Device for fixation of catheter and filter

The invention concerns a device for anchoring a filter (50) and a catheter (40), comprising an adhesive bandage (10), a securing element (20) for anchoring the catheter (40) and a carrier element (30) for anchoring the filter (50), wherein either the securing element (20) or the carrier element (30) is applied to the adhesive bandage (10), and wherein the securing element (20) includes a first coupling element, which is releaseably connectable with a second coupling element provided on the carrier element (30).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a device for fixation of catheter and filter.

2. Description of the Related Art

If a catheter is introduced into a patient, for example for administration of an anesthetic or medication, there is the problem of how to fix or anchor the catheter and associated filter to the patient. It must be avoided that the catheter is accidentally pulled out of the patient during moving of the patient. Also, the securing of the catheter and the filter by adhering to a surface of the body of the patient can result in certain cases that the supply of the anesthetic is pinched off. In addition, in the case of this inflexible fixing there is the danger that during movement of the patient the catheter can be pulled out, which risk is particularly large.

DE 297 20 182 U1 describes a foamed bandage, which can be adhered to the skin of the patient, with a perpendicularly oriented pin, upon which the filter can be freely rotatably mounted. The filter, which is thus anchored via the bandage locally to the surface of the body of the patient and is connected via the catheter with the patient, can follow the movement of the patient during rotation of the patient and catheter. Nevertheless here, also the catheter must be secured to the patient by an adhesive strip.

From DE 1 954 956 a device for securing a catheter is known, in which the catheter is clamped into a channel of a mounting block, wherein the channel has a diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the catheter. The effect of this device for securing a catheter corresponds essentially to that of an adhesive strip,.since a defined point of the catheter is fixed to the body of the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the invention is comprised therein, of providing a device, which reliably anchors catheter and filter to the patient, without substantially interfering with the freedom of movement of the patient.

The task is solved by a device for anchoring a filter and a catheter according to patent claim1.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The inventive device for anchoring a filter and a catheter includes an adhesive bandage, a securing element for anchoring the catheter, and a carrier element for mounting the filter, wherein either the securing element or the carrier element is applied to the adhesive bandage, and wherein the securing element includes a first coupling element, which is releasably connectable with a second coupling element provided on the carrier element. Therewith it becomes possible with one device to simultaneously anchor the catheter and filter on the patient.

The securing element preferably includes openings, of which the axes are approximately parallel to the plane of the securing element. These openings receive the catheter, whereby it is anchored to the body of the patient.

In a preferred further embodiment of the invention the openings are designed in such a manner that the diameter of the openings is somewhat larger than the diameter of the catheter. The catheter is thus located or positioned by the securing element, but can however be slid freely back and forth in the openings of the securing element. Therewith, the catheter is anchored to the patient, however axially moveable to the extent that it can follow any movement of the patient and thus there is no danger that the catheter can be pulled out by a movement of the patient.

Preferably the securing element includes gaps or slits, which are open on the surface of the securing element and widen on the base toward the openings. Instead of having to thread the catheter through the openings and subsequently introduce it into the patient or connecting it to the filter, it is thereby possible, to press-in the catheter through the gap or slit in the opening of the securing element after it has already been introduced into the patient and connected to the filter.

Preferably the breadth of the gap is slightly smaller than the diameter of the catheter. In this way the catheter is trapped in the opening and therewith anchored to the disc, can however continue to be freely moved axially back and forth in the openings of the securing element.

In an advantageous further development of the invention the openings in the bars provided on the surface of the securing element are oriented parallel to the plane of the securing element. The openings are therewith particularly easily accessible. Preferably, the bars are provided in the shape of a right-angled cross.

The catheter can be introduced between two openings of the bar with some surplus such as with a loop. During movement of the patient the part of the catheter distant from the patient slides in the opening, whereby the loop increases or as the case may be becomes smaller. The part of the catheter close to the patient is however held securely in the securing element, so that the catheter cannot be pulled out.

Preferably one of the two coupling elements is in the form of a pin, while the other of the two coupling elements is in the form of an opening, into which the pin can be introduced. Preferably the pin and the opening are in the form of engaging elements or form fitting or self-locking elements, which makes possible a particularly simple connection of the securing element and the carrier element.

Preferably the pin and the opening are in the form of a polygon, for example a symmetric hexagon or octagon. The filter can therewith be anchored in multiple positions in relation to the securing element, depending upon how the catheter is running relative to the patient.

Preferably the filter is releaseably secured to the carrier element. Therewith a particularly simple changing out of the filter is made possible, while the device for anchoring of catheter and filter to the body of the patient remains.

Preferably the filter is securable to the carrier element via a clamping or lock engagement function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows one embodiment of the inventive device for anchoring catheters and filters comprised of an adhesive bandage10and a securing element20secured centrally thereupon for example with an adhesive strip. The adhesive bandage10has a self-adhesive layer on the back side, with which the adhesive bandage10can be secured to the body of a patient.

The securing element20is comprised of a round plastic disc, upon which are formed two bars22running radially and perpendicular to each other. The bars22have through-going openings24oriented parallel to the plane of the securing element20and in the tangential direction. Each radial bar22has three openings24equally spaced radially. The diameter of the openings24is somewhat larger than the diameter of the catheter to be secured, in order to guarantee a free axial moveability of the catheter in the opening24.

From the upper side of the bar22a narrow gap or slit26leads into the respective openings24, via which the catheter can be pressed into the openings24(seeFIG. 2). The diameter of the catheter is therein slightly larger than the breadth of the gap26, so that the catheter after introduction into the opening24cannot be removed without application of force out of the opening24. The catheter is therewith anchored via the securing element20, can however be slid along the axis of the opening24.

The securing element20exhibits an axial opening28centrally in the crossing point of the two bars22, in which a carrier element30can be seated via a pin or plug32introduced axially into the carrier element30. The axial opening28exhibits, proceeding from the surface of the bars22, a conically narrowing segment28a, which transitions, via an inward directed flange29running about the inside of the axial opening28, into a cylindrical section28b(seeFIGS. 3 and 4). Beginning at the bottom side of the carrier element30, the pin or plug32is first cylindrical, and transitions to a spring or elastic segment with slightly larger diameter and having a cross-wise slit-like cut (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). If the carrier element30is seated on the securing element20, the springy segment engages with its slightly larger diameter of the pin32behind the inner band or flange or shoulder29(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The carrier element30is held securely yet releaseably on the securing element20via this coupling connection.

The cross section of the axial opening28and the pin or plug32are non-circular and exhibit for example the shape of a octagon. The carrier element30can thus be engaged in eight different angular positions relative to the securing element20, wherein it is held secure against rotation in each position.

The carrier element30is comprised of a round disc of plastic, of which the circumference is flattened by two secant lines running parallel to each other (seeFIG. 5). An edge36is formed perpendicular to the plane of the carrier element30at the two remaining circumference segments, which exhibits on its upper edge an inward projecting circumferential spring34, which engages in a corresponding groove of a not shown filter to be inserted.

FIGS. 10 and 11show the use of the inventive device for anchoring of a catheter40and a filter50. In order to secure the catheter40and the filter50to a patient by means of the inventive device, first the adhesive bandage10is adhered to the skin of the patient by means of the adhesive layer at the bottom side of the adhesive bandage10. The one end40aof the catheter40is applied to the patient. Subsequently the catheter40is introduced into at least one opening24of the securing element20, and preferably in at least two with formation of a loop or undulation. The proximal end40bof the catheter40is connected via a connecting element42to an appropriate connecting element52provided on the filter50. Thereupon the carrier element30is seated with the pin or plug32in the axial opening28of the securing element20and the filter50is clamped on the carrier element30. By a connection55provided on the filter50, the anesthetic or medication can now be applied.

It is of course conceivable that also the carrier element can be applied to the adhesive bandage. Then, the securing element is engaged upon the carrier element with clamped-in filter by means of a coupling unit, upon which the catheter is anchorable.

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