Carrier for carrying a container of medically useful solution or suspension

Abstract

A supple carrier for carrying a container of medically useful solution or suspension. The supple carrier includes a first monitoring window providing a first visualization perspective of the container contained by the envelope and one or more adjustable pressurizers. The supple carrier can delay the temperature change of the medically useful solution or suspension carried by the carrier.

Claims

1. A carrier for carrying a container of medically useful solution or suspension; the carrier comprising: a) an envelope adapted to receive the container; the envelope comprising an inward layer, an outward layer, a thermal insulator, a fold and a fastener adapted to secure closure of the fold; and b) one or more adjustable pressurizers circumscribing the outward layer; each pressurizer adapted to apply pressure to the outward layer, thereby controlling pressure applied to the container.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the one or more adjustable pressurizers comprise an adjustable lockable gripper.

3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises hook and look segments, snaps or a combination thereof.

4. The carrier of claim 3 comprising a first monitoring window positioned on the envelope and providing a first visualization perspective of the container contained by the envelope; the first monitoring window extending from about a first lengthwise side to about the second lengthwise side of the envelope.

5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the thermal insulator is sandwiched between the inward and outward layers.

6. The carrier of claim 5 comprising a second fold.

7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein one or more of the inward and outward layers and the thermal insulator comprises an antimicrobial composition.

8. The carrier of claim 7 comprising: a) a pliable handle attached to the outward layer; and b) a second monitoring window providing a second visualization of the container; the second monitoring window proximate a lengthwise side and adapted to receive markings.

9. A carrier for carrying a container of medically useful solution or suspension; the carrier comprising: a) an envelope adapted to receive the container; the envelope comprising an inward layer, an outward layer, a thermal insulator, a fold and a fastener adapted to secure closure of the fold; and b) one or more adjustable pressurizers circumscribing the outward layer.

10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the fastener comprises hook and look segments, snaps or a combination thereof.

11. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the one or more adjustable pressurizers comprise an adjustable lockable gripper.

12. The carrier of claim 11 comprising a first monitoring window positioned on the envelope and providing a first visualization perspective of the container contained by the envelope; the first monitoring window extending from about a first lengthwise side to about the second lengthwise side of the envelope.

13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the thermal insulator is sandwiched between the inward and outward layers.

14. The carrier of claim 13 comprising a second fold.

15. The carrier of claim 14, wherein one or more of the inward and outward layers and the thermal insulator comprises an antimicrobial composition.

16. The carrier of claim 15 comprising: a) a pliable handle attached to the outward layer; and b) a second monitoring window providing a second visualization of the container; the second monitoring window proximate a lengthwise side and adapted to receive markings.

17. A carrier for carrying a container of medically useful solution or suspension; the carrier comprising: a) an envelope, receiving the container, comprising an inward layer, an outward layer, a thermal insulator, one or more folds and a fastener adapted to secure closure of the one or more folds; and b) one or more adjustable pressurizers adapted to control pressure applied to the container.

18. The carrier of claim 17, wherein the fastener comprises hook and look segments, snaps or a combination thereof.

19. The carrier of claim 18, wherein: a) the one or more adjustable pressurizers circumscribe the outward layer; and b) the thermal insulator is sandwiched between the inward and outward layers.

20. The carrier of claim 19 comprising a first monitoring window positioned on the envelope and providing a first visualization perspective of the container contained by the envelope; the first monitoring window extending from about a first lengthwise side to about the second lengthwise side of the envelope.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an anterior side perspective of supple carrier (20).

(2) FIG. 2 is a posterior side perspective of supple carrier (20) with folds (42, 52) open to expose receptacle (64).

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 along axis X-X disclosing, among other things, inward layer (62), outward layer (60) and thermal insulator (66).

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of container (20) portraying egress/ingress of container (100) into or out of receptacle (64).

(5) FIG. 5 is another exploded view of container (20) portraying egress/ingress of container (100) into or out of receptacle (64).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Although the disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present invention.

(7) In the most general sense, the present invention is an enclosure adapted to carry a container. Among other things, the current enclosure includes thermal insulating material capable of delaying the change in temperature of medically useful US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved solutions or suspensions carried by the enclosure. The present supple enclosure is particularly useful for carrying pliable containers of intravenous solutions or suspensions. In accordance with the present invention, the containers enclosed by the supple envelope contain medically useful solutions or suspensions approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

(8) FIG. 1 is an anterior side perspective of supple carrier (20).

(9) FIG. 2 is a posterior side perspective of supple carrier (20) with folds (42, 52) open to expose receptacle (64).

(10) FIG. 3 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 along axis X-X disclosing, among other things, inward layer (62), outward layer (60) and thermal insulator (66).

(11) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of container (20) portraying egress/ingress of container (100) into or out of receptacle (64).

(12) FIG. 5 is another exploded view of container (20) portraying egress/ingress of container (100) into or out of receptacle (64).

(13) Carrier (20) includes envelope (30) adapted to receive and carry the container (100) of medically useful suspension or suspension. By way of illustration and not limitation, container (100) can be flexible IV bag. Envelope (30) is provided first or superior opening (32) and a second or inferior opening (34). Openings (32, 34) allow for ingress or egress of container (100).

(14) First or superior section (40) of envelope (30) extends beyond first opening (32) and creates first fold (42) that can be folded over first opening (32) to control ingress or egress from first opening (32). Inward side of fold (42) can be provided with first part of first fastener component (44) adapted to engage second part of first fastener component (46) associated with first segment (36) proximate first opening (32). Although shown with first fold (42), carrier (20) is functional when the first fold (42) is eliminated and fastener means is attached to the first segment secure closure of opening (64).

(15) Second or inferior section (50) of envelope (30) extends beyond second opening (34) and creates second fold (52) including tabs (52F, 52S) that can be folded over second opening (34) to control ingress or egress from second opening (34). Inward side of fold (52) can be provided with first part of second fastener component (54F, 54S) adapted to engage second part of second fastener component (56F, 56S) associated with second segment (38) proximate second opening (34). Although shown with tabs (52F, 52S), carrier (20) is functional when using a single tab (52F) that includes only second fastener components (54F, 56F).

(16) Examples of acceptable fasteners components (44, 46, 54F, 54S, 56F, 56S) include hook and loop, snap or any other fastener acceptable in the art. The combination of folds (42, 52) and fasteners (44, 46, 54F, 54S, 56F, 56S) secures container (100) within envelope (30).

(17) FIG. 3 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 along axis X-X disclosing, among other things, inward layer (62), outward layer (60) and thermal insulator (66).

(18) Supple envelope (30) is manufactured from any type of fabric, webbing or weaves acceptable in the art. Envelope (30) includes outward layer (60) and inward layer (62) of a fabric surrounding receptacle (64) that receives container (100). In select preferred embodiments, envelope is provided with a thermal insulator (66) sandwiched between outward layer (60) and inward layer (62). Thermal insulator (66) can consist of any thermal insulation approved by the appropriate United States regulatory body and acceptable in the art.

(19) Depending on the medical condition of the patient infused with the medically useful solution or suspension, the medically useful solution or suspension can be presented to the patient at normothermic temperature or temperatures greater or less than normothermic. After container (100) containing the medically useful solution or suspension is inserted into receptacle (64) of carrier (20), the envelope (30) including the thermal insulator (66) delays an increase or decrease in temperature of the medically useful solution or suspension. It has been determined that the combination of envelope (30) and thermal insulator (60) can delay change in temperature of the medically useful solution or suspension to the ambient temperature of a patient's surrounding environment from about 60 minutes to about 120 minutes. In select preferred embodiments of carrier (20), folds (42, 52) can also include thermal insulator (66).

(20) Carrier (20) is provided first monitoring window (72). Monitoring window (72) provides a first visualization perspective of container (100) carried by envelope (30). In select preferred embodiments of envelope (30), first monitoring window (72) extends from about superior fold (42) to about second inferior fold (52). Carrier (20) can also include second monitoring window (76), where second monitoring window (76) is proximate first fold (42) and adapted to receive markings applied by the user of carrier (20). Monitoring windows (72, 76) are manufactured from transparent or translucent materials acceptable in the art.

(21) In accordance with the current invention, gravity, in part, can direct the flow of the medically useful solution or suspension contained in the container toward the intravenous site. However, as enabled below, preferred embodiments of supple carrier (20) can be provided with one or more pressurizers (80, 82).

(22) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first pressurizer (80) and second pressurizer (82) circumscribe the outward layer (60) of envelope (30). First and second pressurizers (80, 82) can be in the form of adjustable bands or straps. First and second pressurizers (80, 82) can include lockable adjustable grippers (84) that allow the bands or straps to apply different pressures to the outward layer (60), thereby controlling pressure applied to container (100). By way of illustration and not limitation, grippers (84) can include such things as clasps, buckles, sliders or other locking devices acceptable in the art.

(23) Carrier (20) can be provided with pliable handle (90). Select preferred embodiments of pliable handle (90) are provided with a hanger device (92) for engaging a fixed or mobile supports such as any IV-type support poll, wheelchair extension, gurney extension, hospital bed extension or any other apparatus (not shown) capable of suspending supple carrier (20) above the intravenous site. Those skilled in the art recognize that an intravenous site is a medically prepared field on the patient for receiving a medically useful solution or suspension.

(24) Within the scope of the present invention, antimicrobials can be incorporated into inward layer (62), outward side (60) and/or thermal insulator (66). Select preferred antimicrobials can include ions of silver or zinc as well as salts of silver and zinc or any other antimicrobial composition acceptable in the art.

(25) Applicant has enabled, described and disclosed the invention as required by Title 35 of the United States Code.