Catheter Support Assembly With Valve for Stable PIVC Placement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining proper placement of over-the-needle peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) within the vasculature is challenging due to patient movement and external forces, which can cause displacement and disrupt fluid infusion or blood withdrawal.

Innovation Solution

A support device with a platform and extension element that secures the catheter assembly, featuring a valve mechanism to control fluid flow and a cannula for stable positioning, along with a snap-fit connector for secure attachment to the catheter adapter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the catheter assembly is left exposed without support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the catheter placement stability deteriorates due to patient movement and external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter placement stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device acts as an intermediary between the catheter assembly and the patient's body. It includes a base that contacts the patient's skin and an extension element with a connector that couples to the catheter adapter, providing mechanical support and stabilization without requiring complex integration into the catheter itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is divided into distinct functional segments: a base portion that contacts the skin, an extension element that provides structural support, and a connector portion that attaches to the catheter adapter. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall device relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the extension element is made longer to increase distance from insertion site, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of dislodgement worsens due to increased leverage from external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcatheter placement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support device counteracts the destabilizing forces acting on the catheter by providing opposing mechanical support through the extension element. The base anchored to the skin creates a counterbalancing structure that resists displacement forces, allowing the connector to be positioned at an optimal distance for ease of operation without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP3969093B1Catheter assembly support device
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3969093B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3969093B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3969093B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A support device to support a catheter assembly may include a platform, which may include an upper surface and a bottom surface. The support device may include an extension element coupled to the upper surface of the platform. The extension element may include a distal end, which may include a first connector configured to couple to the catheter assembly, and a proximal end, which may include a second connector. The extension element may include a valve that may be movable between a first position and a second position. In response to the valve being moved to the first position, a fluid pathway extending through the cannula and the extension element may be open and straight. In response to the valve being moved to the second position, the fluid pathway may be closed. The support device may include a cannula, which may be swaged within the extension element.