BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the subcutaneous medical tube retainer of this invention in a preferred embodiment with the retainer shown in a form which is either attachable to the catheter or other medical tube or formed with the catheter. The catheter is shown implanted within a subcutaneous space in a body of a patient at the beginning of the process of transitioning an expandable width portion of the retainer from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 1, but after the expandable width portion has been fully expanded and a handle thereof has been closed to lock the expandable width portion in the expanded configuration.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1 and with the catheter shown in broken lines to allow details of the retainer to be more clearly shown.
FIG. 4 is a full sectional view of that which is shown in FIG. 3, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a full sectional view of that which is shown in FIG. 3, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 2, showing the retainer in its expanded configuration for the expandable width portion. Also, while FIG. 6 depicts the catheter extending to a hub past a tip of the handle, the handle would typically be sufficiently long to abut the hub, as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a full sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 6, taken along lines of 7-7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a full sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 6, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a full sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the subcutaneous medical tube retainer of this invention, with the retainer in the form of a post extending from a catheter or other medical tube, and with a leg pivotably attached to the post shown in a collapsed form.
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 9 and showing the leg in collapsed form and with the leg also shown in expanded form in phantom.
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of another alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and showing how ramps can be provided on the catheter adjacent to a location where the leg of this embodiment is provided.
FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of a fifth alternative embodiment subcutaneous medical tube retainer according to this invention and with portions thereof cut away to reveal an interior chamber and expandable width portion of the retainer located within the chamber and shown in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 15, but with the expandable width portion transitioning between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.
FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view similar to that which is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, but with the expandable width portion shown fully transitioned to the expanded configuration.
FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the subcutaneous medical tube retainer of this invention with portions cut away to reveal details of the chamber and an alternative expandable width portion contained within the chamber, with the expandable width portion in the form of an expansion shuttle shown in a collapsed configuration.
FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 18, but with the expansion shuttle shown fully transitioned to an expanded configuration.
Patent Application
20070232997
