Catheter connection and stabilization device and methods of using same

Inventors

Maseda, Luis • Chelak, Todd • Dennis, Nicholas • Kimball, Ian

Assignees

NP Medical Inc

Abstract

A device for stabilizing a patient catheter includes a docking pod with a body, an inlet, an outlet, an internal fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, and a securement surface located on an underside of the docking pod. A docking pod adhesive layer located at least partially on the securement surface of the docking pod may secure the docking pod to the patient such that the securement surface and the docking pod adhesive layer form a generally planar or concave surface when secured to the patient. A valve mechanism located within the internal fluid path of the docking pod may control fluid flow through the docking pod. The device may also have a luer connector that is fluidly connected to the outlet of the docking pod and configured to be connected to the catheter.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a device and method for stabilizing a patient catheter that includes a docking pod with a body, an inlet, an outlet, and an internal fluid path between the inlet and the outlet. The docking pod includes a securement surface located on an underside and a docking pod adhesive layer located at least partially on the securement surface, configured to secure the docking pod to the patient. At least a portion of the securement surface and the docking pod adhesive layer form a generally planar surface or concave surface when secured to the patient.

The device further includes a luer connector fluidly connected to the outlet of the docking pod and extending along a first longitudinal axis, the luer connector configured to be connected to the catheter. The device includes a grasping element or grasping means extending at least partially from the docking pod and along a second longitudinal axis, where the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The grasping element or grasping means provides a surface for grasping and manipulating the docking pod.

In certain embodiments described, the internal fluid path includes a pressure-activated valve mechanism having a diaphragm with a slit and a cracking pressure. The valve is configured such that the proximally-directed cracking pressure is selected relative to venous pressure to prevent opening from venous pressure, and the slit structure opens through exceeding the cracking pressure to permit fluid flow. Securement can be achieved so that the docking pod adhesive layer and/or securement surface deforms to form the generally planar or concave surface.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims include four independent claim sets with 7 inventive features in total: a device claim with a docking pod, an adhesive securement surface, a luer connector, and a grasping element; a method claim that uses the same catheter stabilization device and includes connecting and adhering steps; and two additional device claims that use analogous structures, including grasping means or a fin. Across the independent claims, a pressure-activated valve mechanism and a diaphragm/slit cracking-pressure relationship appear as key inventive elements in dependents, including a cracking-pressure relationship to venous pressure.

The independent claims broadly cover a catheter stabilization device using a docking pod with an underside securement surface and an adhesive layer forming a generally planar or concave surface on the patient, a luer connector fluidly connected to the docking pod outlet along a first axis, and a grasping element or fin along a second axis substantially parallel to the first. Dependent claims further define a pressure-activated valve mechanism with a diaphragm and slit, including a cracking pressure-based opening condition and a cracking-pressure relationship to venous pressure.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications