MEDICAL TUBE STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A medical tube holder comprising a harness and a pouch. The harness includes a front panel and a back panel with two shoulder straps connecting an upper part of the front panel to an upper part of the back panel, with a head aperture between the shoulder straps. The lower part of back panel includes a first part of a connection mechanism and the lower part of the front panel includes two laterally extending straps. The two laterally extending straps form a second part of the connection mechanism and the pouch is connected to one of the laterally extending straps.

Claims

1. A medical tube holder comprising a harness and a pouch, the harness including a front panel and a back panel with two shoulder straps connecting an upper part of the front panel to an upper part of the back panel and a head aperture between the shoulder straps, wherein a lower part of the back panel has a first part of a connection mechanism and a lower part of the front panel has two laterally extending straps, the two laterally extending straps having respective end portions forming a second part of the connection mechanism, and wherein the pouch is connected to one of the laterally extending straps.

2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a liner.

3. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the pouch is releasably connected to one of the laterally extending straps.

4. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the connection mechanism comprises one or more substantially vertical slits through which the laterally extending straps can pass.

5. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the lower part of the back panel comprises a flap and wherein that flap can be folded over the first part of the connection mechanism, thereby sandwiching the laterally extending straps when they engage the first part of the connection mechanism.

6. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the straps and/or the flap comprise a releasable retaining connection.

7. A holder according to claim 6, wherein the releasable retaining connection comprises one or more selected from one or more of hook-and-eye fastener, a popper, and a button.

8. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least one anti-bacterial and/or anti-microbial material selected from one or more of polyester warp spacer fabric, paper, and bamboo yarn.

9. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the lower part of the back panel at the location of the first part of the connection mechanism is narrower than the upper part of the back panel.

10. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the back panel tapers in width going from the shoulder straps to a lower end of the back panel.

11. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the front panel, the back panel and the shoulder straps are unitary.

12. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the first part of a connection mechanism is formed by two sets of slits though which end portions of the laterally extending straps can pass.

13. A holder according to claim 12, wherein the straps each are provided on the respective end portion with a first portion of a hook and eye fastener and a second portion of the hook and eye fastener at an intermediate portion of the strap, so that the first portion on end portion of the strap can be connected to the second portion on the intermediate portion of the strap when the end portion is folded back upon the intermediate portion, thereby securing the strap to the lower part of the back panel.

14. A holder according to claim 1, wherein recesses are formed at respective junctions between the laterally extending straps and the front panel, the recesses forming apertures though which a tube can pass and be supported.

15. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the head aperture extends downwardly into the front panel more than halfway the height of the front panel.

16. A holder according to claim 1, wherein a lower edge of each laterally extending straps form a continuation of the lower edge of the front panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an unassembled device in accordance with the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing of a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a drawing of a rear view of the device of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a side view of the device of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 5 is drawing of a second perspective view of the device of FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view of the device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a medical tube holder 10 in the form of a harness 11. The harness 11 comprises a front panel 12 and a back panel 14 with shoulder straps 16a and 16b connecting the tops of the respective panels 12 and 14. A head aperture 18 is formed between the two straps 16 and the front panel 12 and the back panel 14.

[0027] Connected to the lower part of the front panel 12, are two laterally extending straps 20a and 20b that extend substantially perpendicularly to the front panel 12, although the angle may vary, and that, in use, extend laterally about the torso of a patient. The ends of the two laterally extending straps 20a and 20b are provided with a connection material 22 comprising a portion of hook material at one end and a portion of eye material at the other, thereby constituting the two parts of a hook-and-eye connection. A recessed area 21 is arranged where the strap 20 connects with the front panel 12

[0028] The lower part of the back panel 14 is provided with four slits 24, positioned in two pairs either side of the centre of the back panel 14.

[0029] A pouch 26 is provided comprises a looped portion 28 and a receiving pocket 30, is threaded onto one of the straps 20b, with the strap 20b passing through the looped portion 28 of the pouch 26. The pocket 30 is provided with a removable and disposable liner (not shown).

[0030] The ends of the liner may extend from the pocket 30 to allow quick access to the end of the tube by pulling the liner from the pocket 30 and thus exposing the end of the tube.

[0031] In use, the head aperture 18 is passed over a user's head such that the shoulder straps 16 rest upon the user's shoulders. The laterally extending straps 20 are then passes about the user's sides. The ends of each strap 20 pass through a respective and they pass through a first of the slits 24, the first slits being the ones closest to the middle of the back panel sagittally (when worn). The ends of the straps 20 then pass through the respective adjacent second slits 24 and overlay themselves. The hook portion of the connection material 22 is pressed onto the eye material of the connection material 22 and the straps 20 are held in place. Where a flap (not shown) is employed, the flap folds over the top of the slits 24 to provide further security to the straps 20 and to reduce the risk of them disengaging the back panel 14. When the device 10 is worn, the connection system (straps 20 and slits 24) are positioned at the rear of the user.

[0032] The end of the tube extending from the user can then be stowed in the pouch 26. Additionally, the tube can pass through the recessed area 21 to assist with supporting it in place and reducing the risk of longitudinal movement.

[0033] A second pouch may be connected to the device for holding pouch liners and/or antibacterial wipes. Other pouches and/or pockets may be provided.

[0034] The harness may comprise a paper material and it may be disposable. Alternatively, the device may be manufactures from textiles and it may be washable for long-term use.