Veterinary medical tubing removal deterrent technology

Abstract

An apparatus and method for discouraging or deterring animals from removing or attempting to remove veterinary medical lines which are attached to them or otherwise located in their immediate vicinity. The apparatus includes a tube body, two electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a spiral, wrapped configuration, and a battery power source. The tube is constructed of a non-conductive material and may be of varying diameter and length. The conductors are disposed so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse through the sensitive tissues of the animal. The low voltage electrical shock is harmless to the animal but is unpleasant, thus the animal does not attempt to remove the intravenous tube and medicating proceeds as normal.

1 . An apparatus, comprising an elongated tube body, at least two elongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a predetermined configuration, and a power source, the conductors being configured so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body by an animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a central lumen and is attached to a fluid source at one end, and to a delivery element connected to the body of an animal at its other end, the tube delivering fluid from the fluid source to the delivery element. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is an intravenous (IV) fluid container. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is an intravenous feeding container. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is a gas container. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery element is a percutaneous needle. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery element is a transcutaneous catheter. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube body is constructed of a non-conductive material. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tube body has a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors extend the entire length of the tube body. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are conductive foil tape connected to the tube body. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are conductive wires. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are constructed of conductive ink printed on the tube body. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined connection of conductors is spiral wrapping on the tube body. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises at least one battery. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is connected to the tube body. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the power source is connected to the fluid source. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is part of a veterinary medical IV line system, including the fluid source and the delivery element to prevent, adapted for connection and therapeutic use with a small animal to discourage or deter the animal from removing or attempting to remove the IV line system. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for discouraging or deterring animals from removing or attempting to remove veterinary medical line systems which are attached to them or otherwise located in their immediate vicinity, comprising a non-conductive, elongated tube body of a predetermined length and diameter and having a central lumen, two elongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a spiral, wrapped configuration, and a battery power source, the conductors being configured so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal. 
   
   
       20 . A veterinary medical IV line system for discouraging or deterring animals from removing or attempting to remove the system which is attached to them or otherwise located in their immediate vicinity, comprising:
 a. a non-conductive, elongated tube body of a predetermined length and diameter and having a central lumen and an input end and an output end, two elongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a spiral, wrapped configuration, and a battery power source, the conductors being configured so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal;   b. a fluid source connected to the input end of the tube body; and   c. a delivery element connected to the output end of the tube body and to body of an animal at its other end, the tube delivering fluid from the fluid source to the delivery element.