Connector Arm Locking Mechanism for Medical Device Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device assembly trays are bulky, difficult to handle, and compromise the sterile integrity of medical devices during transport and storage due to interactions with the packaging pouch, leading to potential contamination and ergonomic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tray design featuring a tray body, tray lid, and connector arm mechanism that securely locks the lid onto the body using flanges and a cavity system, allowing for easy separation and closure to maintain sterility and improve handling ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a bulky tray design is used to accommodate medical device assemblies, then the tray can provide sufficient space and protection for the devices, but the tray becomes difficult to handle and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into separate components: a tray body and a tray lid that can be detached. This segmentation allows the tray to maintain sufficient volume when assembled while enabling easy handling by separating the components during manipulation and transport.
2Reliability
If the tray is designed to protect medical devices during transport, then sterile integrity can be maintained, but the tray structure becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate functional element from the main tray structure. The connector arm with cavity and flange system provides the necessary protection and sterile integrity while maintaining a relatively simple overall tray design that is not overly complex.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to maintain sterility, then the tray can protect medical devices effectively, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-latching through the cavity-flange interaction. When the tray lid is closed, the flanges automatically engage with the cavity to secure the lid in place, providing secure sterile barrier protection without requiring complex external locking systems or additional fastening components.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray for a medical device assembly includes a tray body, a tray lid, and a connector arm. The tray body and the tray lid each have a first surface, a plurality of walls extending from the first surface, and an open end opposite the first surface. The connector arm is coupled to the tray body or the tray lid, and has a first position that permits the separation of the tray body and tray lid, and a second position that couples the tray body to the tray lid.