CATHETER RETAINING DEVICE
20230001153 · 2023-01-05
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A61M2025/0246
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61M2025/0273
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
The present invention relates to means for fixating catheters, which are used in healthcare and in particular to means (1,5) for fixating such catheters to a living creature.
Claims
1. A medical device (1) for securing a catheter (60) to a living creature, comprising: a body member (2) having: a first side (3) adapted to be removably attached to the living creature; a second side (4) opposite said first side, said second side (4) provided with a pair of posts (5); a channel (6) defined in between said pair of posts (5) and being adapted to receive said catheter (60); a retaining strap (7) having an opening (8) adapted to enclose said pair of posts (5) in an engaged position for clamping the catheter (60); characterized in that the body member (2) comprises a gap (50) arranged at the height of the transition between the pair of posts (5) and the second side (4) of the body member (2) for partially disconnecting the pair of posts (5) and the body member (2) to enable said pair of posts (5) to be tilted towards each other in the engaged position independently from the body member (2).
2. The medical device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a tubular section of the catheter (60) is received by said channel (6).
3. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 2, wherein at least one post of said pair of posts (5) comprises an abutment (9) for keeping the retaining strap (7) in the engaged position.
4. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining strap (7) is connected to the body member (2) in a disengaged position.
5. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein said retaining strap (7) further comprises a connecting segment (10) which connects said retaining strap (7) to said body member (2).
6. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein said retaining strap (7) further comprises a handling segment (11) for manipulating said retaining strap (7) from the disengaged position to the engaged position.
7. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein said retaining strap (7) further comprises an engaging segment (12) comprising said opening (8) and being positioned in between said connecting segment (10) and said handling segment (11).
8. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first side (3) of said body member (2) comprises an adhesive material (13) or an adhesive sheet (14).
9. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein said pair of posts (5) inhibits at least longitudinal movement of the catheter (60) relative to the body member (2) in the engaged position.
10. The medical device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 9, wherein the body member (2) is adapted to conform to the living creature.
11. Use of the medical device (1) as defined in anyone of claims 1 to 10 for securing a catheter (60) to a living creature.
12. A kit comprising the medical device (1) of anyone of claims 1 to 10, a catheter (60) and optionally an adhesive foil (17).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052]
[0053]
[0054]
[0055]
[0056]
[0057]
[0058]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings, as further described, are only schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, some of the elements may not be drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to the actual reductions to practice of the invention.
[0060] Furthermore, the terms first, second, further and the like in the description and in the claims are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
[0061] It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a product comprising A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the relevant components of the product are A and B, and that further components such as C may be present.
[0062] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
[0063] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
[0064] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
[0065] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details.
[0066] In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.
[0067] Besides that, when a part of the medical device is said to ‘inhibit’ movement and unless defined otherwise, the term ‘inhibit’ should be interpreted as partially or completely reducing movement. This term may alternatively be referred to as for example: “minimize”, “constrain” or “impede”.
[0068] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “removably attached”, also used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. The terms “removably attached” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression “an element A removably attached to an element B” should not be interpreted as elements (e.g. medical device, skin of a patient) being preferably inseparably attached to each other, but rather as an attachment which can be breached by means of a particular pulling force. The term “connected” on the other hand, should be interpreted as describing a coupling between two elements (e.g. base element, body member) which is preferably inseparable. Thus, the scope of the expression “an element A connected to an element B” should be interpreted as an element A being preferably inseparably coupled to element B.
[0069] The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention. As used herein and unless otherwise specified, when a medical device is said to “secure a medical article to a support”, it is meant that at least a portion of the medical article is fixed to and/or stabilized to and/or positioned onto the support. Securing the medical article typically hinders, or even completely prevents, both translational and rotational movement of at least a portion of the medical article. In the context of the present invention, the term “support” is preferably understood as being a living creature.
[0070] As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “living creature” is to be understood as the body of a living being, more in particular of human beings or animals. Securing the medical article to the living body advantageously reduces the risk of the medical article moving with respect to the body or even being accidentally removed therefrom.
[0071] As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “enclose” should be interpreted as to surround or close off an element within a two-dimensional space.
[0072] As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “tilted” should be interpreted as causing something to move into a sloping or uneven position or to be in this position.
[0073] As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “engaged position” (may hereinafter also be referred to as “closed position” or “activated position”) should be interpreted as the position which enables an object to exercise its utility, with the opposite of the engaged position being the disengaged position. For example, if the retaining strap is brought into the engaged position while holding a catheter, it is meant that the medical device is clamping the catheter in order to inhibit movement thereof.
[0074] As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “recess” should be interpreted as a space located further back compared to the surrounding space.
[0075] It is an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that different types of catheters can be secured.
[0076] It is also an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the medical device may be produced with techniques such as injection moulding while using only a single material.
[0077] It is a further advantage of embodiments of the current invention that different types of catheters can already be at least partially immobilised in a disengaged position.
[0078] It is an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the medical device can be placed in close proximity to the insertion site of the catheter.
[0079] It is yet another advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the medical device may be made of a deformable material, thereby increasing wearing comfort for a patient.
[0080] It is also an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the retaining strap can be actuated to an engaged position independently from the body member.
[0081] It is an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the diameter of the tubular section of the catheter is not affected when actuating the retaining strap into the engaged position. This is particularly relevant to ensure a good flow of fluids running through the catheter.
[0082] It is a further advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the retaining strap can be brought repeatedly from a disengaged position to an engaged position, to allow repositioning of the catheter if needed.
[0083] It is also an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that different diameters of catheters can be fixated within the medical device. These diameters can be expressed in French or in Gauge. Epidural and peripheral nerve block catheters are generally expressed in Gauge (e.g. 18 to 20 Gauge).
[0084] It is yet a further advantage of embodiments of the current invention that higher fixation strengths can be achieved compared to existing fixation devices.
[0085] In a first aspect, the current invention provides for a medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, comprising a body member having a first side adapted to be removably attached to the living creature, a second side opposite said first side, said second side provided with a pair of posts, a channel defined in between said pair of posts and being adapted to receive said catheter and a retaining strap having an opening adapted to enclose said pair of posts in an engaged position for clamping the catheter, wherein said pair of posts is tilted towards each other in the engaged position and independently from the body member.
[0086] In some embodiments, the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature comprises a body member having a first side adapted to be removably attached to the living creature, a second side opposite said first side, said second side provided with a pair of posts, a channel defined in between said pair of posts and being adapted to receive said catheter and a retaining strap having an opening adapted to enclose said pair of posts in an engaged position for clamping the catheter, characterized in that the body member comprises a gap arranged at the height of the transition between the pair of posts and the second side of the body member for partially disconnecting the pair of posts and the body member to enable said pair of posts to be tilted towards each other in the engaged position independently from the body member.
[0087] In some embodiments, the first side of the base element may be removably attached to the living creature by means of an adhesive material. The adhesive material advantageously allows the first side to be easily fixed to the living creature. In preferred embodiments, the fixation may be reversible, such as by using a removable adhesive (e.g. tape, glue).
[0088] In some embodiments, the medical device comprises a pair of posts, being a total of two at least partially separate posts. Each post is positioned such as to provide for a channel in between said pair of posts, the channel being suitable for receiving a catheter.
[0089] In some embodiments, the material of the body member may be selected from the list comprising: thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane based gels, a foam, a gel, a tacky material, a rubber more general a deformable solid material.
[0090] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the pair of posts may be selected from the list comprising: quadrangular, square, rectangular, oval or circular.
[0091] In some embodiments, the body member may be provided with a plurality of posts (e.g. 3, 4, 5 or 6). Preferably, a total amount of two posts are present.
[0092] In some embodiments, the pair of posts may be at least partially filled with a fluid, which may be selected from the list comprising: air or an oil.
[0093] In some embodiments, the pair of posts may be at least partially filled with and/or made of a deformable solid material, which may be selected from the list comprising: thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane based gels, a foam, a gel, a tacky material, a rubber or more generally a deformable solid material.
[0094] In some embodiments, at least one post of the pair of posts may comprise at least one supporting rib. When using a technique like injection moulding, the use of supporting ribs increases the general stability and strength of the construction, in this case the at least one post. Generally, both posts of said pair of posts would comprise at least one supporting rib, which reduces the chance of collapsing of said pair of posts when applying an amount of pressure comparable to the press of a human thumb for example.
[0095] In some embodiments, the pair of posts may be partially disconnected from the body member, so that the pair of posts can be tilted towards each other in the engaged position without influencing the movement of at least part of the body member. In this context the word “partially disconnected” is understood as “only partially connected”. Preferably, the connection between at least one of the posts of the pair of posts and the body member will be cut at the transition area between both parts, thereby for example resulting in an incision (hereinafter also referred to as “gap”).
[0096] In other embodiments, the shape of the pair of posts and therefore the shape of the channel may be adapted in such a way to be able to receive the shape of a specific type of catheters. Preferably, the shape of the channel is adapted in such a way to be able to receive tubular-shaped catheters (e.g. epidural catheters).
[0097] Preferably, a tubular section of a catheter is received by the channel. As used herein and unless otherwise specified, the term “received” should be interpreted as the possibility of introducing one element within another element. For example, when a tubular section of a catheter is received by the channel, said channel is shaped in such a way that the tubular section of the catheter fits within the channel.
[0098] In a following aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that each post of said pair of posts comprises an abutment for keeping the retaining strap in the engaged position.
[0099] In preferred embodiments, the abutments are made of the same material as the pair of posts, so that each abutment is integrally formed with the corresponding post. The abutments are generally present in order to immobilize the retaining strap. More specifically, the edges of the opening are secured underneath the abutments in such a way that at least the engaging segment of the retaining strap tightly encloses the pair of posts in the engaged position.
[0100] In a next aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the retaining strap is connected to the body member in a disengaged position.
[0101] In some embodiments, the retaining strap may be detachably coupled to the body member in a disengaged position, which enables the option of removing the retaining strap from the body member.
[0102] In preferred embodiments, both the retaining strap and the body member are made of a similar material and produced using for example injection molding. This way, the body member is integrally formed with the retaining strap, which may further positively influence the strength of the medical device as a whole.
[0103] In preferred embodiments, a deformable solid material may be used as a main material of at least the body member and the retaining strap which may be selected from the list comprising: a foam, a gel, a tacky material, a rubber or more generally a deformable solid material. The deformable solid material positively influences the wearing comfort of the patient, especially when the medical device is mounted on the patient's back and the patient would lie down in bed. The patient would, in this case, apply pressure on the medical device and the deformable solid material would allow the body member and the retaining strap to slightly deform in its entirety. As a result, the patient will experience less discomfort compared to medical devices comprising stiff, non-deformable materials.
[0104] In a further aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the retaining strap comprises a connecting segment which connects said retaining strap to said body member.
[0105] In preferred embodiments, the connecting segment may be flexible. This way, the engaging and the handling segments of the retaining strap can be brought into the engaged position by means of a pivoting motion of the connecting segment.
[0106] In yet another aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the retaining strap comprises a handling segment for manipulating said retaining strap between the disengaged position and the engaged position.
[0107] In some embodiments, the handling segment may comprise a recess. This recess simplifies the grasping of the handling segment in order to move the retaining strap into the engaged position.
[0108] In a following aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the retaining strap comprises an engaging segment comprising said opening and being positioned in between said connecting segment and said handling segment.
[0109] In preferred embodiments, the connecting segment, the engaging segment and the handling segment lie in line with each other with the connecting segment closest to the body member. This way, the opening of the engaging segment can be positioned above the pair of posts in the engaged position, which simplifies the enclosing of said pair of posts.
[0110] In a next aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the first side of said body member comprises an adhesive material or an adhesive sheet.
[0111] In some embodiments, the adhesive material may be selected from the list comprising: glue, tape or more generally an adhesive material.
[0112] In preferred embodiments, the first side of the body member may comprise an adhesive sheet which covers the entire surface of the first side of said body member. This way, the body member has a large amount of contact surface with the patient's skin in order for the body member to be tightly secured to a part of the patient's body. The adhesive sheet may be flexible such that it can conform to the shape of the patient's body. Furthermore, the adhesive sheet may also comprise an adhesive material, which may equally be selected from the list comprising: glue, tape or more generally an adhesive material.
[0113] In a further aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the pair of posts inhibits at least longitudinal movement of the catheter relative to the body member in the engaged position.
[0114] The inhibition of at least longitudinal movement entails that at least the tubular section of the catheter, which is fixed within the channel of the medical device, cannot be displaced when the medical device is moved in the engaged position, even when a pulling force is exerted upon the catheter.
[0115] In a further aspect, the current invention provides for the medical device for securing a catheter to a living creature, further characterized in that the body member is adapted to conform to the living creature. If the medical device would be mounted to a patient's arm, the body member can conform to the shape of the arm, so that the entire first side of the body member can contact the patient's skin.
[0116] We now refer to
[0117] We now refer to
[0118] We now refer to
[0119] We now refer to
[0120] The adhesive sheet 14 further comprises an adhesive strap 141 which can be placed over the catheter 60 when the medical device is in the engaged position in order to further cover and secure the catheter 60. As seen on
[0121] We now refer to
[0122] We now refer to
LIST OF FEATURES
[0123]
TABLE-US-00001 Number Feature 1 Medical device 2 Body member 3 First side (of the body member) 4 Second side (of the body member) 5 Pair of posts 6 Channel 7 Retaining strap 8 Opening 9 abutments 10 Connecting segment 11 Handling segment 12 Engaging segment 13 Adhesive material 14 Adhesive sheet 15 recess 16 Adhesive cover 50 gap 51 Channel side 52 Outer side 53 Supporting rib 60 catheter 140 notch 141 Adhesive strap 600 Catheter insertion site