Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A retention bolster for retaining a tubular medical device against the epidermal surface at the exit site of the device from the body of a patient, said bolster comprising: a main body having a convexly curved exterior surface portion for contacting the epidermal surface and an upstanding cylindrical portion extending therefrom; and means for securely attaching said main body to the tubular medical device including a longitudinal bore adapted for slidably receiving the tubular medical device therethroug, said longitudinal bore extending through said curved exterior portion and said upstanding cylindrical portion of said main body; and means for clamping the tubular medical device within said longitudinal bore; and wherein said main body is attachable to the tubular medical device with said convexly curved exterior portion in contact with the epidermal surface, and wherein said main body is rockable along contacting portions between said convexly curved exterior portion and the epidermal surface in response to movement of the tubular medical device about the exit site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A retention bolster for retaining a tubular medical device against the epidermal surface at the exit site of the device from the body of a patient, said bolster comprising: a main body having a convexly curved exterior surface portion for contacting the epidermal surface and an upstanding cylindrical portion extending therefrom; and means for securely attaching said main body to the tubular medical device including a longitudinal bore adapted for slidably receiving the tubular medical device therethroug, said longitudinal bore extending through said curved exterior portion and said upstanding cylindrical portion of said main body; and means for clamping the tubular medical device within said longitudinal bore; and wherein said main body is attachable to the tubular medical device with said convexly curved exterior portion in contact with the epidermal surface, and wherein said main body is rockable along contacting portions between said convexly curved exterior portion and the epidermal surface in response to movement of the tubular medical device about the exit site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The retention bolster of claim 1, wherein: said convexly curved exterior portion of said main body includes an annular convex surface having a convexly uniform curvature centered about, and curving away from said longitudinal bore; and said main body rocks along contacting portions between said annular convex surface and the epidermal surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retention bolster of claim 2, wherein a curvilinear surface extends between said longitudinal bore and said annular convex surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The retention bolster of claim 3, and further comprising: a resiliently flexible flange attached to said main body; and a second bore disposed in said flange; and wherein said flange resiliently flexes to a position aligning said second bore at an angle relative said longitudinal bore when the tubular medical device is received in said longitudinal and second bores, said resiliently flexible flange bending the tubular medical device between said longitudinal bore of said main body and said second bore of said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The retention bolster of claim 1, wherein: said upstanding cylindrical portion is resiliently flexible; and said longitudinal bore includes a reduced diameter portion; said upstanding cylindrical portion resiliently flexing to receive the tubular medical device through said reduced diameter portion, thereby causing said reduced diameter portion to clamp the tubular medical device in said longitudinal bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The retention bolster of claim 5, and further comprising: a clamp disposed about said upstanding cylindrical portion; said clamp being adjustable to clamp across said reduced diameter portion, thereby causing said reduced diameter portion to clamp the tubular medical device in said longitudinal bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The retention bolster of claim 6, wherein: the tubular medical device is a percutaneous gastrostomy catheter; and wherein said retention bolster cooperates with the percutaneous gastrostomy catheter to maintain said convexly curved exterior portion of said main body against the epidermal surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
A retention bolster for retaining a catheter against the epidermal surface at the exit site of the catheter from the body of a patient, said bolster comprising: a main body having a convexly curved exterior portion for contacting the epidermal surface; a first bore adapted for slidably receiving the catheter therethrough, said first bore extending through said main body and said convexly curved exterior portion; a flange attached to said main body; and a second bore extending through said flange and adapted for slidably receiving the catheter therethrough; and wherein the catheter is slidably receivable through said first and second bores, the catheter bending between said first and second bores, and wherein said main body is attachable to the catheter with said convexly curved exterior portion in contact with the epidermal surface, and wherein said main body is rockable along contacting portions between said curved exterior portion and the epidermal surface in response to movement of the catheter about the exit site.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
A retention bolster for retaining a catheter against the epidermal surface at the exit site of the catheter from the body of a patient, said bolster comprising: a main body having a convexly curved exterior portion for contacting the epidermal surface; a first bore adapted for slidably receiving the catheter therethrough, said first bore extending through said main body and said convexly curved exterior portion; a flange attached to said main body; and a second bore extending through said flange and adapted for slidably receiving the catheter therethrough; and wherein the catheter is slidably receivable through said first and second bores, the catheter bending between said first and second bores, and wherein said main body is attachable to the catheter with said convexly curved exterior portion in contact with the epidermal surface, and wherein said main body is rockable along contacting portions between said curved exterior portion and the epidermal surface in response to movement of the catheter about the exit site.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The retention bolster of claim 8, wherein: said flange is resiliently flexible between a first unrestrained position with said second bore aligned substantially parallel with said first bore and a second restrained position with said second bore aligned substantially perpendicular relative said first bore; and said flange resiliently flexes to its second restrained position when the catheter is received through said first and second bores thereby maintaining an approximate right angle bend in the catheter between said first and second bores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The retention bolster of claim 9, wherein: said curved exterior portion of said main body includes an annular convex surface having a convexly uniform curvature centered about, and curving away from said first bore; and said main body rocks along contacting portions between said annular convex surface and the epidermal surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retention bolster of claim 10, wherein a curvilinear surface extends between said first bore and said annular convex surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The retention bolster of claim 8, wherein: said second bore includes a reduced diameter portion; and said flange resiliently flexes to receive the catheter through said reduced diameter portion, thereby causing said reduced diameter portion to clamp the catheter in said second bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The retention bolster of claim 12, and further comprising: a clamp disposed about said second bore; and wherein said clamp is adjustable to clamp across said reduced diameter portion, thereby causing said reduced diameter portion to clamp the catheter in said second bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retention bolster of claim 13, wherein: the catheter is a percutaneous gastrostomy catheter; wherein the retention bolster cooperates with the percutaneous gastrostomy catheter to maintain said convexly curved exterior portion of said main body adjacent the epidermal surface.