Plastic tubing kink removal device and method

Abstract

To provide a kit for removing a kink in a plastic tubing for its use in a blood transfusion medicine.SOLUTION: A kit comprises a blood bag connected to a tubing and a rigid sleeve screwed onto the tubing. The rigid sleeve has an outer diameter 41, an inner diameter 42, a thickness 43, a length 44, and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner diameter 42 is larger than the outer diameter 31 of the tubing. The sleeve is used to remove a kink in the tubing and restore fluid flow. The flexural elastic modulus of the rigid sleeve exceeds 2 gigapascals (GPa). The rigid sleeve has an outer shape selected from the group consisting of a square, triangle, rectangle, cylinder, hexagon, equilateral shape, quadrilateral, pentagon, and trapezoid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 787,606, filed January 2, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for removing kinks from plastic tubing for its use in transfusion medicine. [Background technology]

[0003] Plastic tubes are used to transfer fluids and are a component of fluid delivery and collection kits. Such tubes are typically made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are subject to folding or kinking that results in an undesirable or unusable reduction of the lumen of the tube for fluid flow. The use of plastic tube clamps in delivery and collection kits (e.g., blood collection kits) can also cause the plastic tubes to kink during storage, thereby reducing or completely occluding the lumen of the tube and preventing fluid flow. This problem is exacerbated by sterilization, especially if the clamps are left in a closed position, either intentionally or accidentally.

[0004] Additionally, it is common practice to utilize a Sterile Connecting Device ("SCD") to join different pieces of tubing. When pieces of tubing are joined by an SCD, they typically have sections glued together as well as kinks that must be manipulated to restore fluid flow therein. Another source of kinks is folds within the tubing. The present invention overcomes kinks and folds to restore fluid flow in kinked sections of tubing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides and includes an apparatus for restoring flow to a kinked tube, the apparatus comprising a sleeve having a cylindrical inner surface larger than an outer diameter of the tube, the sleeve being slidable along the kinked tube to compress the tube perpendicular to the twist.

[0006] The present disclosure also provides and includes a method of removing kinks in a tube, the method including sliding a sleeve including a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube.

[0007] The present disclosure further provides and includes an apparatus for restoring flow to a kinked tube, the apparatus including a sleeve having a cylindrical inner surface less than or equal to the outer diameter of the tube and capable of compressing the kinked tube perpendicular to the twist. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] The present disclosure is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] The sleeve is shown including an outer diameter (41), an inner diameter (42), a thickness (43), and a length (44) for eliminating kinks. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a sleeve on a clamp tube according to Example 1. [Figure 3A-3B] 1 shows a PVC tube having a kink according to Example 1. [Figure 4A-4B] 1 shows a PVC tube that has been de-kinked using a sleeve according to Example 1. [Figure 5A-5B] Shown is an open sleeve with a living hinge that is either less than (A) or greater than (B) the longitudinal length of the sleeve. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sleeve as described herein. [Figure 7A-7C] Exemplary embodiments of (A) a sleeve including (B) an hourglass shape or (C) a cutout are shown. [Figure 8A-8D]An exemplary embodiment of a sleeve (A) including an opening (B) disposed over a twisted tube (C and D) is shown.

[0009] The examples described herein illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present disclosure relates to and includes a sleeve having a cylindrical inner surface for restoring flow to a kinked tube. In an aspect of the disclosure, the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another embodiment, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another embodiment, the sleeve comprises PVC.

[0011] In an aspect of the disclosure, the sleeve includes an inner cylindrical surface and an outer surface. In one aspect, the outer surface of the sleeve includes a raised feature. In another aspect, the outer surface of the sleeve includes a feature selected from the group consisting of stippling, ribbing, and knurling. In another aspect, the outer surface of the sleeve includes diamond knurling. In another aspect, the outer surface of the sleeve includes linear knurling. In a further aspect, the outer surface of the sleeve includes linear diagonal knurling. In another aspect, the inner surface includes a chamfer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sleeve has a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a cylinder, a hexagon, an equilateral, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, an hourglass, and a trapezoid.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sleeve is semi-rigid. In other embodiments, the sleeve is rigid. In other embodiments, the sleeve is flexible. The stiffness of a polymer is described by its flexural modulus (or modulus in bending), which is the ratio of the stress to the strain of the polymer. In some embodiments, the flexural strength of the sleeve is about 0.04, 0.07, 0.075, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.12, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.18, 0.2, 0.25, or 0.27 gigapascals (GPa). See MatWeb, Flexural Strength Testing of Plastics, available on the Internet at www(dot)matweb(dot)com / reference / flexuralstrength.aspx and Omnexus, Fluxural Modulus or Bend Modulus, available on the Internet at omnexus(dot)specialchem(dot)com / polymer-properties / properties / stiffness. In another embodiment, the flexural modulus of the sleeve is 1.0-3.0, 4.0-6.0, 2.0-4.0, 5.0-7.0, 3.0-5.0, 1.0-5.0, 5.0-9.0, 7.0-9.0, 0.0005-3.0, 4.0-7.0, 0.5-2.0, and 0.0005-1.0 gigapascals (GPa). As GPa increases, stiffness increases.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sleeve includes an outer diameter 41, an inner diameter 42, a thickness 43, and a length 44, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is equal to the size of the outer diameter of the tube 31, including the kink. In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube, including the kink. In one embodiment, the sleeve slides over the tube, including the kink. In another embodiment, the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is about 4.32 mm. In another embodiment, the inner diameter 42 is 3-5 mm. In another embodiment, the inner diameter 42 is 3.5-5 mm. In another embodiment, the inner diameter 42 is 4-5 mm. In yet another embodiment, the inner diameter 42 is 4.2-5 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the outer diameter 41 of the sleeve is about 6.35 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is at least 5 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter is 5-12 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter is 10-12 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is 10-18 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is 5-18 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is less than 18 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is at least 0.5 mm larger than the inner diameter. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is at least 1.5 mm larger than the inner diameter. In another embodiment, the outer diameter 41 is at least 50% larger than the inner diameter. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve is at least 0.5 mm thick 43. In another embodiment, the sleeve is 0.5-1.5 mm thick 43.

[0016] In one embodiment, the length 44 of the sleeve is about 12.7 mm. In another embodiment, the length 44 is at least 6 mm. In another embodiment, the length is 4 to 500 mm. In another embodiment, the length is 4 to 300 mm. In another embodiment, the length is 5 to 12 mm. In another embodiment, the length 44 is 5 to 20 mm. In another embodiment, the length is 10 to 20 mm. In another embodiment, the length is 7.6 to 52 mm. In another embodiment, the length 44 is less than 20 mm. In another embodiment, the length 44 is at least 12 mm. In another embodiment, the length of the sleeve is 1.5 to 12 times greater than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0017] In certain aspects of the disclosure, the sleeve is used to remove kinks from medical tubing. In another aspect, the sleeve provided is used to remove kinks from standard tubing in blood collection and transfusion kits. In another aspect, the sleeve is used to remove kinks from medical tubing selected from the group consisting of intravenous (IV) administration tubing, blood collection tubing, blood administration tubing, and hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In some aspects, the sleeve is used to prevent kinks in critical areas of the tubing (e.g., near equipment, bed frames, under the patient, etc.). In some aspects of the disclosure, the tubing includes a tubing clamp.

[0018] Size requirements for medical tubing are provided by the international standard ISO 3826. ISO 3826 requires that transfer tubing have an inside diameter of 2.7 mm or greater and a wall thickness 33 of 0.5 mm or greater. In one embodiment, the outside diameter of the tubing is about 3.7 mm. In another embodiment, the outside diameter of the tubing is about 4.1 mm.

[0019] In one embodiment, the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is 0.25-1 mm larger than the outer diameter 41 of the tube. In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is at least 0.1 mm larger than the outer diameter of the tube. In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is at most 1 mm larger than the outer diameter of the tube. In yet another embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is 0.5-8% larger than the outer diameter of the tube. In yet another embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is less than 10% larger than the outer diameter of the tube. The relative diameters of the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve and the outer diameter 31 of the tube depend on the stiffness of the sleeve. Flexible sleeves can be stretched slightly to allow for a smaller ratio. Additionally, the tube can be stretched and the outer diameter 31 can be reduced, so that the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve can be the same size as or slightly smaller than the (unstretched) outer diameter 31 of the tube. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter of the tube is 4.1 mm and the inner diameter of the sleeve is 4.2 mm. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the tube is 4.1 mm and the inner diameter of the sleeve is 4.5 mm. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sleeve comprises two sections connected by a living hinge. A living hinge is a type of hinge made from an extension of a parent material to connect two larger sections. See generally Chanbonpin, J., “Everything you need to know about living hinges (design, prototypes, and manufacturing)” (2017) (available on the Internet at www.creativemechanisms.com / blog / everything-you-need-to-know-about-living-hinges), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In an embodiment, the living hinge is along the longitudinal axis. In another embodiment, the living hinge comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or polycarbonate. In another aspect, the living hinge comprises the same material as the sleeve. In another aspect, the living hinge is a continuous piece of material.In another embodiment, the living hinge is segmented along the hinge line. In yet another embodiment, the length of the living hinge is equal to the longitudinal length of the sleeve. In another embodiment, the length of the living hinge is less than the longitudinal length of the sleeve (FIG. 5A). In a further embodiment, the length of the living hinge is greater than the longitudinal length of the sleeve (FIG. 5B).

[0020] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sleeve including the living hinge is capable of rotating more than 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the living hinge has two stops that serve to stop the rotation at 180 degrees. In this case, the living hinge has three unique pieces (triple hinge). In another embodiment, the living hinge is capable of rotating from 0 to 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the living hinge is capable of rotating more than 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the living hinge is a butterfly living hinge. Once the butterfly hinge opens beyond a certain angle, it stays in that position until moved. In another embodiment, the living hinge is a double hinge. The double hinge has two strait hinges separated by a narrow landing section. These hinges allow for 360 degrees of rotation.

[0021] In another embodiment, the sleeve comprises two sections connected by a conventional hinge. In another embodiment, the conventional hinge comprises multiple parts.

[0022] In one aspect of the disclosure, the sleeve includes a clip having a first edge portion and a second edge portion, a lug aligned with a spring in the middle of the lug, and a pin disposed through a hole in the lug. The first edge portion is connected to the second edge portion when the spring is not activated and is separated from the second edge portion when the spring is activated. When the spring is activated, the first and second edges bend away from the gripping arm, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0023] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the shape of the sleeve allows for safe handling. In another embodiment, the sleeve has an hourglass shape that allows for positioning of two fingers at a smaller diameter (FIG. 7B). In another embodiment, the sleeve has a raised feature, as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0024] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the sleeve includes openings along its length 44, allowing the sleeve to slide over the twisted tube (FIGS. 8B-8D). In certain embodiments, the openings are at least as wide as the twist. In other embodiments, the openings are at least twice as wide as the tube thickness 33. In other embodiments, the openings are 0.9-2 mm. In other embodiments, the openings are 0.9-1.1 mm. In other embodiments, the openings are 1.1-1.5 mm. In yet other embodiments, the openings are 1.5-2 mm. In other embodiments, the openings are at least 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, or 2.0 mm. In yet other embodiments, the openings are about 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, or 2.0 mm.

[0025] The disclosed method provides for and includes removing kinks in a tube, comprising sliding a sleeve comprising a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube. In another embodiment, the method includes heating the sleeve over the tube. In another embodiment, the heating time is 1-60 minutes. In another embodiment, the heating time is at least 10 minutes. In another embodiment, the method includes sliding the sleeve over the kink and allowing the sleeve to remain in place for a period of time. In some embodiments, the sleeve is placed over the kink for a few seconds (s), minutes (min), or hours (h). In another embodiment, the sleeve is placed over the kink for 1-90 minutes. In another embodiment, the sleeve is placed over the kink indefinitely. In another embodiment, the method further includes placing the sleeve over the kink by sliding and rotating the sleeve. In another embodiment, the sleeve is heated prior to placing it over the tube. In another embodiment, the tube is heated. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve is clamped over the kink and rotated about it.

[0026] The present disclosure provides for removing kinks in a tube, the method comprising sliding a sleeve including a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube, and restoring fluid flow in the tube. In one embodiment, the flow is restored 90% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In one embodiment, the flow is restored 95% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In one embodiment, the flow is restored 97% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In one embodiment, the flow is restored 99% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In another embodiment, the flow is restored at least 50% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In another embodiment, the flow is restored at least 60% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In another embodiment, the flow is restored at least 70% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In another embodiment, the flow is restored at least 80% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In another embodiment, the flow is restored 100% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In yet another embodiment, the flow is restored 20-100% compared to the flow before the kinks are removed. In one embodiment, the flow recovery is at ambient pressure.

[0027] In another aspect of the disclosure, the method includes removing a kink in a tube by placing a sleeve including a living hinge over the tube including a kink.

[0028] The disclosed methods provide for and include preventing kinking in a tube, comprising sliding a sleeve including a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube. In some aspects, the sleeve protects the tube from bending.

[0029] The present disclosure provides a kit that includes a blood bag connected to a tube and a sleeve threaded onto the tube.

[0030] As used herein, the term "about" refers to ±10%.

[0031] As used herein, the term "less than" refers to an amount less than and to an amount greater than zero.

[0032] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "having," and conjugations thereof mean "including but not limited to."

[0033] The term "consisting of" means "including and limited to."

[0034] The term "consisting essentially of" means that a composition, method, or structure may include additional ingredients, steps, and / or parts only if the additional ingredients, steps, and / or parts do not materially change the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method, or structure.

[0035] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" can include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0036] As used herein, the term "blood" refers to whole blood, leukoreduced RBCs, platelet-reduced RBCs, and white blood cells and platelet-reduced RBCs. The term blood further includes packed red blood cells, platelet-reduced packed red blood cells, leukoreduced packed red blood cells, and white blood cells and platelet-reduced packed red blood cells.

[0037] As used herein, the term "rigid" means that the sleeve does not bend. A rigid sleeve may have a flexural modulus value of greater than 2 GPa. In another embodiment, a rigid sleeve has a flexural modulus value of greater than 0.5 GPa.

[0038] As used herein, the term "semi-rigid" means that the sleeve is rigid but will bend when a force is applied. A semi-rigid sleeve may have a flexural modulus value of 0.1 to 0.5 GPa.

[0039] As used herein, the term "flexible" means that the sleeve is capable of bending easily without breaking. The flexible sleeve can have a flexural modulus value of 0.0001 to 0.1 GPa. In another embodiment, the flexible sleeve has a flexural modulus value of less than 0.1 GPa. In yet another embodiment, the flexible sleeve has a flexural modulus value of about 0.01 GPa.

[0040] The present disclosure provides the following embodiments.

[0041] Embodiment 1. An apparatus for restoring flow to a kinked tube, comprising a sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface larger than an outer diameter of the tube, the sleeve being slidable along the kinked tube to compress the tube perpendicular to the twist.

[0042] Embodiment 2. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

[0043] Embodiment 3. The device of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the tubing is a medical tubing selected from the group consisting of intravenous (IV) administration tubing, blood collection tubing, blood administration tubing, and hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

[0044] Embodiment 4. The device of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the twisted tube further comprises a tube clamp.

[0045] Embodiment 5. The device of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the sleeve is semi-rigid.

[0046] Embodiment 6. The device of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexural modulus value that is at least twice the flexural modulus value of the twisted tube.

[0047] Embodiment 7. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexural modulus of less than 0.1 GPa.

[0048] Embodiment 8. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is less than 10% larger than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0049] Embodiment 9. The device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is 0.5 to 8% mm larger than the outer diameter 31 of the tube.

[0050] Embodiment 10. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is 0.25 to 1.0 mm larger than the outer diameter 31 of the tube.

[0051] Embodiment 11. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 of 6 to 18 mm.

[0052] Embodiment 12. The device of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 of about 6.35 mm.

[0053] Embodiment 13. The device of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the sleeve comprises an inner diameter 42 of 3-5 mm.

[0054] Embodiment 14. The device of embodiment 13, wherein the sleeve comprises an inner diameter 42 of about 4.23 mm.

[0055] Embodiment 15. The device of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the sleeve comprises a thickness 43 of at least 0.5 mm.

[0056] Embodiment 16. The device of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 that is at least 50% greater than the inner diameter.

[0057] Embodiment 17. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the sleeve comprises a length of 4 to 52 mm.

[0058] Embodiment 18. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the sleeve comprises a length that is 1.5 to 12 times greater than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0059] Embodiment 19. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the length is about 12.7 mm.

[0060] Embodiment 20. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the sleeve comprises an exterior surface including a feature selected from the group consisting of stippling, ribbing, and knurling.

[0061] Embodiment 21. The device of embodiment 20, wherein the knurling is diamond knurling or straight diagonal knurling.

[0062] Embodiment 22. The device of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the sleeve comprises an exterior surface that includes raised features.

[0063] Embodiment 23. The device of any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein the sleeve comprises a geometry selected from the group consisting of a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a cylinder, a hexagon, an equilateral, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, and a trapezoid.

[0064] Embodiment 24. The device of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the sleeve comprises two sections connected by a living hinge along the longitudinal axis.

[0065] Embodiment 25. The device of embodiment 24, wherein the at least one section is capable of rotating through an angle of 180 degrees or more.

[0066] Embodiment 26. A method of removing kinks in a tube, comprising sliding a sleeve including a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube.

[0067] Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 26, further comprising heating the sleeve on the tube.

[0068] Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 26, wherein said sliding comprises covering said twist with said sleeve for a period of between 1 second and 1 hour.

[0069] Embodiment 29. The method of any one of embodiments 26-28, wherein said sliding comprises covering said twist for at least 1 hour.

[0070] Embodiment 30. The method of any one of embodiments 26-29, further comprising rotating the sleeve.

[0071] Embodiment 31. The method of any one of embodiments 26-30, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

[0072] Embodiment 32. The method of any one of embodiments 26-31, wherein the tubing is a medical tubing selected from the group consisting of intravenous (IV) administration tubing, blood collection tubing, blood administration tubing, and hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

[0073] Embodiment 33. The method of any one of embodiments 26-32, wherein the sleeve is semi-rigid.

[0074] Embodiment 34. The method of any one of embodiments 26-32, wherein the sleeve is rigid.

[0075] Embodiment 35. The method of any one of embodiments 26-32, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexural modulus of less than 0.1 GPa.

[0076] Embodiment 36. The method of any one of embodiments 26-35, wherein the inner diameter 42 is greater than the outer diameter 31 of the tube.

[0077] Embodiment 37. The method of embodiment 36, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is less than 10% mm larger than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0078] Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 36, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is 0.5-8% mm larger than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0079] Embodiment 39. The method of embodiment 36, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is equal to the outer diameter of the tube.

[0080] Embodiment 40. The method of any one of embodiments 26-36, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 of 6.35 mm.

[0081] Embodiment 41. The method of any one of embodiments 26-38, wherein the inner diameter 42 is 4.23 mm.

[0082] Embodiment 42. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 that is at least 1.5 mm greater than the inner diameter.

[0083] Embodiment 43. The method of any one of embodiments 26-41, wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 that is at least 50% greater than the inner diameter.

[0084] Embodiment 44. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 43, wherein the sleeve comprises a length of 4 to 52 mm.

[0085] Embodiment 45. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 43, wherein the sleeve comprises a length that is 1.5 to 12 times greater than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0086] Embodiment 46. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 43, wherein the sleeve comprises a length that is 1.5 to 12 times greater than the outer diameter of the tube.

[0087] Embodiment 47. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the sleeve comprises a length of about 12.7 mm.

[0088] Embodiment 48. The method of any one of embodiments 26-47, wherein the sleeve comprises an exterior surface including features selected from the group consisting of stippling, ribbing, and knurling.

[0089] Embodiment 49. The method of any one of embodiments 26-48, wherein the knurling is diamond knurling or linear diagonal knurling.

[0090] Embodiment 50. The method of any one of embodiments 26-49, wherein the sleeve comprises an exterior surface that includes raised features.

[0091] Embodiment 51. The method of any one of embodiments 26-50, wherein the sleeve comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a cylinder, a hexagon, an equilateral, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, and a trapezoid.

[0092] Embodiment 52. The method of any one of embodiments 26-51, wherein the sleeve comprises an inner diameter that includes a chamfer.

[0093] Embodiment 53. An apparatus for restoring flow to a kinked tube, comprising a sleeve having a cylindrical inner surface equal to or smaller than an outer diameter of the tube, the sleeve being capable of compressing the kinked tube perpendicular to the kinks.

[0094] Embodiment 54. The device of embodiment 53, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylenepropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

[0095] Embodiment 55. The device of embodiment 53, wherein the tubing is a medical tubing selected from the group consisting of intravenous (IV) administration tubing, blood collection tubing, blood administration tubing, and hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

[0096] Embodiment 56. The device of embodiment 53, wherein the twisted tube further comprises a clamp.

[0097] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for the elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope.

[0098] Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. EXAMPLES

[0099] Example 1: Manufacture and removal of tube kinks To manufacture the kink, a piece of PVC tubing that meets the size requirements of ISO 3826 is threaded through a plastic clamp (Halkey-Roberts #C340TCSPX). The clamp is closed and heat is applied to the tubing with a heat shrink gun to exacerbate the kink in the PVC tubing caused by the clamp.

[0100] A piece of Poly-Flo® semi-rigid polyethylene tubing with an outer diameter of approximately 6.35 mm, an inner diameter of approximately 4.32 mm, and a length of 12.7 mm is placed over the PVC tubing near the clamp (Figure 2). The clamp is removed, leaving a kink in the tubing. The tubing is unusable due to the reduced inner diameter and the restriction of fluid flow inside (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0101] The kink is removed by sliding a sleeve over the kink (Figures 4A and 4B), compressing the tube perpendicular to the kink and restoring flow.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for restoring flow to a twisted tube, comprising a sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface larger than an outer diameter of the tube, the sleeve being slidable along the twisted tube to compress the tube perpendicular to the twist.

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

3. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubing is a medical tubing selected from the group consisting of intravenous (IV) administration tubing, blood collection tubing, blood administration tubing, and hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis tubing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the twisted tube further comprises a tube clamp.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is flexible.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is less than 10% larger than the outer diameter of the tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises an outer diameter 41 of between 6 and 18 mm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises an inner diameter 42 of 3 to 5 mm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes an exterior surface including features selected from the group consisting of stippling, ribbing, and knurling.

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the knurling is a diamond knurling or a straight diagonal knurling.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes an exterior surface that includes raised features.

12. 1. A method of removing kinks in a tube, the method comprising sliding a sleeve including a cylindrical inner diameter along the tube.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising heating the sleeve on the tube.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is less than 10% mm larger than the outer diameter of the tube.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inner diameter 42 of the sleeve is equal to the outer diameter of the tube.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the sleeve comprises a length of 4 to 52 mm.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sleeve includes an exterior surface that includes raised features.

19. 1. An apparatus for restoring flow to a kinked tube comprising a sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface less than or equal to an outer diameter of the tube, the sleeve being capable of compressing the kinked tube perpendicular to the twist.

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem. In another aspect, the sleeve comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PC, acrylic, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyimide, acetal, polyetherimide, and Ultem.

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