Patient line management apparatus

Abstract

A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment is provided. The system has an elongated support member that can be manipulated into a plurality of positions by a caregiver. A line holder is coupled to the support member and is configured to selectively retain lines (tubes).

1 . A line management system for supporting patient care lines that extend between a patient and patient care equipment, the system comprising 
 an elongated support member that is adjustable to a plurality of self-supporting positions, and    a line holder comprising a spine having a plurality of arms extending therefrom, the line holder having an open position wherein a line can be inserted and a closed position wherein the line is retained by the line holder.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms extend in a substantially parallel direction away from the spine when the line holder is in the closed position.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms extend at angles relative to each other when the line holder is in the open position.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spine is substantially “C”-shaped.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the spine is flexible so as to allow movement of the arms relative to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line holder comprises a clasp for holding the line holder in the closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the clasp comprises a first tooth on one of the plurality of arms and a second tooth on another of the plurality of arms.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second teeth engage each other when the line holder is in the closed position.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pad mounted on at least one of the plurality of arms, the pad being configured to engage a line without obstructing a flow of a fluid passing through the line when the line holder is in the closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line holder further comprises a “C”-shaped clamp for mounting the line holder on the support member.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a wire and a polymeric coating on the wire.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is mounted on a patient care equipment support.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is mounted to a bracket and the bracket is mounted on the patient care equipment support.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket is movable relative to the patient care equipment support.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bracket has a lock for locking movement of the bracket relative to the patient care equipment support.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is configured to extend in a cantilevered fashion away from the equipment support to support the weight of a plurality of lines.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is able to be manipulated by a caregiver into a range of positions.