Elastic Catheter Fixation Clip With Integrated Locking Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter fixation devices are complex in construction and handling, leading to potential loss of locking units and skin irritation due to manufacturing tolerances and material incompatibilities.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a permanently joined locking and receiving unit made of different plastics, where the receiving unit is elastically designed to facilitate easy movement between states, using a soft elastic plastic for the receiving unit and a dimensionally stable plastic for the locking unit, allowing for secure fixation and simple handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the locking unit is manufactured separately from the receiving unit, then the receiving unit can be made form-elastic for easy handling, but the locking unit may be lost in the release state and the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit and receiving unit are permanently joined as a single integrated component, eliminating the risk of the locking unit being lost and simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the form-elastic properties of the receiving unit for easy handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the locking unit is permanently joined to the receiving unit, then the construction is simplified and handling is safer, but the receiving unit must be elastically designed which complicates the material selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidmaterial compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is made from two different plastics: a soft elastic plastic for the receiving unit that provides form-elasticity and skin compatibility, and a dimensionally stable plastic for the locking unit that maintains structural integrity, with the two permanently joined together

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the receiving unit is made of soft elastic plastic, then skin irritation is reduced and manufacturing tolerances are compensated, but the locking unit requires dimensionally stable plastic which complicates the permanent joining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidjoining difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving unit is made of soft elastic plastic to reduce skin irritation and compensate for manufacturing tolerances, while the locking unit is made of dimensionally stable plastic to maintain structural integrity, with the two permanently joined through compatible material selection and design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Ensures safe and easy handling with reduced skin irritation and tolerance compensation, while maintaining a simple design and secure catheter fixation.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving unit is at least partially elastically designed such that the locking unit can be moved between the release and closed states by means of an elastic deformation of the receiving unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The receiving unit can be made form-elastic by means of an appropriate choice of material and/or design. For example, the receiving unit can be at least partially thin-walled and/or made of a form-elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3866901B1Fixing device for fixing a catheter assembly to a patient
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP3866901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3866901B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3866901B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fixing device of the kind having a receiving unit (2), which is provided for connection to a skin surface of the patient, a receiving recess (4), which is arranged on the receiving unit and is provided to receive a portion of the catheter assembly, and a closure unit (5), which is movable relative to the receiving recess between a release state, in which the receiving recess is freed for receipt and/or removal of the portion of the catheter assembly, and a closed state, in which the receiving recess is at least partially closed by means of the closure unit, is known. The closure unit joins non-releasably to the receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is designed at least in part with shape elasticity, such that the closure unit is movable between the release state and the closed state by means of an elastic deformation of the receiving unit.