Foldable Antimicrobial IV Tubing Sleeve for Continuous Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) remain a significant healthcare challenge despite adherence to CDC guidelines, primarily due to microbial contamination of IV lines and catheter sites, with existing solutions failing to provide continuous antimicrobial protection and easy access.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sleeve with antimicrobial properties, equipped with closing elements and a flap, is designed to encase IV tubing and catheter connections, providing continuous protection while allowing easy access and securement to patient dressings and surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective covering is applied to IV tubing to prevent microbial contamination, then antimicrobial protection is improved, but access to the tubing for clinical procedures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is divided into multiple segments with a flap mechanism that can be opened to access the tubing. This segmentation allows the sleeve to remain closed for protection while enabling easy access when needed, resolving the contradiction between continuous protection and ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve incorporates a dynamic flap that can transition between closed and open states. This dynamic element allows the protective covering to adapt between providing continuous antimicrobial protection and allowing access for clinical procedures, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If existing protective solutions are used, then some level of protection is provided, but they fail to provide continuous antimicrobial protection
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to provide continuous antimicrobial protection through its material composition and antimicrobial agents embedded within the sleeve structure. This continuous action ensures protection persists throughout the duration of use, addressing the limitation of existing solutions that fail to provide continuous protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve incorporates antimicrobial agents that change the chemical parameters of the protective covering, enabling continuous antimicrobial activity. This parameter change transforms the sleeve from a passive physical barrier to an actively antimicrobial protective system, extending the duration of effective protection.
3Reliability
If the sleeve is designed to fit securely over IV tubing, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve utilizes a flexible shell structure that can conform to IV tubing of various sizes and configurations. This flexible design achieves secure fitting and effective protection without requiring complex rigid structures or multiple components, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
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 sleeve effectively reduces microbial contamination by creating a durable antimicrobial barrier, maintaining line accessibility and adherence to CDC guidelines, thereby lowering the risk of CLABSI and associated costs.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible sleeve includes one or more antimicrobial agents disposed throughout an entire length of the flexible body
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to encasements for protection of central lines, arterial lines, and/or intravenous (IV) lines from contaminants, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, an encasement device can include a flexible sleeve that fits over a central line and protects the central line from contaminants. In some embodiments, the flexible sleeve can include one or more foldable sections.