Medical Tube Securement Wrap With Detachable Access Slits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical wraps are ineffective in securing medical tubes, particularly central lines, leading to frequent line breakage, dislodgment, and increased risk of infection, especially in pediatric patients due to their constant movement and lack of impulse control.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus with a substrate and detachable fastener elements that securely hold medical tubes in place, allowing easy access and removal without disturbing the tube's fluid communication, featuring a support portion, cover, and fingers that define access slits for secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional medical wraps are used to secure medical tubes, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability of securing the tube is poor leading to frequent line breakage and dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap is divided into multiple fingers (typically 3-5 fingers) that can independently engage with the tube. Each finger contains a fastener element that can be independently adjusted, allowing the tube to be securely held at multiple points along its length while maintaining overall wrap integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener elements are pre-positioned within the fingers during manufacturing, and the fingers are pre-shaped to conform to the tube diameter. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the wrap is applied, the tube is immediately secured without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
2Reliability
If the wrap is tightly secured to prevent tube movement, then the reliability of tube securing is improved, but the ease of operation for removal and cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable - they can be easily engaged and disengaged by the patient or caregiver. The fingers can be opened wide to allow tube insertion and removal, then closed to secure the tube firmly during wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener elements act as intermediaries between the wrap structure and the tube. They provide the securing force while allowing the wrap itself to remain flexible and removable. The fasteners can be released to allow easy wrap removal without disturbing the tube insertion site.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wrap provides complete coverage and secure fixation, then the protection against contamination is improved, but the accessibility to the central line for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap is segmented into multiple fingers with spaces between them, allowing visual inspection and access to the tube at multiple points along its length. The fastener elements are positioned to secure the tube while leaving portions of the tube visible and accessible through the finger gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap provides different levels of coverage and security at different locations. The fingers are positioned to provide secure fixation at critical points (such as near the insertion site and along the tube length) while maintaining openness and accessibility at other locations for monitoring and maintenance.
4Ease of operation
If the wrap is designed for easy removal and cleaning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of securing the tube during wear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener elements provide dynamic securing - they hold the tube firmly during wear but can be quickly released for removal. The fingers are designed to maintain constant securing force during normal activity while allowing rapid opening when removal is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener elements serve as removable intermediaries that provide securing during wear but can be detached to allow easy wrap removal. The wrap itself remains simple and cleanable, while the fasteners bear the complexity of the securing function.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Securing a medical tube in fluid communication with the interior of a patient is accomplished with an apparatus having a support portion with a mounting surface thereon, a cover portion for the mounting surface that releasably attaches to the mounting surface to define an inner chamber, and a plurality of fingers to define at least one access slit for a medical tube to pass through. The assembly also has a detachable fastener element for securing the medical tube in the assembly. The plurality of fingers releasably connect to one another to define at least one access slit with the medical tube extending through the access slit. The plurality of fingers can be disconnected from one another to open the access slit, thereby facilitating removal of the substrate from the patient without disturbing the fluid communication between the medical tube and interior of the patient.