Intravenous Cuff Assembly with Adjustable Mating Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cuff devices for intravenous needles lack adjustable sizing and effective means to prevent needle movement and tubing kinking, leading to false alarms and caregiver inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A cuff device made of resiliently stretchable material with multiple mating members, such as hook and loop fasteners, allowing for adjustable sizing to fit various arm sizes and incorporating a fluid-absorbing pad to secure the needle and tubing, preventing movement and kinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size cuff is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various sizes of users' arms
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff incorporates multiple mating members that allow the cuff to dynamically adjust its size and shape to fit different arm circumferences. The mating members enable the cuff to transition from a fixed configuration to an adjustable configuration, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff is divided into multiple segments with mating members distributed around its circumference. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different portions of the cuff, enabling customization for various arm sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the cuff is made of non-stretchable material, then the material is easier to manufacture, but it cannot effectively compress against the needle to inhibit movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff utilizes the elastic properties of certain materials to provide compression force against the needle. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli and stretch characteristics, the cuff can reliably inhibit needle movement while remaining manufacturable with standard materials and processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cuff does not have adjustable sizing, then the device is simpler to use, but it cannot fit various users and prevents needle movement effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The mating members are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing, allowing users to easily adjust the cuff size without requiring complex fastening mechanisms or specialized skills. The modular design enables intuitive adjustment while maintaining ease of application.
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 cuff effectively inhibits intravenous needle movement and tubing kinking, reducing false alarms and allowing users to move freely without dislodging needles or kinking tubes, thereby enhancing caregiver efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cuff is comprised of a resiliently stretchable material to compress against the intravenous needle thereby inhibiting movement of the intravenous needle
Data Source
AI summary
An intravenous cuff assembly includes a cuff that is wearable around a user's arm to cover an injection site of an intravenous needle. The cuff is comprised of a resiliently stretchable material to compress against the intravenous needle thereby inhibiting movement of the intravenous needle. A plurality of first mating members and a plurality of second mating members is each coupled to the cuff. Each of the second mating members is releasably matable to a respective one of the first mating members for adjusting dimensions of the cuff. A plurality of third mating members and a plurality of fourth mating members is each coupled to the cuff. Each of the fourth mating members is releasably matable to a respective one of the third mating members for adjusting dimensions of the cuff.