Microhook Securement Device for Medical Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing medical articles to patients, such as taping, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, prone to contamination, ineffective, and can cause skin injuries and discomfort, while also risking dislodgement and complications like phlebitis and infections.
Innovation Solution
A securement device with a main body featuring a slot for medical lines, a clip for securing the article, and microhooks for attachment to the skin, along with a gel pad for protection, providing a secure and comfortable attachment without penetrating the dermis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If taping is used to secure medical articles, then the medical article can be attached to the patient, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device is divided into multiple functional components: microhooks for skin attachment, a main body for structural support, a slot for medical line passage, and a clip for article securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall application time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the adhesive-taping mechanical system with a microhook-based mechanical anchoring system. The microhooks penetrate the skin to create physical anchors, eliminating the need for adhesive tapes and their associated application steps, thereby reducing time and labor requirements.
2Reliability
If taping is used to secure medical articles, then the medical article can be attached to the patient, but it collects contaminants and needs frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the medical article from the adhesive tape environment and secures it directly to the skin through microhooks. This removes the tape intermediate layer that collects contaminants, allowing the medical article to be directly anchored without contamination risk from adhesive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The securement device is designed as a disposable unit that is applied once and discarded after use. This eliminates the need for frequent replacement of contaminated tapes, as the entire device is discarded after single use, reducing healthcare costs and waste.
3Reliability
If taping is used to secure medical articles, then the medical article can be attached to the patient, but it causes adhesive-related skin injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive-based attachment with mechanical microhook anchoring. The microhooks create physical anchors in the skin without requiring adhesive materials, thereby eliminating adhesive-related skin injuries while maintaining secure attachment of the medical article.
Solution Approach 2:
The microhooks serve as an intermediary between the medical article and the skin, creating a mechanical anchor system that avoids direct adhesive contact with the skin. This intermediary mechanism provides secure attachment without the harmful adhesive effects.
4Reliability
If taping is used to secure medical articles, then the medical article can be attached to the patient, but it causes undesired motion and is ineffective in preventing dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device uses multiple microhooks distributed across the skin surface to create multiple anchor points. This segmented anchoring system provides superior stability compared to single-point tape attachment, preventing undesired motion and dislodgement of the medical article.
Solution Approach 2:
The microhooks are designed with curved geometries that allow them to be inserted into the skin at angles, creating anchor points that resist pull forces from multiple directions. This curved design enhances position stability by distributing mechanical stresses more effectively than linear tape attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A securement device includes a main body including a first major surface, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, a perimeter extending between the first and second major surfaces, and a slot extending from the perimeter and extending through the main body from the first major surface to the second major surface. The securement device further includes a clip extending from the first major surface and a plurality of microhooks extending from the second major surface. Each microhook includes a base disposed on the second major surface and a tip distal to the base. The plurality of microhooks includes at least one microhook and at least one opposing microhook facing the at least one microhook, such that the respective tips of the at least one microhook and the at least one opposing microhook point towards each other.