Disposable Surgical Instrument Container with Surfactant Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments face damage and cross-infection risks during transport due to inadequate containment, and existing reusable containers require extensive cleaning and sterilization, increasing costs and workload, while also posing patient safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A single-use disposable container made from thermoformed pulp material with a surfactant-proof barrier, designed for sterilization compatibility and biodegradability, provides secure and sterile transport for both sterile and contaminated instruments, eliminating the need for extensive processing and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reusable trays and containers are used for transporting surgical instruments, then instruments can be organized and transported efficiently, but instruments are damaged due to collision during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable tray is divided into multiple compartments that separately accommodate different surgical instruments. This segmentation prevents instruments from moving freely and colliding during transport, thereby protecting instrument integrity while maintaining transport efficiency.
2Productivity
If reusable trays and containers are used for transporting surgical instruments, then instruments can be organized and transported efficiently, but cross-infection occurs among instruments
Solution Approach 1:
Different compartments within the reusable tray are designed with specific properties suitable for different instrument types. Some compartments are sterilizable at high temperatures, others are fluid-resistant, and some are designed for single-use sterilization pouches. This local differentiation allows efficient organization and transport while enabling appropriate sterilization methods for each compartment to prevent cross-infection.
3Productivity
If reusable containers are used for transporting surgical instruments, then instrument transport is efficient, but extensive cleaning and sterilization are required increasing costs and workload
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable tray incorporates compartments designed for single-use sterilization pouches. After use, the contaminated instruments are removed and the pouch is discarded, eliminating the need to clean and sterilize the tray compartments themselves. This reduces the time and resources required for container processing while maintaining efficient instrument transport.
4Productivity
If reusable containers are used for transporting surgical instruments, then instrument transport is efficient, but patient safety is compromised due to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Compartments intended for sterile instruments are designed with sterilizable properties (autoclave-resistant, chemical sterilization compatible) while compartments for contaminated instruments are designed for single-use disposal. This local quality differentiation ensures that sterile instruments remain in sterilizable compartments, maintaining patient safety while allowing efficient transport of both sterile and contaminated instruments in the same reusable tray structure.
5Ease of operation
If disposable containers are used for transporting surgical instruments, then cleaning and sterilization workload is reduced, but environmental impact increases due to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable tray is segmented into permanent reusable structural components and disposable removable compartments. The permanent structure can be cleaned and reused, while only the contaminated compartments requiring sterilization are discarded. This segmentation reduces overall waste compared to completely disposable containers while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating the need to clean the permanent structure.
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
The container effectively prevents damage and cross-infection, simplifies sterilization processes, reduces costs, and minimizes environmental impact by being disposable, while ensuring instrument safety and efficient handling.
Implementation Method 1
A single use disposable container made from thermoformed pulp material
Implementation Method 2
with a surfactant-proof barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A single use disposable container for surgical instruments is provided for transporting sterile instruments to the point of use. The single use container comprises a base section having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base. A lid section is provided that is configured to close the base section. The container is formed from a biodegradable thermoformed pulp material that is gas and steam permeable. At least the base section includes a surfactant proof barrier on at least the inner surface of the pulp material to protect the pulp material of the container from cleaning fluid applied to the instruments. The lid includes a double walled rim that assists in protecting the instruments stored therein.