Adhesive Patch for Reusable Medical Device Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing reusable medical devices, such as surface electrodes, to a patient's body during medical procedures are inadequate in ensuring comfortable and secure attachment, particularly during cardiac mapping systems where multiple devices need to be tracked.

Innovation Solution

A patch apparatus with a cushion and multiple adhesive members is used to securely attach reusable medical devices to a patient's body, featuring a cushioning ridge for comfort and easy removal, and a pull tab with different adhesive regions for secure attachment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reusable medical device is secured to the patient's body, then the device remains in position for tracking, but the attachment may cause skin irritation or discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice attachment securityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a cushioning member between the reusable medical device and the patient's skin to prevent skin irritation before it occurs. The cushioning member is positioned in advance to distribute pressure and reduce direct contact between the device and skin, thereby maintaining secure attachment while preventing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning member serves as an intermediary element between the medical device and the patient's body. This mediator allows the device to remain securely attached for tracking purposes while preventing direct harmful contact with the skin, thus resolving the contradiction between attachment security and skin protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a reusable medical device is securely attached to the patient's body, then tracking accuracy is maintained, but the device becomes difficult to remove and reuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddevice removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple functional layers: an adhesive layer for secure attachment to skin, a cushioning member for comfort, and a removable cover or tab system that allows easy separation. This segmentation enables the device to be securely attached during use but easily removed for reuse by detaching specific segments rather than the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static secure bond to a dynamic removable configuration. The adhesive provides strong initial attachment for tracking accuracy, while the cushioning member and cover system enable dynamic removal and reattachment, allowing the device to switch between secured and removable states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple reusable medical devices are attached to track location, then tracking precision improves, but the complexity of securing and managing multiple devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice location tracking precisionVSAvoidattachment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is designed as a universal, multi-functional assembly that can be used with multiple different reusable medical devices. The same cushioning member and adhesive structure can accommodate various devices requiring location tracking, reducing the need for device-specific attachment solutions and simplifying the management of multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated attachment assembly: the adhesive provides secure attachment, the cushioning member provides comfort and pressure distribution, and the cover or tab system provides easy removal. This merged design allows multiple devices to be attached using the same standardized system, reducing overall complexity despite the need to track multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a comfortable and secure attachment of reusable medical devices, allowing for easy removal and reuse, while minimizing skin irritation and facilitating precise tracking of medical devices during procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a first adhesive member including an upper adhesive surface and lower adhesive surface opposite the upper adhesive surface, and a second adhesive member interposed between the cushion and the first adhesive member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10463303B2Adhesive patch for use with reusable medical devices

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

An apparatus for use in securing a reusable medical device to an exterior surface of a patient's body includes a cushion, a first adhesive member, and a second adhesive member. The cushion includes a bottom side, a top side opposite the bottom side, and an opening adapted to receive at least a portion of the reusable medical device therein. The first adhesive member includes an upper adhesive surface and lower adhesive surface opposite the upper adhesive surface. The second adhesive member is interposed between the cushion and the first adhesive member, and includes a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposite the first adhesive surface.