Patient -Worn Medical Tube (Cannula) Holder Vest And Apparatuses

Abstract

The present invention addresses the security of medical tubes (including, but not limited to, cannulae and catheters) that are inserted into a patient's internal organ or cavity and/or passed through the patient's skin. Specifically, the invention provides a patient-worn garment in the form of a vest and accompanying apparatuses which secure the tubes in order to redistribute physical and/or gravitational force away from the tube anchoring (or exit) sites (including, but not limited to, suture sites) onto the vest. This minimizes the risk of tug trauma, kinking, and accidental dislodging of the tubes. Thus the invention allows for increased patient mobility during post-operative recovery, after medical device implant(s), and during pre-organ transplant wait periods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This nonprovisional utility patent claims the benefit of the prior filed provisional application USPTO provisional patent application No. 61 / 271,849 filed on Jul. 26, 2009. Note that the sections titled DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART and BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION in the provisional application now appear in sequence under BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION in this nonprovisional application.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]This invention relates generally to medical device support equipment and more specifically to a vest for securing medical tubes, especially cannulae, to a portion of a human body.[0005]Many hospital and ICU patients require continuous medical treatment offered by medical tubes for assistance with a variety of functions including, but not limited to,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Clinical research has demonstrated that patient immobility in the hospital/ICU can adversely affect subsequent health outcomes, increase the length of stay, and raise medical costs. Patients who are safely and effectively mobilized (i.e. sitting unsupported, s...

Problems solved by technology

While somewhat secure, this and similar tube-holding devices limit the patient's movement and often confine the patient to the bed.

These devices also fail to protect against tube dislodgment caused by accidental movement or force affecting the tubes at their anchoring sites.

However, adhesive-based tube holders can loosen from perspiration, bodily fluids, stretching of the skin, and physical movement.

These adhesive tube holders may also cause skin irritation/discomfort and do not offer sufficient protection against tug trauma or accidental dislodging of the medical tubes.

Although this band is more versatile than prior inventions, it does not provide adequate protection against gravitational force or incidental pushing/pulling that may dislodge medical tubes from the patient.

There is insufficient friction and fixation strength to resist a force applied to the tube (i.e. pulling vertically on the tube or accidentally lifting the tubes forward).

Another problem with the band is that it can change the angle of the tube at the exit site, s...

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