This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled,

"APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING AN UMBILICUS," having serial number 61/229,357, filed on July 29, 2009, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND

Peripheral blood vessels in neonates are often friable and difficult to access, particularly in the preterm population. Because of this, traditional central venous catheters can be difficult to place. For this reason, umbilical artery catheters (UACs) and umbilical vein catheters (UVCs) are used to provide access for various purposes, such as resuscitation, monitoring of blood, administration of fluids, blood transfusion, and parenteral nutrition in neonates whose condition is unstable.

Placement of umbilical catheters is important in the treatment of ill neonates. Under current practice, the umbilicus is normally elevated by an assistant and the umbilicus is sterilized and draped in preparation for cannulation. During cannulation, the assistant typically holds the umbilicus in an upright orientation with the neonate supine to enable the physician to perform the cannulation.

Although the above-described procedure is viable, it is disadvantageous because at least one assistant, who must be sufficiently sterilized prior to assisting, is required. More desirable would be a procedure that does not rely on the availability of such an assistant. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed apparatuses and methods can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an umbilicus support apparatus that can assist with umbilical vessel cannulation.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic side view of the support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in use supporting an umbilicus.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example umbilicus clamp that can be secured by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an umbilicus clamp securing element that can form part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGs. 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views that illustrate the manner in which the umbilicus clamp of FIG. 3 can be secured by securing elements of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of an umbilicus support apparatus that can assist with umbilical vessel cannulation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an umbilicus clamp that can form part of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, it is current practice to have a sterilized assistant manually support the umbilicus both during preparation for and performance of umbilical vessel cannulation. Such a practice is disadvantageous because at least one assistant is required. Described herein are apparatuses and methods that remove the need for such an assistant. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an armature that supports the umbilicus in an upright (e.g., vertical) orientation.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an umbilicus support apparatus 10 designed to support an umbilicus, or umbilical cord, before, during, or after an umbilical vessel cannulation procedure. It will be appreciated, however, that the apparatus 10 can be used to support an umbilicus even when an umbilical vessel cannulation is not to be performed.

As indicated in FIG. 1 , the apparatus 10 generally includes a base 12 and an armature 14 that extends out from the base. The base 12 is, for example, designed to secure to a bed on which the neonate lays or an incubator in which the neonate is placed. In some embodiments, the base 12 includes one or more clamp members 16 that extend from a side of the base that are designed to clamp onto rails 18 of the bed or incubator. Alternatively, the base 12 may be placed on a support surface 19 associated with or positioned near the bed or incubator, such as a side tray or platform. The base 12 can comprise various electrical components, such as a power switch, an internal power source (e.g., battery), and various electronics that control operation of the apparatus 10. Although the base 12 has been described as potentially including an internal power source, the base may alternatively use A/C current supplied by a wall outlet or other source.

The armature 14 includes an elongated flexible arm 20 and a support head 22.

The arm 20 has a first or proximal end 24 and a second or distal end 26. As shown in FIG. 1 , the arm 20 is connected to the base 12 at its proximal end 24 and the support head 22 is attached to the arm at its distal end 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 20 extends from the top of the base 12. In some embodiments, the arm 20 can be rotated relative to the base 12 (about the longitudinal axis of the arm) to enable desired positioning of the support head 22. A lock collar 28 can be provided adjacent the base 12 and the proximal end 24 of the arm 20 to enable selective locking of the angular position of the arm relative to the base. Also positioned adjacent the proximal end 24 of the arm 20 are one or more clips 25 that are adapted to secure a sterile drape or sheath (not shown) that can extend from the proximal end to the distal end 26 of the arm. Further clips 25 can also be provided at the distal end 26 of the arm 20 for that purpose.

In addition to being angularly adjustable, the arm 20 can be flexed to change the position and/or orientation of the support head 22. In some embodiments, the arm 20 provides mild resistance against such flexion and is configured so that the arm will automatically hold substantially any position and/or orientation in which it is placed in similar manner to a flexible table lamp. In some embodiments, the arm 20 includes fixation elements (not shown) that are used to securely fix the arm in a desired position.

As noted above, the support head 22 is attached to the distal end 26 of the arm

20. In some embodiments, the support head 22 can be rotated relative to the arm 20. In such cases, the armature 14 can include a lock collar 30 that securely locks the support head in a desired angular orientation relative to the arm 20. In some embodiments, the support head 22 comprises an elongated body 32 that supports one or more umbilicus clamp securing elements 34 and, in at least some embodiments, one or more lights 36 that face downward from the head. The securing elements 34 are designed to hold an independent umbilicus clamp (see FIG. 2) as a means for supporting the umbilicus to which the clamp is attached. In some embodiments, the securing elements 34 comprise clips or clamps that are adapted to grip the ends of the umbilicus clamp. An example embodiment for the securing elements 34 is described below in relation to FIGs. 4 and 5. When provided, the lights 36 illuminate the umbilicus when secured by the apparatus 10 to aid the physician during umbilical vessel cannulation.

In some embodiments, the support head 22 is removable to facilitate the attachment of alternative support heads to the distal end 26 of the flexible arm 20. Such alternative support heads may comprise alternative configurations, dimensions, securing elements, and/or lights. In some embodiments, the umbilicus clamp securing elements 34 are separately removable and replaceable. For example, the securing elements 34 can be disposable elements that are discarded after use in supporting an umbilicus.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of use of the umbilicus support apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, an umbilicus clamp 40 that has been clamped around an umbilicus 42 of a neonate 44 has been secured by the umbilicus clamp securing elements 34 of the apparatus 10. In the illustrated example, such securing results in umbilicus 42 being supported in an upright (vertical) orientation and a distal tip 46 of the umbilicus being directed upward toward the support head 22. In that orientation, light emitted from the lights 36 can shine upon the umbilicus 42 to aid the physician in inserting a catheter in an appropriate umbilical vessel.

FIG. 3 depicts an example umbilicus, or umbilical cord, clamp 50 that can be used to close an umbilicus 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the clamp 50 generally comprises first and second opposed arms 54, 56 that are joined together at their first or proximal ends 58, 60 by a flexible hinge 62. Provided along inner sides of the arms 54, 56 are serrations or teeth 64 that ensure secure gripping of the umbilicus 52. Provided at the second or distal ends 66, 68 of the arms 54, 56 are locking elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking elements comprise a prong 70 provided at the distal end 66 of the first arm 54 that is adapted to be received by a recess complimentary 72 provided at the distal end 68 of the second arm 56 in a snap fitting arrangement. In use, the arms 54, 56 can be closed down on the umbilicus 52 until the prong 70 is received by the recess 72. Once the clamp 50 has been secured to the umbilicus 52 in that manner, the clamp (and therefore the umbilicus) can be supported in a desired orientation with the apparatus 10.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example umbilicus clamp securing element 80 that can form part of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 4, the securing element 80 comprises a body 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 82 is a generally block-shaped solid member that includes a top end 84 and a bottom end 86. In some cases, the body can be unitarily constructed from a polymeric material. Extending upward from the top end 84 of the body 82 is a shank 88 that is adapted to be received by a complementary orifice of the support head 22 (not shown). The shank 88 is elongated and comprises one or more notches 90 that are adapted to receive complementary detents provided within the support head orifice (not shown).

Provided at the bottom end 86 of the body 82 is a clip element 92 that is specifically configured to receive and secure an umbilicus clamp, such as the clamp 50 shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip element 92 comprises opposed flexible arms 94 that each defines part of an opening 96 in which the umbilicus clamp can be received. The opening 96 is partially closed by inwardly- extending prongs 98 that are provided at the distal ends of the arm 94. The prongs 98 form a narrow passage 97 through which an umbilicus clamp can be passed

When an umbilicus is to be supported, one or more securing elements 80 can be attached to the support head 22, for example by inserting the shanks 88 of the elements into the orifices provided in the head. Once the securing elements 80 are mounted to the support head 22, an umbilicus can be supported by the apparatus 10. Assuming that an umbilicus clamp 50 has already been secured to the umbilicus, the clamp can be secured by the securing elements 80. With reference to FIG. 5A, the umbilicus clamp 50 can be inserted into the "jaws" of the securing elements 80 that are formed by the opposed flexible arms 94. In particular, the closed clamp 50 can be urged upwardly between the arms 94 of the securing elements 80 and through the passages 97 to cause the arms 94 to flex outwardly and enable the clamp to pass into the openings 96 of the securing elements, as depicted in FIG. 5B. After umbilical vessel cannulation has been performed the support elements 80 can be removed from the support head 22 and discarded. It will be appreciated that differently sized and configured securing elements can be provided to secure differently sized and configured umbilical clamps. The removability of the securing elements enables interchangeability so that substantially every type of umbilicus clamp can be secured by the apparatus 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of an umbilicus support apparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 is similar in many ways to the apparatus 10. However, the apparatus 100 comprises an integrated umbilicus clamp 102. As indicated in FIG. 7, the umbilicus clamp 102 is similar in design to the independent clamp 50 shown in FIG. 3. The claim 102, however, includes shanks 104 (shown in partial view) that extend upward from the arm 54 and are adapted to be received by the support head 22. Therefore, instead of securing an umbilicus clamp to an umbilicus and then gripping the clamp with securing elements, an umbilicus can be directly secured and supported using the integrated umbilicus clamp 102. Like the securing elements 80, the clamp 102 can be unitarily formed from a polymeric material and can be disposable. Although various embodiments have been described above, it is to be understood that alternative embodiments are possible. The present disclosure is intended to extend to all such embodiments.