Catheter Stabilization Patch and Garment for Pistoning Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical tubing stabilization methods allow for lateral, longitudinal, and internal movement of medical tubing relative to the patient, leading to trauma, contamination, and infection, particularly in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), due to pistoning motion and lateral movement of catheters.

Innovation Solution

A medical tubing stabilization device comprising a tube stabilization patch with a tube engaging element and a patient attachment element, integrated into an adjustable medical garment, provides direct physical contact and equal pressure around the tubing perimeter to stabilize and immobilize the catheter, reducing pistoning and lateral motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional medical tubing stabilization methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the tubing allows lateral, longitudinal, and internal movement causing trauma and infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubing stabilityVSAvoidstabilization device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization device is divided into multiple functional segments: a garment portion that provides overall support, a stabilization portion with tube-engaging elements that directly secure the tubing, and a cushioning element that reduces movement forces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tube-engaging elements are positioned within or integrated into the stabilization portion, which itself is part of the larger garment structure. The cushioning element is nested between the tube-engaging elements and the patient's body. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and integrates multiple functions within a unified device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the catheter is secured firmly to prevent movement, then infection risk is reduced, but the catheter may cause tissue damage or discomfort due to rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidtissue damage and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cushioning element is positioned between the tube-engaging elements and the patient's body to absorb and distribute forces before they can cause tissue damage. This cushioning layer reduces the harmful effects of securing forces while maintaining the stability needed to prevent infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment and stabilization portions are constructed from flexible materials that can conform to the patient's body contours and accommodate movement without causing discomfort. The flexibility of these materials allows the device to maintain secure tubing stabilization while adapting to physiological changes and patient comfort needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the tubing is allowed to move freely, then patient comfort is maintained, but lateral and pistoning motion causes contamination and infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidcontamination and infection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides localized stabilization only where the tubing exits the body, rather than restricting movement throughout the entire tubing length. The tube-engaging elements and cushioning are concentrated at the critical exit site, allowing the rest of the tubing to remain flexible and comfortable for the patient while preventing contamination at the vulnerable insertion point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If a rigid stabilization structure is used, then tubing position is fixed, but the structure cannot accommodate patient movement and causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubing position stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of patient movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization device incorporates dynamic elements including flexible garments, movable tube-engaging elements, and compressible cushioning that can adapt to patient movement. These components maintain tubing stability through ranges of motion rather than rigid fixation, allowing the device to accommodate sitting, standing, and lying positions while preventing excessive tubing displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12420065B2Devices, systems, and methods for stabilizing medical tubing protruding from a patient

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 HAITEC MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods for stabilizing medical tubing protruding from a patient. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a medical tubing stabilization device is provided that may include a tube stabilization patch and a complementary medical garment. The tube stabilization patch may be applied to a patient who has medical tubing or a catheter protruding from their body to reduce or dampen movement on the body from the medical tubing in relation to the patient. The medical garment may be worn by the patient and placed in combination with the tube stabilization patch to further reduce the relative movement of the medical tubing. The present disclosure may be directed to reducing the level of medical tubing movement, both externally and internally, that a patient may experience, which decreases the risk of infection caused by catheterization of patients.