Integrated Catheter Stabilization with Contoured Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilization devices for peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are not compatible with integrated PIVCs, leading to premature removal due to mechanical phlebitis and reduced IV-therapy dwell time.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization system for integrated catheters, comprising a platform with a skin-adhering side and catheter-securing side, featuring a contoured recess to secure the catheter hub and extension port, and a dressing that covers the platform and catheter, with optional antimicrobial pads and adhesives to stabilize and protect the insertion site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing stabilization devices are used for integrated PIVCs, then mechanical stabilization is provided, but compatibility with integrated PIVCs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The platform incorporates a contoured recess with specific geometric features (curved surfaces, depth, and shape) that are locally adapted to match the unique structure of integrated PIVC hubs and extension ports. This localized customization of the securing interface enables compatibility with integrated PIVCs while maintaining mechanical stabilization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization device is divided into distinct functional components: a platform with a contoured recess for securing the catheter hub and extension port, adhesive layers for skin attachment, and a dressing layer for protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, including adapting the recess geometry to integrated PIVC requirements.
2Ease of operation
If PIVC moves around, then catheter flexibility is maintained, but mechanical phlebitis occurs and dwell time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured recess is pre-configured with adhesive material and geometric constraints that secure the catheter hub and extension port in a fixed position before IV therapy begins. This preliminary securing action prevents catheter movement during therapy, eliminating mechanical phlebitis while preserving catheter flexibility for fluid administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform acts as an intermediary structure between the skin and the integrated PIVC. The contoured recess with adhesive provides a stable intermediate interface that secures the catheter components, preventing movement and irritation to the insertion site while allowing the catheter to remain flexible for its intended function.
3Reliability
If contoured recess is added to platform, then integrated PIVC securing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured recess is integrated directly into the platform body as a unified structure rather than being added as a separate component. The recess is formed by shaping the platform material itself, combining the securing feature with the base structure to minimize overall device complexity while improving catheter securing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is constructed from foam-like material that can be easily contoured and shaped to create the recess. This material property allows the complex geometric feature to be incorporated into a simple, lightweight platform structure, maintaining ease of manufacture despite the added securing functionality.
4Reliability
If foam-like material with adhesives is used, then catheter and skin adhesion is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layers are integrated directly into the platform structure during manufacturing, combining the foam-like body with the adhesive functional layers as a single manufactured component. This merging eliminates separate assembly steps for attaching adhesives, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable adhesion to both skin and catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam-like material is selected and processed with specific physical parameters (density, porosity, surface properties) that enable direct adhesive integration and effective bonding to both skin and catheter materials. By optimizing material parameters, the platform achieves multi-surface adhesion capability without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes.
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 reduces mechanical phlebitis and increases IV-therapy dwell time by providing mechanical stabilization and infection prevention for integrated catheters.
Implementation Method 1
The skin-adhering side of the platform has a first adhesive thereon configured to adhere to the patient's skin
Implementation Method 2
the catheter-securing side of the platform has a second adhesive thereon configured to adhere to the integrated catheter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Disclosed is a stabilization device and system for stabilizing integrated catheters, and associated methods. The stabilization device can include a platform and a dressing. The platform can have a skin-adhering side configured to stick to a patient's skin and catheter-securing side configured to secure an integrated catheter. The catheter-securing side of the platform can include a contoured recess extending into a body of the platform configured to secure a catheter tube or a hub of the integrated catheter, as well as an extension port of the integrated catheter, a wing assembly of the integrated catheter, or both the extension port and the wing assembly. The dressing can include a transparent polymeric film over a textile pad. The dressing can have a skin-adhering side configured to adhere the dressing to both the integrated catheter secured in the platform and the patient's skin.