control at hand and to address the shortcomings of the prior art. This and other needs are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The most common type of PCA pump control is a hand grip with a push button, with the hand grip attached to the end of a cord. The preferred type of hand grip is shaped in a manner to fit the palm of a patient&#39;s hand, allowing a patient to use the PCA pump control with minimal effort. In some instances, a patient may be too weak to hold a hand grip for any length of time, or the patient may be unable to move adequately to grab the hand grip if it falls from their hand. The most common means for keeping a PCA control device readily available to a patient is to affix a strap or clip to the cord of a PCA pump control device. In the case of a strap, the PCA pump control cord may be strapped to a bedside rail or similar article. In the case of a clip, the clip is attached to the PCA pump control cord, which is then clipped to the patient&#39;s bedclothes, bedding or other article. In either case, the attachment means helps to keep the PCA pump control within easy reach, but not necessarily at hand. A patient may be able to locate the PCA pump control when needed, or may be too weak or too immobilized to reach or hold the PCA pump control when needed. Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to create a device for keeping a PCA pump control close at hand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The strap of the present invention accomplishes the above objectives as described below. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap comprises a first band that can be worn on a patient&#39;s hand, and a second band that holds the PCA pump control in place. The second band may be elastic to allow a PCA pump control to be held in place by the stretch of the elastic, or it may comprise fabric tapes that can be wrapped around the control and fastened by means such as Velcro® or other means. The first band may be elastic to fit over a patient&#39;s hand to be held in place by the stretch of the elastic, or it may comprise fabric tapes that can be wrapped around the hand and fastened together by means such as Velcro® or other means. The first band should ideally incorporate elastic materials in either embodiment to ensure that the band fits comfortably around the patient&#39;s hand. The use of elastic materials allows the strap of the present invention to adjust to different size hands, as well as to accommodate different size PCA pump control grips. The first band is fastened to the second band in a manner that ensures that the grip of the PCA pump control is positioned in a manner that allows that the patient to quickly and easily push a button with minimal exertion and dexterity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a strap for a PCA pump control shown in perspective; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a back view of a strap for a PCA pump control; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a front view of a strap for a PCA pump control; 
         FIG. 3A  is a section view of a strap for a PCA pump control; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the second band incorporating a hook-and-eye closure for a PCA pump control: 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the second band incorporating a snap closure for a PCA pump control; 
         FIG. 4  shows the first band of the strap of the present invention fastened about a hand; 
         FIG. 5  shows another view of the strap of the present invention fastened about a hand with a PCA pump control; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a PCA pump control and the strap wherein the pump control user is depressing a button. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art tan “Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended to, nor is to be construed to, limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
     Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein. 
     Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein-as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
     Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
     When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
     Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the strap of the present invention is comprised of flexible materials and a hook-and-loop fastening means such as Velcro®, although other fastening means may be used, including without limitation snap fasteners. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a strap for a PCA pump control shown in perspective. The strap is comprised of a first band  101  and a second band  110  that is affixed to the first band  101 . A piece of a loop tape  105  of a hook-and-loop fastener is sewn to one end of the outside surface (the surface that does not contact the patient&#39;s hand) of the first band  101 , and a piece of hook tape  106  is sewn to the inside surface (the surface that contacts the patient&#39;s hand) of the other end of first band  101 .  FIG. 1  does not show a piece of hook tape  106 , but does illustrate stitching  106   a  that is used to attach the hook tape to first band  101 . The first band  101  may be made from any number of materials, but is preferably made from an elastic fabric material. 
     The second band  110  may also be made from any number of materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second band  110  is made from an elastic fabric formed into a loop and sewn to first band  101 . In another embodiment, the second band is made from an elastic fabric material, with one end sewn to the first band  101  and the other end loose. The loose end may have a piece of a loop tape of a hook-and-loop fastener that is sewn to the loose end of second band  110  that is suitably enabled to mate with a piece of hook tape that is sewn to the back side of first band  101 . In another embodiment, the second band is made from an inelastic fabric material, with one end sewn to the first band  101  and the other end loose. The loose end may have one half of a snap fastener crimped to the loose end of second band  110  that is suitably enabled to mate with a matching snap fastener half that is crimped to the back side of first band  101 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a back view of a strap for a PCA pump control. In this view, the stitching  105   a  for a piece of a loop tape  105  of a hook-and-loop fastener is shown on one end of first band  101 , and a piece of hook tape  106  is sewn to the other end of first band  101 . The stitching  110   a  affixing second band  110  to the middle of first band  101  is also shown. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a front view of a strap for a PCA pump control. In this view, the stitching  106   a  for a piece of a hook tape  106  of a hook-and-loop fastener is shown on the end of first band  101 , opposite the end with loop tape  105 . The second band  110  is also shown affixed to the middle of the longitudinal length of the first band  101 . While stitching in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is shown for affixing a piece of loop tape  105 , a piece of hook tape  106 , and second band  110  to first band  101 , it is understood that other affixing means such as adhesives and the like may be used. It is further understood that the positions of the loop tape  105  and hook tape  106  may be reversed. 
       FIG. 3 a    illustrates a section view of a strap for a PCA pump control hand grip, where second loop  110  is shown affixed to the outer surface of first band  101 . The size of second loop  110  may vary based on its intended use, but is preferably made from an elastic fabric to accommodate a variety of PCA pump control hand grips. The use of elastic fabric allows a variety of sizes of PCA pump control hand grips to be easily but securely inserted through second loop  110 , and the stretch of the elastic fabric can hold the PCA pump control hand grip securely in a desired position. 
       FIG. 3 b    illustrates a section view of an alternate strap for a PCA pump control hand grip. In this embodiment of the present invention, the second band  110  is made from an elastic or inelastic fabric material, with a center section of second band  110  sewn to the first band  101 , but with both ends loose. A piece of a loop tape  121  and a piece of hook tape  122  is affixed (by sewing, adhesive, or other fastening means) to the respective loose ends of second band  110  in a manner that allows the ends of second band  110  to be wrapped around a PCA pump control hand grip and held securely in place by mating the ends of the hook and loop tapes of the hook-and-loop fastener. The hook tape  122  and loop tape  121  may be reversed. 
       FIG. 3 c    illustrates a section view of an alternate strap for a PCA pump control hand grip. In this embodiment of the present invention, the second band  110  is made from an elastic or inelastic fabric material, with a center section of second band  110  sewn to the first band  101 , but with both ends loose. A first half of a snap fastener  131  and a second half of a snap fastener  132  is affixed (by crimping, sewing, adhesive, or other fastening means) to the respective loose ends of second band  110  in a manner that allows the ends of second band  110  to be wrapped around a PCA pump control hand grip and held securely in place by mating the two halves of the snap fastener. The two halves of the snap fastener  131  and  132  may be reversed. 
       FIG. 4  shows the strap of the present invention fastened about a hand, with the loop tape  105  of a hook-and-loop fastener shown fastened to a hook tape, such as hook tape  106  shown in  FIG. 2 , thereby securing the first band  101  across the palm of a patient&#39;s hand. While a hook tape is not shown in  FIG. 4 , the stitching  106   a  used to sew the hook tape to the first band  101  is shown. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another view of the strap of the present invention fastened about a hand with a PCA pump control hand grip  150  inserted through second loop  110 . The strap may be positioned across the palm of the hand, or the base of the fingers, as the wearer prefers, so long as the PCA pump control button  151  is positioned in a manner that allows the wearer to easily press the button.  FIG. 6  shows a PCA pump control and the strap of the present invention, wherein the PCA pump control user is holding the hand grip of the PCA pump control in the palm of their hand, and is further depressing a PCA pump control button  151  to self-administer a dose of medicine.