Catheter Adapter Micro-Drop Adhesive Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue adhesive devices for intravascular catheter securement have long curing times due to macro adhesive drop sizes, leading to inadequate adhesion strength and increased catheter migration and dislodgement, which prolongs procedure time and is undesirable for clinicians.

Innovation Solution

A catheter adapter with a reservoir and fluid flow conduits is designed to precisely deliver tissue adhesive to the skin, featuring a compressible and resilient reservoir and tubular conduits that direct adhesive to the catheter insertion site and hub, reducing migration and dislodgement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If macro adhesive drops are used for IV catheter securement, then the adhesive can be easily applied, but the curing time becomes long resulting in inadequate adhesion strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive applicationVSAvoidcuring time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is divided into multiple micro-drops instead of a single macro drop. The delivery device includes multiple conduits that dispense separate micro-drops of adhesive at different locations (insertion site and around the catheter hub), transforming one large adhesive application into multiple smaller applications that cure faster while providing comprehensive securement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive delivery transitions from a single-point macro application to a multi-point micro application distributed across different spatial dimensions. The adhesive is applied both at the insertion site and circumferentially around the catheter hub, creating a distributed adhesive pattern that reduces overall curing time while maintaining securement effectiveness.

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

2Quantity of substance

If macro adhesive drops are used for IV catheter securement, then the adhesive coverage is sufficient, but the adhesion strength is inadequate until curing is complete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive coverageVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive coverage is segmented into multiple micro-drops distributed at different locations rather than one large drop. This segmentation allows multiple adhesive bonds to form simultaneously at different points, providing distributed strength that prevents catheter migration and dislodgement while each micro-drop cures quickly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adhesive applications are targeted at different locations with specific functions: adhesive at the insertion site secures the catheter tip, while adhesive around the catheter hub secures the connection point. This local quality approach ensures that each area receives appropriate adhesive coverage for its specific securement needs, achieving overall strong adhesion through multiple localized bonds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If macro adhesive drops are used for IV catheter securement, then the adhesive can be applied in fewer steps, but the procedure time increases due to long curing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive application stepsVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive delivery device integrates multiple micro-drop dispensing functions into a single application action. Although the adhesive is divided into multiple micro-drops, they are all delivered simultaneously or in rapid succession through the integrated device, maintaining simplicity of operation while dramatically reducing total procedure time through faster curing of the micro-drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables faster and more secure catheter attachment to the skin, reducing migration and dislodgement by ensuring quicker adhesive delivery and stronger adhesion, thus improving procedural efficiency and patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a compressible and resilient reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

one or more fluid flow conduits in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to direct the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4397349A1Catheter adapter with integrated adhesive dispenser
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP4397349A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397349A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4397349A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided herein is a catheter adapter, including a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen arranged between and in fluid communication with the distal end and the proximal end, a catheter arranged at the distal end of the catheter adapter and in fluid communication with the lumen, a reservoir, an adhesive received within the reservoir, and one or more fluid flow conduits in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to direct the adhesive to the skin of a patient on which the catheter adapter is arranged.