Tube lock

Nov. 29, 1966

3,288,136

D. W. LUND

TUBE LOCK

Filed Jan. 7, 1964

<img file="US3288136A_D0001.tif" />

FIG. 7

<img file="US3288136A_D0002.tif" />

BY

INVENTOR

DOUGLAS W.LUND

<img file="US3288136A_D0003.tif" />

ATTORNEY

3,288,136

Patented Nov. 29, 1966

United States Patent Office

3,288,136 TUBE LOCK

Douglas W. Lund, P.O. Box 1167, Florence, Ala.

Filed Jan. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 336,176

Claims. (CI. 128—133)

This invention relates to the method and apparatus for mounting a flexible cylindrical object on a surface and for releasably securing such object against lengthwise movement.

The invention relates particularly to the holding and setting of tubes for intravascular canalization, urinary catheter, or operative drainage into a wound or body cavity or the like.

Heretofore draingage tubes used in fields of operation have been placed in the orifice and have been secured to the skin of the patient by several strips of adhesive tape or the like and when it has become necessary to change the position of the tube or to change the medical dressing or packing the tape has had to be removed from the patient before the position of the tube can be altered. When the tube is subsequenlty reapplied new tape must be placed in position in the same general location as the original tape and eventually the skin becomes tender to the point where it is extremely painful to the patient. Likewise the tape has not held the tube securely against lengthwise movement since the tube is normally of plastic or the like and the tape has engaged a relatively small portion of the tube.

It is an object of the invention to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive method and apparatus for securing a tube or the like to a surface and for locking such tube against lengthwise movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tube locking structure which can be easily applied, removed and reapplied in a minimum of time and with a minimum amount of discomfort to the patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for releasably locking a tube in position on a surface by a single person without the necessity of special tools.

A still further object of the invention is to mount a cylindrical object on a surface and to releasably secure such cylindrical object against lengthwise movement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating one application of the invention;

FIG. 2, an enlarged exploded perspective of the tube securing and locking structure;

FIG. 3, an enlarged perspective illustrating the structure of the present invention in assembled relation;

FIG. 4, a vertical section taken along the line 4—4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5, a perspective illustrating the method of locking the tube against lengthwise movement;

FIG. 6, a vertical section taken along the line 6—6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7, a side elevation of another use of the invention.

Briefly stated the present invention is a device for mounting a flexible cylindrical object such as a tube on a surface and locking such object against lengthwise movement. The device includes a first member which may be attached to any desired surface and a second member which is releasably connected to the first member and such second member is of a construction to be deformed to clampingly engage the cylindrical object and substantially prevent lengthwise movement thereof.

With continued reference to the drawing the present invention comprises a first member 10 having a pad 11 constructed of cloth or other fluffy material with a coating of adhesive 12 on one side thereof. The adhesive normally is covered by a protective sheet 13 when not in use and such sheet is treated with an adhesive releasing 5 material so that the sheet may be removed from the pad to expose the adhesive prior to the application of the pad to a surface. The primary function of the device is to attach a drainage tube 14 or other generally cylindrical object to the skin of the patient and for such use IQ the adhesive 12 is a dermal adhesive which will adhere to the skin of a human being.

The tube 14 is normally of the hollow, flexible plastic variety and in order to mount the tube on the member 10, a second member 16 is provided having an inner 15 flexible sleeve 17 of a size slightly larger than the tube 14. A deformable sleeve 18 is mounted on the sleeve 17 in any desired manner as by an adhesive or the like and such deformable sleeve is covered by a housing 19 constructed of synthetic resin or the like having a plurality 20 of hook-forming pile threads 20 of the type illustrated in Patent No. 2,717,437 and manufactured under the tradename “Velcro.” The sleeve 17 preferably is of the same material as the tube 14 and the deformable sleeve 18 may be of foraminous or other material capable of being 25 deformed and of retaining the deformed shape.

In the operation of the device the sheet 13 is removed from the first member 10 and thereafter such first member is attached by the adhesive 12 to any desired surface as, for instance, the skin of a patient. The second mem30 ber 16 is slidably mounted on the tube 14 and after the tube has been placed in its position of use such second member is moved lengthwise until it is located in a position above the first member whereupon the second member is pressed downwardly on the first member so that 35 the hook-forming threads 20 will engage the fluffy material of the pad 11 and be retained thereon. The tube 14 then can be adjusted to the desired position after which the deformable sleeve 18 and housing 19 may be pressed downwardly by finger pressure to cause the sleeve 40 17 to intimately engage the tube 14, and if desired sufficient pressure may be applied to slightly deform the tube 14 and lock such tube against lengthwise movement. The deformable sleeve 18 may be released by applying finger pressure to the elongated sides which will cause 45 the sleeve 18 to assume substantially its original position and again permit free movement of the tube 14 through the sleeve 17.

It will be apparent that a relative simple tube lock is provided which will clampingly engage a flexible tube 50 and substantially prevent lengthwise movement thereof.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the 55 drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.