# US 2021/0330940 A1 · Extensible Guide for a Tube > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330940 A1 - Document ID: US20210330940A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/284,134 - Filed: 2019-03-20 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-16 - Assignees: Anne Margaret Le Clezio - Inventors: Louis Jean Christian Le Clezio - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330940A1 ## CPC - A61F 5/44: Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge (absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00); Colostomy devices - A61M 25/02: Holding devices, e.g. on the body - A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00}) - A61M 25/0138: {having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils} - A61M 39/08: Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor - A61M 25/0017: {specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections} - A61M 2025/024: {having a clip or clamp system} - A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A extensible guide that includes a body (10) and means for securing a tube (12) to the body. The body is in the shape of a helix with a substantially constant radius of curvature along the length of the body. The body is axially resiliently deformable between: (i) a neutral condition, in which the body is not subject to axial compressive or tensile forces; (ii) an extended condition, in which the body is subject to an axial tensile force; and (iii) a retracted condition, in which the body is subject to an axial compressive force. When the body is in the neutral condition, the extended condition or the retracted condition, the radius of curvature of the body remains substantially constant along the length of the body. In use, the extensible guide causes the flexible tube secured thereto to assume the helical shape of the body ## Claims ### Claim 1 An extensible guide including: a body in the shape of a helix with a substantially constant radius of curvature along the length of the body, the body being axially resiliently deformable between: (i) a neutral condition, in which the body is not subject to axial compressive or tensile forces; (ii) an extended condition, in which the body is subject to an axial tensile force; and (iii) a retracted condition, in which the body is subject to an axial compressive force; and means for securing a tube to the body, thereby to cause the tube to assume the helical shape of the body, characterised in that when the body is in the neutral condition, the extended condition or the retracted condition, the radius of curvature of the body remains substantially constant along the length of the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The extensible guide according to claim 1, wherein the body is sufficiently elastically deformable such that, when the body is subject to an axial tensile force of at least 0.2N, the axial length of the body in the extended condition is at least 1.2 times the axial length of the body in the neutral condition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The extensible guide according to claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises at least one resilient formation defined by the body, in use to: deform; permit a tube to pass by the resilient formation; and clip the tube to the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The extensible guide according to claim 3, wherein the body is generally U-shaped in axial cross-section, defining: a base; and a pair of arms extending laterally from axial ends of the base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The extensible guide according to claim 4, wherein the arms converge towards their free ends, thereby providing the resilient formation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The extensible guide according to claim 5, wherein the body is shaped such that a tube can be radially received by, and secured to the body along: the entire length of the body; or at at least two points per turn of the helical body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The extensible guide according to claim 6, wherein the body is made of a transparent material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The extensible guide according to claim 7, further including a tube received between the body arms, and secured to the body along the entire length of the body by the resilient formation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The extensible guide according to claim 8, wherein the body does not extend circumferentially around the tube, thereby radially exposing a portion of the tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The extensible guide according to claim 9, wherein the tube is secured to the body: along the length of the body; or at at least two points per turn of the helical body. ### Claim at position 11 11-23. (canceled)