"Device for a facilitated intake of liquids"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] The object of the present invention relates to a device for a facilitated intake of liquids which prevents the user from having to bring a container of liquids, for example a bottle, directly to the mouth.

[0002] In particular, such device can be used to allow dependent individuals (e.g., hospital patients or elderly people living alone) to be able to drink independently. Advantageously, such device can also be applied in other situations, in which the operation of intake of liquids from containers such as bottles or glasses may be an obstacle to other activities, such as driving vehicles (in particular, trucks or buses) .

STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The difficulty for dependent persons to be able drink independently is well known. Think of bedridden patients who for some reason cannot move independently and have to resort to a continuous and constant help from the staff to be able to drink. In fact, even a simple gesture, such as grabbing a bottle and pouring a certain amount in a glass becomes an operation precluded to bedridden people who cannot move independently.

[0004] While such problem may be solved with the continued assistance from the staff in charge, it entails a considerable management difficulty, both for the resources used and for the time. In fact, the staff, even for such an ordinary operation, must continually become available, very often leaving other important tasks to go personally to meet such need.

[0005] It is clear that a person, maybe elderly, will hardly satisfy his/her need to drink quickly and all at once, rather pulling out in small, spaced out sips.

[0006] Without arriving to such paradoxes, quite evident and current, even a single person in a house, especially if elderly, just self-sufficient, but even more if with motor difficulties, finds it very difficult to continuously need to provide to his/her water needs.

[0007] Of course, such reasoning may be extended to all those people who cannot enjoy a close and ongoing support, but who still have difficulties to provide for such needs independently. The risk in such circumstances is that one often tends to procrastinate the request for assistance, with serious danger of incorrect feeding up to an excess of dehydration.

[0008] Expedients such as providing these people with a glass fitted with straw may only be applied in less serious cases, in which the bedridden or dependent individual is still able to take and hold a glass, and then to put it down. In severe cases, in which not even the minimal possibilities described above are possible, there is currently no solution.

[0009] All persons, either bedridden or not, self- sufficient or not, patients in hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, etc. requiring the above tasks, will be generically defined hereinafter as patients.

[0010] As already mentioned above, difficulties in ^" fluid intake may also be encountered by people not classified as 'patients', but who are engaged in activities that require constant attention and preferably the use of both hands, such as driving heavy vehicles such as trucks, courier or buses. The operations to take the bottle, open the cap and take it to the mouth - although quite easy - can divert (even if only partially) the driver from driving, with all the risks involved. In any case, the fluid intake must be hasty and therefore it may be little satisfying. Even in these situations, it is common that the intake of fluids is made less frequently than necessary to the expense of a proper hydration of the individual .

[0011] Devices are known for the facilitated oral intake of liquids. An example is described in the French patent application FR2889807, or in the international application WO02/080838. However, they are very cumbersome and little versatile devices. In particular, they are devices which require either a support structure on the ground, as in the solution described in O02/080838, or a complicated anchoring system to another structure, such as in FR2889807.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least mitigate the drawbacks of the prior art cited above by providing a device for the facilitated intake of liquids, which prevents the user from having to bring a container of liquids directly to the mouth and which at the same time is ^■ compact and not bulky when used.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the facilitated intake of liquids, whose dimensions may be further reduced when not used.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the facilitated intake of liquids, which is easy to use.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the facilitated intake of liquids, which is versatile to use.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the facilitated intake of liquids, which is easy to be sanitized. [0017] These and other objects are achieved by a device for the facilitated intake of liquids according to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The technical features of the invention, according to the above objects, are clearly found in the contents of the claims below and the advantages of the same will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show one or more purely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0019] - Figure 1 shows a side orthogonal view of a device for the facilitated intake of liquids according to a particular, non preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0020] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a device for the facilitated intake of liquids according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0021] - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of the device in figure 2, related to a support body provided in particular with support means for a container of liquids, as well as fixing means;

[0022] - Figure 4 shows an elevation side orthogonal view of the detail of figure 4;

[0023] - Figures 5 and 6 show two perspective views of a first fork body and a first shell of the support body shown in figure 3, respectively;

[0024] - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the two elements in figures 5 and 6 shown in an assembled configuration;

[0025] - Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a detail of a device according to a particular embodiment, related to the support body shown already associated to an outer structure by fixing means and with the container support means in a folded, non-use condition;

[0026] - Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the support body in Figure 8, shown with open support means in use condition and with the fixing means partially disassembled;

[0027] - Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a detail of a device according to a particular embodiment, related to the first shell of the support body, shown in association with a portion of an elongated element for the support and positioning of the cannula;

[0028] - Figure 11 shows a front view of the first shell of the support body of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0029] - Figure 12 shows a side section view of the shell in figure 11 according to the section plane XII-XII shown therein;

[0030] - Figure 13 shows a front view of the first shell of the support body of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0031] - Figure 14 shows a side section view of the first shell in figure 13 according to the section plane XIV-XIV shown therein;

[0032] - Figure 15 shows a front view of the first shell shown in figure 11, provided with means for the axial rotation of the elongated element for the support and positioning of the cannula;

[0033] - Figures 16 and 17 show two perspective, partially exploded views of the support body of a device according to a particular embodiment, provided with motor means for the height adjustment of the elongated element for the support and positioning of the cannula;

[0034] - Figures 18 and 19 show a perspective view and a side section view of the support body of a device according to a particular embodiment, provided with means for cooling a container of liquids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The device for the facilitated oral intake of liquids object of the present invention is globally indicated with reference numeral 1 in the accompanying Figures .

[0036] According to a general embodiment of the invention, device 1 comprises: [0037] - a support body 10, which is provided with fixing means 20 to be removably fixed to a structure arranged in the vicinity of a user;

[0038] - means 30 for supporting a container of liquids, such support means being associated to the support body;

[0039] - a cannula 40 for transferring liquid from a container C, associated to the support means 30, to a user of device 1; cannula 40 has a first liquid inlet end 41, which is intended to be inserted inside container C, and a second liquid outlet end 42, which is intended to be received orally by the user; and

[0040] - an elongated element 50 to support and position cannula 40.

[0041] The elongated support and positioning element 50 is associated with a first end portion 51 thereof to said support body 10. The support body 10 is provided with at least one housing seat 13 within which the first end portion 51 of element 50 for supporting and positioning the cannula is inserted.

[0042] Thanks to the fixing means with which it is provided, device 1 may be fixed, for example, to the bed of a hospital where the patient can drink water directly without needing nursing or other assistance. It is clear that any fixed structure surrounding the patient's place of hospitalization and adapted to the purpose may be used to firmly retain said bottle holder. Device 1 may also be used at home to provide water according to the needs. Device .1 may also be fixed to wheelchairs or pushchairs.

[0043] Device 1 may also be fixed to any structure within a vehicle, such as the tubular structure which is normally present in the driving seat of a bus or to a portion of the bodywork.

[0044] According to the particular embodiment shown in Figure 1, the fixing means 20 may consist of a clamp or gripper 20 able to be fixed to an element of the lateral containment of beds, to the headboard, the footboard, to a chair, i.e. to all those structures that normally surround the patient. In particular, the clamp may be of universal type with an adapter for the application to any tubular body T (present for example in the side walls of a hospital bed or in the patient lifting device, or to the tubular structure present on the back of the driving seat of a bus) .

[0045] Advantageously, the clamp may be provided with a quick-action locking lever 5. Any applications on T pipes with oval section or different sections is ensured by the use of suitable shims 6.

[0046] Device 1 may be used as bottle holder. Cannula 40 must be inserted, inside bottle C. Advantageously, for this purpose, device 1 may be provided with a sealing cap 2 to be applied to the bottle in place of the original cap. Cap 2 is provided with a central hole 7 through which cannula 40 is passed. Advantageously, cap 2 has a vent hole 4 to restore the balance with the atmospheric pressure when liquid is sucked from bottle C.

[0047] Preferably, cannula 40 is made of food-grade plastic with a suitable inner diameter.

[0048] If the length of the cannula is considerable, the cannula may be provided with a non-return valve so that the patient or the normal user does not have to engage all the conduit again with the liquid sucked whenever he/she is in need thereof.

[0049] Advantageously, cannula 40 may be provided at the second liquid outlet end 42 or close to it, with a check valve made of rubber material, in particular silicone and antibacterial. Such valve may carry out the function of said non-return valve, and at the same time it may prevent an unexpected release of the liquid sucked by the patient for the part which involves an end descending stretch of the cannula itself.

[0050] Operationally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, cannula 40 is inserted inside the bottle until a first liquid inlet end 41 thereof almost draws on the inner bottom of the bottle so that it is possible to virtually draw all the contents thereof. [0051] In the outer part which protrudes from cap 4, cannula 40 is supported by the elongated support and positioning element 50. In fact, cannulas for food use very often do not have sufficient rigidity. It is therefore necessary to use the elongated support element 50 to prevent the cannula from bending, thus preventing the flow of liquid.

[0052] Thanks to the elongated support and positioning element 50, the use of the cannula is no longer bound to the choice of a structural consistency thereof, being instead possible to choose a food-grade cannula of suitable diameter.

[0053] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elongated element 50 consists of a flexible rod.

[0054] The elongated element 50 has an end portion 52, opposite to the first end portion 51. Preferably, such end portion 52 is curved (for example bow-shaped) , while the first portion 51 has a rectilinear shape.

[0055] In particular, in order to reduce the dimensions of device 1 when not in use, the elongated element 50 may be made in two or more separate pieces which fit into one another. According to the solution shown in Figure 2, the elongated support and positioning element 50 is divided into two pieces: a first piece corresponds to the first end portion 51 of the elongated element and is preferably rectilinear in shape; the second piece corresponds to the end portion 52 of the elongated element and is preferably curved in shape.

[0056] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elongated body 50 is provided - at least at the end portion 52 - with one or more rings 53, inside which the cannula is made to pass. Such rings 53 hold the cannula leaning against the elongated body. The inner diameter of the rings is slightly larger than the outer diameter of cannula 40. Thanks to the presence of the rings, it is also possible to carry out a quick and practical replacement of the cannula.

[0057] As already mentioned, the elongated support and positioning element 50 is associated with a first end portion 51 thereof to the support body 10, within a housing seat 13 formed in the support body 10.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the flexible rod 50 is associated to the support body 10 in an adjustable manner, via a locking lever 5 which allows the height and the direction of the end portion of the elongated element to be changed according to the user's needs .

[0059] Thanks to the possibility of adjusting the height and position of the elongated element 50, it is possible to arrange and adjust the position of the second liquid outlet end 42 of cannula 40 in the vicinity of the patient's mouth or user in general, so that with little effort, he/she can engage the cannula with his/her, sucking the liquid he/she needs.

[0060] Preferably, as shown for example in Figures 2 to 19, the support body 10 is internally hollow so as to define an inner chamber 14.

[0061] Advantageously, as shown in particular in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 16, the support body 10 consists of two shells 11 and 12, which couple with each other along respective coupling edges and define the aforesaid inner chamber 14 therebetween.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, a first shell 11 is associated to the fixing means 20, while the second shell 12 is associated to the support means 30 of the container. Both the fixing means 20 and the support means 30 are arranged externally to the support body 10.

[0063] As will be explained hereinafter, the inner chamber 14 defines a technical space inside which the first end portion of the elongated element as well as any means for adjusting the elongated element, may be inserted. All of these elements are contained within the chamber, protected from the support body. This also fulfils cleanliness criteria. The device is in fact easily cleanable, since outer mechanical components, of small dimensions, which would be difficult to clean, are not present .

[0064] Advantageously, the support body 10 comprises at least one seal arranged between the two shells 11 and 12 at respective coupling edges. The inner chamber 14 is then sealed. Device 1 may therefore be cleaned without fearing that the detergent or disinfectant liquids used for cleaning may enter inside chamber 14. This also fulfils cleanliness criteria.

[0065] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 8, .9, 10 and 17, said at least one housing seat 13 of the elongated element 50 is formed inside the inner chamber 14. To this end, the support body 10 is provided with at least one access hole 15 to the chamber. The support body may be provided with an outlet hole 15', formed in a position opposite to the access hole 15. The two holes 15 and 15' are aligned along the extension of the housing seat to allow a wider movement of the first end portion of the elongated element relative to the support body. In some cases, in fact, the- elongated element 50 may be adjusted in height so as to protrude downwardly from the support body 10 with the first portion 51 (as shown for example in Figure 4 or 9) .

[0066] Preferably, housing seat 13 is formed in the first shell 11 of the support body. [0067] Advantageously, as shown for example in Figures 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, the support body 10 may be provided with two access holes to chamber 15, if for example two elongated supporting and positioning elements for two cannulas are to be provided.

[0068] Preferably, device 1 comprises means 60 for adjusting the height of the elongated support and positioning element 50 relative to the support body 10.

[0069] Advantageously, as already mentioned above, the adjustment means 60 are arranged in the inner chamber 14 defined by the support body 10 and act on the first end portion 51 of the support and positioning element 50 of the cannula.

[0070] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 13. and 14, the adjustment means 60 comprise a tubular friction body 61 within which the first end portion 51 of the support and positioning element 50 is inserted with interference. The axial movement of such portion 51 relative to the support body is controlled by the friction generated by the tubular body. Operationally, the height adjustment is carried out manually by applying a sliding movement to the elongated element upwards or downwards, so as to overcome the friction generated by the tubular friction body 61. Advantageously, the tubular element 61 is fixed to one of two shells 11 or 12 which form the support body 10.

[0071] Advantageously, the tubular friction body 61 may be internally provided with protuberances (not shown in the accompanying drawings) that contact the elongated element, thus increasing the friction.

[0072] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the adjustment means 60 comprise a pawl 62 which locks the axial sliding of the first end portion 51 of the elongated element 50, engaging in a reversible manner in recesses 63 formed in the first end portion 51 of the elongated element 50. Advantageously, pawl 62 is elastically pushed towards the elongated- element by a pusher (not shown). The pawl may consist of a ball or a conical body. The shape of the pawl is flared such that allows a reversible insertion if an axial strength is applied to the elongated element. An adjusting screw may be provided which presses on the elastic thrust elements of the pawl, thus adjusting the strength thereof. Operationally, the height adjustment is carried out manually by applying a sliding movement to the elongated element upwards or downwards, so as to overcome the elastic strength of the pawl which tends to keep the latter engaged in the recesses. Advantageously, pawl 62 is housed in a special containment body 64 which is fixed to one of two shells 11 or 12 that form the support body 10.

[0073] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 16 and 17, the adjustment means 60 comprise motor means .65 for automatically moving the elongated element 50. Such motor means 65 engage the first end portion 51 of the elongated element. Advantageously, such motor means comprise an electric motor 67- and a motion transmission control linkage 68 to the elongated element 50. The motor means may be remote-controlled.

[0074] In particular, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the motor movement means 65 may be housed in an appendage external to the support body. Such appendage may in particular consist of a box 69 (openable) fixed to the support body 10 and directly communicating with the inner chamber 14. In this way, the electric motor 67 is more easily accessible. Alternatively, according to an embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the motor movement means may be accommodated within the support body 10 into the inner chamber 14.

[0075] Preferably, the elongated element 50 for supporting and positioning cannula 40 is rotationally connected to the support body 10 at said housing seat 13 to be able to take on different angular positions around the axis defined by housing seat 13. In this way, the end portion 52 of the elongated element is not only adjustable in height relative to the support element, but also in rotation .

[0076] Advantageously, device 1 comprises automatic means 66 for the axial rotation of the first end portion 51 of the elongated element 50. Such axial rotation means 66 tend to automatically return the elongated element to a predetermined angular position.

[0077] Preferably, said automatic axial rotation means 66 are arranged in the inner chamber 14 of the support body 10.

[0078] According to the particular embodiment shown in Figure 15, said axial rotation means consist of a torsion spring 66 associated to the first end portion 51 of the elongated element 50 and fixed to one of the two shells of the support body 10.

[0079] Said automatic axial rotation means are functional to the case where device 1 for the facilitated intake of liquids is used by persons who are engaged in activities which require constant attention and (preferably) the use of both hands, as for example driving heavy vehicles such as trucks, courier or buses. Once the intake of the desired amount of liquid has finished, when the cannula is left by the user, rather than remaining in front of the user thus annoying him/her or reducing his/her view (especially in case of dangerous driving) , it is automatically removed by the axial rotation means that bring the elongated element and the cannula associated thereto to a predetermined angular position which does not create hindrance.

[0080] Advantageously, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, device 1 may comprise cooling means 70 associated to the support body 10 and adapted to cool a container of liquids associated to the support means 30. Such cooling means may include in particular a refrigerant circuit that is housed in its cold generation part 71 within chamber 14 of the support body. Such means 70 may include, in particular, coils 72 for the circulation of the cooling fluid, which are arranged around a suitable receptacle 73 for housing the container of liquids T. Such receptacle 73 is associated to the support body 10, in particular the second shell 12.

[0081] Advantageously, device 1 may also comprise heating means (e.g. electric resistors) associated to the support body 10 and adapted to heat a container of liquids associated to said support means 30.

[0082] As already defined above, device 1 according to the invention comprises means 30 for supporting a container of liquids. Such support means are associated to the support body 10.

[0083] Advantageously, as shown in particular in Figures 3, 4, 16 and 17, means 30 for supporting container C may include a support base 31 connected in a projecting manner to the support body 10. Such support base 31 defines the support surface for a container of liquids C. In particular, such base may be provided with a raised peripheral edge 33 adapted to retain container C in position. Preferably, the support base 31 may be folded against the support body 10 to reduce the overall size of the device when not in use.

[0084] Advantageously, as shown in particular in Figures 3, 4, 16 and 17, the support means 30 of the container may include - in addition to the support base 31 - a retaining ring 32. Such ring 32 is connected in a projecting manner to the support body 10 and is spaced apart from the support base 31 for engaging container C in at least two different portions. Preferably, the retaining ring 32 may be folded against the support body 10 to reduce the overall size of the device when not in use .

[0085] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 9, the retaining ring 32, which can be open or closed, may be provided with a plurality of elastic tabs 34 protruding towards the interior of the ring. Such tabs are structured so as to be pushed inwards, so as to adhere to container C associated to ring 32 and hold it firmly in position. [0086] Advantageously, the support base 31- and the retaining ring 32 may be structured and sized to fold over one another against the support body 10, as shown in particular in Figure 8, to ^' reduce the overall size of the device when not in use.

[0087] Advantageously, the support base 31 and the retaining ring 32 define as a whole an assembly able to accommodate at least part of a container (such as a bottle or a small bottle) within the volume ideally defined by it, further constituting the support thereof.

[0088] As already mentioned above, device 1 according to the invention is provided with fixing means 20 to be removably fixed to a structure arranged in the vicinity of a user. Such fixing means are associated to the support body 10.

[0089] According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 19, .the fixing means 20 of device 1 to a structure comprise a first fork body 21 and a second fork body 22. Each body 21, 22 defines a V-shaped seat. "V-shaped seat" generically means a seat having a profile which changes from a smaller cross-section to a larger cross-section.

[0090] More in detail, as shown for example in Figures 2, 17, 18 and 19, the two bodies 21, 22 are coupled together with the two V-shaped seats opposite to each other. The two seats thus jointly delimit a closed seat 27 at which an elongated portion of a structure to which device 1 must be fixed may be placed (as shown for example in Figure 8) . The first fork body 21 is fixed to the support body 10, while the second body 22 is movably connected to the first one, in such a way that it is possible to vary the distance between the two opposite V-shaped seats and thus vary the opening of the closed seat 27, adapting to the size of the structure portion on which the fixing means must grip.

[0091] Operatively, at the time of fixing the support body 10 to the structure, the second fork body 22 is completely detached from the first fork body 21, so as to make the V-shaped seat of the first body accessible. Once the first body has been associated to the structure at the V-shaped seat, the second fork body 22 is coupled to the first body, thus closing the structure as a vice. The two fork bodies may be permanently connected to each other using standard screws or bolts 28. The shape of the two fork bodies allows an adaptation to the size of the structure portion and therefore a perfect fixing.

[0092] Advantageously, as shown in particular in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the first fork body 21 of the fixing means 30 may be associated to the support body 10 by means of an anchor screw (not shown in Figures) preferably arranged in a central position. To this end, a through hole 23 is formed on the first fork body 21 and on the support body 10 for the insertion of such anchor screw. Thanks to the presence of such a screw arranged in a central position, the first fork body 21 may be made to rotate around its own axis so as to allow an angular adjustment of the position .

[0093] Preferably, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first body 21 has a support surface 24 at which it adheres to the support body 10. At such support surface 24, the first body 21 has an annular toothed portion 25 which engages in a corresponding counter-shaped portion 26 formed on the surface of the support body 10. This solution allows the adjustment of the angular orientation of the first body 21 relative to the support body. Once the screw has been tightened, such solution also allows the angular orientation established thanks to the shape coupling between the two toothed portions 25 and 26 to be maintained over time.

[0094] As already mentioned, in the absence of tubular structures on which device 1 may be hung, or as an alternative to them, device 1 object of the invention may be directly fixed to the wall. An example is the case of fixing in a vehicle, for example in the cab of a truck.

[0095] The invention allows several advantages to be obtained, some of which have already been described above .

[0096] The device for the facilitated intake of liquids according to the invention is able to prevent the user from having to bring a container of liquids directly to the mouth and at the same time it is compact and not bulky when used.

[0097] This results from the fact that the support body carries both the fixing means and the means for supporting the container associated thereto, and by the fact that the elongated element for supporting the cannula is directly attached to the support body itself. This makes the device as a whole very compact and therefore much less bulky than the prior art solutions.

[0098] Particularly advantageous from this point of view is the (preferred) configuration in which the fixing means are arranged in opposite position relative to the support means, with the support body arranged therebetween.

[0099] The fact that the fixing means may be .folded on the support body, and the elongated element may be divided into two or more pieces, makes it possible to further reduce the size of the device when not used.

[00100] The possibility of using the height adjustment means of the elongated element of the pawl type or with friction element makes the device much easier to use, compared to the prior art solutions which are instead provided with knobs /adjustment screws. The manual adjustment of the height of the elongated element for supporting and positioning the cannula is much more intuitive and immediate. In fact, it is sufficient to act on the elongated element without the need to act on other elements, such as knobs.

[00101] If motor adjustment means are provided, in particular of the electrical type, the simplification for the user increases, although this involves the complication of having to provide a power supply.

[00102] The ease of use of the device is enhanced if fixing means consisting of the two fork bodies with V- shaped seat are adopted. In fact, the shape of the two fork bodies allows an adaptation to the size of the structure portion and therefore a perfect fixing.

[00103] The versatility of use of the device is enhanced if fixing means with means for adjusting the angular position are adopted. In fact, thanks to such means it is possible to perfectly adapt the position of the support body (and thus also of the container of liquids associated thereto) relative to the support structure .

[00104] Device 1 may be provided with automatic means for the axial rotation of the first end portion of the elongated element, which tend to automatically return the elongated element to a predetermined angular position. In such configuration, device 1 is particularly suitable for those who are engaged in activities that require constant attention and (preferably) the use of both hands, such as driving heavy vehicles such as trucks, courier or buses. In fact, such automatic . rotation means automatically move the elongated element and the associated cannula away from the user, thus preventing it from getting in the way when not in use.

[00105] In the totally preferred configuration in which the support body defines an inner chamber, inside which the adjustment means of the elongated element are inserted, device 1 according to the invention is easy to be sanitized.

[00106] Device 1 is also inexpensive since it may be entirely manufactured by injection moulding of plastic materials. This applies to all the ^" pieces. In fact, the support body, the fixing means and the support means may be manufactured with this production technique. On the other hand, for mechanical strength reasons it is preferable that the elongated element be made of metal. In case of use in vehicles, for safety reasons, the elongated element should also preferably be made of plastic.

[00107] Device 1 also meets cleanliness and hygiene criteria since the only fixed and reusable parts never contact the patient, while it is contemplated that the cap (if provided) and the cannula are of the disposable type, to guarantee hygiene.

[00108] The invention thus conceived thus achieves the intended purposes.

[00109] Of course, in the practical embodiment thereof, it may take shapes and configurations differing from that illustrated above without departing from the present scope of protection.

[00110] Moreover, all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent ones and the sizes, shapes and materials used may be whatever according to the requirements .