Patent Publication Number: US-2015069164-A1

Title: Retractable Medical Tubing Reel

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Generally, people who require oxygen therapy for a medical condition must constantly carry an oxygen supply. In many case, when such a person is within a home or hospital room they are limited to a small area or radius around the oxygen supply due to a limited amount of medical tubing supplying the oxygen. Additionally, every year people who need oxygen therapy are injured in trip and fall accidents involving the medical tubing supplying the oxygen. These accidents may involve the medical tubing becoming tangled in the person&#39;s feet. Moreover, the likelihood of a trip and fall accident increases as the person needs a greater length of medical tubing to move around a home and/or hospital room. Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved reel assembly and methods which allow for easily retractable access to a greater length of medical tubing and which may prevent needless accidents caused by excess medical tubing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical components or features. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first surface of an example automatically retractable medical tubing reel. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a first surface view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the bottom surface of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a first surface view of the top of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1  with an exposed intake connector. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second surface view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a second surface view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1  with an exposed constant torque spring mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side surface view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1 . including medical tubing intake/outtake opening  210 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1  with a first half removed to expose the spool mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a second surface view of the example automatically retractable medical tubing reel shown in  FIG. 1  with a second half removed and a transparent spool mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the constant torque spring mechanism as coupled to spool mechanism. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a first surface view of an example automatically retractable medical tubing reel configured without clips. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an alternative example automatically retractable medical tubing reel. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example flow diagram of a process for automatically retracting a portion of medical tubing using an automatically retractable medical tubing reel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     This disclosure describes, in part, a reel assembly configured to store a portion of medical tubing and feed the medical tubing as desired or requested by a user. The reel assembly may also be configured with a spring mechanism and ratchet system to automatically retract the fed portion of medical tubing. For example, the reel assembly may store the medical tubing while the user is stationary. The reel assembly may allow a substance (e.g., oxygen gas, nitrous oxide, albuterol sulfate, other compressed gases or medications) to pass from a source (e.g., portable tank, stationary cylinder, wall unit, ceiling unit, nebulizer unit, etc.) through the stored medical tubing to the user. Additionally, in some implementations, when the user moves to a different location relative to the reel assembly and pulls on the medical tubing, tubing is delivered from the assembly allowing the user to still receive an uninterrupted supply of the substance without requiring the user to transport the source. In some implementations, once the user moves to a position nearer the substance source, the user may manipulate the tubing such that the reel assembly may mechanically recall the previously delivered tubing. 
     In some implementations, the reel assembly (hereinafter, “reel”) may be removably mounted to a surface (e.g., a wall, a ceiling, a floor or the like). In some implementations, the mount may allow the reel to swivel at least 180 degrees. In other implementations, the mount may allow the reel to swivel 360 degrees. For example, as the user moves from one location to another location the reel may rotate relative to the mount to track or follow the user&#39;s movement through a room. 
     In some implementations, the reel may have an internal spool configured to store medical tubing of various compositions (e.g., latex-free polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, latex). In some implementations, the spool may be configured to store medical tubing of various gauges (e.g., from about 0.005 inches to about 0.350 inches). In some implementations, the spool may be configured to store medical tubing of a length of about 20 feet to about 200 feet. In some implementations, the medical tubing stored in the reel may have a kink-resistant and/or crush-resistant lumen to resist occlusion. 
     The reel may have a spring mechanism attached to the spool biased to maintain a position of the spool in a stored position. In some implementations, the spool may have a plurality of teeth or projections to interact with a ratchet mechanism or pawl. The ratchet mechanism may be configured to catch one of the plurality of teeth as the users pulls the medical tubing way from the reel. In some implementations, the ratchet mechanism may be configured to disengage from a caught tooth when the user lightly pulls on the medical tubing. In this implementation, the spring mechanism may be configured to rotate the spool such that the medical tubing is retracted by the spool of the reel. 
     The assembly for automatically retracting medical tubing may be implemented in many ways. Example implementations are provided below with reference to the figures. 
     Example Retractable Medical Tubing Reel 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first surface of an automatically retractable medical tubing reel  100 . In some implementations, the reel  100  may include a first half  102  coupled to a second half  104  forming a case. In some implementations, second half  104  may include a ridge  106  configured to receive and secure an edge of the first half  102 . The first half  102  and second half  104  of reel  100  may be composed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polycarbonate or any other suitable material. Additionally or alternatively, the half  102  and second half  104  of reel  100  may be composed of metal, wood, glass, stone, ceramic or the like. 
     In some implementations, the first half  102  and second half  104  of reel  100  may be fastened by a plurality of clips  108 ( 1 )-(N). However, as described below, other attachment mechanisms may be implemented. 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates that reel  100  may include a mounting bracket  110  with a plurality of mounting hardware holes  112 ( 1 ) and  112 ( 2 ). In some implementations, mounting bracket  110  may be mounted to a ceiling, a wall, a floor, or any other stable structure. Mounting bracket  110  may be composed of various metals such as, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel, or the like. In some implementations, mounting bracket  110  may be painted or otherwise coated to resist corrosion. In some implementations, each end of mounting bracket  110  may be joined or connected to the reel  100  via pegs  114 ( 1 ) and  114 ( 2 ) (not shown) projecting parallel to the first half  102  of the case. Pegs  114 ( 1 ) and peg  114 ( 2 ) may allow the reel  100  to rotate relative to mounting bracket  110  once fastened. In some implementations, reel  100  may be configured to rotate at least 180°. 
     In other implementations, mounting bracket may be configured to attach to a single attachment point on reel  100 . In some implementations, the single attachment point may be a spherical projection upon which the mounting bracket may be attached (e.g., pressure fit). In this implementation, the reel  100  may be configured to rotate in at least 360° relative to a mounting surface. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a first surface view of first half  102  of reel  100 . Furthermore,  FIG. 2  illustrate four clips  108 ( 1 )-( 4 ) configured to hold the first half  102  of reel  100  to the second half  104  of reel  100 . In some implementations, first half  102  may have a cover  202  configured to cover a medical tubing intake connector (discussed below). In some implementations, cover  202  may be composed of the same material as the first half  102  of reel  100 . In other implementations, cover  202  may be composed of a material different from the first half  102  of reel  100 . 
     Cover  202  may be secured by a plurality of fasteners  204 ( 1 )-( 4 ). In some implementations, cover  202  may be removable from reel  100  while first half  102  remains in place. In some implementations, cover  202  may include a label area  206  to identify a substance transported through the attached medical tubing (i.e., oxygen (O 2 ) gas), manufacture information, or the like. 
     In some implementations, first half  102  may include intake port  208 . Intake port  208  may provide a secure pathway allowing medical tubing of various gauges to be connected to reel  100 . As illustrated, intake port  208  may be an open channel on the top surface of the first half  102 . In another implementations, intake port  208  may be formed as a hole through the first half  102  of reel  100 . In other implementations, intake port  208  may be formed as a hole through cover  202 . In yet another implementation, intake port  208  may be formed as a hole through the second half  104  of reel  100 . 
       FIG. 2  further illustrates that reel  100  may also include medical tubing intake/outtake opening  210 . In some implementations, intake/outtake opening  210  may provide an opening for the medical tubing to exit the reel  100  and, ultimately, interact with a user. In other implementations, the intake/outtake opening  210  may provide an opening for the medical tubing retract onto a spool housed within reel  100 . Intake/outtake opening  210  will be described in greater detail below with regard to  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the bottom surface of reel  100  showing intake port  208 . As illustrated intake port  208  may be formed as a channel within the first half  102  and closed on the top by cover  202 . In some implementations, intake port  208  may be larger or smaller to accommodate medical tube of various diameters or gauges. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first surface view of reel  100  with cover  202  removed from the first half  102 . In some implementations, removal of cover  202  may reveal a recessed portion of the first half  102 . As mentioned above, removal of cover  202  may expose medical tubing intake connector  402 . Intake connector  402  may be configured to secure an end of medical tubing. For example, intake connector  402  may provide an intake point for connection of medical tubing originating at the substance source (e.g., portable tank, stationary cylinder, wall oxygen unit, etc). In some implementations, intake connector  402  may be composed of medical grade material such, for example, a plastics, silicones, latex-free PVC, etc. 
     Intake connector  402  is shown as barbed or with a progression of overlapping conical shapes from smaller at the opening to larger at the base in order to secure medical tubing of various sizes. However, other connectors are envisioned, such as, for example, quick connect hose fitting, push fit fittings, push lock fittings, etc. 
     In some implementations, intake connector  402  may be stationary relative to the movement of the spool. In some implementations, reel  100  may include a medical tubing guide  404  which may guide medical tubing entering intake port  208  toward intake connector  402 . In some implementations, tubing guide  404  may provide an additional clamp or securing mechanism configured to hold the tubing on intake connector  402 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates pawl holder  406  on the recessed portion of the first half  102 . As will be discussed below, pawl holder  406  may be configured to secure a pawl in relation to the spool. In some implementations, pawl holder  406  may be molded as part of the first half  102 . In other implementations, pawl holder  406  may include additional hardware (i.e., springs, coils elastic bands) in order to give the pawl a spring effect. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second surface view of reel  100  and, specifically, the second half  104 . As illustrated, second half  104  may include a cover  502 . In some implementations, the cover is removable by, for example, removing fasteners  504 ( 1 )-( 5 ). Fasteners  504 ( 1 )-( 5 ) are illustrated as Phillips head screws; however, other fasteners are envisioned. In other implementations, second half  104  may be configured without cover  502 . 
     In some implementations, cover  502  may include a label area  506  to identify a substance transported through the attached medical tubing (i.e., oxygen (O 2 ) gas), manufacture information, or the like. In some implementations, label area  506  may include the same identification as included in label area  206 . However, in other implementation, label area  506  may include information different from label area  206 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a second surface view of reel  100  with cover  502  removed to expose a recessed area of second half  104 . Furthermore, the recessed area of second half  104  includes a constant torque spring mechanism  602 . The constant torque spring mechanism  602  may include output drum  604  and storage drum  606 . In some implementations, the output drum  604  may include a ribbon of spring steel  608  wound into a coil. In some implementations, the ribbon of spring material may be made of, for example, high-carbon steel, nickel-chromium alloys, or the like. In some implementations, the ribbon of spring steel  608  may be confined by barrier  610  and ribbon guide  612 . In some implementations, the barrier  610  and ribbon guide  612  may be molded as part of the second half  104  of reel  100 . 
     In some implementations, the ribbon of spring steel  608  may be guided by the ribbon guide  612  to counter wind on the storage drum  606 . For example, the spring steel  608  may be coiled around the storage drum  606  in a coiling direction opposite of the coiling direction on the output drum  604  as a spool of reel  100  is rotated to feed medical tubing to a user. An end of the ribbon of spring steel may be permanently secured to the storage drum by any number of mechanisms (e.g., a rivet, captive fastener, set screw, etc). In some implementations, the storage drum  606  may be a constructed of a lightweight durable material (e.g., aluminum, plastics, etc). In some implementations, as discussed below, the spring steel  608  is configured to remain on the output drum  604  while at rest. In some implementations, a constant force or resistance is creating while counter winding the spring steel  608  from the output drum  604  to the storage drum  606 . 
     In some implementations, the torque or tension required to manipulate the ribbon of spring steel  608  from the output drum  604  to the storage drum may be variable. For example, in some implementations, it may be desirable to have minimal tension required so a user can easily pull the medical tubing from the spool. In some implementations, the torque and/or tension required may be manipulated by decreasing the number of coils of the ribbon of spring steel  608  on the output drum and/or decreasing the diameter of the storage drum  606 , for example. 
     In some implementations, the storage drum  606  may include a central axis  614 . As will be discussed below, the central axis  614  may be attached to the spool thus biasing the rotational force of the spool in a wound position. 
     In other implementations, a constant-force spring may be used in place of the constant torque spring mechanism described above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side surface view of reel  100  including medical tubing intake/outtake opening  210 . As mentioned above, intake/outtake opening  210  may provide an opening for the medical tubing to exit the reel  100  and, ultimately, interact with a user. In some implementations, intake/outtake opening  210  may be formed by the assembly of an opening on the molding each of the first half  102  and second half  104 . In other implementations, the intake/outtake opening  210  may be solely located on the first half  102  or the second half  104 . Furthermore, intake/outtake opening  210  may be positioned at any location on reel  100 . For example, intake/outtake opening  210  may be positioned on any side of reel  100 . 
     The geometry of intake/outtake opening  210  is illustrated substantially as a rectangle with rounded corners; however, in other implementations, the intake/outtake opening  210  may be formed as any number of suitable shapes (e.g., circular, square, ovoid, octagonal, etc.). 
     In some implementations, a perimeter of intake/outtake opening  210  may include a thicker molding or lip  702 . In some implementation, lip  702  may be thicker than a wall of the first half  102  and/or second half  104 . In some implementation, the lip  702  may include an edge guard (not shown) in order to protect and/or reduce friction between the medical tubing extending through the intake/outtake opening  210 . In some implementations, the edge guard may include, for example, vinyl, polycarbonate, polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polychloroprene or the like. In some implementations, each surface of lip  702  may include a roller configured to reduce friction as the medical tubing is retrieved from and retracted to the reel  100 . 
     Example Spool and Ratchet Mechanism 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of reel  100  with first half  102  removed. As illustrated reel  100  may include spool  802 . In some implementation, the spool  802  may have a storage portion for storing medical tubing and an internal portion for coupling the medical tubing to the intake connector  402 . 
     In some implementations, the internal portion of spool  802  may include a connector  804 . Connector  804  may be configured to couple to a length of medical tubing stored on spool  802 . In some implementation, spool  802  may have an internal channel that may supply a substance (e.g., oxygen gas) from the intake connector  402  to the connector  804 . In some implementations, the substance may be further pushed through the attached tubing for consumption by a user. 
     In some implementations, the connector  804  may be interchangeable with other connector configurations to accommodate various diameters and/or types of medical tubing. 
     Spool  802  may include a tube conduit  806  to allow the medical tubing to pass from the internal portion of spool  802  to the storage portion of spool  802 . In some implementations, the tube conduit  806  may be positioned such that the medical tubing passing from the connector  804  may be wound on the storage portion of spool biased toward a direction that spool  802  may rotate while the medical tubing exits reel  100 . 
     Spool  802  may also include a tubing clamp  808  to hold and/or secure the medical tubing as it passes from connector  804  to the tubing conduit  806 . In some implementations, tubing clamp  808  may prevent the tubing from disengaging the connector  804  as an entire length of medical tubing is pulled from reel  100 . In other implementations, tubing clamp  808  may provide proper alignment for the medical tubing as it enters the tube conduit  806 . 
     In some implementations, the storage portion of spool  802  may hold various lengths and types of tubing such as flexible medical tubing. For example, in some implementation, spool  802  may hold less than 50 feet of flexible medical tubing. In other implementations, spool  802  may hold more than 100 feet of crush-resistant oxygen tubing. A first end the tubing may be attached to connector  804 , while in some implementations; a second end of the tubing may be attached to a user or tubing swivel, adapter, leader line, or the like after exiting the intake/outtake opening  210  on reel  100 . 
       FIG. 8  further illustrates that spool  802  may also include multiple clusters of teeth (shown generally as  810 ( 1 ) and  810 ( 2 )) on a top surface of spool  802 .  FIG. 8 . shows two clusters where each cluster includes twelve teeth. It should be noted that this is merely an example implementations and many of other implementations are envisioned. For example, spool  802  may include more clusters of teeth where each cluster includes fewer teeth. In some implementations, each cluster of teeth  810 ( 1 ) and  810 ( 2 ) alternate with a toothless space  812 ( 1 ) and  812 ( 2 ). In other implementations, where spool include more than two clusters of teeth they are separated by a toothless space. 
       FIG. 8  also illustrates that the top surface of spool  802  may include pawl  814 . In some implementation, pawl  814  and the teeth of clusters  810 ( 1 ) and  810 ( 2 ) form a ratcheting mechanism configured to stop a rotation motion of spool  802  relative to reel  100 . In some implementations, pawl  814  may include an internal spring within pawl housing  816 . Internal spring may be configured to assert a force on pawl  814  such that pawl  814  is biased in direction toward the clusters of teeth  810 ( 1 ) and/or  810 ( 2 ). As mentioned above in  FIG. 4 , in some implementations, pawl housing  816  may be secured by the pawl holder  406  of the first half  102  of reel  100 . 
     In some implementation, pawl  814  may stop backward motion of spool  802  at one or more discrete points (i.e., boundary of each tooth within the clusters  810 ( 1 ) or  810 ( 2 )). In some implementations, the backwards force on the spool  802  may be supplied by the constant torque spring mechanism  602  described above with regard to  FIG. 6 . 
     In some implementations, when a user applies a force to the medical tubing stored on the storage portion of spool  802 , the spool may move in a direction such that the pawl  814  may interact with the teeth of each cluster. As spool  802  is rotated, medical tubing may be fed from the storage portion of spool  802  through intake/outtake opening  210  on reel  100 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a second surface view of reel  100  with second half  104  removed.  FIG. 9  further illustrates a transparent spool  802  with ratchet mechanism. Specifically,  FIG. 9  illustrates an action of pawl  814  as the pawl  814  passes one of the clusters of teeth. 
     In some implementations, the internal spring within the pawl housing may allow the pawl  814  to rotate away from the central axis of the spool. In some implementations, when a user applied force on the fed medical tubing ceases and the position of the pawl  814  is within one of the toothless spaces  812 ( 1 ) or  812 ( 2 ), the pawl  814  may rotate such that the constant torque spring may spin the spool  802  in a direction to retract medical tubing extending from intake/outtake opening  210 . In some implementations, the rounded surface of pawl  814  may pass over each tooth of each cluster  810 ( 1 ) and  810 ( 2 ) without catching. However, in other implementations, when a user applied force on the fed medical tubing continues, the pawl  814  may continue on to the teeth of an adjacent cluster. 
       FIG. 9  also illustrates an inner axis  902  on spool  802 . In some implementations, inner axis  902  may be configured to couple to with the central axis  614  of the storage drum  606  of the constant torque spring mechanism  602 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the constant torque spring mechanism as coupled to spool  802 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , inner axis  902  may provide a link between spool  802  and storage drum  606 . 
     Alternative Retractable Medical Tubing Reel 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a first surface view of first half  1102  of reel  1100  configured without clips (i.e., clips  108 ( 1 )-( 4 ) shown in  FIG. 2 ). In some implementations, the first half  1102  of reel  1100  may be form fitted to a second half of reel  1100 . In other implementations, the first half  1102  of reel  1100  may be secure to the second half by fasteners  1104 ( 1 )-( 4 ). In yet other implementations, other mechanisms may be used to couple the first half  1102  to the second half of reel  1100 . (e.g., magnets, snap fit (cantilever type (U-shaped, L-shape, etc.))). 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of first half  1202  of reel  1200  configured with a tubing intake port  1204  positioned on a side near a mounting bracket  1206 . In this implementation, it may be more convenient to attach medical tubing to reel  1200  since the intake port  1204  may be nearer a supply a substance traveling through the medical tubing. For example, the intake port  1204  may be nearer a wall-mounted oxygen source providing oxygen gas to a user through the medical tubing on reel  1200 . 
       FIG. 12  also illustrates a medical tubing outtake opening  1208  positioned substantially on the bottom of reel  1200 . In some implementations, intake/outtake opening  1208  may provide an opening for the medical tubing to exit the reel and ultimately couple to a user. Outtake opening  1208  may be implementation in any of the way described above with regard to intake/outtake opening  210  in  FIG. 2 . Furthermore, in other implementations, intake/outtake opening  1208  may be placed at any position around the perimeter of reel  1200  to provide a suitable exit point for the medical tubing stored in reel  1200 . 
     In yet another implementation, the spool may include a locking mechanism configured to lock a position of the spool relative to the first and second half of the case. In such implementations, the locking mechanism may prevent the spring mechanism from automatically retracting a portion of medical tubing extending from the spool. 
     Example Process 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example process  1300  for implementing the techniques described above of automatically retracting a portion of medical tubing using a retractable medical tubing reel. The process  1300  is illustrated as a logical flow graph, each operation of which represents a sequence of operations. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the process. 
     At  1302 , a length of medical tubing may be stored on a spool. In some implementations, the length of medical tubing may be greater than or equal 25 feet. 
     At  1304 , a spring mechanism may bias a rotation force of the spool toward a first direction. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the spring mechanism may be a constant torque spring  602  configured to bias the spool toward a wound position where all of the medical tubing stored on the spool is retracted. 
     At  1306 , a first indication may be received that a first portion of the length of medical tubing has been removed from the spool towards a second position. For example, an indication may be received that a user has pulled a portion of medical tubing out of the intake/outtake opening  210 . 
     At  1308 , a ratchet mechanism may stop the spool in the second position. With reference to  FIG. 8 , pawl  814  may interact with one of the plurality of teeth  810 ( 1 ) location on the spool. 
     At  1310 , a second indication may be received that a second portion of the length of medical tubing is removed from the spool toward a third direction. In some implementations, such an indication may result from a user making a quick sharp tug on the already fed portion of medical tubing. With reference to  FIG. 9 , such an indication may position the pawl  814  in a toothless area of the spool, thereby releasing the internal spring within the pawl housing. 
     At  1312 , responsive to receiving the second indication, the first portion and the second portion of the length of medical tubing may automatically retract toward the first position. In some implementations, the spring mechanism may manipulate such retraction. For example, the output drum of a constant torque spring may retake any withdrawn portion of the ribbon of spring steel from the storage drum. This rotation of the storage drum may correspondingly rotate the attached spool to retract any fed portion of medical tubing back within a storage portion of the spool. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims