Catheter Stabilization Device with Segmented Adhesive Pad and Resilient Clip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stabilizing catheters to the skin, such as using medical tape, are time-consuming, cause skin irritation, and increase the risk of infection and contamination, while also restricting patient movement.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization device featuring an anti-allergic adhesive pad with a resilient clipping body that allows easy clipping and unclipping of catheters, oriented to facilitate insertion and removal without requiring downward force, reducing the need for frequent tape application and minimizing skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical tape is used to stabilize the catheter to the skin, then the catheter is secured in place, but the application process becomes time-consuming and requires frequent tape removal and reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization device is divided into separate functional components: an adhesive pad that remains on the skin and a catheter clip that can be independently attached and removed. This segmentation allows the catheter to be stabilized without requiring repeated full-device application and removal, reducing time loss while maintaining reliable stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter clip incorporates a resilient body with movable clipping arms that can dynamically open and close to facilitate easy attachment and removal of the catheter. This dynamic mechanism enables quick catheter changes without requiring removal of the entire stabilization device or reapplication of adhesive tape.
2Reliability
If medical tape is applied over the catheter terminal adapter, then the catheter is secured, but skin irritation and infection risk increase due to frequent tape removal and reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the adhesive pad from the catheter clipping mechanism, the device minimizes skin contact frequency. The adhesive pad remains on the skin continuously without removal, while only the external catheter clip needs to be attached and detached, significantly reducing skin irritation and infection risk associated with repeated tape application.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient catheter clip acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the adhesive pad. It provides the necessary mechanical stabilization and catheter securing functions without requiring direct adhesive contact with the catheter terminal adapter, thereby reducing skin exposure to adhesive materials and associated harmful effects.
3Reliability
If the catheter is securely stabilized to the skin, then the catheter remains in place, but patient movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the stabilization function (adhesive pad on skin) from the catheter securing function (removable clip). This allows the catheter to be firmly held when needed while permitting easy removal and patient movement, as the clip can be quickly detached without removing the entire stabilization device or compromising skin adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient clipping mechanism provides dynamic stabilization that adapts to patient movement. The spring-loaded arms can flex and adjust during normal patient activity while maintaining secure catheter attachment, and can be quickly released when catheter access or removal is needed, thus balancing stabilization with patient mobility.
4Ease of operation
If a resilient clipping body is used to allow easy catheter clipping and unclipping, then manipulation becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex resilient clipping mechanism is extracted as a separate, self-contained module that can be independently manufactured and attached to the simple adhesive pad. This modular extraction allows the sophisticated clipping function to be optimized for ease of use without unnecessarily complicating the overall device structure, as each component remains relatively simple in its own right.
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 securely attaches catheters to the skin, reducing discomfort and infection risk, allowing for easier manipulation and replacement, while enabling patient movement without compromising catheter stability.
Implementation Method 1
said pad including a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface including an adhesive material suitable for removably attaching said bottom surface to skin
Implementation Method 2
at least one catheter clipping element, comprising: a base, attached to the pad top surface; an elongated resilient clipping body protruding from said base
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a stabilization device for attaching and securing a catheter to the skin of a patient in order to maintain the catheter correctly placed through a catheter insertion site. The stabilization device includes a catheter clipping element which is attached to an anti-allergic adhesive pad. The catheter clipping element includes a clipping body that ends in open arms for easy and convenient clipping and unclipping of a catheter, cannula, catheter or cannula terminal adapter, or the like. The clipping body is oriented outwards from the top surface of the pad in a transverse direction, a vertical direction, or both transversely and vertically, in order to facilitate clipping and unclipping. A longitudinal axis of the clipping body can be tilted towards the pad top surface in order to enhance stabilization and favor correct orientation of the catheter towards the insertion site.