Snap Clamp Retainer for Catheter Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing medical catheters and tubing to patients using tape lead to contamination risks, skin irritation, and inadequate stabilization, resulting in motion-related complications and increased infection likelihood.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization system featuring a retainer with movable walls and an actuation surface that encircles the medical article, providing securement without occluding fluid flow, and allowing for easy disengagement and repositioning without removing the anchor pad from the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tape is used to secure the catheter to the patient, then the catheter is stabilized and movement is restricted, but contamination and infection risk increase due to tape collecting contaminants and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the securement function into two separate components: an anchor pad that remains attached to the patient's skin and a retainer that secures the catheter. This segmentation allows the retainer to be easily removed and cleaned or replaced without disturbing the anchor pad, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the catheter and the anchor pad. It provides the securement function while being easily removable and replaceable, allowing contamination to be addressed by simply replacing the retainer rather than removing tape from the patient's skin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive tape is repeatedly applied and removed to reposition or replace the medical article, then the catheter can be repositioned, but skin excoriation and adhesive residue buildup occur
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the anchor pad (remaining on patient) from the retainer (securing catheter), the design allows the retainer to be easily removed and replaced without repeatedly applying adhesive to the patient's skin, thus preventing skin excoriation and adhesive residue buildup while maintaining repositioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need to repeatedly apply adhesive tape to the patient's skin for repositioning, thereby preventing skin damage and adhesive residue accumulation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If long pieces of tape are placed in a crisscross pattern to secure the catheter, then movement restriction is achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and cumbersome for medical providers
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the securement function into a pre-formed anchor pad with an integrated retainer, eliminating the need for medical providers to manually apply long pieces of tape in complex patterns. This significantly reduces the time and effort required for catheter securement while maintaining effective movement restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
This principle does not apply to this patent as there are no color change mechanisms or visual indicators described in the device functionality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter is frequently secured and resecured with tape, then proper positioning is maintained, but valuable medical provider time is spent on the taping procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with a reusable anchor pad and replaceable retainer allows for rapid replacement of the retainer component without removing the anchor pad from the patient, significantly reducing the time required for frequent catheter repositioning while maintaining proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable retainer component can be quickly replaced without complex procedures, enabling frequent catheter repositioning with minimal time investment from medical providers, thereby improving overall productivity while maintaining catheter positioning stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer includes a first arcuate wall and a second arcuate wall that together define a channel designed to receive a medical article. The retainer has an open configuration wherein a first end of the first arcuate wall is spaced away from a first end of the second arcuate wall, and a closed configuration wherein the first end of the first arcuate wall is adjacent the first end of the second arcuate wall. A second end of the first arcuate wall opposite the first end of the arcuate wall may be spaced away from the base in the open configuration and pressed against the base in the closed configuration. The retainer also may include a first support and a second support fixed to the base, and a first and second flexible coupling connecting the first and second supports to the first and second arcuate walls.