Patent ID: 7014627

Claim:
A retainer configured for use with a medical article, the retainer comprising: a body member comprising, a channel formed through the body member and having a central axis, the channel being configured to retain at least a portion of the medical article within the body member with the retained portion extending entirely through the channel, the channel having a longitudinal access opening disposed on an underside of the body member to allow at least ingress of at least the retained portion of the medical article into the channel, at least one abutment extending generally normal to the central axis of the channel and configured to inhibit longitudinal movement of the medical article relative to the retainer, and at least one support having a lower surface disposed on the underside of the retainer and to a side of the access opening opposite the channel axis, the lower surface being located below the channel and at a distance spaced from the central axis, the distance being greater than a distance between a lower extremity of the retained portion of the medical article and the central axis so as to inhibit contact between at least the lower extremity of the retained portion of the medical article and a patient's skin when the retainer is placed upon the patient's skin.