TUBE FASTENER DEVICE

Abstract

There is described a tube fastener, in particular tube fastener to secure respiratory tubing for breathing systems, methods of using the tube fastener, a carriage for use with the tube fastener and a system.

Claims

1. A device for holding a flexible tube with a first and second end, the device comprising a body member, the body member comprising at least one tube receiving portion, the at least one tube receiving portion comprising one or more channels adapted to accommodate a portion of a flexible tube to be held, wherein; a channel provides a surface which provides a friction fit to the tube, in use located within the channel, when the tube is provided in the tube receiving portion, such that; when the tube is pulled at a first end away from the device, the device inhibits the movement of the tube and the pulling force is substantially reduced at the second end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one tube receiving portion is composed of hard plastic, deformable plastic, rubberised plastic or a mixture thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the tube receiving portion comprises at least three channels.

4. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the one or more channels further comprise protrusions extending from the channel surface into the channel to inhibit the movement of the tube.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the one or more protrusions comprise one or more flanges located at an end(s) of a channel.

6. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the tube is a ventilator tube, wherein the ventilator tube has an external surface which comprises tube protrusions, optionally wherein the tube protrusions comprise one or more helices or ribs.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the channel protrusions are arranged to interlock with the recesses provided on the tube between the protrusions on the exterior of the tube.

8. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the one or more channels extend in length from a first surface of the body member to a second opposing surface of the body member.

9. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the one or more channels are fully enclosed.

10. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein at least one of the one or more channels have an opening in the cross sectional perimeter of the channel along the length of the channel of at least 30% of the perimeter.

11. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the body member further comprises a connector to attach the body member to a support member.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the support member comprises a belt, strap, clip or clamp.

13. The device of claim 11 or 12 wherein the support member comprises a belt and the connector is a groove on a surface of the body member, the groove configured to receive the belt.

14. The device of any of the preceding claims further comprising a housing wherein the housing is arranged to receive the body member to enclose the channels.

15. The device of any preceding claim comprising at least three channels wherein a first and second channel are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a third channel interposed between the first and second channel.

16. The device of any preceding claim wherein the device comprises three channels, wherein the three channels are provided in a first surface of the body member, each channel comprising a first flange at a first end of the channel and a second flange at a second opposite end of the channel, wherein the channels are adapted to accommodate a ventilator tube and in use the flanges are arranged to interlock with recesses provided on an exterior of the ventilator tubes located in the channel.

17. Use of the device of any of the preceding claims wherein; a tube with first and second ends is provided to the device such that a portion of the tube between the ends is located in a channel, and wherein; should the first end of the tube be pulled away from the device, the device inhibits the movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis of the tube.

18. Use of a device of claim 17 wherein; a tube with first and second ends is provided to the device such that a portion of the tube between the ends is located in a first, second and third channel.

19. Use as claimed in claim 18 wherein the portion of the tube is provided through the three channels in a sigmoidal configuration.

20. Use as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the tube extends between the one or more channels using a minimum length of tube with respect to the distance between the channels.

21. A kit comprising flexible tubing and the device of any of claims 1 to 16.

22. A mobile ventilator system comprising a carriage for a ventilator or gas or fluid, a ventilator tube and the device of any of claims 1 to 16.

23. A carriage for use with a device of any one of claims 1 to 16.

Description

[0036] Embodiments of the invention will now be provided by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an embodiment of the device of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of an injection moulded embodiment of the invention, wherein the body of the device is provided as two portions which are conjoined together.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a device of the present invention provided on a belt support member, wherein the belt support member is provided in a recess of the device.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a tube located in the channels of an embodiment of the device wherein flanges at ends of the channels interlock with ribs/recesses provided on the exterior of the tube to inhibit movement of the tube along its longitudinal axis and wherein the tube is provided in a sigmoidal arrangement in the channels of the device.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a belt locating member provided over the channels of the device member to further inhibit the removal of the tube located within the channels of the device.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device in use, with a ventilator tube located in the channels of the device and inhibited from movement along the longitudinal axis of the tube by both the sigmoidal arrangement of the tube located in the channels of the device and by the flange portions located at the first and second ends of each of the channels; also shown is a tube locating member being provided by a belt portion releasably attached over the channels using hook and loop fasteners.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a carriage suitable for use with a device of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a system of the present invention, with a carriage to hold a respirator, a ventilator tube to allow transfer of gas from the ventilator to a patient, a device of the present invention and a belt support member to allow the device to be located to a patient.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the system of the present invention in use.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a carriage to hold a respirator.

DEFINITIONS

[0047] Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms ‘comprise’ or ‘include’, or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’, ‘includes’ or ‘including’ will be understood to imply the includes of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0048] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one (for example to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.

[0049] “About” shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] An embodiment of the invention is shown as an example in FIG. 1, where the device 010 is shown securing a portion of medical tubing 020. The device 010 comprises a body portion 030 comprised of at least one tube receiving portion 040 comprising one or more channels 050 (in this example three partially enclosed channels where the first and second channel are substantially parallel and the third channel is interposed between them) adapted to accommodate a portion of the tube to be held, where the surface provides a friction fit 060 to a tube when the tube is provided to the tube receiving portion of the device. In this embodiment the channels 050 further comprise friction inducing protrusions 070, in this case two flanges arranged at each end of the channels. In this embodiment the tube to be held 020 is a ventilator tube whose external surface comprises protrusions 080, in this case formed by a single helix. In this example the channel protrusions 070 are arranged to interlock 090 with the tubing protrusions 080. In this embodiment the body member further comprises a connector 100 adapted to attach the body member to a support member 120, in this embodiment the connector is a belt groove adapted to receive a belt or strap. In this embodiment the body member is arranged 110 to receive a cover member to enclose the partially enclosed channels. In this embodiment the tube 020 is provided through three channels in a sigmoidal configuration, with no excess tubing provided between channels.

[0051] An embodiment of the system of the invention is shown as an example in FIG. 9 wherein the device 010 is shown securing a portion of medical tubing 020 to a support member 120. In this embodiment the system comprises a mobile ventilator system comprising a carriage for a ventilator and a ventilator 130, connected to the support member 120 by bars (for example telescopic poles) and D rings. Suitably a carriage may be formed by any suitable method known in the art, for example water jet cut foam, injection moulding or the like. Suitable the carriage may be provided with wheels, for example 2 or 4 wheels provided at the side of the carriage to allow the carriage to move easily.

[0052] A method of manufacturing the device 010 is plastic injection moulding of the body member 030, where the device is produced as two halves affixed together. An example of this can be seen in FIG. 2 where no tubing 020 has been provided. This diagram provides a greater view of the one or more channels 050, the one or more channel protrusions 070 in this case flanges, and the connector 100 adapted to attach the body member to a support member, in this embodiment the connector is a belt groove adapted to receive a belt or strap.

[0053] An embodiment of the carriage and system of the invention is shown as an example in FIG. 10 wherein the carriage, formed of water jet cut foam with a metal base, is shown with a recess adapted to receive a ventilator. Forming the carriage using water jet cut foam is advantageous as it allows rapid and cheap production of the carriage. In this embodiment the carriage comprises a wheel located on the carriage or either side of the mobile ventilator system. As illustrated, projections from either side of the carriage can be provided to protect the patient or others being brought into contact with the wheels. The carriage can be connected to the patient via telescopic poles which can be attached to a belt, vest or harness worn by the user.

[0054] Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.