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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dressing for securing and protection of an intravenous (IV) assembly, the dressing comprising:
 a unitary sheet comprising:
 a first sheet of non-rigid material 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 non-rigid IV tubing; 
 a second sheet of non-rigid material extending from the first sheet of non-rigid material, wherein the second sheet of non-rigid material is adapted to wrap around the tubing; and, 
 a fastening device attached to the second sheet of non-rigid material and adapted to wrap around the tubing, the second sheet of non-rigid material, and the body part so as to maintain the tubing in close proximity to the body part; 
   an adhesive substance on the second sheet of non-rigid material, wherein when the second sheet of non-rigid material wraps around the tubing, the tubing is securely adhered to the second sheet of non-rigid material so as to provide axial and radial strain relief to the tubing relative to the body part;   wherein, the first sheet of non-rigid material comprises an adhesive along the periphery of the first sheet of non-rigid material for adhering the first sheet of non-rigid material to the body part.   
     
     
         22 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening device comprises a hook and loop fastener for attaching the loose end of the fastening device to itself after wrapping around the portion of the patient's body. 
     
     
         23 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the adhesive substance of the first sheet of non-rigid material is a synthetic adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The dressing of  claim 23 , wherein the adhesive substance comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         25 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the first sheet of non-rigid material further comprises an anti-microbial substance. 
     
     
         26 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the second sheet of non-rigid material comprises a non-rigid material of high coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         27 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein a surface of the second sheet of non-rigid material provides substantial friction when in contact with the tubing. 
     
     
         28 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the second sheet of non-rigid material is secured to the first sheet of non-rigid material near an edge of the first sheet of non-rigid material. 
     
     
         29 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening device and the second sheet of non-rigid material are secured to the first sheet of non-rigid material on opposite edges of the first sheet of non-rigid material. 
     
     
         30 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening device comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         31 . The dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the fastening device further resists radial forces. 
     
     
         32 . A dressing for securing and protection of an intravenous (IV) assembly, the dressing comprising:
 a unitary sheet comprising:
 a first sheet of non-rigid material 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 non-rigid IV tubing; 
 a second sheet of non-rigid material extending from the first sheet of non-rigid material, wherein the second sheet of non-rigid material is adapted to wrap around the tubing; and, 
 a fastening device attached to the second sheet of non-rigid material and adapted to wrap around the tubing, the second sheet of non-rigid material, and the body part so as to maintain the tubing in close proximity to the body part; 
   means for adhering the second sheet of non-rigid material to wrap around the tubing to securely adhere the tubing to the second sheet of non-rigid material so as to provide axial and radial strain relief to the tubing relative to the body part;   wherein, the first sheet of non-rigid material comprises an adhesive along the periphery of the first sheet of non-rigid material for adhering the first sheet of non-rigid material to the body part.   
     
     
         33 . The dressing of  claim 32 , wherein the means for adhering is a synthetic adhesive. 
     
     
         34 . The dressing of  claim 33 , wherein radial forces are applied substantially perpendicular and 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. 
     
     
         35 . The dressing of  claim 32 , wherein the radial and axial forces on the tubing are substantially attenuated at the injection site. 
     
     
         36 . The dressing of  claim 35 , wherein relieving the tubing against radial forces further relieves the tubing against axial forces. 
     
     
         37 . A method of using an apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning a first sheet of non-rigid material 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 non-rigid IV tubing;   positioning a second sheet of non-rigid material extending from the first sheet of non-rigid material, wherein the second sheet of non-rigid material is adapted to wrap around the tubing;   wrapping a fastening device attached to the second sheet of non-rigid material around the tubing, the second sheet of non-rigid material, and the body part so as to maintain the tubing in close proximity to the body part; and,   securing the tubing via an adhesive substance on the second sheet of non-rigid material, wherein when the second sheet of non-rigid material wraps around the tubing, the tubing is securely adhered to the second sheet of non-rigid material so as to provide axial and radial strain relief to the tubing relative to the body part;   wherein, the first sheet of non-rigid material comprises an adhesive along the periphery of the first sheet of non-rigid material for adhering the first sheet of non-rigid material to the body part.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the fastening device is wrapped around the second sheet of non-rigid material that is positioned around the tubing. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the fastening device resists both axial and radial forces movement of the tubing relative to the dressing. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the first sheet of non-rigid material further comprises an anti-microbial substance.