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MEDICAL TUBING SECUREMENT SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to a system for securing medical tubing to a patient.
2. Description of Related Art
It is very common in the medical industry to utilize medical tubing to provide various liquids or solutions to a 10 patient. For example, medical tubing such as an intravenous ("IV") catheter is often used to introduce fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream of a patient. In many cases, and particularly with respect to cardiac therapy, the IV catheter is introduced into a central or larger vein located 15 close to the patient's heart. A typical catheter utilized in connection with a central vein is referred to as a "central venous catheter" ("CVC"). A venous catheter peripherally inserted into the central circulation through a vein in the arm is commonly referred to as a "peripherally inserted central 20 catheter" ("PICC").
In these cases, long-term IV infusion typically requires that the catheter remain in place for many days. In order to secure such an IV catheter in position at the insertion site, the catheter often is provided with an integrated or a 25 movable flexible clamp with winged extensions which are sutured to the patient's skin. In other applications, the flexible clamp is covered by a rigid box clamp, which receives the catheter/clamp combination in a friction-fit manner. The rigid box clamp and the flexible clamp have 30 lateral, aligned holes in them, which allow the combination to be sutured to the patient's skin.
Although the box clamp securely attaches the catheter to the patient, the sutures are obviously painful and uncomfortable for the patient. Additionally, the rigid box clamp is relatively expensive and its use is limited to a catheter of a particular size. Thus, a plurality of box clamps of different sizes must be available for use with catheters of different sizes. Further, box clamps require a significant amount of time and effort to instal, increase the risk of needle-stick to the health care provider, and are difficult to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a simply-structured secure- 4J ment system that attaches medical tubing in a generally fixed position to a patient.
The present invention advantageously provides a securing system that is simple and easy to apply. Significantly, the securing system can be connected anywhere along the length 50 of the tubing and it can be connected to tubing of any size. In addition, the present securing system is inexpensive and does not require any significant labor or effort to install. These and other advantageous are set forth in greater detail below. 55
One aspect of the present invention involves a securing system for attaching medical tubing to a patient. The securing system includes a fitting having at least one flexible arm adapted to engage medical tubing. The flexible arm includes at least two sides and at least a portion of one side includes 60 an adhesive layer. The fitting also includes a coupling structure which allows the fitting to be connected to a patient.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a securing system with a fitting having at least one arm configured 65 to engage the medical tubing, and a coupling structure to attach the medical tubing to the patient. The securing system
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preferably also includes retainer with a base configured to be attached to a patient. The coupling structure allows the fitting to be mounted to the retainer.
Yet another aspect of the present invention involves a securing system for attaching medical tubing to a patient. The securing system comprises a retainer including a base for receiving a fitting. Desirably a cover is coupled to the base. The cover is movable between a closed position, in which at least a portion of the cover extends over at least a portion of the base, and an open position. Preferably a latching mechanism operates between the base and the cover to releasably latch the cover to the base with the cover in the closed position. The securing system desirably also includes a fitting having at least one arm with an adhesive on one surface. The fitting and retainer also include a coupling structure which allows the fitting and retainer to be connected.
A further aspect of the present invention involves a securing system for attaching medical tubing to a patient. The securing system includes a fitting with at least one arm and a coupling structure. The securing system also includes a retainer with a base, and at least one filament extending from the base. At least one receptacle is coupled to the base and the receptacle is arranged so as to cooperate with at least one of the filaments. Each receptacle includes at least one aperture which is configured to receive the filament. The aperture inhibits retraction of the filament from the receptacle. The coupling structure allows the fitting to be mounted to the retainer.
A preferred method of attaching medical tubing to a patient involves providing a retainer including a base with at least one post extending from the base. The retainer also includes an adhesive layer to secure the retainer to the patient. The retainer is positioned on the patient, and the adhesive layer is attached to the patient. A fitting including at least one flexible arm and at least one aperture configured to engage the post is also provided. The fitting is positioned over the base to bring the aperture of the fitting in proximity with the post of the base. The fitting is mounted to the base by engaging the post with the aperture in the fitting.
Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of several preferred embodiments of the present securing system. The illustrated embodiments of the securing system are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings contain the following figures:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a securing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a retainer and a fitting;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fitting of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fitting of FIG. 1, illustrating a portion of the removable backing layer removed to expose a portion of an adhesive layer;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fitting and retainer of FIG. 1, illustrating the fitting attached to the retainer and a preferred embodiment of attaching exemplary medical tubing to the fitting;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fitting and retainer of FIG. 1, illustrating the fitting attached to the retainer and a preferred embodiment of attaching exemplary "Y"-type medical tubing to the fitting;
