IV port holder and IV port
A housing for an IV port, the housing including two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined, and means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. A method for administering an IV fluid to a subject that includes providing a housing for an IV port. The method includes the housing having two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined, and means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. Further, attaching the housing to the mount and administering the IV fluid to the individual. An alternate embodiment is an IV port having an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, so as to secure the IV port.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an IV port holding device and a method of use, as well as an IV port. The IV port holder includes a housing for an IV port that has two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined. Further the housing provides means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions so as to attach the IV port to a mount. According to another embodiment of the invention, the IV port includes an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, thereby securing the IV port.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Conventional IV ports are in-line fittings positioned within a fluid delivery line. At one end of the fluid delivery line is a bulk IV source, typically a plastic bag, containing a fluid to be delivered intravenously to a patient. The fluid may be nothing more than buffered saline intended to keep a patient hydrated. Alternatively, the fluid may provide other nutrients or medications. At the other end of the fluid delivery line is an aperture that provides access to a vein of the patient.
It is known in the art that in-line fittings referred to as IV ports are spliced within the delivery line at a point intermediate between the veinous access point and the bulk IV source. The IV port typically includes a fluid delivery channel, which maintains fluid communication between the bulk IV source and the veinous access point, as well as an introduction port that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel via an introduction port channel. The introduction port is sealed in such a way that fluid may be introduced in a sterile manner from an introduction means, typically a syringe. Thus, the IV port enables a physician or licensed professional to administer quantities of a drug, which is carried into the circulatory system of the patient with the fluid administered from the bulk IV fluid source.
Generally, the above-mentioned introduction port can have different structural arrangements, for example one particular arrangement can consist of a tube end having a combination elastomeric plug and cap 23 mounted onto the tube end (see
However, a significant problem associated with known IV port holders, which is the lack of necessary support to the IV port while a physician or licensed professional is administering a prescribed fluid. A common practice for physicians or licensed professionals is to temporarily secure the IV port holder to the surrounding area of the patient using for example surgical tape. Aside from being inconvenient, time-consuming and unreliable, such ad hoc approaches can lead to needle-stick accidents that can transmit diseases.
What is needed therefore is an IV port holder and/or IV port that can be securely fastened within the surrounding area of the patient thereby enabling the physician or licensed professional to administer prescribes fluids using only one hand. As is discussed below, this is particularly important in the anesthesiology specialty as the physician is typically manipulating a gas mask with one hand while administering a drug through the IV port.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an IV port housing which is useful in securing an IV port. In a preferred embodiment, the IV port housing comprises two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined. The preferred embodiment also includes means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. The expression “usably attaching” is intended to mean securing the IV port in a manner that enables a physician or licensed professional to inject a prescribed fluid into an injection port in the IV port. Preferably, the IV port is held so securely that the physician or licensed professional can administer the contents of a syringe into the injection port of the IV port using one hand if necessary. For example, in the context of anesthesiology, the present invention enables the physician or licensed professional to use one hand to hold a mask over the patient's nose and mouth, while at the same time using their other hand to administer the prescribed fluid into the IV port.
The invention provides a housing for an IV port, wherein the housing includes two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined. The housing includes the means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions to a mount. In preferred embodiments, the joinable shell portions are formed from molded or machined plastic and are connected by a live hinge.
According to another feature of the invention, the housing can include the means for securing joined shell portions in a joined configuration. For example, means employed for this purpose is a matter of design choice and a wide range of options would be recognized by one skilled in the art. The means for securing joined shell portions can be selected from a group consisting of friction, clip and snap fittings formed from cooperating elements on opposing joinable shell portions. The means for securing the joined shell portions can be selected from a group consisting of a tension loading device and/or a non-integral fastening device.
According to another feature of the invention, the means for usably attaching the joined IV port housing accommodating the IV port to a mount can include a formed element that engages an attachment site on the mount. Further, the engagement between the formed element and the attachment site can be indexable. In preferred embodiments the formed element may be shaped as a post or shaft, wherein the post or shaft can include portions of the two or more joinable shell portions. Further, the post or shaft can be shaped for indexable engagement with an indexing mount. Further still, the formed element can be selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element and a clip element. The formed element may also slideably engage a cooperating element on the mount. In preferred embodiments the mount can include a bracket attached to a portion of an operating table.
In another aspect, the present invention that relates to a method for administering an IV fluid to a subject. The method includes providing a housing for an IV port, wherein the housing includes two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined, and means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. Further, the method provides joining the two or more joinable shell portions about an IV port, so as to accommodate the IV port. Further still, the method includes providing additional elements required to establish fluid communication from an IV solution source to the circulatory system of the subject through the IV port. The method further provides attaching the housing accommodating the IV port to the mount and administering the IV fluid to the individual.
Another aspect of the invention includes an IV port relates to an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, so as to secure the IV port. Further, the IV port provides an engagement element, which is rotationally adjustable in the engaged position. Further still, the rotational adjustment may be indexable. The integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element can be selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element, and a clip element. Further, the integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element may slideably engage the attachment site on the mount.
Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.
The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
The present invention relates to an IV port housing which is useful in securing an IV port. In a preferred embodiment, the IV port housing comprises two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined. The preferred embodiment also includes means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. The expression “usably attaching” is intended to mean securing the IV port in a manner that enables a physician or licensed professional to inject a prescribed fluid into an injection port in the IV port. Preferably, the IV port is held so securely that the physician or licensed professional can administer the contents of a syringe into the injection port of the IV port using one hand if necessary.
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It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A housing for an IV port, the housing comprising:
- two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined; and
- means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount.
2. The housing of claim 1, further comprising means for securing joined shell portions in a joined configuration.
3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the means for securing joined shell portions is selected from the group consisting of friction, clip and snap fittings formed from cooperating elements on opposing joinable shell portions.
4. The housing of claim 2, wherein the means for securing joined shell portions is selected from the group consisting of a tension loading device and a non-integral fastening device.
5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the joinable shell portions are connected by a live hinge.
6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from molded or machined plastic.
7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, metal alloys and composite materials.
8. The housing of claim 1, wherein the means for usably attaching the joined IV port housing accommodating the IV port to a mount comprises a formed element that engages an attachment site on the mount.
9. The housing of claim 8, wherein the formed element is rotationally adjustable in the engaged position.
10. The housing of claim 9, wherein the rotational adjustment in the engaged position is indexable.
11. The housing of claim 9, wherein the formed element is a post or shaft.
12. The housing of claim 11, wherein the post or shaft is shaped for indexable engagement.
13. The housing of claim 9, wherein the post or shaft is comprised of portions of the two or more joinable shell portion.
14. The housing of claim 8, wherein the formed element is selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element and a clip element.
15. The housing of claim 8, wherein the formed element slideably engages a cooperating element on the mount.
16. The housing of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a bracket attached to a portion of an operating table.
17. The housing of claim 1, wherein the means for usably attaching the joined two or more shell portions is adjustable.
18. The housing of claim 1, wherein the means for usably attaching the two or more joined shells accommodating the IV port to the mount is an indirect means comprising a gang array support, the gang array support comprising:
- a) a formed element which engages an attachment site on the mount; and
- b) a plurality of attachment sites for joined shell portions, each accommodating an IV port.
19. A method for administering an IV fluid to a subject, the method comprising:
- a) providing a housing for an IV port, the housing comprising: i) two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined; and ii) means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount;
- b) joining the two or more joinable shell portions about an IV port, thereby accommodating the IV port;
- c) providing additional elements required to establish fluid communication from an IV solution source to the circulatory system of the subject through the IV port;
- c) attaching the housing accommodating the IV port to the mount; and
- d) administering the IV fluid to the individual.
20. An IV port comprising:
- an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, thereby securing the IV port.
21. The IV port of claim 20, wherein the engagement element is rotationally adjustable in the engaged position.
22. The IV port of claim 21, wherein the adjustability of the engagement with the attachment site is indexable.
23. The IV port of claim 20, wherein the integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element is a post or shaft.
24. The IV port of claim 23, wherein the post or shaft is shaped for indexable engagement.
25. The IV port of claim 20, wherein the integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element is selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element, and a clip element.
26. The housing of claim 20, wherein the mount comprises a bracket attached to a portion of an operating table.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 26, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2008
Inventors: Theodore Rintel (Cape Elizabeth, ME), Chi Lam Yau (Dover, NH), Mark MacMahon (North Yarmouth, ME)
Application Number: 11/493,145
International Classification: B65D 75/00 (20060101); B65D 85/10 (20060101);