Disposable Gauze Counter with Interlocking Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical gauze counters do not allow surgeons to separately track the number of different types of gauzes used during a surgical procedure.
Innovation Solution
A disposable gauze counter with a plurality of resealable airtight clips, each clip having engaging members that form an interlocking seal when pressed together, allowing for separate tracking of different types of gauzes by using labeled counters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single container with numbered pockets is used to store and display used surgical gauzes, then visual confirmation of the total number of gauzes is achieved, but the ability to separately track different types of gauzes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each capable of holding different types of gauzes. This segmentation allows the surgical team to separately track different gauze types while maintaining visual confirmation of counts in each compartment through transparent walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking multiple transparent trays or compartments vertically within a single footprint. Each tray can be independently sealed and counted, providing separate tracking capability without requiring horizontal expansion that would increase device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If reusable containers are used for multiple procedures, then device cost is reduced, but sterilization requirements and cross-contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed as a disposable single-use device that can be sterilized via autoclaving. After one use, the entire container is discarded, eliminating cross-contamination risks and eliminating the need for complex re-sterilization protocols between uses. The low cost of the disposable container offsets the benefit of eliminating sterilization cycles.
3Device complexity
If standard clips are used to seal pockets, then device complexity is minimized, but airtight sealing capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the container structure itself and implemented as separate removable clips. These clips can be independently applied to each compartment opening, providing airtight sealing without requiring complex integrated sealing mechanisms in the container walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The clips utilize composite construction combining rigid structural elements for sealing pressure with flexible sealing surfaces that conform to the pocket openings. This composite approach achieves reliable airtight seals using simple clip geometry that does not significantly increase device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable gauze counter is provided having opposing first and second ends and opposing top and bottom sides, with a plurality of resealable airtight clips disposed between the first end and the second end and generally extending from the top side of the disposable gauze counter towards the bottom side of the disposable gauze counter. The plurality of resealable airtight clips each comprise an opening having opposed first and second sides, the first side and the second side each having at least one engaging member disposed thereon, wherein when the first side and the second side are pressed together the engaging members form an interlocking seal.