Patent Publication Number: US-2012029435-A1

Title: Ng/og support systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/369,252, filed Jul. 31, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. 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. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of nasogastric or orogastric tubes and more specifically relates to a nasogastric or orogastric tube holder. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A nasogastric tube is used for feeding to place nutrients directly into the stomach when a patient cannot take food or drink by mouth, or for administering drugs and other oral agents. The nasogastric tube may further be used to remove the contents of the stomach, including air, to decompress the stomach, or to remove small solid objects and fluid, such as poison, from the stomach. The nasogastric tube is inserted through a patient&#39;s nose, is passed down the esophagus, and into the stomach. The orogastric tube is the same as a nasogastric tube, except that it is passed through the mouth rather than the nose. 
     Since a nasogastric or orogastric tube may move due to a patient&#39;s activity or motion of the stomach, coughing, chocking, etc., tape is typically used to secure the nasogastric or orogastric tube to the patient&#39;s face and to hold the nasogastric or orogastric tube in place. Unfortunately, this method for holding nasogastric or orogastric tubes in place may be ineffective. Tape may not provide optimal staying power. The tape may come loose, allowing the nasogastric or orogastric tube to be easily pulled out or displaced. 
     If a nasogastric or orogastric tube is pulled out or does not stay in the proper place this may cause nasal irritation or pressure necrosis and medical staff members are then required to re-tape the tubes in place. The process of repeatedly removing and applying tape to the face may cause discomfort to the patient. In cases of severe displacement, the tubes can become dislodged, requiring medical staff to reinsert the tubes which may cause great discomfort and trauma to patients, and which is time consuming for medical personnel. 
     Therefore a need exist for a nasogastric or orogastric tube holder which keeps a nasogastric or orogastric tube in the proper position, causes no discomfort to the patient, and is easy to use. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,282,871, 4,480,639, 5,117,818, 3,972,321, 4,932,943, and 5,156,641. This prior art is representative of nasogastric or orogastric tube holders. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a nasogastric or orogastric tube holder should require no maintenance and, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable NG/OG Support System to hold a nasogastric or orogastric tube in the proper position and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known nasogastric or orogastric tube holder art, the present invention provides a novel NG/OG Support System. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a NG/OG Support System to reliably hold a nasogastric or orogastric tube in the proper position. 
     Disclosed is an external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube comprising a cross shaped facial attachment base comprising a middle section, a top section, a bottom section, a left section and a right section; a first elongated fastening strap; a second elongated fastening strap; a first fastener and a second fastener. 
     The cross shaped facial attachment base, the first elongated fastening strap, and the second elongated fastening strap comprise a unitary piece and the first elongated fastening strap and the second elongated fastening strap are attached to and extend downwardly from the bottom section of the cross shaped facial attachment base. The cross shaped facial attachment base, the first elongated fastening strap, and the second elongated fastening strap comprise an outside layer, an adhesive layer and a covering layer wherein the outside layer, the adhesive layer and the covering layer comprise a one piece construction. The first fastener is attached to the end of the first elongated fastening strap and the second fastener is attached to the end of the second elongated fastening strap. 
     The cross shaped facial attachment base may be affixed to a user&#39;s nose and the first elongated fastening strap and the second elongated fastening strap may be wrapped around and adhered to a nasogastric tube and secured to each other via the first fastener and the second fastener so as to hold the nasogastric tube in place on a face of the user and thereby preventing the nasogastric tube from being displaced. Alternatively, the cross shaped facial attachment base may be affixed to an endotracheal tube and an orogastric tube so as to secure them together as one unit and the first elongated fastening strap and the second elongated fastening strap may be wrapped around and adhered to the endotracheal tube and the orogastric tube and the first elongated fastening strap and the second elongated fastening strap may be secured to each other via the first fastener and the second fastener. 
     A preferred method of use is further disclosed herein comprising the following steps: positioning a nasogastric tube into a user&#39;s nose; peeling a covering layer off an adhesive layer of the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube; adhesively adhering a cross shaped facial attachment base of the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube to the user&#39;s nose; adhesively adhering a first elongated fastening strap and a second elongated fastening strap of the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube to the nasogastric tube; fastening the first elongated fastening strap and the second elongated fastening strap to each other via the first fastener and the second fastener; disconnecting the first fastener and the second fastener; removing the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube from a nasogastric tube; and removing the nasogastric tube from the user&#39;s mouth or nose. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a NG/OG Support System. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, NG/OG Support Systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using an external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to nasogastric or orogastric tubes and more particularly to a nasogastric or orogastric tube holder as used to hold a nasogastric or orogastric tube in the proper position and to avoid movements of a nasogastric or orogastric tube. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , perspective views illustrating an external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     External anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  preferably comprises cross shaped facial attachment base  120  comprising middle section  130 , top section  140 , bottom section  150 , left section  160  and right section  170 ; first elongated fastening strap  180 ; second elongated fastening strap  190 ; and first fastener  260  and second fastener  265 . 
     Cross shaped facial attachment base  120  comprises middle section  130 , top section  140 , bottom section  150 , left section  160  and right section  170 . Middle section  130 , top section  140  and bottom section  150  form an elongated main component of external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  which may rest on the bridge of user&#39;s  230  nose. Left section  160  and right section  170  comprise side elements which provide additional surfaces to attach external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  to the two sides of user&#39;s  230  nose. Cross shaped facial attachment base  120  preferably comprises the shape of a cross with straight edges. However, cross shaped facial attachment base  120  may alternatively comprise rounded edges. Cross shaped facial attachment base  120  preferably comprises a size suitably matched to the nose of user  230  wherein user  230  is a child or an adult. 
     First elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  are attached to and extend downwardly from bottom section  150  of cross shaped facial attachment base  120  and preferably comprise two narrow elongated straps. Cross shaped facial attachment base  120 , first elongated fastening strap  180 , and second elongated fastening strap  190  thereby comprise a unitary piece. First elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  preferably extend downwardly from bottom section  150  of cross shaped facial attachment base  120  in parallel adjacent alignment. Alternatively, first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  may extend downwardly from bottom section  150  of cross shaped facial attachment base  120  in an angle with respect to each other. 
     First elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  may comprise first fastener  260  and second fastener  265 . First fastener  260  is situated on the adhesive layer  210  at the end of first elongated fastening strap  180  and second fastener  265  is situated on the adhesive layer  210  at the end of second elongated fastening strap  190 . First fastener  260  and second fastener  265  preferably comprise two complementary fasteners which may be attached to each other. First fastener  260  and second fastener  265  preferably comprise Velcro. However, first fastener  260  and second fastener  265  may also comprise mechanical fasteners or snap fasteners. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Cross shaped facial attachment base  120 , first elongated fastening strap  180 , and second elongated fastening strap  190  each comprise an outside layer  200 , an adhesive layer  210 , and a covering layer  220 . Outside layer  200 , adhesive layer  210 , and covering layer  220  preferably comprise a one piece construction. 
     Outside layer  200  preferably comprises a thin, flexible, and deformable elastic sheet. Outside layer  200  preferably is made of sheer vinyl. Alternatively, outside layer  200  may comprise fabric, such as cotton. Outside layer  200  preferably is beige for the adult-size external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  and pink or blue for the child-size external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110 . 
     Cross shaped facial attachment base  120 , first elongated fastening strap  180 , and second elongated fastening strap  190  comprise adhesive layer  210  so as to facilitate the attachment of cross shaped facial attachment base  120  to nose of user  230  or to orogastric tube  250  and endotracheal tube  270  and the attachment of first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap to nasogastric tube  240  or orogastric tube  250  and endotracheal tube  270 . Adhesive layer  210  preferably comprises a skin friendly and suitable adhesive material. Adhesive layer  210  is removably covered by covering layer  220  which may be peeled away from adhesive layer  210  thereby exposing a contact-adhesive surface suitable to adhere to a skin surface on a face of user  230 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  in an in-use condition  280  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Covering layer  220  may be peeled away from adhesive layer  210  thereby exposing a contact-adhesive surface suitable to adhere to a skin surface on the face of user  230 . Cross shaped facial attachment base  120  may be affixed to user&#39;s  230  nose and first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  may be wrapped around and adhered to nasogastric tube  240  and secured to each other via first fastener  260  and second fastener  265  so as to hold nasogastric tube  240  in place on face of user  230  and thereby preventing nasogastric tube  240  from being displaced. First fastener  260  and second fastener  265  comprise matching Velcro so as facilitate easy removal or readjustment of first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  and external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view illustrating the external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  in an in-use condition  280  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Covering layer  220  may be peeled away from adhesive layer  210  thereby exposing a contact-adhesive surface suitable to adhere to a skin surface on the face of user  230 . Cross shaped facial attachment base  120  may then be affixed to an endotracheal tube  270  and an orogastric tube  250  so as to secure them together as one unit and first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  may be wrapped around and adhered to endotracheal tube  270  and orogastric tube  250  and first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  may then be secured to each other via first fastener  260  and second fastener  265 . 
     NG/OG Support Systems  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart  650  illustrating a method  600  of using an external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use  600  is disclosed herein comprising the following steps: step one  601  positioning a nasogastric tube  240  into a user&#39;s  230  nose; step two  602  peeling covering layer  220  off adhesive layer  210  of external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110 ; step three  603  adhesively adhering cross shaped facial attachment base  120  of external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  to user&#39;s  230  nose; step four  604  adhesively adhering first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  of external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  to nasogastric tube  240 ; step five  605  fastening first elongated fastening strap  180  and second elongated fastening strap  190  to each other via first fastener  260  and second fastener  265 ; step six  606  disconnecting first fastener  260  and second fastener  265 ; step seven  607  removing external anchoring device for a nasogastric or orogastric tube  110  from nasogastric tube  240 ; and step eight  608  removing nasogastric tube  240  from user&#39;s  230  nose. 
     It should be noted that steps six  606 , seven  607 , and eight  608  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  600  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  600 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.