TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices and more particularly, to an antimicrobial, securement, and position verification device for medical catheters.

BACKGROUND

Medical catheters are invaluable tools in the medical field. However, infections associated with inadvertent positional shifts of catheters are a major source of morbidity and mortality for patients. Healthcare providers are also unable to assess positional changes in catheters without utilizing radiographic imaging. This exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation and is also financially costly. While devices exist that individually address catheter associated problems, the use of multiple devices is cumbersome and inefficient in the healthcare process.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, one embodiment, among others, is a device for securing and monitoring movement of a catheter. The device comprises a film having an adhesive disposed on a body-facing surface for securing the film to a body. The device also comprises a base mounted on the film, the base comprising a first portion of a guide channel for receiving the catheter, the base further comprising a tab member protruding from a side of the base. The device also comprises a hinge coupled to the base, the hinge extending along a longitudinal direction of the base. The device also comprises a cover coupled to the base via the hinge such that the cover is operable to pivot about the hinge from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the cover comprising a second portion of the guide channel, the cover further comprising a rounded portion extending from a distal end of the cover, wherein in the closed configuration, the catheter is completely enclosed by the rounded portion and the first and second portions of the guide channel. In the closed configuration, the cover and the base form a housing for securing the catheter, wherein an adhesive is disposed on the first and second portions of the guide channel for restricting movement of the catheter, wherein the cover further comprises a positional shift indicator fixedly attached to the catheter and configured to indicate positional shifts by the catheter within the guide channel, wherein the positional shift indicator comprises a plurality of segments arranged in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the cover.

Another embodiment is a method for securing and monitoring movement of a catheter utilizing a device comprising a film, a base, and a cover coupled to the base via a hinge. The method comprises attaching the film to a body, the film having an adhesive disposed on a body-facing surface for securing the film to the body. The method further comprises inserting the catheter at a catheter entry point into a body and placing the catheter in a first portion of a guide channel in the base for receiving the catheter, the base further comprising a tab member protruding from a side of the base. The method further comprises pivoting the cover coupled to the base via the hinge such that the cover is placed into a closed configuration with respect to the base, the cover comprising a second portion of the guide channel, the cover further comprising a rounded portion extending from a distal end of the cover. In the closed configuration, the catheter is completely enclosed by the rounded portion and the first and second portions of the guide channel. In the closed configuration, the cover and the base form a housing for securing the catheter, wherein an adhesive is disposed on the first and second portions of the guide channel for restricting movement of the catheter, wherein the cover further comprises a positional shift indicator fixedly attached to the catheter and configured to indicate positional shifts by the catheter within the guide channel, wherein the positional shift indicator comprises a plurality of segments arranged in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the cover.

Another embodiment is a device for securing and monitoring movement of a catheter. The device comprises an oval-shaped film having an adhesive disposed on a body-facing surface for securing the film to a body, the film having a cutout portion extending from an edge of the film to a central portion of the film. The device further comprises a tapered base mounted on the film, the base comprising a first portion of a guide channel for receiving the catheter, the base further comprising a rectangular tab member protruding from a side of the base. The device further comprises a hinge coupled to the base, the hinge extending along a longitudinal direction of the base. The device further comprises a tapered cover coupled to the base via the hinge such that the cover is operable to pivot about the hinge from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the cover comprising a second portion of the guide channel, the cover further comprising a semi-circular member extending from a distal end of the cover, wherein in the closed configuration, the catheter is completely enclosed by the semi-circular member and the first and second portions of the guide channel. In the closed configuration, the cover and the base form a housing for securing the catheter, wherein an adhesive is disposed on the first and second portions of the guide channel for restricting movement of the catheter, wherein the cover further comprises a positional shift indicator fixedly attached to the catheter and configured to indicate positional shifts by the catheter within the guide channel, wherein the positional shift indicator comprises a plurality of segments arranged in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the cover.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

