H-Shaped Catheter Anchor With 3-Degree Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter tube anchoring devices do not effectively reduce the risk of contamination and patient infection during IV insertion, nor do they simplify the process of starting an IV or securely attach the catheter to the patient's skin without causing discomfort or pain.
Innovation Solution
An adhesively-attachable H-shaped catheter tube anchoring device with flexible side members and a rigid crossmember, featuring a retainer that holds the catheter tube at a 3-degree angle and includes two rigid gripping tabs to assist in needle advancement and attachment to IV tubing, reducing direct contact and using an adhesive or pressure-release polymer adhesive for secure attachment to the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional catheter anchoring devices are used, then the catheter can be secured to the patient's skin, but the risk of contamination and patient infection increases due to direct contact during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the anchoring device with gripping tabs) that mediates between the user's hand and the catheter hub. The gripping tabs serve as a barrier, allowing users to advance the catheter without direct finger contact with the hub, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If traditional catheter anchoring methods are used, then the catheter can be secured, but the process of starting an IV becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device is pre-configured with the catheter hub secured to the crossmember before patient application. The gripping tabs are pre-positioned to facilitate easy grasping and advancement. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex manipulation during the actual IV insertion process, speeding up the procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional anchoring methods are used, then the catheter can be secured, but patient comfort decreases due to pain during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device segments the catheter support function across multiple components: the crossmember provides rigid support, the side members provide flexible anchoring to the skin, and the retainer secures the catheter hub. This segmentation allows the catheter to be firmly anchored without concentrating stress at a single point, reducing pain during patient movement.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid structure is used to hold the catheter at a fixed angle, then the catheter position is stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the crossmember simultaneously provides rigid angular support, serves as an anchor point for side members, and supports the retainer. This consolidation achieves catheter angle stability without requiring multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 device reduces the risk of contamination and infection, makes IV insertion easier and faster, securely attaches the catheter without tape, and minimizes patient discomfort and pain during movement.
Implementation Method 1
The side members and crossmember have an adhesive bottom surface, which is adapted to attach to a patient's skin
Implementation Method 2
containing capsules which releases the polymer adhesive through mesh openings on the bottom side of the gripping tabs
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter tube anchoring device for securing a catheter to a patient's skin, having two flexible side members and a rigid cross-member therebetween to which a retainer is mounted. The retainer holds a catheter adaptor at a 3-degree angle for patient comfort. Two rigid gripping tabs secure to each retainer side are gripped gripping while advancing a needle into the patient's vein and while attaching the catheter adaptor to a I.V. tubing, for increased patient comfort, reduction of the risk in contamination and patient infection, and to more easily and quickly start an I.V. An alternative embodiment includes prism shaped tabs containing a pressure-release polymer adhesive-containing capsules which releases the polymer adhesive through mesh openings in the tabs onto an absorbent pad on a crosslmember bottom side and onto a patient's skin to secure the device thereto either alone or in combination with a second adhesive on the patient's skin.