The present application relates to a medical equipment clip, for use with medical equipment such as conduits, conductors, containers or articles of hand held patient care equipment.

A patient receiving medical care, for example in a medical, nursing home or similar establishment, may need to be provided with equipment to sample or measure the condition ofthe patient or to administer medicaments to the patient and this equipment is sometimes required to be in position for considerable periods of time.

For example, the following equipment may need to be used:

a drip, for intravenous infusion of liquid, comprising a drip supply, a tube and an intravenous needle,

catheter equipment for introducing a catheter, for example for measuring blood pressure in a vein or artery, or for draining body fluids, e.g. urine or blood, plugs, locks or plug units for inclusion in catheters or tubes to control fluid flow, syringes permanently or intermittently connected to intravenous needles for infusion of liquids, or electrical leads for connecting devices for measuring e.g. temperature, heartbeat etc., to monitoring equipment.

Normally, when such equipment is used, the patient is resting in a bed, e.g. a hospital bed, but such equipment may be used in other circumstances.

If any or a number of such items of equipment are used they will need to be suspended or maintained in position in some way. Free-standing supports, e.g. for drip bags, have been used extensively but the equipment is frequently simply rested on the bed or furniture by the bedside.

The aim ofthe present invention is to provide a clip for releasably securing such equipment in place when in use to prevent it becoming disturbed, damaged or entangled with other equipment.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a medical equipment clip, having means ("retaining means") for releasably retaining at least one of a conduit, conductor, container or article of hand held patient care and means ("engaging means") for releasably engaging at least one of a patient, garment, bed or bedclothes.

It is particularly important to be able to secure conduits such as tubes, of which a large number may be required in the case of a patient in intensive care. A large number of clips may be used, supporting the medical equipment at different places, to give good support.

The term "hospital equipment" will be used herein to indicate conduits, conductors, containers and articles of hand held patient care as discussed above. The present invention is particularly intended

for use with relatively small articles or articles of small diameter. By "small" is meant hand-held equipment, particularly equipment which can be held in one hand. For example, the equipment is preferably smaller than 15 cm across (15 cm in diameter in the case of tubular containers), most preferably less than 10 cm across or 10 cm in diameter. Preferably, the equipment is light, weighing less than 3 kilograms, most preferably less than one kilogram.

Preferably, the clip itself is small, being preferably less than 30cm in maximum dimension, most preferably less than 10cm in maximum dimension.

The clip preferably comprises at least one rigid part, on which the engaging means and retaining means are mounted. The rigid part may altematively form part of one ofthe engaging or retaining means, the other of said means being mounted on the rigid part.

The means for releasably retaining the medical equipment may be any of an adhesive portion (which may be covered up when not in use), screw operated equipment, a latch, flexible band and clip arrangement or resilient clip, for example. A resilient clip, being an arrangement in which two parts are biassed towards each other by biassing means so that the medical equipment can be retained between the two parts, is preferred. In the simplest form, the retaining means comprises a resilient preferably metal or plastic strip bent almost into a circle or other closed figure and defining a small gap between its ends. Such a retaining means is particularly simple to use and manufacture.

The means for releasable engagement with the patient, garment:, bed or bedclothes may be an adhesive portion (which may be covered up when not in use), pin, latch or similar arrangement, for example, but is preferably a clip comprising two relatively movable parts which are urged together by biassing means, either permanently (in the manner of a clothes peg) or non-permanently, e.g. when a toggle arrangement having open and closed configurations is used. The engaging means may be in the form of a crocodile clip. In one embodiment, the inner edges ofthe movable parts may be provided with corresponding notches so as to form one or more holes. A plurality of holes of varying diameters may be provided!

Other suitable means for releasably engaging the patient, garment, bed or bedclothes may be used.

In some circumstances, the medical equipment clip may be fixed to any suitable surface which comes to hand. However, it should be suitable for engagement with a patient, garment, bed or bedclothes.

The clip may have retaining means for retaining only one size or type of medical equipment. Preferably however, the medical equipment clip has alterable retaining means or at least two separate retaining means of different size or type so that at least two sizes or types of medical equipment can be retained. For example, the medical equipment clip may be provided with means for retaining a conduit of very small diameter (e. g less than 5 mm) and separate means for engaging a container, such as a syringe, for example of diameter approximately 10 cm.

A retaining means for catheters or tubes may be designed so that it has at least two retaining parts for retaining the catheter or tube, the parts being spaced so that a retained tube is not closed by the parts. The retaining means may comprise a resilient clip generally in the form of a figure-of-eight, the clip being arranged to operate like a caliper.

It is envisaged that the retaining means may comprise the same moving parts as the engaging means, the respective moving parts being suitably shaped.

Preferably, however, the retaining means and the engaging means are separate.

Preferably, the retaining means is adjustably mounted on the clip. For example, the position ofthe retaining means may be moved longitudinally along the clip or the retaining means may be rotatable. The retaining means may be fixed in position by a releasable catch or it may be retained in position by frictional engagement of mounting surfaces on the clip and the retaining means.

The clip may comprise at least two parts movable with respect: to one another, in order to give flexibility of positioning. For example, the parts may be relatively rotatable, preferable through at least 30 , more preferably at least 45 . Altematively or additionally, the parts may be longitudinally movable with respect to each other. The parts may be fixed with respect to one another by a releasable catch or they may be retained in position by frictional engagement of their respective contacting faces.

The clip may also be used as a mounting for a suitable label to indicate the function of the medical equipment retained by the clip. The label may be simply written on a suitable part ofthe clip (in which case, a surface which is easy to write on and preferably washable may be provided) or means may be provided into which a label may be clipped or slid.

Preferably, the clip is constructed from polymeric material, such as HDPE. The skilled person will be aware of suitable forms of polymeric material from which to manufacture the clip or respective parts ofthe clip. Metal biassing means such as springs may be provided if necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the clip comprises means for retaining a container or meter and means for retaining a conduit, conductor or similar piece of equipment, so that a container and its respective delivery tube or a measuring device and respective conductor may be fixed on the same clip. It is particularly valuable in this case that the retaining means should be movable with respect of one another, either by arranging the retaining means movably on the clip or by having parts of the clip movable with respect to each other.

If means engagable with the patient is provided, preferably an adhesive strip, a catheter or conductor may be fixed near its end to the point at which it engages or enters the patient. This is particularly useful as it helps to prevent disengagement ofthe equipment.

The present invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a medical equipment clip according to the present invention,

Figure 2 shows a syringe and IVI tube mounted in the medical equipment clip according to the present invention,

Figure 3 shows a medical equipment retaining part for use in assembling the clip ofthe present invention,

Figures 4, 4a, 5 and 6 show views of a stem ofthe clip ofthe present invention.

Figure 7 shows an altemative medical equipment retaining part for use in the clip ofthe present invention;

Figure 8 shows apparatus for forming the retaining part shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a rear elevation ofthe stem ofthe clip ofthe present invention incoφorating the retaining part of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a front elevation ofthe stem of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 shows an altemative embodiment of a medical equipment clip according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a medical equipment clip according to the present invention.

There are provided two separate medical equipment retaining parts, 2 and 3, of different diameter. In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, medical equipment retaining part 2 is for retaining tubes, for example, intravenous infusion (IVI) tubes, of diameter less than 5mm and medical equipment retaining part 3 is for retaining containers, such as syringes, of a diameter in the range 2-lOcm.

Retaining part 2 is permanently fixed to a strip 4. A further strip 5 is provided movable respect to strip 4 and arranged such that its end 6 is urged into contact with an end 7 of strip 4 by a metal spring 8. Strips 4 and 5 provide means for engaging the clip with a garment, bed or bedclothes, the material or part ofthe bed being engaged between the ends 6 and 7 ofthe strips 5 and 4.

The underside 9 ofthe strip 5 may be provided with a non-allergenic adhesive material so that the clip can be adhered to a patient's skin.

The retaining part 3 is mounted on a stem 10. The retaining part 3 can be moved up and down the stem 10 and rotated about the axis I shown in broken lines. The stem 10 can be fixed with relation to strip 4.

In Figure 2, a syringe 11 of known design is shown fixed in retaining part 3, an IVI tube 12 being provided fixed to the spout ofthe syringe 11 and retained in part 2.

Figure 3 shows a retaining part for use in the clip ofthe invention. It comprises resilient jaw parts 13 which allow medical equipment to be pushed between the jaw parts and retained resiliently in the space 14. The jaw parts 13 are mounted on a stem attached to a button which, as will be explained below allows lateral and rotational movement ofthe retaining part with respect to the clip. In the embodiment of figure 1, the retaining part of figure 3 would correspond to the

retaining part 3, though, of course, it could be used for retaining part 2 additionally or altematively.

Figure 4 shows a stem for use in the clip according to the invention. It corresponds to stem 10 of figure 1. The stem 16 is constructed of polymeric material of suitable rigidity and strength.

A slot 17 is formed extending longitudinally along the stem 16. As can be seen from the normal cross section 4a, the slot 17 extends from one side ofthe stem 16 to the other.

As shown in figure 5, one ofthe faces 18 of the stem 16 may comprise a label surface. In this case, the label is adhered to surface 18.

Figure 6 shows the stem 16 of figure 4 viewed from face 19 with the retaining part of figure 3 in place. The button 15 of retaining part figure 3 is visible. The stem between the jaw parts 13 and the button 15 is retained in the slot 17 of the stem with the jaw parts projecting from the face opposite face 19. The retaining part of figure 3 may be placed into position in the slot 17 by elastic deformation ofthe respective parts or by attachment ofthe button 15 to the stem of the jaw parts 13 after the stem has been placed in the slot 17. A longitudinally extending plastic strip 20 is shown, extending along the line ofthe slot 17 and covering part ofthe button 15. The strip 20 is fixed at its ends 21 and 22 so that it resiliently contacts the button 15. The button 15 is therefore held against rotation with respect to axis UI of figure 3 and with respect to longitudinal motion along the slot 17 by frictional engagement ofthe button with the strip 20 and with the face 19. Application of suitable force by hand will allow the retaining part to be rotated or moved longitudinally.

Figure 7 shows an altemative retaining part for use in the clip ofthe inventor. As shown, the retaining part is generally in the form of a figure-of-eight, having resilient jaw parts 30 on one side which allow medical equipment to be placed between the jaw parts and retained resiliently in the space 32. In this case, the opposite side ofthe retaining part comprises a loop 34 having right and left limbs 36, 38 respectively. The limbs 36, 38 co-operate with the jaw parts 30 such that, when the loop 34 is compressed such that the limbs 36, 38 are pressed towards each other, the jaw parts 30 move outwardly thereby widening the space 32. Thus, medical equipment of any size and diameter can be placed within the space 32. When the loop 34 is released, it regains its original shape and causes the jaw parts 30 to be released such that they grip the medical equipment and resiliently retain it in the space 32. The medical equipment can be removed after use, by means of a similar operation. Thus , the retaining part operates in a similar manner to, for example, calipers.

Referring to Figure 8 ofthe drawings, the retaining part described above is formed using apparatus comprising a strip 40 having a horizontal slot 42 and two vertical slots 44 and 46 respectively. Both ends of a generally U-shaped piece of plastic (not shown) are inserted through the horizontal slot 42. One end ofthe piece of plastic is crossed over the other and then each end is placed in a vertical slot such that the left-hand end is placed in the right hand slot 46 and the right-hand end is placed in the left hand slot 44, thus forming a generally figure-of-eight structure.

The piece of plastic used to form the retaining part comprises raised sections, or bobbles, on one or both of its exterior surfaces so as to keep it in place within the slots 42, 44, 46 once the figure- of-eight retaining part is formed in the manner described above.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, the strip 40 is mounted on, or formed integrally with, the stem 10 of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Altematively, the strip 40 may be mounted on, or formed integrally with the stem 50 of an altemative embodiment ofthe medical equipment clip, as shown in figure 11 of the drawings.

Referring to Figure 11, the altemative medical equipment clip is similar in many respects to the clip shown in Figure 1. However, in this case, the strip 4 is tapered so as to resemble a crocodile clip 52. The jaws ofthe clip 52 are soft lined, and the inner edge of each ofthe strips 4, 5 is formed with corresponding notches forming holes 54 of varying diameters to secure various types of conduits or leads, for example, the electrical leads which are attached to catheters in a patient. The underside 9 ofthe strip 5 may again be provided with a non-allergenic adhesive material so that the clip can be adhered to the patient's skin. This is particularly useful when Central Various Pressures are being made.

The clip 52 is made up of four pieces so that the jaws can open vertically or horizontally. This is achieved by applying pressure (by means of, for example, a finger and thumb) to the appropriate control (i.e. either the horizontal control 56 or the vertical control 58), thereby compressing the spring 60 in the appropriate direction.

In the case of both embodiments described above, the retaining parts and/or the clip may be disposable.

In the light of this disclosure, modifications ofthe described embodiments, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims, will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art.