Medical Article Securement Bracket With Segmented Hub

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing medical articles, such as catheters, are either time-consuming, labor-intensive, or pose risks like infection and discomfort due to the use of tape or sutures, and often fail to effectively prevent movement or kinking.

Innovation Solution

A medical article securement system featuring a bracket with distinct channels and a support structure that inhibits lateral movement, combined with a skin-contact adhesive and a flap for additional security, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling while maintaining the medical article at a tilt angle to prevent kinking and irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tape is used to secure the catheter to the patient's skin, then the catheter can be held in position, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioning stabilityVSAvoidtime for securing and replacing tape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter hub is segmented into multiple functional components including a hub body, wing elements, and integrated securement features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the time and effort required for securement while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter hub includes self-securing features such as integrated wings and positioning elements that automatically engage with the patient's anatomy or dressing, eliminating the need for manual taping or complex securement procedures, thus reducing time and labor while maintaining secure positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If tape is used to secure the catheter, then it can be held in place, but tape collects contaminants and must be frequently removed and replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioning stabilityVSAvoidcontaminant collection on tape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The securement function is extracted from the tape and integrated directly into the catheter hub structure. The hub includes built-in wings, flanges, or positioning elements that secure the catheter without requiring external tape, thereby eliminating the contaminant collection issue while maintaining secure positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate securement structure (such as integrated wings or positioning elements on the hub) is introduced between the catheter and the patient's skin/dressing. This intermediary provides securement without direct skin contact by tape, reducing contaminant collection while maintaining positioning stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If sutures are used to attach the catheter to the patient's skin, then the catheter can be securely fixed, but sutures can be a source of infection and cause pain and inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter fixation securityVSAvoidinfection risk and discomfort from sutures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter hub includes disposable, non-invasive securement features such as integrated wings or elastic retention elements that provide secure fixation without penetrating the skin. These elements are designed for single-use and eliminate infection risk and discomfort associated with sutures while maintaining reliable catheter positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If a dedicated securement device is used, then consistent results and minimized user error are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement consistencyVSAvoidcomplexity of securement device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securement features are merged with the catheter hub structure itself. The hub includes integrated wings, flanges, or positioning elements that are formed as part of the hub body, eliminating the need for separate securement devices and reducing overall complexity while maintaining consistent and reliable securement results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11135403B2Securement device and system

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A bracket configured for use with a medical article comprising a base, a first set of posts defining a first channel, a second set of posts defining a second channel, and a support positioned in the second channel, where the first and second channels are independently dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the medical article and configured to inhibit at least lateral movement of the medical article when the medical article is coupled to the bracket. A medical article securement system for securing a medical article to the bracket and methods for coupling a medical article to the medical article securement system.