Disposable Liner Basin Retention for Pathogen-Free Patient Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare-associated infections, such as MRSA and ecoli, are transmitted through wash basins used for washing patients, as rinsing alone is insufficient to eliminate pathogens, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A basin with retaining means and a disposable liner that securely engages with the basin, minimizing contact between the basin and washing water, and allowing for easy disposal and replacement of the liner after each use, combined with antimicrobial additives in both the basin and liner materials to reduce infection transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wash basin is rinsed after each use, then the basin is cleaned, but pathogens remain and cross-contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable liners that are discarded after a single use, replacing the need for thorough cleaning of the basin. Each liner is inexpensive and single-use, ensuring that pathogens are removed with the liner rather than requiring complex cleaning procedures that fail to eliminate all contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the liner after each patient wash, automatically removing any pathogens that may have contaminated it. The basin itself is recovered and reused with a fresh liner, eliminating the need to clean the basin between uses and preventing cross-contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a disposable liner is used for each patient, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is extracted as a separate, removable component from the basin system. This allows the liner to be easily attached and detached without complicating the basin structure itself. The retaining means are simple protrusions that engage with the liner, adding minimal complexity while effectively preventing pathogen transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The basin is designed with universal retaining means that can accommodate various liner types. The same basin structure works with different liners for different patients, making the system versatile without requiring multiple specialized basins or complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If retaining means are added to secure the liner, then the liner stays in place, but the basin structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining mechanism is segmented into simple protruding elements distributed around the basin rim. Each protrusion independently secures a portion of the liner, and collectively they provide reliable retention without requiring a complex integrated mechanism. The segmented approach simplifies both manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (1) for washing a bedridden patient comprises a basin (2) and a disposable water impermeable flexible liner (3) for lining a hollow interior region (5) of the basin (2). Retaining members (35) in retaining member accommodating recesses (37) located in corners (10) of the basin (2) engage engagement openings (30) formed in the liner (3) adjacent a peripheral upper edge (24) thereof and adjacent corners (27) of a peripheral wall (19) of the liner (3) for releasably securing and retaining the liner (3) to the basin (2). The basin (2) lined with the liner (3) is charged with water for washing the patient. On completion of washing, the liner (3) is removed from the basin (2) for disposal.