Shielded Injection Port Protector for IV Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices fail to consistently prevent contamination of intravenous (IV) tubing ports and stopcocks, leading to healthcare-associated infections due to inadequate protection against surface and airborne contaminants, particularly in high-pressure settings like operating rooms and intensive care units.
Innovation Solution
Development of barrier devices in the form of shielded injection ports and stopcock protectors with spherical bodies that encapsulate and shield the injection port septum or stopcock connectors, preventing contact contamination by surrounding the access points with a hollow structure that only allows access through a controlled opening, thereby minimizing exposure to contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional injection ports and stopcocks are used without protective barriers, then ease of operation is maintained, but contamination risk increases leading to healthcare-associated infections
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is designed as a hollow structure that encapsulates the injection port or stopcock, creating a nested configuration where the barrier contains the vulnerable component. This nesting approach protects the injection port while maintaining accessibility through the designed opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective barrier acts as an intermediary element between the injection port and the contaminated environment. It provides a physical barrier that mediates contact between potential contaminants and the injection port, allowing controlled access while preventing contamination.
2Reliability
If protective caps are used on stopcocks, then contamination is reduced, but the caps are frequently removed and not replaced, leaving the stopcock exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is designed to remain in place and provide continuous protection without requiring frequent manual intervention. The structure allows medication administration to proceed through the barrier opening, eliminating the need for repeated capping and uncapping actions that lead to compliance failure.
3Reliability
If alcohol wipes and scrubbing devices are used to disinfect injection ports, then contamination is decreased, but the time and effort required reduces compliance in high-pressure settings
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier provides continuous physical protection that eliminates the need for repeated disinfection procedures. By maintaining protection from the outset and throughout use, it removes the time-consuming step of frequent alcohol wiping and scrubbing that is required with traditional open injection ports.
4Reliability
If the spherical body completely encloses the injection port, then contamination protection is maximized, but access for medication delivery is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier features a localized opening in its hollow structure that provides targeted access for medication delivery while maintaining protection in all other areas. This local quality approach allows the barrier to be protective wherever needed while permitting necessary access through the specifically designed opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A shielded injection port for use in an intravenous (IV) medication delivery system includes a single piece spherical shaped body having a hollow interior. The spherical shaped body is truncated, at a location above a plane that passes through a center of the spherical shaped body and defines a diameter of the spherical shaped body, so as to define a first opening formed at a first end of the spherical shaped body for receiving a fluid delivery member into the hollow interior. The shielded injection port also includes an injection port body that is integrally formed with the spherical shaped body. The injection port body has a first end that is contained within a bottom half of the hollow interior of the spherical shaped body such that the spherical shaped body is configured to surround and extend above the first end of the injection port body.