Patent Document

PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/670,445, filed on Sep. 25, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied upon. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In a variety of medical procedures various fluids may be added to or removed from the circulatory or other physiological systems of a patient. For example, a number of blood filtration and extra-renal replacement therapies remove and filter blood and other fluids from the circulatory or renal systems of a patient and return treated fluids or replacement fluids to the patient. For example, therapies based on haemofiltration, haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration, and plasmatheresis remove and replace a quantity of fluids from a patient. During these procedures, the quantity of fluids removed from and delivered to the patients must be closely monitored. For example, the delivery of a greater amount of fluid to the patient than was removed may result in unnecessary organ strain or, in the case of blood therapies, high blood pressure. In contrast, the delivery of a lesser amount of fluid to the patient than was removed may result in low blood pressure, dehydration, organ failure, or a host of other related medical complications. 
     A number of fluid replacement devices which incorporate one or more scales configured to control flow pumps and to regulate the delivery of fluids to and from a patient have been developed. Typically, these systems utilize a first weight scale to weigh the amount of fluid being removed from a patient and a second weight scale to weigh the amount of fluid being delivered to the patient simultaneously. While these systems have proven successful in the past, a number of shortcomings have been identified. For example, multiple scale systems are complex devices which have been proven difficult and time-consuming to calibrate. In addition, systems utilizing multiple scales require an operator to precisely monitor multiple weighting systems whose measurements are constantly changing during a particular procedure. 
     In response, alternate systems utilizing a single weight scale have been developed. These single scale systems measure and balance the quantity of fluid removed from and delivered to the patient simultaneously. Typically, a container support device having multiple container supports thereon is coupled to the weight scale. An empty container for receiving fluid from the patient and a container having delivery fluids therein are positioned on and essentially balanced on the container support device. Thereafter, supply lines are coupled to each container and pumps, usually peristaltic pumps, are coupled to the supply lines. During use, the pumps remove fluid from and deliver fluid to the patient simultaneously. Ideally, at all times during the procedure combined weight of the two containers remains substantially constant. The weight scale having the container support device coupled thereto constantly monitors the combined weight of the two containers during the procedure. During use, should the combined weight of the two containers vary beyond a predetermined limit an alarm will be triggered and the pumps connected to the containers will cease operation. In contrast to multiple scale systems, single scale systems are easier to operate and require considerably less time to calibrate than multiple scale systems. However, at least one shortcoming associated with both systems stems from inaccuracies in the weighting process. Torque or tortional constraints present within the weighting systems may affect weight measurement accuracy. In addition, balancing and calibrating present systems is a time consuming and labor intensive process. Furthermore, the ability of present systems to support multiple delivery containers (e.g. 3 or more containers) has proven problematic. More specifically, monitoring and balancing one container for receiving fluid from the patient and one container for delivering replacement fluids to the patient has been accomplished with some success. However, monitoring and balancing one container for receiving fluid from the patient and multiple containers for delivering replacement fluids to the patient has proven to be more problematic. 
     Thus, in light of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for a container support system adapted to couple to a material weighting device and capable of supporting and balancing multiple containers during a medical procedure. 
     SUMMARY 
     A container support device for supporting one or more material containers while removing fluids from and delivering one or more therapeutic agents to a patient is disclosed. The container support device disclosed herein may be coupled to a variety of weight scales or measuring devices. For example, the container support device may be affixed to a scale coupled to a fluid substitution device for use in providing a substitution fluid to a patient. Optionally, the container support device may be affixed to a scale coupled to a fluid removal device configured to remove at least one fluid from the body of a patient. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the container support device to a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, a support body secured to the joint body, and at least one container support extending from the support body. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the container support device to a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, a support body secured to and configured to rotate about the vertical axis of the joint body, and at least one container support extending from the support body. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the container support device to a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, the joint body having a first joint member configured to couple to the attachment member in rotatable relation thereto and a second joint member configured to couple to the first joint member, a support body movably coupled to the second joint member, and at least one container support extending from the support body. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the container support device to a medical fluid replacement device, a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, the joint body having a first joint member configured to couple to the attachment member in rotatable relation thereto and a second joint member configured to couple to the first joint member and move along a first arc A 1 , a support body movably coupled to the second joint member and configured to move along a second arc A 2 , and at least two container supports extending from the support body. Such container supports may be positioned to be equidistant from the vertical axis of the joint body and arc A 2  may be perpendicular to arc A 1 . 
     Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Various exemplary embodiments of a container support device will be explained in more detail by way of the accompanying drawings, wherein components having similar but not necessarily the same or identical features, may have the same reference numeral, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support device having an attachment member, a joint body coupled to the attachment member, and a container support body coupled to the joint body; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of an attachment member of a container support device as viewed along the lines  2 - 2  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an attachment member of a container support device; 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of an embodiment of a joint body of a container support device having a first joint member and a second joint member attached thereto; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a first joint member of a joint body as viewed along the lines  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of an embodiment of a second joint member of a joint body; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a second joint member of a joint body as viewed along the lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of a joint body of a container support device having a support body coupled to a second joint member; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of an embodiment of a support body of a container support device having container supports coupled thereto; 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of a support body wherein the container support is non-rotatably fixed to a container support body; 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of a support body wherein the container support is rotatably fixed to a container support body; 
         FIG. 12  shows a side view of an embodiment of a support body of a container support device having container supports movably coupled thereto; 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support having a coupling member positioned within a container support channel formed on a support body; and 
         FIG. 14  shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of a support body wherein two container supports are positioned proximate to each other and movably coupled to the support body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows one exemplary embodiment of a container support device. As shown, the container support device  10  includes an attachment member  12  coupled to a joint body  14 . A support body  16  having one or more container supports  18  thereon is coupled to the joint body  14 . In the illustrated embodiment the joint body  14  includes a first joint member  20  and a second joint member  22 . Optionally, any number of joint members may be utilized to form the joint body  14 . As shown, the joint body  14  and the support body  16  are colinearly positioned along the vertical axis A V . In an alternate embodiment, the joint body  14  and the support body  16  may not be positioned along a common vertical axis. The container support device  10  or the various components thereof may be manufactured in a variety of sizes and configured to engage and support a variety of material containers. For example, in one embodiment, the container support device  10  may have a length of device for extracting fluids from and delivering fluids to a patient, such as systems dedicated to blood filtration therapies, extra-renal replacement therapies, and the like. Exemplary containers for coupling to the container support device  10  include, without limitation, bags, pouches, bottles, cups, buckets, boxes, and similar devices. In addition, the container support device  10  or the various components thereof may be manufactured from a variety of materials including, for example, stainless steel, titanium, various metallic alloys, aluminum, ceramic materials, plastics, elastomers, silicones, or a combination thereof. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate various views of an exemplary embodiment of an attachment member for use with a container support device. As shown, the attachment member  12  includes an attachment member body  102  having an attachment member base  104  and at least one attachment member sidewall  106  in communication therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member  12  includes four attachment member sidewalls  106  forming an attachment member recess  108 . As shown, the attachment member base  104  includes at least one fastener recess  110  formed therein. The fastener recess  110  is sized to receive at least one fastener  112  therein, thereby enabling the attachment member  12  to be coupled to any number of devices. For example, in one embodiment the attachment member  12  may be coupled to a blood filtration device or extra-renal replacement therapy device. Optionally, the attachment member  12  may be coupled to any variety of devices or mechanisms as desired by the user. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the fastener  112  may include a variety of fastening devices configured to couple the attachment member  12  to a support positioned on a device. Exemplary fastening devices include, without limitation, screws, bolts, pins, nails, locking members, or other mechanisms configured to couple various portions of the container support device together. In the illustrated embodiment, a rotation mount  114  is secured to a surface of the attachment member base  104  and positioned within the attachment member recess  108 . The coupler recess  116  is positioned on the rotation mount  114  and configured to receive a coupler (not shown) therein, thereby permitting the joint body  14  to be movably coupled to the attachment member  12  (See  FIG. 1 ). Optionally, the attachment member base  104  may be manufactured without a rotation mount  114  positioned within the attachment member recess  108 . As such, the attachment base  104  may include a coupler recess  116  formed in the attachment member recess  108 . 
       FIGS. 4-8  show an exemplary embodiment of a joint body for use with a container support device. As shown, the joint body  14  may include a first joint member  20  and a second joint member  22 . The first joint member  20  may include a first joint body base  202  having a least one joint body sidewall  204  extending therefrom. A first joint body pin  208  may be positioned within a first joint body pin orifice  206  formed in the first joint body sidewall  204 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first joint body base  202  and the first joint body sidewall  204  form the first joint body recess  210 , which is sized to receive at least a portion of the second joint body member  22  therein. The first joint body base  202  further includes a first joint body coupling port  212  formed thereon and sized to receive a first joint body coupler  214  therein. The first joint body coupler  214  may be sized to traverse the first joint body coupling port  212  located on the first joint member  20  and engage the coupler recess  116  formed on the attachment member base  104  of the attachment member  12 . (See  FIGS. 2 and 3 ).  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the first joint member  20  having a rotation body  216  positioned on a surface of the first joint body base  202 . The rotation body  216  may be sized and configured to engage the rotation mount  114  located within attachment member recess  108  of the attachment member  12  thereby permitting the first joint member  20  to rotate within the attachment member recess  108  formed on the attachment member  12  when coupled thereto. (See  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). As such, either the rotation mount  114  of the attachment member  12 , or the rotation body  216  of the first joint member  20 , or both, may include any appropriate rotational devices or material to permit the rotation of the first joint member  20  when coupled to the attachment member  12 . Exemplary rotational devices or materials may include, without limitation, bearings including ball bearings or cylindrical bearings, races, low or ultra low friction materials, friction reducing materials, low friction plastics or elastomers, oils, carbons, teflons, silicons, or similar friction reducing materials. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4-8 , the second joint member  22  includes a second joint body base  222  having at least one second joint body sidewall  224  extending therefrom. A second joint body pin  228  is positioned within a second joint body pin orifice  226  formed in at least one second joint body sidewall  224 . A second joint body attachment passage  230  may be formed within or approximate to the second joint body base  222 . In one embodiment, the second body attachment passage  230  may be sized and configured to receive the first joint body pin  206  therein. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second joint body attachment passage  230  is substantially perpendicular to the second joint body pin  228 . In an alternate embodiment, the second joint body attachment passage  230  may be transverse to or co-aligned with the second joint body pin  228 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the joint body  14  is configured to permit the second joint body member  22  to freely move along the arc A 1  when coupled to the first joint body member  20 , thereby forming a single pivot universal joint. In addition, when the support body  16  is coupled to the second joint body member  22 , the support body  16  is permitted to freely move along the arc A 2 . As shown, arc A 2  is substantially perpendicular to arc A 1 . However, A 2  may be positioned at any angle relative to arc A 1 . As such, the joint body  14  enables two points of freedom of rotation relative to the vertical access A V . Further, the joint body  14  may be rotationally coupled to the attachment member  12  when a first joint body coupler  214  is positioned within the first joint body coupling port  212  located proximal to a rotation body  214  formed on the first joint body base  202 . As a result, the joint body  14  is rotationally coupled to the attachment member  12  thereby permitting a third point of freedom of rotation relative to the vertical axis A V  and eliminating or reducing constraints or torques present within the container support device  10 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of joint bodies may be coupled to together to form a multiple pivot universal joint. 
       FIGS. 9-11  show an exemplary embodiment of a support body  16  for use with a container 
     support device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support body  16  includes a main body  300  having a first coupling section  302  and a second coupling section  304  formed thereon. The first and second coupling sections  302 ,  304 , respectively, define at least one coupling relief  306  sized to receive the second joint body pin  226  of the second joint member  22  therein. (See  FIGS. 4-8 ). In the illustrated embodiment, two coupling reliefs  306 A,  306 B are formed on the support body  16 . A first coupling aperture  308  may be formed on the first coupling section  302 . Similarly, a second coupling aperture  310  may be formed on the second coupling section  304 . The first and second coupling apertures  308 ,  310 , respectively, are sized to receive the second joint body pin  226  therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the first and second coupling apertures  308 ,  310 , respectively, may be sized to receive a fastening device configured to couple to the second joint member  22  therein. Exemplary fastening devices include, without limitation, pins, screws, hooks, eye bolts, washers or similar devices. Optionally, any number of coupling sections and coupling apertures are also within the scope of the invention. Similarly, the main body  300  may be attached to the joint body  14  using any other methods known to those skilled in the art without the use of coupling apertures. A container support body  312  is secured to the main body  300  and includes at least one container support  18  positioned thereon. In one embodiment, the container support body  312  may be securely attached or immovably attached to the main body  300 . For example, the container support body  312  may be welded to or otherwise secured to the main body  300 . In an alternate embodiment, the container support body  312  may be detachably coupled to the main body  300 . For example, the container support body  312  may be coupled to the main body in screw-fit relation. Optionally, any number of detachable coupling methods may be used to couple the container support body  312  to the main body  300 , including, without limitation, snap fit relation, pinned relations, and friction fit relation. Optionally, the container support body  312  may be immovably or non-rotatably coupled to the main body  300 . In an alternate embodiment, the container support body  312  may be capable of rotating about the vertical axis A V  of the container support device  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 9-11 , the illustrated embodiment shows four container supports  18  positioned on the container support body  312 . Optionally, any number of container supports  18  may be positioned on the container support body  312 . For example, the container support body  312  may include two container supports  18 . Further, when multiple container supports  18  are positioned on the container support body  312 , the container supports  18  may be of constant or variable width, length, pitch, angle, or orientation. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the container supports  18  may be immovably or non-rotatably affixed to the container support body  312 . For example, the container supports  18  may be coupled to the container support body  312  using, without limitation, screws, threads, bolts, pins, welds, adhesives, or any combination thereof. In an alternate embodiment,  FIG. 11  shows a container support  18  affixed to the container support body  312  in moveable relation. For example, the container supports  18  may be capable of rotating about the container support access As In the illustrated embodiment, the container supports  18  comprise cylindrical body members affixed to the container support body  312 . Optionally, the container supports  18  may be formed in a variety of shapes including, straight members, curved members, clips, hooks, bottle supports, cups or similar shapes. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the container supports  18  are positioned an equal distance from the vertical access A V  of the support body  16 . As a result, when equally weighted material containers are positioned on opposing container supports  18 , the support body  16  will be balanced along the vertical axis A V . Optionally, the container supports  18  may be positioned at equal or unequal distances from the vertical axis A V  of the support body  16 . In addition, the container supports  18  may be positioned on the container support body  312  so as to remain balanced in relation to the vertical axis A V . 
       FIGS. 12-14  show an alternate embodiment of a container support body for use with a container support device  10 . Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the container support body  412  is secured to the main body  300  and includes at least one container support  418  positioned thereon. In the illustrated embodiment the container support body  412  includes a container support channel  420  formed therein. The container support channel may be sized to receive at least a portion of the container support  418  therein and configured to permit the container support  418  to be selectively moved and repositioned therein by a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the container support channel  420  formed in the support body  412  includes at least one movable coupling member  422  therein. A coupling fastener  424  may be coupled to or attachable to either the coupling member  422 , the container support  418 , or both. As such, the container support  418  may include a fastener recess  426  sized to receive a fastening coupler  424  therein. During use, the user may position the coupling member  422  at a desired position on the container support  412  (See line  1  in  FIG. 12 ). Thereafter, the user may couple the container support  418  to the coupling member  422 , thereby compressing the container support body  412  between the container support  418  and the coupling member  422  and restricting the movement of the coupling member  422  within the container support channel  420 . As a result, the container support  418  is secured to the container support body  412  at location desired by the user. Any number of container supports  418  may be positioned on or detachably coupled to the container support body  412 . For example, the container support body  412  may include two container supports  418 . Further, when multiple container supports  418  are positioned on the container support body  412 , the container supports  418  may be of constant or variable width, length, pitch, angle, or orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the container support channel  420  is horizontally positioned on the container support body  412 . In an alternate embodiment, the container support body  412  may include any vertically positioned container support channels, horizontally positioned container support channels, container support channels positioned at an angle, or any combination of the above. 
     In closing, it is noted that specific illustrative embodiments of the container support device have been disclosed hereinabove. However, it is to be understood that the container support device is not limited to these specific embodiments and not limited to the precise embodiments described in detail hereinabove. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Technology Category: a