Unitary IV Anchor Structure for Axial and Radial Strain Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV therapy systems lack effective strain relief mechanisms, leading to potential contamination, injury, and disconnection of IV lines due to axial and radial forces, especially during patient transfer.
Innovation Solution
A unitary IV anchor system comprising a first sheet with a transparent window, a second sheet with adhesive, and a fastening device, which secures the IV line and absorbs both axial and radial forces, preventing dislodging and disconnection while allowing monitoring and protection of the injection site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IV therapy systems are used without strain relief mechanisms, then the system structure remains simple, but the IV line is vulnerable to contamination, injury, and disconnection due to axial and radial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The IV anchor system is divided into multiple functional segments: a first sheet with transparent window for monitoring, a second sheet with adhesive for securing, and a fastening device for strain relief. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive protection against axial and radial forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple materials with different properties: transparent material for the monitoring window, adhesive material for securing the IV line, and fastening material for strain relief. This composite structure provides both mechanical protection and monitoring capability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a unitary IV anchor system with multiple components is implemented, then protection against contamination and injury is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protective functions are merged into a single unitary anchor system that integrates the transparent window, adhesive sheet, and fastening device. This consolidation provides comprehensive protection against contamination while maintaining a manageable single-component structure that simplifies application.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary anchor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a breathable barrier against contamination, secures the IV line through adhesive attachment, offers strain relief through the fastening device, and enables monitoring through the transparent window. This multi-functionality addresses multiple harmful factors with a single integrated solution.
3Loss of information
If the first sheet with transparent window is used for monitoring, then visibility of injection site is improved, but the sheet structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first sheet incorporates a transparent window specifically at the location where monitoring is needed, while other portions of the sheet can be made of different materials optimized for their specific functions such as breathability and adhesion. This local differentiation provides visibility where required without compromising the overall protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent window is implemented as a thin film that maintains the flexibility and conformability of the sheet while providing optical transparency for monitoring. This thin film structure adds minimal complexity while enabling continuous visualization of the injection site and junction area.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive coating with anti-microbial substance is applied, then contamination protection is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-microbial substance is incorporated into the adhesive coating during the manufacturing process, creating a pre-functionalized material that provides both adhesion and contamination protection. This preliminary incorporation of protective functionality simplifies the overall manufacturing process by combining multiple steps into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is formulated as a composite material combining adhesive polymers with anti-microbial agents. This composite structure provides dual functionality in a single material layer, eliminating the need for separate adhesive and anti-microbial coating steps and simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 provides substantial protection against contamination and injury, maintains secure IV connections, and reduces disconnection incidents by absorbing and attenuating forces applied to the IV line.
Implementation Method 1
a second sheet with adhesive
Implementation Method 2
a fastening device, which secures the IV line and absorbs both axial and radial forces
Data Source
AI summary
A system for strain relieving intravenous (IV) assembly includes a dressing and an anchor portion for use with the dressing. In various embodiments, the dressing may cover an injection site into a portion of a patient's body for an intravenous (IV) assembly that provides fluid communication between the injection site and a fluid reservoir remote from the injection site through a flexible tube. In an illustrative example, the anchor portion may include a first member and a second member. The first member may be secured, for example, to the dressing and may, in some examples, wrap around the tubing so as to resist axial movement of the tubing relative to the dressing. The second member may be secured to the dressing and may wrap around the tubing and a portion of the patient's body so as to resist radial movement of the tubing relative to the body.