Catheter Locking Solution with Trisodium Citrate and Ethyl Alcohol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter locking solutions fail to effectively reduce biofilm generation and catheter malfunction while minimizing patient discomfort and adverse effects on the catheter system, often leading to antimicrobial resistance, material degradation, and increased risk of infections.

Innovation Solution

A catheter locking solution comprising 8.0 to 12.0 weight/volume % trisodium citrate as an anticoagulant and/or antibacterial component, combined with 15.0 to 25.0 volume/volume % ethyl alcohol, which forms a synergistic antibacterial effect without causing significant material degradation or patient discomfort, effectively eradicating biofilm and preventing coagulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional catheter locking solutions use antibiotic agents for antibacterial effects, then antibacterial function is improved, but antimicrobial resistance increases and patient safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial functionVSAvoidantimicrobial resistance and patient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the locking solution by using trisodium citrate (8-12% w/v) and ethyl alcohol (15-25% v/v) instead of conventional antibiotics. This parameter change maintains effective antibacterial and anticoagulant functions while eliminating the harmful effect of antimicrobial resistance, as citrate works through chelation and alcohol through protein denaturation rather than antibiotic mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite locking solution combining trisodium citrate and ethyl alcohol in specific concentrations. This composite formulation synergistically provides both anticoagulant and antibacterial effects, replacing single-agent antibiotic solutions and eliminating resistance issues while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing catheter locking solutions use agents that produce toxic environment, then antibacterial and anticoagulant effects are improved, but patient discomfort and illness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial and anticoagulant effectsVSAvoidpatient discomfort and illness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the concentration parameters of trisodium citrate (8-12% w/v) and ethyl alcohol (15-25% v/v) to achieve effective antibacterial and anticoagulant actions while staying below toxic thresholds. This optimized parameter range provides therapeutic effects without causing patient discomfort or illness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If many existing solutions are used to generate antibacterial and anticoagulant effects, then catheter malfunction is prevented, but material degradation occurs and service life is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of catheter malfunctionVSAvoidservice life of catheter system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses moderate concentrations of trisodium citrate (8-12% w/v) and ethyl alcohol (15-25% v/v) that are effective for preventing catheter malfunction through anticoagulation and antibacterial action, but low enough to avoid degrading catheter materials and shortening service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 nearly eradicates biofilm, prevents coagulation, and reduces catheter malfunction risks without adverse effects on the patient or the catheter system, maintaining material integrity and minimizing antimicrobial resistance.

Implementation Method 1

trisodium citrate... as an anticoagulant component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

ethyl alcohol... as an antibacterial component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtein denaturation:

Data Source

PatentEP3413942B1Catheter locking solution and catheter locking therapy

Publication Date: 2023.01.11 MEDICAL COMPONENTS INC

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AI summary

Various embodiments relate to catheter locking solutions and catheter locking therapies with use of trisodium citrate and ethyl alcohol, and in particular 4.0 to 15.0 weight/volume % trisodium citrate as an anticoagulant component and/or an antibacterial component and 15.0 to 25.0 volume/volume % ethyl alcohol as an antibacterial component. Use of the catheter locking solution and catheter locking therapy can reduce treatment failure during medical procedures that may employ catheters to supply treatment by at least significantly reducing the risks associated with bloodstream infections, catheter system malfunction, emboli formation, patient discomfort, and patient illness. These benefits can be partially due to the synergistic antibacterial effects of the trisodium citrate and ethyl alcohol in solution, generating an effective catheter locking solution with minimal concentrations of ethyl alcohol.