Medical Article Securement Bracket and Flap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical article securement systems are inadequate for reliably securing a variety of catheter systems and other elongated medical devices, as they often require multiple devices for different types of catheters, are labor-intensive, and can cause skin irritation, infection, or scarring, and lack effectiveness in minimizing catheter movement.
Innovation Solution
A universal medical article securement system comprising a bracket with a base and cantilevered arm, and a flap that inhibits movement of medical articles, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling, and providing secure retention without the need for complex configurations or excessive force, using a skin-contact adhesive and a flexible flap for additional security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tape is used to secure the catheter to the patient's skin, then the catheter can be attached without surgery, but the taping process is time consuming and labor intensive, and the tape can collect bacteria or other contaminants requiring frequent removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device is divided into separate functional components: a base portion that adheres to the skin and a separate catheter-retaining structure. This segmentation allows for easier application and replacement of only the necessary components rather than the entire securing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized securement device as an intermediary between the catheter and the patient's skin, replacing direct tape application. This intermediary structure provides both attachment and retention functions in a single device, reducing the frequency of replacement.
2Ease of manufacture
If tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be attached to the skin, but the tape is not necessarily effective in securing the catheter in place and removal may cause undesired motion of the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device separates the attachment function (base portion adhering to skin) from the retention function (structure holding catheter). This allows each function to be optimized independently, providing reliable catheter securing while maintaining simple application through adhesive base.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the securement device have different properties: the base portion has adhesive properties for skin attachment, while the retention structure has mechanical features for catheter holding. This local differentiation of properties enables both simple application and reliable securing.
3Reliability
If sutures are used to attach the catheter to the patient's skin, then the catheter can be securely attached, but sutures can be a source of infection, can cause pain and inflammation, and can make it more difficult to clean around the incision site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suture system with an adhesive-based attachment system. The base portion uses skin-safe adhesive to attach to the patient's skin, eliminating needles and threads that can cause infection and inflammation, while still providing secure catheter attachment through the integrated retention structure.
4Reliability
If multiple securement devices are used to accommodate different types of catheters, then each specific catheter type can be properly secured, but this adds to the cost and complexity of sourcing, inventory, storage, and selection of the securement devices
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device is designed with universal applicability through adjustable and adaptable features. The base portion can accommodate different skin surfaces, while the retention structure can secure various catheter types, sizes, and configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, simplifying inventory and selection while maintaining proper securement for each catheter type.
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 secures a wide range of medical articles, reducing movement and associated complications, while being easy to use and minimizing skin irritation, with the flap providing additional stability and flexibility to accommodate different medical article configurations.
Implementation Method 1
using a skin-contact adhesive and a flexible flap for additional security
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical article securement system comprising a bracket and a flap for securing a medical article. The bracket can include a base, and an arm coupled to the base and extending generally parallel to the first major surface of the base. The arm can be spaced a distance from the first major surface of the base to define a channel under the arm that can be dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the medical article. The flap can include a fixed end, and a free end that is movable with respect to the bracket between a first position in which the flap is not positioned over the bracket, and a second position in which at least a portion of the flap is positioned over the bracket to further inhibit movement of the medical article. The fixed end of the flap can be coupled to the bracket.