Collapsible Surgical Tag Antenna With Fabric-Stabilized Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detection antennas for surgical articles in operating rooms are bulky and prone to deformation, making them difficult to store and transport, and their rigidity is a reliability concern due to potential detuning when dropped.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible detection antenna with an antenna assembly that can move between a deployed and collapsed configuration, featuring a loop assembly and fabric to maintain stability and prevent deformation, allowing for greater detection range in the deployed state and easier storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hollow metal tube antennas are used, then detection reliability is maintained, but storage and transportation become difficult due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is designed to be dynamically configurable between deployed and collapsed states. The loop assembly can be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage and transportation, then expanded to a deployed configuration for detection operations, making the antenna volume adaptable to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop assembly is designed to collapse into a nested or compact form when not in use. The antenna structure allows the loop to be folded or compressed into a smaller volume, similar to a nested doll principle, enabling easy storage in limited spaces while maintaining full detection capability when deployed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid conventional antennas are used, then structural stability is maintained, but reliability decreases due to detuning when dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design allows for parameter changes in structural rigidity. The loop assembly can be made of flexible or semi-flexible materials that maintain structural integrity while being more resistant to damage from drops. The antenna can be designed to flex or deform elastically rather than rigidly, preventing detuning while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly incorporates protective features that cushion against impact before damage occurs. This may include flexible mounting structures, shock-absorbing elements, or designs that allow the antenna to absorb impact energy without permanent deformation, thereby preventing detuning from drops.
3Ease of operation
If collapsible antenna design is implemented, then storage and transportation ease is improved, but detection range may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly transitions dynamically between collapsed and deployed configurations. When deployed, the antenna achieves its full detection range by expanding to the proper size and shape. The collapsible feature only affects storage volume, not the operational detection range, as the antenna restores its full dimensions during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is segmented into collapsible sections that can be folded or compressed for storage. These segments can be articulated or telescopic, allowing the antenna to be broken down into smaller parts for compact storage while maintaining the ability to reassemble into the full detection configuration when needed.
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 collapsible design enhances storage and transportation efficiency while maintaining reliability by ensuring a stable detection range and preventing deformation, addressing the bulkiness and rigidity issues of conventional antennas.
Implementation Method 1
the deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible detection antenna (10) to detect electromagnetic tags (12) of surgical articles (14) in an operating room (16) includes an antenna assembly (18) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop (20) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly (18) sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags (12) in the deployed configuration.