Airframe Grid Airflow Control Around Surgical Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hospital operating rooms, surgical equipment positioned above the surgical site can block airflow, creating low pressure zones and air turbulence that leads to the circulation of contaminants such as particulates, bacteria, and bodily fluids, compromising the sterile environment.

Innovation Solution

An airframe system with a frame body, air passages, and a grid structure that channels filtered air directly to the surgical site with minimal turbulence, incorporating modular components for easy installation and adjustable airflow control, including air diffusers and HEPA filters to ensure laminar airflow and reduce contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If surgical equipment is positioned directly over the surgical site, then illumination and accessibility are improved, but airflow is blocked creating low pressure zones and turbulence that circulate contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical site illuminationVSAvoidcontaminant circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is divided into multiple air supply units with air outlets positioned at different locations and orientations. Some outlets are positioned to supply air upward against the equipment, while others supply air downward, creating segmented airflow paths that bypass the equipment and prevent turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Airflow is supplied in multiple dimensions - upward airflow from below the equipment, downward airflow from above, and lateral airflow from sides. This multi-dimensional approach allows air to reach the surgical site from different directions without being blocked by the equipment, eliminating low pressure zones and turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If air supply arrangement is positioned in ceiling directly above surgical site, then filtered air delivery is improved, but surgical equipment blocks airflow creating turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltered air delivery efficiencyVSAvoidairflow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different air supply units are positioned at specific locations around the surgical site with tailored airflow directions. Each unit has air outlets oriented to supply air to specific zones, ensuring that filtered air reaches all areas without creating turbulence, particularly in the critical surgical field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes adjustable air supply units that can modify airflow rate and direction dynamically. This allows the system to adapt to the presence of surgical equipment and maintain stable, turbulence-free airflow patterns under varying surgical conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If unidirectional downward airflow is used, then contaminant control is improved, but equipment overhead creates low pressure zones that disrupt flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant dispersionVSAvoidair pressure distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

In addition to downward airflow, the system incorporates upward airflow from air supply units positioned below the equipment. This inverted airflow approach counteracts the low pressure zones created by equipment blockage, maintains pressure balance, and prevents turbulence while still controlling contaminant dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The upward airflow from below acts as a counterbalancing force to the downward airflow from above, creating a pressure equilibrium that prevents low pressure zones and turbulence. This counteracting airflow strategy maintains stable pressure distribution while ensuring comprehensive contaminant control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 system provides uninterrupted, reduced-turbulence airflow to the surgical site, preventing the dispersion of contaminants and maintaining a sterile environment by ensuring consistent, filtered air delivery even with surgical equipment overhead.

Implementation Method 1

The airframe system provides uninterrupted, reduced-turbulence airflow to the surgical site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar airflow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

incorporating air diffusers and HEPA filters to ensure laminar airflow and reduce contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10405942B2Airframe system and method of controlling airflow

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 SLD TECH INC

AI summary

An air frame system includes a frame body defining one or more openings, a plurality of air passages along an inner periphery of the one or more openings, and an airframe grid coupled to the frame body. The airframe grid includes at least one wireway channel therein and a wireway channel cover clip is removably coupled to the at least one wireway channel. The air frame system also includes a light assembly removably coupled to the airframe grid, and a retainer clip removably coupled to the airframe grid. The airframe grid retains the light assembly within the airframe grid.