US5261893A — Fastening system and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

A fastening system for fastening an elongated tube proximate to a skin surface, which system comprises: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face; (b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and a sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) membrane-to-sheath fastening means for fastening said membrane assembly directly to said sheath assembly; and (d) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening said sheath assembly to said tube with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

A fastening system for fastening an elongated tube proximate to a skin surface, which system comprises: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face; (b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and a sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) membrane-to-sheath fastening means for fastening said membrane assembly directly to said sheath assembly; and (d) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening said sheath assembly to said tube with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The invention of claim 1 wherein: (a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The invention of claim 2, which includes: (a) said membrane-to-sheath fastening means comprising said sheath assembly being adhesively secured within said membrane assembly seam.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 76 words

The invention of claim 2, which includes: (a) said first membrane panel including first and second end edges and a pair of opposite side edges; (b) said first membrane panel further including a first flap panel extending from the first end edge thereof; (c) said second membrane panel comprising a second flap panel adhesively secured to said first flap panel at the seam; and (d) said first and second flap panels forming a membrane assembly extension.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention of claim 1, which includes: (a) an adhesive layer on said sheath assembly within said sheath passage.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention of claim 5, which includes: (a) a sheath adhesive backing strip extending through said sheath passage in releasable engagement with said sheath adhesive layer.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention of claim 1 wherein: (a) said sheath-to-line fastening means comprises a cinch belt with a hook-and-loop fastener.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The invention of claim 1 wherein: (a) said sheath-to-tube fastening means comprises a twist tie.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The invention of claim 1 wherein: (a) said sheath-to-line fastening means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener mounted on said sheath, with hook and loop portions thereof positioned in spaced relation on said sheath.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 3 wherein: (a) said sheath assembly is secured in said membrane assembly seam in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; and (b) said sheath assembly includes a split mouth at its proximate end with a pair of tabs each connected to a respective membrane assembly panel.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 152 words

A system for fastening a sponge to a suction tube, said sponge including two opposite ends, two opposite sides, and a top and a bottom face, said system comprising: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one body panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges; (b) said body panel comprising a flexible material; (c) a flexible sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly having a split, open mouth at its proximate end with first and second sheath mouth tabs, said mouth tabs being directly fastened to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; (d) sponge fastening means for fastening said sponge to said body panel with a portion thereof between said sheath mouth tabs; and (e) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening the sheath to a suction tube.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 152 words

A system for fastening a sponge to a suction tube, said sponge including two opposite ends, two opposite sides, and a top and a bottom face, said system comprising: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one body panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges; (b) said body panel comprising a flexible material; (c) a flexible sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration with proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly having a split, open mouth at its proximate end with first and second sheath mouth tabs, said mouth tabs being directly fastened to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; (d) sponge fastening means for fastening said sponge to said body panel with a portion thereof between said sheath mouth tabs; and (e) sheath-to-tube fastening means for fastening the sheath to a suction tube.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 67 words

The invention of claim 11 wherein: (a) said sponge is positioned with a portion protruding past said membrane assembly to expose a portion of said top and/or bottom faces; and (b) said surgical sponge includes a backing layer with less permeability than a remaining portion of said sponge, said backing layer at least partially covering the exposed portion of said top or bottom face of said sponge.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 11 wherein: (a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces; and (b) said mouth tabs are fastened within said membrane assembly seam.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 123 words

A system for fastening a pair of elongated tubes proximate to a patients skin, which comprises: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges; (b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and at least one sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) said sheath assembly being secured directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; and (d) first and second sheath-to-tube fastening means each adapted for fastening a respective tube to said sheath assembly with at least one of said tubes at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 123 words

A system for fastening a pair of elongated tubes proximate to a patients skin, which comprises: (a) a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having an adhesive face, first and second end edges and opposite side edges; (b) a sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends, and at least one sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) said sheath assembly being secured directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; and (d) first and second sheath-to-tube fastening means each adapted for fastening a respective tube to said sheath assembly with at least one of said tubes at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

The invention of claim 14 which includes: (a) said sheath assembly being split adjacent to its distal end and including first and second sheath half sections; and (b) each said tube being fastened to a respective sheath half section.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention of claim 14 wherein: (a) said sheath assembly includes first and second branches each fastened to a respective tube.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention of claim 16 wherein: (a) said sheath assembly first and second branches are interconnected by a T-connector.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention of claim 16 wherein: (a) said sheath assembly first and second branches are interconnected by a Y-connector.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

The invention of claim 14, which includes: (a) a second sheath assembly having a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends and a sheath passage extending between said sheath ends, said second sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (b) said second sheath material being secured directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said second sheath assembly proximate end; and (c) said second tube being fastened to said second sheath assembly.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 14 wherein: (a) said membrane assembly includes first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face, said membrane assembly having a seam whereat said panels are adhesively joined together at their respective adhesive faces.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 109 words

A method of fastening a flexible tube proximate to a patient's skin, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face; (b) providing a sheath with a generally tubular configuration and proximate and distal ends with a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) adhesively securing the sheath directly to the membrane assembly; (d) fastening said membrane panel at its adhesive face to the patient; and (e) fastening the tube to the sheath, with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 109 words

A method of fastening a flexible tube proximate to a patient's skin, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a membrane assembly including at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face; (b) providing a sheath with a generally tubular configuration and proximate and distal ends with a sheath passage extending therebetween, said sheath assembly comprising a flexible material; (c) adhesively securing the sheath directly to the membrane assembly; (d) fastening said membrane panel at its adhesive face to the patient; and (e) fastening the tube to the sheath, with said tube at least partially inserted within said sheath passage.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 43 words

The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises a nasogastric tube and which includes the additional steps of: (a) releasing said tube from said sheath; (b) repositioning said tube with respect to said patient; and (c) reattaching said sheath to said tube.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 74 words

The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises an intravenous tube, and which includes the additional steps of: (a) inserting a cannula into the patient at a puncture site; (b) providing a heparin lock on said cannula; (c) covering said puncture site and said cannula with said membrane assembly; (d) inserting a hypodermic needle through said membrane assembly and into said heparin lock; and (e) connecting said hypodermic needle to said intravenous tube.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 50 words

The invention of claim 21 wherein said tube comprises part of a Foley catheter, and which includes the additional steps of: (a) inserting the Foley catheter into the urethra of a patient; (b) placing the membrane assembly over the urethra/catheter junction; and (c) inserting the catheter tube through the sheath.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 48 words

The invention of claim 23 wherein a second tube is connected to the patient, and which includes the additional steps of: (a) providing a second sheath assembly; (b) connecting said second sheath assembly to said membrane assembly; and (c) connecting said second tube to said second sheath assembly.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 21 wherein: (a) said providing a membrane assembly step includes (i) providing first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face; and (ii) adhesively joining said panels together at their respective adhesive faces to provide a seam.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 26 wherein: (a) said adhesively securing step includes (i) adhesively securing the sheath within the membrane assembly seam.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 129 words

A method of fastening a sponge with first and second faces to a suction tube, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a membrane assembly with at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face; (b) providing a flexible sheath assembly with a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends and a passage extending therebetween; (c) fastening said sheath assembly directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; (d) placing at least a portion of said sponge adjacent said membrane assembly; (e) adhesively securing said membrane assembly panel to said sponge with said sponge fluidically communicating with said sheath; and (f) placing said suction tube at least partially within said sheath passage and attaching said

Claim 33

Independent Claim 129 words

A method of fastening a sponge with first and second faces to a suction tube, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a membrane assembly with at least one membrane panel having first and second end edges, opposite side edges and an adhesive face; (b) providing a flexible sheath assembly with a generally tubular configuration, proximate and distal ends and a passage extending therebetween; (c) fastening said sheath assembly directly to said membrane assembly in proximity to said sheath assembly proximate end; (d) placing at least a portion of said sponge adjacent said membrane assembly; (e) adhesively securing said membrane assembly panel to said sponge with said sponge fluidically communicating with said sheath; and (f) placing said suction tube at least partially within said sheath passage and attaching said

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 73 words

The invention of claim 28, which includes the additional steps of: (a) attaching said sponge to said membrane assembly in an orientation such that said sponge protrudes past said membrane assembly to expose a portion of said faces; and (b) providing said sponge with a layer having less permeability than a remainder of said sponge, said less permeable layer at least partially covering the exposed portion of said first or said second face.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 42 words

The invention of claim 28 wherein: (a) said providing a membrane assembly step includes (i) providing first and second membrane panels each having an adhesive face; and (ii) adhesively joining said panels together at their respective adhesive faces to from a seam.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 30 wherein: (a) said adhesively securing step includes (i) adhesively securing the sheath within the membrane assembly seam.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-11-15	1997-05-17	1997-11-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-11-15	2001-05-17	2001-11-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-11-15	2005-05-17	2005-11-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fastening system and method

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