Chest drainage unit adjustable hanger and method

Abstract

An attachment system for a medical device, wherein the attachment system is compatible with a wide variety of structures, at least in the sense that it may be used to hang the medical device in a level position. Also, a method for attaching a medical device to a wide variety of structures that allows for the medical device to be hung in a level position. The attachment system and method are often used in conjunction with a chest drainage unit as the medical device.

1 . An attachment system, the system comprising: 
 an engaging mechanism configured to engage a structure exterior to the attachment system; and    an adjustable connection mechanism connected to the engaging mechanism at a proximate portion thereof and to a medical device at a distal portion thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism comprises an arcuate portion configured to extend around a portion of the structure exterior to the attachment system.  
   
   
       3 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism is rigid relative to the adjustable connection mechanism.  
   
   
       4 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism comprises: 
 a first engaging portion configured to engage the structure at a first location; and    a second engaging portion configured to engage the structure at a second location.    
   
   
       5 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to engage with one another to form a handle with which the medical device may be carried.  
   
   
       6 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a first adjustable portion connected to the first engaging portion and a second adjustable portion connected to the second engaging portion.  
   
   
       7 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connection mechanism is removably connected to the medical device at the distal portion thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a flexible material.  
   
   
       9 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a fastening mechanism configured to shorten the adjustable connection mechanism by forming a loop in a portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connection mechanism is connected to a chest drainage unit at the distal portion thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A method of attaching a medical device to a structure, the method comprising: 
 adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof; and    engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the engaging step comprises engaging a portion of the structure with a curved portion of the engaging mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the engaging step is implemented with the engaging mechanism being rigid relative to the adjustable connection mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the engaging step comprises: 
 engaging the structure at a first location with a first portion of the engaging mechanism; and    engaging the structure at a second location with a second portion of the engaging mechanism.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 forming a handle by engaging the first portion of the engaging mechanism and the second portion of the engaging mechanism with each other.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adjusting step comprises: 
 adjusting a first adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the first engaging portion; and    adjusting a second adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the second engaging portion.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 removably connecting the adjustable connection mechanism to the medical device at the distal portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adjusting step is implemented using a flexible material in the adjustable connection mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adjusting step comprises: 
 shortening the adjustable connection mechanism by forming a loop in a portion of the adjustable connection mechanism; and    securing the loop with a fastening mechanism.    
   
   
       20 . An attachment system, the system comprising: 
 means for adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof; and    means for engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.