Fluid Passthrough Housing for Contamination-Controlled Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of sterile fluids like saline and antiseptics from a non-sterile field to a sterile field during surgical procedures poses challenges due to the risk of contamination, overcrowding, and needlestick injuries, necessitating a more efficient and safe method for fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
A fluid passthrough device with a housing extending from a sterile to a non-sterile field, featuring receiving and dispensing interfaces, channels, and valves, allowing sterile fluid transfer without direct human interaction across the sterile boundary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid is transferred manually from non-sterile to sterile field, then fluid delivery is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the operating room into sterile and non-sterile zones with a physical barrier (transparent shield). The fluid transfer system is segmented into sterile components (inside the shield) and non-sterile components (outside the shield), allowing each zone to be managed independently while maintaining sterility boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent shield acts as an intermediary barrier between sterile and non-sterile fields. The fluid transfer mechanism uses this intermediary structure to enable safe passage of fluids from non-sterile to sterile zones without direct manual contact across the boundary, reducing contamination risk.
2Ease of operation
If more personnel are present in the sterile field to assist with fluid transfer, then fluid delivery is improved, but overcrowding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid transfer system is designed to be self-operating through the transparent shield mechanism. Non-sterile personnel can operate the fluid transfer device from outside the sterile field without needing to physically enter or crowd the sterile zone, allowing fluid delivery while maintaining spatial separation.
3Productivity
If traditional fluid transfer methods are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but needlestick injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs disposable sterile barriers and single-use fluid transfer components that eliminate the need for repeated needle handling. The transparent shield with integrated fluid transfer mechanism replaces traditional needle-based connections, reducing needlestick risks while maintaining fluid transfer efficiency.
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
Reduces contamination risk, minimizes needlestick injuries, and optimizes surgical workflow by enabling non-sterile staff to manage fluid delivery to the sterile field efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes one or more channels which allow the fluid to flow from the first side of the device to a second side of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid passthrough device delivers a fluid from a non-sterile field to a sterile field in an operating room. The fluid passthrough device includes a housing extending from a first surface facing the sterile field to a second surface facing the non-sterile field. A receiving interface is formed in the second surface of the housing to receive a fluid reservoir containing a fluid, and a dispensing interface is formed in the first surface of the housing to receive the fluid from the receiving interface and dispense the fluid into the sterile field. The fluid passthrough allows for fluid to be delivered in a sterile manner from the non-sterile field directly to the sterile field, improving the overall surgical workflow and minimizing the number of transfers of sterile fluid.