Defibrillator Case Curved Handle and Hinge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defibrillator carrying cases hinder rapid deployment and use during cardiac rescues due to tangled handles, inadequate latch robustness, obscured content visibility, and poor design for cleaning and maintenance, leading to delays in therapy application.
Innovation Solution
A carrying case with a stiff and curved handle at a 90-degree angle to the case hinge and latch, a double-articulated hinge for stability, an improved content arrangement for immediate visibility, and a robust latch mechanism with a spur and catch assembly, along with features like an automatic turn-on feature, light pipe for wider-angle viewing, and removable trays for cleaning and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional handle design is used in the carrying case, then the handle can be easily attached, but it becomes tangled with other gear during storage and removal, delaying deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with a curved configuration rather than a straight structure. This curvature allows the handle to bend and move independently from other gear items during storage and removal, preventing tangling while maintaining ease of attachment and use. The curved shape enables smooth motion through tight spaces without catching on adjacent objects.
2Reliability
If the latch is positioned to secure the case effectively, then the case remains closed during storage, but it impedes the ability of a glove-wearing rescuer to open the cover quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is repositioned and oriented at specific angles relative to the case opening. By adjusting the latch's spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions, the design maintains secure closure during storage while ensuring the latch remains accessible and operable from the outside, even when the user is wearing gloves. The latch positioning allows for easy engagement and disengagement without requiring the user to reach inside the case.
3Ease of operation
If the carrying case lid is designed to open easily, then access to contents is quick, but the lid can be accidentally closed or stepped on, breaking it or impeding access to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is pre-configured with a specific orientation and structural design that maintains the lid in an open position during deployment. The hinge's preliminary arrangement ensures that when the case is opened, the lid remains stable and resistant to accidental closing or damage from stepping, while still allowing easy initial access to the contents.
4Volume of moving object
If the carrying case is designed to be compact for storage, then it fits in limited spaces, but the contents are not visible at the time of deployment, causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The interior of the carrying case is organized with specific local arrangements of contents, where frequently used items are positioned in easily visible and accessible locations. This localized organization ensures that when the case is opened, the most critical components are immediately visible and ready for deployment, eliminating delays while maintaining a compact overall case size.
5Ease of operation
If the carrying case includes internal trays for organizing contents, then items are secured and visible, but the trays cannot be removed for cleaning, leading to cross-contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The internal tray system is designed as removable, separable components rather than fixed structures. This segmentation allows the trays to be easily removed from the case for thorough cleaning and disinfection, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining effective content organization when installed. The removable design also facilitates easier cleaning of the case interior surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A substantially rigid defibrillator carrying case having a hinged side, a latch disposed on a latch side opposite the hinged side, and a handle disposed on a handle side disposed between the hinged side and the latch side. The carrying case is constructed without protrusions and with a rigid handle, which combine to allow easy removal and deployment of the contents from a vehicle storage location to a cardiac arrest patient. The carrying case is further constructed with a bracket or optional test fixture for a CPR Meter.