Systems and methods for anchoring medical devices
First Claim
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1. A method of using a medical anchor system, comprising:
- advancing an anchor device toward a skin penetration point while the anchor device is in a folded condition about a longitudinal fold axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor device so that a plurality of subcutaneous tines of the anchor device are generally adjacent to each other and oriented to extend in substantially the same direction;
inserting the subcutaneous tines through the skin penetration point and into a subcutaneous region adjacent to an underside of a skin layer while the anchor device is in the folded condition, wherein each of the subcutaneous tines has a curved shape which terminates at a tip of a free end during insertion through the skin penetration point;
adjusting the anchor device to a non-folded condition after the subcutaneous tines are inserted into the subcutaneous layer so that subcutaneous tines are in an anchored position in which the free ends of the subcutaneous tines extend generally away from one another; and
securing a medical instrument to the anchor device after the subcutaneous tines are adjusted to the anchored position in the subcutaneous region.
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Abstract
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that secures a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) in place relative to a skin penetration point using subcutaneous anchors. In some implementations, the anchor device can be installed using a technique in which the subcutaneous anchors undergo relatively little or no flexing when being inserted through the skin into the subcutaneous region between the skin and underlying muscle tissue which may be occupied by fatty tissue.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of using a medical anchor system, comprising:
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advancing an anchor device toward a skin penetration point while the anchor device is in a folded condition about a longitudinal fold axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchor device so that a plurality of subcutaneous tines of the anchor device are generally adjacent to each other and oriented to extend in substantially the same direction; inserting the subcutaneous tines through the skin penetration point and into a subcutaneous region adjacent to an underside of a skin layer while the anchor device is in the folded condition, wherein each of the subcutaneous tines has a curved shape which terminates at a tip of a free end during insertion through the skin penetration point; adjusting the anchor device to a non-folded condition after the subcutaneous tines are inserted into the subcutaneous layer so that subcutaneous tines are in an anchored position in which the free ends of the subcutaneous tines extend generally away from one another; and securing a medical instrument to the anchor device after the subcutaneous tines are adjusted to the anchored position in the subcutaneous region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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6. A method of using a medical anchor system, comprising:
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advancing an anchor device toward a skin penetration point while the anchor device is in a folded condition so that a plurality of subcutaneous tines of the anchor device are generally adjacent to each other and oriented to extend in substantially the same direction; inserting the subcutaneous tines through the skin penetration point and into a subcutaneous region adjacent to an underside of a skin layer while the anchor device is in the folded condition, wherein each of the subcutaneous tines has a curved shape which terminates at a tip of a free end during insertion through the skin penetration point, wherein the subcutaneous tines have a generally non-stressed and non-flexed shape during insertion through the skin penetration point, wherein the subcutaneous tines are inserted through the skin penetration point without another component of the anchor device applying a stress to flex the subcutaneous tines; adjusting the anchor device to a non-folded condition after the subcutaneous tines are inserted into the subcutaneous layer so that subcutaneous tines are in an anchored position in which the free ends of the subcutaneous tines extend generally away from one another; and securing a medical instrument to the anchor device after the subcutaneous tines are adjusted to the anchored position in the subcutaneous region. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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15. A method of using a medical anchor system, comprising:
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advancing an anchor device toward a skin penetration point while the anchor device is in a folded condition so that a plurality of subcutaneous tines of the anchor device are generally adjacent to each other and oriented to extend in substantially the same direction, wherein the anchor device that is advanced toward the skin penetration point comprises; a retainer body to releasably couple to a catheter, the retainer body including a first body portion that is pivotably coupled to a second body portion, and first and second anchor shaft members that extend distally from the retainer body, each of the anchor shaft members having a distal end portion that is coupled with a respective one of the subcutaneous tines, the first anchor shaft member being coupled to the first body portion and the second anchor shaft member being coupled to the second body portion; inserting the subcutaneous tines through the skin penetration point and into a subcutaneous region adjacent to an underside of a skin layer while the anchor device is in the folded condition, wherein each of the subcutaneous tines has a curved shape which terminates at a tip of a free end during insertion through the skin penetration point; adjusting the anchor device to a non-folded condition after the subcutaneous tines are inserted into the subcutaneous layer so that subcutaneous tines are in an anchored position in which the free ends of the subcutaneous tines extend generally away from one another; and securing a medical instrument to the anchor device after the subcutaneous tines are adjusted to the anchored position in the subcutaneous region. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification