Axially Folded Surgical Drape for Compact Sterile Device Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drapes are inefficient in minimizing storage space and maintaining sterility during surgical procedures, particularly when covering devices with extensions, as they often require large volumes and may not effectively isolate non-essential parts from biological contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A surgical drape designed with an axially collected tubular sheath that forms valley folds and concertina folds, allowing for compact storage and easy application, featuring distal and proximal fasteners to secure the drape around surgical devices, with markings for orientation and handling portions for user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surgical drape is stored in an extended state to maintain sterility and readiness, then the drape is readily available for use, but the storage space required is large
Solution Approach 1:
The distal opening of the tubular sheath is inverted and collected axially into the lumen of the sheath, with the opening nested within the tubular structure. This nesting configuration reduces the overall storage volume while keeping the drape ready for use, as the distal opening is stored inside the lumen rather than extending outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The drape is transformed from a three-dimensional extended tubular structure into a more compact form by axial folding and inversion. The distal opening is turned inside out and collected along the axial dimension, changing the spatial arrangement from an extended external opening to a compact internal configuration, thereby reducing storage volume.
2Ease of operation
If the distal opening is made large to facilitate insertion of surgical device extensions, then insertion is easier, but the drape cannot effectively isolate non-essential parts from contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sheath is divided into functional zones: a distal section with a larger opening for easy insertion of surgical device extensions, and a proximal section with tighter sealing capabilities. The fastening mechanism is segmented into distal and proximal fasteners that work together to seal different portions, allowing the distal opening to remain large while maintaining overall isolation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drape have different properties: the distal opening is designed to be large for insertion ease, while the proximal portion and sealing mechanisms are designed for tight closure. The material properties and fastening characteristics vary along the length of the sheath to optimize both insertion ease and contamination prevention in different regions.
3Reliability
If the drape is designed to be fully sealed to prevent contamination, then sterility is maintained, but the drape becomes difficult to apply and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is designed to be dynamic and adjustable rather than permanently fixed. The distal and proximal fasteners can be engaged and disengaged easily, allowing the drape to transition between sealed and open states. This dynamic fastening mechanism maintains sterility when sealed but allows easy application and removal when opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanisms are extracted as separate, independently controllable elements from the main drape structure. The distal fastener and proximal fastener can be operated separately, allowing selective opening or closing of different portions. This extraction of fastening functions enables easy manipulation while maintaining effective sealing when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A folded surgical drape, including:a tubular axially collected sheath having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen between said distal end and said proximal end, wherein the axially collected sheath comprising at least one distal opening axially collected into said lumen and, wherein the axially collected sheath is axially folded to form at least one valley fold surrounding the distal opening sized and shaped for insertion of the user's hands on both sides of the distal opening.