Abstract:
An apparatus to aid in the holding and retention of tubing or cables used on patients in a hospital environment is disclosed. The invention is envisioned to be used on intravenous tubing, air tubing, sensor cables and the like. The invention would comprise a clamshell-like case with the approximate dimensions of two inches high, three inches wide and approximately eight inches long. When opened, a series of “S”-shaped grooves along with one that is straight and routed through the center of the case along the long dimension is visible. Excess tubing or cables are routed back and forth along the “S”-shaped grooves and then out the straight one when the slack is taken in. The case is then snapped shut. The case would be made of a semi-pliable material in lieu of a hard plastic for increased patient comfort should the patient physically contact the invention. The invention can be snapped together in a gang fashion in those instances where more than one cable or tube needs to be controlled. Finally, the invention utilizes an elastic strap to help hold the invention in place. The use of the present invention allows patients connected to medical equipment by cables or by tubing, the ability to move about without becoming entangled or trapped.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Hospitals and care facilities use a variety of mechanisms for providing treatment to patients. More particularly, intravenous tubes, sensor cables, and other linear based care mechanisms have been widely used for administering blood, glucose, drugs, oxygen, and the like, to treat patients. 
   In a familiar hospital environment, most of the patient can be seen connected with numerous linear based care mechanisms, for example, intravenous tubes and sensor cables. Patients connected with such large number of intravenous tubes and sensor cables, is often seen constantly fighting with the intravenous tubes and sensor cables to prevent it from becoming tangled or trapped when they move. Such patients need more care and attention due to the complexity associated with the handling of the large number of tubes and/or cables. The large number and excessive length of tubes results in forming a web of tubes. The web may cause in twisting, tangling, blocking or removing of intravenous tubes or cables that are in use. Such conditions may be risky and dangerous for patients, further jeopardizing their health and welfare, and particularly for those patients who are in intensive care unit. Additionally, such tangling and trapping of tubes and cables may also prove to be uncomfortable, and waste of time for care providers, treating or taking care of patients. 
   Several approaches have been attempted in the past in the field of devices for storing medical tubes or cables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,808 discloses a retractable tubing reel device utilized in conjunction with a oxygen supply tank and nasal oxygen catheter, the device having an extended length of tubing allowing a patient greater movement beyond the immediate area of the oxygen tank, the device having a mechanism for retracting any excess extended tubing thereby preventing constriction and tangling of the tubing. The device retracting the tubing into housing where the tubing is rewound in a manner which also prevents constriction and tangling of the tubing inside the housing. One problem identified with the retractable tubing reel disclosed therein is that the device is limited to use a fixed diameter of cable or tube i.e., nasal catheter. Further, the device is configurationally complex, and more expensive due to the complexity of the mechanism associated with the device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,858 discloses a gas tubing reel includes a housing having a tubing-reel rotatably positioned therein for unwinding and retracting tubing. The tubing-reel is biased in a retracting direction and includes ratcheting and releasing means for selectably paying out or retracting the tubing. One side wall of the housing defines an opening through which the tubing-reel may be slidably removed. The cable reel includes a line guide engaged with a worm gear for reciprocative movement between side walls of the housing whereby to evenly distribute the gas tubing on the tubing-reel. A swivel housing is coupled to the tubing-reel in a bearing relationship and includes an inlet port for receiving an end of the tubing and an outlet port for coupling to a nasal cannula. One disadvantage associated with the disclosed device is that it is limited to the use in providing care to patients undergoing gas therapy. Further, the gas tubing reel disclosed therein is heavy and needs costly maintenance due to the complex mechanical assembly associated with the working of the device. 
   Accordingly, there remains a need for a portable, economic, and simple to use device that can contain the excessive lengths of medical tubes or cables used in the treatment of patients, while avoiding the problem of twisting, tangling, and blocking of medical tubes and cables connected to patients. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling, configured to include all the advantages of the prior arts, and to overcome the drawbacks of the prior arts. 
   In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for containing excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism. The apparatus comprises: a lower base assembly having an entrance opening, an exit opening, and a plurality of grooves forming a captive path, the captive path leading from the entrance opening to meet the exit opening, such that, the captive path receives and contains the excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism; and a captive cover hinged at one end portion to the lower base assembly, such that, the captive cover is capable of covering the excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism, contained in the captive path of the lower base assembly. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for containing excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism. The apparatus comprises: a lower base assembly having an entrance opening disposed at a top of the lower base assembly, an exit opening disposed at a bottom of the lower base assembly, and a plurality of grooves forming a straight captive path and an “S” shaped captive path, arranged in a manner, such that, a combination of the straight captive path and the “S”-shaped captive path is capable of receiving and containing the excessive lengths of the linear based care mechanism; a captive cover hinged at one end portion to the lower base assembly, the captive cover having a clasp capable of engaging to a clasp engagement means disposed on the lower base assembly, such that, the captive cover is capable of covering the excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism, contained in the combination of the straight captive path and the “S”-shaped captive path of the lower base assembly. 
   In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of using an apparatus for containing excessive lengths of linear based care mechanism having a lower base assembly, and a captive cover hinged to the lower base assembly. The method comprises: inserting the linear based care mechanism at an entrance opening of the lower assembly; routing the linear based care mechanism downwardly towards a straight captive path of the lower base assembly, and further along an “S”-shaped captive path of the lower base assembly towards a plurality of intersection points of the straight captive path and “S”-shaped captive path until the linear based mechanism reaches a predetermined intersection point of the plurality of intersection points whereupon the linear based care mechanism changes direction and routed along the straight captive path and out of an exit opening of the lower base assembly, and closing the captive cover by engaging a clasp of the captive cover with a clasp engagement means of the lower base assembly, thereby ensuring the linear based care mechanism remaining captive therewithin. 
   These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein, like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial representation of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in actual use, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in an open and unutilized state; and, 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in an open and utilized state; and, 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  taken along a line I-I as seen in  FIG. 3  with the captive cover  75  in a closed position; and, 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in a multi-ganged arrangement. 
   

   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical 
             
             
                 
               tubing and cabling 
             
             
               15 
               patient 
             
             
               20 
               hospital bed 
             
             
               25 
               intravenous pump 
             
             
               30 
               intravenous bag 
             
             
               35 
               intravenous support stand 
             
             
               45 
               elastic strap 
             
             
               50 
               fastening means 
             
             
               55 
               bed rail support 
             
             
               60 
               patient arm 
             
             
               65 
               label writing area 
             
             
               70 
               lower base assembly 
             
             
               75 
               captive cover 
             
             
               80 
               clasp engagement means 
             
             
               85 
               clasp 
             
             
               90 
               multiple arrangement connection appendages 
             
             
               95 
               multiple arrangement connection receptacles 
             
             
               100 
               straight captive path 
             
             
               105 
               “S”- shaped captive path 
             
             
               110 
               entrance opening 
             
             
               115 
               first intersection point 
             
             
               120 
               “U”- shaped captive path segment 
             
             
               125 
               second intersection point 
             
             
               130 
               “nth” intersection point 
             
             
               135 
               exit opening 
             
             
               140 
               sidewall structure 
             
             
               145 
               right side nub appendage 
             
             
               150 
               left side nub appendage 
             
             
               155 
               first multi-ganged arrangement module 
             
             
               160 
               second multi-ganged arrangement module 
             
             
               165 
               oxygen line 
             
             
               170 
               third multi-ganged arrangement module 
             
             
               175 
               electrical monitoring cable 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a pictorial representation of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in actual use, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  is shown in use on a patient  15  confined to a hospital bed  20 . Said apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  is used to contain excess tubing exiting from an intravenous pump  25  and/or an intravenous bag  30 , typically contained on an intravenous support stand  35 . Said depicted environment is typical for areas such as hospitals, nursing homes and the like, where excess tubing is left hanging on the patient  15 , the hospital bed  20 , the floor and the like, where it becomes a tripping hazard, or becomes prone to becoming caught on other objects, possibly risking damage or possible disconnection. While  FIG. 1  depicts usage in a hospital bed  20  environment, it should be noted that other applications such as at-home care, out-patient care areas, emergency triage care and the like can also experience the beneficial use of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 , and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. Additionally, while  FIG. 1  depicts usage of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  with intravenous tubing  40 , other linear type objects such as vacuum lines, feeding tubes, drain lines, electrical monitoring cables, and the like can also be used with the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 , and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The rear of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  is provided with an elastic strap  45  which is secured with a fastening means  50  such as a snap, or hook and loop fastener to allow attachment of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  to a local support such as a bed rail support  55 . It is also envisioned that the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  could be secured to and around a patient arm  60  which would be especially advantageous in those instances where the patient  15  is mobile to prevent excessive intravenous tubing  40  from dragging on the ground or risking become snagged. Finally, a label writing area  65  is provided on the front of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  to allow nurses, doctors, or care providers to indicate the functionality of the contained intravenous tubing  40 , or other linear based care mechanism. Said labeling will allow care providers to quickly locate necessary intravenous tubing  40  or other linear based patient care mechanism for future care, maintenance and/or removal. Envisioned information to be provided on the label writing area  65  include IV functionality, dosage, time placed, patient information, allergies, and the like. Further description and actual installation and usage of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  will be provided herein below. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a front view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in an open and unutilized state is depicted. The apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  consists of a lower base assembly  70  with a captive cover  75  arranged in a clamshell design. The lower base assembly  70  and captive cover  75  are envisioned to be made of a pliable plastic that will somewhat bend and conform as external pressure is applied. This in lieu of a hard plastic construction. The lower base assembly  70  and the captive cover  75  are envisioned to be produced as one integral component in an injection and/or blow molding process. However, those familiar in the art will realize that other methods of production and material of manufacture can be utilized, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The lower base assembly  70  is provided with a clasp engagement means  80  and the captive cover  75  is provided with a clasp  85 . The clasp engagement means  80  and the clasp  85  work together to hold the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  closed and allow the opening of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  with simple finger pressure in a well-known process. On one side of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  a series of multiple arrangement connection appendages  90  is located. Said multiple arrangement connection appendages  90  work in conjunction with a matching set of multiple arrangement connection receptacles  95 , here depicted by hidden lines for purposes of illustration, to allow the connection of multiple apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  into a ganged arrangement. Said ganged arrangement would be used on those patient  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) requiring more than one intravenous tubing  40  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or the use of other linear based care mechanisms such as monitoring cables, tubes, vacuum lines, oxygen lines, and the like. The multiple arrangement connection appendages  90  and the multiple arrangement connection receptacles  95  allow the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  to be snapped together and apart by hand requiring the use of no tools. The label writing area  65  is shown in hidden lines as well to indicate its placement on the front of the captive cover  75 . Finally, located in the interior of the lower base assembly  70 , is a straight captive path  100  and an “S”-shaped captive path  105 . Further description of the use and functionality of the straight captive path  100  and “S”-shaped captive path  105  will be provided herein below. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in an open and utilized state is shown. In this FIG., a length of a linear based care mechanism, here depicted as intravenous tubing  40  is installed in the straight captive path  100  and “S”-shaped captive path  105  of the lower base assembly  70  on the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . The intravenous tubing  40  enters from the top of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  at a entrance opening  110  and is placed over the straight captive path  100  and pushed in using ones finger and gentle pressure. The intravenous tubing  40  is then routed downward towards the bottom of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . Upon reaching a first intersection point  115  of the straight captive path  100  and the “S”-shaped captive path  105 , the user would route the intravenous tubing  40  along a “U”-shaped captive path segment  120  until reaching a second intersection point  125 . The user would continue along the “S”-shaped captive path  105  in a straight manner until reaching and occupying another “U”-shaped captive path segment  120 . Such action would continue along the various sequential “U”-shaped captive path segment  120  until adequate slack in the intravenous tubing  40  has been absorbed. At this point the user will be near a ‘nth’ intersection point  130  whereupon the intravenous tubing  40  would then change direction and be routed along the straight captive path  100  and out of the bottom of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  at an exit opening  135 . At this point the user can close the captive cover  75  and secure it with the use of the clasp engagement means  80  and clasp  85  to ensure the intravenous tubing  40  remains captive along its entire length contained within the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  taken along a line I-I as seen in  FIG. 3  with the captive cover  75  in a closed position is depicted. This figure clearly depicts the intravenous tubing  40  contained within the straight captive path  100 . The intravenous tubing  40  is held in place by a friction fit of the intravenous tubing  40  within a sidewall structure  140  of the straight captive path  100 . Retention is further aided with the use of a right side nub appendage  145  and a left side nub appendage  150 . The right side nub appendage  145  and the left side nub appendage  150  cause the intravenous tubing  40  or other linear based medical care mechanism to slightly deform in an oblong manner as it passes said right side nub appendage  145  and left side nub appendage  150 . Upon passing, the intravenous tubing  40  then expands to refill the complete void of the straight captive path  100 . To further aid in the retention of the intravenous tubing  40 , the captive cover  75  provides additional retention means. 
   Referring finally to  FIG. 5 , an isometric view of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  shown in a multi-ganged arrangement is disclosed. This figure clearly shows the multi-ganged arrangement capability of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . In this figure a first multi-ganged arrangement module  155  contains excess amounts of intravenous tubing  40 , in a manner aforementioned described in  FIG. 3 . A second multi-ganged arrangement module  160  is attached to the first multi-ganged arrangement module  155  using the multiple arrangement connection appendages  90  (as shown on  FIG. 1 ) on the first multi-ganged arrangement module  155  in conjunction with the multiple arrangement connection receptacles  95  on the second multi-ganged arrangement module  160 . The second multi-ganged arrangement module  160  is portrayed as containing an oxygen line  165 . In a similar mounting arrangement, a third multi-ganged arrangement module  170  is connected to the second multi-ganged arrangement module  160 . The third multi-ganged arrangement module  170  is portrayed as containing an electrical monitoring cable  175 . Said configurations are unlimited with regards to numbers of apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  that are interconnected as well as the linear based medical care mechanisms contained within. 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. To utilize the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 , the nurse, doctor, or care provider would place the necessary linear based medical care device following normally accepted practices and procedures. It is envisioned that virtually any liner based medical care mechanism could be contained within the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . After placement is complete, the nurse, doctor or care provider is ready to place the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  in its location. 
   After approximating the amount of excess linear based medical care device available, herewith referred to as the intravenous tubing  40  for purposes of simplicity, to be eliminated, the care provider would open the captive cover  75  on the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  by use of the clasp engagement means  80  and clasp  85 . A length of the intravenous tubing  40  is installed in the straight captive path  100  and “S”-shaped captive path  105  of the lower base assembly  70  on the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . The intravenous tubing  40  enters from the top of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  at the entrance opening  110  and is placed over the straight captive path  100  and pushed in using ones finger and gentle pressure. The intravenous tubing  40  is then routed downward towards the bottom of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . Upon reaching the first intersection point  115  of the straight captive path  100  and the “S”-shaped captive path  105 , the user would route the intravenous tubing  40  along the “U”-shaped captive path segment  120  until reaching the second intersection point  125 . The user would continue along the “S”-shaped captive path  105  in a straight manner until reaching and occupying another “U”-shaped captive path segment  120 . Such action would continue along the various sequential “U”-shaped captive path segment  120  until adequate slack in the intravenous tubing  40  has been absorbed. At this point the user will be near the “nth” intersection point  130  whereupon the intravenous tubing  40  would then change direction and be routed along the straight captive path  100  and out of the bottom of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  at an exit opening  135 . At this point the user can close the captive cover  75  and secure it with the use of the clasp engagement means  80  and clasp  85  to ensure the intravenous tubing  40  remains captive along its entire length contained within the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . The care provider can secure the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  to a nearby object with the elastic strap  45  and fastening means  50  if desired. Finally, the care provider can write any desired information on the label writing area  65  provided on the captive cover  75  of the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 . 
   To remove the intravenous tubing  40  from the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10 , the care provider would hold the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  in one hand and then pull the cable out with the other, thus allowing the apparatus to contain excessive lengths of medical tubing and cabling  10  to be reused in a repeating manner. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.