Patent ID: 8172749

Claim:
A bolster assembly for use in aligning a tubular interventional device along an outer epidermal layer of a patient, the bolster assembly comprising: a base portion, said base portion having a first surface for contacting said epidermal layer at an exit site of said tubular interventional device from the body of the patient, and having a second surface; an elongated portion having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end engaged with said base portion second surface such that said elongated portion extends therefrom at a first angle generally perpendicular to said epidermal layer, said elongated portion and said base portion structured and aligned such that said portions define a passageway for passage therethrough of said tubular interventional device, said elongated portion having a plurality of slots disposed along a length thereof for imparting a flexibility thereto, such that said elongated portion flexes between said first angle and a second angle generally parallel to said epidermal layer, said elongated portion positioned substantially adjacent a length of the epidermal layer at said second angle for minimizing an outwardly extending profile thereof; and a retaining member having first and second ends, said first end extending from one of said base portion and the distal end of said elongated portion, and said second end including a grasping mechanism, said grasping mechanism structured and arranged for selectively capturing a surface of said elongated portion proximal end for maintaining said profile at said second angle and for selectively releasing said surface to achieve said first angle.