Challenge
To develop a central venous catheter securement device that would reduce catheter related infections and improve patient quality of life.
Design Approach
A multi-disciplinary team of design researchers with patients and clinicians engaging in frequent design reviews to develop the device.
Delivery
The final design is scheduled for a HPRA supported Clinical Investigation in 2021 in the Nephology department of the University Hospital Limerick.
Background
A Central Venous Catheter is flexible tube that passes through the chest wall and into the circulatory system to deliver treatment, monitor blood pressure or access for dialysis. These central lines are susceptible to life threatening infections, mechanic damage from trauma and micro movements in the skin that can lead to hospitalisation, re-catheterisation, and a diminished quality of life for the patient. The unmet clinical need was discovered as part of an innovation research collaboration between the School of Design and the University Hospital Limerick, and the design process followed a multi-disciplinary approach leveraging the expertise and experience of the patients and clinical care team.
Objectives
The objective of the StathGuard project was to design and develop a suture-less central venous catheter securement device for use dialysis care for patients with indwelling catheters to help improve catheter outcomes and patient quality of life.
Results
The StathGuard project was supported for further development by Enterprise Ireland through a commercialisation fund and received €520,000 in funding. The device has been developed with the invaluable input of both patients and clinical team in UHLG and the Class I sterile device is scheduled for an HPRA approved Clinical Investigation in 2021. Further investigations are underway to explore the use of StathGuard in applications beyond CVC securement.
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- School of Architecture and Product Design UL
