REMOVABLE PARTIAL ARM RESTRAINT

Abstract

The present invention is an arm restraint used in dialysis primarily when the fistula is located at or near the elbow. The restraint supports the arm and allows a limited amount of movement of the restrained arm to mitigate discomfort during a dialysis procedure, while simultaneously allowing unrestricted blood flow in the supported arm. The restraint includes an adjustable fastener that allows the restraint to be attached to the upper arm in a loose and adjustable manner. The restraint includes a cover at its lower end that allows a limited degree of arm movement. It also includes an open upper area that enables access to the arm for placement and adjustment of dialysis syringes and associated tubing.

Claims

1. A partial arm movement restraint device comprising: an elongated body wherein said elongated body includes: a nonplanar bottom surface; two opposing sides; an open upper end; an open lower end; a rigid cover surrounding said lower open end; and, an open area defined by said rigid cover and said two opposing sides; and, an adjustable fastening device attached to said upper open end to attach said movement restraint device to an upper portion of an arm.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable fastening device is a belt.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable fastening device is a strap.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said adjustable fastening device is a hook and loop fastener.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said nonplanar bottom surface is curved.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said nonplanar bottom surface is trough shaped.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said nonplanar bottom surface is v-shaped.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising padding in contact with said nonplanar bottom surface.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid cover is removably attached to said open lower end.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid cover is fixedly attached to said open lower end.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid cover is integral with said open lower end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The nature and mode of the operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing Figures, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of removable partial movement arm restraint of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a view of the present invention from the open upper end;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the partial movement restraint of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view depicting an embodiment in which the arm restraint of the present invention is supporting a lower arm;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a view from the open lower end showing the hand and wrist extending out of the lower end; and,

[0023] FIG. 6 is the same view as in FIG. 5 showing the syringe needles placed in the lower arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0024] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. It also should be appreciated that figure proportions and angles are not always to scale in order to clearly portray the attributes of the present invention.

[0025] While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0026] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly”, “very nearly”, “about”, “approximately”, “around”, “bordering on”, “close to”, “essentially”, “in the neighborhood of”, “in the vicinity of”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby”, “close”, “adjacent”, “neighboring”, “immediate”, “adjoining”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0028] Adverting to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of removable partial movement arm restraint 100 (“restraint 100”) of the present invention. Restraint 100 includes elongated body 101 (“body 101”) which comprises open upper end 102 and open lower end 104. By open is meant, each end is at least partially surrounded by the upper or lower edge, respectively, of upper end 102 and lower end 104 but the space within the respective edges can be seen through and an object can extend through the respective ends. Rigid cover 106 is located at or near lower end 104 and is attached to body 101. In one embodiment, cover 106 is integral with body 101 as seen in FIG. 3 below. In an alternate embodiment, cover 106 may be attached to body 101. As shown, cover 106 is arched or circular, but persons of skill in the art will recognize that cover 106 may have other shapes, such as, but not limited to, a v shape or oblong shape as long as there is sufficient space under cover to allow a limited degree of movement of the arm. By limited is meant that the arm may be moved slightly but not enough to create an alarm condition in the dialysis machine or associated tubing and syringes.

[0029] Bottom 108 is nonplanar, i.e., not flat, which has the advantage being more comfortable than a flat surface when supporting a patient's arm. As shown in the figures, bottom 108 has a cylindrical surface. In alternate embodiment, bottom 108 may be shaped like a trough or have a V-shape. In one embodiment, padding (not shown) may be applied to bottom 108. Strap 110 is located near upper end 102 and forms the attachment of restraint 100 to the patient's upper arm. In the embodiment shown, adjustable strap 110 is similar to a belt buckle assembly and includes buckle 110a. Open top area 112 (“area 112”) is defined by the sides of body 101 and cover 106. As described below, area 112 is large enough to enable the syringe needles and tubing to be easily placed in the dialysis patient's arm and allows easy access to adjust the needles and tubing in alarm situations. FIG. 2 is a view of restraint 100 from upper end 102 showing cover 106 at lower end 104 and strap 110.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of restraint 100 showing the integral connection of cover 106 to body 101. By integral is meant that the component parts are formed together as a single unit. Also depicted is an alternate embodiment to strap 110 as it is replaced by a hook and loop fastener 111 that is adjustable and like strap 110, is adjustable to fit loosely around upper arm UA so as not to impede blood flow in the target arm from which the dialysis procedure is taking place. Fastener 111 may be fabricated using material such as VELCRO®.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view depicting an embodiment in which restraint 100 is supporting lower arm LA. Hand H is shown extending through lower end 104 with strap 111 wrapped loosely around upper arm UA just above the elbow. In an alternate embodiment (not shown) straps 110 or 111 may be wrapped around lower arm LA. It can be seen that lower arm LA is very exposed in open area 112 providing easy access for placement of the dialysis needles and tubing.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a view from open lower end 104 showing lower arm LA extending out of lower end 104. It can be seen that lower arm LA is partially restrained by cover 106 and body 101 of restraint 100, but there is still sufficient space between lower arm LA and the bottom surface of cover 106 to not restrict blood flow and still allow a limited amount of movement not only of lower arm LA but also of the wrist and hand H.

[0033] FIG. 6 is the same view as in FIG. 4 showing the syringe needles 204 placed in upper arm UA located at or near the elbow E and covered by bandages 202. Also seen are the hands TH of a technician demonstrating the accessibility of syringes 204 and tubing 201 to enable them to adjust their positions as required, especially in alarm situations. In the situation depicted in FIG. 6, tubing 201 is connected to a larger tubing 201a which is connected to the dialysis machine (not shown).

[0034] Preferably, syringe needles 204 with attached tubing 201 are inserted into upper arm UA at or near the elbow with lower arm LA placed into restraint 100. Restraint 100 is then loosely attached to upper arm UA using fastener 110 or an alternate suitable fastener, such as hook and loop fastener 111 to hold restraint 100 to upper arm UA. After restraint 100 is attached to upper arm UA, each of tubing 201 or 201a is attached to appropriate couplings on the dialysis machine (not shown). It can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 that because of the lack of straps around lower arm LA and the space between lower arm LA and cover 106, as well as open area 112, that restraint 100 provides the advantage of not restricting blood flow during dialysis as no restrictive devices such as bands or straps are placed around lower arm LA.

[0035] After the dialysis procedure is completed, to remove restraint 100, tubing 201 or 201a is first detached from the dialysis machine. Restraint 100 is then unfastened from upper arm UA after which the syringe needles 204 are removed from lower arm LA with tubing 201 still attached to syringes needles 204.

[0036] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which changes would not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.