Abstract:
A clip system relates to a sealed package having a picture or motivational item and a clip. The picture or motivational item has a double sided sticky adhesive with a protective layer. The protective layer is then removed and applied to a surface. The device can be applied to needles to help people overcome their fear. The device may also be applied to needles, heart monitors, walls and other surfaces. Various clips for holding medical instruments are also enabled.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of medical devices and more specifically relates to a clip system. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0003]    Spending day after day in bed or in the hospital can be a challenging nightmare. Whether the hospital stay is just a few weeks, months, or years. It can be isolating, boring, uncomfortable, scary, depressing, unhealthy, dependent and unproductive. Beeping machines, frequent needle sticks, unpredictable waits to see the doctor, unappetizing food and sleep deprivation are among the barrage of stressors that patients may experience in hospitals. Needles are one of the many instances under medical care, when a person is put into a potentially stressful and uncomfortable situation. A more comforting means to provide treatment to individuals that helps encourage them is desirable. 
         [0004]    Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pub. Nos. 2008/0139076 to Karen Frances Frasier-Scott; 2005/0090783 to Wilmer Sibbitt; 2005/0209567 to Wilmer Sibbitt; 2012/0061286 to Maria Angelica Hueb De Menezes Oliveira, U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,891 to Smeton Robert L; U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,360 to Dionisio Rio Simoes, and International Patent No. JP2003275307 to Kaneda Toshio; KR100834541 to Ahn Jun Seo; CN204106717 to Cai Xiaoyun; CN204017127 to Zhang Lingyun; CN204033988 to Cattle Run Flowers in Burgundy Mei; and CA2562528 to Terrina Mingle. This art is representative of medical devices. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0005]    Preferably, a clip system should provide functional stress relief and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable clip system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known medical device art, the present invention provides a novel clip system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a simple and efficient way to help take some ease off patients while being in the hospital and receiving care. 
         [0007]    A portion of the present invention relates to a sealed package consisting of a picture or motivational item and a clip. The picture or motivational item may have a double sided sticky adhesive with a protective layer. The protective layer is then removed and applied to a surface. The device can be applied to needles to help people overcome their fear. The device may also be applied to needles, heart monitors, walls and other surfaces. 
         [0008]    A clip system of the present invention is also disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising a clip assembly comprising a clip having a body comprising a back-plate and a biasing member. As such, the clip system comprises the clip assembly. The clip assembly comprises the clip. The clip comprises the body. 
         [0009]    Referring now to the body; the body is defined by the back-plate and the biasing member. The back plate preferably comprises an adhesive pad for fastening to a surface. The biasing member comprises teeth such that the clip assembly is adjustable relative to the supported item. The biasing member comprises an arcuate profile suitable for supporting the supported item when used. The supported item is effectively held between the back-plate and the biasing member via biasing means. The supported item comprises a periphery in most instances. The supported item may comprise a lumen for example or a needle or the like. The supported item is structured and arranged to transport at least one fluid; the supported item generally comprises a hollow inner volume. The at least one fluid comprises liquid in most instances. The clip system may comprise a fusion allowing for 360 degrees rotation. The clip comprises a top plate for securing at least one motivational item for encouraging a patient when viewed. The clip system is structured and arranged such that the supported item is held in position along a vertical surface for ready use. 
         [0010]    A kit is described herein including: at least one clip, at least one fastener (fastening means), at least one supported item, and at least one motivational item. 
         [0011]    A method of using a clip system is also disclosed herein comprising the steps of: securing a plurality of clip assemblies to a surface, securing at least one supported item for use by a patient, motivating said patient via at least one motivational item to promote wellness, and removing the at least one supported item during non-use periods or for refilling. 
         [0012]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a clip 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 
         [0013]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, clip system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a clip system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing a clip having a body according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a clip assembly comprising a clip having the body comprising a back-plate and a biasing member according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the clip assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a kit including various clips according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the clip system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    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 
       [0020]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a medical device and more particularly to a clip system as used to reduce the stressfulness of receiving medical treatment. 
         [0021]    Generally speaking, the clip system may further comprise a c-style clamp or clip attachment for a needle. The c-style clamp or clip attachment may comprise plastic or rubber in order to wrap around different sizes of needles. The c-style clamp may comprise a top plate for securing at least one motivational item for encouraging a patient when viewed. Adhesive may be included to stick to a photo or item to assist in covering up a needle for patients and kids. Methods of attachments may include wall mounts, adhesive, or VELCRO® to stick to various surfaces. VELCRO® may comprise adhesive backing suck that it is able to couple to a clip and mount the clip to various surfaces. 
         [0022]    The device is a multi-purpose invention and may be used for many applications including attaching to a heart rate monitor, finger, needles, an intravenous, and any other medical products, toys, and decorations. Photo(s) or item(s) may be attached to various surfaces in a room of the patient as motivational means. Photo(s) or item(s) may include for example cartoons, animal, cars, poems, or family photos. C-style clamp or clip may comprise metal, plastic, rubber, or other suitable materials. Photo(s) or item(s) may comprise cardboard, plastic, laminated paper, paper, or other suitable materials. The device further comprises sanitized packaging which includes parchment paper, wax paper or other suitable materials. The clip system is designed to distract patients when receiving treatment. 
         [0023]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , clip system  100  having clip assembly  110  comprising clip  120  having body  130  comprising back-plate  132  and biasing member  152 . Clip system  100  comprises clip assembly  110 . Clip assembly  110  comprises clip  120 . Clip  120  comprises said body  130 . Body  130  is defined by back-plate  132  and biasing member  152 . Back plate  132  may comprise adhesive pad  134  for fastening to surface  190 . Other fastening means may be used. Supported item  180  is effectively held between back-plate  132  and biasing member  152 . Supported item  180  comprises a periphery. Clip system  100  is structured and arranged such that supported item  180  is held in position along vertical surface  188 . Biasing member  152  may comprise teeth  154  in certain embodiments such that clip assembly  110  is adjustable relative to supported item  180 . Supported item  180  may for example comprise lumen  182 . 
         [0024]    Supported item  180  is structured and arranged to transport at least one fluid  192 . Supported item  180  comprises a hollow inner volume. At least one fluid  192  may comprise air  194 . At least one fluid  192  comprises liquid  196 . Clip system  100  may comprise extrusion  170  allowing for  360  degrees rotation. Biasing member  152  comprises an arcuate profile suitable for supporting supported item  180  when used. Supported item  180  may alternately comprise needle  184 . 
         [0025]    L-shaped base  136  extrudes from front of back-plate  132 . Biasing member  152  comprises a push-tab  156  for engaging and releasing biasing member  152 . Back-plate further  132  comprises at least one aperture  142  for at least one fastener  144  to secure back plate  132  to at least one surface  190 . At least one fastener  144  comprises bolts. Clip  120  comprises top plate  122  for securing at least one motivational item  124  for encouraging patient  146  when viewed. Biasing member  152  comprises c-style clamp  148 . 
         [0026]    Clip system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one clip at least one fastener; at least one supported item; and at least one motivational item, components as mentioned previously. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Clip system  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 kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different decorative and securing combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for clip system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , securing a plurality of clip assemblies  110  to surface  190 ; step two  502 , securing at least one supported item  180  for use by patient  146 ; step three  503 , motivating patient  146  via at least one motivational item  124  to promote wellness; step four  504 , removing at least one supported item  180 . 
         [0028]    It should be noted that step four  504  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
         [0029]    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. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. 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. 
         [0030]    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.