Securement device

Abstract

A securement device includes a filament which passes underneath at least a portion of the securement device and can be secured about a medical article to be retained. The filament may be secured about the medical article without the use of adhesive. At least a portion of the securement device underlying the medical article may comprise a compressible material which may be used to exert a restoring force upon the medical article to hold the medical article tightly in place.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of securing a medical article having an elongated body to a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a securement device having a base and a filament, the base comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, the filament comprising a first free end, a second free end, and at least one protuberance therebetween, the protuberance being disposed under the base;   positioning the medical article upon the base between the first aperture and the second aperture; and   wrapping the filament over at least a portion of the medical article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising securing the first free end relative to the second free end. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein securing the first free end relative to the second free end comprises forming a knot. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apertures are disposed below the base. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the protuberance is greater than a width of one of the first and second apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising contacting the protuberance with a lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adhering the base to the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wrapping the filament over at least a portion of the medical article comprises extending the filament through at least one aperture on the medical article. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising compressing at least a portion of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filament is substantially non-extendable. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a securement device having a base and a filament comprising a first free end and a second free end, the filament extending underneath at least a portion of the base, wherein a first length of the filament measured between the first free end and the base is fixed, and wherein a second length of the filament measured between the second free end and the base is fixed;   wrapping the filament about at least a portion of the medical article such that at least a portion of the base is disposed between the medical article and at least a portion of the filament; and   securing the first free end relative to the second free end.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a cross-section of the filament varies along its length. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein wrapping the filament about at least a portion of the medical article comprises tightening the filament about the medical article so as to secure the medical article to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising compressing at least a portion of the base at least when the medical article is secured by the securement device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising securing the base relative to the patient. 
     
     
         16 . A method of securing a medical article to a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a securement device including an adhesive layer, a structural layer overlying the adhesive layer and having a receiving area, and a filament having two free ends, at least a portion of the filament extending between the receiving area of the structural layer and the adhesive layer;   placing the medical article on the receiving area; and   manipulating the filament between an unsecured configuration and a secured configuration, the filament being wrapped about the medical article when in the secured position, a portion of the filament between one of the two free ends and the structural layer having the same length in the unsecured configuration and in the secured configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a cross-section of a first region of the filament is greater than a cross-section of a second region of the filament, the first region being disposed below the structural layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising contacting the first region with the structural layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising adhering the base to the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising compressing at least a portion of the base at least when the medical article is in the secured configuration.