Antimicrobial Transcutaneous Shield Hourglass Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial medical preparations fail to adequately address microbes residing under the skin's surface, leading to a significant incidence of bloodstream infections during transcutaneous access procedures, with existing solutions being bulky, complex, and costly.
Innovation Solution
A shield device with an hourglass-type aperture and antimicrobial materials, designed to isolate and shield microbes from instruments and catheters, featuring a semi-rigid plastic construction for ease of manufacture and disposability, with anchoring mechanisms to prevent 'pistoning' and enhance access angles, suitable for various medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shallow dish-shaped shield device is used to reduce bloodstream infections, then infection prevention is improved, but the device becomes bulky and complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The shield device is divided into distinct functional segments: a flared proximal portion for skin engagement and positioning, a cylindrical intermediate portion for structural support, and a distal portion with an aperture for instrument access. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently while simplifying manufacturing through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex funnel-type shield that extends outward from the skin, the invention inverts the approach by creating a shield that anchors into the skin with a flared proximal portion, reversing the traditional orientation and achieving protection with a simpler, more compact structure
2Reliability
If a funnel-type shield device is used to prevent infection, then microbial isolation is improved, but the device becomes difficult to position and use
Solution Approach 1:
The shield device incorporates localized features for enhanced positioning: a flared proximal portion that engages specifically with the skin at the insertion site, and an aperture positioned at a specific angle relative to the longitudinal axis. These localized structural qualities enable precise positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The flared proximal portion of the shield device features a curved, dome-like geometry that naturally conforms to the skin surface curvature at the insertion site. This spherical curvature facilitates easy positioning and stable anchoring without requiring complex positioning mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If topical antiseptic preparations are used to eliminate microbes, then surface contamination is reduced, but microbes under the skin surface remain unaffected
Solution Approach 1:
The shield device serves as a physical intermediary barrier between the skin surface (where topical antiseptics are applied) and the instruments accessing the body. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between instruments and both surface and subsurface microbes, complementing topical antiseptic preparations by addressing the limitation of topical penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The shield device is positioned and anchored to the skin before instrument insertion occurs. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier in advance, preventing microbial introduction during the subsequent instrument insertion process, while topical antiseptics are applied to prepare the skin surface
Data Source
AI summary
A transcutaneous access shield with an instrument opening and surrounding wall to prevent infection during surgical and other medical procedures. The shield resists the entry of microbes from the skin at the body access point. A shield positioner and skin hook can be used to improve placement of the shield.