A MEDICAL TUBE STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A medical tube holder comprising a vest having at least one sealable pocket located on the vest. The inside of the pocket is provided with at least one tube retaining devices into which the end of a medical tube may be releasably retained.

Claims

1. A medical tube holder comprising a vest and at least one sealable pocket located on the vest, wherein the inside of the pocket is provided with at least one tube retaining device into which the end of a medical tube may be releasably retained.

2. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the tube retaining device is a clip into which a medical tube can be received.

3. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the vest comprises at least one connection system to allow the vest to be opened.

4. A medical tube holder according to claim 3, wherein the vest is provided with at least one sealable opening.

5. A medical tube holder according to claim 4, wherein the at least one sealable opening comprise one or more of: a zipper; hook-and-eye fastener; and snap-fit connectors.

6. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the vest comprises at least one shoulder strap that is adjustable in length.

7. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the vest comprises at least one aperture through which a medical tube may pass.

8. A medical tube holder according to claim 7, wherein the area of the at least one aperture is adjustable.

9. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the vest comprises a plurality of pockets in different positions.

10. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises; a first surface; and a second surface designed to at least partially overlay the first surface; wherein the first surface and the second surface are pivotally connected along at least a first edge, and wherein at least a second edge of the first surface and/or second surface is provided with connecting means for releasably connecting the surfaces together.

11. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein the vest comprises 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.

12. A medical tube holder according to claim 1, wherein padding is provided adjacent the pocket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a front view of a first device in accordance with the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a further drawing of the device of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a drawing of a rear view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a tube retaining arrangement for use with the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 5 is drawing of a front view of a second device in accordance with the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 5;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a front view of a further embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second device in accordance with the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a view of the device of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a medical tube holder 10 in the form of a vest 12. The vest 12 comprises a front section 14 and a rear section 16 that are connected at their respective side edges. The top of the rear panel 16 splits into two shoulder straps 18 that connect to the top of the front panel 14 via a connection mechanism 20. The connection mechanism 20 comprises respective clips 22 on each shoulder strap 18 that are releasably received within respective receiving parts 24 on the front panel 14. A layer of material 26 is arranged behind the clips 22 to protect a user's skin from being caught within the clip 22 when received within the receiving part 24. An aperture 28 is positioned below the connection mechanism 20, which is sized and shaped to allow the passage of a medical tube therethrough. The vest 12 is seamless and is put on and/or removed over a user's head.

[0042] The straps 18 may be provided with a mechanism (not shown) to adjust their length to adjust the position of the apertures 28 relative to the user's torso.

[0043] The front panel 14 is provided with a pocket 30 comprising a first section 32 that is integrally, pivotally connected to a second section 34 along a fold line 36 such that the first section 32 and the second section 34 can at least partially overlay one another. The edges of the first section 32 and the second section 34 are provided with respective parts of a hook-and-eye connection mechanism 38. Notably, the side edges are not provided with a connection mechanism.

[0044] The first surface is provided with two tube retaining devices 40, in the form of clips 42 that are made from resiliently yieldable plastics material to allow for the medical tubes to be snap-fitted into the clips 42 and releasably retained therein.

[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of a device 10 having many of the same features as the device of FIGS. 1 to 3. However, this second embodiment comprises a back fastening vest 12 having a zipper 60 to enable the device to be readily put on and removed. Whilst the zipper 60 is shown at the rear of the device, it may be positioned on the side in some arrangements. Additionally, in the embodiment of these figures, the connection mechanism between the straps 18 and the front panel 14 comprises a click fastener 19.

[0046] The zipper may be orientated in different directions, for example, vertically on the vest, or diagonally, and it may be positioned on the front panel in some arrangements.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vest is shown in use. A medical tube 70 passes through the aperture 28 and into the front pocket 30. In this embodiment, the straps 18 are fixed to the front panel 14, however, the apertures 28 are sufficiently large to allow the medical tube to be positioned at a variety of heights, relative to the front panel 14 of the vest.

[0048] The vest may comprise a loop or slot in the front panel through which the medical tube may pass to provide further support.

[0049] Where the vest is made from two layers of material, the retaining means may be mounted upon one layer and pass through the second layer to protrude into the pocket. Padding may be positioned second surface or, where the second surface comprises two layers, it may be positioned between the two layers and extend through an aperture in one of those layers. Where two layers are employed, it may be advantageous to position cushioning material, such as foam, between the tube retaining device and the layer that contacts the user's skin, in use.

[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a device 100 comprising shoulder straps 102 that connect a front panel 104 with a back panel 106. Lateral straps 108a and 108b are provided about the sides of the device 100 to connect the front panel 104 with the back panel 106 at a connection section (not shown) on the back panel 106, but that may be in the form of loops through which the lateral straps 108 can pass and/or hook-and-eye fasteners. The shoulder straps 102 comprise releasable openings 110 with corresponding hook-and-eye sections that allow the shoulder straps 102 to be readily released and connected to allow a user to easily put on the device 100 and/or to adjust the length of the shoulder straps 102. An internal pocket 112 is provided on the inside of the front panel 104.

[0051] The internal pocket 112 comprises a flap 114 that can be readily opened to expose the inside of the pocket 112. FIG. 9 shows the internal pocket 112 in an open position with flap 114 raised. Within the pocket 112 are a series of loops 114 in which the end of a medical tube can be held according to the length of the tube and its position on the patient. Hook-and-eye fastenings 116a and 116b are provided to releasably retain the pocket 112 in a closed position.

[0052] The top surface of the pocket may be larger than the lower surface to enable a user to readily grip the pocket in order to open it.