Blind Fastening Structure for Cleaner Surgical Cushion Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical cushions face challenges with liquid contamination due to impermeable materials that prevent air flow, and conventional blind attachment methods like hook-and-loop are difficult to clean and sanitize.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a female component and male component that allows for blind attachment and repositioning of vents to reduce contamination risk, featuring a female opening with varying widths and slopes for alignment, and materials with antimicrobial properties for easier cleaning and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If impermeable materials are used to prevent liquid contamination, then liquid contamination is reduced, but air flow is blocked making the cushion less flexible and comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion incorporates impermeable materials in specific locations (such as the main body or areas prone to liquid exposure) while maintaining permeable or vented sections in other areas to allow air flow. This localized differentiation enables the cushion to resist liquid contamination where needed while preserving flexibility and comfort through controlled ventilation in non-critical zones.
2Ease of operation
If vents are incorporated into cushions to allow air flow, then cushion flexibility and comfort are improved, but liquid contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting mechanism incorporates an intermediary element such as a membrane, filter, or valve structure that selectively permits air molecules to pass through while blocking larger liquid droplets and contaminants. This intermediary layer enables the cushion to maintain breathability and comfort through air flow while preventing liquid penetration and contamination.
3Ease of operation
If hook-and-loop attachment mechanisms are used for blind attachment, then ease of alignment is improved, but cleaning and sanitation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is extracted from the main cushion body as a separate, removable component. This separation allows the attachment element to be easily detached for cleaning and sanitation purposes, while still providing effective blind attachment functionality when installed. The extracted attachment component can be independently disinfected or replaced without affecting the cushion's main structure or ventilation systems.
4Ease of operation
If vents are placed along the sides of the cushion for air flow, then cushion flexibility is improved, but contamination susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system transitions from traditional side-placement to an alternative dimensional arrangement, such as bottom-venting, top-venting, or integrated venting within the cushion's internal structure. This dimensional repositioning maintains effective air flow for cushion flexibility while placing vents in locations less exposed to liquid contamination risks, such as areas away from the surgical field or protected by shielding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for attaching a first surface to a second surface with a fastening device. The fastening device has a female component having a female opening featuring a broader female width at a first depth and a narrower female width at a second depth. The female component also has a female attachment surface with an interior slope rising away from the female opening. The fastening device also has a male component with a male attachment member that at least partially conforms to the interior slope of the female attachment surface. The male attachment member also has a broader male width larger than the narrower female width. The method comprises mounting the female component to the first surface, mounting the male component to the second surface, aligning the male component to the interior slope on the female component and applying pressure to couple the male component and the female component.