Importance

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Abstract

A catheter shield comprising a dome surrounded by a peripheral, skin engaging flange. The dome defines a cavity, has a hole for the catheter, and has a radial slit extending to the edge of the shield to aid in placement of the shield around the catheter. Vents may be provided in the shield. The shield is held in place by holding the shield against the skin, moderately tensioning the catheter, providing means for preventing relative longitudinal motion between the catheter and the shield, and then releasing the catheter so the elasticity of the catheter and of the body parts which anchor it pull and hold the shield in place against the skin. A second method for securing the shield entails positioning the shield around the catheter, pressing the shield firmly downward against the skin, and applying a tape strip with one of its edges firmly against the top of the shield. When the hand pressure on the shield is released, the compressed portion of the body beneath the shield tries to expand and force the shield outwardly. However, since the tape strip prevents relative longitudinal motion between the shield and the catheter, the shield cannot move outwardly relative to the catheter and is thus held in place against the skin by the catheter and tape strip.

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First Claim