Patent Publication Number: US-2022218918-A1

Title: Arm support for intravenous medical treatments

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Various medical treatments require a patient to sit in a chair or lay in a bed to receive medicine intravenously. Often times, the treatment can take hours and, when sitting in a chair, be quite uncomfortable. Prior to treatment, a patient&#39;s arm is secured to a rigid board. The board prevents bending at, for example, an elbow. The board may be free floating, e.g., the patient may move his or her arm, or may be secured to a structure such as a support provided on a chair. 
     If a free-floating rigid support is used, patients may rest their arm on an arm rest of the chair. In some cases, the patent is given a pillow upon which to rest his or her arm. While soft, the pillow may take up space and, left unsecured, fall to the floor. Without some form of cushion, the treatment may become more uncomfortable than necessary and, for prolonged treatments, may become very uncomfortable. Accordingly, the art would appreciate a system for rigidly supporting a patient&#39;s arm while at the same time providing comfort for prolonged intravenous treatments. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an arm support for intravenous medical treatments including an arm support portion having a first surface and a second surface that defines a rigid support receiving zone. The first surface includes a cushioned section. At least one strap member is secured to the arm support portion. A rigid support member is positioned at the second surface at the rigid support receiving zone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an arm support for intravenous medical treatment positioned on an arm, in accordance with an exemplary aspect; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a rigid support member being installed into a cushioned arm support portion of the arm support for intravenous medical treatment of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary aspect; and 
         FIG. 3  depicts the arm support for intravenous medical treatment preparing to be mounted in an arm, in accordance with an exemplary aspect. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
     An arm support for intravenous medical treatment is indicated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1  positioned on an arm  13 . Arm support  10  includes a first surface  16  that may be in contact with arm  13  and a second surface  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , first surface  16  may be defined by a first element  19  having a first outer surface  20  and a first inner surface  21 . Second surface  18  may be formed from a second element  22  that is joined to first surface  16  and includes a second outer surface  23  and a second inner surface  24 . First inner surface  21  is separated from second inner surface  24  to define a pocket  28  that may serve as a rigid support receiving zone (not separately labeled). A sleeve  30  may be arranged in pocket  28 . Sleeve  30  may be a separate component or may be part of arm support  10 . 
     In an embodiment, a rigid support member  32  may be positioned in sleeve  30 . In such a case, sleeve  30  defines the rigid support receiving zone. Rigid support member  32  prevents arm  13  from bending during treatment. By inserting rigid support member  32  in sleeve  30  a user&#39;s experience with arm support  10  may be enhanced particularly through the use of cushioning as will be detailed herein. Rigid support member  32  may be formed from a variety of materials including a strictly rigid materials, as well as malleable materials that can conform to arm  13 . 
     Arm support  10  may be formed from an anti-microbial material that reduces germ transfer between users. As an alternative, arm support  10  may be treated with an anti-microbial treatment or fluid. As noted herein, first surface  16  supports arm  13 . As such, first surface  16  may have a cushioned section. More specifically, an amount of padding  37  may be present within first surface  16 . Alternatively, the amount of padding  37  may be positioned in pocket  28  on one side of sleeve  30  or padding  37  may be arranged entirely about sleeve  30 . 
     In an embodiment, arm support  10  includes one or more strap members  41 . Strap members  41  are employed to secure arm support  10  to arm  13  prior to treatment. In the embodiment shown, arm support  10  includes three strap members including a first strap member  44 , a second strap member  46 , and a third strap member  48 . Each strap member  44 ,  46 , and  48  may encircle arm support  10  and arm  13 . Strap member  44  includes a first end  52  secured to arm support  10  and a second end  53 . Strap member  46  includes a first end  56  secured to arm support  10  and a second end  57 . Strap member  48  includes a first end  59  secured to arm support  10  and a second end  60 . Each second end  53 ,  57 , and  60  includes a first fastener portion such as indicated at  62  in  FIG. 3 . A second fastener portion  64  may be disposed on second outer surface  23  of second surface  18 . First fastener portion  62  may take the form of a loop fastener portion  67  while second fastener portion  64  may take the form of a hook fastener portion  69  that is configured to interconnect with loop fastener portion  67  to form a hook and loop fastener (not separately labeled). 
     At this point, it should be understood that while shown as extending entirely about arm support  10  in one direction, each strap member  44 ,  46 , and  48  may pass through a loop or ring (not shown) and return about arm support  10  in a second direction. The loop may provide leverage allowing arm support to be cinched to arm  13 . In other embodiments, each strap member  44 ,  46 , and  48  may be formed from two sections that join one to another securing arm support  10  to arm  13 . 
     In an embodiment, arm support  10  may include a distraction element  80  detachably mounted to, for example, strap member  46 . Distraction element  80  may take the form of a toy  82  such as a plush toy  86  that may provide amusement for children to help pass the time during treatment. It should however be understood that toy  82  can take on a variety of forms including mechanical toys, electrical toys, interactive toys and games that may help a patient pass the time during intravenous treatment. 
     At this point, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments define an arm support that enhances a patient&#39;s experience during intravenous drug and/or other treatment. The arm support not only prevents bending of the arm but is also cushioned so as to provide comfort without the need for bulky pillows and the like. In addition, the arm support may be provided with detachable and interchangeable distraction elements that may help young patients focus on something other than the treatment itself. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about” and “substantially” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” can include a range of 8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.