Extension Tube Brace for Vascular Access Kinking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous catheter extension tubes are prone to kinking, which can limit or prevent fluid flow and increase the risk of catheter dislodgment, due to their internal structure and stagnation of fluid, leading to potential patient endangerment.
Innovation Solution
A vascular access system with an extension set that includes a catheter adapter and a brace to hold the extension tube in a curved position, reducing kinking and dislodgment risks, featuring a hub with an arm and snap feature to secure the tube, and a housing to maintain fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the extension tube is secured to the patient with the three-way stop valve, then the catheter placement is stabilized, but the extension tube is prone to bending and kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The extension set is divided into separate functional components: an extension tube for fluid transport, a hub for connection, and a brace for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others, preventing kinking while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace acts as an intermediary component between the hub and the patient's body. It provides structural support and maintains proper positioning of the extension tube without requiring direct securing that would cause bending or kinking of the tube.
2Length of moving object
If the extension tube is made longer to reach remote sites, then fluid infusion at remote sites is enabled, but the likelihood of kinking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brace introduces a spatial dimension to the solution by positioning the extension tube in a specific curved orientation. This dimensional positioning prevents the tube from collapsing or kinking along its length, enabling safe use of longer extension tubes for remote site access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the three-way stop valve is used to facilitate multiple device infusions, then infusion versatility is improved, but microorganism growth and fluid stagnation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the three-way stop valve (fluid stagnation and microorganism growth) is eliminated by removing it from the system. The patent achieves multiple device infusion capability through the hub with multiple ports, which allows continuous fluid flow without the stagnation problems associated with stop valves.
Data Source
AI summary
A vascular access system may include a catheter adapter and an extension set. The extension set may include a first end having a first connector coupled to the catheter adapter, a second end having a second connector, an extension tube disposed between the first end and the second end, and a brace configured to hold the extension tube in a curved position. The extension set may alternatively include a housing disposed between the first connector and the extension tube, where the housing is U-shaped or V-shaped and a fluid pathway extends through the housing.