IV port holder and IV port

Abstract

A housing for an IV port, the housing including two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined, and means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. A method for administering an IV fluid to a subject that includes providing a housing for an IV port. The method includes the housing having two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined, and means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount. Further, attaching the housing to the mount and administering the IV fluid to the individual. An alternate embodiment is an IV port having an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, so as to secure the IV port.

1 . A housing for an IV port, the housing comprising:
 two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined; and   means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount.   
   
   
       2 . The housing of  claim 1 , further comprising means for securing joined shell portions in a joined configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The housing of  claim 2 , wherein the means for securing joined shell portions is selected from the group consisting of friction, clip and snap fittings formed from cooperating elements on opposing joinable shell portions. 
   
   
       4 . The housing of  claim 2 , wherein the means for securing joined shell portions is selected from the group consisting of a tension loading device and a non-integral fastening device. 
   
   
       5 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the joinable shell portions are connected by a live hinge. 
   
   
       6 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed from molded or machined plastic. 
   
   
       7 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, metal alloys and composite materials. 
   
   
       8 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the means for usably attaching the joined IV port housing accommodating the IV port to a mount comprises a formed element that engages an attachment site on the mount. 
   
   
       9 . The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the formed element is rotationally adjustable in the engaged position. 
   
   
       10 . The housing of  claim 9 , wherein the rotational adjustment in the engaged position is indexable. 
   
   
       11 . The housing of  claim 9 , wherein the formed element is a post or shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the post or shaft is shaped for indexable engagement. 
   
   
       13 . The housing of  claim 9 , wherein the post or shaft is comprised of portions of the two or more joinable shell portion. 
   
   
       14 . The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the formed element is selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element and a clip element. 
   
   
       15 . The housing of  claim 8 , wherein the formed element slideably engages a cooperating element on the mount. 
   
   
       16 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises a bracket attached to a portion of an operating table. 
   
   
       17 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the means for usably attaching the joined two or more shell portions is adjustable. 
   
   
       18 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the means for usably attaching the two or more joined shells accommodating the IV port to the mount is an indirect means comprising a gang array support, the gang array support comprising:
 a) a formed element which engages an attachment site on the mount; and   b) a plurality of attachment sites for joined shell portions, each accommodating an IV port.   
   
   
       19 . A method for administering an IV fluid to a subject, the method comprising:
 a) providing a housing for an IV port, the housing comprising:
 i) two or more joinable shell portions sized and shaped to accommodate an IV port when joined; and 
 ii) means for usably attaching the two or more joined shell portions accommodating the IV port to a mount; 
   b) joining the two or more joinable shell portions about an IV port, thereby accommodating the IV port;   c) providing additional elements required to establish fluid communication from an IV solution source to the circulatory system of the subject through the IV port;   c) attaching the housing accommodating the IV port to the mount; and   d) administering the IV fluid to the individual.   
   
   
       20 . An IV port comprising:
 an integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element that engages an attachment site on a mount, thereby securing the IV port.   
   
   
       21 . The IV port of  claim 20 , wherein the engagement element is rotationally adjustable in the engaged position. 
   
   
       22 . The IV port of  claim 21 , wherein the adjustability of the engagement with the attachment site is indexable. 
   
   
       23 . The IV port of  claim 20 , wherein the integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element is a post or shaft. 
   
   
       24 . The IV port of  claim 23 , wherein the post or shaft is shaped for indexable engagement. 
   
   
       25 . The IV port of  claim 20 , wherein the integrally formed non-fluid carrying engagement element is selected from a group consisting of a snap element, a friction element, and a clip element. 
   
   
       26 . The housing of  claim 20 , wherein the mount comprises a bracket attached to a portion of an operating table.