Dual-Adhesive Cannula Fixation for Fragile Skin Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixation devices for skin penetrating medical devices, such as cannulas, require two nurses for application, cause skin irritation, and may harm patients with fragile skin due to strong adhesives.

Innovation Solution

A dual-component fixation device comprising a landing zone component with a soft adhesive and a retaining component with a different adhesive, allowing secure fixation without direct skin contact, using a larger landing zone component to distribute adhesive forces and minimize skin irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a strong adhesive dressing is used to hold the medical device securely to the skin, then the fixation strength is improved, but the skin irritation and harm to patients with fragile skin worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation device is divided into two separate components: a landing zone component that contacts the skin and a retaining component that secures the medical device. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized adhesive properties - the landing zone uses a skin-friendly adhesive for gentle skin contact, while the retaining component uses a stronger adhesive for secure device fixation without direct skin contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The landing zone component acts as an intermediary layer between the skin and the retaining component. It provides a skin-contacting surface with soft adhesive properties that protect the skin from harsh adhesives, while still enabling secure fixation through the retaining component's stronger adhesive bonding to the medical device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single-component fixation device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of application worsens as two nurses are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of application
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The landing zone component and retaining component are designed to work together as an integrated system that can be applied by a single nurse. The landing zone is first applied to the skin, then the retaining component is applied on top to secure the medical device, allowing one person to complete the entire fixation process without requiring assistance from another nurse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the adhesive coating area is enlarged to improve fixation, then the retention reliability is improved, but the skin contact area increases causing more irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidskin contact irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive fixation function is segmented into two separate adhesive systems: one in the landing zone component for skin attachment and one in the retaining component for device retention. This allows the retaining component to have a larger adhesive area for reliable device fixation without increasing skin contact area, as its adhesive bonds to the medical device rather than the skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates easy application and secure retention of medical devices, reduces skin irritation, and protects patients' skin from harm, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Implementation Method 1

The landing zone component acts as a skin-contacting component and includes a support layer having an adhesive coating, and is adapted to be adhesively attached to the skin around the point of penetration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the adhesive coating of the retaining component is applied to the support layer of the landing zone component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2613843B2Fixation device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE AB
  • EP2613843B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2613843B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2613843B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fixation device (1) for retaining a skin penetrating medical device (2), such as a cannula, on the skin of a patient, said fixation device (1) comprising a retaining component (3) including a support layer (4) having an adhesive coating (5), said fixation device further comprising a landing zone component (6), including a support layer (7) having an adhesive coating (8), said landing zone component (6) being adapted to be adhesively attached to the skin around the point of penetration (10), and said retaining component (3) acting as a skin-contacting component and being adapted to be applied on top of the landing zone component (6), and at least partially covering the skin penetrating medical device (2), such that the adhesive coating (5) of the retaining component (3) is applied to the support layer (7) of the landing zone component (6), the adhesive coating (5) of the retaining component (3) comprising a first adhesive, and the adhesive coating (8) of the landing zone component (6)comprising a second adhesive, said first adhesive being different from said second adhesive.