Flexible Aperture Medical Instrument Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical instrument holders are inefficient in storing small tools due to movement and lack of thorough sterilization capabilities, leading to contamination and damage during the sterilization process.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument holder system comprising a first substantially planar structure with apertures and a flexible second planar structure, connected by holding structures, allowing for secure and organized storage and sterilization of medical instruments with flexible apertures that apply a contact force to retain instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional holding containers with specifically-designed trays are used, then larger medical instruments can be stored, but small tools are prone to movement and jostling, resulting in inefficient storage and difficulty in locating specific tools
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of holding a single medical instrument. This segmentation prevents tools from moving and jostling together, while still allowing efficient access to individual instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compartment is designed with specific local characteristics including flexible walls that can deform to accommodate instruments of varying sizes and shapes. This allows small tools to be securely held without movement while maintaining easy access.
2Reliability
If conventional sterilization containers with crevices and cracks are used, then instruments can be contained, but bacteria build up in these areas, resulting in non-sterilized containers that are prone to contaminating medical instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed as an assembly of separable components including the base, lid, and individual instrument holders. This segmentation eliminates crevices and cracks where bacteria could accumulate, as each component can be fully exposed to sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument holders are designed to be removable from the base container. This allows complete disassembly for thorough sterilization, ensuring that no hidden areas remain where bacteria could persist.
3Reliability
If medical technicians remove components of sterilization containers for thorough cleaning, then sterilization can be improved, but this may cause damage to the container, leading to inoperable or ineffective sterilization container
Solution Approach 1:
The container components are designed with built-in features that facilitate easy cleaning and sterilization without requiring forceful removal or disassembly. The smooth surfaces and separable design allow thorough cleaning while preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder components are designed to be replaceable if damaged during cleaning. This allows the use of robust cleaning methods while maintaining the overall system's reliability through component replacement rather than damaging the entire container.
4Reliability
If rigid holding structures are used, then instruments can be secured, but small tools still move around and the structure cannot adapt to different instrument sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder walls are designed with flexible properties that allow them to deform and adapt to instruments of different sizes and shapes. This dynamic characteristic enables the rigid structure to become adaptable, securing small tools effectively while accommodating various instrument dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the holder walls (such as flexibility and deformability) are optimized to allow adaptation to different instrument characteristics. This enables the same holder structure to effectively retain instruments ranging from very small tools to larger medical instruments.
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 system provides efficient storage and retention of medical instruments, preventing movement and ensuring thorough sterilization by applying a contact force through flexible apertures, thus reducing contamination and damage.
Implementation Method 1
The second substantially planar structure has at least a second aperture positioned therein, wherein the second aperture is flexible
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument holder and method of holding a medical instrument is provided. The medical instrument holder includes a first substantially planar structure having at least a first aperture positioned therein. A second substantially planar structure is positioned approximately parallel to the first substantially planar structure. The second substantially planar structure has at least a second aperture positioned therein, wherein the second aperture is flexible. At least one holding structure is connected between the first substantially planar structure and the second substantially planar structure.