Catheter Securement Retainer with Hinged Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing medical articles, such as catheters, to patients are either time-consuming, labor-intensive, or pose infection risks, and fail to effectively prevent movement and irritation at the insertion site.

Innovation Solution

A securement system featuring a retainer with a channel and hinged actuators that pivot to engage and stabilize the medical article, using adhesive pads to attach to the skin and prevent longitudinal, lateral, and transverse movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If taping is used to secure the medical article, then the medical article can be attached to the patient's skin, but the process is time consuming and labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The securement device is divided into distinct functional segments: a retainer body with channel for receiving the catheter, base portions for skin attachment, and actuator portions for engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall application time while maintaining securement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator portions are designed to be movable relative to the retainer body, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic design enables quick attachment and detachment of the catheter without requiring time-consuming manual manipulation, thereby reducing application time while ensuring reliable securement when engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If taping is used to secure the medical article, then the medical article can be attached to the patient's skin, but tape collects bacteria and must be frequently removed and replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidbacteria accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer body acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the patient's skin, with the base portions providing the attachment interface. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between tape and the medical article, reducing bacteria accumulation on the tape while maintaining securement effectiveness. The design allows for cleaner, more hygienic securement compared to traditional taping methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If sutures are used to attach the medical article, then the medical article can be securely stitched onto the skin, but sutures can be a source of infection and cause pain and inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the need for penetrating the skin with sutures by using a non-invasive base portion that adheres to the skin surface. The actuator portions engage the catheter within the retainer body channel without requiring skin penetration, thereby eliminating the infection risk and pain associated with sutures while maintaining securement effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If sutures are used to attach the medical article, then the medical article can be securely stitched onto the skin, but sutures require time and skill to apply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidapplication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator portions are designed to be movable and easily manipulated, allowing healthcare providers to quickly engage and disengage the catheter from the retainer body. This dynamic design simplifies the application process compared to suturing, requiring minimal skill and time while ensuring reliable securement when the actuators are engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Reliability

If extensive movement occurs of the medical article, then the IV line could come out of the patient, but proper securing is needed to prevent this

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of displacementVSAvoidirritation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer body with its channel and the actuators are pre-configured to securely hold the catheter in place before any movement occurs. The base portions are designed to adhere to the skin, creating a stable foundation that prevents displacement of the catheter, thereby eliminating the need for excessive securing measures that could cause irritation or infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8636701B2Medical article securement system

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 CR BARD INC

AI summary

A medical article securement device holds a medical article such as a catheter in position upon the body of a patient and at least inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer, a pair of hinged actuators, and a pair of engagement members coupled with the hinged actuators. Movement of the actuators causes the engagement members to grip at least a portion of a medical article placed within the retainer so as to inhibit longitudinal movement of the medical article with respect to the retainer. The shape of the retainer inhibits lateral and transverse movement of the medical article with respect to a patient's skin.