External Catheter Stabilizer With Pivoting Retention at the Stoma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter stabilization methods, such as taping and Foley catheters, are inadequate for long-term use, leading to dislodgment, infection risk, and discomfort due to mechanical pulling or contact with internal organs.
Innovation Solution
An external catheter stabilizer device with a base portion, retaining element, and pivot element that allows for limited pivotal movement of the catheter tube, securing it to the patient's skin while accommodating movement without pulling or pinching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is taped down directly to the skin, then the catheter is secured in place, but the patient experiences discomfort and the catheter is prone to dislodgment during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter stabilizer device incorporates a pivot element that allows the catheter to rotate or pivot within a limited range of motion. This dynamic capability enables the catheter to move with the patient's body movements rather than resisting them, eliminating discomfort from mechanical pulling while maintaining secure retention through the pivoting mechanism
2Reliability
If a Foley catheter with inflated balloon is used, then the catheter is retained in the bladder, but the patient experiences extreme pain and discomfort from bladder spasms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the inflated balloon component from the catheter system entirely. Instead of using a balloon to retain the catheter in the bladder, the device employs an external stabilizer with a pivoting mechanism that secures the catheter at the stoma site without requiring internal balloon inflation, thereby eliminating the source of bladder spasms and associated pain
3Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter is secured rigidly to prevent movement, then the catheter remains stable, but the catheter becomes vulnerable to mechanical pulling and dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a pivot element that provides controlled dynamic movement within a limited range while maintaining overall stability. This allows the catheter to pivot slightly with natural body movements without becoming dislodged, creating a stable yet adaptable attachment that prevents both rigid constraint and vulnerable positioning
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 stabilizes the catheter, reducing the risk of dislodgment and discomfort by allowing controlled pivoting, thus preventing mechanical stress on the catheter and skin, and eliminating the need for Foley-type balloons.
Implementation Method 1
a base portion configured to adhesively attach at a patient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for attaching a catheter tube at a patient includes providing an external catheter stabilizer device including a base portion having an arcuate slot and a retaining element having a guide pin. The base portion includes a pivot element having a shaft and a head at an end of the shaft. The retaining element includes a key hole including a wider portion and a narrower portion. The base portion is adhesively attached at a patient. The retaining element is pivotally attached to the base portion via inserting the head through the wider portion of the key hole, moving the shaft along the key hole to the narrower portion, and with the catheter tube disposed at the retaining element, closing the retaining element to retain the catheter tube therein and maintain the shaft of the pivot element at the narrow portion of the key hole.