Central Line Protector with Breathable Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) remain a common issue in hospitals, particularly in pediatric patients, due to the vulnerability of central venous catheter entry sites to infection and tampering, leading to complications, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality, despite existing preventative measures.
Innovation Solution
A central line protector apparatus comprising a site protector with a viewing shield and protective sleeve, made from breathable materials, that secures the catheter, reduces tampering, and prevents contamination, featuring an adhesive element, silver-impregnated fibers, and an elastic band for secure closure, designed to accommodate varying tube lengths and promote breathability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central venous catheter is inserted into a patient, then medical treatment can be administered, but the entry site becomes vulnerable to infection and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is inserted into the site protector, which in turn covers the catheter insertion site. This nested structure provides multiple layers of protection, with the sleeve protecting the catheter from tampering and the site protector providing an additional barrier against contamination at the entry point.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the catheter. It creates a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the catheter and potential contaminants, while still allowing the catheter to function properly for medical treatment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective covering is applied to the catheter site, then contamination is reduced, but breathability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve and viewing shield are made from porous or breathable materials that allow air and moisture vapor to pass through. This maintains the protective barrier against microbes while enabling breathability, preventing condensation and perspiration buildup at the catheterization site.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve and viewing shield use flexible, thin film materials that provide coverage and protection while maintaining breathability. The flexible nature allows the structure to conform to the body while the thin film properties enable moisture and air permeability.
3Illumination intensity
If the viewing shield is made transparent for visibility, then monitoring is improved, but protection against foreign substance entry may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing shield uses a transparent or translucent thin film material that allows light transmission for visibility while maintaining the protective barrier function. The thin film structure provides both optical transparency for monitoring and physical protection against foreign substance entry.
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 apparatus significantly reduces the likelihood of infections by creating a sanitary environment, preventing microbial contamination and tampering, thereby decreasing hospital stays and mortality associated with central line infections.
Implementation Method 1
The protective sleeve is made from silver-impregnated fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A central line protector apparatus includes (a) a central venous catheter (CVC); (b) a site protector providing a viewing shield surrounded by a protective frame; (c) an inlet provided on the site protector configured to covering and receiving the catheter; and (d) a protective sleeve attached to the site protector at the inlet and extending a predetermined length away from the site protector and configured to reduce undesired tampering of the catheter. The protective sleeve is configured to provide a passage for the catheter into the site protector, and into an entry point of the patient.