A restraining means for a tube

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a restraining means which can be utilised with endotracheal tubes, endo-bronchial tubes, naso-trachea, catheters or other forms of tubes used in the medical treatment of a patient for conveying fluids to or from the patient and which require positive location.

Throughout the specification and claims the term "tube" shall be taken to include all forms of endo-tracheal tubes, endo-bronchial tubes, naso-tracheal or other forms of tubes of the above form which are to be inserted into a body orifice of a patient, or through an incision, or stoma or port in the body of a patient for the purposes of conveying a fluid to and/or from the patient.

Background

There are occasional problems that occur with tubes of the form defined above as a result of the possibility of the tubes being displaced or moved whilst connected to the body which not only can cause discomfort to the patient but can result in inadequate treatment of the patient. Current practice is to utilise adhesive strips or ribbon gauze to secure such devices to the body of a patient, however, such fixings are not reliable and in many cases the degree of support is not adequate and the tube has moved. In some cases this movement can result in a critical condition being induced in the patient which is not immediately recognised. In addition the use of adhesive tapes causes problems with body hair. In addition further difficulties can arise as a result of an allergic reaction.

Disclosure of the Invention

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Accordingly, the invention resides in a restraining means for use with tubes of the form described, said restraining means comprises a body having a gripping means and adapted to be connected to a fastening strap, the gripping means comprising a slot in the body and having an inner portion adapted to grippingly receive the tube to prevent rotational and lateral movement of the tube relative to body in a manner that will not restrict the flow characteristics of the tube, the fastening strap being adapted to be received around the body of the patient in the region of the position of entry of the tube into the body.

According to preferred feature of the invention the inner portion of slot is formed to snugly receive the tube. According to preferred feature of the invention the periphery of the inner portion is provided with a set of protrusions configured to frictionally engage the external surface of the tube.

According to preferred feature of the invention the body is provided with a pair of opposed lateral extensions, the outer ends of the extensions adapted to receive the fastening strap. According to preferred feature of the invention the body is formed from a panel of a substantially non-extensible sheet material having an elongate configuration in which the slot is located substantially centrally along the body and extends transversely across the body from one side, said extensions comprising the portions of the body to each side of the slot. According to preferred feature of the invention the slot is formed with an entry portion between the inner portion and the one side, where the entry portion is of a decreased width compared to the maximum width of the inner portion. According to preferred feature of the invention the lateral extensions are formed with central holes which occupy a substantial portion of the area of the lateral extensions. According to preferred feature of the invention wherein the body has generally rectangular configuration.

According to preferred feature of the invention the body is formed of a plastics material.

According to preferred feature of the invention the tube comprises an endo- tracheal tube, laryngeal mask, double lumen endo-bronchial tube or naso-tracheal

tube. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the tube comprises a catheter

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of a restraining means according to the embodiment;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment in engagement with a tube;

Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment in use with a patient to restrain a tube.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment

The embodiment is directed to a restraining means 11 which can be utilised with an endo-tracheal tube, laryngeal mask, double lumen endo-bronchial tube or naso-tracheal tube.

The restraining means comprises a body which is formed of a flexible but substantially non-extensible sheet material which comprises a suitable plastics material. The body comprises a panel like element which has a generally rectangular shape. The body is formed along one side with a centrally located and transversely directed slot 13 whereby the inner portion of slot has a configuration an dimensions which generally corresponds to those of the tube 10 with which the restraining means is to be used. The entry to the slot is formed of reduced width compared to the inner portion. This requires the tube to be at least partially crushed or deformed on the slot being applied over the tube for the tube to be received within the inner portion. In addition, inner portion of the slot is provided with a set of three protrusions 15 which are spaced around the perimeter of the inner portion to be substantially equi-angular to each other. As a result one pair of the protrusions are located at the entry to the inner portion of the slot 13

and the third protrusion is provided at the base of the slot in opposed relation to the entry. The protrusions have a generally toothed-shaped configuration with an edge which will frictionally engage the outer wall of the tube but will not pierce or significantly affect the integrity of the wall. The dimensions of the space defined between the protrusion 15 are such that on the tube being located in the inner portion of the slot 13 the protrusions will become frictionally engaged with the with the surface of the tube in a manner which may result in some resilient deformation of the surface of the tube by the protrusions but such that they will not penetrate the wall of the tube. The frictional engagement of the tube effected by the protrusions 15 is such as to prevent rotational and longitudinal movement of the tube 10 relative to the body 11.

The portions of the body to each side of the slot 13 are formed at their outer lateral edges 17 with apertures 19. The apertures are configured to receive a length of resiliently extendible strapping 21.

In addition the portions of the body to each side of the slot are formed with central holes 23. The presence of these holes 23 will allow some deformation of the body to accept some excessive forces that my be exerted on the body in use

In use and as shown at Figures 2 and 3, once a tube 10 has been located into the body of a patient at the desired position the restraining means according to the embodiment is applied around the tube such that the tube is substantially encompassed by the inner portion of the slot 13 and such that the protrusions 15 engage the wall of the slot in a symmetrical arrangement around the tube. The configuration of the inner portion and the protrusions is such that on location of the tube within the slot, the tube it is not substantially crushed or reduced in internal diameter and the restraint which is applied to the tube by the body is effected through frictional engagement by the protrusions with the outer surface of the tube. Once the restraining device is in position it can be retained in that position by wrapping the strap 21 around the relevant portion (i.e. the neck and/or the head) and tensioning the strap to tightly retain the restraining means in position. If desired the restraining means can be applied to the tube before the tube is inserted into the body or connected to the body.

The use of the embodiment avoids the need for the use of gauze or adhesive tape to hold a tube in position. This can be of particular advantage in the case of patients who have body hair or who have allergies to the various adhesives which are used in conventional adhesive tapes. In addition the application of the embodiment is relatively simple and as result can be effected quickly to fix the tube at the desired position.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiment described above. The embodiment is intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein. In addition the use of the embodiment in relation to use with endo-tracheal tubes, laryngeal masks, double lumen endo-bronchial tubes or naso-tracheal tubes is not to be taken as limiting the applications available for the invention