Catheter vacuum dressing apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

A vacuum dressing to cover a medical device insertion site, generally comprising a transparent film dressing member, adapted to form a sealed region between the film dressing member and a region of skin surrounding the insertion site; a sponge/foam member adapted to be positioned over the insertion site; and vacuum tubing, wherein the vacuum tubing permits vacuum pressure to be applied to the sealed region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum dressing to cover a medical device insertion site, comprising:
 a. a transparent film dressing member adapted to adhere to a region of skin surrounding the medical device insertion site, comprising a body member having a slit adapted to permit a portion of a medical device to be disposed therethrough;   b. a closure member, comprising a first flap extending from the transparent film dressing member, adapted to adhere to the transparent film dressing member over the slit and beneath the portion of the medical device disposed through the slit to form a vacuum seal between the film dressing member and a region of skin surrounding the insertion site;   c. a foam or sponge member adapted to be positioned over the insertion site; and   d. a vacuum tubing member, wherein the vacuum tubing member permits vacuum pressure to be applied to the sealed region between the insertion site and the film dressing member;   
       wherein the vacuum dressing is adapted to provide a negative pressure environment over the insertion site and maintain the negative pressure environment despite movements of the medical device. 
     
     
         2 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the closure member additionally comprises a second flap, extending from the transparent film dressing member, adapted to fold over a portion of the medical device and adhere to either the first flap or transparent film dressing member, securing the medical device. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 2 , wherein the second flap comprises a non-adhesive region in the portion of the second flap disposed over the portion of the medical device adapted to allow the vacuum dressing and the medical device to move independently of one another. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the geometry of the foam or sponge member is round, elliptical, oblong, polygonal, pentagonal, or hexagonal in order to seal around the insertion site. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the foam member further comprises at least one of an antiseptic, antibiotic, and bacteriostatic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealable valve coupled to the vacuum tubing member, to prevent back flow of air into the vacuum tubing member when a vacuum pressure source is not attached to the vacuum tubing member. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent film dressing includes a side of electrostatic charge, such that the electrostatic charge adheres or is drawn to the skin. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent film dressing includes a side of liquid or semi-liquid adhesive material that adheres to the skin. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a transcutaneous medical device. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum dressing of  claim 1 , where in the medical device is a catheter, pin, or implant.