Catheter Securement Device with Antimicrobial Patch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter securement devices are susceptible to movement relative to the skin, fail to provide antimicrobial benefits, and can cause contact irritant dermatitis and water ingress, leading to increased risks of catheter-related infections.

Innovation Solution

A combined dressing and suture-less securement device with a lock retainer and passive retainer, designed to securely attach a catheter to the skin near the insertion site, preventing movement and infection while allowing easy access to catheter hubs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional dressings are used to secure the catheter, then the catheter is held in place, but the dressings can cause contact irritant dermatitis and allow water ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securementVSAvoidcontact irritant dermatitis and water ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the securement function and antimicrobial protection into a single integrated device. The securement device includes an antimicrobial patch as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate traditional dressings that cause dermatitis and water ingress. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing securement while preventing harmful effects through the integrated antimicrobial layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antimicrobial patch acts as an intermediary layer between the catheter insertion site and the external environment. It provides a protective barrier that prevents water ingress and microbial contamination while allowing the securement device to function. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by blocking harmful factors without compromising securement effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If suture-less securement devices are used, then the catheter is secured without sutures, but the devices are susceptible to movement relative to the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture-less applicationVSAvoidcatheter stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The securement device is divided into multiple functional segments: an antimicrobial patch, a securement component with retainers, and a cover. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the retainers provide stable anchoring to the skin while the antimicrobial patch provides protection, and the cover prevents water ingress. This resolves the contradiction by providing suture-less application while maintaining reliability through distributed retention points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties. The securement component uses adhesive materials for skin attachment, the antimicrobial patch uses antimicrobial agents, and the cover uses water-resistant materials. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation through suture-less application while ensuring reliability through the combined properties of multiple materials working together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the catheter is secured close to the skin, then movement is prevented, but access to catheter hubs becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter stabilityVSAvoidcatheter hub access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securement device incorporates dynamic elements that allow the catheter to be securely held close to the skin while enabling easy access to hubs. The retainers are positioned to anchor the catheter firmly, but the device design includes access channels and removable components that allow hub access without compromising the securement. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by maintaining stability through close securing while enabling operational access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively reduces the risk of catheter-related infections and contact irritant dermatitis by securely attaching the catheter close to the skin, preventing water and microbial ingress, and allowing easy access to catheter hubs without causing unnecessary movement.

Implementation Method 1

The device comprises an adhesive layer arranged to attach the securement device to the skin of a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The device includes an antimicrobial patch arranged to be in contact with the skin of a patient at a site corresponding to the insertion site of the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial:

Implementation Method 3

The device comprises a cover arranged to prevent water ingress to the catheter and the securement device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3573694B1Catheter securement device

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK

Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A device for securing a catheter, or similar flexible medical tube or medical device to the skin of a patient. The device comprises a planar body (1) at least a lock retainer (5) and a passive retainer (6), both spaced-apart from each other. Furthermore a method of of securing a catheter to a patient using a device as described.