Asymmetrical Fluid Collection Pouch for Knee Surgery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional arthroscopy fluid pouches used in joint surgeries, particularly knee surgery, face issues such as inhibiting limb movement, getting pinched or reshaped, and allowing fluid to spill over, especially when the patient is in a supine position, leading to messy and unsanitary conditions.

Innovation Solution

The fluid collection pouches and surgical drapes feature an asymmetrical design with a deeper lateral side and higher lateral perimeter to accommodate fluid flow, incorporating a reinforcing member like a deformable metal wire for support, and an asymmetrical top perimeter with a discontinuity to prevent collapse and improve fluid retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional arthroscopy fluid pouches are used, then fluid collection is provided, but the pouches inhibit movement of the limb during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection efficiencyVSAvoidlimb movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch is divided into multiple chambers or compartments that can independently accommodate different positions of the limb, allowing movement while maintaining fluid collection capability in each section

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch incorporates flexible, dynamic structures that can adapt and move with the limb during surgery, rather than being a rigid fixed structure, thereby maintaining both fluid collection efficiency and limb mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional arthroscopy fluid pouches are used, then fluid collection is provided, but the pouches get pinched, folded, or re-shaped during surgery reducing collection efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection efficiencyVSAvoidpouch shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch employs an asymmetrical design with a deeper lateral side and higher lateral perimeter that provides structural stability and prevents pinching or folding during surgery, while the asymmetrical top perimeter with discontinuity maintains collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch utilizes flexible materials and shell structures that can withstand surgical pressures and maintain their shape without pinching or folding, while still allowing necessary limb movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If conventional arthroscopy fluid pouches are used, then fluid collection is provided, but fluid spills over the top perimeters creating messy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidfluid spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical top perimeter design with discontinuity creates a configuration that prevents fluid spillage by directing fluid flow appropriately and maintaining containment across different patient positions including supine position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch design incorporates preliminary structural features that prevent fluid spillage before it can occur, such as the asymmetrical configuration that proactively manages fluid flow paths and containment boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional arthroscopy fluid pouches are used, then fluid collection is provided, but they are less efficacious when patient is in supine position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adaptabilityVSAvoidfluid collection efficiency in supine position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical configuration with deeper lateral side and higher lateral perimeter is specifically designed to maintain fluid collection efficiency in supine position, where gravity and fluid flow patterns differ from other positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch design achieves multi-position adaptability, functioning effectively in both supine and other surgical positions through its asymmetrical structure that accommodates different gravitational and fluid dynamic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9220566B2Fluid collection apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 SG ORTHODRAPE LLC

AI summary

Fluid collection pouches and surgical drapes for use in surgical procedures are described. The described fluid collection pouches can be configured in some cases to define a region of greater depth of the pouch beneath a patient's limb extending through the pouch on the lateral side of the limb than on the medial side. In some cases, the fluid collection pouches can be configured to define an upper surface with a region that extends at a greater height above a patient's limb extending through the pouch on the lateral side of the limb than on the medial side.