An anchoring system includes a simply-structured device which permits a
portion of a catheter tube or similar medical article to be easily
anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and
suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base connected to a
cover by way of a flexible hinge. The retainer is attached to a flexible
anchor pad including an adhesive bottom surface, which can be attached to
the patient's skin. A catheter is secured to a fitting, which in turn
mounts to the retainer. Mounting the fitting to the retainer can be
accomplished by inserting posts of the retainer through holes of the
fitting, or by mounting the fitting within a channel defined by mounting
structures integral to the retainer. The cover is then positioned over
the base, by bending the flexible hinge, and latched to the base. Several
embodiments of the latching mechanism are disclosed. In one form, the
latching mechanism includes one or more posts on the base which can be
releasably locked into corresponding slotted holes in the cover.