Catheter Securement Device with Elastomeric Base and Adjustable Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter securement devices fail to prevent in-and-out motion of catheters, leading to infections and tissue damage due to inadequate gripping and susceptibility to physical forces, and do not accommodate varying catheter sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tube holder with elastic skin attachment and adjustable male and female straps with apertures, providing a secure grip through a channel lock mechanism, and a shock-absorbing base to prevent motion and distribute forces uniformly, while accommodating catheters of different sizes and accommodating body movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional polymeric materials are used for catheter construction, then catheters are pliable, but they are susceptible to crushing at rigid pinch points
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device uses a soft, flexible base made of elastomeric material that conforms to body contours and provides a compliant interface with the catheter, eliminating rigid pinch points while maintaining securement. The base includes a recess that cradles the catheter in a curved configuration, distributing forces along the catheter length rather than concentrating them at rigid contact points.
2Strength
If catheters are secured with rigid pinch points, then securement strength is improved, but catheter crushing and tissue damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the physical parameters of the securement interface by using a soft elastomeric base with durometer between 10-40, transforming the interaction from rigid contact to compliant contact. This allows the base to deform and conform to both the body surface and catheter shape, distributing pressure below tissue damage thresholds while maintaining securement force.
Solution Approach 2:
The base features a recess with specific curvature and dimensions designed to cradle the catheter in a predetermined curved configuration. This localized structural feature provides securement exactly where needed while maintaining soft, compliant contact throughout the interface, preventing both crushing and slippage.
3Ease of operation
If catheters are allowed to move in-and-out at insertion site, then insertion flexibility is maintained, but infection risk increases due to pathogen transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The device establishes securement action at the moment of insertion by cradling the catheter in the recess and securing it to the body surface before the catheter can move in-and-out. This preliminary securement prevents subsequent pistoning motion that would transmit pathogens, while the curved recess design accommodates the insertion trajectory.
4Shape
If catheters are forced to bend excessively over short distance, then routing flexibility is improved, but kinking occurs causing loss of patency
Solution Approach 1:
The base recess is designed with a specific curved geometry that guides the catheter into a predetermined arc-shaped configuration. This pre-formed curve distributes bending over a longer path length, reducing the bend radius and preventing kinking while maintaining flexible routing from the insertion site to the collection device.
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 effectively reduces the risk of infection and tissue damage by providing a secure, stable, and adjustable grip for catheters of various sizes, preventing in-and-out motion and distributing forces to prevent damage, thus enhancing catheter patency and caregiver compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a tube holder 20 having a base 22 and a support member 66 in the form of an adhesive pad 68
Implementation Method 2
The base and gripping members are preferably unitarily, integrally formed of a one-piece soft, low durometer elastomer
Implementation Method 3
The designed surface area of the interfacing surface of the gripping assembly establishes a large tangential contact area to polymer tubing or polymer coated cable thereby increasing the friction between these surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A securement device for catheter tubes and polymer coated cables includes a base mounted on a support surface, and male and female straps, the male straps having locking members that mate with corresponding apertures in the female straps. The male and female straps connect to a base via fixed ends of the respective male and female straps, and each of the fixed ends comprises a curved portion configured to orient the corresponding unsecured strap substantially parallel to the base. Each of the fixed ends of the male straps mate with the fixed ends of the corresponding female strap, thereby forming a crease for seating the tube or cable being secured.