# US 9,433,736 B2 · Positionable elongated members with multi-axis joints > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,736 B2 - Document ID: US9433736B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/934,408 - Filed: 2013-07-03 - Published: 2015-01-08 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-03 - Assignees: Jettstream, Inc. - Applicants: Mathew S. Smith; Douglas Randall Watson - Inventors: Mathew S. Smith; Douglas Randall Watson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433736B2 ## CPC - A61M 11/06: of the injector type - A61M 15/00: Inhalators {(drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04)} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 2209/082: Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment - A61M 2209/084: Supporting bases, stands for equipment - F16M 11/105: {the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation} - F16M 11/2064: {for tilting and panning (F16M11/2078 takes precedence)} - F16M 2200/022: by friction - F16M 2200/08: Foot or support base - 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)} - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract Devices are disclosed that include a positionable elongated member configured to support a delivery tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position and directional orientation, and to allow the position and orientation of the distal end of the tube to be adjusted by a user. The devices include a multi-segment elongated member configured to support a delivery tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position and orientation, and a multi-axis joint assembly disposed between segments of the elongated member to allow articulated relative movement of the segments. These devices may be used, for example, in the delivery of vaporized medicine to a patient, e.g., a child or infant on a bed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a multi-segment elongated member configured to support a tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and a multi-axis joint assembly, comprising a pivot joint and a swivel joint, disposed between segments of the elongated member to allow articulated relative movement of the segments, wherein the elongated member defines an open channel configured to receive the tube and the swivel joint is moved between an open position, in which the swivel joint defines a channel that is colinear with the channel of the elongated member, and a closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot joint comprises a female portion and a male portion having corresponding friction faces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pivot joint further comprises an adjustment device configured to allow the frictional force between the friction faces to be adjusted. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adjustment device comprises a pair of caps that urge the friction faces together, and adjustment screws configured to adjust the pressure exerted by the caps. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the swivel joint comprises a hub that is fixed relative to the pivot joint, and a collar that is rotatably mounted on the hub. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the hub and collar have corresponding friction faces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the swivel joint further comprises an adjustment device configured to allow the frictional force between the friction faces of the hub and collar to be adjusted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the adjustment device comprises one or more screws that draw the friction faces together. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein one of the segments of the elongated member is mounted on the collar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the hub is joined to the pivot joint by a keyed engagement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the tube comprises a disposable delivery tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the elongated member and the multi-axis joint define a continuous open channel configured to allow the delivery tube to be removed and replaced. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated member includes at least three segments. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base on which a proximal end of the elongated member is mounted. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a nozzle provided at a distal end of the delivery tube. ### Claim 17 An apparatus comprising: a multi-segment elongated member configured to support a tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and a multi-axis joint assembly, comprising a pivot joint and a swivel joint, disposed between segments of the elongated member to allow articulated relative movement of the segments, wherein the swivel joint comprises a hub that is fixed relative to the pivot joint, and a collar that is rotatably mounted on the hub, the hub and collar having corresponding friction faces, and wherein the swivel joint further comprises an adjustment device configured to allow the frictional force between the friction faces of the hub and collar to be adjusted. ### Claim 18 An apparatus comprising: a multi-segment elongated member configured to support a tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and a multi-axis joint assembly, comprising a pivot joint and a swivel joint, disposed between segments of the elongated member to allow articulated relative movement of the segments, wherein the swivel joint comprises a hub that is fixed relative to the pivot joint, and a collar that is rotatably mounted on the hub, and the hub is joined to the pivot joint by a keyed engagement. ### Claim 19 An apparatus comprising: a disposable delivery tube, a multi-segment elongated member configured to support the disposable delivery tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and a multi-axis joint assembly disposed between segments of the elongated member to allow articulated relative movement of the segments, wherein the elongated member and the multi-axis joint define a continuous open channel configured to allow the delivery tube to be removed and replaced. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the multi-axis joint assembly comprises a swivel joint and a pivot joint. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the pivot joint comprises a female portion and a male portion having corresponding friction faces. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the pivot joint further comprises an adjustment device configured to allow the frictional force between the friction faces to be adjusted. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the adjustment device comprises a pair of caps that urge the friction faces together, and adjustment screws configured to adjust the pressure exerted by the caps. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the swivel joint comprises a hub that is fixed relative to the pivot joint, and a collar that is rotatably mounted on the hub. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the hub and collar have corresponding friction faces. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the swivel joint further comprises an adjustment device configured to allow the frictional force between the friction faces of the hub and collar to be adjusted.