Flexible Port Protector With Impact-Distributing Dome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional port protectors are unable to withstand high impacts, leading to patients avoiding activities and using extreme caution, especially children, as they are susceptible to dislodgment.
Innovation Solution
A port protector with a hemispherical shell and unitary assembly that absorbs and distributes impact forces, featuring a flexible winged adhesive and compression member to securely attach to the user's skin, allowing for a close fit and even pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional port protectors are used, then the port is protected from infection and kept clean, but the protectors cannot withstand high impacts and require patients to avoid activities
Solution Approach 1:
The port protector is divided into multiple components: a shell portion, a compression member, and a winged adhesive. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the shell provides impact resistance, the compression member distributes pressure, and the adhesive secures attachment - thereby resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and activity freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The protector uses composite construction combining a rigid shell material for impact resistance with a compliant compression member material for pressure distribution. This composite approach enables the device to withstand high impacts while remaining flexible enough to allow normal patient activities without dislodgment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional port protectors are used, then the port is covered, but the protectors create localized stress points that can lead to dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The compression member acts as an intermediary between the rigid shell and the patient's body. It receives impact forces from the shell and distributes them across a larger surface area of the body, preventing localized stress points that could cause dislodgment while maintaining impact resistance
3Strength
If rigid protectors are used to withstand impacts, then impact resistance improves, but flexibility and movement freedom are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protector employs a flexible design where the shell provides structural strength for impact resistance, while the compression member and winged adhesive components introduce flexibility. This allows the device to move with the patient's body during activities while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand impacts
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
Enables users to engage in activities without fear of port dislodgment by effectively absorbing and distributing impact forces, ensuring the port remains secure and undamaged.
Implementation Method 1
the dome absorbs and distributes energy of an impact downward in an outward direction toward the lip and the compression member, resulting in the impact energy being absorbed and dispersed outwardly away from the port
Implementation Method 2
The bottom surface includes an adhesive to removably attach the unitary assembly to the user's skin
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible device for protecting a medical port is provided. The device is configured to absorb high impact forces and protect the medical port. The device comprises a shell selectively attachable to a unitary assembly. The shell includes a dome, a base, and a lip enabling engagement with the unitarity assembly. The unitary assembly comprises a winged adhesive, a compression member, and a collar, each including an aperture and a cutout. The collar is coupled to the winged adhesive, the winged adhesive is coupled to the compression member. The collar includes a groove housing the lip when the shell is attached to the unitary assembly, locking the shell in place for use. The winged adhesive includes arms extending outwardly and an adhesive to attach and detach the device from the user. In operation, the apertures encompass the port and the cutouts permit a port tube to extend through the device.