Encapsulated Touchscreen Monitor for Hygienic Ward Trolleys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitors with touchscreen functions in healthcare settings pose hygiene risks due to the potential transmission of pathogens and are difficult to clean with standard disinfectants, which can damage the screen.
Innovation Solution
A monitor design featuring a completely encapsulated touchscreen with a transparent cover plate made of glass or plastic, allowing for effective cleaning with conventional healthcare cleaning agents while protecting the screen from contamination and functional impairment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a touchscreen monitor is used to eliminate additional peripheral devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the monitor becomes susceptible to contamination and cannot be properly cleaned with standard disinfectants
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent protective film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the touchscreen display and the external environment. This film serves as a mediator that allows touch input to pass through while protecting the screen from direct contact with contaminants and cleaning agents, enabling hygiene-compliant cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 2:
A thin transparent protective film is applied over the touchscreen surface to create a barrier against contamination. The film is designed to be compatible with standard healthcare cleaning agents while maintaining touchscreen functionality, allowing the monitor to be properly disinfected without damage
2Reliability
If the monitor is completely encapsulated to protect against contamination, then hygiene reliability is improved, but the touchscreen becomes less responsive to touch input
Solution Approach 1:
A thin transparent protective film is used instead of thick encapsulation materials. The film's minimal thickness and flexible properties allow it to maintain touchscreen responsiveness while providing adequate protection against contamination, balancing hygiene reliability with operational ease
3Object-affected harmful factors
If standard cleaning agents are used to eliminate pathogens, then hygiene is improved, but the touchscreen screen surface is damaged or rendered unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent protective film acts as a sacrificial intermediary that protects the touchscreen screen from direct exposure to harsh cleaning agents. Standard healthcare disinfectants can be applied to the film surface without damaging the underlying touchscreen, maintaining functional reliability while achieving proper hygiene
Solution Approach 2:
The protective film serves as a disposable or replaceable component that can be cleaned with aggressive disinfectants. Instead of risking damage to the expensive touchscreen, the film absorbs the cleaning stress and can be replaced if needed, protecting the core functional element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ward trolley, in particular a ward and nursing trolley for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, with a mobile cabinet part (47) which is used, among other things, to accommodate a computer system, and with a monitor (5) which can be rotated a support tube (6) is arranged. In order to provide a ward trolley with a monitor, which is also suitable in particular for use in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities, the invention proposes that it be characterized by a touch screen that is completely encapsulated and has a front panel a cover plate formed of a transparent material.