Catheter placement device and related methods

Abstract

An endovenous therapy system facilitating the insertion of a catheter or other suitable endovenous device into a patient may include a band made of a flexible material, secured around the patient's limb. The endovenous therapy system may include a window formed through the band to provide access to the patient's body. The endovenous therapy system may include a tourniquet formed within the band to selectively apply pressure to the patient's body. The endovenous therapy system may include a vascular indicator to indicate the location where the catheter or other suitable endovenous device will be inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] In general, this disclosure relates to medical devices. More specifically, this disclosure relates to catheters for infusing fluid into a patient's vascular system. In some embodiments, this disclosure relates to intravenous therapy systems and methods of manufacturing the same. In other embodiments, this disclosure relates to intravenous placement devices. Background Technology

[0002] Catheters are commonly used to deliver fluids into a patient's vascular system. For example, catheters can be used to infuse saline solutions, various medications, or total parenteral nutrition. Catheters can also be used to draw blood from a patient.

[0003] The catheter may include a peripheral intravenous (“IV”) catheter with a cannula. In this case, the catheter may be mounted on an insertion needle with a sharp distal tip. The catheter and insertion needle may be assembled such that the distal tip of the insertion needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, while the bevel of the needle faces upward away from the patient’s skin. The catheter and insertion needle are typically inserted into the patient’s vascular system through the skin at a small angle.

[0004] To verify proper placement of the insertion needle and / or catheter in a blood vessel, clinicians typically confirm the presence of a "flashback" of blood in the flashback chamber of the catheter assembly. Once needle placement is confirmed, the clinician may temporarily block flow in the vascular system and remove the needle, leaving the catheter in place for future blood draws or fluid infusions. Placing the needle and catheter within a vein can be difficult for clinicians. In some cases, clinicians may attempt to locate the vein multiple times, and may require multiple needle pricks, which can be physically harmful to the patient and increase their anxiety.

[0005] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that address any drawbacks or operate only in environments such as those described herein. Rather, this background is provided to describe the environments in which the embodiments currently described may operate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention generally relates to an intravenous (IV) therapy system that facilitates the insertion of a catheter or other suitable IV device into a patient. In some embodiments, the IV therapy system may include a band that may include a loop. In some embodiments, the band may be made of a flexible material for securing it around the patient's limb. In some embodiments, the IV therapy system may include a window formed through the band to provide access to the patient's body. In some embodiments, the IV therapy system may include a tourniquet formed within the band to selectively apply pressure to the patient's body. In some embodiments, the IV therapy system may include a vascular indicator to indicate the location where the catheter or other suitable IV device will be inserted.

[0007] In some embodiments, the tourniquet may include a processor for controlling a plurality of mechanical and electrical devices of the tourniquet. In some embodiments, the processor may control the pressure applied to a patient's body via the tourniquet placed within the tourniquet. In some embodiments, the tourniquet may include a pouch formed within a flexible material tourniquet, and the pouch may inflate and deflate to generate a pulsating pressure pattern on the patient's body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the band may include a magnetic device to secure the catheter or other suitable IV device to the band, thereby stabilizing the catheter or other suitable IV device. The magnetic device may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic device. In some embodiments, the band may include a sealing lip to engage with a protective medical dressing to prevent contamination at the injection site during insertion of the catheter or other suitable IV device into the patient.

[0009] In some embodiments, the vascular indicator includes a near-infrared (near IR) camera for detecting the location of blood vessels within the patient's body. In some embodiments, a mechanical channel may be formed in the vascular indicator to guide a catheter or other suitable IV device to the location of a blood vessel within the patient's body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the band may include an IV device insertion indicator to indicate the insertion of a catheter or other suitable IV device into a patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments, the band may include an infusion status indicator that indicates the infusion status of fluid passing through a catheter or other suitable IV device and entering the patient's blood vessel.

[0011] It should be understood that the foregoing overview and the following detailed description are illustrative and not intended to limit this disclosure. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that these embodiments may be combined with each other, or other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made unless so required, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not restrictive. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The exemplary embodiments will be described and explained in additional specific detail using the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example tape according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a strap and example catheter system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a strap and conduit system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a tape according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example method for forming a strip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] As used in this disclosure, the term "distal" refers to the portion of the intravenous therapy system further away from the user, and the term "proximal" refers to the portion of the intravenous therapy system closer to the user. Thus, for example, the end of the catheter that first contacts the patient's body is the distal end of the catheter, and the opposite end is the proximal end. As used in this disclosure, the term "user" can refer to a clinician, physician, nurse, or any other care provider, and may include support personnel.

[0019] As used herein, the terms “top,” “up,” or “upward” refer to a position on the needle of the endovenous therapy system that, during use, is radially away from the longitudinal axis of the endovenous therapy system and away from the patient’s skin. Conversely, as used herein, the terms “bottom,” “down,” or “downward” refer to a position on the needle of the endovenous therapy system that, during use, is radially away from the longitudinal axis of the endovenous therapy system and towards the patient’s skin.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “in” or “inward” refer to a position of the needle relative to the intravenous therapy system that, during use, faces inward toward the interior of the intravenous therapy system. Conversely, as used herein, the terms “outward” or “outward” refer to a position of the needle relative to the intravenous therapy system that, during use, faces outward toward the exterior of the intravenous therapy system.

[0021] Although the embodiments described herein are intended as intravenous therapy systems for receiving blood samples or delivering medications to a patient, it should be understood that such intravenous therapy systems are applicable to other medical devices that require the insertion of needles and / or catheters into a patient's blood vessels.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a band 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the intravenous therapy system may include the band 100. Although Figure 1The strap 100 is shown as a device configured to engage with a patient's arm; however, this specification contemplates that the strap 100 can be used to engage with any part of the patient's body, including the legs, torso, etc. For example, the strap 100 may extend around or attach to a part of the patient's body. Therefore, this specification contemplates that other sizes and / or arrangements of the strap 100 may be used to achieve the functionality of the strap 100 described in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the strap 100 may include an armband.

[0023] In some embodiments, the strap 100 may be made of any flexible or elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the strap 100 may include a loop or sleeve that can be wrapped around a patient's limb (such as an arm). In some embodiments, the strap 100 may partially enclose the patient's limb. In some embodiments, the material may remain flush with or in contact with the patient's arm during use of the strap 100. In these and other embodiments, the material may include polychloroprene rubber, which may facilitate contact with the patient's arm. In some embodiments, the material may include any type of elastic material that allows the strap 100 to remain flush with the patient's body during use of the strap 100.

[0024] In some embodiments, the band 100 may further include a window 110 formed through a portion of the band 100. In some embodiments, the window 110 may be positioned on the band 100 at a location that provides a clinician performing intravenous (IV) device operation with access to the patient's body surface for insertion of the IV device. In some embodiments, the window 110 may be positioned through the band 100 at a location where, when the band 100 is worn by the patient, a blood vessel (e.g., a vein) is located at the center of the window 110, or is otherwise accessible to the IV device through the window 110.

[0025] In some embodiments, window 110 may include an elongated slit formed through strap 100, the slit following a path that, according to human anatomy, is the path of a blood vessel. For example, in the case where strap 100 is to be worn by a patient on the patient's left arm, window 110 may be formed through strap 100 at the location of the radial artery, ulnar artery, posterior interosseous artery, common interosseous artery, brachial artery, cephalic vein, median basal vein, median basal vein, cephalic vein, basal vein, or other arteries or veins located within the patient's body. In some embodiments, the material of strap 100 may include an elastic and flexible material that can apply pressure at window 110, which may cause the blood vessel to become more prominent within window 110. It should be understood that, although Figure 1 The specific location of the window 110 formed through the strip 100 is shown, but this specification envisions various lengths, widths and placements that the window 110 may take.

[0026] In some embodiments, window 110 may be close to one or more magnetic elements 120. In these embodiments, magnetic elements 120 may be electromagnetic elements or permanent magnets. In embodiments where magnetic element 120 is an electromagnetic element, magnetic element 120 may be electrically connected to a power source that allows magnetic element 120 to be selectively magnetized to a magnetized or demagnetized state. In some embodiments, magnetic element 120 may facilitate the placement of other medical devices that can be used to provide care to a patient against strap 100. In some embodiments, magnetic element 120 may stabilize the IV device against strap 100, thereby maintaining the insertion quality of the IV device while, for example, a clinician performs other tasks related to patient care. Although magnetic element 120 is described in this specification, this specification contemplates the use of other suitable fixation devices and is not limited to the use of magnetic element 120 described in this disclosure.

[0027] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include a vascular indicator 135 disposed within the window 110. In some embodiments, the vascular indicator 135 may provide a visual indicator to a clinician indicating the location, for example, where an IV device will be inserted into the patient to intersect a blood vessel. In some embodiments, as described in this disclosure, the vascular indicator 135 may include a near-infrared (near IR) camera for detecting the location of a blood vessel. In this embodiment, the near IR camera may detect whether the blood vessel is an artery or a vein and provide feedback to the clinician regarding the location of the indicated blood vessel (e.g., visual feedback via a light-emitting diode or auditory feedback via a speaker).

[0028] In some embodiments, the vascular indicator 135 may be magnetically coupled to the band 100 at a position aligned with a vascular vessel via a magnetic element 120 in response to the detection of a vascular vessel. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the vascular indicator 135 may include a tip that provides a visual indicator to a clinician to indicate where the IV device should be inserted into the patient's blood vessels for access.

[0029] In some embodiments, window 110 may further include any protective medical dressing (not shown) for preventing contamination of the IV device injection site. In some embodiments, window 110 may include a sealing lip or other type of gasket that engages directly and sealably with the protective medical dressing, preventing the protective medical dressing from adhering to the patient's body. In some embodiments, the sealing lip may allow the protective medical dressing to be suspended across window 110, thereby preventing contamination between the IV device injection site and the band 100 and the patient's body.

[0030] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include a tourniquet 115, which may be attached to or disposed within the band 100. In some embodiments, the tourniquet 115 may be any device that selectively compresses an artery or vein. Regarding IV devices injected into a patient, the tourniquet 115 may be used to inhibit blood flow through blood vessels, thereby making the vessels more visible and facilitating access to the IV device for injection. In some embodiments, the tourniquet 115 may include a pouch placed between the outer and inner surfaces of a flexible material of the band 100.

[0031] In some embodiments, the tourniquet 115 may be digitally controlled such that a certain amount of air or other fluid is pneumatically introduced into the tourniquet 115 at specific intervals. For example, the tourniquet 115 may sequentially inflate and deflate within the band 100 to generate pulsating pressure along the length of the band 100 to enhance the identification of veins within the window 110 formed through the band 100. In some embodiments, the tourniquet 115 may be digitally coupled to a processor that introduces air or other fluid into the tourniquet 115 to achieve any inflation and deflation pattern of the tourniquet 115 as described in this disclosure. As described in this disclosure, a processor (not shown) may be used to execute computer-readable program code to stimulate other means associated with the band 100 as described in this disclosure; magnetic element 120 is one example.

[0032] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include an IV device insertion indicator 125, such as an IV catheter insertion indicator. In some embodiments, the IV device insertion indicator 125 may indicate to a clinician that the IV device has been correctly inserted into the patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments, to detect the placement of the IV device, the processor may manipulate a metal detector (not shown) or a near-IR camera of the vessel indicator 135. In some embodiments, by receiving data from these detection devices, the processor may provide, for example, real-time feedback to the clinician via the IV device insertion indicator 125. In some embodiments, the IV device insertion indicator 125 may be a light-emitting diode (LED) or a series of LEDs or another suitable light that visually indicates to the clinician whether the IV device has been clearly and correctly inserted into the patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments, the IV device insertion indicator 125 may be a speaker that audibly indicates to the clinician whether the IV device has been clearly and correctly inserted into the patient's blood vessel.

[0033] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include an infusion status indicator 130. The infusion status indicator 130 provides a clinician with a visual or auditory indication of the infusion status of an IV device inserted into a patient's vein or other fluid status. In some embodiments, a near-IR camera or other fluid detection device may be coupled to the processor of the band 100 to receive data describing the fluid passing through the IV and forward it to the infusion status indicator 130, informing the clinician of the status of the infusion, blood draw, or other fluid passing through the IV device. In some embodiments, the infusion status indicator 130 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a series of LEDs that visually indicate to the clinician the current status of the infused or drawn blood or fluid present in the IV device. In some embodiments, the infusion status indicator 130 may include a speaker that audibly indicates to the clinician the current status of the infused or drawn blood or fluid present in the IV device.

[0034] In some embodiments, the band 100 can exhibit intelligent tourniquet behavior, better highlighting blood vessels and vascular features to facilitate clearer access for clinicians. After insertion of the IV device, the band 100 can be coupled to the IV device to provide rapid stabilization of the IV device relative to the patient's body. This stabilization can play a role in maintaining the initial placement quality of the IV device. In some embodiments, the band 100 can serve as a data and power base station, for example, for digital catheters. In this embodiment, the band 100 can reduce the hardware burden of the IV device, thereby minimizing the associated size and cost of the IV device and those devices used to inject fluid into or receive blood samples from the patient.

[0035] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include physiological or environmental sensors, such as an IV device insertion indicator 125 and an infusion status indicator 130. These sensors may operate independently or in combination with other IV device-based sensors to assess patient condition, infusion status, unplanned infusions, flushing events, and many other indications. This increases the functionality of the band 100, allowing clinicians to understand the patient more in one location than otherwise possible. Instead of requiring clinicians to interact with multiple devices to aggregate a fragmented network of products, this provides similar care achieved via the band 100 described in this disclosure. By incorporating the various features of the band 100 described in this disclosure into a single device, workflows are streamlined, confidence in IV device insertion and tip placement is increased, and the complexity associated with using numerous other devices is reduced. Furthermore, the band 100 described in this disclosure can reduce storage costs for multiple other devices used to perform the functions of the band 100 described in this disclosure.

[0036] In some embodiments, the band 100 can also reduce the need for adhesive-based IV device dressings. As described above, the sealing lip on the band 100 can directly engage with a protective medical dressing to create a closed or near-closed environment at the injection site of the IV device.

[0037] Certain features, such as the digital tourniquet 115 of the band 100, offer unique opportunities to improve existing infusion or blood draw techniques. Some tourniquet devices do not have dynamic pressure. However, the tourniquet 115 of the band 100 described in this disclosure can apply pulsating pressure along the length of the band 100, thereby further enhancing vessel detection. Additionally, with improvements in point-of-care sensor functionality, the currently described band 100 can be directly coupled to these improved sensors to achieve further enhanced functionality of the band 100.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an IV therapy system, which may include a strip 100 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 2 In the illustration, the strap 100 is depicted engaging with an IV device 145. In some embodiments, the IV device 145 may include a catheter device that may include a catheter adapter coupled to the catheter. In some embodiments, the catheter may include a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC), a midline catheter, or a peripherally inserted central catheter. In some embodiments, the IV device 145 may be any type of IV device 145 that allows a clinician to obtain fluid access to a patient's blood vessels. In some embodiments, the IV device 145 may include a port for receiving blood samples from a patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments, a clinician may use the port of the IV device 145 or another port to infuse one or more infusion fluids, such as saline solution, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient's blood vessels.

[0039] In some embodiments, during the operation of the strap 100, the clinician can secure the strap 100 around the patient's limb. Figure 2 In the example shown, the band 100 is secured around the patient's left arm 140. In some embodiments, the band 100 may be placed on the patient's arm so that a blood vessel can be accessed through a window 110 formed through the band 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, in response to window 110 being positioned above a blood vessel, a clinician can use vascular indicator 135 to determine the exact location of the blood vessel within the patient's body along window 110. In some embodiments, a clinician can use IV device insertion indicator 125, which includes a near-IR camera for detecting the location of blood vessels within the patient's body. In some embodiments, IV device insertion indicator 125 may further include a tip that visually indicates to the clinician a point along the patient's body where IV device 145 should be inserted to achieve fluid access to the blood vessel of this disclosure.

[0041] In some embodiments, during insertion, a clinician may pass the IV device 145 through a protective medical dressing held on the window 110 by a sealing lip or other type of gasket around the window 110. In some embodiments, the protective medical dressing may prevent contamination of the injection site due to insertion of the IV device 145 into the patient.

[0042] In some embodiments, during operation, the tourniquet 115 of the band 100 may also be activated to inhibit blood flow through, for example, superficial veins, thereby making these veins more visible and facilitating access of the IV device 145 for injection. In some embodiments, activation of the tourniquet 115 may include introducing air or other fluid into the pouch of the tourniquet 115 to prevent blood flow from passing through or around the tourniquet 115. In some embodiments, the tourniquet 115 may sequentially inflate and deflate within the band 100 to generate pulsating pressure along the length of the band 100 to enhance the identification of veins within the window 110 formed across the band 100. In some embodiments, activation of the tourniquet 115 may be achieved by using a processor that detects an activation signal from, for example, a clinician-activated button and introduces fluid into the pouch of the tourniquet 115. This stimulation of the tourniquet 115 can be performed, as needed to facilitate the insertion of the IV device 145, before the IV device 145 is inserted into the patient, before the clinician attempts to detect the presence of a blood vessel with the IV device insertion indicator 125, or at any other time during the operation of the tourniquet 100.

[0043] In some embodiments, after the IV device 145 has been inserted into a blood vessel, the processor of the band 100 may also receive input from a plurality of sensors describing the insertion of the IV device 145, the placement of the IV device 145, and the occurrence of infusion or blood draw via the IV device 145. These sensors may include a near-IR camera of the vascular indicator 135, a metal detector formed on the vascular indicator 135 or other portions of the band 100, a heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen level sensor (e.g., a pulse oximeter), and a fluid flow detector, as well as other types of sensors. In some embodiments, the processor may then receive this data and provide output to a clinician at the infusion status indicator 130 and the IV device insertion indicator 125, for example, providing feedback to the clinician regarding the current status of the patient, the IV device 145, and the band 100.

[0044] In some embodiments, the clinician can secure the IV device 145 to the band 100 during operation and after the clinician has inserted the IV device 145 into the patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments, a magnetic element 120 formed around the window 110 can be used to secure the IV device 145 to the band 100. In some embodiments, the IV device 145 may include certain ferromagnetic elements that can interact with the magnetic element 120, allowing the clinician to secure the IV device 145 to the band 100. In some embodiments, the processor can be electrically connected to a power source and an electromagnet serving as the magnetic element 120, such that a voltage can be applied to the magnetic element 120, causing the electromagnet to be magnetized. This allows the clinician to selectively determine when the IV device 145 should and should not be magnetically coupled to the band 100, for example, during insertion of the IV device 145 and after use.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a strip 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 It shows a ratio Figure 1 and 2 The view shown shows strip 100 relatively close to the view. Similarly, Figure 3 The strip 100 shown includes a coupling Figure 1 and Figure 2 The presented components are similar to those of the components.

[0046] exist Figure 3 In some embodiments, the band 100 is illustrated as including an additional feature of a vascular indicator 135. In some embodiments, the vascular indicator 135 may include a hole 150 formed through the vascular indicator 135. In some embodiments, the hole 150 may serve as another mechanism through which a clinician inserts an IV device 145 into a patient. Although Figure 3The illustration shows an IV device 145 inserted into a patient in front of a vascular indicator 135, but an alternative method can be used to insert the IV device 145 into the patient through a port 150. In these embodiments, a clinician can access a blood vessel by coaxially placing a needle and / or catheter into the port 150 of the IV device insertion indicator 125. This allows certain types of IV devices 145 to be used for accessing blood vessels at a more perpendicular angle relative to the patient's body. In some embodiments, the port 150 extends at an angle through the vascular indicator 135, thereby providing various angles for a variety of other types of IV devices 145. Again, the presence of a blood vessel can be established using, for example, a near-IR camera formed within the vascular indicator 135, as described in this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a tape 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described in this disclosure, the tape 100 may include various electrical components that allow the tape 100 to participate in the functions of the tape 100 described in this disclosure. Although in certain examples the tape 100 may be described as "including" certain elements, this specification contemplates... Figure 4 The components shown and described in this disclosure can be operatively coupled to the tape 100, whether these components form a physical part of the tape 100 itself or form part of a computing device, for example, communicatively coupled to the tape 100. Thus, this specification envisions... Figure 4 Any element shown and described in this disclosure may be part of the resources provided to the tape 100 and distributed on the device network, and / or may be physically coupled to the tape 100 itself during operation of the tape 100.

[0048] The tape 100 may include a processor 402, such as a central processing unit (CPU), control logic, or some combination thereof. Any of the processing resources can be operated to execute code presented as instructions 424, which is firmware or software code. Furthermore, the tape 100 may include memory storing the instructions 424, such as main memory 404, static memory 406, computer-readable medium 422, and drive unit 416 (volatile (e.g., random access memory, etc.), non-volatile (read-only memory, flash memory, etc.), or any combination thereof). The tape 100 may also include one or more buses 408 operable for transmitting communication between various hardware components, such as any combination of various input and output (I / O) devices that may be associated with the tape 100.

[0049] In some embodiments, the band 100 may include a network interface device 420 to provide connectivity to a network 428, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless personal area network (WPAN), wireless wide area network (WWAN), or other networks. The connectivity from the band 100 to the network 428 may be via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the network interface adapter 420 may operate according to any wireless data communication standard. For communication with a wireless local area network, standards including the IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard, the IEEE 802.15 WPAN standard, WWAN standards such as 3GPP or 3GPP2, or similar wireless standards may be used.

[0050] The network interface device 420 can be used to communicatively connect components of the tape 100 to, for example, a computing device including other processing resources, a video display 410, an input device 412, and a keyboard 414. In this way, the tape 100 can wirelessly transmit data to the processor 402 of the computing device, enabling the processor to receive the data and provide output according to the executed instructions 424 stored on the computing device.

[0051] The tape 100 may include a tape control module 432. In some embodiments, the tape control module 432 may be in the form of executable computer-readable program code executable by the processor 402. In some embodiments, the tape control module 432 may be an integrated circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a structured ASIC, or a device embedded on a larger chip), a card (e.g., a peripheral component interface (PCI) card, a PCI-express card, a PCMCIA card, or other such expansion card), or a system (e.g., a motherboard, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or a standalone device).

[0052] The band control module 432 can receive input from any sensor of the band 100 described in this disclosure and have that data processed by the processor 402. For example, the band control module 432 can receive input, data, or other information describing the location of blood vessels in a patient's body from the vascular indicator 135. During operation of the band 100, the vascular indicator 135 can provide data describing whether the vascular indicator 135 has been placed above or near a blood vessel. The band control module 432 can then work with the processor 402 to cause the processor 402 to execute computer-readable code to determine when the vascular indicator 135 indicates that a blood vessel has been detected. In one example, the processor 402 can cause an indicator on the band 100 or at a communication-linked computing device to indicate to a clinician that the vascular indicator 135 has been placed near or above a blood vessel. The clinician can then secure the vascular indicator 135 to the band 100 via, for example, a magnetic element 120 described in this disclosure.

[0053] In another embodiment, the strap control module 432 may receive data from a metal detector or other sensor that monitors the placement of the IV device 145 within the patient's body. When the strap control module 432 receives this data, it may, together with the processor 402, provide an indication to the user via, for example, an IV device insertion indicator 125, to indicate that the IV device 145 has been correctly placed within the patient's blood vessel.

[0054] In some embodiments, the band control module 432 may receive input from a fluid flow sensor associated with the IV device 145, indicating that fluid is flowing through a fluid path formed within the IV device 145. The band control module 432 may then work with the processor 402 to determine when fluid is flowing through the IV device 145 and cause the processor 402 to signal the infusion status indicator 130 to indicate that an infusion is in progress. The band control module 432 may cause the processor 402 to execute any associated instructions, parameters, and profiles to process input from any of the multiple sensors and present output to a clinician for the functionality of the band 100 described herein.

[0055] In some embodiments, the tape 100 may also include any power source for powering the apparatus described in this disclosure. The power source may include a battery pack (not shown) electrically connected to the processor 402 and the tape control module 432, such that signals can be sent to components of the tape 100 as described in this disclosure.

[0056] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for forming a band according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 500 may include, at block 505, forming a loop of flexible material for securing to a patient's limb. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be made of any type of elastic material that allows the band to remain flush with the patient's body during use.

[0057] Method 500 may further include, in block 510, forming a window through the collar to provide access to the patient's body. This window may be positioned on the collar at a location that provides access to the patient's body surface for insertion of the IV device by a clinician administering the intravenous (IV) device. In some embodiments, the window may be positioned at a location through the collar of a band, where a blood vessel (e.g., a vein) may be centrally or otherwise accessed by the IV device through the window when the band is worn by the patient.

[0058] Method 500 may further include, at frame 515, forming a tourniquet within a collar to selectively apply pressure to the patient's body. The tourniquet can be any device that selectively compresses an artery or vein. Regarding IV devices injected into a patient, a tourniquet can be used to inhibit blood flow through, for example, superficial veins, thereby making these veins more visible and facilitating access to the IV device for injection. In some embodiments, the tourniquet may be placed at a location within the collar of the band where blood flow to a vein or other vessel located within a window can be temporarily inhibited, making the vein within the window more visible. In some embodiments, the tourniquet may be in the form of a pouch placed between the outer and inner surfaces of a flexible material of the collar.

[0059] Method 500 may include, at block 520, forming a vascular indicator to indicate the location where a catheter or other suitable IV device will be inserted. In some embodiments, as described in this disclosure, the vascular indicator may include a near-infrared (near IR) camera for detecting the location of a blood vessel. In this embodiment, the near IR camera may detect whether the blood vessel is an artery or a vein and provide feedback to a clinician indicating the location of the blood vessel (e.g., visual feedback via a light-emitting diode or auditory feedback via a speaker).

[0060] Method 500 may include communicatively coupling a tourniquet to a processor at block 525 to guide the application of pressure to the patient's body. Additionally, the vascular indicator, IV device insertion indicator, infusion status indicator, and any associated sensors described in this disclosure may be communicatively coupled to the processor via the tourniquet control module described in this disclosure.

[0061] Furthermore, it should be understood that the various embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. As an example, Figure 1-5Implementations can be arranged to suit a particular purpose based on the type of action being performed.

[0062] The description in this disclosure allows clinicians to roughly highlight target vessels using a window formed through the loop, while simultaneously highlighting the insertion site with a vessel indicator. These "landing pad" features are not objective and can be used by clinicians to isolate the target vessel. The band can achieve intelligent tourniquet behavior to better highlight vessels and vascular features, allowing clinicians to access these vessels more clearly. After insertion of the IV device, the band can be coupled to the IV device and / or its adapter to provide rapid stabilization of the IV device relative to the patient's body. This stabilization can play a role in maintaining the initial placement quality of the IV device. In some embodiments, the band can serve as, for example, a data and power base station for digital catheters. In this embodiment, the band can reduce the hardware burden on the IV device, thereby minimizing the associated size and cost of the IV device and those devices used to inject fluid into or receive blood samples from the patient.

[0063] In some embodiments, the band may include physiological or environmental sensors, such as IV device insertion indicators and infusion status indicators. These sensors may operate independently or in combination with other IV device-based sensors to assess patient condition, infusion status, unplanned infusions, flushing events, and many other indications. This increases the band's functionality, allowing clinicians to understand the patient more in one location than otherwise possible. Instead of requiring clinicians to interact with multiple devices to aggregate a fragmented network of products, this provides similar care achieved via the band described in this disclosure. By integrating the various features of the band described in this disclosure into a single device, workflows are streamlined, confidence in IV device insertion and tip placement is increased, while also reducing the complexity associated with using numerous other devices. Furthermore, the band described in this disclosure can reduce storage costs for multiple other devices used to perform the functions of the band described in this disclosure.

[0064] In some embodiments, the band can also eliminate the need for adhesive-based IV device dressings. As described above, the sealing lip on the band can directly engage with a protective medical dressing to create a closed or near-closed environment at the IV device injection site.

[0065] Certain features, such as digital tourniquets with straps, offer unique opportunities to improve existing infusion or blood draw techniques. Some tourniquet devices do not have dynamic pressure. However, tourniquets utilizing the straps described in this disclosure can apply pulsating pressure along the length of the strap, thereby further improving vessel detection. Furthermore, with improvements in point-of-care sensor functionality, the currently described straps can be directly coupled to these improved sensors to enable further functional enhancements to the straps.

[0066] All examples and conditional language referenced in this disclosure are intended for educational purposes to aid the reader in understanding the concepts contributed by the inventors to the field and are not to be construed as being limited to these specifically referenced examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. An intravenous therapy system that facilitates catheter insertion into a patient, comprising: A strap made of a flexible material, wherein the strap is configured to be secured around a patient's limb; A window formed through a flexible material in the band to provide access to the patient's limb, the window including an elongated slit formed through the band, the path of which corresponds to the path of the patient's blood vessels according to human anatomy; A tourniquet, formed along the length of the band and arranged side-by-side with an elongated slit of the window, for selectively applying pulsatile pressure to the patient's limb along the length of the band; and A vascular indicator, positioned within a narrow slit in the window, indicates where the catheter should be inserted; and The tourniquet includes a pouch formed within a band of flexible material, wherein the pouch is inflated and deflated to generate a pulsating pressure pattern on the patient's body along the length of the band.

2. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes a processor for controlling the pressure applied to the patient's body via the tourniquet.

3. The intravenous therapy system according to claim 1, wherein, The vascular indicator includes a pointed tip that provides a visual indicator to indicate where on the patient's body the intravenous device should be inserted to access a blood vessel within the patient's body.

4. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes a magnetic device for connecting the catheter to the strap to stabilize the catheter.

5. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes a sealing lip for engaging with a protective medical dressing to prevent contamination at the injection site when the catheter is inserted into the patient.

6. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes a mechanical channel formed in the vascular indicator for guiding the catheter to a vascular location within the patient.

7. The intravenous therapy system according to claim 1, wherein, The vascular indicator includes a near-infrared camera for detecting the location of the blood vessels in the patient's body.

8. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes an intravenous device insertion indicator for indicating the insertion of a catheter into a patient's blood vessel.

9. The intravenous therapy system of claim 1 further includes an infusion status indicator indicating the infusion status of fluid passing through a catheter and entering the patient's blood vessels.

10. A method of manufacturing an intravenous therapy system, comprising: Form a band of flexible material to be fixed to the patient's limb; A window is formed through a flexible material in the band to provide access to the patient's body. The window includes an elongated slit formed through the band, the path of which corresponds to the path of the patient's blood vessels according to human anatomy. A tourniquet is formed within the band along its length and arranged side-by-side with the elongated slit of the window to selectively apply pulsatile pressure to the patient's body along the length of the band. A vascular indicator is formed within the narrow slit of the window to indicate the location where the intravenous device will be inserted; and The tourniquet is communicatively connected to the processor to guide the application of pressure to the patient's body; The tourniquet is a pouch formed within a band of flexible material, and the pouch is inflated and deflated by a processor to generate a pulsating pressure pattern on the patient's body along the length of the band.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the vascular indicator includes a tip that provides a visual indicator to a clinician to indicate where on the patient's body the intravenous device should be inserted for access to a blood vessel in the patient's body.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The intravenous device includes a catheter, and the method further includes forming a magnetic device around a window to attach the catheter to a band, thereby stabilizing the catheter.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprises forming a sealing lip to engage with a protective dressing to prevent contamination at the injection site during insertion of the intravenous device into the patient.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, The intravenous device includes a catheter, and the method further includes a mechanical channel formed in an indicator to guide the catheter to a location in a blood vessel within the patient's body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a near-infrared camera is formed within the indicator to detect the location of blood vessels in the patient's body.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming a light-emitting diode in the strip to provide a visual indication of insertion of the intravenous device into a patient's blood vessel.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming a light-emitting diode in the strip to provide a visual indication of the infusion status of fluid passing through the intravenous device and entering the patient's blood vessels.

18. An intravenous placement device comprising: Elastic material straps will be used to secure the patient's limbs. A processor formed within the tape; A window formed through an elastic material in the band provides access to the patient's body near the patient's blood vessels. The window includes an elongated slit formed through the band, the path of which corresponds to the path of the patient's blood vessels according to human anatomy. A tourniquet, which is formed within the length of the band and arranged side by side with the elongated slit of the window, is used to selectively apply pressure to the patient's body along the length of the band; A vascular position indicator, disposed within a narrow slit in the window, indicates the location where a catheter will be inserted. The vascular position indicator includes a near-infrared camera communicatively coupled to a processor. A visual indicator formed within the band is used to indicate the location of a blood vessel when the vessel position indicator has detected its position; and The tourniquet includes a pouch formed within a band of flexible material, wherein the pouch is inflated and deflated to generate a pulsating pressure pattern on the patient's body along the length of the band.

19. The intravenous placement device according to claim 18, wherein, The processor controls the pressure applied to the patient's body via the tourniquet pouch by generating a pulsating pressure pattern on the patient's body.

20. The intravenous placement device of claim 18 further includes a magnetic means for connecting the catheter to a strap to stabilize the catheter.

Images