Universal catheter anchoring system

• US 20020068904A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Venetec International Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Venetec International Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Pluth, Richard A., Bierman, Steven F., Mitchell, Wayne T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,770,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/180
• 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 2025/0266 using pads, patches, tapes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body

Abstract

A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient is disclosed in which an anchoring device comprising an anchor and a retainer is used. The retainer is attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprises a base, a cover and a post. The base is disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover is connected to the base so as to move between an open and a closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, it lies above at least part of the base. The post is attached movably to either the base or the cover and is arranged so as to lie at least partially between the cover and the base when the cover is in the closed position. When securing a medical article, the cover is placed in the open position and the medical article placed onto the retainer. The cover may then be closed over the medical article and the anchoring device attached to the patient.

Claims

1. A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient, the method comprising:

providing an anchoring device having an anchor and a retainer, the retainer attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprising a base, a cover and a post, the base being disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover being movably connected to the base so as to move between an open position and a closed position, the cover lying above at least part of the base in the closed position, and the post being movably coupled to one of said base and said cover and being arranged on said retainer so as to at least partially lie between said cover and said base when the cover is in the closed position;

positioning the cover into the open position;

inserting at least a portion of the medical article into the retainer;

positioning the cover into the closed position; and

securing the anchoring device to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises an anchor pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the lower surface having an adhesive surface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of securing the anchor device to the patient comprises exposing at least a portion of the adhesive surface of the lower surface of the anchor pad and attaching the adhesive surface to the skin of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a second post disposed upon one of the base and the cover.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the retainer comprises a second cover movably connected to the base so as to move between an open position and a closed position, the second cover lying above at least part of the base in the closed position, and the second post being arranged so as to at least partially lie between said second cover and said base when the second cover is in the closed position.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the retainer further comprises a lower support member which lies on the anchor and to which the base of the retainer is attached.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the lower support member comprises at least one flexible tab which extends upwardly from the lower support member and the base further comprises at least one slot, the slot being configured to receive the tab and- attach the base to the lower support member.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the lower support member and the base are manufactured as a single piece connected by a thin flexible leash, and separated prior to assembly into the retainer.

9. A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient, the method comprising:

providing an anchoring device having an anchor and a retainer, the retainer mounted to an upper surface of the anchor and comprising a lower support member attached to the anchor, a base with a groove on the underside and a first and second opening in the bottom of the base, the base disposed upon the lower support member, a cover movably connected to the base, and a pair of posts which are sidably disposed within the groove, one of the pair of posts extending through the first opening and the other of the pair of posts extending through the second opening;

positioning the cover into a first position in which the posts are accessible from the top of the retainer;

positioning the pair of posts to accommodate a portion of the medical article;

placing at least a portion of the medical article onto the retainer so as to engage with the pair of posts;

positioning the cover into a second position in which the cover lies at least partially over the retainer portion of the medical article and at least one of the posts lies between the base and the cover; and

securing the anchor to the patient.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the anchor comprises an anchor pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the lower surface having an adhesive surface.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of securing the anchor device to the patient comprises exposing at least a portion of the adhesive surface of the lower surface of the anchor pad and attaching the adhesive surface to the skin of the patient.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the pair of posts are connected to one another by a thin leash which lies within the groove of the base.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the lower support member comprises at least one flexible tab which extends upwardly from the lower support member and the base further comprises at least one slot, the slot being configured to receive the tab and attach the base to the lower support member.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the lower support member and the base are manufactured as a single piece connected by a thin flexible leash, and separated prior to assembly into the retainer.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the lower support member is attached to the base via adhesive.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein when the lower support member is attached to the base, the groove of the base forms a T-shaped track within which the posts may slide.