U.S. patent application number 11/233799 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for cushioned medical securement device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tri-State Hospital Supply Corporation. Invention is credited to Donald J. Propp.
Application Number | 20070073211 11/233799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37895077 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070073211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Propp; Donald J. |
March 29, 2007 |
Cushioned medical securement device
Abstract
A cushioned medical securement device for cushioning and
securing a patient medical device includes a laterally and
longitudinally extending pad. The pad has an adhesive coated first
side surface for adhering to the patient medical device and an
opposing adhesive coated second side surface for adhering to a
patient's skin. A first release liner is removably mounted on the
first side surface. The first release liner has a first liner peel
release value. A second release liner is removably mounted on the
second side surface. The second release liner has a second liner
peel release value that is greater than the first liner peel
release value.
Inventors: |
Propp; Donald J.; (Dewitt,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher J. Fildes;Fildes & Outland, P.C.
Suite 2
20916 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods
MI
48236
US
|
Assignee: |
Tri-State Hospital Supply
Corporation
|
Family ID: |
37895077 |
Appl. No.: |
11/233799 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2025/0266 20130101;
A61F 2013/00412 20130101; A61M 25/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/057 |
International
Class: |
A61F 15/00 20060101
A61F015/00 |
Claims
1. A cushioned medical securement device comprising: a laterally
and longitudinally extending pad having a first adhesive coated
side surface for adhering to a patient medical device and an
opposing second adhesive coated side surface for adhering to a
patient's skin; a first release liner removably mounted on said
first side surface, said first release liner having a first liner
peel release value; and a second release liner removably mounted on
said second side surface, said second release liner have a second
liner peel release value greater than said first liner peel release
value.
2. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 1, wherein said
first release liner extends longitudinally beyond an edge of said
pad to form a first liner tab.
3. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 2, wherein said
second release liner extends longitudinally beyond said edge of
said first liner tab to form at least one second liner tab.
4. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 3, wherein said
second release liner is a folded release liner.
5. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 4, wherein said
folded second release liner comprises: an inner layer contacting
said second side surface and extending longitudinally beyond said
edge of said first liner tab to form an inner second liner tab; and
an outer layer folded over and continuous with said inner layer,
said outer layer extending longitudinally beyond said edge of said
inner second liner tab to form an outer second liner tab.
6. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 1, wherein:
said first release liner has a first siliconized side contacting
said first side surface of said pad; and said second release liner
has a second siliconized side contacting said second side surface
of said pad; wherein said first siliconized side has more silicon
disposed thereon than said second siliconized side.
7. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 1, wherein said
pad is generally T shaped.
8. The cushioned medical securement device of claim 1, wherein said
pad is a foam pad.
9. A method of cushioning and securing a patient medical device,
the method comprising the steps of: providing a laterally and
longitudinally extending cushioning pad including a first release
liner removably mounted on an adhesive coated first side surface of
said pad and a second release liner removably mounted on an
opposing adhesive coated second side surface of said pad, said
first release liner having a first liner peel release value and
said second release liner having a second liner peel release value,
said second liner peel release value being greater than said first
liner peel release value; peeling solely said first release liner
off said pad to expose said first side surface; placing said pad
between said medical device and a patient's skin with said exposed
first side surface facing said medical device; adhering said first
side surface to said medical device; peeling said second release
liner off said pad to expose said second side surface; and adhering
said second side surface to said patient's skin.
10. The method of claim 9 comprising: peeling said first release
liner off said pad solely through the use of a user's first
hand.
11. The method of claim 10 comprising: prior to adhering said first
side surface to said medical device, raising said medical device
solely through the use of said user's second hand.
12. The method of claim 11 comprising: placing said pad between
said raised medical device and said patient's skin solely through
the use of said user's first hand.
13. The method of claim 9 comprising: peeling said second release
liner off said pad solely through the use of a user's first
hand.
14. The method of claim 13 comprising: grasping a longitudinally
extending second liner tab of said second release liner with a pair
of first and second fingers of said user's first hand; and peeling
said second release liner off said pad with said pair of fingers of
said user's first hand.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to medical cushions, and more
particularly to a device and method for cushioning and securing a
patient medical device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the medical field, it is known that patient medical
devices such as catheters (and their associated hubs), medical
connectors, IV extension sets, medical tubing, and the like, must
be secured to a patient to limit or prevent disturbance, movement,
or dislodgement of the medical devices. For example, once a
catheter is introduced into a patient's vein, it is necessary to
stabilize and secure the catheter to prevent movement or
dislodgement of the catheter. Any movement of the catheter could
work the catheter loose or create an in-and-out or up-and-down
catheter tip movement, which can cause blood vessel wall irritation
or damage. As a result, an unstabilized catheter is generally a
source of discomfort and potential infection for a patient.
[0003] Further, the hard edges of patient medical devices, when
pressed and secured directly against a patient's bare skin, can be
a source of discomfort to the patient. This is especially true when
patient medical devices are kept secured to a patient for days or
more.
[0004] Conventionally, patient medical devices such as catheters
and the like are secured by taping the catheter hub and associated
connectors, tubings, and/or extension sets directly against the
patient's skin. This method, however, has numerous deficiencies,
including insufficient securement and stabilization of the patient
medical devices as well as patient discomfort.
[0005] Furthermore, an acute issue in securing patient medical
devices is the lack of free hands to perform the procedure. For
example, when a health care provider such as a nurse introduces a
catheter into a patient's vein, the nurse must use one hand to hold
the catheter in the vein until the catheter is secured. Otherwise,
the catheter will dislodge from the vein. This leaves the nurse
with only one free hand to manipulate the securement device, e.g.
tape, in order to secure the catheter. This makes the securement
procedure tedious and difficult, and can lead to insufficient and
inaccurate securement of patient medical devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a device and method for
cushioning and securing a patient medical device against a
patient's skin. The cushioned securement device provides both
cushioning and stabilization of the patient medical device for
maximum patient comfort. The method of applying the cushion can be
accomplished solely with the use of one hand of a health care
provider, leaving the provider's other hand free to grasp and
secure the medical device during the cushion application
process.
[0007] More particularly, a cushioned securement device for patient
medical devices according to the present invention includes a
laterally and longitudinally extending pad. The pad has an adhesive
coated first side surface for adhering to the patient medical
device and an opposing adhesive coated second side surface for
adhering to a patient's skin. A first release liner is removably
mounted on the first side surface. The first release liner has a
first liner peel release value. A second release liner is removably
mounted on the second side surface. The second release liner has a
second liner peel release value that is greater than the first
liner peel release value.
[0008] In a specific embodiment, the first release liner may extend
longitudinally beyond an edge of the pad to form a first liner tab.
The second release liner may extend longitudinally beyond the edge
of the first liner tab to form at least one second liner tab. The
second release liner may be a folded release liner. The folded
second release liner may include an inner layer contacting said
second side surface and extending longitudinally beyond the edge of
the first liner tab to form an inner second liner tab. The folded
second release liner may further include an outer layer folded over
and continuous with the inner layer, the outer layer extending
longitudinally beyond the edge of the inner second liner tab to
form an outer second liner tab.
[0009] The first release liner may have a first siliconized side
contacting the first side surface of the pad. The second release
liner may have a second siliconized side contacting the second side
surface of the pad. The first siliconized side may have more
silicon disposed thereon than the second siliconized side.
[0010] Optionally, the pad may be generally T shaped and may be a
foam pad or similar.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
method is provided for cushioning and securing a patient medical
device. The method includes providing a laterally and
longitudinally extending cushioning pad. The cushioning pad
includes a first release liner removably mounted on an adhesive
coated first side surface of the pad and a second release liner
removably mounted on an opposing adhesive coated second side
surface of the pad. The first release liner has a first liner peel
release value and the second release liner has a second liner peel
release value. The second liner peel release value is greater than
the first liner peel release value. First, solely the first release
liner is peeled off the pad to expose the first side surface. The
pad is then placed between the medical device and a patient's skin
with the exposed first side surface facing the medical device.
Next, the first side surface is adhered to the medical device, by
touching it to the device with a small force. The second release
liner is then peeled off the pad and out from under the pad by
pulling on the outer second liner tab, without raising the medical
device, to expose the second side surface. Finally, the second side
surface is adhered to the patient's skin.
[0012] In a specific embodiment of the method, the first release
liner may be peeled off the pad solely through the use of a user's
first hand. Prior to adhering the first side surface to the medical
device, the medical device may be raised slightly, solely through
the use of the user's second hand. The pad may be placed between
the slightly raised medical device and the patient's skin solely
through the use of the user's first hand. The second side may be
slid directly on patient's skin without sticking or hang up,
because the second release liner is still disposed on the second
side surface. The second release liner may be pulled out/peeled off
the pad via a rolling V-folded liner, solely through the use of the
user's first hand. A longitudinally extending second liner tab of
the second release liner may be grasped with a pair of first and
second fingers of the user's first hand, and the second release
liner may be peeled off the pad with the same pair of fingers of
the user's first hand.
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will be more fully understood from the following detailed
description of the invention taken together with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cushioned medical
securement device in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cushioned medical securement
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cushioned medical securement
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an environmental view of the cushioned medical
securement device of FIG. 1 illustrating removal of a first release
liner of a pad of the device;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an environmental view of the cushioned medical
securement device of FIG. 4 illustrating sliding under and adhering
an exposed first side surface of the pad to a medical device;
and
[0020] FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the cushioned medical
securement device of FIG. 5 illustrating removal of a second
release liner of the pad for adhering a second side surface of the
pad to a patient's skin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to the drawings in general, and particularly to
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, numeral 10 generally indicates a cushioned
medical securement device in accordance with the present invention.
The cushioned medical securement device 10 includes a pad 12
sandwiched between a removable first release liner 14 and a
removable second release liner 16. As will be described in greater
detail herein, the cushioned securement device 10 is designed to be
applied between a patient and a medical device associated with a
patient (best shown in FIGS. 4 through 6) solely through the use of
a health care provider's (or other user's) single hand. For
illustrative purposes, a health care provider will herein be
referred to as a nurse. Once applied, the cushioned securement
device 10 secures the medical device to the patient and provides
cushioning to maximize patient comfort.
[0022] More particularly, a cushioned medical securement device 10
includes a laterally and longitudinally extending pad 12. The pad
12 may be generally T-shaped and may have a longitudinally
extending leg portion 26 and a laterally extending bar portion 28,
which together form the pad's T shape. The pad, however, may have
any other shape, such as a square shape, rectangular shape,
circular shape, X shape, etc. One skilled in the art would
recognize that any laterally and longitudinally extending pad 12 is
within the scope of the invention so long as the overall shape
adequately provides for cushioning and securement. The pad may be
made of foam or other resilient materials such as rubber, silicone,
polymers, or similar. The pad has an adhesive coated first side
surface 30 for adhering to a patient medical device and an opposing
adhesive coated second side surface 32 for adhering to a patient's
skin.
[0023] The first release liner 14 is removably mounted on the first
side surface 30. The first release liner 14 has a first liner peel
release value. The second release liner 16 is removably mounted on
the second side surface 32. The second release liner 16 has a
second liner peel release value that is greater than the first
liner peel release value.
[0024] The first release liner 14 may be of a size and shape to
cover the entire first side surface 30 and extend laterally beyond
a rear edge 34 of pad 12 to form a first liner tab 36. The second
release liner 16 may be folded and may include an inner layer 38
mounted on and covering the pad's second side surface 32 and an
outer layer 40 folded over and continuous with the inner layer 38.
The inner layer 38 may extend longitudinally beyond a rear edge 42
of the first liner tab 36 to form an inner second liner tab 44. The
outer layer 40 may extend longitudinally beyond a rear edge 46 of
the inner second liner tab 44 to form an outer second liner tab 48.
The inner layer 38 and outer layer 40 may generally have a similar
shape. Prior to the use of the pad 12, the first and second release
liners 14, 16 are mounted on respective sides 30, 32 of the pad
12.
[0025] Though the second release liner 16 is illustrated as being
folded into an inner and outer layer 38 and 40, one would recognize
that a single layer second release liner is also within the scope
of the invention. Moreover, the inner and outer layers 38 and 40
need not be of unequal lengths.
[0026] The first release liner 14 may have a first release liner
siliconized side 50 disposable on the first side surface 30 of the
pad 12. The inner layer 38 of the second release liner 16 may have
a second release liner siliconized side 52 disposable on the second
side surface 32 of the pad 12. The first liner and second liner
siliconized sides 50, 52, however, may be coated with a material
similar to but different than silicone. Each siliconized side 50
and 52 of release liners 14 and 16 respectively may have a
precisely controlled amount of silicone disposed thereon, such that
the first siliconized side 50 contains more silicone than the
second siliconized side 52.
[0027] The amount of force required to separate, or otherwise
remove, each release liner 14 and 16 from an adhesive surface is
known as the peel release value and is inversely proportional to
the amount of silicone disposed on each siliconized side 50 and 52.
Since the first siliconized side 50 has more silicone than the
second silconized side 52, the liner 14 has a lower peel release
value than liner 16. Accordingly, if a user pulls on both liners 14
and 16 simultaneously, the first release liner 14 will peel off the
first side surface 30 of the pad 12 before the second release liner
16 will peel off of the second side surface 32 of pad 12.
[0028] Advantageously, the feature of differential peel release
values enables a user to remove release liners from and apply pad
12 between a patient and a medical device disposed about the
patient with only one hand. This leaves the user's other hand free
to hold the medical device so that it does not move relative to the
patient. Most conventional pads, cushions, securement devices, etc.
require two hands to remove release liners covering adhesive
portions of these devices. Though the peel release values of liners
14 and 16 are described herein as being regulated by the amount of
silicone disposed on each associated siliconized side 50 and 52, it
is within the scope of this invention to use any suitable material
to regulate the peel release values of the liners 14 and 16.
Further, the absolute amounts of peel values can vary over a wide
range so long as there is adequate differential amounts between the
two peel values.
[0029] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a method of applying the
cushioned medical securement device 10. For illustrative purposes,
the cushioned securement device 10 is shown being applied between a
patient's skin 54 and a catheter 56. The catheter 56 includes a
catheter hub 60. In this case, the hub 60 is connected to angled IV
connector 62, which is further coupled to medical tubing 64. Though
the cushioned securement device 10 is described as cushioning and
securing an angled connector 62, the cushioned securement device 10
may be utilized to cushion and secure other combinations of
catheters, IV connectors, or other patient medical devices. For
example, the cushioned securement device 10 may be utilized with
straight IV connectors and/or extension sets.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, once the catheter 56 has been inserted
into the patient's skin 54, a nurse will use a first hand 68 to
place the cushioned securement device 10 on a secure surface 70
with the first release liner 14 facing upwards. Solely with hand
68, the nurse will then press down on tab 44 of the second release
liner 16 with one or more fingers 72 and 74, while simultaneously
grasping and pulling on tab 36 of the first release liner 14 with
at least a pair of fingers and/or thumb 76, 78. Because the peel
release value of first liner 14 is less than the peel release value
of second liner 16, the first liner 14 will be peeled off pad 12 to
expose the first side surface 30 while the second liner 16 will
remain in contact with the second side surface 32 (shown in FIG.
2).
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, the nurse's second hand 80 is utilized
to hold the catheter hub 60 and connector 62 in a slightly raised
position. With first hand 68, the nurse then places the pad 12
between the raised catheter hub 60 and the patient's skin 54 with
the exposed first side surface 30 facing catheter hub 60. Next the
catheter hub 60 and connector 62 are adhered to the adhesive coated
first side surface 30 by pressing the leg portion 26 of pad 12
against the catheter hub 60 and pressing the bar portion 28 of pad
12 against the connector 62.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, once the catheter hub 60 and connector
62 are securely adhered to the first side surface 30, the nurse
grasps the extended tab 48 of second liner 16 with finger/thumb
pair 76, 78 of the nurse's first hand 68. The nurse then pulls on
tab 48 to peel the second liner 16 off pad 12 to expose the
adhesive coated second side surface 32. Finally, the nurse presses
down on catheter hub 60 and connector 62 to securely adhere the
second side surface 32 to the patient's skin 54.
[0033] Although the invention has been described by reference to a
specific embodiment, it should be understood that numerous changes
may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts
described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be
limited to the described embodiment, but that it have the full
scope defined by the language of the following claims.
* * * * *