Universal Catheter Bracket With Cantilevered Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical article securement systems for catheters and similar devices are inadequate as they often require multiple devices for different types of catheters, are labor-intensive, and can cause skin irritation, infection, or scarring, and do not effectively prevent movement of the catheter during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A universal medical article securement system featuring a bracket with a base, posts, and cantilevered arms that securely attach to the catheter, inhibiting longitudinal and lateral movement without the need for tape or sutures, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling, and accommodating various catheter shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tape is used to secure the catheter to the patient's skin, then the catheter can be attached without surgery, but the taping process is time consuming and labor intensive, and the tape can collect bacteria or other contaminants requiring frequent removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The securement device is divided into separate functional components: a base member with adhesive for skin attachment, and a retainer member with posts and clips for catheter engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer member features self-retaining clips that automatically engage with the catheter when positioned correctly, eliminating the need for complex manual securing procedures and reducing the time required for attachment and replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tape is used to secure the catheter, then attachment is non-invasive, but taping is not necessarily effective in securing a catheter in place, and removal of the tape may cause undesired motion of the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the skin attachment function (base member with adhesive) from the catheter securing function (retainer member with mechanical clips), ensuring that tape removal does not cause catheter movement since the mechanical retainer maintains continuous securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member and retainer member work together as an integrated system where the adhesive base provides stable skin attachment while the mechanical retainer provides reliable catheter securing, combining the benefits of both adhesive and mechanical securement methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple securement devices are used to accommodate different types of catheters, then various catheter shapes and sizes can be secured, but this adds to the cost and complexity of sourcing, inventory, storage, and selection of the securement devices
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer member is designed with adjustable posts and universal clips that can accommodate various catheter diameters, shapes, and configurations. The posts can be repositioned along the catheter, and the clips can engage with different catheter features, making a single device suitable for multiple catheter types.
Solution Approach 2:
The securement device incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable post positions and flexible clip mechanisms that can adapt to different catheter configurations, allowing one device to serve multiple functions rather than requiring separate devices for each catheter type.
4Reliability
If sutures are used to attach a catheter to the patient's skin, then secure attachment is achieved, but sutures can be a source of infection, can cause pain and inflammation, and can make it more difficult to clean around the incision site
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces the surgical suture system with a non-invasive mechanical securement system consisting of adhesive attachment and external clips, eliminating the need for skin penetration and associated infection risks while maintaining reliable catheter positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member with adhesive acts as an intermediary between the skin and the catheter, providing secure attachment without direct penetration or contact between the catheter and skin, thereby reducing infection risk and irritation while maintaining attachment reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Brackets, systems comprising a bracket, and methods for securing medical articles. The bracket can include a base, a post coupled to the base and extending upwardly from the base in a direction generally normal to a first major surface of the base, and an arm coupled to the base and extending generally parallel to the first major surface of the base. The arm can be spaced a distance from the first major surface of the base to define a channel under the arm that is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the medical article. The arm can be cantilevered, and the post and the arm can each be fixed with respect to the base. Methods can include abutting an external surface of the medical article against the post; and moving a portion of the medical article into the channel defined by the arm.