Medical line anchoring system

• US 20020188257A1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven F. Bierman
• Original Assignee: Steven F. Bierman
• Inventors: Bierman, Steven F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,929,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/179
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0246 fixed on the skin having a cover for covering the holding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0253 where the catheter is attached by straps, bands or the like secured by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/026 where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0266 using pads, patches, tapes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

An anchoring system includes a simply-structured device which permits a portion of a catheter tube or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base connected to a cover by way of a flexible hinge. The retainer is attached to a flexible anchor pad including an adhesive bottom surface, which can be attached to the patient'"'"'s skin. A catheter is secured to a fitting, which in turn mounts to the retainer. Mounting the fitting to the retainer can be accomplished by inserting posts of the retainer through holes of the fitting, or by mounting the fitting within a channel defined by mounting structures integral to the retainer. The cover is then positioned over the base, by bending the flexible hinge, and latched to the base. Several embodiments of the latching mechanism are disclosed. In one form, the latching mechanism includes one or more posts on the base which can be releasably locked into corresponding slotted holes in the cover.

Claims

1. An anchoring system for securing a medical line to the body of a patient, comprising a retainer, the retainer including a base that defines a receiving area for receiving a portion of the medical line, a cover permanently coupled to the base, the cover being movable between a closed position, in which at least a portion of the cover extends over at least a portion of the receiving area, and an open position, in which the receiving area is at least partially open, a latching mechanism operating between the base and the cover to releasably latch the cover to the base with the cover in the closed position, and interacting structure which is adapted to limit movement of the medical line through to the retainer when the medical line is placed within the receiving area, the interacting structure being located generally beneath the cover with the cover in the closed position.

2. The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the cover is coupled to the base by a flexible hinge.

3. The anchoring system of claim 2, wherein the flexible hinge comprises an elongate leash extending between and permanently connected to the cover and the base.

4. The anchoring system of claim 2, wherein the flexible hinge comprises a rigid support arm fixed to the base and a flexible bridge extending between the support arm and the cover.

5. The anchoring system of claim 2, wherein the base, cover and hinge are integrally formed.

6. The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises barb member and a latch having a receptacle that releasably receives the barb member.

7. The anchoring system of claim 6, wherein said barb member comprises a shank and a barbed end, and said latch includes at least one tang that projects into the receptacle and cooperates with the barbed end to inhibit unintentional retraction of the barb member from the receptacle.

8. The anchoring system as in claim 7, wherein said tang is formed as a flexible stem.

9. The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises at least one post extending between the base and the cover and at least one opening sized to receive a portion of the post with the cover in the closed position, and the post includes at least one radial extension.

10. The anchoring system of claim 9, wherein the opening comprises a central hole with a more narrow slot extending from the central hole.

11. The anchoring system of claim 9, wherein the opening comprises a slot extending into either the bore or the cover from a respective edge.

12. The anchoring system of claim 9, additionally comprising a keeper mechanism operating between the post and the opening to inhibit movement of the post within the opening with the cover in the closed position.

13. The anchoring system of claim 9, wherein the post extends from the base and the opening is formed in the cover.

14. The anchoring system of claim 13, wherein post comprises a shaft and the radial extension comprises a flared head atop the shaft, the flared head engaging with a cover surface in the closed position.

15. The anchoring system of claim 14 additionally comprising a locator extending radially from the post and spaced along the post from the flared head.

16. The anchoring system of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a keeper mechanism operating between the post and the cover to inhibit unintentional disengagement of the post from the opening.

17. The anchoring system of claim 16, wherein the keeper mechanism comprises a narrowing waist at a juncture between a slot and a remaining portion of the opening.

18. The anchoring system of claim 16, wherein the keeper mechanism comprises a lip forming a depression within the cover surface and next to a portion of the opening, the depression having a dimension slightly more narrow than the flared head.

19. The anchoring system of claim 1 additionally comprising a fitting adapted to attach to the medical line, and the interacting structure being formed between the fitting and the retainer.

20. The anchoring system of claim 19, wherein the fitting comprises a rigid box clamp engaged with a wing clamp, and the interacting structure comprises at least one hole that extends through corresponding wings of the box clamp and the wing clamp.

21. The anchoring system of claim 19, wherein the fitting comprises an adaptor including an adaptor body, a first connector at a distal end for connection to a first medical line, and a second connector at a proximal end for connection to a second medical line.

22. The anchoring system of claim 21, wherein the interacting structure comprises a channel formed on the retainer and arranged to lie between the base and the cover with the cover in the closed position, the channel being configured to receive a portion of this adapter.

23. The anchoring system of claim 22, wherein the channel has a shape that generally corresponds to the shape of the portion of the fitting to be received.

24. The anchoring system of claim 19, wherein the interacting structure comprises at least one post extending at least partially between the cover and the base with the cover in the closed position.

25. The anchoring system of claim 23, wherein the post is integrally formed with the base.

26. The anchoring system of claim 23, wherein the latching mechanism comprises the post and at least one opening sized to receive at least a portion of the post with the cover in the closed position, and the post includes at least one radial extension.

27. The anchoring system of claim 26, wherein the post comprises a shaft, and the radial extension comprises a flared head atop the shaft.

28. The anchoring system of claim 27 additionally comprising a locator ring defining the maximum radial dimension of the post, and the fitting comprises a hole that is larger than the locator ring.

29. The anchoring system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the latching mechanism is integrated with the interacting structure.

30. The anchoring system of claim 29, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a post shank supporting a projection that extends in a direction radial to an axis of the post shank, and the post shank is arranged to form at least a portion of the interacting structure.

31. The anchoring system of claim 1 additionally comprising an adhesive layer coupled to the retainer and adapted to adhesively secure the retainer to the body of a patient.

32. The anchoring system of claim 29 additionally comprising a flexible anchor pad interposed between the retainer and the adhesive layer.

33. The anchoring system of claim 30, wherein the base of the retainer is bonded to the adhesive pad.

35. The anchoring system of claim 34, wherein the fitting includes a plurality of openings and the base includes a plurality of posts.

36. The anchoring system as in claim 34, wherein the latching mechanism is formed at least between the post and an opening on the retainer.

37. The anchoring system of claim 36, wherein the opening is formed on the cover and includes a central hole and a slot, the hole being sized and shaped to receive the protrusion of the post, and the slot extending from the central opening.

38. The anchoring system of claim 36, wherein the opening is formed on the cover and includes an edge opening at an edge of the cover and a slot extending into the cover from the edge opening.

39. The anchoring system of claim 36, wherein each opening further comprises a retention mechanism to inhibit movement of the post through the opening.

40. The anchoring system of claim 36, wherein the post includes a radial protrusion.

34. An anchoring system for securing a medical line to the body of a patient comprising a fitting adapted to engage with the medical line, the fitting having at least one opening, and a retainer comprising a base having a platform and at least one post extending from the platform and arranged to interact with the hole of the fitting, a cover movably coupled to the base so as to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a latching mechanism operating between the cover and the base to releasably latch the cover to the base in the closed position.

41. An anchoring system for securing a medical line to the body of a patient, comprising:

an adaptor having an adaptor body with a longitudinal axis defined between first and second ends, a first connector at the first end for connection to a first medical line, and a second connector at the second end for connection to a second medical line;

a retainer, including a base, a cover permanently coupled to the base, the cover movable between an open position and a closed position, a latching mechanism for releasably latching the cover to the base in the closed position, and a channel arranged to lie between the base and the cover in the closed position, the channel shaped to retain the adaptor between the cover and the base with the cover in the closed position to inhibit movement of the adapter in a direction generally parallel to the adapter'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

an adhesive layer attached to the retainer and adapted to adhesively secure the retainer to the body of a patient.

42. The anchor system of claim 41, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a plurality of posts extending from the base and a corresponding plurality of openings in the cover.

43. The anchor system of claim 41, wherein the channel is defined by opposed inner faces of a pair of extensions positioned between the base and the cover with the cover in the closed position.

44. The anchor system of claim 43, wherein the extensions extend from the cover.

45. The anchor system of claim 43, wherein the inner faces are each convex.

46. The anchoring system of claim 41, wherein the cover is permanently attached to the base.

47. The anchoring system of claim 46, wherein a flexible leash couples the cover to the base.

48. The anchoring system of claim 46, wherein a flexible hinge couples the cover to the base, and the flexible hinge comprises a rigid support area fixed to the base and a flexible bridge that extends between the support arm and the cover.

50. An anchoring system as in claim 49 additionally comprising an flexible anchor pad having an adhesive layer on one side, and the retainer is attached to the flexible anchor pad on an opposite side.

51. An anchoring system as in claim 49, wherein the fitting comprises a movable clamp.

52. An anchoring system as in claim 49, wherein the fitting comprises a in-line adaptor.

53. An anchoring system as in claim 49, wherein the cover is permanently linked to the base.

54. An anchoring system as in claim 53, wherein the cover and the base are integrally formed such that the retainer has a unitary construction.

49. An anchoring system for securing a medical line to the body of a patient, comprising a fitting attached to the medical line and a retainer, the retainer including a base and a cover coupled to the base, means for releasably latching the cover to the base, and means for limiting movement of the fitting relative to the retainer.

55. A method of securing a medical device to the body of a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a retainer including a base having a plurality of posts, a cover flexibly attached to the base by a flexible leash, the cover having a corresponding plurality of openings, each opening comprising a slot, the retainer being coupled to an adhesive layer;

positioning the anchoring system on the body of the patient;

attaching the adhesive layer to the body of the patient;

securing a medical device between the posts of the base;

moving the cover over the base to bring the openings of the cover in proximity with the posts of the base; and

shifting the cover relative to the base to engage the posts with the slots of the openings.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein securing a medical device between the posts comprises pressing a fitting clamp onto the shafts.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein securing a medical device between the posts comprises mounting a medical line adaptor on the retainer.

58. The method of claim 55 additionally involving bending the hinge and inserting a head of each post into one of the openings in the cover.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the retainer further comprises a channel which lies between the base and the cover of the retainer when the cover is in the closed position.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the interacting structure of the retainer comprises a post which extends at least partially into the channel of the retainer.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the step of securing a portion of the medical device comprises inserting the post of the retainer through a hole in the medical device.

63. The method of claim 60 wherein the channel has a variable cross section along its length.

64. The method of claim 60 wherein the step of securing a portion of the medical device comprises placing a portion of the medical device within the channel of the retainer.

65. The method of claim 60 wherein the cross section of the channel tapers along its length.

66. The method of claim 59 wherein the cover of the retainer is coupled to the base of the retainer by a flexible hinge.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the flexible hinge comprises an elongate leash extending between the cover and the base.

68. The method of claim 66 wherein the flexible hinge comprises a rigid support arm fixed to the base and a flexible bridge extending between the support arm and the cover.

69. The method of claim 66 wherein the base, cover and hinge are integrally formed.

59. A method of securing a medical device to the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a retainer including a base that defines a receiving area for receiving a portion of the medical device, a cover permanently coupled to the base, the cover being movable between a closed position, in which at least a portion of the cover extends over at least a portion of the receiving area, and an open position, in which the receiving area is at least partially open, a latching mechanism operating between the base and the cover to releasably latch the cover to the base with the cover in the closed position, and interacting structure which is adapted to engage the medical device in a non-occlusive manner and to limit longitudinal movement of the medical device through the retainer when the medical device is placed within the receiving area;

positioning the anchoring system on the body of the patient;

attaching the adhesive layer to the body of the patient;

securing a portion of the medical device in the receiving area of the base; and

moving the cover over the base so that the cover is located over at least a portion of the interacting structure; and

securing the cover in position upon the base using the latching mechanism.

70. A method of securing a medical line to the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a retainer attachable to a medical line, including a base, a cover permanently coupled to the base, a latching mechanism, a channel, and an adhesive layer attached to the retainer, the cover being movable between an open position and a closed position, the latching mechanism releasably latching the cover to the base in the closed position, the channel being disposed between the base and the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the channel being shaped to retain the medical line between the cover and the base with the cover in the closed position in order to inhibit movement of the medical line in a direction generally parallel to the medical line'"'"'s longitudinal axis;

positioning the anchoring system on the body of the patient;

attaching the adhesive layer to the body of the patient;

placing a portion of the medical line into the channel;

moving the cover over the base so that the medical line is retained within the channel; and

securing the cover in position upon the base using the latching mechanism.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the retainer further comprises a post which extends at least partially into the channel of the retainer.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the step of securing a portion of the medical device comprises inserting the post of the retainer through a hole in the medical device.

73. The method of claim 70 wherein the channel has a variable cross section along its length.

74. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of securing a portion of the medical device comprises placing a portion of the medical device within the channel of the retainer.

75. The method of claim 70 wherein the cross section of the channel tapers along its length.

76. The method of claim 70 wherein the cover of the retainer is coupled to the base of the retainer by a flexible hinge.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the flexible hinge comprises an elongate leash extending between the cover and the base.

78. The method of claim 76 wherein the flexible hinge comprises a rigid support arm fixed to the base and a flexible bridge extending between the support arm and the cover.

79. The method of claim 76 wherein the base, cover and hinge are integrally formed.

80. A method of securing a medical line to the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a retainer, the retainer including a base that defines a receiving area for receiving a portion of the medical line and a cover coupled to the base, means for releasably latching the cover to the base, and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the medical line relative to the retainer;

positioning the anchoring system on the body of the patient;

attaching the adhesive layer to the body of the patient;

placing a portion of the medical line into the receiving area;

moving the cover over the base so that the cover lies at least partially over the movement limiting means;

securing the cover in position upon the base using the latching mechanism.