Limb Stabilization Apparatus for Antecubital IV Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peripheral intravenous (PIV) access in the antecubital fossa is challenging due to the ease with which the IV can become displaced or kinked, especially in patients undergoing sedation or requiring rapid fluid administration.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus that stabilizes the limb against flexion by using a joint member with angled end portions, allowing for the formation of an aperture that maintains visibility of the IV site, thereby preventing displacement and ensuring continuous access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a PIV is placed in the AC fossa for easy cannulation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to easy displacement and kinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cannulationVSAvoidIV access stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The arm stabilization apparatus is applied to the patient's arm before IV cannulation to pre-establish the extended position, preventing elbow flexion that would cause catheter displacement or kinking during or after the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization apparatus acts as an intermediary device between the patient's arm and the IV catheter, mechanically preventing arm movement that would otherwise compromise the catheter position and function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sedation is used for patient comfort, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to reflexive elbow flexion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidIV access continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization apparatus applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the reflexive elbow flexion that occurs when patients emerge from sedation, maintaining the arm in an extended position that keeps the IV catheter functional

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If larger gauge peripheral IVs are used for rapid fluid administration, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid administration rateVSAvoidIV catheter fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization apparatus is applied before inserting the larger gauge IV catheter, pre-establishing the extended arm position to prevent displacement or kinking of the more fragile, larger-bore catheter during and after the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250152856A1System, apparatus, and method for providing peripheral intravenous access
Publication Date: 2025.05.15 BRADENHAM JR BEN PERSONS
  • US20250152856A1 patent drawing
  • US20250152856A1 patent drawing
  • US20250152856A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for stabilizing a limb against flexion around a joint of the limb is disclosed. The apparatus has a joint member having an intermediate portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion of the joint member, a first movable member removably attachable to the first end portion, and a second movable member removably attachable to the second end portion. The intermediate portion is configured to receive the joint. The second end portion is angled from the first end portion at a joint angle that is opposite to a flexion direction of the limb about the joint.