Apparatus for and a method of adjusting the length of an infusion tube

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus ( 1 ) for adjusting the length of an infusion tube ( 2 ) comprising a first wall ( 3 ) and a second wall ( 4 ) and at least one connecting element ( 5 ) connecting the first wall ( 3 ) to the second wall ( 4 ), said connecting element ( 5 ) being situated at a distance to the peripheral circumference of the walls ( 6 ), and wherein the distance between the walls in radial distance to said connecting element provides an inlet opening extending around the connecting element having a width (M) measured between the walls ( 3, 4 ); and wherein the apparatus comprises at least one attachment device ( 8 ) for securing the infusion tube ( 2 ). Hereby a winding of an infusion tube is enabled for adjusting the connection length between pump and the site of infusion anywhere on the infusion tube and on any kind of infusion tube, said apparatus being independent of the infusion unit. Thus, the apparatus enables reuse due to its independence of the pump. The system also enables the user to position the winding unit on any suitable place on his/her body with regard to physiology and to clothing.

1 . An apparatus ( 1 ) for adjustment of the length of an infusion tube ( 2 ) comprising a first wall ( 3 ) and a second wall ( 4 ) and at least one connecting element ( 5 ) connecting the first wall ( 3 ) to the second wall ( 4 ), characterised in that the connecting element ( 5 ) is secured at a distance to the peripheral circumference ( 6 ) of the walls; and that the distance between the walls in radial distance to said connecting element provides an inlet opening ( 7 ) extending around the connecting element with a width measured between the walls ( 3 ,  4 ); and that the apparatus comprises at least one attachment device ( 8 ) for securing the infusion tube ( 2 ).  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the attachment device(s) ( 8 ) comprise(s) the inlet opening ( 7 ), the width (M) of which is smaller than the distance measured anywhere between the walls ( 3 ,  4 ) in the area from the connecting element ( 5 ) to the inlet opening ( 7 ).  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the attachment device(s) ( 8 ) comprise(s) at least one slot ( 9 ) in at least the one wall and extending from the periphery ( 6 ) thereof radially towards the internal area of the wall.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the first and the second walls ( 3 , 4 ) are identically configured bodies arranged to be plane parallel opposite each other.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the connecting element ( 59  comprises a cylindrical unit, the longitudinal axis of which is located perpendicular to the inner faces ( 10 ,  11 ) of the first and the second walls.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the inner faces ( 10 ,  11 ) of the first and the second walls converge from the connecting element ( 5 ) out towards the inlet opening ( 7 ).  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the walls are, at least in the area delimiting the inlet opening ( 7 ), manufactured from an elastic material, eg a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the entire apparatus is manufactured from an elastic material, eg a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in comprising a clip device for mounting of the apparatus on a carrier face.  
     
     
         10 . A method of adjusting the length of an infusion tube ( 2 ), comprising an apparatus ( 1 ) with a first wall ( 3 ) and a second wall ( 4 ), between which walls portions ( 14 ) of the infusion tube are situated, and at least one connecting element ( 5 ), connecting the first ( 3 ) and the second ( 4 ) walls to each other, characterised in that, between the first and the second walls, an inlet opening ( 7 ) is provided between which the tube ( 2 ) is pressed through, such that a first portion ( 12 ) and a second portion ( 13 ) of the tube is caused to be situated outside the apparatus ( 1 ) and a third portion ( 14 ) is delimited by the walls; that the entire or parts of the second portion ( 13 ) of the tube is wound around the connecting element ( 5 ), said connecting element being situated at a distance to the peripheral circumference ( 6 ) of the walls; and that the first and the second portions of the tubes are secured by attachment means ( 8 ).  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the first portion ( 12 ) of the tube is secured in an attachment device comprising a slot extending from the peripheral circumference ( 6 ) of the one wall and towards the internal area of the wall.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , characterised in that a free tube portion is secured at the delimitation of the inlet opening provided at the walls, said delimitation comprising a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the second tube portion is secured in the slot ( 9 ) extending from the one peripheral circumference of the one wall and towards the internal area of the of the wall.  
     
     
         14 . Use of apparatuses according to claims  1 - 9  for exercising the method according to claims  9 - 13 .