Antimicrobial Puncture Patch with Self-Sealing Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare professionals are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens during and after puncturing a patient's skin for injections, and existing solutions do not adequately prevent the spread of pathogens or ensure safe disposal of contaminated materials.
Innovation Solution
A puncture site patch with an elastomeric, self-sealing membrane infused with antimicrobial agents and a spacer that forms a sealable enclosure to contain and neutralize blood and pathogens, featuring foldable tabs for safe disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a puncture site patch with sealable enclosure is used to contain blood and pathogens, then pathogen containment and neutralization is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing mechanisms and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is divided into distinct functional components: an adhesive layer for skin attachment, a spacer layer forming a three-dimensional enclosure, and an elastomeric membrane with aperture for needle access. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving pathogen containment without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch structure implements nesting by placing the adhesive layer within the spacer layer, and the elastomeric membrane with aperture within the spacer enclosure. This nested arrangement allows the sealable enclosure to contain blood and pathogens while maintaining a compact, integrated device structure.
2Ease of operation
If the patch is designed with foldable tabs for safe disposal, then ease of operation for disposal is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional tab structures and folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patch incorporates elongated tabs that can dynamically change position between extending outward from the spacer periphery and being folded over the aperture. This dynamic capability allows the tabs to serve multiple functions: providing structural support when extended and sealing the aperture when folded, thereby improving ease of disposal without requiring complex separate sealing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the elastomeric membrane is made self-sealing to prevent pathogen spread, then reliability of pathogen containment is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to sealing membrane fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric membrane is designed with specific material properties including elasticity and self-sealing characteristics. The membrane's ability to return to its original shape after needle puncture is achieved by selecting elastomeric materials with appropriate durometer and cross-linking density, thereby ensuring reliable pathogen containment through material parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing processes.
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 patch effectively contains and neutralizes bloodborne pathogens, reducing the risk of exposure and ensuring safe disposal of contaminated materials, particularly in the context of drive-thru vaccination clinics and other settings.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric, self-sealing membrane infused with antimicrobial agents
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive film to adhere to skin, that is located on the inner face of the spacer
Implementation Method 3
an elastomeric, self-sealing membrane
Data Source
Figure 1~4B
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 5~8B
AI summary
A puncture site patch includes: an elastomeric, self-sealing membrane with an exterior face and interior face; a spacer including an outer face and inner face, where the outer face of the spacer is coupled to the interior face of the membrane, and where the spacer further includes an aperture forming a cavity defined by the interior face of the membrane, spacer, and skin when applied to a user; an adhesive film that can adhere to skin, the adhesive film on the inner face of the spacer; at least one elongated tab that can move between a first position and a second position; where when in the first position the at least one elongated tab extends outward from a periphery of the spacer; and where when in the second position the puncture site patch is folded so that the aperture is sealed closed by the at least one elongated tab.