GB2046095A

GB2046095A - Cannula fixing device

Info

Publication number: GB2046095A
Application number: GB7901145A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: OUTCASTLE Ltd
Current assignee: OUTCASTLE Ltd
Priority date: 1979-01-11
Filing date: 1979-01-11
Publication date: 1980-11-12

Abstract

A device for holding a cannula in position after insertion into the vein of a patient, for example for the injection of intravenous fluid, comprises a transparent enclosure 11 adapted to be attached to the surface of the skin to enclose a region of the skin into which the cannula is to be inserted. The enclosure has an aperture 18 through which the cannula extends, in use, into the interior of the enclosure and retaining shelves 21, 22 which, in use, co-operate with a portion of the cannula to prevent the cannula from being dislodged from the patient's skin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cannula fixing device The present invention relates to a device for holding a cannula in position after insertion into the vein of a patient.

When intravenous fluid is to be injected into a patient over a long period it is usual practice to insert the cannula through which the fluid is injected beneath the surface of the skin into a vein and then to hold it in position by means of adhesive tape, splints or bandages. This arrangement can cause the patient considerable discomfort and to relieve this he may adjust his position during the period of the injection and cause the cannula to become dislodged from the position in which it has been inserted.

Dislodgement of the cannula is not readily apparent to the observer because the site into which it has been inserted in concealed by the bandages. A further disadvantage of the splint and bandages arrrangement is that they and the adhesive tape, used to secure the cannulae, splints and bandages to the patient, often gives rise to or obscure from view local tissue swelling.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for holding a cannula in position after it has been inserted into the vein of a patient which overcomes these disadvantages.

Accordingly the present invention provides a device for holding a cannula in position after it has been inserted into the vein of a patient comprising an enclosure adapted to be attached to the surface of the skin to enclose an area of the skin into which the cannula is to be inserted, the enclosure having an aperture through which the cannula extends, in use, and a retaining member positioned so that, in use, it co-operates with at least a portion of the cannula to prevent the cannula being dislodged from the patient's skin.

Preferably the retaining member is provided within the enclosure adjacent the aperture.

The enclosure may have a flange portion for attaching it to the surface of the skin and the flange portion is preferably provided with a hypoallergenic adhesive coating. Preferably the retaining member is made of a resilient material.

The enclosure may be provided with a second aperture and associated retaining member, the second aperture being of a different size from the first aperture to permit the use of a cannula of a different size.

The enclosure preferably is at least partially transparent to permit complete observation of the region into which the cannula is inserted.

Generally the enclosure comprises a box-like structure having a top surface and four side walls.

A specific example of a device, according to the present invention, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device holding a cannula in position after it has been inserted into the vein of a patient, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified device.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the device consists of a box-like enclosure 11 made of transparent plastics material and having four side walls 12-1 5 and a top 16. The periphery of the enclosure 11 is surrounded by an external flange 17 having on its underside a hypo-allergenic adhesive coating by which the device is fixed to the skin of a patient.

An aperture 18 through which the cannula 19 extends is provided in the side wall 15 adjacent its base. A pair of resilient retaining shelves 21, 22 made of the same plastics material as the enclosure 11 is located on either side of the aperture 18 on the inside of the enclosure 11 adjacent the base of the side wall 13.

In use the device is positioned on the surface of the skin of patient,so that the transparent enclosure 11 encloses the area of the skin into which the cannula 19 is to be inserted. The cannula 19 which is connected by means of tubing 25 to a source of fluid to be injected, extends through the aperture 18 into the interior of the enclosure 11. The cannula 19 is inserted at the desired point beneath the skin of the patient and the device is then located so that the retaining shelves 21, 22 brace butterfly wings 23, 24 respectively extending from a portion of the cannula 19 to hold it in position and prevent it from being dislodged. The device is then fixed to the patient's skin by means of the hypo-allergenic adhesive coating on the underside of the flange 17.

The plastics material of which the retaining shelves 21,22 are made is slightly resilient so that the retaining shelves support the butterfly wings 23, 24 but, due to the resilience of the material, and the anterior wall 15 braces the butterfly wings to prevent the cannula 19 from being displaced and withdrawn from the patient's skin. The adhesive on the underside of the flange 1 7 holds the device firmly in position and the transparent walls and top of the enclosure 11 permit the cannula 19 to be observed throughout the entire period of the injection. Consequently any dislocation of the cannula or infection can be immediately observed.

The device can be made in any appropriate size.

In this example the enclosure 11 is substantially rectangular and is approximately 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and T inch deep. Each interior shelf 21,22 is approximately 43 inch long and 1 2 wide.

The device is suitable for use with a butterfly cannula, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, or other types of cannula for example Braunulae as shown in Figure 2. With reference to Figure 2 of the drawings like reference numerals have been used for like parts. In this embodiment the side wall 15 is provided with a further pair of apertures 26, 27. The device is located such that the Braunula 19 extends through aperture 18 and is braced by either one of the resilient shelves 21, 22, a loop of the tubing 25 passes through apertures 26, 27 whereby the tubing is arrested to assist in ensuring that the Braunula is not dislodged.

Claims

1. A device for holding a cannula in position after it has been inserted into the vein of a patient comprising an enclosure adapted to be attached to the surface of the skin so as to enclose an area of the skin into which a cannula is to be inserted, the enclosure having an aperture through which the cannula extends, in use and a retaining member positioned so that, in use, it co-operates with at least a portion of the cannula to prevent the cannula being dislodged from the patient's skin.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining member is provided within the enclosure adjacent the aperture.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the enclosure has a flange portion for attaching it to the surface of the skin.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the flange portion is provided with a hypo-allergenic adhesive coating.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosure is at least partially transparent to permit observation of the region into which the cannula is inserted.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the retaining member is made of a resilient material.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claimsip which the enclosure has a plurality of apertures.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosure comprises a box-like structure having a top surface and four side walls.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 25 October 1979.

Superseded claims 1-9.

New or amended claims:~1~8 C L#lM 5 1. A device for holding a cannula in position after it has been inserted into the skin of a patient comprising an enclosure which is adapted to be attached to the surface of the skin so as to enclose an area of the skin into which a cannula is to be inserted and which is at least partially transparent to permit observation of the region into which the cannula is inserted, the enclosure having an aperture through which, in use, the cannula extends and a retaining member provided within the enclosure and positioned so that, in use, it cooperates with at least a portion of the cannula to prevent the cannula being dislodged from the patient's skin.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining member is provided adjacent the aperture.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the flange portion is provided with a non-allergenic adhesive coating.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the retaining member is made of a resilient material.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosure has a plurality of apertures.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the enclosure comprises a box-like structure having a top surface and four side walls.