Securement for a transducer for a medical line system

Abstract

A securement device for securing a transducer to a patient at a phlebostatic axis of the patient includes a body having a first side and a second side. The second side includes a latex-free adhesive configured to couple the body to the patient. The securement device includes a first fastener including a first flexible hook-and-loop strap having a first fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a first free end that is movable by a user to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

Description

SECUREMENT FOR A TRANSDUCER FOR A MEDICAL LINE SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 674,686 filed on July 23, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices and / or methods for securing a transducer. SUMMARY

[0003] The disclosure provides, in one aspect, a securement device for securing a transducer to a patient at a phlebostatic axis of the patient. The securement device includes a body having a first side and a second side. The second side includes a latex-free adhesive configured to couple the body to the patient. The securement device includes a first fastener including a first flexible hook-and-loop strap having a first fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a first free end that is movable by a user to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

[0004] The disclosure provides, in another aspect, a transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes a transducer having a first slot. The transducer assembly includes a securement device. The securement device includes a body including a first side and a second side. The second side includes a latex-free adhesive configured to couple the body to a patient. The securement device includes a first flexible strap including a first fixed end coupled to the first side of the body and a first free end configured to thread through the first slot to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

[0005] The disclosure provides, in another aspect, a securement device for securing a transducer to a patient at a phlebostatic axis of the patient. The securement device includes a body having a first side and a second side. The second side includes an adhesive configured to couple the body to the patient. The body includes a backing sheet covering the adhesive. The backing sheet can be peeled off to permit the securement device to be coupled to the patient. The securement device includes a fastener having a nonremovable portion includingat least one of a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops. The nonremovable portion is nonremovably coupled to the first side of the body. The fastener includes a removable portion having at least the other of the plurality of loops or the plurality of hooks. The removable portion is at least partially removably attachable to the nonremovable portion to secure the transducer to the body.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG.1 is a perspective view of a line assembly including a transducer.

[0008] FIG.2 is a plan view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG.3 is a bottom view of the securement device of FIG.2.

[0010] FIG.4 is a plan view of the transducer of FIG.1 being inserted into the securement device of FIG.2.

[0011] FIG.5 is a cross-sectional view of the securement device of FIG.2 along the line 5-5 of FIG.2.

[0012] FIG.5A is a plan view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG.5B is a cross-sectional view of the securement device of FIG.5A along the line 5B-5B of FIG.5A.

[0014] FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to another embodiment.

[0015] FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to another embodiment.

[0016] FIG.7A is a side view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to another embodiment.

[0017] FIG.7B is a cutaway view of the securement device of FIG.7A, showing a spring.

[0018] FIG.8 is a plan view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to another embodiment.

[0019] FIG.9 is a plan view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1 according to another embodiment.

[0020] FIG.10 is a perspective view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1, the securement device in an unlatched position and according to another embodiment.

[0021] FIG.11 is a perspective view of the securement device of FIG.10 in a latched position with a transducer of FIG.1 attached thereto.

[0022] FIG.12 is a perspective view of the securement device of FIG.10 attached to a human body at a phlebostatic axis.

[0023] FIG.13 is a perspective view of a securement device for holding two transducers of FIG.1, the securement device in an unlatched position and according to another embodiment.

[0024] FIG.14 is a perspective view of the securement device of FIG.13 attached to two transducers of FIG.1.

[0025] FIG.15 is a perspective view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1, the securement device in an unlatched position according to another embodiment.

[0026] FIG.16 is a perspective view of the securement device of FIG.15 for holding the transducer of FIG.1, the securement device in a latched position with the transducer attached thereto and according to another embodiment.

[0027] FIG.17 is a perspective view of a securement device for holding the transducer of FIG.1, the securement device in a latched position with the transducer attached thereto and according to another embodiment.

[0028] FIG.18 is a perspective view of a securement device for holding two transducers of FIG.1, the securement device in a latched position with the transducers attached thereto and according to another embodiment.

[0029] FIG.19 is a rear perspective view of the securement device of FIG.18.

[0030] FIG.20 is a flowchart describing a method of using a securement device such as those disclosed herein according to an embodiment.

[0031] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Medical line systems (e.g., catheters, tubing, etc.) are used in the healthcare industry to connect to veins and / or arteries of patients. For example, arterial lines are used to connect to an artery of a patient. Currently, emergency departments and critical care units would benefit from an improvement in securing a transducer (e.g., a pressure transducer) to a patient for use as part of a medical line system. The disclosure herein improves upon the accuracy of readings that are obtained by, for example, simply taping the transducer directly to a patient, which does not necessarily promote accuracy and longevity of precise monitoring. In some situations, use of certain types of adhesives to directly tape the transducer to the patient can result in tape that peels off with dry skin, diaphoresis, or for other reasons such as variations in transducer placement, thereby causing the transducer to become unsecured. Further, it may be desirable to place the transducer at or near a phlebostatic axis of the patient, which corresponds to a right atrium of the patient’s heart. Placement of the transducer relative to the phlebostatic axis provides for improved measurements of blood pressure.

[0033] The devices and / or methods for securing an arterial line transducer disclosed herein promote improved clinical outcomes and monitoring.

[0034] Intra-arterial lines (“IALs”) may be used for critically ill patients. A securement device may be used for patients in a variety of settings, including in a hospital setting, in an interhospital transport (critical care) setting, in an emergency department setting, in an intensive care unit setting, and in other settings of various specificity. Benefits of the disclosure include a cost-effective, quick, and efficient securement of arterial line transducers to improve monitoring (for example, of blood pressure of, for example, critical care patients), which may, in turn, improve patient outcomes. Securing a transducer using the teachings of the present disclosure may also result in an easy application process that may mitigate skin breakdown if, for example, the securement device of the present disclosure is applied to clean, prepped skin. The securement device of the present disclosure may be compact and may not require additional equipment for mounting.

[0035] This disclosure is an improvement over existing technology relating to transducers for medical line systems. With reference to FIG.1, a line system 5 (e.g., an intra-arterial line, a central venous line, etc.) includes a catheter 23, a transducer 15, and a pressure bag 24. The catheter 23 is fluidly connected to the transducer 15 through tubing 22. The line system 5 may include a monitoring cable 6, a flushing mechanism 7, and a stopcock 8. The transducer 15 may include a variety of dimensions. In some embodiments, a transducer may include a width 16 of between, for example, 0.50 inches and 2.00 inches and a length 17 of between, for example, 0.50 inches and 2.00 inches (FIG.4). In some embodiments, the width 16 may be 1.25 inches, and the length 17 may be 1.25 inches.

[0036] With reference to FIGS.2 and 3, a securement device 10 of the present disclosure is configured to hold the transducer 15 (e.g., a pressure transducer) onto a patient’s body at a desired location. In some embodiments, the securement device 10 may be slightly larger than the dimensions of the transducer 15. The securement device 10 includes a first side 20 and an opposite second side 30. The second side 30 includes an adhesive 40 (for example, a skin- safe adhesive) that is meant for long term use (or short term if acceptable for the patient) to promote proper adhesion and to inhibit skin breakdown with proper application. The adhesive 40 on the second side of the securement device may be an adhesive backing 40. The adhesive 40 is configured to bear weight and to properly adhere to a patient’s skin surface. The adhesive 40 may be, for example, an elastic therapeutic tape such as “KT Tape.” The adhesive 40 may be a skin-safe acrylic adhesive such as a liquid adhesive 40 that is applied to the second side 30 of the securement device 10 just prior to application of thesecurement device 10 to the skin of the patient (for example, less than five minutes prior to application, less than one minute prior to application, less than 30 seconds prior to application, less than 5 seconds prior to application, etc.). The adhesive 40 may be water- based. The adhesive 40 may be waterproof. The adhesive 40 may be a latex adhesive. The adhesive 40 may be a latex-free adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive 40 may be silk tape, paper tape, or plastic tape.

[0037] With continued reference to FIGS.2 and 3, the first side 20 of the securement device 10 includes a holder 50 that secures the transducer 15 relative to the securement device 10. The holder 50 includes a first rail 60, a second rail 70, a stop 80, and a latch 90 to inhibit the transducer 15 from slipping from the holder 50. The stop 80 is positioned at, and in some embodiments is integral with, a closed end 100 of the holder 50. In some embodiments, the first rail 60 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the second rail 70, and the stop 80 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to one or both of the rails 60, 70. The closed end 100 of the holder 50 is opposite from an open end 110. The open end 110 allows the transducer to be inserted into and removed from the holder 50 through the open end 110. The securement device 10 includes a first end 120 adjacent to the closed end 100 of the holder 50 and a second end 130 opposite the first end 120 and adjacent the open end 110.

[0038] The securement device 10, and accordingly, the transducer 15 that is, in operation, secured in the holder 50, may be placed in a variety of locations relative to the patient. In some embodiments, the securement device 10 (and accordingly, the transducer 15) may be located as close to a patient as possible such as, for example, directly on the body of the patient at or near a phlebostatic axis of the patient. The location of the phlebostatic axis is understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art and is typically located at a side of a patient at approximately an elevation of the patient’s heart, between the fourth and fifth ribs (measured from the shoulders downward), and halfway between the patient’s chest and the patient’s back. In other words, for a patient laying down horizontally, the phlebostatic axis may be defined as an intersection of a vertical line drawn from a fourth intercostal space at a right edge of the patient’s sternum with a horizontal line drawn through a midpoint of a line going from anterior to posterior aspects of the patient’s chest. Jacq, Gwenaëlle et al. “Modalities of Invasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring in Critically Ill Patients: A ProspectiveObservational Study.” Medicine vol.94,39 (2015): e1557. doi:10.1097 / MD.0000000000001557.

[0039] Pressure readings obtained by the transducer 15 may vary depending on the location of the transducer 15. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to position the transducer 15 at a known location (e.g., at a known elevation relative to the patient’s body) such as, for example, the phlebostatic axis. By positioning the transducer 15 at the phlebostatic axis, the pressure readings obtained by the transducer 15 are standardized by inhibiting pressure variations due to, for example, elevation changes relative to the patient’s body. Appropriate placement of the transducer 15 contributes to positive outcomes for patients. Sjödin, Carl et al. “Variability in alignment of central venous pressure transducer to physiologic reference point in the intensive care unit-A descriptive and correlational study.” Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses vol.32,3 (2019): 213-217. doi:10.1016 / j.aucc.2018.05.001.

[0040] Due to other equipment such as ventilators, infusion pumps, and dialysis machines that may be positioned at bedsides of patients, the securement device 10 (and accordingly, the transducer 15) may be mounted, for example by the adhesive 40, on a conventional equipment pole at one of a variety of locations, such as at a rear of a patient's bed, or on the patient’s bed. However, placing the securement device 10 and the transducer 15 at a location remote from the patient (e.g., at a rear of a patient’s bed) may result in the transducer 15 being visually impeded by other equipment. Therefore, placing the securement device 10 and the transducer 15 directly on the patient at or near the phlebostatic axis may be preferred to placing the securement device 10 and transducer 15 at other locations by providing both visual access to the transducer 15 and by providing a known elevation of the transducer 15 relative to a location on the patient’s body such as the patient’s heart. Therefore, by providing a method of securing the transducer with the adhesive 40 to the body of the patient, such as the phlebostatic axis, the present disclosure may provide improved accuracy in measuring blood pressure compared to other means of securement that do not include a securement device 10 secured directly on a patient.

[0041] With reference to FIG.4, in operation, the securement device 10 may be attached to the patient’s body, for example at a side of the patient’s body, at or near the phlebostatic axis with the second end 130 of the securement device 10 closer to the patient’s head than the first end 120 of the securement device 10 is to the patient’s head (or, in some embodiments,the securement device 10 may be attached to the patient’s body in another orientation). The transducer 15 may be inserted into the holder 50 in a direction from the second end 130 toward the first end 120. Edges, rails, or tracks 140, 150 of the transducer 15 may engage with the rails 60, 70 of the holder 50. The transducer 15 may be inserted into the holder 50 until the transducer 15 engages the stop 80 and the transducer 15 is locked in place by the latch 90. To remove the transducer 15 from the holder 50, the user may, in some embodiments, simply pull the transducer 15 until the transducer 15 pops out of the latch 90 and slides along the rails 60, 70 and out of the holder 50.

[0042] With reference to FIG.5, a securement device 210 may be similar to or representative of the securement device 10. The securement device 210 includes rails 260, 270 for holding the transducer 15. A distance 217 between the rails 260, 270 is adjustable to accommodate transducers 15 of various dimensions. In some embodiments, one or both of the rails 260, 270 engages with the other of the rails 260, 270 or with another part of the securement device 210 in a friction-fit engagement along a slot 271 to allow a user to move one of the rails 260, 270 toward or away from the other of the rails 260, 270 to adjust the distance 217.

[0043] With reference to FIGS.5A and 5B, a securement device 710 includes a first rail 760 and a second rail 770 for holding the transducer 15. A distance 717 between the rails 760, 770 is adjustable to accommodate transducers 15 of various dimensions. The securement device 710 includes a housing 761 (or in some embodiments an outer housing 761 or an upper housing 761) that is affixed to the first rail 760, and the securement device 710 includes a slider 771 that is affixed to the second rail 770. The housing 761 includes a track 762. The slider 771 selectively slides in the track toward and away from the first rail 760 to vary the distance 717 to accommodate transducers 15 of various sizes. A latch 772 (which may include, for example, a pin) engages with the housing 761 and the slider 771 to positionally affix the slider 771 relative to the track 762 to secure the transducer 15 under the rails 760, 770. To release the transducer 15 from the securement device 710, the latch 772 is released, and the second rail 770 is movable away from the first rail 760 to release the transducer 15. The securement device 710 includes stops 780, 781 to delimit an extent of the sliding motion of the transducer 15.

[0044] With reference to FIG.6, a securement device 310 may be similar to the securement device 210 and include rails 360, 370. An arrangement of engaging teeth 371may be provided between the rails 360, 370 to allow the distance between the rails 360, 370 to be adjusted by moving one of the rails 360, 370 toward the other of the rails 360, 370 or by moving one of the rails 360, 370 toward the other of the rails 360, 370.

[0045] With reference to FIG.7, a securement device 410 may be similar to the securement device 210 and include rails 460, 470. A biasing member 471 such as an extension spring may be positioned between the rails 460, 470 to bias the rails 460, 470 toward each other. Accordingly, the distance between the rails 460, 470 may be adjusted by manually spreading the rails 460, 470 apart to accommodate transducers 15 of various dimensions.

[0046] With reference to FIGS.7A and 7B, a securement device 810 includes a first rail 860 and a second rail 870 for holding the transducer 15. A distance 817 between the rails 860, 870 is adjustable to accommodate transducers 15 of various dimensions. The securement device 810 includes a first housing 861 (or in some embodiments an inner housing 861) that is affixed to the first rail 860, and the securement device 810 includes a second housing 871 (or in some embodiments an outer housing 871) that is affixed to the second rail 870. The first housing 861 slides with respect to the second housing 871 such that the rails 860, 870 may selectively move toward and / or away from each other to accommodate transducers 15 of various sizes. A spring 862 may be a tension spring or a compression spring. In some embodiments, the spring 862 biases the second housing 871 away from the first housing 861 in a release position. The spring 862 may be compressed and the second housing 871 latched in place with respect to the first housing 861 to positionally affix the rails 860, 870 with respect to each other to accommodate transducers 15 of various sizes. A latch 872 (which may include, for example, a pin) engages with the first housing 861 and the second housing 871 to positionally affix the second housing 871 relative to the first housing 861 to secure the transducer 15 under the rails 860, 870. To release the transducer 15 from the securement device 810, the latch 872 is released, and the second rail 870 is movable away from the first rail 860 to release the transducer 15.

[0047] With reference to FIG.8, a securement device 510 may include a first indicia 520 (which may, for example, include “TOP”, indicating that in operation and when secured to a side of a patient, “TOP” may be above “BOTTOM” relative to a gravitational plane), a second indicia 530 (which may, for example, include “BOTTOM”), and a third indicia 540 (which may, for example, include an arrow). The indicia 520, 530, 540 may indicate anorientation which can be used to apply the securement device 510 to a patient or to another medium for supporting the transducer 15.

[0048] With reference to FIG.9, a securement device 610 may include a first indicia 620 (which may, for example, include “TOP”), a second indicia 630 (which may, for example, include “BOTTOM”), and a third indicia 640 (which may, for example, include an arrow). The indicia 620, 630, 640 may indicate an orientation which can be used to apply the securement device 610 to a patient or to another medium for supporting the transducer 15.

[0049] With reference to FIG.10, a securement device 910 includes a body 915, a first fastener 920, and a second fastener 925. The body 915 includes a transducer side 930 (or an upper side 930) and an opposite attachment side 935 (or a lower side 935). In some embodiments, the body 915 may be an adhesive body 915 (for example, a latex-free adhesive body 915 including an adhesive that may be, for example, an acrylic-base adhesive). More specifically, the attachment side 935 may be an adhesive side 935 including an adhesive such as a latex-free adhesive that is attached directly to a body of a patient (i.e., to a body such as a human body) at a location which may be the phlebostatic axis.

[0050] With continued reference to FIG.10, the securement device 910 (and more specifically, the body 915) includes a width 940 and a length 945, which may be measured perpendicularly to the width 940. In some embodiments, the width 940 may be 3 inches or approximately 3 inches, and the length 945 may be 4 inches or approximately 4 inches. In some embodiments, the length 945 may be approximately 33% longer than the width 940 (e.g., an edge of the body 915 may be approximately 33% longer than an adjacent edge). In some embodiments, the body 915 (and accordingly the transducer side 930 and the adhesive side 935) may include one or more rounded corners 950 (e.g., four rounded corners 950).

[0051] With continued reference to FIG.10 and with reference to FIG.11, the fasteners 920, 925 may be (or may include) hook-and-loop (Velcro-style) straps 920, 925. Each fastener 920, 925 may be configured to fold back on itself to selectively secure the transducer 15 to the securement device 910. The fasteners 920, 925 may be integrated into the body 915 or may be coupled to the body 915 by glue (e.g., a glue-like liquid adhesive), by stitching to the body 915, or by another method. Each hook-and-loop strap 920, 925 includes a first end 955 (or fixed end 955) that is affixed to the body 915 and a second end 960 (or free end 960) that is freely movable by a user to attach to and detach from the transducer 15. Each hook-and-loop strap 920, 925 includes a first fastening portion 956 adjacent the first end 955 and a second fastening portion 961 adjacent the second end 960. Any of the hook-and-loop straps (e.g., selectively removable portions including hooks, loops, or both) described herein may be flexible. In some embodiments, the first fastening portion 956 may include only hooks, and the second fastening portion 961 may include only loops. In some embodiments, the first fastening portion 956 may include only loops, and the second fastening portion 961 may include only hooks. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening portions 956, 961 may uniformly include both hooks and loops interspersed together. An arrangement of hooks and loops may allow securement between the first end 955 and the second end 960 as shown in FIG.11. Each fastener 920, 925 may include a length between the first end 955 and the second end 960 of 2 inches or approximately 2 inches.

[0052] With continued reference to FIG.11, each second fastening portion 961 passes through a respective slot 26 to fasten to a respective first fastening portion 956 and thereby affix the transducer 15 to the securement device 910. One or both second ends 960 may include rounded corners to provide easy threading of the second end 960 through the slot 26. One or both of the fasteners 920, 925 may include a threading enhancer 965 such as, for example, a somewhat stiff, yet flexible, and smooth (e.g., silk or silk-like in texture) member attached to the second end 960 to provide easy threading of the second end 960 through the slot 26. For example, the threading enhancer 965 may have a stiffness that is stiffer than a stiffness of the fasteners 920, 925 to facilitate threading through the slot 26. The threading enhancer 965 may be fastened to either side of the fasteners 920, 925 (upper or lower, that is, on the hook-and-loop surface or on an opposite plain surface).

[0053] With reference to FIG.12, the securement device 910 is attachable to a patient’s body 970 (e.g., a human body 970). The attachment side 935 of the body 915 is able to be affixed to the body 970 by removing an adhesive backing and sticking or gluing the body 915 to the organism’s body 970, thereby providing a means for affixing the transducer 15 to the organism’s body 970. Other securement devices disclosed herein may be fastened to an organism’s body 970 in similar ways.

[0054] With reference to FIGS.10-12, and in some examples of the other securement devices disclosed herein, the securement devices may include a latex-free adhesive body, such as an acrylic base adhesive, that is directly applied to the patient’s body. Placing a securement device and a transducer directly onto a patient’s phlebostatic axis maysignificantly improve the accuracy and / or precision of pressure readings of various pressure monitoring lines (i.e., arterial, CVP, PA) by maintaining alignment of the transducer with the phlebostatic axis despite possible compromised skin conditions or patient mobility. Additionally, securement devices disclosed herein may require less time to set up than an IV pole securement device or a cuff since extensive leveling may not be required due to the fact that the securement devices may be placed directly on the correct anatomical landmark and not away from it, which may give more time back to nurses during critical care situations. These advantages may apply to other securement devices disclosed herein.

[0055] With continued reference to FIGS.10-12 and in some embodiments to other securement devices disclosed herein, possible dimensions of the bodies of the securement devices disclosed herein, such as the body 915, may be 4 inches in height by 3 inches in width, or another way to describe the possible sizing is that one edge may be approximately 33% longer than the adjacent edge. The edges of the base adhesive on the lower side 935 may be rounded or otherwise shaped to conform to the body 915 of the securement device 910 on which it is placed. In some embodiments, the two horizontally aligned hook-and-loop (Velcro-style) straps 920, 925 may be horizontally aligned and may be positioned at the midpoint of the securement device in one direction. In some embodiments, a first end of the hook-and-loop straps 920, 925 may be secured to the body 915 along approximately one- fourth of the length of the respective hook-and-loop strap 920, 925, leaving the other three- fourths of the hook-and-loop straps 920, 925 free. The approximate length of each hook-and- loop strap 920, 925 may be 2 inches. These straps 920, 925 may be secured via stitching, or glue-like liquid adhesive, or another manner. These straps 920, 925 may be designed to thread through the side slots 26 or apertures 26 of standard hemodynamic transducers—such as those used for arterial, CVP, or PA lines—and then fold back approximately 180 degrees to fasten securely onto themselves, which may create a loop. The free end of the hook-and- loop straps 920, 925 may have rounded corners for ease of threading into the transducer slots 26. The proposed design may be universal in order to fit most transducers 15 due to its ability to adjust the tension and the effective length of the straps 920, 925, which in turn, may adjust to match a size of the transducer 15.

[0056] With continued reference to FIGS.10-12, in some examples, a width of the base 915 may be 3 inches, and / or a length of the base 915 may be 4 inches, and / or a length of each hook-and-loop portion may be approximately 2 inches, and / or a width of each hook-and-loopportion may be 0.75 inches, and / or a distance of one or more of the hook-and-loop portions secured to the base 915 may be 0.5 inches, and / or a distance of one or more of the hook-and- loop portions that is freely movable may be 1.5 inches.

[0057] With reference to FIG.13, a securement device 1010 includes a body 1015, a first fastener 1020, and a second fastener 1025. The body 1015 includes a transducer side 1030 (or an upper side 1030) and an opposite attachment side 1035 (or a lower side 1035). In some embodiments, the body 1015 may be an adhesive body 1015 (for example, a latex-free adhesive body 1015 including an adhesive that may be, for example, an acrylic-base adhesive). More specifically, the attachment side 1035 may be an adhesive side 1035 that is attached directly to a body of a patient (i.e., to a body such as a human body) at a location which may be the phlebostatic axis.

[0058] With continued reference to FIG.13, the securement device 1010 (and more specifically, the body 1015) includes a width 1040 and a length 1045, which may be measured perpendicularly to the width 1040. In some embodiments, the width 1040 may be 4.5 inches or 4.75 inches or approximately 4.5 inches or 4.75 inches, and the length 1045 may be 3 inches or approximately 3 inches. In some embodiments, the width 1040 may be approximately 50% longer than the length 1045 (e.g., a side of the body 1015 may be approximately 50% longer than an adjacent side). In some embodiments, the body 1015 (and accordingly the transducer side 1030 and the adhesive side 1035) may include one or more rounded corners 1050 (e.g., four rounded corners 1050).

[0059] With continued reference to FIG.13 and with reference to FIG.14, the fasteners 1020, 1025 may be hook-and-loop (Velcro-style) assemblies 1020, 1025. Each fastener 1020, 1025 may include a first component 1021, 1026 (e.g., a hook-side component or hook- side strip 1021, 1026). The first components 1021, 1026 may be integrated together as a single component or strip in some examples. Each fastener 1020, 1025 may include a second component 1022, 1027 (e.g., a loop-side component or loop-side strip or strap 1022, 1027). In some examples, the second components 1022, 1027 may be integrated together as a single component or strip in some examples. In some examples of any embodiment disclosed herein, the hook-side components may be switched with the loop-side components or both hook and loop components may be provided together. The fasteners 1020, 1025 (including the first components 1021, 1026 and / or the second components 1022, 1027) may have awidth 1029 of, for example, 0.75 inches or approximately 0.75 inches. The width 1029 may be measured perpendicularly to longitudinal orientation of the fasteners 1020, 1025.

[0060] With continued reference to FIGS.13 and 14, and as is the case with other embodiments disclosed herein, the first components 1021, 1026 may be integrated into the body 1015 or may be coupled to the body 1015 by glue (e.g., a glue-like liquid adhesive), by stitching to the body 1015, or by another method. Each second component 1022, 1027 includes a first end 1055 (or fixed end 1055) that is affixed to the body 1015 and a second end 1060 (or free end 1060) that is freely movable by a user to attach to and detach from the first components 1021, 1026 to secure the transducer 15 to the body 1015. Each fastener 1020, 1025 includes a first fastening portion 1056 positioned on the first components 1021, 1026 and a second fastening portion 1061 positioned on the second components 1022, 1027. In some embodiments, the first fastening portion 1056 may include hooks, and the second fastening portion 1061 may include loops. In some embodiments, the first fastening portion 1056 may include loops, and the second fastening portion 1061 may include hooks. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening portions 1056, 1061 may uniformly include both hooks and loops to allow selective securement between the first component 1021, 1026 and the second component 1022, 1027 as shown in FIG.14.

[0061] With continued reference to FIGS.13 and 14, in some embodiments, the second components 1022, 1027 may be integrated into the body 1015 of a securement device 1010 disclosed herein. A length of a portion of each of the second components 1022, 1027 that may be nonremovably secured to the body 1015 may be approximately 0.5 inches in a direction perpendicular to the width 1029. From this secured portion extends in opposite directions two parallel pieces of hook-and-loop material that are freely movable members. To secure a transducer 15, one may take one of the freely moving pieces of hook-and-loop and thread it through the slot 26 of the transducer 15 that is closest to the midpoint of the body 1015. From there, one may slide the transducer 15 as close to the midpoint of the body 1015 as possible to create tension in the respective piece of hook-and-loop material in the vicinity of the slot 26. Next, one may feed the freely moving hook-and-loop member up through the second slot 26 (distal from the midpoint of the body 1015) and pull tautly to create tension. Lastly, one may place the last freely movable member section of the hook and loop (that is, a respective one of the free ends 1060) onto the fixed hook-and-loop (that is, a respective one of the first components 1021, 1026) that is secured completely andnonremovably to the body 1015. To secure a second transducer 15, one may use the remaining freely moving hook-and-loop member and apply the same steps. This design may fit transducers 15 universally, as it has adjustable sizing capabilities.

[0062] With continued reference to FIGS.13 and 14, a width 1040 of the body 1015 may be 4.75 inches, and / or a length 1045 of the body 1015 may be 3 inches, and / or a distance between the free ends 1060 may be 5.125 inches, and / or a width of the second components 1022, 1027 may be 0.625 inches, and / or a distance from a distal end of the first component 1021 to a distal end of the first component 1026 (that is, a length of both the first component 1021 and the first component 1026, for example, in embodiments in which the first components 1021, 1026 are integrated together as a single first component affixed to the body 1015) may be 4.75 inches, and / or a width of the first components 1021, 1026 may be 0.75 inches, and / or a width of one or both of the fixed ends 1055 that are nonremovably affixed to the body 1015 may be 0.5 inches, and / or a width of a remainder of the second components 1022, 1027 that is not nonremovably secured to the body 1015 (for example, in embodiments in which the second components 1022, 1027 are integrated together as a single second component) may be 4.625 inches.

[0063] With reference to FIGS.15 and 16, a securement device 1110 includes a body 1115, a first fastener 1120, a second fastener 1125, and a third fastener 1130. The first fastener may be an inner fastener 1120. The second and third fasteners 1125, 1130 may be outer fasteners 1125, 1130. Each of the second and third fasteners 1125, 1130 may be positioned on an opposite side of the first fastener 1120. The second and third fasteners 1125, 1130 may be configured to extend over the transducer 15 to secure the transducer 15 to the body 1115. The first fastener 1120 may be configured to thread through slots 26 in the transducer 15 and to thread underneath the transducer 15. In some examples, the first fastener 1120 may be configured as two hook and loop assemblies 920, 925 as shown, for example, in FIG.10. In some examples, the first fastener 1120 may be integrated in a form such as that shown in FIGS.15 and 16. The fasteners 1120, 1125, 1130 may extend between a first edge 1150 and an opposite second edge 1155 of the body 1115.

[0064] With continued reference to FIGS.15 and 16, the first fastener 1120 includes nonremovable portions or components 1135 (e.g., one, two, or more nonremovable strips 1135), the second fastener 1125 includes a nonremovable portion or component 1140 (e.g., a nonremovable strip 1140), and the third fastener 1130 includes a nonremovable portion orcomponent 1145 (e.g., a nonremovable strip 1145). The nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may be hook-and-loop components having both hooks and loops distributed uniformly over at least a portion of the surfaces of the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 or over the entirety of one or more of the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145. In some examples, the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may include only hooks (without loops), or the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may include only loops (without hooks), or both. In the illustrated embodiment, the nonremovable components 1135 are part of a single nonremovable strip extending from a first edge of the body 1115 to an opposite second edge of the body. In some embodiments, the nonremovable components 1135 may each be provided on individual nonremovable strips that may or may not contact each other.

[0065] With continued reference to FIGS.15 and 16, the first fastener 1120 includes a removable component 1160 (e.g., a removable strap 1160 or a removable strip 1160). The second fastener 1125 includes a removable component 1165 (e.g., a removable strap 1160 or a removable strip 1165). The third fastener 1130 includes a removable component 1170 (e.g., a removable strap 1170 or a removable strip 1170). The removable strips 1160, 1165, 1170 may be flexible hook-and-loop strips 1160, 1165, 1170. The flexible hook-and-loop strips 1160, 1165, 1170 may include both hooks and loops distributed uniformly over at least a portion of the surfaces of the flexible hook-and-loop strips 1160, 1165, 1170 or over the entirety of one or more of the flexible hook-and-loop strips 1160, 1165, 1170 (e.g., the hooks and loops are interspersed with each other). In some examples, one or more of the flexible hook-and-loop strips 1160, 1165, 1170 may include only hooks (without loops) or only loops (without hooks) such that each flexible hook-and-loop strip 1160, 1165, 1170 is attachable to a corresponding one or more of the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145. In some examples, the removable components 1160, 1165, 1170 may be nonremovably affixed to the body 1115 at a first location and may be removably affixed to the body 1115 at a second location. The removable component 1160 may be threaded through the two slots 26 of the transducer 15 such that the removable component 1160 is threaded underneath the transducer 15 to selectively secure the transducer 15 to the body 1115. The removable components 1165, 1170 may extend over the transducer 15 to selectively secure the transducer 15 to the body 1115. The body 1115 may have a generally rectangular shape. In some examples, the body 1115 may have rounded corners (e.g., four rounded corners).

[0066] With continued reference to FIG.15, the securement device 1110 includes a width 1180 and a length 1185, which may be measured perpendicularly to the width 1180. In some embodiments, the width 1180 may be 3 inches or approximately 3 inches. In some embodiments, the length 1185 may be 4 inches or approximately 4 inches. In some embodiments, the length 1185 may be 33% larger than the width 1180.

[0067] With returning reference to FIG.16, the removable component 1170 may be nonremovably affixed to the body 1115 (e.g., by a liquid adhesive, another type of glue, stitching, or the like) over a distance of, in some examples, approximately 0.5 inches from the second edge 1155. The removable component 1165 may be nonremovably affixed to the body 1115 (e.g., by a liquid adhesive, another type of glue, stitching, or the like) over a distance of, in some examples, approximately 0.5 inches from the second edge 1155. The removable component 1160 may be nonremovably affixed to the body 1115 (e.g., by a liquid adhesive, another type of glue, stitching, or the like) over a distance of, in some examples, approximately 0.5 inches from the first edge 1150 or the second edge 1155. A remainder of the removable components 1160, 1165, 1170 may be freely movable and selectively removable from attachment with the body 1115. The removable components 1165, 1170 may have a minor dimension of 0.375 inches or approximately 0.375 inches measured in a direction parallel to the length 1185. The removable components 1165, 1170 may have a major dimension of 3.5 inches or approximately 3.5 inches measured in a direction parallel to the width 1180. The removable component 1160 may have a minor dimension of 0.625 inches or approximately 0.625 inches measured in a direction parallel to the length 1185. The removable component 1160 may have a major dimension of 3.625 inches or approximately 3.625 inches measured in a direction parallel to the width 1180. The nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may have a minor dimension measured in a direction parallel to the length 1185 of 0.75 inches or approximately 0.75 inches such that a width of the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 is greater than a width of the removable components 1160, 1165, 1170.

[0068] With continued reference to FIGS.15 and 16, the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may in some examples be integrated into the adhesive base. In some examples, the nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may be 0.75 inches in width, measured along the longest width of the base, making the length of the longest strips of the fixed hook-and-loop (that is, the nonremovable components 1140, 1145) approximately 3inches. The nonremovable components 1135, 1140, 1145 may be secured to the body 1115 via stitching or glue-like liquid adhesive, or the like and may be aligned at a midpoint of the body 1115. In some examples, the removable components 1160, 1165, 1170 may be partially integrated into the body 1115. The removable components 1160, 1165, 1170 may be three horizontally aligned hook-and-loop (Velcro-style) movable members 1160, 1165, 1170. These members 1160, 1165, 1170 may be secured via stitching, or glue-like liquid adhesive, or the like. The removable component 1160 may be a middle piece of hook-and-loop and may be secured at one edge 1150 of the body 1115. The removable components 1160 may be fixed over a distance of approximately 0.5 inches at the edge 1150 measured in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1150, leaving the rest of the removable component 1160 freely movable. In some examples, an entirety of the removable components 1160 may measure 0.625 inches by 3.625 inches. The dimensions of the removable components 1165, 1170 may be 0.375 inches by 3.5 inches. The removable components 1165, 1170 may be secured onto the body 1115 via stitching or glue-like liquid adhesive or the like, and may be placed over the ends of the transducer 15 that is secured by the securement device 1110. The removable components 1165, 1170 may be secured to the nonremovable components 1140, 1145 (that is, two additional pieces of fixed hook-and-loop).

[0069] In some examples, to secure a transducer, one may take the removable components 1160 and thread one of them through a first slot 26 of the transducer 15 that is closest to the midpoint of the body 1115. Next, one may feed the removable component 1160 through the second slot 26 and pull tautly to create tension. Lastly, one may place two freely movable members of the hook and loop (the removable components 1165, 1170) over the transducer 15 and onto the two additional fixed hook-and-loop pieces (the nonremovable components 1140, 1145) that are secured completely to the base, above and below the larger piece of hook-and-loop (the nonremovable components 1135) that runs the width of the horizontal plane of the body 1115.

[0070] With reference to FIG.17, a securement device 1210 may include a body 1215 and a first fastener 1220, a second fastener 1225, and a third fastener 1230 that may be similar to the first fastener 1120, the second fastener 1125, and the third fastener 1130 as shown in FIGS.15 and 16. In some examples, the body 1215 of the securement devices disclosed herein may be oval, circular, oblong, elliptical, or other shapes.

[0071] With reference to FIGS.18 and 19, a securement device 1310 may include a body 1315 and fasteners 1320, 1325, 1330, 1335, 1340, 1345. The body 1315 includes a first edge 1350 and an opposite second edge 1355. The fasteners 1320, 1325, 1330, 1335, 1340, 1345 extend horizontally from the first edge 1350 to the second edge 1355. Each fastener 1320, 1325, 1330, 1335, 1340, 1345 includes a nonremovable portion such as a hook-and-loop portion (including either hooks, loops, or both) or a hook-and-loop strip nonremovably fastened to the body 1315 adjacent a respective edge 1350, 1355. Each fastener 1320, 1325, 1330, 1335, 1340, 1345 includes a removable portion 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385 such as a hook-and-loop portion (including either hooks, loops, or both) or a hook-and-loop strip. The removable portions 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385 are at least partially removably attachable to a respective nonremovable portion at a respective edge 1350, 1355 of the body 1315. More specifically, respective fixed ends 1361, 1366, 1371, 1376, 1381, 1386 of the removable portions 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385 may be nonremovably affixed to the body 1315 at a middle 1316 of the body 1315. The fixed ends 1361, 1366, 1371, 1376, 1381, 1386 may be affixed to the body 1315 by gluing, stitching, or the like. Respective free ends 1362, 1367, 1372, 1377, 1382, 1387 of the removable portions 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385 are able to be selectively attached to a respective nonremovable portion adjacent the edges 1350, 1355 to secure two transducers 15 to the securement device 1310.

[0072] With continued reference to FIGS.18 and 19, inner or central removable portions 1360, 1375 may be threaded beneath a respective one of the transducers 15 and through two of the slots 26 in each respective transducer 15 to secure each transducer 15 to the securement device 1310. Outer removable portions 1365, 1370, 1380, 1385 extend over a respective transducer 15 to secure the two transducers 15 to the body 1315.

[0073] With reference to FIG.19, the body 1315 includes a backing sheet 1395 covering an adhesive on a lower surface of the body 1315. The backing sheet 1395 may cover the adhesive on the attachment side of the securement devices described herein such that the backing sheet 1395 may be peeled off or otherwise removed from the securement devices disclosed herein to permit the securement devices to be affixed to an organism’s body, such as a human patient’s body, at a location such as the phlebostatic axis.

[0074] With reference to FIGS.18 and 19, in some embodiments, possible dimensions of the body 1315 are 3 inches by 4.75 inches or 4.5 inches, or another way to describe thepossible sizing is that one side may be approximately 50% longer than the adjacent side. Nonremovable portions of the fasteners 1320, 1325, 1330, 1335, 1340, 1345 (similar to the other nonremovable portions described herein) may be integrated into the body 1315. The nonremovable portions may be horizontally aligned hook and loop strips, in some examples approximately 0.75 inches in width, the nonremovable portions running along the longest width of the base and having a length in some embodiments of approximately 4.75 inches. The nonremovable portions may include hook-and-loop material and can be secured via stitching or glue-like liquid adhesive or the like, and may be aligned at the horizontal midpoint of the body 1315. Secured at the center of the device and running parallel with the nonremovable portions and running parallel with each other are the removable portions 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385. Each removable portion 1360, 1365, 1370 may include a corresponding and opposing removable portion 1375, 1380, 1385. In some embodiments, the removable portion 1360 may be integrated with the removable portion 1375 to form a single removable portion, the removable portion 1365 may be integrated with the removable portion 1380 to form a single removable portion, or the removable portion 1370 may be integrated with the removable portion 1385 to form a single removable portion. In some embodiments, 0.5 inches of the removable portions 1360, 1365, 1370, 1375, 1380, 1385 is nonremovably affixed to the body 1315, and the remainder is releasably securable to the nonremovable portions. To secure a transducer 15, one may take one of the freely moving pieces of hook- and-loop (for example, the free ends 1362, 1367) and thread it through the slot of the transducer that is closest to the midpoint of the body 1315. From there, one may slide the transducer 15 as close to the fixed end 1361, 1371 of the respective removable portion 1360, 1375 that is threaded through the slots 26 of the transducer 15. The respective removable portion 1360, 1375 may be tightened to create tension in the vicinity of the slot 26. Next, one may feed the free end 1362, 1367 of the respective removable portion 1360, 1375 through a second slot 26 on the transducer 15 and pull tautly to create tension. Lastly, one may place one or two, in some embodiments, removable portions 1365, 1370, 1380, 1385 over the transducer 15 to secure the transducer 15 to the body 1315. The removable portions 1365, 1370, 1380, 1385 may include dimensions of 0.625 inches by 5.25 inches in some examples. These members may be secured anteriorly onto the adhesive base via either stitching or glue- like liquid adhesive or the like, and may be placed over the ends of the transducer 15 and secured to two additional pieces of nonremovable (fixed) portions (that is, hook-and-loop portions). To secure a second transducer 15, use the remaining freely moving members andapply the same steps. This design may fit transducers 15 universally, as it has adjustable sizing capabilities.

[0075] With reference to FIG.20, a method 2010 of securing a transducer to a patient may include a step 2015 of procuring a securement device (such as those disclosed herein) having securement straps (e.g., strips, hook-and-loop strips, hook-and-loop straps, etc.) fastened to a body of the securement device; a step 2020 of peeling back the securement strap into an unlatched position; a step 2025 of passing the securement strap through an aperture of the transducer; and a step 2030 of attaching the securement strap to the body of the securement device to secure the transducer to the body of the securement device.

[0076] Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A securement device for securing a transducer to a patient at a phlebostatic axis of the patient, the securement device comprising: a body including a first side and a second side, the second side including a latex- free adhesive configured to couple the body to the patient; and a first fastener including a first flexible hook-and-loop strap having a first fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a first free end that is movable by a user to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

2. The securement device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener including a second flexible hook-and-loop strap having a second fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end that is movable by the user to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

3. The securement device of claim 2, further comprising a third fastener including a third flexible hook-and-loop strap having a third fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a third free end that is movable by the user to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

4. The securement device of claim 1, wherein the first flexible hook-and-loop strap includes a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops interspersed with each other and uniformly distributed across a surface of the first flexible hook-and-loop strap, the surface including a first fastening portion adjacent the first fixed end and a second fastening portion adjacent the first free end, the second fastening portion configured to selectively attach to the first fastening portion to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

5. The securement device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener including a second flexible hook-and-loop strap having a second fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end that is movable by the user, wherein: the transducer is a first transducer, the first fixed end is coupled to a middle of the first side of the body such that the first flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward a first edge of the body to selectively secure the first transducer to the body, andthe second fixed end is coupled to the middle of the first side of the body such that the second flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward a second edge of the body to selectively secure a second transducer to the body, the second edge of the body being opposite the first edge of the body.

6. The securement device of claim 5, further comprising: a third fastener including a third flexible hook-and-loop strap having a third fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a third free end that is movable by the user; and a fourth fastener including a fourth flexible hook-and-loop strap having a fourth fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a fourth free end that is movable by the user, wherein: the third fixed end is coupled to the middle of the first side of the body such that the third flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward the first edge of the body parallel to the first flexible hook-and-loop strap to selectively secure the first transducer to the body, and the fourth fixed end is coupled to the middle of the first side of the body such that the fourth flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward the second edge of the body parallel to the second flexible hook-and-loop strap to selectively secure the second transducer to the body.

7. The securement device of claim 6, further comprising: a fifth fastener including a fifth flexible hook-and-loop strap having a fifth fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a fifth free end that is movable by the user; and a sixth fastener including a sixth flexible hook-and-loop strap having a sixth fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a sixth free end that is movable by the user, wherein: the fifth fixed end is coupled to the middle of the first side of the body such that the fifth flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward the first edge of the body parallel to the first flexible hook-and-loop strap to selectively secure the first transducer to the body, the sixth fixed end is coupled to the middle of the first side of the body such that the sixth flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward the second edge of thebody parallel to the second flexible hook-and-loop strap to selectively secure the second transducer to the body, the fifth flexible hook-and-loop strap has a fifth width perpendicular to a direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body that is greater than a first width of the first flexible hook-and-loop strap in the direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body and that is greater than a third width of the third flexible hook-and-loop strap in the direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body, and the sixth flexible hook-and-loop strap has a sixth width perpendicular to the direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body that is greater than a second width of the second flexible hook-and-loop strap in the direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body and that is greater than a fourth width of the fourth flexible hook- and-loop strap in the direction extending between the first edge of the body and the second edge of the body.

8. The securement device of claim 1, wherein: the first fixed end is coupled to the body adjacent to a first edge of the body such that the first flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward a second edge of the body, the second edge of the body being opposite the first edge of the body, the first flexible hook-and-loop strap configured to fold back on itself toward the first edge of the body to selectively secure the transducer to the body, the securement device includes a second fastener including a second flexible hook-and-loop strap having a second fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end that is movable by the user to selectively secure the transducer to the body, and the second fixed end is coupled to the body adjacent to the second edge of the body such that the second flexible hook-and-loop strap extends toward the first edge of the body, the second flexible hook-and-loop strap configured to fold back on itself toward the second edge of the body to selectively secure the transducer to the body.

9. A transducer assembly comprising the securement device of claim 1 and a transducer configured to be secured to the securement device, the securement device furthercomprising a second fastener including a second flexible hook-and-loop strap having a second fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end that is movable by the user to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device, wherein the first flexible hook-and-loop strap is threaded through a slot in the transducer, the first flexible hook-and-loop strap passing between the transducer and the body, and wherein the second flexible hook-and-loop strap extends over an upper side of the transducer without being threaded through a slot.

10. A transducer assembly comprising: a transducer having a first slot; and a securement device having: a body including a first side and a second side, the second side including a latex-free adhesive configured to couple the body to a patient; and a first flexible strap including a first fixed end coupled to the first side of the body and a first free end configured to thread through the first slot to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

11. The transducer assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second flexible strap including a second fixed end coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end configured to extend over an upper side of the transducer to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

12. The transducer assembly of claim 11, further comprising a third flexible strap including a third fixed end coupled to the first side of the body and a third free end configured to extend over the upper side of the transducer to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

13. The transducer assembly of claim 10, wherein the first flexible strap includes a threading enhancer attached to the first free end, the threading enhancer having a threading enhancer stiffness that is stiffer than a strap stiffness of the first flexible strap to provide easy threading of the first free end through the first slot.

14. The transducer assembly of claim 10, wherein the transducer includes a second slot, and wherein the first free end of the first flexible strap is configured to thread through the first slot and the second slot to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

15. The transducer assembly of claim 10, wherein the transducer includes a second slot, and wherein the transducer includes a second flexible strap including a second fixed end coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end configured to thread through the second slot to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

16. A securement device for securing a transducer to a patient at a phlebostatic axis of the patient, the securement device comprising: a body including a first side and a second side, the second side including an adhesive configured to couple the body to the patient, the body including a backing sheet covering the adhesive, the backing sheet configured to be peeled off to permit the securement device to be coupled to the patient; and a fastener including: a nonremovable portion including one of a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops, the nonremovable portion nonremovably coupled to the first side of the body, and a removable portion including the other of the plurality of loops or the plurality of hooks, the removable portion at least partially removably attachable to the nonremovable portion to secure the transducer to the body.

17. The securement device of claim 16, wherein: the fastener is a first fastener, the nonremovable portion is a first nonremovable strip, the removable portion is a first removable strip that includes a first fixed end nonremovably coupled to the body and a first free end removably attachable to the first nonremovable strip, the first free end including the plurality of loops, and the securement device further comprises a second fastener including: a second nonremovable strip, the second nonremovable strip nonremovably coupled to the first side of the body, and a second removable strip, the second removable strip at least partially removably attachable to the second nonremovable strip to secure the transducer to the body.

18. The securement device of claim 17, wherein the second removable strip includes a second fixed end that is coupled to the first side of the body and a second free end that is movable by a user to selectively couple the transducer to the securement device.

19. The securement device of claim 16, wherein the nonremovable portion includes hooks and does not include loops, and wherein the removable portion includes loops and does not include hooks.

20. The securement device of claim 16, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop strip, and wherein the nonremovable portion is integrally formed as one piece with the removable portion.

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