Intravascular access device displacement alerting apparatus and method

A method of providing a displacement alert for an intravascular access device, comprising:

• inserting said intravascular access device to a blood vessel through the patient's skin at an access site;
• securing the intravascular access device to the access site;
• placing electrodes onto the patient's skin at the access site located at first and second sides respectively of and proximal to said intravascular access device so as to allow a micro-current flow between the electrodes and through the skin, the electrodes being secured to the intravascular access device;
• inferring from the interruption of said micro-current that a displacement of said intravascular access device has occurred;
• and
• issuing a displacement alarm signal.

Apparatus for providing a displacement alert for an intravascular access device inserted into a patient's blood vessel through the skin at an access site, the apparatus comprising:

• electrodes attached to said skin across said access site;
• a power source connected to said electrodes to facilitate a micro-current through said skin and between said electrodes across said access site;
• said electrodes being associated with said intravascular access device such that at least one of said electrodes becomes detached from said skin upon displacement of said intravascular access device, thereby disrupting said micro-current;
• a transmitter for transmitting an alarm signal upon interruption of micro-current circuit;
• and
• a receiver for receiving said alarm signal and for producing a displacement alert output.