Medical Device Securement via Foam Retainer and Adhesive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing medical devices to patients, such as using tape, lead to skin irritation, infection risks, and motion-related complications like phlebitis and catheter migration, while also being costly and inconvenient due to frequent tape changes.
Innovation Solution
A securement system featuring a flexible body with a tacky elastomeric gel or foam retainer that adheres to the patient's skin, providing a secure and stable attachment for medical devices without direct skin contact, allowing for easy repositioning and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tape is used to secure a medical article to the patient's skin, then the medical article can be held in place, but the tape collects contaminants and dirt leading to infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foam pad as an intermediary layer between the medical article and the patient's skin. This foam pad serves as a barrier that prevents contaminants from reaching the skin while still allowing the medical article to be secured in place, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of tape collecting contaminants without compromising the securing function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adhesive function from direct skin contact by using a foam pad that adheres to the skin rather than tape. This separates the securing function (adhesion) from the harmful contact (tape against skin), allowing the medical article to be held in place while preventing contaminant collection at the skin interface
2Reliability
If tape is used to secure a medical article, then the medical article can be restricted from moving, but frequent tape changes are required causing skin excoriation and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable foam pad that can be easily applied and removed without causing skin damage. Unlike tape that requires frequent changes, the foam pad is designed to be a single-use barrier that prevents skin excoriation while maintaining motion restriction during the duration of medical article placement
Solution Approach 2:
The foam pad acts as a protective intermediary between the securing mechanism and the patient's skin. It maintains the motion restriction function while preventing direct adhesive contact with the skin, thereby eliminating skin excoriation and discomfort associated with frequent tape changes
3Reliability
If tape is used to secure a medical article, then the medical article can be attached to the patient, but residue buildup occurs making the medical article sticker and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive residue problem by using a foam pad that adheres to the skin rather than the medical article. This separates the attachment function from the residue buildup issue, allowing secure attachment while preventing the medical article from becoming sticker and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable foam pad eliminates residue buildup by being applied fresh to the skin for each use. Since it is a single-use barrier, there is no accumulation of adhesive residue on the medical article, maintaining ease of handling throughout the procedure
4Reliability
If tape is used to secure a medical article, then the medical article can be held in place, but the tape fails to limit medical article motion causing phlebitis and catheter migration
Solution Approach 1:
The foam pad serves as a protective intermediary that enhances motion limitation by providing a stable, non-slip interface between the medical article and the patient's skin. This intermediary layer prevents the medical article from moving independently, thereby reducing the risk of phlebitis and catheter migration while maintaining secure attachment
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 system effectively inhibits movement of medical devices, reduces skin irritation, and minimizes infection risks while being cost-effective and easy to use, providing a stable and secure attachment without the drawbacks of traditional tape methods.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom surface has an adhesive compound thereon... securing the securement device and medical device to the patient with the body via the adhesive compound
Implementation Method 2
The resilient retainer is formed from a soft, tacky elastomeric gel or foam... the gel pad is configured to deform when pressed against a medical article
Data Source
AI summary
A securement device for securing medical devices. The securement device includes a body member and is configured to conform to a patient when adhered to the patient. The body member can include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface including an adhesive thereon. One or more pads can be positioned on the first surface of the body member, and a channel can be included in at least one pad of the one or more pads, between at least two pads of the one or more pads, or formed when a medical device is pressed into the one or more pads. The securement device can mitigate lateral and longitudinal motion of the medical device when the medical device is disposed in the channel.