Catheter anchoring device and method

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for anchoring a catheter to a patient's skin using a catheter anchoring device are described. The catheter anchoring device includes one or more pairs of sharps with a sharpened end configured to pierce the surface of the skin. A locking mechanism for the sharps is used as a failsafe mechanism. The catheter anchoring device further includes a catheter clamp for securing a catheter to the catheter anchoring device. Releasing the clamp allows an operator to reposition and secure the catheter at the new position without moving the catheter anchoring device.

1 . An anchor device, the device comprising:
 a housing having a bottom surface;   at least one pair of sharps within the housing, each sharp in the at least one pair of sharps having an end configured to pierce a skin surface; and   a locking mechanism configured to maintain the end of each sharp within the housing when the locking mechanism is engaged and to enable each sharp to protrude from the bottom surface and to pierce a skin surface when the locking mechanism is disengaged.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is disengaged by contacting the bottom surface to the skin surface. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , the locking mechanism is disengaged by a catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , the device further comprising:
 at least one button configured to be pressed by an operator to move the at least one pair of sharps when the locking mechanism is disengaged.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one button moves parallel to the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ends of each pair of sharps contact each other underneath the skin surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the ends of each pair of sharps are configured to be nested. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the ends of each pair of sharps touch at a depth from the skin surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the depth corresponds to a dermis layer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the depth corresponds to a subcutaneous layer. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the depth corresponds to the range of approximately 4 millimeters to approximately 5 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , the device further comprising:
 a cavity configured to position a catheter; and   a catheter locking mechanism configured to secure the catheter within the cavity when the catheter locking mechanism is engaged and to allow the catheter to be repositioned when the catheter locking mechanism is disengaged.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter locking mechanism is engaged after the end of each sharp pierces the skin surface. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter locking mechanism includes securing the catheter between an inner surface of the cavity and a catheter clamp. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the cavity is scaled to fit a dimension of the catheter. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , the device further comprising:
 at least one release mechanism configured to retract the end of each sharp into the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the end of each sharp is permanently contained within the housing when the at least one release mechanism is engaged. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one release mechanism includes a release bar having a first position and a second position, when the release bar is positioned from the first position to the second position the end of each sharp retracts into the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the release bar permanently resides in the second position after being positioned from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one pair of sharps retract simultaneously into the housing. 
     
     
         21 .- 50 . (canceled)