Catheter Securement Device Using Mechanical Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of securing medical lines to patients using tape lead to complications such as infection, phlebitis, and skin irritation due to adhesive residue, and fail to effectively limit catheter motion.
Innovation Solution
A securement system comprising an anchor pad with adhesive and a retainer that includes a channel with grooves and abutment surfaces to securely hold a medical article, inhibiting longitudinal, lateral, and transverse movement, thereby reducing the risk of complications associated with tape use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to secure the catheter to the patient, then the catheter can be held in place, but the tape retains dirt or contaminant particles leading to infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device is divided into separate functional components: a retainer that directly contacts and secures the catheter, and an anchor pad that attaches to the skin. This segmentation allows the retainer to be easily removable for cleaning while the anchor pad remains fixed, preventing contaminant accumulation at the insertion site.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive function is extracted from the catheter-contacting portion and placed only in the anchor pad that attaches to the skin. The retainer uses mechanical retention features (grooves, splines, abutment surfaces) instead of adhesive, eliminating the source of contaminant retention while maintaining securement effectiveness.
2Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be held in place, but the tape fails to limit catheter motion causing phlebitis, infiltration and catheter migration
Solution Approach 1:
The securement system separates the catheter-contacting retainer from the skin-attached anchor pad, allowing the retainer to provide precise mechanical constraints (grooves for lateral motion, abutment surfaces for longitudinal motion) while the anchor pad provides stable skin attachment, collectively preventing all types of catheter motion that cause complications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive tape is frequently removed and reapplied to maintain catheter security, then the catheter can be repositioned if needed, but the repeated tape application excoriates the patient's skin
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the reusable anchor pad (attached to skin) from the replaceable retainer (contacting catheter). The anchor pad with its adhesive layer remains on the skin for extended periods without causing excoriation, while the retainer can be removed and reapplied to the catheter as needed for repositioning, eliminating repeated skin trauma.
4Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be held in place, but adhesive residue builds up on the catheter surface making it stickier and more difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive function is completely extracted from the catheter-contacting retainer and placed only in the anchor pad that attaches to the skin. The retainer uses pure mechanical retention features, ensuring no adhesive residue builds up on the catheter surface, maintaining ease of handling while providing effective securement.
5Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be held in place, but the tape requires periodic changes increasing healthcare provider workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the securement into a long-lasting anchor pad attached to the skin and a retainer that secures the catheter. The anchor pad remains in place for extended periods without needing frequent changes, while the retainer can be quickly adjusted or replaced on the catheter as needed, significantly reducing healthcare provider workload compared to frequent complete tape 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 system effectively secures medical articles, reducing the risk of infection and skin irritation while preventing unwanted catheter motion, thus providing a more stable and secure attachment method compared to traditional tape-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
an anchor pad that has a lower surface at least partially covered by an adhesive for contacting the patient's skin
Data Source
AI summary
A securement system (100) includes a device which permits a portion of a catheter or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suture. A securement system for an elongated medical article comprises an anchor pad (110) and a retainer (120) mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer (120) includes a channel (130) that has at least one abutment surface (160) corresponding to a contact surface on the medical article and a groove (210) configured to receive a spline (40) of the medical article. The medical article is placed into the channel (130). The medical article is secured within the channel by retaining at least one spline (40) and contact surface on the medical article.