Power cable retainer

Abstract

Retainer apparatus may be configured to retain a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device The retainer apparatus may include a mounting portion configured to be selectively coupled to the device and an insertion portion coupled to the mounting portion. The insertion portion may define a channel configured to receive the connector of the cable and to restrict the connector of the cable from moving away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

Description

[0001] POWER CABLE RETAINER

[0002] The disclosure herein relates to a power cable retainer, and more specifically, a power cable retainer that could be used with an extracorporeal blood treatment system.

[0003] Extracorporeal blood treatment may refer to taking blood from a patient, treating the blood outside the patient, and returning the treated blood to the patient. Extracorporeal blood treatment is typically used to extract undesirable matter or molecules from the patient's blood, and / or to add beneficial matter or molecules to the blood. Extracorporeal blood treatment may be used with patients incapable of effectively eliminating matter from their blood, for example, in the case of a patient who is suffering from temporary or permanent kidney failure. These and other patients may, for instance, undergo extracorporeal blood treatment to add to or to eliminate matter from their blood, to maintain an acid-base balance or to eliminate excess body fluids.

[0004] Extracorporeal blood treatment systems, that is, systems configured to perform extracorporeal blood treatments, may be electrically powered systems. One or more power cables may operably couple an extracorporeal blood treatment system and components related thereto to one or more power outlets. The ends of the power cables may include connectors configured to be inserted into sockets of the extracorporeal blood treatment systems. For example, an extracorporeal blood treatment system may include an IEC 60320 C14 male socket for receiving an IEC 60320 C13 connector of a power cable.

[0005] An extracorporeal blood treatment system may be inadvertently unplugged, or operably uncoupled, from electrical power if the power cord becomes unplugged, or operably uncoupled, from the extracorporeal blood treatment system. For example, a user may accidently move the extracorporeal blood treatment system and the connector of the power cable may be pulled out of the socket of the extracorporeal blood treatment system thereby operably uncoupling the extracorporeal blood treatment system from electrical power.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure describes power cable retainer apparatus, and methods of use thereof, that may be described as being configured to retain or restrict a power cable from being operably uncoupled from a device such as an extracorporeal blood treatment system. The retainer apparatus may further be described as being sized and shaped so as to restrict movement of a connecter of a cable away from a device when the retainer apparatus is coupled to the device and the connector of the cable is operably coupled to the device. In other words, the retainer apparatus may be configured to maintain the operable coupling of electrical power to the extracorporeal blood treatment system from a wall outlet by retaining the power cable, or more specifically, the connector of the power cable plugged into the extracorporeal blood treatment system.

[0008] In one embodiment, the retainer apparatus may be described as a bracket that can be coupled to the device such that retainer apparatus does not move with respect to the device and further may define a channel or aperture for the passage of the power cable that is also configured to restrict, or retain, the connector of the power cable from movement away from the device such that the connector remains operably coupled to the device. Further, it may be described that the retainer apparatus may be used to retain the connecter end of a power cable or cord within a power socket or power entry receptacle of the device or machine when the power cable or cord is pulled away from the device or machine. The retainer apparatus may be mounted to the device and may be described as having a profiled surface to mate with the profiled surface of the cable connector. Additionally, the retainer apparatus may be designed, or configured, to not contact or utilize the strain relief portion nor insulated conductor portion of the cable to retain the connector operably coupled the device, and instead, only contact or utilize the connector portion of the cable. As a result, the retainer apparatus may not damage the power cable including the strain relief portion and insulated conductor portion. Additionally, the retainer apparatus may be able to withstand higher forces than other retainers that may utilize the strain relief portion or the insulated conductor portion of the power cable.

[0009] In other words, the retainer apparatus or retainer may include a mounting flange to mount on or to a device such as an extracorporeal blood treatment system. An insertion channel or slot may be defined by the retainer apparatus to receive a power cable (e.g., by inserting a cable connector into the insertion channel or slot). The insertion channel or slot may include or define a profiled inner surface configured (e.g., sized, shaped, oriented, etc.) to retain the connector from movement or into place when the retainer apparatus is coupled to the device. The installation of the retainer apparatus may include inserting a cable connector of a power cable through the insertion channel, rotating and seating the cable connector in the profiled surface of the insertion channel, inserting the cable connector to the device power socket or entry receptacle, and then mounting, or coupling, the retainer apparatus to the device (e.g., using fasteners such as screws).

[0010] An illustrative retainer apparatus to retain a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device may include a mounting portion configured to be selectively coupled to the device and an insertion portion extending from a proximal end region coupled to the mounting portion to a distal end region. The insertion portion may define a channel extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region along an insertion axis, and the channel may be configured to receive the connector of the cable and to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device. An illustrative kit may include a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device and the illustrative retainer apparatus.

[0011] An illustrative method may include providing the illustrative retainer apparatus, inserting the connector of the cable into the channel, operably coupling the connector of the cable to the device, and coupling the mounting portion to the device.

[0012] The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation thereof. Advantages, together with a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] FIG. l is a top front right perspective view of an illustrative retainer apparatus coupled to a device (e.g., an extracorporeal blood treatment system) and retaining a cable operably coupled to the device.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top rear left perspective view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1 with a power cable positioned therein.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top front right perspective view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1 taken across line 5-5' of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1 taken across line 6-6' of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1 taken across line 5-5' of FIG. 4 coupled to a device (e.g., an extracorporeal blood treatment system) and retaining a cable operably coupled to the device.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 1 taken across line 6-6' of FIG. 4 coupled to a device (e.g., an extracorporeal blood treatment system) and retaining a cable operably coupled to the device.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a top front right perspective view another illustrative retainer apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 9.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 9 taken across line 11-11' of FIG. 10.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 9 taken across line 12-12' of FIG. 10.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a top front right perspective view of another illustrative retainer apparatus.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a bottom rear left perspective view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 13.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a bottom front right perspective view of another illustrative retainer apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a bottom rear left perspective view of the retainer apparatus of FIG. 15.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an illustrative method of using the retainer apparatus of FIGS. 1-16.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosure presented hereby.

[0031] Illustrative retainer apparatus and methods using such retainer apparatus shall be described with reference to Figures 1-17. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements or processes from one embodiment may be used in combination with elements or processes of the other embodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such systems and methods using combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the Figures and / or described herein. Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments described herein may include many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will be recognized that timing and use of the processes described herein may be modified but still fall within the scope of the present disclosure, although certain timings of or use of certain processes may be advantageous over others.

[0032] An illustrative retainer apparatus 10 coupled to a device 5 such as, for example, an extracorporeal blood treatment system is depicted in FIG. 1. The device 5 may include a power socket or entry port configured to receive or accept a connector 92 of a power cable 90 to receive electricity therefrom. More specifically, the power cable 90 may be operably coupled to a wall outlet or socket to transmit electricity via an insulated conductor portion 94 to the connector 92, which may be configured to be operably coupled to the device 5 to deliver electricity thereto. In at least one embodiment, the power socket or entry portion of the device 5 is an IEC 60320 C13 female socket for receiving an IEC 60320 C14 connector of a power cable, and the connector 92 of the power cable 90 is an IEC 60320 C14 connector. The illustrative retainer apparatus 10 may include (e.g., be formed of) various materials such as, e.g., Acetol, Polycarbonate, Nylon, other thermoplastic and hard rubbers or polymers, and combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the retainer apparatus 10 is manufactured using injection molding. Further, the retainer apparatus 10 may be described as including two portions, and in particular, the retainer apparatus 10 may be described as including a mounting portion 20 and an insertion portion 30.

[0033] The mounting portion 20 may be configured to be selectively coupled to the device 5. As shown, the mounting portion 20 defines a plurality of fastener apertures 22 configured to receive fasteners 24 to couple the mounting portion 20 to the device 5. In this example, the mounting portion 20 defines four fastener apertures 22 as shown in FIG. 2 to securely couple, or fasten, the mounting portion 20 to the device 5. It is to be understood that the mounting portion 20 may include more than four fastener apertures 22 or less than four fastener apertures 22 so as to securely couple, or fasten, the mounting portion 20 to the device 5. The fastener apertures 22 may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped, etc.) to receive fasteners 24 that extend through the fastener apertures 22 to be coupled to the device 10. In this example, the fasteners 24 are screws, and correspondingly, the device 5 may include threaded apertures to receive the screws. It is to be understood that any type of fasteners may be utilized so as to be able to securely and selectively couple, or mount, the mounting portion 20 of the retainer apparatus 10 to the device 5. The mounting portion 20 is described as being able to be selectively coupled to the device 5, which may be described as coupling functionality for which a user can selectively decide to couple or uncouple the mounting portion 20 from the device 5. For example, a user may use the fasteners 24 to couple the mounting portion 20 to the device 5, and the user may remove the fasteners 24 to uncouple the mounting portion 20 from the device 5.

[0034] The insertion portion 30 may be described as the portion of the retainer apparatus 10 configured to receive the connector 92 of the power cable 90 and hold, or retain, the connector 92 of the power cable 92 operably coupled to the device 5. The insertion portion 30 may extend from a proximal end region 32 to a distal end region 34. The proximal end region 32 may be coupled to the mounting portion 20 and, in turn, proximate thereto. Moreover, the insertion portion 30 may be described as extending away from the mounting portion 20 such that the distal end region 34 of the insertion portion 30 is located further away from the mounting portion 20 than the proximal end region 32.

[0035] The insertion portion 30 defines a channel, or slot, 35 that extends from the proximal end region 32 to the distal end region 34 of the insertion portion 30. The channel 35 may be configured to allow the power cable 90 to pass therethrough so as to be able to allow the connector 92 of the power cable 90 to be operably coupled to a device to transmit electricity thereto. The channel 35 is also configured to restrict the power cable 90 from moving away from a device when the power cable 90 is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel 35 and the mounting portion 20 is coupled to the device. More specifically and as shown in more detail in the crosssections of FIGS. 5-8, the channel 35 may be described as extending from the proximal end region 32 to the distal end region 34 along an insertion axis 38, and the channel 35 may be configured to receive the connector 92 of the power cable 90 and to restrict the connector 92 of the power cable 90 from moving along the insertion axis 38 away from the device 5 when the connector 92 is operably coupled to the device 5 and received in the channel 35 and the mounting portion 20 is coupled to the device 5. In other words, the power cable, or cord, 90 cannot be removed from the device 5 unless the retainer apparatus 10 is previously removed or selectively uncoupled from the device 5.

[0036] It may be described that the channel 35 defines an interior surface 39 that is sized and shaped so as to restrict the connector 92 of the power cable 90 from moving along the insertion axis 38 away from the device 5 when the connector 92 of the power cable 90 is operably coupled to the device 5 and received in the channel 35 and the mounting portion 20 is coupled to the device 5. In one way, the channel 35 may be described as including, or having, an unrestricted region 36 sized and shaped to allow the connector 92 of the power cable 90 to move along the insertion axis 38 when in the channel 35 and a restricted region 37 sized and shaped to restrict the connector 92 of the power cable 90 from movement along the insertion axis 38 when in the channel 35. The unrestricted region 36 may define, or have, a larger inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 38 than the restricted region 37. Thus, it may be described that the unrestricted region 36 defines an unrestricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 38 and the restricted region 37 defines a restricted inner cross- sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 38 that is less than the unrestricted inner cross-sectional area.

[0037] In another way, it may be described that the insertion portion 30 includes, or defines, one or more projections 31 extending into the channel 35 and configured to contact a portion of the connector 92 of the power cable 90 to restrict the connector 92 of the power cable 90 from moving along the insertion axis 38 away from the device 5 when the connector 92 of the power cable 90 is received in the channel 35 and the mounting portion 20 is coupled to the device 5. As shown in this example, the projections 31 are configured to abut, or contact, a shoulder 95 of the connector 92 of the power cable 90. The shoulder 95 of the connector 92 of the power cable 90 may face away from the device 5 when the connector 92 is operably coupled to the device 5 and the one or more projections 31 are configured to abut the shoulder 95 of the connector 92 to restrict, or stop, movement of the connector 92 away from the device 5. In the example depicted in FIGS. 1-8, the insertion portion 30 includes, or defines, two projections 31, each extending opposite each other across the insertion axis 38. In other embodiments, it is to be understood that the insertion portion 30 may include less than two projections 31 or more than two projections 31 so as to be able to restrict movement of the connector 92. The projections 31 of the insertion portion 30 may be substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis 38 so as to conform to the shoulder 95 of the connector 92. Moreover, it may be described that the inner, or interior, surface 39 and projections 31 may define “bump outs” such that the connector 92 may be inserted and then rotated to sit in the “bump outs.”

[0038] The channel 35 may be configured to allow a connector 92 to pass through the channel 35 from the distal end region 34 to the proximal end region 32. For example, the channel 35 may be configured to allow a connector 92 to pass through the channel 35 from the distal end region 34 to the proximal end region 32 when the connector 92 is oriented or positioned in a specific orientation or position. For example, as shown best in the front elevation view of FIG. 4, the channel 35 may define a rectangular crosssection when taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 38 having a height 42 and a width 44. As shown, the height 42 is greater than the width 44. In this way, the connector 92 may be positioned at an unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis 38 such that widest cross section of the connector 92 is oriented vertically in parallel with the height 42 of the channel 35. When in the unrestricted rotation angle, the connector 92 may be able to pass into the channel 35 through the distal end region 34. Conversely, the connector 92 may be positioned at a restricted rotation angle about the insertion axis 38 such that widest cross section of the connector 92 is oriented horizontally in parallel with the width 44 of the channel 35. As such, the restricted rotation angle is different than the unrestricted rotation angle. In this embodiment, the restricted rotation angle is 90 degrees different than, or from, the unrestricted rotation angle. When in the restricted rotation angle, the connector 92 may be not able to pass into the channel 35 through the distal end region 34. The restricted rotation angle is also the same position, or orientation, of the connector 92 when the retainer apparatus 10 is configured to restrict the connector 92 from moving away from the device 5 when the retainer apparatus 10 coupled to the device 5.

[0039] The mounting portion 20 may be described as extending along a mounting plane 25 shown in FIGS. 7-8 that is orthogonal to the insertion axis 38. When the connector 92 of the power cable 90 is received in the channel 35 and the mounting portion 20 is coupled to the device 5, the connector 92 is positioned to extend across the mounting plane 25 such that, for example, part of the connector 92 is received within the power socket or entry receptacle 6 of the device 5 and another part of the connector 92 is received within the insertion portion 30 of the retainer apparatus 10.

[0040] As shown the insertion portion 30, and more particularly, the inner, or interior, surface 39 and projections 31 thereof are configured to contact, or abut, the connector 92 of the power cable 90 and not any other portion of the power cable 90 such as a strain relief portion 98 or the insulated conductor portion 94. As a result, if a force were applied to the power cable 90 from, for example, a user moving the device 5 away from an outlet or power receptable thereby pulling on the power cable 90 or a user tripping over or yanking the power cable 90, the restriction force applied by the retainer apparatus 10 would be applied to the connector 92, and more particularly, the shoulder 95 of the connector 92, as opposed to the strain relief portion 98 or the insulated conductor portion 94, which may result no damage to the power cable 90. In other words, the insertion portion 30 does not utilize the strain relief portion 98 nor the insulated conductor portion 94 of the power cable 90 to restrict the connector 92 of the power cable 90 from moving along the insertion axis 38 away from the device 5.

[0041] Another illustrative retainer apparatus 100 is depicted in FIGS. 9-12. In this embodiment, the retainer apparatus 100 provides substantially the same functionality with the same basic portions or regions as the retainer apparatus 10 described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-8. Generally, the retainer apparatus 100 is configured to retain a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device where the connector is different than the connector 92 described previously. In particular, the retainer apparatus 100 is designed, or configured, to retain cable having a connector defining an outer profile configured to fit within the retainer apparatus 100 so as to be retained thereby as will be further described herein. As such, it is to be understood that each function and each portion or region of the retainer apparatus 100 is not described in the same amount of detail herein and that the description of the retainer apparatus 10 with respect to FIGS. 1-8 may apply to the retainer apparatus 100 described herein with respect to FIGS. 9-12. Similar to the retainer apparatus 10, the retainer apparatus 100 includes a mounting portion 120 and an insertion portion 130. The insertion portion 130 may extend from a proximal end region 132 coupled to the mounting portion 120 to a distal end region 134. The insertion portion may define a channel 135 extending from the proximal end region 132 to the distal end region 134 along an insertion axis 138. The channel 135 may be configured to receive a connector of a power cable and to restrict the connector of the power cable from moving along the insertion axis 138 away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel 135 and the mounting portion 120 is coupled to the device.

[0042] More specifically and as shown in more detail in the cross-sections of FIGS. 11-12, the channel 135 may be described as extending from the proximal end region 132 to the distal end region 134 along the insertion axis 138, and the channel 135 may be configured to receive a connector of a power cable and to restrict the connector of the power cable from moving along the insertion axis 138 away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel 135 and the mounting portion 120 is coupled to the device.

[0043] It may be described that the channel 135 defines an inner, or interior, surface 139 that is sized and shaped so as to restrict the connector of the power cable from moving along the insertion axis 138 away from the device when the connector of the power cable is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel 135 and the mounting portion 120 is coupled to the device. In other words, the connector of the power cable may define an outer profile that is sized and shaped (for example, including a shoulder) so as to mate with, abut, or be in contact with a portion or region of the surface 139 of the channel 135 so as to restrict the connector of the power cable from moving relative to the retainer apparatus 100 along the insertion axis 138 away from the device when the connector of the power cable is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel 135 and the mounting portion 120 is coupled to the device. In one way, the channel 135 may be described as including, or having, an unrestricted region 136 sized and shaped to allow the connector of the power cable to move along the insertion axis 138 when in the channel 135 and a restricted region 137 sized and shaped to restrict the connector of the power cable from movement along the insertion axis 138 when in the channel 135. The unrestricted region 136 may define, or have, a larger inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 138 than the restricted region 137. Thus, it may be described that the unrestricted region 136 defines an unrestricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 138 and the restricted region 137 defines a restricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis 138 that is less than the unrestricted inner cross-sectional area.

[0044] In another way, it may be described that the insertion portion 130 includes, or defines, one or more projections 131 extending into the channel 135 and configured to contact a portion of the connector of the power cable to restrict the connector of the power cable from moving along the insertion axis 138 away from the device when the connector of the power cable is received in the channel 135 and the mounting portion 120 is coupled to the device. As shown in this example, the projections 131 are configured to abut, or contact, a shoulder of the connector of the power cable. The shoulder of the connector of the power cable may face away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and the one or more projections 131 are configured to abut the shoulder of the connector to restrict, or stop, movement of the connector away from the device. In the example depicted in FIGS. 9- 12, the insertion portion 130 includes, or defines, two projections 131, each extending opposite each other across the insertion axis 138. As opposed to the insertion portion 30, the inner surface 139 and the projections 131 of the insertion portion 130 are not perpendicular to the insertion axis 138 so as to conform to the shoulder of the connector configured for use with the retainer apparatus 100.

[0045] Another illustrative retainer apparatus 200 is depicted in FIGS. 13-14 and still another illustrative retainer apparatus 300 is depicted in FIGS. 15-16. The retainer apparatus 200 is substantially similar to the retainer apparatus 10 described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except the mounting portion 220 defines a different shape and includes a slot 221. In a similar fashion, the retainer apparatus 300 is substantially similar to the retainer apparatus 100 described herein with respect to FIGS. 9-12 except the mounting portion 320 defines a different shape and includes a slot 321. The different shape and features such as the slots 221, 321 of the retainer apparatus 200, 300 are designed to be compatible with devices that define different surfaces and shapes that which the retainer apparatus of FIGS. 1-8 is configured to be compatible with.

[0046] An illustrative method 500 of using the retainer apparatus of FIGS. 1- 16 is shown in FIG. 17. The method 500 may include providing one of retainer apparatus 502 described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-16 and inserting a connector of a power cable through the channel of the retainer apparatus 504. For example, the connector may be rotated to the unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis and then inserted through into the channel at the distal end region of the insertion portion. Then, the connector may be coupled to the device 506. For example, the connector may be aligned with the power socket or power entry receptacle of the device and then inserted therein. Next, the retainer apparatus may be coupled to the device 508, and in doing so, the connector may be received by the channel and oriented at the restricted rotational angle such that the retainer apparatus can retain the connector of the power cable operably coupled to the device.

[0047] EXAMPLES

[0048] Example Exl : A retainer apparatus to retain a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device, the retainer apparatus comprises: a mounting portion configured to be selectively coupled to the device; and an insertion portion extending from a proximal end region coupled to the mounting portion to a distal end region, the insertion portion defining a channel extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region along an insertion axis, wherein the channel is configured to receive the connector of the cable and to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

[0049] Example Ex2: The retainer apparatus as in Example Exl, wherein the mounting portion defines a plurality of fastener apertures configured to receive fasteners to couple the mounting portion to the device.

[0050] Example Ex3: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl- 2, wherein the mounting portion extends along a mounting plane orthogonal to the insertion axis.

[0051] Example Ex4: The retainer apparatus as in Example Ex3, wherein the insertion portion is configured to position the connector across the mounting plane when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

[0052] Example Ex5: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl-

[0053] 4, wherein the connector is an IEC 60320 C13 connector.

[0054] Example Ex6: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl-

[0055] 5, wherein the insertion portion comprises a projection extending into the channel and configured to contact a portion of the connector to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

[0056] Example Ex7: The retainer apparatus as in Example Ex6, wherein the connector defines a shoulder facing away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and the projection is configured to abut the shoulder of the connector.

[0057] Example Ex8: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl- 7, wherein the channel comprises: an unrestricted region sized and shaped to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel; and a restricted region sized and shaped to restrict the connector of the cable from movement along the insertion axis when in the channel.

[0058] Example Ex9: The retainer apparatus as in Example Ex8, wherein the unrestricted region defines an unrestricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis, wherein the restricted region defines a restricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis that is less than the unrestricted inner cross-sectional area.

[0059] Example ExlO: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl-10, wherein the channel is configured to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at a unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis and to restrict the connector of the cable from movement along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at a restricted rotation angle about the insertion axis, wherein the restricted rotation angle is different than the unrestricted rotation angle.

[0060] Example Exl 1 : The retainer apparatus as in Example ExlO, wherein the restricted rotation angle is 90 degrees from the unrestricted rotation angle.

[0061] Example Exl2: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl-11, wherein the insertion portion does not utilize a strain relief portion of the cable to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device.

[0062] Example Exl3: The retainer apparatus as in any one of Examples Exl-12, wherein the device is an extracorporeal blood treatment system.

[0063] Example Exl4: A kit comprising: a cable having a connector operably couplable to a device; and the retainer apparatus of Example Exl.

[0064] Example Exl 5: The kit as in Example Exl4, wherein the connector defines a shoulder configured to face away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device to contact a portion of the channel of the insertion portion to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

[0065] Example Exl6: A method comprising: providing the retainer apparatus of Example Exl; inserting the connector of the cable into the channel; operably coupling the connector of the cable to the device; and coupling the mounting portion to the device.

[0066] Example Exl 7: The method as in Example Ex 16, wherein inserting the connector of the cable into the channel comprises rotating the connector to an unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis and inserting the connector into the channel at the distal end region, wherein the channel is configured to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at the unrestricted rotation angle.

[0067] All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately. This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrative embodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. As described previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that other various illustrative applications may use the techniques as described herein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of the systems and methods described herein. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the disclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.

[0068] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims may be understood as being modified either by the term “exactly” or “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein or, for example, within typical ranges of experimental error.

[0069] As used herein, the term “configured to” may be used interchangeably with the terms “adapted to” or “structured to” unless the content of this disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents unless its context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to.” It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed:

1. A retainer apparatus to retain a cable having a connector operably coupled to a device, the retainer apparatus comprises: a mounting portion configured to be selectively coupled to the device; and an insertion portion extending from a proximal end region coupled to the mounting portion to a distal end region, the insertion portion defining a channel extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region along an insertion axis, wherein the channel is configured to receive the connector of the cable and to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

2. The retainer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the mounting portion defines a plurality of fastener apertures configured to receive fasteners to couple the mounting portion to the device.

3. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-2, wherein the mounting portion extends along a mounting plane orthogonal to the insertion axis.

4. The retainer apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the insertion portion is configured to position the connector across the mounting plane when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

5. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the connector is an IEC 60320 C13 connector.

6. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the insertion portion comprises a projection extending into the channel and configured to contact a portion of the connector to restrict the connector of the cable frommoving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

7. The retainer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the connector defines a shoulder facing away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device and the projection is configured to abut the shoulder of the connector.

8. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the channel comprises: an unrestricted region sized and shaped to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel; and a restricted region sized and shaped to restrict the connector of the cable from movement along the insertion axis when in the channel.

9. The retainer apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the unrestricted region defines an unrestricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis, wherein the restricted region defines a restricted inner cross-sectional area taken orthogonal to the insertion axis that is less than the unrestricted inner cross- sectional area.

10. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-10, wherein the channel is configured to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at a unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis and to restrict the connector of the cable from movement along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at a restricted rotation angle about the insertion axis, wherein the restricted rotation angle is different than the unrestricted rotation angle.

11. The retainer apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the restricted rotation angle is 90 degrees from the unrestricted rotation angle.

12. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-11, wherein the insertion portion does not utilize a strain relief portion of the cable to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device.

13. The retainer apparatus as in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the device is an extracorporeal blood treatment system.

14. A kit comprising: a cable having a connector operably couplable to a device; and the retainer apparatus of claim 1.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the connector defines a shoulder configured to face away from the device when the connector is operably coupled to the device to contact a portion of the channel of the insertion portion to restrict the connector of the cable from moving along the insertion axis away from the device when the connector is received in the channel and the mounting portion is coupled to the device.

16. A method comprising: providing the retainer apparatus of claim 1; inserting the connector of the cable into the channel; operably coupling the connector of the cable to the device; and coupling the mounting portion to the device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein inserting the connector of the cable into the channel comprises rotating the connector to an unrestricted rotation angle about the insertion axis and inserting the connector into the channel at the distal end region, wherein the channel is configured to allow the connector of the cable to move along the insertion axis when in the channel and positioned at the unrestricted rotation angle.

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