GB2219034A

GB2219034A - "Tube attachment device"

Info

Publication number: GB2219034A
Application number: GB8912001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alastair Morrison Pettigrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-25
Filing date: 1989-05-25
Publication date: 1989-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-25
Also published as: GB8812392D0; GB2219034B; GB8912001D0

Abstract

The device comprises a base 2, having an adhesive surface 3 for attachment to human skin and tube clamping means 4, comprising a plastics bracket 5 or a tie 10 attached to base 2. In Figure 2 base 2 is a disc-shaped portion of fabric adhesive tape and the clamping means 4 is a plastics bracket 5 with a biassed closed lip 7 and is attached to exposed surface of base 2 by double-sided adhesive tape 6. In other embodiments the clamping means has an anchoring stud 9 and tie 10 of plastics material and the anchoring stud 9 may be provided with a root portion which is embedded between layers of fabric 15 or adhesive tape 6 or pass through the entire thickness. The tie 10 has a ratchet strip 12 and a head 13 with an internal barb. <IMAGE>

Description

Tube Attachment Device This invention relates to a tube attachment device and particularly a device for use on a human body for medicinal or clinical purposes.

Traditionally, a tube is secured to the skin by means of a length of adhesive tape strapping the tube in position. As the adhesive tape is flexible and attached to the skin at only two opposed points, the tube tends to twist and move out of alignment. Such attachments are also unsightly and particularly difficult to affix and keep secure in areas of joints, or of considerable underlying muscle movement, or in areas of limited attachment space, such as the top lip or chin. Furthermore, body fluids tracking along a tube can destroy the adhesion of a tape.

According to the present invention there is provided a tube attachment device comprising a base having an adhesive surface for attachment, and tube clamping means on an exposed surface of said base.

Preferably, the base is disc-shaped and of sticky-backed fabric tape which provides an even, neat and secure attachment.

The tube clamping means may be attached by double-sided adhesive tape to the exposed surface of the base, or it may be provided with a root portion embedded between layers of the base or passing through the entire thickness of the base and projecting as a lower stud on the underside of the base.

Alternatively, layers of the base material may be formed into a ridge which receives a plastic tie, which clamps the tube in place.

The clamp of the clamping means may be remote of the base or affixed on or over the base.

The clamp may comprise a tube clamping bracket with biassed closed lip and/or an anchoring stud with an aperture for a tie, which anchoring stud and tie may be provided with a barb and ratchet mechanism for tube encirclement and securement; the mechanism may be used to attach the tube directly over the base, alternatively the aperture may be provided with a further barb and an end of the tie with an additional or extended ratchet, such that the tube is encircled and held remote of the base.

Preferably, the adhesive surface is covered with peel-off grease-proof paper for storage before use.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tube attachment device of the present invention, with a tube shown in dashed lines; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on Line A-A' of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is plan view of part of a second embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on Line B-B' of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of a third embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view of a fourth embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of a fifth embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of a sixth embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an eyelet which can be used in conjunction with the embodiment as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention with a tube held in position; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an eighth embodiment of a tube attachment device according to the present invention with a tube held in position remote of the base.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2, there is shown one embodiment of a tube attachment device 1 for use on the human body for clinical purposes.

Tubes are required to be affixed to the human body owing to their placement in various orifices, particularly the nostril, and due to their required attachment to various pieces of skin penetrating apparatus, eg a cannula.

The tube attachment device 1 of the present invention comprises a base 2 with an adhesive surface 3 for attachment to the skin and tube clamping means (shown generally at 4) on a non-adhesive exposed surface of said base 2. The base 2 is a disc-shaped portion of fabric adhesive tape which allows the skin to breathe. The tube clamping means 4 comprises a clamping bracket 5 of plastics material attached to the exposed surface of the base 2 by double-sided adhesive tape 6. The clamping bracket 5 has a biassedclosed lip 7 and a tube 8 is readily inserted by holding the bracket 5 open manually; on release, the bracket 5 tightly grips the tube 8.

Figs 3 to 11 show alternative embodiments. In Figs 3, 4, 6, 10 and 11 the clamping means is in the form of an anchoring stud 9 and tie 10 of plastics material. The anchoring stud 9 may be provided with a root portion which is either embedded between layers of fabric 15 or adhesive tape 6 (See Figs 5 to 8 and 10) or passes through the entire thickness to project on the underside as a lower stud 11 (see Figs 4 and 6).

There are a number of possible embodiments of the invention employing layers of fabric 15 or adhesive tape 6 to secure the root portion of the anchoring stud 9, dependent on the type of anchoring stud 9 used.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the anchoring stud 9 is in the form of an acetate eyelet which receives a plastic tie 10, the base of the eyelet being sandwiched between two layers of double sided adhesive tape 6 and covered with a layer of breathable fabric 15.

Fig. 6 shows a similar embodiment of the invention wherein the anchoring stud 9 is in the form of a plastic stud which receives a plastic tie 10 and is held in place in the same way as the acetate film shows in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the plastic tie 10 is formed with a thick plastic section 17 which is sandwiched between two layers of adhesive tape 6, 6A. The tie is then threaded through the upper adhesive tape 6A and the breathable fabric 15.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention which again employs two layers of adhesive tape 6. The upper layer of adhesive tape 6A and a covering layer of breathable fabric 15 being folded into a ridge 18, which receives the pastic tie 10.

Fig. 9 shows an easily manufactured design of eyelet which can be used in conjunction with the embodiment of Fig. 5, wherein a flat sheet of material, such as an acetate sheet has two holes 19 cut symmetrically apart from a central point, the sheet being folded along lines 20 so that the two holes 19 abut to form a single eyelet.

Alternatively, an anchoring stud 9 can be attached by double-sided tape 6 (see Fig. 10).

There are two types of anchoring stud 9 and tie 10 arrangements shown in Figs 5 to 8, 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. For both types, the tie 10 has a ratchet strip 12 and a head 13 provided with an internal barb (not shown).

Referring to Fig. 5 to 8 and 10, the tie 10 is inserted through an unobstructed aperture 14 of the anchoring means and slipped noose-like on itself and tightened over the tube 8 to be attached. The barb and ratchet mechanism of the tie 10 engage and hold the tube 8 firmly in position. The head 13 of the tie 10 may be provided with a release mechanism (not shown) or else the tube 8 may need to be cut free, preventing the patient prematurely actuating any release device.

Referring to Fig 11, there is shown a second embodiment of the anchoring stud 9 and tie 10 arrangement in which the tube 8 is remote of the base 2. The aperture of the anchoring stud 9 of this embodiment is provided with a barb (not shown) which interengages with the ratchet strip 12 of the tie 10. The ratchet and barb arrangement of the head 13 of the tie 10 holds the tube 8 tightly, whilst the barb of the anchoring stud 9 securely engages the free end of the ratchet strip 12. This second embodiment of anchoring stud 9 and tie 10 arrangement can also be used with the attachment means as shown in Fig. 6 if the same form of anchoring stud is used.

The remote attachment device is particularly useful for the attachment of tubes around the facial area of a patient.

The present device does not have the problem of trying to thread a clamp or other attachment onto the tube, as in all cases the device 1 can be attached at the position it is required. This is particularly useful as end pieces to tubes, eg a cannula, would obstruct the threading of any such device.

Furthermore, a tube attached to a patient by this means is much less likely to be detached than if held in place by pieces of adhesive tape, which are more easily loosened by tube movement.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tube attachment device comprising a base having an adhesive surface for attachment, and a tube clamping means affixed to an exposed surface of said base.

2. A tube attachment device according to claim 1, in which the base is formed from layers of adhesive tape.

3. A tube attachment device according to claim 2, in which the layers of adhesive tape are covered with a layer of breathable fabric.

4. A tube attachment device according to claim 3, in which the layers of adhesive tape and breathable fabric are formed in circles.

5. A tube attachment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamping means comprises a plastics tie which is attached to the base of the attachment device directly or via a stud or eyelet.

6. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the clamping means comprises a clamping bracket of resilient material.

7. A tube attachment device according to any preceding claim, in which the clamping means is mounted on the base for securing a tube above the base.

8. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the clamping means is attached to the base and includes means for securing the tube remote from the base.

9. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tube clamping means is attached by doublesided adhesive tape to the exposed surface of the base.

10. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tube clamping means is provided with a root portion which is embedded between layers of the base.

11. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tube clamping means is provided with a root portion which passes through the entire thickness of the base, projecting as a lower stud on the underside of the base.

12. A tube attachment device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein part of the base is raised into a ridge through which the clamping means, in the form of a plastics tie, passes.

13. A tube attachment device according to claim 8, in which the tube clamping means comprises a plastics tie having a first portion adapted to encircle a tube to be clamped and a second portion adjustably engageable in a stud secured to the base.

14. A tube attachment device according to claim 5, claim 12 or claim 13, in which said tie comprises a ratchet and barb device.

15. A tube attachment device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs 1 to 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 of the drawings.