Adaptable Catheter Sleeve for Securement and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catheter securement methods fail to effectively prevent patient-initiated line removal, infiltration, and infection, particularly in pediatric and geriatric populations, due to lack of stabilization, securement, visibility, comfort, and protection, leading to complications such as discomfort and infection.

Innovation Solution

A flexible fabric sleeve with a central aperture for catheter insertion, a removable cover, and a hub attachment device with securement strips that wraps around a body part to provide catheter site protection and securement, eliminating the need for tape and allowing for joint immobilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional catheter securement methods are used, then the catheter can be inserted and positioned, but the catheter is not effectively secured against patient-initiated removal, infiltration, and infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securement effectivenessVSAvoidinfection and infiltration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated sleeve device: catheter securement, site protection, joint immobilization, and patient education all occur through one device. The sleeve merges the catheter stabilization function with protective and educational functions, eliminating the need for separate tape applications and protective coverings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric sleeve acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the external environment, providing a protective barrier that prevents direct access to the catheter site while maintaining securement. The sleeve mediates between the need for stable catheter positioning and the need to protect against infection and infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the catheter site is exposed for monitoring, then visibility is maintained, but patient access to the catheter site increases leading to higher infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter site visibilityVSAvoidpatient access and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve provides different qualities in different regions: the apertures provide local transparency for visibility where needed, while the surrounding fabric material provides opacity and protection in other areas. This local differentiation allows monitoring while preventing access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric sleeve with its apertures acts as a flexible protective shell that allows visual monitoring through the transparent portions while physically blocking patient access to the catheter site. The thin film structure provides protection without completely obscuring the site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be fixed in place, but skin irritation and discomfort occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioning stabilityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical adhesive system (tape) with a fabric-based mechanical securement system. The sleeve uses friction, tension, and the hub attachment device with securement strips to stabilize the catheter without requiring adhesive contact with the skin, thereby eliminating tape-related irritation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If a comprehensive catheter protection device is implemented, then securement and protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securement and protectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions simultaneously: securement, protection, immobilization, and education. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components while maintaining comprehensive catheter care capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve is segmented into functional regions: apertures for visibility and access, securement strips for stabilization, and educational graphics for patient awareness. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall simplicity of the single-device solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9993621B2Adaptable sleeve for catheter securement and protection

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 BOUCHARD BRIANA M

AI summary

An adaptable sleeve for securing a catheter in place and protecting it once secured is provided. The sleeve provides a body configured to wrap about a catheter insertion location, a cover to protect the catheter once inserted, and a hub attachment mechanism to hold the catheter hub and prevent its movement relative to the insertion site, once inserted.