The invention generally relates to flexible hoses for handling fluids and methods for making and using the same. In particular, the invention relates to hose clamps for flexible hoses and methods for making and using the same. Even more particularly, the invention relates to identification markers for hose clamps and methods of making and using the same.
Flexible hoses are well known and widely used in a variety of industries, including health, general industrial, semiconductor, food and beverage, transportation and specialty products, laboratory and pharmaceutics. The health and medical industries, in particular, rely heavily on flexible hoses and their associated hose clamps for various applications, such as enteral feeding, cardiopulmonary bypass, urinary and cardiovascular catheterization, intravenous drug and fluid administration, and the like.
Indeed, the delivery of medicines and fluids to a patient is one of the most important uses of flexible hoses and their associated clamps. Such delivery typically requires an intravenous feed line to communicate therapeutic liquid from a fluid reservoir (such as bottle or bag) to a hollow needle via a flexible hose. The hollow needle is then inserted into a part of the patient's body (i.e., vein) for delivery of the therapeutic liquid to the patient.
Hose clamps are typically used with flexible hoses to allow the hose to be partially or completely compressed and control (or terminate) the flow of the fluid in the hose. The hose clamp can also be used to facilitate removal or insertion of an intravenous feed line. Such hose clamps and their uses are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,056, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Identifying markers are also typically known and used in the art. Identifying markers are capable of identifying a drug or other fluid treatment administered through a hose. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,246, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Existing identifying markers, however, are seldom used in connection with a hose clamp as it is often desirable to change the treatment or a specific characteristic of the treatment, such as priming volume, without changing or disconnecting the hose through which it is administered. As existing identification markers require that the hose be threaded through the marker to properly retain the marker in position, it is virtually impossible to independently remove or replace the marker without disrupting continuity of treatment.
Other problems are also present with existing identification markers. First, existing markers only loosely fit to the hose clamp, which may result in undesired marker movement. Second, because current markers do not closely match the contours of the hose clamp, corners and edges of the marker may protrude from the clamp body. This is particularly problematic where the hose clamp is closely proximate the patient's skin. Indeed, movement of the marker may gouge or otherwise discomfort the patient. Any corners or edges protruding from the marker only aggravate this problem.
The invention relates to identification markers for hose clamps and methods of making and using the same for identifying the contents of a flexible hose. The identification marker can be used in connection with a hose clamp and may comprise an open channel configured to straddle a hose. The identification marker is designed to closely match the contours of the associated hose clamp to avoid protruding from the hose clamp. The identification maker is also configured to be secured to the hose clamp to reduce movement of the marker independently of the hose clamp. The identification marker may be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the hose clamp without disrupting continuity of treatment or requiring disassembly of the connection between the hose and a delivery device.
The following description of the invention can be understood in light of
The following description provides specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. The skilled artisan, however, would understand that the invention can be practiced without employing these specific details. Indeed, the invention can be practiced by modifying the illustrated method and resulting product and can be used in conjunction with apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. The invention described below deals primarily with identification markers for hose clamps for flexible hoses that are used in the medical industry. The invention, however, could be modified for other type of hoses and for use in other industries.
The invention includes an identification device (such as an identification marker) for a hose clamp for a flexible hose. The identification marker of the invention can be quickly and easily inserted and removed with respect to the hose clamp. The identification marker can be selectively removed and/or replaced without disrupting continuous treatment or requiring disassembly of the connection between the hose and a delivery device. The identification marker closely matches the contours of an associated hose clamp so there no protruding portions of the marker. The identification marker may be reliably secured adjacent a hose clamp to reduce or prevent movement of the identification marker independent of the hose clamp. Any identification marker that operates in the above manner can be used in the invention, including the identification markers described below and illustrated in the Figures.
As shown in
Using this configuration, the identification marker 10 may be selectively removed or interchanged without disassembling or detaching the hose 30 from other components involved in administering such fluid. For example, where a hose 30 is attached at one end to a hollow needle to administer medicinal or other fluids to a patient, the identification marker 10 may be selectively installed, removed, and/or interchanged without disturbing the connection between the hose 30 and the needle.
The identification marker 10 may be made of any suitable material that can identify the contents of a hose and can be used in connection with a hose clamp known. Examples of suitable materials include molded plastic materials or composite materials. In one aspect of the invention, a plastic material is used as the material for the identification marker.
The channel 18 may comprise any shape or configuration known to those in the art, provided that the channel 18 allows the identification marker 10 to be selectively implemented independently of the hose 30. While one such shape is illustrates in the Figures, other shapes can be used for channel 18.
In one aspect of the invention, the channel 18 may be defined by an identification plate 12 perpendicularly attached to a cross member 16. The identification plate 12 may convey identifying information corresponding to contents of a hose 30 and/or any other desired information, including information to facilitate accuracy and predictability in medical and other procedures. Such identifying information may be conveyed by color coding, shape coding, written description, or by any other means known in the art.
The identifying plate 12 may also contain information other than just for identification. In one aspect of the invention, the identification plate 12 may contain the name and priming volume of a fluid contained in an associated hose 30. The identification plate 12 may also warn against using certain solutions or agents in connection with a particular hose 30. Alternatively, the identification plate 12 may be used to convey company information relating to the manufacture or distribution of the hose 30. The identification plate 12 may be used to identify particular venous and arterial lines.
The identification plate 12 may be any shape consistent with the purpose described above and substantially correspond to a lateral shape of a hose clamp 40 to which it is attached. For example, the identification plate 12 may be U-shaped, elliptical, tapered, or the like. As well, the identification plate 12 should be of sufficient size to enable ready recognition of the identifying information placed thereon.
As shown in
The identification plate 12 may or may not be identical to a second identification plate 12 or stabilizing plate 14 coupled thereto. The shape and/or dimensions of an stabilizing plate 14 (when used) should substantially correspond to the lateral dimensions of a hose clamp 40 such that the identification marker 10 may be retained thereby while minimizing a risk of untoward movement or protrusion of the marker 10 independent of the hose clamp 40.
The identification plate 12 and/or a stabilizing plate 14 may further comprise an engaging member 20. The engaging member is used to secure the identification plate 12 or stabilizing plate 14 against a hose clamp 30. Using this configuration, independent movement of the hose clamp identification marker 10 is limited, thereby facilitating easy recognition and accurate interpretation of identifying information placed thereon. This configuration also promotes the comfort and well-being of a patient or other user whose skin may come in contact with the hose clamp 40 and associated hose clamp identification marker 10. Any shape and size of the engaging member can be used that is consistent with this function.
An alternative aspect of the invention is shown in
As shown in
Any hose clamp 40 known in the art can be used with the identification marker 10 of the invention. In one aspect of the invention, the hose clamp 40 depicted in
The leveraging leg 42 and securing leg 44 may also comprise a clamping jaw 50 and 52. When the leveraging leg 42 engages the securing leg 44, the associated clamping jaws 50 and 52 are brought in closer proximity to each other and may optionally contact each another. To facilitate engagement of the leveraging leg 42 with the securing leg 44, the securing leg 44 may incorporate a securing ledge 48 configured to retain a distal edge of the leveraging leg 42. The leveraging leg 42 may also contain a corrugated (or otherwise roughened or textured) surface to promote traction between the leveraging leg 42 and a finger or other device used to apply pressure for engaging the leveraging leg 42 with the securing leg 44.
The leveraging and securing legs 42 and 44 may incorporate a retaining aperture 54 proximate its respective clamping jaw 50 and 52. The retaining aperture 54 may contain an opening in the lateral surface of the hose clamp 40 or a recess or indentation in such lateral surface. When present, the retaining apertures 54 engage one or more engaging members 20 on an identification and/or stabilizing plate 12 and 14. Thus, the engaging members 20 may selectively engage the retaining apertures 54 of the hose clamp 40 to secure adjacency between the identification device 10 and the hose clamp 30.
As shown in
An identification marker 10 can be coupled to a hose clamp 40 by directing the cross member 16 to transverse the open hose clamp 40. The identification marker 10 may then be directed past the bottom clamping jaw 52 until the marker 10 is retained proximate the curved backing member 46 and the cross member 16 runs substantially coincident with the top clamping jaw 50. The marker 10 may then be rotated or otherwise maneuvered so that any engaging members 20 engage a retaining aperture 54 in the hose clamp 40 to secure the marker 10 substantially laterally adjacent the hose clamp 40. An engaging member 20 may engage the retaining aperture 54 by a press fit, or by any other means known to those in the art.
As depicted by
The invention also includes a method for identifying the contents of a hose. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises providing a hose with a fluid flowing therethrough and a hose clamp on the hose, and then installing, removing, or interchanging an identification marker on the hose clamp without interfering with an attached hose 30 or its function.
In another aspect of the invention, the method comprises the step 70 of coupling a hose clamp to a hose, the step 72 of providing an identification marker, the step 90 of attaching the identification marker to the hose clamp, and then the step 82 of identifying the contents of the hose. Specifically, as shown in
Using these methods, the contents of the hose 30 may be quickly and accurately identified without requiring separate assembly of a hose apparatus to implement a hose clamp identification marker. Also, the hose clamp identification marker 10 so implemented may be easily installed, removed and/or interchanged without requiring disruption of a flow of fluid throughout the hose 30.
Although the aspects of the invention discussed above primarily focus on advantages in a health or medical context, the invention can be used in virtually any circumstances where a clamp is used on tubing or a hose and where it is desirable to have some indicia of a fluid substance being transmitted therethrough. In addition, the invention is useful to identify any other relevant data pertaining to such fluid substance or hose apparatus, such as company identification, warnings, and instructions for use. An identification marker in accordance with the present invention may, for example, have potential for application in the pharmaceutical, dairy, food and beverage, chemical and/or general industrial markets.
Having described these aspects of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/429,254 filed Nov. 26, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5203056 | Funk et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5281228 | Wolfson | Jan 1994 | A |
5316246 | Scott et al. | May 1994 | A |
20030066218 | Schweikert | Apr 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040159024 A1 | Aug 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60429254 | Nov 2002 | US |