Device and method for supporting wound drainage systems

Abstract

A support and retention device for use in holding medical appliances, particularly wound drainage systems. The present invention comprises a soft, flexible material formed into a circle, spliced in a fashion that does not increase the diameter of the splice. An upper portion of the rope is placed around the wearer's neck, wherein a lower portion of the rope is gathered together to form a doubled length, and held together by a clasping means. A medical appliance may then be secured to the doubled length section of rope by a fastener, thereby securely supporting the medical appliance thereon.

1 . A suspension apparatus for supporting medical appliances, said suspension apparatus comprising a length of material joined together so as to form an upper section and a lower section, wherein said upper section is dimensioned to fit over a user's head, and wherein the medical appliance is attached to said lower section.  
   
   
       2 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end and a second end joined together into a joint thereby forming a continuous loop.  
   
   
       3 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said joint comprises a splice.  
   
   
       4 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said splice is smooth.  
   
   
       5 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said length of material is formed from nylon.  
   
   
       6 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said length of material comprises a chain of linked elements.  
   
   
       7 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said splice has a diameter and said length of material has a diameter, and wherein said splice diameter is approximately equal to said length of material diameter.  
   
   
       8 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said continuous loop comprises a top section and a bottom section.  
   
   
       9 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said bottom section comprises at least two segments of said length of material gathered together.  
   
   
       10 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said at least two segments lie proximate one another.  
   
   
       11 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said at least two segments are parallel to one another.  
   
   
       12 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means for securing said at least two segments together.  
   
   
       13 . The suspension apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said means for securing comprises at least one clasp.  
   
   
       14 . A method of retaining objects about a person comprising the steps of: 
 a) obtaining at least one length of material having a first end and a second end;    b) splicing said first end to said second end of said at least one length of material;    c) forming said at least one length of material into an upper loop and a lower section;    d) placing said at least one length of material around a person's neck; and    e) attaching an object to said lower section.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said lower section comprises at least two segments of said at least one length of material.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least two segments lie proximate one another.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said lower portion comprises two parallel segments.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 c′) installing means for gathering on said lower section of said at least one length of material,    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said means for gathering comprises clasps.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of attaching comprises pinning the object to said lower portion via at least one safety pin.  
   
   
       21 . A medical appliance comprising: 
 at least one wound drainage system; and    at least one support for said at least one wound drainage system, wherein said support comprises a length of material forming a spliced loop, wherein said spliced loop comprises a top section, a bottom section and at least one fastener, said bottom section further comprising at least two segments of said length of material, wherein said at least two segments lie proximate and parallel one another, and wherein said two segments are held together via said at least one fastener.    
   
   
       22 . A suspension apparatus for supporting medical appliances, said suspension apparatus comprising a length of material joined together forming a spliced loop, said spliced loop further comprising at least two segments of said length of material, wherein said at least two segments lie proximate and parallel one another, wherein said length of material has first end and second end, and wherein medical appliances are attached to said first end and said second end via at least one fastener.