Window dressing for use with ultrasonic aid in venipuncture

Abstract

A window dressing includes a primary layer having a window for viewing a catheter insertion site. The primary layer includes an adhesive layer on a lower, skin-contacting face of the primary layer. A transparent layer covers the window and adheres to the upper surface of the primary layer. An ultrasonic transmission layer is positioned below the primary layer, where the transmission layer comprises a layer of hydrogel. A support structure has a stiffness that is greater than the primary layer and has an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the support structure. The support structure adhesive layer adheres the support structure to the upper surface of the primary layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A window dressing for ultrasonic aid in venipuncture comprising:
 a primary layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, the primary layer further comprising a window;   a release liner covering at least a portion of the lower surface of the primary layer;   an ultrasound transmissive layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, the ultrasound transmissive layer disposed between the lower surface of the primary layer and the release liner; and   a transparent layer covering at least a portion of the primary layer window;   wherein the window dressing is adapted to secure a catheter at a catheter insertion site.   
     
     
         2 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transmissive layer comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         3 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the lower surface of the primary layer and the release liner. 
     
     
         4 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure coupled to the primary layer. 
     
     
         5 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent layer covers the entire window of the primary layer and the transparent layer is coupled to a portion of the upper surface of the primary layer. 
     
     
         6 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , further comprising a pad, the pad comprising a top occlusive layer, a middle layer comprising a transmissive material, and a bottom occlusive layer. 
     
     
         7 . The window dressing of  claim 9 , wherein the middle liquid layer is sealed between the top and bottom occlusive layers. 
     
     
         8 . The window dressing of  claim 9 , wherein the middle liquid layer comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transmissive layer comprises antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         10 . The window dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transmissive layer is deposited on a window portion of the lower surface of the primary layer. 
     
     
         11 . A window dressing for ultrasonic aid in venipuncture comprising:
 a primary layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, the primary layer further comprising a window;   an ultrasound transmissive layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, the ultrasound transmissive layer disposed below the lower surface of the primary layer;   a transparent layer covering at least a portion of the primary layer window; and   a pad positioned above the upper surface of the primary layer;   wherein the window dressing is adapted to secure a catheter at a catheter insertion site.   
     
     
         12 . The window dressing of  claim 11 , wherein the pad is an ultrasonic transducer pad. 
     
     
         13 . The window dressing of  claim 11 , wherein the pad comprises an ultrasonic transmissive layer. 
     
     
         14 . The window dressing of  claim 11 , wherein the pad comprises a first occlusive layer and a second occlusive layer. 
     
     
         15 . The window dressing of  claim 14 , wherein the pad further comprises a middle layer comprising an ultrasound transmissive material. 
     
     
         16 . The window dressing of  claim 15 , wherein the middle layer is positioned between the first occlusive layer and the second occlusive layer. 
     
     
         17 . The window dressing of  claim 14 , wherein the pad comprises an adhesive layer coupled to a lower surface of the first occlusive layer. 
     
     
         18 . The window dressing of  claim 17 , wherein the pad further comprises a release liner coupled to the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         19 . The window dressing of  claim 11 , wherein the pad is adapted to be removably decoupled from the primary layer. 
     
     
         20 . The window dressing of  claim 19 , wherein the pad is adapted to be removably decoupled from the primary layer after a catheter has been positioned.