GB2232200A

GB2232200A - Adjustable straps

Info

Publication number: GB2232200A
Application number: GB8911975A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry George Wallace
Original assignee: HG Wallace Ltd
Current assignee: HG Wallace Ltd
Priority date: 1989-05-25
Filing date: 1989-05-25
Publication date: 1990-12-05
Also published as: GB8911975D0

Abstract

A strap (14) surrounds a limb in order to suspend, for example, a collection bag (10) to the limb or waist of a patient. Adjustability in length is provided by means of a separate component (20) which will attach the cut-end of the strap (14) to the main body of the strap surface (17). <IMAGE>

Description

PATENT APPLICATION STRAP ASSEMBLY SUITABLE FOR MEDICAL BAGS AND APPLIANCES This invention relates to a Strap assembly which is suitable for medical bags and appliances.

To suspend a bag on a patient, for example to drain urine, requires straps secured to the bag and adapted to surround the waist or a limb in an adjustable manner. A commonly used and successful method is an elasticated strap with hook and fur (looped pile) fixation of which "Velcro" is a well known Registered. Trade Mark. Such a urinary appliance is commonly employed in urinary incontinence where the bag is connected to a catheter or external sheath positioned to drain urine from the bladder.

Adjustability is extremely difficult in that not only will the circumference of, for example, legs differ, but the area of fixation can present wide variation; if the bag is fitted above the knee then the variation will be totally different to a bag fitted below the knee.

Further, with the "Velcro" system free ends of the strap should be avoided because movement of clothes etc. over the free end can cause the fixed strap to loosen, or come free.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly of a fixing strap suitable for use with a medical appliance, and a looped pile strip and a hooked pile strip, characterised in that the fixing strip is provided over a portion of its length adjacent an end thereof with one of said pile strips, and in that a fixation element formed with the other of said pile strips on opposite surfaces thereof is provided for operative interengagement between said strap and a folded end thereof in use thereby to allow the strap to be cut to any desired length.

The fixation element or "Button" is a separate component to the strap. When the strap has been fitted on a patient, commonly to a leg, and cut to size, the "Button" is then used to fix the end of the strap to the desired portion on the strap surrounding the leg; a similar procedure may be employed in a waistband.

A specific embodiment of this invention is now described by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a complete leg fitting urinary drainage bag with the "Button" attached; Figure 2 shows the "Button" as a separate component; Figure 3 shows the free end of the strap; and Fiigure 4 shows the "Silgrip" strap with inner surface composed of silicone rubber ribs and the outer surface of fur for attachment to a hooked surface.

Referring to the bag drawing Figure 1, this comprises a urinary collection bag of plastics 10, with non-return valve 11, connecting tube 12 and connector 13.

Straps 14, are threaded into slots 15.

The function of this invention is for the connector 13 to be attached to, for example, a urinary catheter in situ in the patient and the bag secured to the legs by straps 14 which surround the leg with their inner surface of silicone rubber ribs 18 providing a grip to the patient's skin. One end of the strap is threaded into the slot 15 from behind the bag and the strap end has a hooked surface area 16 which attaches to the strap surface 17. The other end of the strap 19 is cut to the length required for correct and comfortable fitting to the limb. Instead of an integral patch of a hooked surface which would preclude cutting to length, the separate "Button" fig 22 is employed. Its double hooked surface 20 enables this component to attach to both the surface of the cut strap and the surface of the strap surrounding the limb.

The "Button" fig 2 includes a tab 21 to attach and detach the component from the strap.

Claims

C L A I M S:

l. An assembly of a fixing strap suitable for use with a medical appliance, and a looped pile strip and a hooked pile strip, characterised in that the fixing strip is provided over a portion of its length adjacent an end thereof with one of said pile strips, and in that a fixation element formed with the other of said pile strips on opposite surfaces thereof is provided for operative interengagement between said strap and a folded end thereof in use thereby to allow the strap to be cut to any desired length.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the fixing strap is resilient, and is provided on its intended inner face with a plurality of silicone ribs, and on its outer surface with said looped pile strip.
3. An assembly according to claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the fixation element is formed with hooked pile strips on each face.
4. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that one end of the strap is provided with fixation means which are not adjustable for length.
5. A medical appliance comprising an assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.