Disposable Elapsed-Time Indicator Using Absorbable Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for disposable elapsed time indicators that can accurately show the time period that has elapsed and the time remaining for medical devices, as healthcare professionals often do not record the start time of device use, leading to uncertainty about device lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A single-use disposable elapsed time indicator with an absorbable material that swells upon exposure to an aqueous medium, featuring a flexible chamber, a slot with a breakable seal, and a graded scale to indicate elapsed time, allowing for visual tracking of hours or days.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual charting of start time is used, then device usage tracking is possible, but accuracy and reliability of time tracking deteriorates due to human error and inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime tracking accuracyVSAvoidconsistent time recording

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The time indicator device is self-activating upon device connection. The aqueous medium automatically contacts the absorbable material when the flexible chamber is compressed during device attachment, eliminating the need for manual time recording by healthcare professionals and ensuring consistent, accurate tracking from the moment of device activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical act of charting time is replaced by an automatic physicochemical system. The absorbable material's swelling response to aqueous medium provides an automatic, objective time measurement mechanism that eliminates human error in time recording and provides reliable, consistent tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If no time indication device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs regarding elapsed time and device lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelapsed time informationVSAvoidindicator device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbable material provides visual information through color changes and volume expansion as it swells in response to the aqueous medium. The material transitions from a compressed state to an expanded state, with color indicators showing elapsed time periods, providing clear visual feedback without complex electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator uses changes in physical parameters of the absorbable material (volume, density, position) as the material swells over time. These parameter changes provide measurable, objective information about elapsed time and device usage duration without requiring complex measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If reusable time indicators are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but device complexity increases due to cleaning and sterilization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposable indicator productionVSAvoidsterilization and cleaning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The time indicator is designed as a single-use disposable device that is pre-sterilized and packaged. After one use, the entire indicator is discarded, eliminating the need for complex sterilization and cleaning systems while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple, cost-effective materials and construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Provides accurate visual indication of elapsed time, enabling healthcare professionals to make timely preparations for device replacement or cleaning, ensuring compliance with device lifespan requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbable material located within and at the first end of the slot that swells exposure to the aqueous medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

absorbable material configured to swell upon exposure to an aqueous medium along a graded scale

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS12436503B2Single use disposable elapsed time indicator with absorbable material

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 CAREFUSION 303 INC

AI summary

A single use disposable elapsed time indicator and methods for using same include an indicator that can have a flexible chamber for holding an aqueous medium and a slot with a viewing window and a longitudinal axis. The slot is connected to the chamber via a passage having a breakable seal therein. An absorbable material is located within and at a first end of the slot that swells upon exposure to the aqueous medium. A graded scale is also included along the longitudinal axis of the slot to indicate periods of elapsed time. The absorbable material is configured to expand from the first end of the slot toward an opposing end of the slot along the longitudinal axis and thereby mark elapsed time on the graded scale.