Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to intravenous fluids bags used in emergency medical situations in the field, and more particularly to a carrier pack apparatus arranged to protectively hold and carry an IV fluids bag and selectively apply pressure and heat or cold to the IV bag during dispensing to a patient to assure that a positive infusion of proper temperature fluids to a patient is continuously maintained irrespective of the relative disposition of the IV bag and the patient during treatment and rescue procedures in field situations in combat, emergency extrications and rescue operations and transport of the patient to a medical facility. 
         [0002]    As the average person is likely to be aware, it is common and necessary that oftentimes when a person is injured it is important that he receive intravenous fluids as soon as practicable. Most individuals have seen examples of patients connected to IV fluids bags by catheter tube and will have noticed that the fluid bag is typically held in an elevated position above the patient either by a support hook structure or by a person holding the bag in hand. In this manner, the flow of the IV fluids through the catheter tube to the patient is assured by the force of gravity. Often however, particularly in combat, extrication and rescue situations, it is not possible to retain an IV bag in an elevated position above the patient, and consequently the IV bag must be placed on the patient&#39;s body or stretcher where IV fluid transfer is either greatly slowed or effectively stopped. 
         [0003]    Also, as is well understood by those skilled in the art, combat and rescue situations occur in widely divergent temperature situations which are often at odds with the patient&#39;s needs while being tended in emergency medical circumstances. Examples of such temperature situations are the extremely hot, desert combat situations of places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and mountain rescue situations of hikers, etc. in subfreezing temperatures high up on mountains. Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that it is less than desirable to infuse an injured patient in hot, desert climates with fluids that have warmed prior to use by their storage in the extremely hot desert environment. By the same token, it is undesirable to infuse a hypothermic patient with fluids that have been chilled as they have been transported to the scene of a mountain rescue. Indeed, in the above cases, the infusion of fluids is often necessary to help stabilize the body temperature against the heat or chill of the surrounding environment. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it can be seen that a need exists for an IV infusion bag carrier pack that is arranged to be conveniently and protectively carried in hands-free condition supported on a combat or military or rescue personnel, and operable to provide pressurized, temperature-controlled infusion of the contents of an IV fluids bag to a patient irrespective of the relative positioning of the carrier pack and the IV bag contained therein relative to the patient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In its basic concept this invention provides an IV infusion bag carrier pack arranged as a substantially hollow, flexible bag, closed at one end and divided into two interior compartments by a flexible, heat permeable divider panel, one interior compartment arranged to receive and confine an IV fluids bag and the other, adjacent interior compartment arranged to receive and confine the inflatable pressure cuff member of a blood pressure apparatus and, if desired, a selected heat-generating packet or cold-generating packet for disposition immediately adjacent the divider panel separating the two compartments, whereby an IV fluids bag contained in the first pocket may be selectively heated or cooled during transport and dispensing and the blood pressure cuff may be inflated to a selected pressure within the second compartment to pressurize the IV fluids bag in the first compartment as needed to maintain a desired, uninterrupted infusion of fluid from the IV fluids bag to a catheterized patient. 
         [0006]    It is by virtue of the foregoing concept that the principle objective of this invention is achieved; namely, the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which protectively carries a selected intravenous fluids bag and inflatable blood pressure apparatus in hand-free condition supported on a personnel during transport between used and which in use maintains an IV fluids bag in a predetermined stated of pressurization for continuous infusion of the fluids to a catheterized patient during extrication, emergency treatment and transport of the patient to a medical facility. 
         [0007]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which is arranged to hold a selected heat or cold-generating package adjacent the IV fluids bag to respectively heat or cool the IV fluids contained in the bag in order to maintain optimal temperature of the fluids to be delivered to a patient irrespective of the ambient air temperature of the surrounding environment in the field. 
         [0008]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which provides an insulated carrier bag to minimize the effects of ambient air temperatures on the interior confines of an IV fluids bag contained in an interior compartment of the apparatus, for more effective control of the temperature of intravenous fluids to be delivered to a patient. 
         [0009]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which is arranged to be worn on a personnel by a strap member arranged to position the carrier bag member adjacent the torso area of the personnel during carrying, whereby if desired, the carrier apparatus may be disposed adjacent the wearer&#39;s body beneath overlying clothing in order to utilize the wearer&#39;s body heat for controlling the temperature of the Iv fluids bag carried in the interior compartment of the carrier apparatus. 
         [0010]    A further object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which includes a transparent window panel on an exterior wall of the bag member for viewing through the transparent window the fluid level of an IV fluids bag contained in the interior confines of the carrier apparatus. 
         [0011]    A still further object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which is arranged to facilitate removal and installation of an IV fluids bag in the carrier apparatus without requiring disconnection of the catheter tube from the IV fluids bag. 
         [0012]    A yet further object and advantage of the present invention is the provision of an IV infusion bag carrier apparatus of the class described which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture and reliability of use. 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, front elevational view of an IV infusion bag carrier pack apparatus embodying features of this invention being carried in a supported condition overlying the torso area of a wearing personnel, the apparatus being shown in condition for infusion delivery of IV fluids to a catheterized patient. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the IV infusion bag carrier pack apparatus in an open condition preliminary to provision of an IV fluids bag and a blood pressure cuff member. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  as seen from the opposite direction in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, exploded front perspective view of the carrier pack apparatus of  FIG. 2  showing the installation of an IV fluids bag and blood pressure cuff apparatus into the first and second interior pockets, respectively, of the carrier pack. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a vertical sectional view of the IV infusion bag carrier pack apparatus taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an IV infusion pack  10  embodying features of the present invention in use hanging by a neck-encircling strap member  12  on a medical or rescue personnel P. Alternatively, the apparatus may be similarly supported on the patient himself, as may be necessitated in extrication operations or as may be desired so that rescue personnel are not encumbered in their activities and movements by a need to carry an IV bag connected to the patient. 
         [0020]    In its preferred form illustrated herein, an IV infusion pack  10  embodying features of this invention comprises a longitudinally elongated, hollow bag member  14  formed of flexible but generally non-elastic fabric material such as nylon, gortex, canvas or other selected fabric material. As illustrated the elongated bag member is preferably formed with a front wall panel  16  and a rear wall panel  18 , each panel  16 ,  18  preferably including an intermediate insulation layer  19 , the bag member having a substantially closed first longitudinal terminal end  20  and a substantially open second longitudinal terminal end  22 , together defining a substantially hollow, insulated bag enclosure having an enclosed interior cavity which is substantially open through said second, open end  22  of the bag. 
         [0021]    As seen best in  FIG. 5 , the hollow bag member includes a generally flexible, heat-permeable divider panel  24  secured within the hollow interior cavity of the bag and arranged to divide the interior cavity into a first, front, longitudinally-elongated interior compartment or pocket  26  and a second, rear, longitudinally elongated interior compartment or pocket  28 , each of the separate pockets  24 ,  26  being open to the open second end  22  of the bag member. This divider panel member preferably comprises a sheet of flexible, non-elastic mesh or net-type perforate fabric material having a plurality of openings therethrough for minimal restriction of temperature variations and heat transfer from one interior pocket to the other. The perforate fabric material may be of any suitable type, such as nylon, synthetic thermoplastic resin, metal mesh, natural fabric or other as may be desired, and is preferably white or light in color so that it provides a suitable background for viewing of the numbers and indicia on an IV fluids bag contained in the front pocket. A rear pocket closure flap member  30  is secured to the rear wall  18  of the bag and arranged to releasably overlie the open end of the rear pocket  28 . The closure flap member  30  is releasably secured to the divider panel member  24  as by a hook and loop type fastener apparatus  32  having a selected one of corresponding interengaging hook and loop components  32 ′ secured on the closure flap member  30  and divider panel  24  respectively, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0022]    As will also be readily evident in viewing  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings, the IV pack  10  of this invention is arranged and dimensioned to permit the front interior pocket  26  to receive and closely and snugly confine within its interior a selected, filled flexible IV fluids bag  34 , and to permit the rear pocket  28  to receive and closely confine within its interior an inflatable blood pressure cuff  36  in a folded condition. As will be understood, the closure flap  30  is arranged to permit the tube  38  or tubes  38 ′ for the inflation bulb  40 , pressure release valve  42  and pressure gauge  44  of the blood pressure apparatus to extend out of the rear pocket  28  and through the open end  22  to the outside of the bag member. 
         [0023]    The IV bag is positioned in the front pocket so that its outlet end fitting  34 ′ is disposed adjacent the open end  22  of the bag for connection of a flexible IV tube  46 , in conventional manner, for communicating fluids to a catheter (not shown) inserted in the patient as is well understood in the medical art. Also, an opening  48  may if desired also be provided through the first, closed end  20  of the bag for communication with the interior of the front pocket  26 . In this manner, if it is desired or needed for a particular purpose, the IV bag may be placed into the front pocket in an inverted condition, for extension of the IV bag outlet fixture  34 ′ and tube  46  through the opening  48  as will be understood. As also shown in the drawings, the IV pack of this invention includes means for releasably and adjustably closing the second, open longitudinal end  22  of the bag. In the particular embodiment illustrated herein, this is accomplished by the provision of a bag closure flap member shown herein in the form of a generally V-shaped flap member  50  having legs forming the open end of the V-shape secured to the rear wall  18  of the bag. The flap member is arranged to overlie and lap over the open end  22  of the bag for releasable securement of the opposite, free, closed outer end  50 ′ of the V-shaped flap member to the front wall panel  16  of the bag. 
         [0024]    In this regard, the free, outer end portion  50 ′ of the closure flap member  50  mounts a selected length of one component  52  of a hook and loop type fastener and the front wall  16  of the bag mounts a selected length of the corresponding component  54  of the hook and loop type fastener. This arrangement allows the closure flap member  50  to overlie and securely close the open end of the IV pack to snugly confine a full IV bag contained in the front interior pocket. Then if needed or desired, the closure flap member may be readjusted periodically as might be required to continue to snugly confine the IV bag as its fluid contents are continuingly depleted, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0025]    Another important feature of a bag closure flap member, as represented in the embodiment of the V-shaped flap member  50  illustrated herein, is that it accommodates passage of the pressure cuff tubes  38 ,  38 ′ and the IV bag catheter tube  46  out of the interior confines of the IV pack when the closure flap member  50  is operatively secured, as is clearly shown in  FIG. 1 . Clearly, however, other configurations of bag end closure arrangements suitable for the purpose may alternatively be provided, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    For example, as is shown in the particular, preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the V-shaped closure flap member  50  preferably includes one leg  50   a  having an inner end portion  50   b  that is arranged for releasable attachment to the rear wall  18  adjacent the open end  22  of the bag. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the rear panel  18  mounts a metal ring member  51  arranged to receive the inner end portion  50   b  of the one leg  50   a  of the V-shaped strap member. In turn, the inner end portion mounts corresponding hook and loop components  51   a,    51   b  respectively of a hook and loop type fastener apparatus arranged to secure the end portion together in a folded condition shown with the ring member  51  captured therebetween. 
         [0027]    In this manner, when it is necessary to replace an IV fluids bag after its fluid contents have been depleted, the outer free end  50 ′ of the closure front member  50  is released from its hook and loop connection to the fastener  54  on the front wall  16 , permitting the open end  22  of the bag to be opened to expose the depleted fluids bag in the first pocket. The inner end portion  50   b  of the V-shaped closure flap member  50  is then disconnected from its captured engagement with metal securement ring member  51 , thus freeing the outlet fitting  34 ′ and IV tube  46  from the surrounding V-shaped strap closure arrangement and permitting separation of the tube and outlet fitting from the carrier bag without disconnection from the IV fluids bag  34  also being removed therewith. This greatly facilitates fluids bag removal and replacement operations, as those skilled in the art will readily recognize. 
         [0028]    As previously mentioned, and as shown in the drawings, the IV pack of this invention also mounts a neck or shoulder carrier strap member  12  by which the IV pack can be carried in a convenient, non-encumbering, hands-free suspended condition on a rescue personnel. While this arrangement obviously allows the IV pack to be carried and used without encumbering the hands of the rescue personnel, it also affords other advantages that will be readily evident to those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]    In the embodiment illustrated, the strap  12  is secured to the bag for extension, as shown, from the first, closed end  20  whereby the IV pack is supported in the hanging condition shown. The strap member  12  may, as shown, be provided with a quick release arrangement, such as interengaging buckle apparatus  56 , to facilitate removal of the IV pack from the wearer, as may be desirable in situations for example, where the wearer is wearing a helmet. The strap member may also as shown be provided for adjustment of its length, as by friction adjustment member  58  shown. 
         [0030]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  of the drawings, the front wall  16  of the IV pack includes means for viewing an IV fluids bag confined within the interior of the front pocket  26  of the bag. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the front wall  16  is formed with a longitudinally extending viewing window  60  through the front wall. This viewing window is preferably covered by a cover sheet of transparent material, such as clear plastic, secured to the front wall. In this manner, the level of the fluid contained in the IV bag  34  can be visually seen and monitored continuously at a glance. 
         [0031]    From the foregoing it will be understood that in preparation of use, a blood pressure cuff  36  is folded and inserted into the rear pocket  28  with its tube  38 , (or tubes  38 , 38 ′), extended out of the top of the rear pocket and the open end  22  of the IV pack. If desired, a selected heat-generating or cold-generating packet  62 , well known in the art, may be placed in the rear pocket between the blood pressure cuff and the divider panel and activated, so that an IV bag contained in the front pocket will be heated or cooled as desired for optimal infusion to the patient. The rear pocket closure flap  30  is then closed to secure the cuff and heat or cold generating packets within the confines of the pocket  28 . The IV pack is then ready to receive a selected IV fluids bag  34  when the pack is to be readied for use for a rescue operation or other medical endeavor. 
         [0032]    A selected IV fluids bag  34  is then inserted into the front pocket  26  with its outlet fixture  34 ′ disposed at the open end  22  of the bag (or alternatively, in registry with the opening  48  through the closed end  20  of the bag). The bag closure flap member  50  is then secured in condition overlying and snugly closing the open end  22  of the bag, the IV fitting  34 ′ extending through the opening through the closure flap member. The carrier strap  12  of the IV pack may then be slung about a wearer&#39;s neck or over his shoulder and the pack carried in suspended manner without interfering with the wearer&#39;s hands or activities. 
         [0033]    When needed, and with a catheter inserted in a patient and the IV tube  46  connected to the catheter and IV bag, the IV is started in normal manner well known to those skilled in the medical art. The blood pressure cuff  36  may then be inflated by operation of bulb  40  to a predetermined pressure as witnessed by gauge  44  to expand the cuff in the rear pocket  28  and thereby apply pressure against the IV fluids bag  34  contained in the front pocket  26 . This increased pressure on the snugly confined IV bag  34  assures positive and uninterrupted delivery of fluids irrespective of the disposition of the IV pack relative to the patient. Also, should the patient require, the blood pressure cuff can be inflated to a higher predetermined pressure in order to provide rapid infusion of the IV fluid if needed by the patient in a given situation. 
         [0034]    Also it will be readily apparent that, with the IV pack secured by the neck or shoulder strap  12 , whether on the rescue personnel or the patient himself, the IV pack may be supported thusly under the wearer&#39;s jacket to facilitate warming of the IV fluids contained in the IV pack by the radiant heating from the wearer&#39;s body. Further warming of the fluids can be obtained by extending the IV tube through the wearer&#39;s sleeve. It will also be apparent that separate IV packs can be suspended from each shoulder of the wearer and positioned in the area of the armpits for warming. 
         [0035]    If the IV pack is hung or otherwise supported in positioned elevated above the patient, as when transporting the patient in ambulance or other vehicle, the IV fluids may be delivered by gravity feed, without need of pressurizing the cuff if so desired. Also, it will be appreciated that, with the IV pack of this invention secured to the patient himself, the unattended delivery of fluids is assured even during extrication procedures which may be lengthy, complex and require manipulating the patient into vertical, rotated and other positions that would otherwise interfere with and complicate the delivery of IV fluids to the patient during such activities. 
         [0036]    From the foregoing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many various changes other than those already discussed may be made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of parts described hereinbefore without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

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