Catheter Shower Patch Barrier with Slit and Protrusion Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sealing methods for catheters are inadequate, often requiring assistance for showering or bathing, leading to increased risk of infection and discomfort, as they fail to provide a reliable waterproof barrier, especially for long-term catheter use.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a deformable base and top element, featuring a slit and protrusion made of different materials for secure and waterproof sealing, allowing easy application and removal, and accommodating various catheter sizes, including a foil for complete sealing during showering or bathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing methods (patches, plastic bags, cling film) are used for catheter protection during showering, then the catheter is covered, but the sealing is inaccurate and difficult to apply properly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into multiple functional layers: a waterproof outer layer, an adhesive layer for skin attachment, and a catheter-securing component with slit and protrusion. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring both accurate sealing and easy application.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer acts as an intermediary between the waterproof outer layer and the patient's skin, ensuring secure attachment. The slit and protrusion mechanism serves as an intermediary to securely hold the catheter in place while maintaining the waterproof seal.
2Reliability
If multiple sticking patches are used to provide water tightness, then sealing coverage is increased, but the amount of glue and material required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated device: the waterproof outer layer provides water tightness, the adhesive layer ensures skin attachment, and the slit-protrusion mechanism secures the catheter. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate patches and reduces overall material consumption.
3Reliability
If additional clips are added to prevent liquid from running along the catheter, then liquid protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter-securing component integrates multiple functions: the slit holds the catheter, the protrusion prevents liquid from running along the catheter, and the overall structure maintains the waterproof seal. By combining these functions into a single component rather than adding separate clips, device complexity is minimized while liquid protection is ensured.
4Ease of operation
If the catheter is de-coupled before bathing, then the sealing area is exposed for cleaning, but time consumption for caregivers increases and infection risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is designed to be applied before bathing, creating a waterproof barrier that allows the catheter and surrounding area to remain covered during showering. This preliminary sealing action eliminates the need to decouple the catheter before bathing, maintaining both patient autonomy and infection protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device maintains continuous protection of the catheter site throughout the bathing process. The waterproof outer layer and adhesive construction ensure the seal remains intact during water exposure, allowing the beneficial action of infection prevention to continue uninterrupted during hygiene activities.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device suitable for assisting in liquid proof shielding of a catheter application area on the body of a living creature is described. The device has a base element tightly placeable on a body area near the catheter application area, and a top element connectable with the base element. One of the base element or the top element is an element with a slit for holding a catheter tube or infusion line and the other element has a protrusion for closing the slit and for forming a feedthrough for the catheter when the elements are connected. A first portion for tightly fitting and a second portion for forming a liquid sealing element for the catheter is used.