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 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.
103 Citations
20 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 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. 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, the anchor device comprising; first and second anchors each having a longitudinal shaft portion and a flexible subcutaneous tine configured to be deployed through the skin penetration point and into a subcutaneous region along an underside of a skin layer; a retainer base that is folded along a longitudinal axis when the anchor device is in the 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; and 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 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification