Toggle Clamp Catheter Securement Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing medical articles, such as catheters, using tape or sutures are prone to complications like infection, motion-related issues, and skin irritation, and pose risks to healthcare workers and patients.

Innovation Solution

A securement device featuring a toggle clamp mechanism with lever arms and channel portions that move between open and closed positions to securely hold medical articles in place, reducing the need for tape and sutures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tape is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be held in place, but the tape retains dirt or contaminant particles leading to infection risk and causes skin excoriation with repeated applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securement reliabilityVSAvoidinfection risk and skin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful adhesive tape component from the securement system and replaces it with a mechanical toggle clamp device that secures the catheter through physical clamping action on the hub, eliminating skin contact and adhesive-related infections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The toggle clamp device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the catheter hub and the securing structure, providing a clean mechanical interface that prevents direct skin-adhesive contact and eliminates the harmful effects of tape while maintaining securement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive tape is applied frequently to maintain catheter position, then catheter migration is prevented, but the repeated removal and reapplication excoriates the skin and builds up adhesive residue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter position stabilityVSAvoidskin excoriation and adhesive residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates adhesive tape from the securement process entirely, replacing it with a reusable mechanical toggle clamp that provides stable catheter positioning without repeated skin contact, thereby preventing both skin excoriation and adhesive residue accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The toggle clamp mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the catheter to be securely clamped in position and easily released when needed, enabling stable positioning without the need for repeated adhesive applications that cause skin damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If sutures are used to secure the catheter, then the catheter can be firmly held in place, but healthcare workers are exposed to needlestick injury risks and patients face infection and scarring risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securement reliabilityVSAvoidneedlestick injury risk and patient infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes sharp suture needles from the securement process and replaces them with a blunt-tipped toggle clamp device that achieves firm catheter securement through mechanical clamping action on the hub, eliminating needlestick injury risks and suture-related infections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The toggle clamp device serves as an intermediary that provides firm securement without requiring penetrating sutures, creating a safe mechanical interface between the catheter hub and securing structure that eliminates sharp object exposure for both healthcare workers and patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively secures medical articles without causing skin irritation or infection risks, minimizing motion-related complications and providing a safer alternative for both patients and healthcare workers.

Implementation Method 1

a first lever arm pivotable about the distal end of the first support, the first lever arm comprising a first channel portion, and a second lever arm pivotable about the distal end of the second support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 3

The first and second channel portions cooperate to define a receiving area for the medical article when in the open position and cooperate to at least partially surround the medical article when in the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS8277420B2Securement device with toggle clamp mechanism

Publication Date: 2012.10.02 VENETEC INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A securement device for securing a medical article includes two supports extending from a base. Lever arms extend from each of the supports. One or both of the lever arms include a channel portion. The lever arms are pivotable about the ends of the supports to define an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the lever arms extend generally upwardly from the supports. In the closed position, the lever arms extend generally downwardly from the supports, and the channel portion or portions at least partially surround the medical article. As the lever arms move from the open position to the closed position, they exert an outward force on the ends of the supports.