WO2000079660A1

WO2000079660A1 - Line organising device

Info

Publication number: WO2000079660A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000616
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Paul Burt
Original assignee: Michael Paul Burt
Priority date: 1999-06-16
Filing date: 2000-05-30
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: AUPQ100399A0

Abstract

A line organiser device (10) is disclosed having a plate-like body (12) formed from deformable, flexible and resilient plastics material. The body (12) is in the form of an annular disc having a central aperture (14), one side of the annulus being cut away to form a side opening (16) into the aperture (14). This allows the body to be pressed or snapped onto a post or rail-like fixture (28) in a self-supporting manner. The body (12) has a peripheral edge (18) in which a series of notches (20) is formed, the notches (20) being of various sizes and depths and being of re-entrant shape so as to be adapted to hold lines therein. The lines may include electrical cables (22), IV tubes (24) and a pair of gas lines (26), the latter being accommodated in a single large 'double notch' (20c).

Description

Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 1998) COPVAA 1

TITLE: LINE ORGANISING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to devices for use in organising or aligning electrical cables and/or tubing to minimise the danger of entanglement and to allow the ready addition or replacement of one or more cables or tubes in a group. It is particularly suited for use in medical environments, such as intensive care wards or operating theatres.

However, the invention is not limited to application in a medical environment as devices formed in accordance therewith will find application in the organisation of the cables associated with computer work-stations, and the cables and fluid lines associated with electronic instrumentation and analytical or control equipment.

In this specification, unless otherwise made clear, the term 'lines' will be used generically to indicate power cables, signal cables, control cables, fluid supply and drainage tubes or pipes and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The disorganisation and tangling of cables and lines has become an increasing problem in patient care with the increase in the number of physiological parameters that can be monitored and with the growth in gaseous ventilation and fluid infusion techniques. While this problem is worst in hospital operating theatres and intensive care, it is also evident in general wards and nursing homes. In fact, in the latter environments, TV control, audio entertainment, telephone and alarm lines add to the confusion.

Convenient solutions to this problem have proved elusive because the requirements of one patient differ from those of another and change with time. The problem is further exacerbated because patients and beds are frequently moved within or between wards while monitors and/or infusion lines are kept in place. The confusion presented by the aggregation of many lines is not merely 2 disorderly, it consumes an undue amount of staff time in disentanglement. More importantly, however, it can also make for significant delays in identifying a given intravenous line and in finding the appropriate site in a line in which to inject appropriate intravenous medication. In emergencies, such delays may be life threatening.

The problem of disorganised IV lines was addressed by the disclosure of Australian patent application No. 77196/94, which proposed the use of an elongate rack that could be attached to the frame of a hospital bed at the foot, the rack having a row of clips or recesses on its upper surface adapted to hold the IV lines. This IV line organiser allowed a plurality of IV lines to be separated and marked so that the danger of medical staff accessing the wrong line was greatly reduced. However, the IV line organiser of application No. 77196/94 requires that all lines are fed to the patient via the end of the bed, a restriction that is often not convenient or safe. It is also bulky, relatively expensive and difficult to sterilise. Furthermore, an organiser rack that must be located at the foot of a bed would not be suitable for holding the leads from wall-mounted electronic monitoring equipment.

Indeed, there are many situations where a group of lines must be draped in catenaries without support from monitors or other devices to a patient's bed and then led across the bed to the patient. So, even if they are organised at the bed- foot there is ample opportunity for entanglement when hanging or when lying on the bed.

It is well known to employ spring steel clips to hold cables and tubing to a post or other fixture. In some cases, the clips are able to both snap onto the fixture and snap onto the cables or tubes to be held. For example; German patent 42 28 305 discloses a spring steel clip that can snap onto a wash-basin drain pipe from and is shaped to hold flexible hot and cold water pipes supplying the basin; Australian patent 244478 discloses a similar spring-steel clip that is adapted to snap onto a welding-gas bottle and to hold the two gas tubes for a welding or brazing torch; Australian patent 253555 discloses a horn-like clip for simply holding a pair of welding gas lines to one another. Such clips are not suited to hold more than two pipes or cables, while thin steel clips are generally not suited repeated use on medical tubes and cables as their edges tend to be - or to become - sharp and are likely to cut or damage the tubes and cables as well as the fingers of the user.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a line organiser that is suitable for use in the hospital environment but is not subject to one or more of the disadvantages noted above. As already noted, however, the line organiser of the invention is not restricted to use in the hospital environment.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

From one aspect the present invention comprises a line organiser device including a plate-like body having an external peripheral edge, means for locating a plurality of lines at spaced locations around said peripheral edge, and including means for supporting the body from a post or other fixture. The body may conveniently be plate-like and be formed of deformable, flexible and/or resilient plastics material. Its peripheral edge may comprise a plurality of generally linear edge portions arranged at angles to one another (giving the body a polygonal or part-polygonal character), and/or one or more arcuate portions.

This form of device allows many lines/cables to be held in a compact space, is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and can be readily sterilised, if desired. Though provision is made for mounting the device on a fixture, it can readily be made sufficiently light in weight and compact in form so that it can be used to organise unsupported hanging lines, or lines that are draped across or along a patient's bed. Indeed, a plurality of devices may be arranged along a single stretch of lines.

The line locating means may be a series of ci rcu inferential I y spaced notches formed in the said peripheral edge, such that different lines can be located in respective notches. Preferably, the notches are of re-entrant form so that a line can be snapped into a notch and retained thereby. If desired, one or more notches may be shaped so as to accommodate two or more lines. The notches may also vary in size so that lines of varying diameter can be accommodated. The line locating means may alternatively or additionally include strap means adapted to hold the lines in place against the periphery of the device. Where the periphery is notched as indicated, the strap means will cover one or more notches to thereby positively retain the line or lines located therein.

The support means may simply comprise an aperture formed in the body and adapted to engage a post, bracket or other fixture. The aperture may open out into the periphery of the body so that the device can be clipped onto a post or the like without the need to be slipped over one end thereof. For that purpose, the aperture may be key-hole shaped, or of re-entrant form, so that the device can be snapped onto a post or other fixture, the material from which the device is made preferably being resilient and flexible so that the post or other fixture can be frictionally and resiliently engaged. Alternatively, the aperture can be substantially closed and a slit or slot formed in the body so as to extend between the periphery thereof and the aperture. The device may then be applied to a post by twisting the body to open the slit or slot sufficiently to permit the post to enter the aperture and then at least partially returning the body to its original shape so as to grip the post.

Alternatively, the support means may comprise a strap or other fastening means that is attached to the body of the device and adapted to engage a fixture. Conveniently, the fastening strap may also be used as the aforementioned strap that holds the lines in place. If desired, the edge of the body can be recessed to accommodate a post or other fixture and the strap can be arranged to hold the body of the device onto the post.

Alternatively, or additionally, the support means may include one or more clamp screws that is or are threaded into the body of the device and arranged so as to engage a post or the like fixture to hold, or assist in holding, the body in place on the fixture.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

Having portrayed the nature of the present invention, particular examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can be made to the examples without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined above. In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A is a plan view of the device of the first example showing a supporting post and some lines/cables in place.

Figure 1 B is a front elevation of the device of Figure 1 A.

Figure 2A is a plan view of the device of the second example showing a supporting post and some lines/cables in place.

Figures 2B to 2E are various elevational views of the device of Figure 2A, taken from the view points respectively indicated in Figure 2A.

Figure 3A is a plan view of the device of the third example in a first configuration.

Figure 3B is a plan view of the device of the third example in a second configuration.

Figure 4A is a plan view of the device of the fourth example.

Figure 4B is a plan view of a modified form of the device of the fourth example.

Figure 5A is a plan view of the device of the fifth example. Figure 5B is a front elevation of the device of Figure 5A.

The device 10 of the first example, shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, has a body plate 12 in the form of an annular disc having a central aperture 14, one side of the annulus being cut away to form a side opening 16 into aperture 14. Body 12 has an arcuate - in this case circular - peripheral edge 18 in which a series of notches 20, notches 20 being of various sizes and depths and being of re-entrant shape, having narrowed openings in periphery 18.

In this example, four electrical cables 22 are shown, each being located in one of the smaller notches, 20a, and two IV tubes 24 are shown, each being located in one of the intermediate size notches 20b. In addition, a pair of gas lines 26 are shown located in a single large 'double notch' 20c. These may be the inflating and sense lines for an automatic blood-pressure cuff. A further gas line indicated at 27 is provided to draw samples of patient exhalations for gas analysis in a remote instrument (not shown). Body 12 can be formed from plastics material such as PVC or polypropylene by injection moulding, or by hot-pressing from sheet material, the plastics material being formulated in a manner known in the art to provide both resilience and flexibility so that the body can be snapped over a postlike fixture 28. To conserve material and weight, the portion of the body 12 between the peripheral area carrying notches 20 and the aperture may be thinned or wasted, while still providing sufficient thickness at the centre and the periphery to locate on post 28 and to guide the cables 22 and the tubes 24 and 26.

As shown in Figure 1 A, a tooth-like projection 30 can be moulded into body 12 at the junction of opening 16 and aperture 14 (on each side of the opening 16). These teeth or catches 30 are deformed when the device 10 is pressed onto post 28 so as to positively retain the device on the post, should the diameter of post 28 be somewhat smaller than aperture 14. In use, it will be convenient to secure the device 10 to the post (28) of an IV stand that is used to suspend IV bags and/or urine or other drainage bags. Stands of this type tend to employ standard-size metal posts, which may be telescopically extensible. Such stands are generally mounted on wheels so that they can be readily positioned at appropriate points around or near a patient' s bed. Such a stand may be employed simply to support one or more device 10, which is then used to organise electrical leads, drainage lines and/or gas lines, rather than IV lines. Though such posts are mounted on wheels, they are still regarded as 'fixtures' for the purpose of the present invention. Of course, device 10 can be clipped to part of the frame of a patient's bed if desired, though that will generally be less convenient than the post of an IV support.

The device 40 of Figures 2A-2E, which forms the second example, is similar to device 10 of the first example, especially in that its body 42 has an arcuate perpherial edge 44 having notches 46 and has a central aperture 48 and opening 50 that enable it to be snapped onto a post 52. In this case, however, a strap 54 is attached at one end 56 the body 42 so that it can pass right around periphery 44 so that its other end 58 can be engaged with a hook 60 moulded integrally with body 42 near strap end 56. Strap 54 can thus serve two functions: first, it positively retains any cables/lines (generally indicated at 62) in their respective notches 46; second, it can be tightened to close aperture 48 and opening 50 around post 52 to augment the grip of device 40 on post 52. For the latter purpose, a series of holes 64 may be formed in strap end 58 to allow adjustment of the tension in strap 54 by selecting the appropriate hole 64 for engagement with hook 60.

If device 40 fits sufficiently tightly around post 52 to make it unnecessary to use strap 54 to compress the body 42 in the manner just described, strap 54 may still be used to secure lines 62 in place. In that case, as there is no need for strap 54 to bridge opening 50, one or another of a plurality of cross-ribs 66 (two being shown in Figures 2A and 2E) can be engaged with a hook 68 formed on the opposite side of opening 50 to strap end 56. An alternative or an additional location for the hook is shown at 68a on the corner of periphery 44 and opening 50 (Figure 2A). The inner hook 68 may be used (as in the first example) where post 52 is a loose fit in aperture 48. Otherwise, it may be more convenient to employ hook 68a because strap 54 can then be engaged and disengaged with the hook without needing to remove the device from post 52.

The device 80 of the third example, illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, is similar in many respects to that of the second example. It has a body 82 with an arcuate peripheral edge 84 having notches 86 and it has a central aperture 88 and an opening 90 that enable it to be snapped onto a post (not shown). As in the second example, a strap 92 is employed to hold lines (not shown) in place within their respective peripheral notches 86. However, as in the first example, a pair of hooks 96 and 98 are formed at the junction of opening 90 with aperture 88 and (unlike the first example) a third hook 100 is formed near the junction of opening 90 and periphery 84 near the fixed end 102 of strap 94. Strap 92 is provided with a series of ribs 104 to enable it to engage any one of these hooks. In addition, a radially extending screw 106 is threaded into the thickness of body 82 so that it can be screwed into engagement with a loose-fitting post, thus assisting in supporting body 82 from such a post.

In the configuration of Figure 3A, one of the ribs 104 is engaged with hook 100 to form a loop (indicated at 108) that can be used to support the body from a convenient fixture where a post is not available. In the configuration of Figure 3B, the screw 106 may be used to fix body 82 of device 80 to a post (not shown), while a rib 104a on strap 94 can be engaged with hook 100 to hold lines (not shown) in notches 86. If desired, screw 106 may be used to spread body 92 and tighten strap 94 as it is forced into contact with the post (not shown). The latter function being useful if there are too many lines to be accommodated in the notches provided.

The device 120 of the fourth example, illustrated in Figure 4A, is similar in many respects to that of the second example. It has a body 122 with an arcuate peripheral edge 124 having notches 126 and it has a central aperture 128 and an opening 130 that enable it to be snapped onto a post (not shown). As in the second example, a strap 132 is employed to hold lines (not shown) in place within their respective peripheral notches 126. However, in this example, a first set of slits 136 is formed in body 122 so as to extend radially inwards from spaced notches 126, and a second set of slits 138 is formed in body so as to extend radially outwards from aperture 128, slits 136 and 138 being staggered so as to not unduly weaken the body. The slits 136 and 138 serve to make the body more flexible. Slits 136 facilitate the compression of body 122, by the use of strap 132, onto a post that is smaller than aperture 128, while slits 138 make it easier for body 122 to expand to engage a post that is of larger diameter than aperture 128.

Figure 4B illustrates a device 120a that is a modified form of that illustrated in Figure 4A. The inner slits (138, Figure 4A) are omitted while the outer slits 136a are of greater depth than those of Figure 4A. Such a device is suitable for use where it is expected that posts will be a snug fit in aperture 128 or slightly loose.

The fifth example, shown in Figures 5A and 5B comprises a device 150 that has a body 152 formed as a complete annulus or ring-like disc with a central aperture 154. The body has a circular periphery 156 in which a series of notches 158 are formed. In this example, body 152 is slit at 160 so that it can be twisted and turned sideways to engage a post (not shown) and then turned again to bring its plane orthogonal to the axis of the post.

While all the examples described above meet the objectives of the invention and provide inexpensive and simple line organisers suitable for use in hospital and other environments, it will be appreciated that many alterations and additions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined above. For example, the plate-like body can be of polygonal shape (ie, have a plurality linear peripheral edges) rather than a periphery which is purely arcuate or circular. It is also envisaged that the notches can be colour coded in a consistent manner so that the use of multiple devices to align and organise one set of lines will be

Claims

10 facilitated. Alternatively or additionally, the notches can be identified in some other manner, for example by the use of numbers or letters or words. The colour coding and or the labelling can be applied in the moulding process or subsequently.

It will also be appreciated that, although it is desirable for the devices of the invention to have some means to facilitate their support from a fixture, they may be used on hanging lines without being attached to a fixture.

11

1 A line organiser device comprising: a plate-like body having an external peripheral edge, a central axis and a plane that is substantially at orthogonal to said axis, locating means for locating a plurality of lines at spaced locations around said peripheral edge, and support means for supporting the body from a fixture.

2 A device according to claim 1 wherein: said plate-like body is formed of deformable, flexible and resilient plastics material, and said support means comprises an aperture formed in the body at or near said axis, said aperture being adapted to frictionally engage an elongate post or rail-like fixture so as to thereby support the device from said post or rail-like fixture.

3 A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: said aperture opens into said periphery so that the body can be pushed laterally onto said post or rail-like fixture in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to said axis.

4 A device according to claim 3 wherein: said aperture is of a re-entrant or key-hole shape so that the body can be snapped onto a post or rail-like fixture to effect self-supporting frictional and resilient engagement with said fixture.

5 A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: said aperture is substantially fully enclosed by and within said plate-like body, and a slit or narrow slot is formed in said body between the aperture and the external periphery of the body, whereby said body can be made to engage and encompass said post or rail-like fixture by twisting the body to open said slit or 12 slot, pushing the body onto the fixture so as said fixture passes through the slit and enters said aperture, and untwisting the body so as to at least partially close said slit or slot, thereby effecting frictional engagement between the post or rail like fixture and the body.

6 A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein: said support means includes a clamp screw that is threaded through said body so as to be adapted to engage said post or rail-like fixture located in said aperture and to lock said body onto said fixture.

7 A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein: said support means includes a strap that is attached to said peripheral edge of the body of the device and is adapted to be secured around the body to hold said body in frictional engagement onto said post or rail-like fixture located within said aperture.

8 A device according to any preceding claim wherein: said body is formed of deformable, flexible and resilient plastics material, and said locating means comprises a plurality of notches formed in said peripheral edge of the body, each notch being shaped so as to be adapted to receive at least one line arranged generally parallel to said axis and orthogonal to said plane of the body.

9 A device according to claim 5 wherein: said notches are of difference sizes so as to be adapted to accommodate lines of corresponding difference sizes, and each of said notches is of a re-entrant or key-hole shape so that a line of the corresponding size can be snapped into said notch too to effect supporting frictional and resilient engagement thereof.

10 A device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein: