Percutaneous Drain Securement With Rotating Air-Knot Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing drain and catheter devices to the skin, such as sutures and adhesives, often lead to complications like pain, infection, and dislodgment, and complicate dressing changes.

Innovation Solution

A sutureless securement device comprising a cylindrical lumen with horizontal struts and a back plate with adhesive and hooks, allowing for stable attachment and rotation in one plane, with a keyed connection system for secure engagement and disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If suture is used to tie drains to skin, then secure attachment is achieved, but pain and infection risk increase due to tight knots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidpain and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional suture-knot mechanical system with a clamp-based mechanical system. The clamp features a body with a C-shaped opening that receives the drain, and a rotation member that when rotated, causes the C-shaped opening to constrict and grip the drain securely without requiring skin penetration or tight knots, thereby eliminating pain and infection risks associated with sutures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The securement device is segmented into distinct functional components: a clamp body with C-shaped opening for drain reception, a rotation member for actuation, and horizontal struts for attachment to the back plate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling easy assembly and disassembly for dressing changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If adhesive drain fixation devices are used, then initial attachment is achieved, but efficacy is lost over time and dressing changes become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial attachment strengthVSAvoidattachment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic mechanical connection system instead of static adhesive bonding. The rotation member enables the clamp to be rotated for engagement and disengagement, providing a durable and reversible attachment mechanism that maintains efficacy over time. The horizontal struts with engagement features allow for repeated attachment and detachment cycles during dressing changes without loss of functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the drain is secured rigidly to prevent movement, then dislodgment is prevented, but patient movement and drainage function are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedislodgment preventionVSAvoidpatient movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of drain mobility from completely fixed to controlled movable. The clamp provides secure grip on the drain while allowing limited movement through the C-shaped opening design. The rotation member enables controlled rotation of the clamp for engagement/disengagement while maintaining secure attachment during normal patient activities, balancing dislodgment prevention with patient comfort and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If a secure connection system is used to prevent dislodgment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation for dressing changes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedislodgment preventionVSAvoiddressing change ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides stable, secure attachment without discomfort, reduces the risk of dislodgment and infection, and facilitates easy dressing changes, while maintaining the drain in a fixed position relative to the skin.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive material on a posterior surface adapted to adhere to a patient's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250345576A1Percutaneous drain securement device and method

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 NORTHWESTERN UNIV

AI summary

Provided herein, is a device and method for fixing a percutaneous drain to a patient's skin while allowing for easy dressing changes. The device may comprises a drain engagement element with a cylindrical lumen for receiving the drain and two horizontal struts extending from its top portion, configured to snap into hooks on a back plate adhered to the patient's skin, creating a suture-less “air knot” that fixes the drain in place while allowing rotation in one plane to maintain a fixed curvilinear distance between the drain incision site and the drain engagement element attachment site. This arrangement minimizes drain movement and kinking during normal patient activities. A dressing change tool with hooks aligned to those on the back plate allows the drain engagement element to be temporarily transferred to the tool during dressing changes, maintaining the drain's position and avoiding dislodgement. The device reduces patient discomfort and complications associated with traditional drain fixation methods.