Antimicrobial Catheter Cap with Threaded Ring and Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-term hemodialysis catheters are prone to infection, leading to elevated mortality rates and significant healthcare costs due to bloodstream infections, which are a major cause of death in the United States.
Innovation Solution
A cap device with a central insert and a retaining ring is designed to deliver an antimicrobial composition to the proximal end of a transdermal catheter. The cap is configured to be removably secured to the hub of the catheter, with the ring member having first threads that engage second threads on the hub, and an insert member secured within the ring member, which includes an antimicrobial composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap device with ring and insert is used to deliver antimicrobial composition, then infection prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap device is divided into separate functional components: a cap body for sealing, a ring member for securing to the hub, and an insert member for delivering antimicrobial composition. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall device reliability for infection prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert member is positioned within the cap device structure, with the ring member securing the insert in place. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions (sealing, securing, and antimicrobial delivery) into a compact unit, improving infection prevention without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If threaded ring member and insert member are joined by interference fit to prevent rotation, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interference fit between the threaded ring member and insert member utilizes controlled dimensional parameters and material properties to create a connection that prevents rotation. By carefully selecting the interference fit parameters (clearance, material elasticity), the design achieves reliable non-rotational connection while maintaining feasible manufacturing tolerances.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fins are added to ring member and insert member for interference fit, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fins are added only to specific localized areas of the ring member and insert member where interference fit is required, rather than throughout the entire components. This localized addition provides the necessary connection stability through increased surface area and mechanical interlocking, while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for providing an antimicrobial composition to the proximal elements of a transdermal catheter and into the lumen of the transdermal catheter are disclosed. In an embodiment, the device includes a cap configured to be removably secured to the hub, the cap comprising a ring member comprising first threads for engaging second threads on the hub of the transdermal catheter, the ring member having an opening through its interior; and an insert member secured within the opening of the ring member; wherein the insert member comprises an antimicrobial composition and the ring and insert member do not readily rotate with regard to one another.