Unitary Strain-Relieving Intravenous (IV) Anchor System

Abstract

A system for strain relieving intravenous (IV) assembly includes a dressing and an anchor portion for use with the dressing. In various embodiments, the dressing may cover an injection site into a portion of a patient's body for an intravenous (IV) assembly that provides fluid communication between the injection site and a fluid reservoir remote from the injection site through a flexible tube. In an illustrative example, the anchor portion may include a first member and a second member. The first member may be secured, for example, to the dressing and may, in some examples, wrap around the tubing so as to resist axial movement of the tubing relative to the dressing. The second member may be secured to the dressing and may wrap around the tubing and a portion of the patient's body so as to resist radial movement of the tubing relative to the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a dressing adapted to cover an injection site into a portion of a patient's body part for an intravenous (IV) assembly that provides fluid communication between the injection site and a fluid reservoir remote from the injection site through a length of flexible IV tubing;   a first member secured to the dressing and adapted to wrap around the tubing so as to resist axial movement of the tubing relative to the dressing; and,   a second member secured to the dressing and adapted to wrap around the tubing and the body part so as to maintain the tubing in close proximity to the body part.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member comprises a strip of hook and loop fastener for attaching the loose end of the second member to itself after wrapping around the portion of the patient's body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises an adhesive for adhering to the IV tubing on the portion of the patient's body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dressing further comprises an anti-microbial substance. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises a material of high coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first member provides substantial friction when in contact with the tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is secured to the dressing near an edge of the dressing. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member and the first member are secured to the dressing on an opposite edges of the dressing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member further resists axial forces. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a dressing adapted to cover an injection site into a portion of a patient's body for an intravenous (IV) assembly that provides fluid communication between the injection site and a fluid reservoir remote from the injection site through a length of flexible tubing;   means for relieving the tubing against radial forces applied substantially perpendicular to the surface of the skin on the portion of the patient's body; and   means for relieving the tubing against axial forces applied substantially parallel to the surface of the skin on the portion of the patient's body.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the radial forces are applied substantially perpendicular and the axial forces are applied substantially parallel to the surface of the skin on the portion of the patient's body at a perimeter of the dressing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the radial and axial forces on the tubing are substantially attenuated at the injection site. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for relieving the tubing against radial forces further relieves the tubing against axial forces. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using an apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning a dressing over an injection site into a portion of a patient's body for an intravenous (IV) assembly that provides fluid communication between the injection site and a fluid reservoir remote from the injection site through a length of flexible IV tubing;   wrapping a first member around the tubing so as to resist axial movement of the tubing relative to the dressing; and   wrapping a second member around the tubing and the body so as to maintain the tubing in close proximity to the portion of the patient's body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein wrapping the second member comprises attaching a loose end of the second member to itself 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein wrapping the first member comprises attaching a loose end of the first member to itself 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second member is wrapped around the first member that is positioned around the tubing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second member resists both axial and radial forces movement of the tubing relative to the dressing.