Chest drainage unit shoulder strap with quick-disconnect feature

Abstract

A mechanism for transporting a medical device, wherein the medical device may be quickly and/or conveniently disconnected from a patient or a member of a healthcare provider's medical staff transporting the medical device. Also, a method of transporting a medical device, wherein the method provides for the quick and/or convenient detachment of the medical device from a patient or medical staff member transporting the medical device.

1 . A mechanism for transporting a medical device, the mechanism comprising: 
 a receiving portion connected to a medical device;    a releasable engaging portion including a rigid component and configured to releasably engage the receiving portion; and    an accommodating portion connected to the engaging portion and configured to accommodate a user transporting the medical device when the engaging portion is engaged with the receiving portion.    
   
   
       2 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a substantially closed loop connected to a surface of the medical device.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a chest drainage unit.  
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion comprises a clip.  
   
   
       5 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a first portion of a buckle and wherein the engaging portion comprises a second portion of a buckle.  
   
   
       6 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the accommodating portion comprises a flexible portion and forms a substantially closed loop.  
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the loop is adjustable.  
   
   
       8 . A method of transporting a medical device, the method comprising: 
 connecting a receiving portion to a medical device;    releasably engaging the receiving portion with an engaging portion including a rigid component and having an accommodating portion connected thereto; and    transporting the medical device using the accommodating portion when the engaging portion is engaged with the receiving portion.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting step comprises connecting a substantially closed loop to a surface of the medical device.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting step comprises connecting the receiving portion to a chest drainage unit.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the releasably engaging step comprises choosing the engaging portion to include a clip.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the releasably engaging step comprises engaging a first portion of a buckle with a second portion of the buckle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the transporting step comprises choosing the accommodating portion to include a flexible portion that forms a substantially closed loop.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a dimension of the loop.    
   
   
       15 . A mechanism for transporting a medical device, the mechanism comprising: 
 connecting means for connecting to a medical device;    engaging means for releasably engaging the connecting means, wherein the engaging means includes a rigid component; and    accommodating means for accommodating a user transporting the medical device when the engaging means is engaged with the connecting means, wherein the accommodating means is connected to the engaging means.    
   
   
       16 . The mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting means comprises a substantially closed loop connected to a surface of the medical device.  
   
   
       17 . The mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the medical device comprises a chest drainage unit.  
   
   
       18 . The mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the engaging means comprises a clip.  
   
   
       19 . The mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the connecting means comprises a first portion of a buckle and wherein the engaging means comprises a second portion of the buckle.  
   
   
       20 . The mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the accommodating means comprises a flexible portion and forms a substantially closed adjustable loop.