EP0222871A4 - Universal clamp. - Google Patents

Universal clamp.

Info

Publication number
EP0222871A4
EP0222871A4 EP19860903746 EP86903746A EP0222871A4 EP 0222871 A4 EP0222871 A4 EP 0222871A4 EP 19860903746 EP19860903746 EP 19860903746 EP 86903746 A EP86903746 A EP 86903746A EP 0222871 A4 EP0222871 A4 EP 0222871A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clamp
flap
holding
pad
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19860903746
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0222871A1 (en
Inventor
Dale Straub
Peter Piwonka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KALT GLENDA
Original Assignee
KALT GLENDA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/730,344 external-priority patent/US4702736A/en
Priority claimed from US06/813,730 external-priority patent/US4738662A/en
Application filed by KALT GLENDA filed Critical KALT GLENDA
Publication of EP0222871A1 publication Critical patent/EP0222871A1/en
Publication of EP0222871A4 publication Critical patent/EP0222871A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16LPIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L3/00Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
    • F16L3/08Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A61M2025/0213Holding devices, e.g. on the body where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
    • A61M2025/022Holding devices, e.g. on the body where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body specifically adapted for the mouth
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A61M2025/0246Holding devices, e.g. on the body fixed on the skin having a cover for covering the holding means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A61M2025/0253Holding devices, e.g. on the body where the catheter is attached by straps, bands or the like secured by adhesives
    • A61M2025/026Holding devices, e.g. on the body where the catheter is attached by straps, bands or the like secured by adhesives where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A61M2025/0266Holding devices, e.g. on the body using pads, patches, tapes or the like
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2210/00Anatomical parts of the body
    • A61M2210/06Head
    • A61M2210/0618Nose

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to a clamp for holding an article and more particularly to a medical clamp for holding a tube to a patient's body.
  • a tube clamp holds the tube firmly because movement of the tubes may cause discomfort to the patient. It is often necessary to remove the tube and replace it with another or to adjust the position of the tube. Therefore, it is desirable that the clamp be releas ⁇ able so that the tube may be undamped and reclamped without removing or replacing the entire clamp structure.
  • U.S. Patent 3,826,254 discloses a clamp comprising an adhesive pad which folds back over itself to adhere a tube.
  • U.S. Patent 4,165,748 discloses a tube clamp formed in one piece and adherable to a patient's body and having a center portion which folds around and clamps the tube by adhering to itself.
  • U.S. Patent 4,333,468 discloses a clamp having a base having two raised portions to form between them a transverse groove. A tube is accepted to lie in the groove and a flap permanently affixed to the base at one end is extendable over the tube. Pressure sensitive adhesive covers the raised portions and the groove of the base as well as the flap underside. The flap is pressed onto the raised portions and the tube to adhere and clamp the tube in the groove.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,834,380 discloses a clamp including a slit tube which receives a rod-like article and is closed and kept closed by a flap attached to the tube at one end and secured at the other end.
  • the tube is flexible and may be resilient.
  • This device is unduly bulky and may cause discom ⁇ fort to the patient and tends to lift the clamp tape off of the patient which causes further discomfort.
  • this device is insufficiently flexible for use in areas of the body where movement is likely and flexibility is desired. Such areas include the head and joint areas. This inflexi ⁇ bility may result in a tube being held in a wrong position.
  • this device depends on friction for holding a tube, and is therefore dependent upon the surface properties of the article or tube to be held to effect such a friction bond. If the surface of the article to be held is "slippery" rela ⁇ tive to the material of the slit tube, the holding effect will be poor.
  • a further disadvantage of this device is that only a small range of sizes of tubes may be held for a given slit tube size.
  • Haerr U.S. Patent No. 4,122,857 discloses a sub ⁇ stantially rectangular pad of soft, strong, flexible, foam material provided with a secure flap by which an article such as a catheter tube or the like may be anchored to the pad which in turn s adapted to be adhesively affixed to the skin of a patient.
  • the present invention alleviates to a great extent the disadvantages of prior devices by providing a clamp for holding an article to an object including a base means for adhering the clamp to the object, a flap, securing means for securing the flap to the base means with the article posi ⁇ tioned therebetween, and resilient pad means having an adhe ⁇ sive surface for contacting the article.
  • the securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of the flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of the flap.
  • the second holding means is spaced along the flap from the first holding means a sufficient distance for the article to lie between them.
  • the resilient pad means is deformable such that slight rotational or translational movement will deform the pad rather than break the adhesive bond between the pad and the article.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view taken along section line II-II of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a view of the inner surface of flap 20 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 illustrating the clamp ⁇ ing of a relatively larger tube.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a view taken along section line VI-VI of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a view of the inner surface of flap 120 of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view of a remote fastener used with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a view taken along section line X-X of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 11 s a view taken along section line XI-XI of FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 12 s a plan view of a fourth preferred embodi ⁇ ment of the present invention showing the clamp open.
  • FIG. 13 is a view taken along section line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a view like FIG. 12 showing the clamp closed.
  • FIG. 15 is a view taken along section line XV-XV of FIG. 14.
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention particularly suitable for clamping nasal tubes.
  • FIG. 17 is a plan view of the inner surface of the flap of the clamp of FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 18 is a plan view of the outer surface of the base of the clamp of FIG. 16.
  • FIG. 19 is a view taken along section line IXX-IXX of FIG. 18.
  • FIG. 20 is a plan view of a sixth preferred embodi ⁇ ment of the present invention showing the clamp open.
  • FIG. 21 is a view taken along section line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 22 is a view like FIG. 20 showing the clamp closed.
  • FIG. 23 is a view taken along section line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22.
  • the inner surfaces of various component parts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are those surfaces oriented towards the object to which the clamp is adherred.
  • the outer surfaces of the various component parts of the preferred embodiment are those surfaces oriented away from such object.
  • object may be any object but for medical clamps will most likely be the patient's skin, the patient's clothing, ban ⁇ dages, casts or the like.
  • clamp 10 is particularly suitable for holding a tube 22 to the skin of a • medical patient.
  • the base means for adhering clamp 10 to the patient includes a base 12 that is preferably composed of medical grade tape such as 3M-1527L marketed by 3M Company under the registered trademark "Transpore”.
  • Base 12 is coated on its inner surface 24, with a medical grade adhesive, preferably a hypoaHergenie synthetic acrylic pres ⁇ sure sensitive adhesive.
  • Flap 20 extends outside of tube 22 and is secured to base 12 by securing means to hold tube 22 therebetween.
  • securing means includes an adhesive pad 26 and hook and loop fastening material 32 and 30 as described in more detail below.
  • Flap 20 includes a hook base fabric 34 into which is woven hook fabric 32 of the securing means.
  • hook fabric 32 defines hook pads 44 and 46.
  • Hook pad 44 is woven into a first portion 21 of flap 20 and hook pad 46 is woven into second portion 23 of flap 20.
  • Hook fabric 32 is absent from region 38 of flap 20 between pads 44 and 46.
  • Adhesive pad 26 is positioned on the outer surface of base 12.
  • Pad 26 is composed of a resilient material and is coated on both its outer and inner surfaces with a medical grade adhesive.
  • Pad 26 s preferably a polyvinyl chloride foam such as 3M-1511 available from 3M Company.
  • the thick ⁇ ness of pad 26 is preferably between five and two hundred mils and more preferably about thirty-five mils.
  • First loop pad 14 and second loop pad 16 are composed of a loop material that includes loop fabric 30 and base fabric 28. Pads 14 and 16 are adherred at base fabric 28 by medical grade adhesive to the outer surface of pad 26. Loop pads 14 and 16 are adapted to mate with first hook pad 44 and second hook pad 46, respectively, which are woven to first portion 21 and second portion 23, respectively, of flap 20 to, with adhesive pad 26, secure flap 20 to base 12.
  • the hook and loop materials are available from 3M Company under the registered trademark "Scotchmate".
  • flap 20 may be constructed by removing hooks from stock hook material to form region 38. This may be accomplished by ultrasonic weld ⁇ ing equipment and techniques. Alternatively, a separate flap material may be provided with individual hook pads, each including backing and hook fabric, adhered to the inner sur ⁇ face of such material in spaced relationship so as to form region 38.
  • loop material has been provided to face outwards because loop material is typically softer than hook material and will not discomfort the patient if her skin should rub against it.
  • Tube 22 extends between pad 14 and pad 16 along the region 18 of pad 26. Hooks 32 are not present on flap 20 in region 38 in facing correspondence with region 18.
  • Pad 36 which is similar in construction to resilient pad 26 and having adhesive inner and outer surfaces is adherred to the inner surface of flap 20 at region 38.
  • Resilient pad 36 and region 18 of resilient pad 26 define the resilient pad means of the first preferred embodiment.
  • a resilient adhesive material such as 36 and 26 in contact with a tube provides a secure means for holding the tube against rota ⁇ tional or translational movement. This may be because in use the resilient material tends to deform and move with the tube when the tube is urged to rotate slightly or to translate slightly. Because the resilient material deforms, the bond of the. adhesive with the tube is stressed to a lesser degree and is less likely to be broken. Significant deformation must occur before the resilient material will resist further deformation with such a force that the adhesive bond between the pad and the tube is broken. Accordingly, significant movement of the tube is possible prior to the breaking of the adhesive bond.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the inner surface of flap 20.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates clamp 10 holding tube 42 which is larger in diameter than tube 22 of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a clamp according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention is similar in construction to the first preferred embodiment described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 4, with the difference in the two embodiments residing primarily in the construction of the resilient pad means.
  • Clamp 110 includes base 112 that is preferably com ⁇ posed of medical grade tape similar to that described for the first preferred embodiment.
  • Base 112 is coated on its inner surface 124 with a medical grade adhesive.
  • Flap 120 extends outside of tube 122, the article to be held, and is secured to base 112 by securing means to hold tube 122 therebetween.
  • the securing means includes a transfer tape 127 which has adhesive applied to both sides, the outer and inner sides, to function to hold loop fabric backing 128 to base 112.
  • transfer tape 127 underlies the whole area of loop fabric backing 128 to securely hold the loop backing fabric to base 112.
  • Loop fabric backing 128 and loop fabric 130 woven thereto, extends through loop pad 114, re ⁇ silient pad 118, and loop pad 116.
  • Resilient pad 118 is formed by applying a hot melt adhesive to the loop fabric 130 such that the applied adhe ⁇ sive extends up slightly above the top of the loops.
  • the hot melt adhesive cools and cures, it forms a resilient pad with an adhering outer surface.
  • Medical grade hot melt adhesives suitable for this purpose include numbers DD5800, DD5900 and DD5914 available from H. Fuller Adhesive Company.
  • the applied hot melt adhesive when set up, or cured, will extend about one sixteenth of an inch above the loop material surface.
  • Flap 120 of the second preferred embodiment clamp 110 is made of hook fabric 132 woven into hook backing mate ⁇ rial 134.
  • the hook material extends over the whole inside surface of flap 120 and the resilient pad 136 is formed by applying hot melt adhesive in the above-described fashion.
  • Hook pad 144 to one side of hot melt adhesive re ⁇ silient pad 136 is woven to a first portion of flap 120 and hook pad 146 to the other side of hot melt adhesive resilient pad 136 is woven to a second portion of flap 120.
  • the first holding means for holding a first portion of flap 120 includes hook pad 144, loop pad 114, loop fabric backing 128, and transfer tape 127.
  • the second holding means for holding a second portion of flap 120 includes hook pad 116, loop pad 146, loop fabric backing 128 and transfer tape 127.
  • the first and second holding means function to releasably secure flap 120 to base 112.
  • liner 113 which extends on the inner portion of base 112 to protect the adhesive surface thereof.
  • liner 113 is removed and fresh adhesive on surface 124 of base 112 s exposed.
  • liners may be provided for covering the resilient adhesive pads 136 and 118 until those adhesive surfaces are to be utilized. This holds true for any of the embodiments herein, such liners may be provided where appro ⁇ priate.
  • Clamp 210 illustrated therein is similar in construction to either the first preferred embodiment or the second preferred embodiment, or a combination thereof, except that a plurality of adhesive pads are provided in parallel transverse arrangement.
  • Adhesive pad 250, adhesive pad 218 and adhesive pad 248 are provided as shown.
  • Adhesive pads 218 and 248 each have loop material on either side. Loop pad 214 and loop pad 216 lie on either side of adhesive pad 218.
  • Flap 220 extends across adhesive pad 218 and is secured to base 212 at both ends. Loop pad 216 and loop pad 211 are positioned on either side of adhesive pad 248.
  • tube 222 is clamped by flap 220 and turns and extends back again and is held to pad 248 by flaps 252 and 254.
  • Adhesive pad 250 does not have a loop pad on both sides. Pad 250 is useful for adhering objects to base 212 where a flap is not required. As shown, safety pin 256 is so adherred.
  • remote fastener 258 which is holding tube 242.
  • Fastener 258 or others like it may be utilized to fasten instruments, blood pressure gauges, thermometers, tubes, "Y" joints, nee ⁇ dles, wires, or whatever else may be required to be held out of the way in a hospital setting or other setting.
  • Fastener 258 includes base 260 having fingers 262 and 263 which extend and are angled towards one another to hold tube 242 therebetween.
  • Base 260 is held to hook fabric backing 234 by transfer tape 261.
  • Hook fabric 232 is woven into hook fabric backing 234.
  • a remote fastener 258 may come assembled as illus ⁇ trated in FIG. 10, or alternatively may come as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 9, with transfer tape 261 protected by liner 240.
  • a slit 241 is provided in liner 240, and when the re ⁇ mote fastener is to be used, the liner 240 is removed and a base similar in construction to 260, or of some alternate construction adapted for a particular holding need, is at ⁇ tached to transfer tape 261 and thereby adherred to hook fabric and backing 232, 234.
  • the remote fastener may now be attached to any available loop material to clamp the held article, such as tube 242, to an object.
  • FIGS. 12 through 15 The fourth preferred embodiment of a medical clamp, generally designated by reference numeral 310, is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that flap 320 is held at its first portion 321 in a nonreleasable manner.
  • Flap 320 is composed of a substrate, preferably nylon, having on a second portion hook fabric 332 woven to hook fabric backing 334 to form hook pad 315.
  • Hook pad 315 is adherred to second portion 323 of flap 320.
  • the nylon substrate that forms flap 320 extends past the first portion 321 of flap 320 and is adherred at the fixed portion 341 of the substrate to base 312 by transfer tape 343.
  • Loop fabric 330 woven to loop fabric backing 328 is adherred to a fixed portion 341 of the substrate and forms loop pad 317.
  • the area of substrate 341 which lies between hook pad 315 and loop pad 317 is provided with resilient pad 318.
  • Tube 322 lies on resilient adhesive pad 318 in the open position of the fourth preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.
  • clamp 310 is shown in its closed position with flap 320 wrapped over tube 322 such that hook pad 315 mates with loop pad 317 to thereby hold the second portion 323 of flap 320 with transfer tape 321 and the affixed portion of substrate 341 to base 312.
  • resilient pad means, resilient pad 318 having an adhesive surface which contacts tube 322 functions to clamp tube 322 against rotation and translation.
  • FIG. 16 there being shown a perspective ⁇ view of a tube clamp generally referred to by reference nu ⁇ meral 410 particularly suitable for clamping nasal tubes.
  • clamp 410 is in position on the nose of a patient to hold tube 422 in the patient's nasal passage.
  • Clamp 14 includes a base portion 412 and a flap portion 420 described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 17-19.
  • Clamp 10 is similar to the clamp illustrated in FIG. 1 may be utilized in conjunction with clamp 410 to secure tube 422 to the head of the patient in a manner which does not constrain his movements, particularly during sleep, and which minimizes the danger of the tube being torn from its position during normal movements when the patient is awake or asleep.
  • the preferred position for the tube in accordance with the foregoing is to, upon exiting the nasal passage, extend up along the bridge of the nose and across the fore ⁇ head and top of the head. To accomplish this position the tube must be properly and securely held upon exiting the nose so that the tube may assume this position and direction yet not crimp so as to obstruct the flow of fluids therethrough.
  • Clamp 410 is particularly adapted to hold the nasal tube in such a configuration without crimping.
  • Flap 420 is generally symmetrical in the embodiment shown about axis line 458. Flap 420 is made of hook fabric and includes a first hook portion 444 and a second hook portion 446 on opposite sides of axis 458. Flap 420 has slit 452 which separates hook portions 444 and 446. Aperture 453 is provided at the inner end of slit 452 to enable easier spreading of hook portions 444 and 446 in use.
  • Flap 420 also includes a resilient adhesive pad 436 which lies generally symmetrically about axis 458 and through which slit 452 does not extend.
  • Resilient pad 436 may be constructed in a similar fashion to the resilient pad means of the other embodiments illustrated herein.
  • resilient pad means 436 may be a hot melt adhesive applied to the appropriate area and allowed to dry and cure.
  • Covering and protecting resilient pad means 436 is liner 440 which is shown in FIG. 17 in a partially removed position so that resilient pad means 436 may be viewed.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the outer sur ⁇ face of base portion 412 of clamp 410.
  • Base portion 412 is generally symmetric about axis line 450.
  • Loop pads 414 a d 416 lie on opposite sides of axis 450 and may be constructed of a single piece of loop fabric. As shown in FIG. 18, all of base 412 is not covered by loop fabric, however, alterna ⁇ tively the entire base portion could be so covered.
  • Base 412 and the loop fabric forming pads 414 and 416 have a recess 460 formed therein generally symmetrically about axis 450. When the base 412 is applied to the patient's nose as shown in FIG. 16, recess 460 is preferably situated so that its innermost portion lies generally near the tip of the nose. The construction utilizing recess 460 allows the tube 422 to extend through the recess 460 while providing loop fabric material at a position lower down on the nose and cheek for attaching flap 420.
  • FIG. 19 shows a section view of base 412.
  • Base 412 has an adhesive inner surface 424 pro ⁇ tected by removable liner 413.
  • Loop pad 14 is adhered to base 412 by a layer of hot melted adhesive 427.
  • liner 413 is removed and base 412 is positioned on the nose with the innermost portion of recess 460 proximate the tip of the nose. Then the tube is inserted into place in the nasal passage. Liner 440 is then removed from flap 420 to expose the adhering surface of re ⁇ silient pad means 436. Pad 436 is wrapped around tube 422 with aperture 453 proximate the tip of the nose and axis line 458 positioned in general symmetry with the face and nose. The resilient pad means 436 may be pinched around the tube to adhere to the tube and to itself. Hook pads 444 and 446 are then pressed to loop pads 414 and 416 to secure flap 420 and tube 422 in position.
  • FIGS. 20 through 23 Yet another and sixth embodiment of the present in ⁇ vention is illustrated by FIGS. 20 through 23.
  • the sixth preferred embodiment of a medical clamp generally designated by reference numeral 510, is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 15 except that flap 520 is composed of a fabric backing partially woven with hook fabric and partially woven with loop fabric.
  • Flap 520 is composed of fabric backing, having on a second portion 534 with hook fabric 532 woven thereto to form hook pad 515 which is thus adhered to second portion 523 of flap 520.
  • the fabric backing that forms flap 520 extends past the first portion 521 of flap 520 and is adhered at the fixed portion 541 of the fabric backing to base 512 by hot melt adhesive 543.
  • Loop fabric 530 is woven to the fixed portion 541 of the fabric backing and forms loop pad 517.
  • the area of fabric backing 541 which lies between hook pad 515 and loop pad 517 is provided with resilient pad 518 composed of hot melt adhesive.
  • clamp 510 is shown in its closed position with flap 520 wrapped over tube 522 such that hook pad 515 mates with loop pad 517 to thereby hold the second portion 523 of flap 520 with hot melt adhe ⁇ sive 521 and the affixed portion of fabric backing substrate 341 to base 512.
  • resilient pad means resilient pad 518 having an adhesive surface which contacts tube 522, functions to clamp tube 522 against rotation and translation.
  • medical grade adhesive and a hook and loop material is provided to secure flap 20 to base 12, however the present invention is not limited thereto, and other securing means may be used.
  • hook material may be used in conjunction with a foam and fabric material. This is sometimes preferable if a somewhat lower holding force is required between the flap and the base.
  • fabric and foam material may be more breatheable than a plastic base material and allow greater air transfer through the clamp to the patient's skin when used thereon.
  • the clamp as described in the preferred embodi ⁇ ments are shown in a hospital setting, although as already pointed out, the clamps may be used in other settings, med ⁇ ical, medical related and non-medical, for holding articles to objects.
  • the clamps may be used in other settings, med ⁇ ical, medical related and non-medical, for holding articles to objects.
  • one such contemplated setting is in the electronic industry wherein the clamps may be used to secure wires within, around or between equipment.
  • Another application is dentistry where the clamps may be used, for example, to hold tubes in the mouth.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
  • Processing Of Terminals (AREA)
  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
  • Valve-Gear Or Valve Arrangements (AREA)

Abstract

A clamp (10) for holding an article (22) to an object including a base means (12) for adhering the clamp to te object, a flap (20), securing means for securing the flap to the base means with the article positioned therebetween and resilient pad means having an adhesive surface for contacting the article. The securing means includes a first holding means (14, 44) for holding a first portion (20) of the flap and a second holding means (16, 46) for holding a second portion (23) of the flap. Both holding means may be releasable. The second holding means is spaced from the first holding means a sufficient distance along the flap for the article to lie between them. Resilient adhesive surfaces are provided on the flap and base means for contacting and adhering the article.

Description

UNIVERSAL CLAMP
This is a continuation-in-part application of copend- ing U.S. Application Serial Number 730,344 filed May 3, 1985.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a clamp for holding an article and more particularly to a medical clamp for holding a tube to a patient's body.
It is often necessary to clamp external and mesentery tubes to a medical patient's body, for example, feeding tubes, naso-gastric tubes, chest tubes, foley catheter as well as condom catheter tubes, dialysis tubes, endotracheal tubes, angiocath and heparin lock set tubes, as well as other tubes used to introduce fluids into the body intravenously or to introduce oxygen into the mouth or nose of a patient.
It is important that a tube clamp holds the tube firmly because movement of the tubes may cause discomfort to the patient. It is often necessary to remove the tube and replace it with another or to adjust the position of the tube. Therefore, it is desirable that the clamp be releas¬ able so that the tube may be undamped and reclamped without removing or replacing the entire clamp structure.
U.S. Patent 3,826,254 discloses a clamp comprising an adhesive pad which folds back over itself to adhere a tube.
U.S. Patent 4,165,748 discloses a tube clamp formed in one piece and adherable to a patient's body and having a center portion which folds around and clamps the tube by adhering to itself.
U.S. Patent 4,333,468 discloses a clamp having a base having two raised portions to form between them a transverse groove. A tube is accepted to lie in the groove and a flap permanently affixed to the base at one end is extendable over the tube. Pressure sensitive adhesive covers the raised portions and the groove of the base as well as the flap underside. The flap is pressed onto the raised portions and the tube to adhere and clamp the tube in the groove.
Each of the foregoing clamps suffers the disadvantage that slight rotation or translation of the tube tends to break the adhesive bond. Thus secure holding of the tube is not effected.
U.S. Patent No. 3,834,380 discloses a clamp including a slit tube which receives a rod-like article and is closed and kept closed by a flap attached to the tube at one end and secured at the other end. The tube is flexible and may be resilient. This device is unduly bulky and may cause discom¬ fort to the patient and tends to lift the clamp tape off of the patient which causes further discomfort. Moreover, this device is insufficiently flexible for use in areas of the body where movement is likely and flexibility is desired. Such areas include the head and joint areas. This inflexi¬ bility may result in a tube being held in a wrong position. Moreover, this device depends on friction for holding a tube, and is therefore dependent upon the surface properties of the article or tube to be held to effect such a friction bond. If the surface of the article to be held is "slippery" rela¬ tive to the material of the slit tube, the holding effect will be poor. A further disadvantage of this device is that only a small range of sizes of tubes may be held for a given slit tube size.
Haerr U.S. Patent No. 4,122,857 discloses a sub¬ stantially rectangular pad of soft, strong, flexible, foam material provided with a secure flap by which an article such as a catheter tube or the like may be anchored to the pad which in turn s adapted to be adhesively affixed to the skin of a patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates to a great extent the disadvantages of prior devices by providing a clamp for holding an article to an object including a base means for adhering the clamp to the object, a flap, securing means for securing the flap to the base means with the article posi¬ tioned therebetween, and resilient pad means having an adhe¬ sive surface for contacting the article. In one aspect of the invention, the securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of the flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of the flap. The second holding means is spaced along the flap from the first holding means a sufficient distance for the article to lie between them. The resilient pad means is deformable such that slight rotational or translational movement will deform the pad rather than break the adhesive bond between the pad and the article.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a clamp for holding an article.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clamp having a resilient adhesive pad in contact with the held article to inhibit the braking of the adhesive bond as the result of rotational or translational movement of the article.
It is another object of the invention to provide a medical clamp to releasably hold a tube to allow removal of the tube and repositioning of the tube without removal of the clamp from the patient's body.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a medical clamp yielding the foregoing advantages and that effectively holds a tube against transverse and rotational movemen .
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a medical clamp yielding the foregoing advantages and that is simply and economically constructed.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a medical clamp yielding the foregoing advantages and that can clamp a variety of sizes of tubes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view taken along section line II-II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a view of the inner surface of flap 20 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 illustrating the clamp¬ ing of a relatively larger tube.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view taken along section line VI-VI of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a view of the inner surface of flap 120 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a medical clamp according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a remote fastener used with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view taken along section line X-X of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 s a view taken along section line XI-XI of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 s a plan view of a fourth preferred embodi¬ ment of the present invention showing the clamp open.
FIG. 13 is a view taken along section line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a view like FIG. 12 showing the clamp closed.
FIG. 15 is a view taken along section line XV-XV of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention particularly suitable for clamping nasal tubes. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the inner surface of the flap of the clamp of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a plan view of the outer surface of the base of the clamp of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a view taken along section line IXX-IXX of FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a sixth preferred embodi¬ ment of the present invention showing the clamp open.
FIG. 21 is a view taken along section line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a view like FIG. 20 showing the clamp closed.
FIG. 23 is a view taken along section line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As referred to herein, the inner surfaces of various component parts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are those surfaces oriented towards the object to which the clamp is adherred. Similarly, the outer surfaces of the various component parts of the preferred embodiment are those surfaces oriented away from such object. Such object may be any object but for medical clamps will most likely be the patient's skin, the patient's clothing, ban¬ dages, casts or the like.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a med¬ ical clamp, generally designated by reference numeral 10, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the first preferred embodiment, clamp 10 is particularly suitable for holding a tube 22 to the skin of a medical patient. The base means for adhering clamp 10 to the patient includes a base 12 that is preferably composed of medical grade tape such as 3M-1527L marketed by 3M Company under the registered trademark "Transpore". Base 12 is coated on its inner surface 24, with a medical grade adhesive, preferably a hypoaHergenie synthetic acrylic pres¬ sure sensitive adhesive.
Flap 20 extends outside of tube 22 and is secured to base 12 by securing means to hold tube 22 therebetween. In the first preferred embodiment, securing means includes an adhesive pad 26 and hook and loop fastening material 32 and 30 as described in more detail below.
Flap 20 includes a hook base fabric 34 into which is woven hook fabric 32 of the securing means. In the preferred embodiment hook fabric 32 defines hook pads 44 and 46. Hook pad 44 is woven into a first portion 21 of flap 20 and hook pad 46 is woven into second portion 23 of flap 20. Hook fabric 32 is absent from region 38 of flap 20 between pads 44 and 46.
Adhesive pad 26 is positioned on the outer surface of base 12. Pad 26 is composed of a resilient material and is coated on both its outer and inner surfaces with a medical grade adhesive. Pad 26 s preferably a polyvinyl chloride foam such as 3M-1511 available from 3M Company. The thick¬ ness of pad 26 is preferably between five and two hundred mils and more preferably about thirty-five mils.
First loop pad 14 and second loop pad 16 are composed of a loop material that includes loop fabric 30 and base fabric 28. Pads 14 and 16 are adherred at base fabric 28 by medical grade adhesive to the outer surface of pad 26. Loop pads 14 and 16 are adapted to mate with first hook pad 44 and second hook pad 46, respectively, which are woven to first portion 21 and second portion 23, respectively, of flap 20 to, with adhesive pad 26, secure flap 20 to base 12. The hook and loop materials are available from 3M Company under the registered trademark "Scotchmate".
In the first preferred embodiment, flap 20 may be constructed by removing hooks from stock hook material to form region 38. This may be accomplished by ultrasonic weld¬ ing equipment and techniques. Alternatively, a separate flap material may be provided with individual hook pads, each including backing and hook fabric, adhered to the inner sur¬ face of such material in spaced relationship so as to form region 38.
In the first preferred embodiment the loop material has been provided to face outwards because loop material is typically softer than hook material and will not discomfort the patient if her skin should rub against it.
Tube 22 extends between pad 14 and pad 16 along the region 18 of pad 26. Hooks 32 are not present on flap 20 in region 38 in facing correspondence with region 18. Pad 36 which is similar in construction to resilient pad 26 and having adhesive inner and outer surfaces is adherred to the inner surface of flap 20 at region 38. Resilient pad 36 and region 18 of resilient pad 26 define the resilient pad means of the first preferred embodiment.
It has been found that the utilization of a resilient adhesive material such as 36 and 26 in contact with a tube provides a secure means for holding the tube against rota¬ tional or translational movement. This may be because in use the resilient material tends to deform and move with the tube when the tube is urged to rotate slightly or to translate slightly. Because the resilient material deforms, the bond of the. adhesive with the tube is stressed to a lesser degree and is less likely to be broken. Significant deformation must occur before the resilient material will resist further deformation with such a force that the adhesive bond between the pad and the tube is broken. Accordingly, significant movement of the tube is possible prior to the breaking of the adhesive bond. Conversely, in prior clamps where no resil¬ ient adhesive pads are provided, any rotational or trans¬ lational movement of the tube, with respect to the clamp adhesive surfaces, which movement may be caused by the bump¬ ing of the tube by the patient, may more likely result in the breaking of the adhesive bond holding the tube. FIG. 3 illustrates the inner surface of flap 20. FIG. 4 illustrates clamp 10 holding tube 42 which is larger in diameter than tube 22 of FIG. 1.
Refer now to FIGS. 5 through 7 which illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. A clamp according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 110, is similar in construction to the first preferred embodiment described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 4, with the difference in the two embodiments residing primarily in the construction of the resilient pad means.
Clamp 110 includes base 112 that is preferably com¬ posed of medical grade tape similar to that described for the first preferred embodiment. Base 112 is coated on its inner surface 124 with a medical grade adhesive. Flap 120 extends outside of tube 122, the article to be held, and is secured to base 112 by securing means to hold tube 122 therebetween.
In the second preferred embodiment, the securing means includes a transfer tape 127 which has adhesive applied to both sides, the outer and inner sides, to function to hold loop fabric backing 128 to base 112. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, preferably transfer tape 127 underlies the whole area of loop fabric backing 128 to securely hold the loop backing fabric to base 112. Loop fabric backing 128 and loop fabric 130 woven thereto, extends through loop pad 114, re¬ silient pad 118, and loop pad 116.
Resilient pad 118 is formed by applying a hot melt adhesive to the loop fabric 130 such that the applied adhe¬ sive extends up slightly above the top of the loops. When the hot melt adhesive cools and cures, it forms a resilient pad with an adhering outer surface. Medical grade hot melt adhesives suitable for this purpose include numbers DD5800, DD5900 and DD5914 available from H. Fuller Adhesive Company. Preferably, the applied hot melt adhesive, when set up, or cured, will extend about one sixteenth of an inch above the loop material surface. Flap 120 of the second preferred embodiment clamp 110, is made of hook fabric 132 woven into hook backing mate¬ rial 134. Similar to the loop material of the second pre¬ ferred embodiment the hook material extends over the whole inside surface of flap 120 and the resilient pad 136 is formed by applying hot melt adhesive in the above-described fashion. Hook pad 144 to one side of hot melt adhesive re¬ silient pad 136 is woven to a first portion of flap 120 and hook pad 146 to the other side of hot melt adhesive resilient pad 136 is woven to a second portion of flap 120. The first holding means for holding a first portion of flap 120 includes hook pad 144, loop pad 114, loop fabric backing 128, and transfer tape 127. The second holding means for holding a second portion of flap 120 includes hook pad 116, loop pad 146, loop fabric backing 128 and transfer tape 127. The first and second holding means function to releasably secure flap 120 to base 112.
Also illustrated in FIG. 6 is liner 113 which extends on the inner portion of base 112 to protect the adhesive surface thereof. When the clamp is to be used and to be adherred to an object such as the patient or piece of equip¬ ment or whatever, liner 113 is removed and fresh adhesive on surface 124 of base 112 s exposed.
Similarly, liners may be provided for covering the resilient adhesive pads 136 and 118 until those adhesive surfaces are to be utilized. This holds true for any of the embodiments herein, such liners may be provided where appro¬ priate.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 10, therein is il¬ lustrated a third preferred embodiment of the present inven¬ tion. Clamp 210 illustrated therein, is similar in construction to either the first preferred embodiment or the second preferred embodiment, or a combination thereof, except that a plurality of adhesive pads are provided in parallel transverse arrangement. Adhesive pad 250, adhesive pad 218 and adhesive pad 248 are provided as shown. Adhesive pads 218 and 248 each have loop material on either side. Loop pad 214 and loop pad 216 lie on either side of adhesive pad 218. Flap 220 extends across adhesive pad 218 and is secured to base 212 at both ends. Loop pad 216 and loop pad 211 are positioned on either side of adhesive pad 248. Note in this particular embodiment that tube 222 is clamped by flap 220 and turns and extends back again and is held to pad 248 by flaps 252 and 254.
Adhesive pad 250 does not have a loop pad on both sides. Pad 250 is useful for adhering objects to base 212 where a flap is not required. As shown, safety pin 256 is so adherred.
Another aspect of the present invention is illustrated by remote fastener 258 which is holding tube 242. Fastener 258 or others like it may be utilized to fasten instruments, blood pressure gauges, thermometers, tubes, "Y" joints, nee¬ dles, wires, or whatever else may be required to be held out of the way in a hospital setting or other setting.
Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a cross section of fastener 258. Fastener 258 includes base 260 having fingers 262 and 263 which extend and are angled towards one another to hold tube 242 therebetween. Base 260 is held to hook fabric backing 234 by transfer tape 261. Hook fabric 232 is woven into hook fabric backing 234.
A remote fastener 258 may come assembled as illus¬ trated in FIG. 10, or alternatively may come as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 9, with transfer tape 261 protected by liner 240. A slit 241 is provided in liner 240, and when the re¬ mote fastener is to be used, the liner 240 is removed and a base similar in construction to 260, or of some alternate construction adapted for a particular holding need, is at¬ tached to transfer tape 261 and thereby adherred to hook fabric and backing 232, 234. The remote fastener may now be attached to any available loop material to clamp the held article, such as tube 242, to an object. Yet another and fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIGS. 12 through 15. The fourth preferred embodiment of a medical clamp, generally designated by reference numeral 310, is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that flap 320 is held at its first portion 321 in a nonreleasable manner.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13, therein is shown a medical clamp according to the fourth preferred em¬ bodiment in its opened position. Flap 320 is composed of a substrate, preferably nylon, having on a second portion hook fabric 332 woven to hook fabric backing 334 to form hook pad 315. Hook pad 315 is adherred to second portion 323 of flap 320. The nylon substrate that forms flap 320 extends past the first portion 321 of flap 320 and is adherred at the fixed portion 341 of the substrate to base 312 by transfer tape 343. Loop fabric 330 woven to loop fabric backing 328 is adherred to a fixed portion 341 of the substrate and forms loop pad 317. The area of substrate 341 which lies between hook pad 315 and loop pad 317 is provided with resilient pad 318. Tube 322 lies on resilient adhesive pad 318 in the open position of the fourth preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.
Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, clamp 310 is shown in its closed position with flap 320 wrapped over tube 322 such that hook pad 315 mates with loop pad 317 to thereby hold the second portion 323 of flap 320 with transfer tape 321 and the affixed portion of substrate 341 to base 312. In the closed position resilient pad means, resilient pad 318 having an adhesive surface which contacts tube 322 functions to clamp tube 322 against rotation and translation.
Refer now to FIG. 16 there being shown a perspective ■view of a tube clamp generally referred to by reference nu¬ meral 410 particularly suitable for clamping nasal tubes. As shown in FIG. 16, clamp 410 is in position on the nose of a patient to hold tube 422 in the patient's nasal passage. Clamp 14 includes a base portion 412 and a flap portion 420 described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 17-19. Clamp 10 is similar to the clamp illustrated in FIG. 1 may be utilized in conjunction with clamp 410 to secure tube 422 to the head of the patient in a manner which does not constrain his movements, particularly during sleep, and which minimizes the danger of the tube being torn from its position during normal movements when the patient is awake or asleep.
The preferred position for the tube in accordance with the foregoing is to, upon exiting the nasal passage, extend up along the bridge of the nose and across the fore¬ head and top of the head. To accomplish this position the tube must be properly and securely held upon exiting the nose so that the tube may assume this position and direction yet not crimp so as to obstruct the flow of fluids therethrough. Clamp 410 is particularly adapted to hold the nasal tube in such a configuration without crimping.
Refer now to FIGS. 17 and 18 which illustrate base 412 and flap 420 of clamp 410. The inner surface of flap 420 is illustrated in FIG. 17. Flap 420 is generally symmetrical in the embodiment shown about axis line 458. Flap 420 is made of hook fabric and includes a first hook portion 444 and a second hook portion 446 on opposite sides of axis 458. Flap 420 has slit 452 which separates hook portions 444 and 446. Aperture 453 is provided at the inner end of slit 452 to enable easier spreading of hook portions 444 and 446 in use.
Flap 420 also includes a resilient adhesive pad 436 which lies generally symmetrically about axis 458 and through which slit 452 does not extend. Resilient pad 436 may be constructed in a similar fashion to the resilient pad means of the other embodiments illustrated herein. For example, resilient pad means 436 may be a hot melt adhesive applied to the appropriate area and allowed to dry and cure. Covering and protecting resilient pad means 436 is liner 440 which is shown in FIG. 17 in a partially removed position so that resilient pad means 436 may be viewed. Refer now to FIG. 18 which illustrates the outer sur¬ face of base portion 412 of clamp 410. Base portion 412 is generally symmetric about axis line 450. Loop pads 414 a d 416 lie on opposite sides of axis 450 and may be constructed of a single piece of loop fabric. As shown in FIG. 18, all of base 412 is not covered by loop fabric, however, alterna¬ tively the entire base portion could be so covered. Base 412 and the loop fabric forming pads 414 and 416 have a recess 460 formed therein generally symmetrically about axis 450. When the base 412 is applied to the patient's nose as shown in FIG. 16, recess 460 is preferably situated so that its innermost portion lies generally near the tip of the nose. The construction utilizing recess 460 allows the tube 422 to extend through the recess 460 while providing loop fabric material at a position lower down on the nose and cheek for attaching flap 420.
Refer now to FIG. 19 which shows a section view of base 412. Base 412 has an adhesive inner surface 424 pro¬ tected by removable liner 413. Loop pad 14 is adhered to base 412 by a layer of hot melted adhesive 427.
In use of clamp 410, liner 413 is removed and base 412 is positioned on the nose with the innermost portion of recess 460 proximate the tip of the nose. Then the tube is inserted into place in the nasal passage. Liner 440 is then removed from flap 420 to expose the adhering surface of re¬ silient pad means 436. Pad 436 is wrapped around tube 422 with aperture 453 proximate the tip of the nose and axis line 458 positioned in general symmetry with the face and nose. The resilient pad means 436 may be pinched around the tube to adhere to the tube and to itself. Hook pads 444 and 446 are then pressed to loop pads 414 and 416 to secure flap 420 and tube 422 in position. In this manner, the tube is bent to an angle of about ninety degrees with the angle of the nostril without crimping the tube. As shown in FIG. 16, a second clamp 10 is used on the forehead to route the tube up along the bridge of the nose and across the top of the head. Yet another and sixth embodiment of the present in¬ vention is illustrated by FIGS. 20 through 23. The sixth preferred embodiment of a medical clamp, generally designated by reference numeral 510, is similar in construction to the embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 15 except that flap 520 is composed of a fabric backing partially woven with hook fabric and partially woven with loop fabric.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 20 and 21, therein is shown a medical clamp according to the sixth preferred embod¬ iment in its opened position. Flap 520 is composed of fabric backing, having on a second portion 534 with hook fabric 532 woven thereto to form hook pad 515 which is thus adhered to second portion 523 of flap 520. The fabric backing that forms flap 520 extends past the first portion 521 of flap 520 and is adhered at the fixed portion 541 of the fabric backing to base 512 by hot melt adhesive 543. Loop fabric 530 is woven to the fixed portion 541 of the fabric backing and forms loop pad 517. The area of fabric backing 541 which lies between hook pad 515 and loop pad 517 is provided with resilient pad 518 composed of hot melt adhesive. Although pad 518 only partially covers the area between pads 515 and 517, a complete covering or varying degrees of covering may be utilized as desired as long as tube 522 may be sufficiently clamped.
Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23, clamp 510 is shown in its closed position with flap 520 wrapped over tube 522 such that hook pad 515 mates with loop pad 517 to thereby hold the second portion 523 of flap 520 with hot melt adhe¬ sive 521 and the affixed portion of fabric backing substrate 341 to base 512. In the closed position resilient pad means, resilient pad 518 having an adhesive surface which contacts tube 522, functions to clamp tube 522 against rotation and translation.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention medical grade adhesive and a hook and loop material is provided to secure flap 20 to base 12, however the present invention is not limited thereto, and other securing means may be used. For example, hook material may be used in conjunction with a foam and fabric material. This is sometimes preferable if a somewhat lower holding force is required between the flap and the base. Moreover the fabric and foam material may be more breatheable than a plastic base material and allow greater air transfer through the clamp to the patient's skin when used thereon.
Also, the clamp as described in the preferred embodi¬ ments are shown in a hospital setting, although as already pointed out, the clamps may be used in other settings, med¬ ical, medical related and non-medical, for holding articles to objects. For example, one such contemplated setting is in the electronic industry wherein the clamps may be used to secure wires within, around or between equipment. Another application is dentistry where the clamps may be used, for example, to hold tubes in the mouth.
What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A clamp for holding an article to an object com¬ prising:
(a) base means for adhering the clamp to the object;
(b) a flap; and
(c) securing means for securing said flap to said base means and including a first holding means for hold¬ ing a first portion of said flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of said flap, said second hold¬ ing means being spaced from said first holding means a suffi¬ cient distance for the rod-like article to extend therebetween, said first and second holding means being releasable.
2. A clamp as in claim 1 further comprising an outer resilient pad adherred to said flap between said first and second portions, said outer resilient pad having an adhesive surface for contacting the positioned article positioned between the flap and the base means.
3. A clamp as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second releasable holding means includes a hook material and a loop material.
4. A clamp as in claim 3 wherein said securing means further includes a resilient inner pad positioned between the outer surface of said base and the inner surface of either said hook material or said loop material.
5. A clamp as in claim 4 wherein said inner pad extends over said base means between said first and second releasable holding means, said inner pad having an adhesive surface for contacting said positioned article.
6. A clamp as in claim 5 further comprising an outer resilient pad adherred to said flap between said first and second portion and having an adhesive surface for contacting said positioned article.
7. A clamp for holding a rod-like article to an object comprising:
(a) base means for adhering the clamp to the object;
(b) a flap;
(c) securing means for securing said flap to said base means with a rod-like article positioned there¬ between, and including a first holding means for holding a first portion of said flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of said flap, said second holding means being spaced from said first holding means a sufficient distance for the rod-like article to extend therebetween; and
(d) an outer resilient pad adherred to said flap between said first and second portions and having an adhesive surface for contacting said positioned rod-like article.
8. A clamp for holding an article to an object comprising:
(a) base means for adhering the clamp to the object;
(b) a flap;
(c) securing means for securing said flap to said base means with the article positioned therebetween; and
(d) resilient pad means adherred to said flap and having an adhesive surface for contacting the positioned article.
9. A clamp as in claim 8 wherein said securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of said flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of said flap. 10. A clamp as in claim 9 wherein said resilient pad means comprises an outer resilient pad adherred to said flap between said first and second portions, said outer resilient pad having an adhesive surface for contacting said positioned ROD-LIKE article.
11. A clamp as in claim 9 wherein at least one of said first and second holding means includes a hook material and a loop material.
12. A clamp as in claim 11 wherein said securing means further includes a resilient inner pad positioned be¬ tween the outer surface of said base and the inner surface of either said hook material or said loop material.
13. A clamp as in claim 12 wherein said resilient pad means includes an inner resilient pad extending over said base means between said first and second releasable holding means, said inner pad having an adhesive surface for contact¬ ing said positioned rod-like article.
14. A clamp as in claim 13 wherein said resilient pad means includes an outer resilient pad adherred to said flap between said first and second portion and having an adhesive surface for contacting said positioned rod-like article.
15. A clamp as in claim 8 wherein said resilient pad means includes a foam material.
16. A clamp as in claim 8 wherein said resilient pad means includes a hot melt adhesive material.
17. A clamp as in claim 9 wherein said first holding means is releasable and said second holding means is non¬ releasable. 18. A clamp as in claim 17 wherein said second hold¬ ing means includes a first substrate adherred between said base means and either a hook fabric pad or loop fabric pad, and said flap includes a second substrate attached to said first substrate by said first holding means.
19. A clamp as in claim 18 wherein said first sub¬ strate integral with said second substrate.
20. A clamp as in claim 11 further comprising remote fastening means for fastening at least one additional article to said clamp, and including a hook material or a loop mate¬ rial to mate with an outer surface of one of said first and second holding means.
21. A clamp for holding a nasal tube in the nostril of a person comprising:
(a) base means for adhering the clamp to the person;
(b) a flap;
(c) resilient pad means adhered to said flap and having an adhesive surface for contacting and holding the nasal tube; and
(d) securing means for securing said flap to said base means to hold the tube at an angle from the Nostril without crimping the tube.
22. A clamp as in claim 21 wherein said securing means includes a first holding means for holding a first portion of said flap and a second holding means for holding a second portion of said flap.
23. A clamp as in claim 22 wherein said resilient pad means comprises a resilient pad positioned on said flap adjacent to both said first and second portions, and said first and second portions lie on a common side of said resil¬ ient pad and are separated from each other by a slit. 24. A clamp as in claim 23 wherein at least one of said first and second holding means includes a hook material and a loop material.
25. A clamp as in claim 24 wherein said securing means further includes hot melt adhesive positioned between the outer surface of said base and the inner surface of either said hook material or said loop material.
26. A clamp as in claim 25 wherein said resilient pad means includes a hot melt adhesive extending over said flap between said first and second portion and having an adhesive surface for contacting said nasal tubes.
27. A clamp as in claim 26 wherein said flap is a hook material and said resilient pad means includes hot melt adhesive applied to a portion of the hook material.
28. A clamp as in claim 23 wherein said base means has a recess portion between said first and second portions, said first and second portions being positionable on the sides of the nose and cheek with the innermost extend of said recess portion proximate the tip of the nose.
29. A clamp as in claim 19 wherein said first and second substrates are hook and loop fabric backing.
30. A clamp as in claim 29 wherein said hook fabric pad includes hook fabric woven into said fabric backing.
31. A clamp as in claim 30 wherein said loop fabric pad includes loop fabric woven into said fabric backing.
32. A clamp as in claim 31 wherein said first sub¬ strate is adhered to said base means by hot melt adhesive. 33. A clamp as in claim 32 wherein said resilient pad means includes hot melt adhesive applied to all or a portion of said fabric backing between said hook fabric pad and said loop fabric pad.
EP19860903746 1985-05-03 1986-05-02 Universal clamp. Withdrawn EP0222871A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US730344 1985-05-03
US06/730,344 US4702736A (en) 1985-05-03 1985-05-03 Universal clamp
WOPCT/US85/01008 1985-05-28
PCT/US1985/001008 WO1986006640A1 (en) 1985-05-03 1985-05-28 Universal clamp
US813730 1985-12-27
US06/813,730 US4738662A (en) 1985-05-03 1985-12-27 Universal clamp

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0222871A1 EP0222871A1 (en) 1987-05-27
EP0222871A4 true EP0222871A4 (en) 1988-06-14

Family

ID=46229995

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19860903746 Withdrawn EP0222871A4 (en) 1985-05-03 1986-05-02 Universal clamp.

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0222871A4 (en)
AU (1) AU601366B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1279054C (en)
DE (1) DE8690058U1 (en)
WO (1) WO1986006641A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0222871A1 (en) 1987-05-27
AU601366B2 (en) 1990-09-13
AU5908486A (en) 1986-12-04
DE8690058U1 (en) 1987-07-23
WO1986006641A1 (en) 1986-11-20
CA1279054C (en) 1991-01-15

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