Collapsible Sterile Radiological Drape for C-Arm Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiological draping methods for surgeries, particularly with equipment like C-arm fluoroscopy units, are cumbersome, lead to contamination risks, and lack a standardized system for maintaining sterility during equipment repositioning and storage, posing a challenge in preventing surgical site infections.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible sterile drape designed to encase radiological equipment, featuring a flexible enclosure that can expand to cover the equipment and collapse to maintain sterility, with anchor fasteners for secure attachment to the surgical environment, and optional features like antibacterial materials and visual indicators to differentiate sterile and non-sterile zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional half-sheets are used to drape radiological equipment, then the equipment can be covered, but the draping process is cumbersome and requires multiple sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate half-sheets into a single integrated drape assembly that includes a patient drape and an equipment drape as one unified component. This merging eliminates the need to handle and assemble multiple separate sheets, directly resolving the contradiction by simplifying the draping process while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drape assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it drapes the patient, drapes the radiological equipment, and provides interconnection between the two. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary draping functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radiological equipment is moved in and out of the surgical field multiple times, then imaging can be performed, but sterility is compromised and infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic interconnection means that allow the equipment drape to be selectively connected and disconnected from the patient drape. This dynamic system enables the radiological equipment to be moved in and out of the surgical field while maintaining sterility through controlled connection/disconnection of the drape components, resolving the contradiction between equipment mobility and sterile field maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection means serve as an intermediary mechanism between the patient drape and equipment drape. This intermediary allows controlled interaction between sterile and non-sterile zones, enabling equipment repositioning while preventing contamination through the mediating connection/disconnection process.
3Reliability
If fixed framework drapes are used to maintain sterility, then the sterile field is protected, but substantial portions of the operating theater are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid fixed framework structures with flexible drape materials that can conform to the radiological equipment while maintaining sterility. These flexible films provide the necessary protective function without the bulk and obstruction of rigid frameworks, allowing better access and visibility in the operating theater while preserving sterile field integrity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple half-sheets are used to drape moving equipment, then coverage is maintained, but surgical delay occurs and sterility is frequently violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary draping where the integrated drape assembly is prepared and connected before the radiological equipment enters the surgical field. This advance preparation eliminates the need for multiple subsequent draping adjustments and repositioning operations, preventing contamination and avoiding surgical delays by having the sterile barrier already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the patient drape and equipment drape into a single integrated assembly with interconnection means, the system eliminates the time-consuming process of separately draping and adjusting multiple half-sheets. The unified structure maintains sterility continuously without requiring repeated manipulation, directly addressing both contamination prevention and time efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible sterile drape designed to encase the non-sterile portion of a radiological unit is provided. The sterile radiological drape is designed to expand to encompass the radiological unit as it rotates into and is move through the sterile field for imaging during surgery, and then to collapse to protect the sterile portion of the drape when the radiological unit is removed from the surgical field.