Abstract:
An intravenous tubing line cover includes an enclosure for covering the transparent components of an intravenous infusion apparatus to shield light-sensitive fluids and medications. The cover is constructed from an opaque fabric such as flannel, polyester, or cotton-blend material and includes covering sections to accommodate an IV bag and tubing lines of various lengths. Connecting straps are included to interconnect tubing line cover sections around infusion pumps and roller clamps. The covers are reusable being provided with fasteners for attachment around the various transparent components of the IV apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/390,869 filed Jun. 21, 2002, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a covering for intravenous tubing used in the delivery of medications or fluids to a patient.  
           [0003]    It is common in the medical field to administer medications and other fluids to patients by intravenous infusion. This is particularly common in neonatal and premature infant care where infants may not be able to nurse effectively or where their gastrointestinal tracts may not be sufficiently developed to digest feedings. It is also common in critically ill infants and children who cannot be fed orally because of their disease process. In intravenous infusion, an infusion pump or syringe pump is used to administer a prescribed amount of medication or fluids over a certain period of time. Infusion products are typically delivered to the patient in a clear, see-through plastic IV (intravenous) bag and dispensed through clear tubing.  
           [0004]    The problem associated with this dispensing method is that certain fluids are light sensitive, such as in the administration of intralipids which supply essential fatty acids to patients needing intravenous nutrition. Another problem area involves hyperalimentation where nutrients including vitamins and minerals, electrolytes, and certain drugs such as insulin are administered intravenously. When exposed to light, intralipids can turn into peroxides; and, in the case of hyperalimentation, light exposure produces oxygen-free radicals. Both of these light-sensitive changes have been associated with at least three diseases in the neonatal wards, Chronic Lung Disease (CLD), Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). It is known to use light-sensitive tubing, to shield light-sensitive IV fluids. However, this tubing is expensive and must be replaced on a daily basis making it costly to use.  
           [0005]    Furthermore, particularly in neonatal wards, parents of hospitalized children, when the children are hospitalized for long periods of time, have commented about the harsh nature of the hospital surroundings, with IV tubing and numerous pumps and apparatus connected to their infants. Thus it is desirable to provide a system which not only prevents the issues as discussed above, but also provides a softer approach for the care unit facility. One covering is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,759 for covering intravenous lines, but is comprised of a closed cell foam and is used as a protective cover for some of the intravenous lines, and therefore does not solve the problems as described above.  
           [0006]    These and other disadvantages are addressed by the subject of the present application.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a reusable intravenous tubing covering system that in one embodiment comprises a cover for an IV bag and sleeve-type covers for multiple tubing sections from the IV bag to an infusion control pump to the patient. Connecting straps are provided to interconnect tubing line covers at the IV pump and at roller clamps.  
           [0008]    In another embodiment, the intravenous tubing covering system is adapted for use with a syringe pump infusion apparatus and includes a tubing sleeve covering the length of the IV tubing line exiting the syringe pump. A strap is provided for securing the tubing cover to the syringe pump unit.  
           [0009]    The IV bag cover and each of the tubing cover sections are constructed from an opaque fabric material such as flannel, polyester, or cotton blends. The tubing cover sections are constructed from fabric pieces that are wrapped around the tubing and joined with fasteners along the length of the cover.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IV apparatus including a bag cover and an IV tubing cover according to the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a syringe pump apparatus including a tubing cover according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is diagrammatic view of an embodiment showing both of the pumps of FIGS. 1 and 2 joined together;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a view showing an IV tubing cover according to the FIG. 2A embodiment in use with IV infusion and syringe pumps;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a view showing the syringe pump and associated tubing line cover of FIG. 3 in more detail; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a view showing the IV pump and adjacent sections of tubing line cover of FIG. 3 in more detail. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 therein shown respectively, an intravenous (IV) infusion apparatus  2  and a syringe pump apparatus  4 , both employing a tubing cover system according to the present invention. The IV arrangement of FIG. 1 is typical of the type used in hyperalimentation. The apparatus includes an IV bag  10  containing the fluid that is to be infused, and an infusion control pump  18  that is programmed to administer the fluid at a specified rate for a specified period of time. An IV bag outlet tube  11  delivers the IV fluid to a buretrol  14 . An upper roller clamp  12  is provided on the outlet tube prior to the buretrol  14  for opening and closing the IV bag outlet tube  11 . An IV tubing line  16  begins at the buretrol  14  and is routed to the infusion pump  18 . The IV tubing line  16  exits the pump and continues on to the patient. A lower roller clamp  22  is present on the tubing line between the infusion pump and the patient so that fluid flow to the patient can be stopped if necessary.  
         [0017]    With reference still to FIG. 1, the transparent components of the IV apparatus are shown with a cover system  6  according to the present invention to protect light-sensitive fluids. An IV bag cover  30  encloses the IV bag  10 . The IV bag cover includes a layer of opaque fabric material of sufficient size to completely cover the IV bag  10 . The bag cover can be fashioned from two pieces of fabric sewn together. With the typical small IV bag, fabric pieces sized about 7 inches in width and 12 inches in length (7″×12″) would be recommended. For the typical large IV bag, fabric pieces sized 7 inches by 16 inches would be recommended. However, other dimensions are also contemplated as would be appropriate for nonstandard-sized bags. Alternatively, the bag cover could be made from a single fabric piece folded to produce a covering of similar dimensions. The fabric pieces can be assembled to make the bag cover by sewing the pieces together leaving sufficient space unsewn for insertion and removal of the IV bag. The portions not permanently sewn can be joined by fasteners  54  so that the IV bag can be inserted and the cover then sealed. The fasteners can be a VELCRO hook and loop material (VELCRO is the registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V. of The Netherlands), snaps, or any other suitable fasteners. Alternatively, fasteners can be applied to the entire perimeter of the fabric instead of sewing the fabric. With either method, the IV bag cover must be provided with an opening along the top edge to provide access to the tab on the IV bag so that the IV bag can be suspended from an IV pole hook  13 .  
         [0018]    The tubing line cover  32  shields the IV tubing from the buretrol  14  to the pump  18 . In a typical infusion setup, the length of this portion of tubing line  16  connecting the buretrol  14  to the IV pump  18  is approximately 36 inches. This dimension, of course, can be varied. The cover for this portion of line  16  is preferably constructed from a single fabric piece that is essentially rectangular in shape and having fasteners (not shown) along its length. The cover is formed by wrapping the fabric around the buretrol  14  and the tubing line  16  and sealing the opposing lengthwise edges with the fasteners. One end of the cover is sealed around the buretrol  14  and the other is sealed around the tubing line  16  at the pump inlet  17  using any suitable means. For instance, the fabric could have an elastic band sewn into each end or could have a fold-over hook and loop type fastener. Alternatively, an external elastic band or a draw string tie could be applied to seal each end of the cover.  
         [0019]    Tubing line cover  36  covers the portion of the tubing line  16  between the IV pump  18  and the lower roller clamp  22 . Cover  36  is similar in construction to tubing line cover  32  except that it is shorter in length. As with the other tubing sections, the length of this section is also variable.  
         [0020]    Tubing line cover  38  covers the portion of the tubing line  16  from the lower roller clamp  22  to the end of the catheter tubes at  50 . Tubing line cover  38  is also similar in construction to tubing line cover  32 ; however, in addition to being longer than tubing line cover  32 , tubing cover  38  also is provided with extra fasteners  52  so that the cover can be sealed about an interconnecting IV line such as from a syringe pump. The fasteners can be varied or be the entire length of the tubing line cores to allow for more than one interconnecting syringe pump line covers to be connected.  
         [0021]    With continued reference to FIG. 1, it is shown that at the IV pump  18 , IV tubing line  16  exits the cover  32 , and enters the IV pump  18  at the inlet  17 , then exits IV pump  18  and enters tubing cover  36 . A strap section  34  is provided to join cover sections  32  and  36  and has sufficient length to span the distance between the inlet  17  and outlet  19  of IV pump  18 . Similarly, a second strap  40  is provided to join tubing sections  36  and  38 . Strap section  40  has sufficient length to span the roller clamp  22 . Preferably, strap sections  34  and  40  contain an elastic insert extending the length of each strap section.  
         [0022]    With reference now to FIG. 2, the IV tubing cover of the present invention is shown with syringe pump arrangement  4  as might be used for the infusion of intralipids or medications. The syringe pump apparatus  4  includes a syringe pump unit  60  that controls administration of the fluids or medication, syringe  62 , and transparent tubing line  64 . As depicted in FIG. 2, the tubing line is equipped with a fitting  74  commonly used for connection to another IV line. This tubing line may also be equipped with a bifuse that unites two separate lines into one line. Another option shown in FIG. 2A, where the syringe tubing line  64  runs into the IV tubing cover at the connection site and lie in the IV tubing line cover with the IV tubing Line  16  and a bifuse  100 , placing the tubing lines closer to the patient. The combined line  102  would be directed to the patient&#39;s peripheral IV, umbilical line, or PICC line.  
         [0023]    The cover system  8  includes a tubing line cover  70  that extends the length of tubing line  64  which is typically about 37 inches. This dimension however is freely variable. The tubing cover  70  is preferably constructed from a fabric piece about 7 inches in width and about 37 inches in length, with the length of the fabric being commensurate with the length of the tubing to be covered. Fasteners (not shown) such as VELCRO®) hook and loop material or snaps are spaced along the fabric length. The cover  70  is formed by wrapping the fabric around the tubing line  64  and joining the fasteners.  
         [0024]    A strap  66  is affixed to the upper end of cover  70  for securing the cover  70  around the syringe pump unit  60 . Preferably, the strap  66  includes an elastic insert to secure the cover  70  to the pump unit  60 . Alternatively, VELCRO® hook and loop material or snap fasteners or any other suitable tying device could be used. At its lower end  72 , the cover  70  includes an extra VELCRO® fastener  76  for connecting the cover  70  to an IV tubing line cover such as that shown in FIG. 1 and previously described.  
         [0025]    With reference now to FIGS.  3 - 5 , one embodiment of an IV tubing line cover is shown attached to an infusion apparatus in a hospital setting. In FIG. 3, a covered IV pump system is shown in combination with a covered syringe pump system with the syringe pump line interconnected to the IV pump line. This arrangement could be used for the combined administration of fluids and medications. The end of the syringe pump tubing line cover  72  attaches to cover  38  at the juncture of the IV pump tubing line and the syringe pump tubing line. In FIG. 4, the syringe pump and associated tubing line cover and pump strap are shown in more detail with the application of strap  66  to the syringe pump  60  clearly demonstrated. In FIG. 5, the IV pump and associated tubing line cover are shown in more detail with the interconnection of cover sections  32 ,  36 , and  38  by strap portions  34  and  40  clearly demonstrated.  
         [0026]    A preferred embodiment of the intravenous tubing covering hereinbefore described may be constructed as follows:  
         [0027]    Bag Cover  
         [0028]    Small: 2 7″×12″ fabric pieces  
         [0029]    2 fasteners (snaps or VELCRO®) material)  
         [0030]    Large: 2 7″×16″ fabric pieces  
         [0031]    2 fasteners  
         [0032]    Sew edge of fabric pieces together at sides and top edge, leaving three inches in the center of top edge for a hanger tab opening. Sew one side and half of the other side. Turn over ½″ on edges and finish (by hemming or fancy stitching). Leave bottom edge open and hem. Place fasteners on the open edge of the side that was half sewn.  
         [0033]    IV Tubing Line Cover  
         [0034]    From Buretrol cover to pump  
         [0035]    One 7″×36″ fabric piece  
         [0036]    One 4″ piece of ¼″ elastic  
         [0037]    One 2″ piece of ¼″ elastic  
         [0038]    One hook and eye  
         [0039]    6 fasteners  
         [0040]    All side edges are the longer edges. The shorter edges at the top and bottom are for casings.  
         [0041]    The cover can be assembled by the following process: Turn over side edges ½″ and finish, and sew ½″ casing at top edge. Insert the 4″ piece of elastic, and sew at each end. Sew ½″ casing at the bottom edge, and insert 2″ piece of elastic, and sew at each end. Sew fasteners about every 5 ½″ to close side edge. A continuous fastener may be applied if preferred.  
         [0042]    Pump Strap  
         [0043]    One 1 ½″×12″ fabric piece  
         [0044]    One 10″ piece of ¼″ elastic  
         [0045]    Fold right side in, sew ⅛″ lengthwise seam. Turn right side out. Insert elastic and sew both ends. Sew one end to the cover piece above the pump and the other end to the next cover piece below the pump.  
         [0046]    From Pump to Roller Clamp  
         [0047]    One 7″×12″ fabric piece  
         [0048]    Two 2″ pieces of ¼″ elastic  
         [0049]    3 fasteners  
         [0050]    Turn side edges over ½″ and finish. Sew ½″ casing at top and bottom edges. Insert 2″ pieces of elastic into casings and sew each end. Place fasteners about 5 ½″ apart. Pump strap above should be attached to the top edge and roller clamp strap below should be attached to the bottom edge.  
         [0051]    Roller Clamp Strap  
         [0052]    One 1 ½″×4″ fabric piece  
         [0053]    One 3″ piece of 14″ elastic  
         [0054]    Fold right side in, sew ⅛″ lengthwise seam. Turn right side out. Insert elastic and sew both ends. Sew one end to the cover piece above and the other end to the end of line cover piece below.  
         [0055]    From Roller Clamp to End of Line  
         [0056]    One 7″×78″ fabric piece (add 1″ to total if two pieces needed to make 78″, sew seam between pieces)  
         [0057]    Two 2″ pieces of ¼″ elastic  
         [0058]    18 fasteners  
         [0059]    Turn over side edges ½″ and finish. Sew ½″ casing at top and bottom edges. Insert 2″ pieces of elastic into casings and sew each end. Place fasteners about 5 ½″ apart. Place two extra fasteners between 23″; and 26 ½″ from top edge for syringe pump line to be connected to IV line.  
         [0060]    Pump Strap for syringe pump cover  
         [0061]    One 1 ½″×10 ½″ fabric piece  
         [0062]    One 9″ piece of ¼″ elastic  
         [0063]    Fold right side in, sew ⅛″ lengthwise seam. Turn right side out. Insert elastic and sew both ends. Sew one end to back edge of syringe pump cover and sew a fastener on the front edge of strap and top front edge over syringe pump line cover.  
         [0064]    Syringe Pump Line Cover  
         [0065]    One 7″×37″ fabric piece  
         [0066]    9 fasteners  
         [0067]    Fold fabric in half lengthwise and cut an angle from 34 ½″ on the open edge to 37″ on the folded edge, turn over side edges ½″ and finish. Place fasteners about every 5 ⅕″ apart and two fasteners on angle edge.  
         [0068]    The intravenous tubing line covers are preferably constructed from flannel, polyester, or cotton-blend material. However, any opaque fabric is suitable. Soft fabrics are preferred in that they are non-irritating to the skin and have been found to “soften” the nature of the intravenous fluid infusion and medicine infusion from the perspective of the parents of neonatal patients or pediatric patients. These fabrics can be in nursery style colors with any desired patterns such as cartoon characters, any other animated pictures, or any pattern suitable for children, on the fabrics.  
         [0069]    The IV tubing covers as described herein accomplish the primary objective of providing a reusable and thus economic shielding mechanism for use in the delivery by intravenous infusion of light-sensitive fluids and medications.