Device and method for positioning a delivery tube

Abstract

A support apparatus positions a gas delivery tube, such as a tube coupled to a CPAP machine, away from items that tend to entangle with the tube, such as a patient's body and the bedding on which the patient is laying. In one embodiment, the gas delivery tube is elevated above the patient so that the end of the tube to which the mask is coupled hangs over the patient. The support apparatus comprises adjustable members so that a height and reach of the apparatus is user adjustable. The apparatus comprise multiple attachment mechanisms that allow for coupling with a wide range of support structures, such as tables, nightstands, desks, headboards, bedframes, mattresses, and chairs, for example.

1 . An apparatus for supporting an air delivery tube, a first end of the tube being coupled to a positive airway pressure machine and a second end of the tube being coupled to a mask configured for placement on a user, the apparatus comprising: 
 an attachment mechanism for coupling to a structure proximate the user;    a vertical telescoping member having lower and upper ends defining a length of the vertical telescoping member therebetween, the lower end coupled to the attachment mechanism, wherein the vertical telescoping member length is adjustable by the user;    a horizontal telescoping member having first and second ends defining a length of the horizontal telescoping member therebetween, the first end releasably coupled to the upper end of the vertical telescoping member, wherein the horizontal telescoping member length is adjustable by the user and the horizontal telescoping member is rotatable around the first end; and    one or more tube attachment mechanisms coupled to the horizontal telescoping member and configured to secure the air delivery tube along a length of the horizontal telescoping member so that the second end of the air delivery tube hangs downwardly relative to the second end of the horizontal telescoping member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical telescoping member comprises a cylinder and a rod, wherein the rod is sized to fit within the cylinder so that at least a portion of the rod is slideably moveable within the cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the vertical telescoping member further comprises a securing mechanism for releasably coupling the rod to the cylinder at a user determined position.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a collet.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is selected from the group comprising: a table, a nightstand, a desk, a headboard, a bedframe, and a chair.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp configured for attachment on a vertically extending portion of the structure so that when the clamp is attached to the structure the vertical extending member extends substantially vertical.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp configured for attachment on a horizontally extending portion of the structure so that when the clamp is attached to the structure the vertical extending member extends substantially vertical.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air delivery tube contains compressed air.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the air delivery tube.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for securing a gas delivery tube so that an end of the delivery tube is positioned substantially above a user, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first member coupled to a support structure;    a second member coupled to the first member so that the first and second members form a substantially L-shaped support, the second member comprising at least one tube securing mechanism for coupling the gas delivery tube along at least a portion of a length of the second member;    wherein a length of the first member is adjustable and the length of the second member is adjustable.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the L-shaped support is rotatable about the support structure.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second member is rotatable about the coupling between the second member and the first member.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the gas delivery tube comprises at least one of compressed air and oxygen.  
   
   
       14 . A support apparatus comprising: 
 a first longitudinally extending member having an adjustable length;    a second longitudinally extending member having an adjustable length, wherein the first and second members are releasably coupled to form a substantially L-shaped structure; and    means for supporting the L-shaped structure in a desired position;    wherein the second member is configured to support a gas delivery tube such that an end of the gas delivery tube is positioned substantially over a user.    
   
   
       15 . The support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first longitudinally extending member extends substantially vertically and the second longitudinally extending member extends substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       16 . The support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the supporting means comprises a clamp.  
   
   
       17 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the supporting means is configured for attachment to a substantially horizontally extending structure.  
   
   
       18 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the supporting means further comprises an adjustment plate that couples to the clamp so that the attachment means is configured for attachment to a substantially vertically extending structure.  
   
   
       19 . The support apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the horizontally extending structure comprises a portion of a table, nightstand, chair, desk or headboard.  
   
   
       20 . The support apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the vertically extending structure comprise a portion of a chair or a headboard.  
   
   
       21 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the supporting means comprises a floor support.  
   
   
       22 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a therapy device support coupled to one of the longitudinally extending members and configured to support a therapy device to which the gas delivery tube is coupled.  
   
   
       23 . The support apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a mattress support plate coupled to one of the longitudinally extending members and configured for insertion between a box spring and a mattress of a bed.  
   
   
       24 . A method of supporting a gas delivery tube so that the tube is distant from a patient's bed, the method comprising: 
 coupling a first member to a second member in order to form a support apparatus, wherein the first member is length adjustable;    coupling the support apparatus to a support structure;    setting a length of the first member to a desired length;    positioning the gas delivery tube along at least a portion of at least one of the first and second members; and    securing the gas delivery tube to at least one of the first and second members.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the second member is length adjustable and the method further comprises: setting a length of the second member to a desired length.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the support structure is selected from the group comprising: a table, a nightstand, a desk, a headboard, a bedframe, a mattress, and a chair.  
   
   
       27 . A method of manufacturing a support device configured for supporting a gas delivery tube, the method comprising: 
 cutting a first material having a central aperture to a predetermined length;    bending a first metal rod so that the first metal rod comprises a substantially L-shaped bend, wherein the first metal rod is sized so that an end of the first metal rod engages with a first end of the first material; and    bending a second metal rod to form a support base, the support base having at least three sides, the at least three sides being substantially planar, and an attachment member extending substantially orthogonal to the plane of the support base, wherein the attachment member is sized for engagement with a second end of the first material.    
   
   
       28 . A support device kit comprising: 
 a longitudinal first member having a central aperture;    a longitudinal second member having a substantially L-shaped bend, wherein an end of the second member is sized to engage the central aperture of a first end of the first member; and    a longitudinal third member having at least three sides, the at least three sides being substantially planar, and comprising an attachment member extending substantially orthogonal to the plane of the at least three sides, wherein the attachment member is sized for engagement with the central aperture of a second end of the first member.    
   
   
       29 . The support device kit of  claim 28 , wherein the first member comprise PVC tubing, and the second and third members comprise a metal rod.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus for supporting a gas delivery tube coupled to a gas mask, the apparatus comprising: 
 an attachment mechanism for coupling to a first structure;    a substantially vertical telescoping member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the attachment mechanism, wherein the vertical telescoping member length is adjustable by a user;    a substantially horizontal telescoping member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the horizontal telescoping member coupled to the vertical telescoping member, wherein the horizontal telescoping member length is adjustable by the user; and    one or more gas delivery tube attachment mechanisms coupled to the horizontal telescoping member and configured to secure a gas delivery tube so that an end of the air delivery tube hangs downwardly from the second end portion of the horizontal telescoping member, wherein the air delivery tube has a mask intended to be placed over a user breathing orifices attached there to.    
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the vertical telescoping member comprises a cylinder and a rod, wherein the rod is sized to fit within the cylinder so that at least a portion of the rod is slideably moveable within the cylinder.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the vertical telescoping member further comprises a securing mechanism for releasably coupling the rod to the cylinder at a user determined position.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises a collet.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the structure is selected from the group comprising: a table, a nightstand, a desk, a headboard, a bedframe, and a chair.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp configured for attachment on a vertically extending portion of the structure so that when the clamp is attached to the structure the vertical extending member extends substantially vertical.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clamp configured for attachment on a horizontally extending portion of the structure so that when the clamp is attached to the structure the vertical extending member extends substantially vertical.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the gas delivery tube is an air delivery tube.