Sealed sterile catheter dressings

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2010 / 54427 filed on Oct. 28, 2010 and entitled “SEALED STERILE CATHETER DRESSINGS,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 255,927 filed on Oct. 29, 2009 and entitled “SEALED STERILE CATHETER DRESSINGS.” Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to methods and devices for sealing medical devices, and in particular to methods and devices for sealing and maintaining sterility at a catheter insertion site.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The insertion of a catheter into a body cavity, duct, or vessel to allow drainage, injection of fluids, and / or access by surgical instruments is a common procedure in the practice of medicine. Catheters come in a variety of shapes and forms and can be used for a variety of tasks, including chemotherapy, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system provides a durable, sterile seal around the catheter insertion site, reducing contamination risks and infection rates by preventing fluid ingress and accommodating catheter movement without disrupting the seal.

Problems solved by technology

One major problem with intravascular catheterization methods is the risk of infection.

All of these strategies, however, still have the fundamental drawback of working within the mechanical constraints of the “traditional” patch-type covering dressing.

Inflow of contaminants to the catheter insertion site along these open channels is always a possibility with such methods and devices, and therefore true sterility can never be achieved.

In addition, over time, movement of the skin and catheter relative to one another and relative to the dressing can increase the size of the catheter-dressing gap.

Furthermore, these dressings cannot be exposed to water or other liquids as these liquids will flow directly to the catheter-skin insertion site, thereby further contaminating this site.

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