Two-Part Cannula Dressing with Overlapping Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dressings for securing cannulas during intravenous catheterization often compromise peripheral integrity, leading to increased infection risk and damage to veins due to slits that compromise the dressing's resistance against cannula movement.

Innovation Solution

A two-part overlapping dressing with a first flexible adhesive sheet featuring a slit that terminates in an enlarged aperture and a second sheet capable of overlapping the slit, reducing the opening size and maintaining peripheral integrity, along with release sheets for easy application and minimizing contact with adhesive regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a slit or indentation extends from the edge of the dressing to the central aperture, then the cannula can be accommodated, but the peripheral integrity of the dressing is compromised, increasing infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecannula accommodationVSAvoidinfection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is segmented into two distinct parts: a slit portion for cannula insertion and an enlarged aperture portion for connector accommodation. This segmentation allows the opening to fulfill its function while minimizing the compromise to peripheral integrity, as the slit does not extend to the periphery but is contained within the dressing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening transitions from a simple linear slit to a two-dimensional structure with both a slit portion and an enlarged aperture portion. This dimensional change allows the opening to accommodate the cannula and connector effectively while maintaining a more intact peripheral structure compared to a continuous slit extending to the edge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a slit extends to the periphery of the dressing, then the cannula can be inserted, but the resistance against unwanted pulling or pushing movement of the cannula is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecannula insertionVSAvoidresistance against cannula movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is divided into a slit portion for insertion and an enlarged aperture portion for securing. The slit portion provides easy cannula insertion, while the enlarged aperture portion, being larger and more centrally located, provides structural support and resistance against pulling or pushing movements, preventing the cannula from dislodging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slit portion is designed to facilitate preliminary cannula insertion, after which the enlarged aperture portion provides the primary structural support. The slit serves its purpose of enabling insertion, while the enlarged aperture is prepared in advance to accommodate the connector and provide stability, reducing the need for the slit to extend to the periphery for movement resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the opening extends close to the peripheral edges, then the cannula can be accommodated, but the peripheral integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecannula accommodationVSAvoidperipheral integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is designed as a composite structure with a slit portion extending partway and an enlarged aperture portion at the end. This two-dimensional configuration allows the opening to accommodate the cannula and connector effectively while the enlarged aperture is positioned centrally, maintaining a buffer zone between the opening and the peripheral edges, thus preserving peripheral integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2814552B1Two-part cannula dressing
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 GREEN CROSS MEDICO LTD
  • EP2814552B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2814552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2814552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to a two-part overlapping dressing for securing a cannula during intravenous catheterization on the skin surface of a patient. The dressing comprises a first flexible adhesive sheet (10) provided with an opening (16) spaced from all its peripheral edges; and a second flexible adhesive sheet (12). The opening (16) in the first sheet comprises a slit (18), one end of which terminates in an enlarged aperture (20). The second sheet (12) is dimensioned such that, when it is aligned with and adhered against the first sheet (10) in use, it is capable of overlapping the full length of the slit (18) so as to reduce the opening (16) to the size of the enlarged aperture (20). The apparatus allows for a more secure fitting of the cannula whilst minimising the risk of infection.