Universal C-Arm Drape Clip with Elastic Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fastening mechanisms for sterile drapes on fluoroscopy C-arm imaging units are costly and inefficient due to the need for multiple sizes of clips to accommodate varying C-arm widths, leading to increased inventory requirements and potential contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped drape clip with non-parallel legs and an elastic pad is used, allowing for easy attachment to C-arms of varying widths without the need for specific-sized clips, utilizing a moldable polymeric material with a spring bias and static friction to secure the drape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sizes of clips are used to accommodate varying C-arm widths, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the inventory complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidinventory complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drape clip is designed with a single universal size that can accommodate various C-arm widths through its adjustable non-parallel leg structure. The legs can be spread apart or brought together to match different distances between C-arm sides, eliminating the need for multiple clip sizes while maintaining secure attachment reliability across different C-arm configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clip incorporates elastic pads on its legs that allow dynamic adjustment to fit different C-arm widths. The elastic material enables the legs to flex and adapt to varying distances between C-arm sides, providing a universal solution that maintains reliable attachment across different equipment sizes without requiring multiple static clip designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If grooves are provided in the sides of the C-arm for clip receipt, then the ease of attachment is improved, but the manufacturing cost and contamination risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the C-arm by adding grooves to facilitate clip attachment, the invention inverts the approach by designing the clip itself to adapt to the existing C-arm surface. The elastic pads and non-parallel leg structure enable the clip to conform to and securely attach to the C-arm without requiring any grooves or modifications, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating potential contamination sites

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If grooves are provided in the sides of the C-arm, then the ease of attachment is improved, but the contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding grooves to the C-arm that could trap contaminants, the invention uses a clip design with elastic pads that attach to the external surface of the C-arm. This approach maintains ease of attachment while eliminating the creation of grooves or recesses where contamination could accumulate, thereby reducing contamination risk in the sterile field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If specific size drape clips are ordered for specific C-arm sizes, then the attachment precision is improved, but the inventory requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment precisionVSAvoidinventory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The drape clip is designed as a universal size that can precisely attach to C-arms of various widths through its adjustable non-parallel leg structure. The elastic pads allow the clip to conform to different distances between C-arm sides, providing precise attachment across multiple C-arm sizes without requiring a separate inventory of size-specific clips, thereby reducing inventory requirements and associated costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a reliable, simple, and cost-effective method to attach sterile drapes to C-arms of different sizes, reducing inventory needs and minimizing contamination risks while ensuring secure attachment.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic pad attached to the inner surface of each of the legs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a moldable polymeric material with a spring bias and static friction to secure the drape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic friction: Static Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9161816B2Fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip, drape clip assembly and method of clipping a sterile drape to a fluoroscopy C-arm

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 TIDI PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip for attaching a sterile drape to a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile outer surface on a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape clip includes a generally U-shaped band having a pair of legs and an arm. Each of the legs has a first end attached to the arm and a second end spaced from the arm. The legs extend away from the arm in non-parallel, laterally spaced relation with one another and have inner surfaces facing one another and an outer surfaces facing away from one another. Further, an elastic pad is attached to the inner surface of each of the legs adjacent the second ends.