Grommetless Medical Device Tray With Interference Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device trays, such as those used in dental procedures, face challenges in sterilization due to the difficulty in cleaning and removing biological contaminants from elastomeric grommets or inserts, which can trap blood and organic matter.
Innovation Solution
A medical device tray design that eliminates the use of grommets or inserts by featuring a rigid base with softer covering through-holes, allowing for an interference fit to hold medical devices without trapping contaminants, and is made from materials like stainless steel and silicone for ease of sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric grommets or inserts are used to hold medical devices in the tray, then the devices can be securely retained, but the grommets trap blood and organic matter making sterilization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grommets or inserts from the tray design entirely. Instead of having separate retaining elements, the tray uses through-holes that allow medical devices to be held by friction and interference fit between the device and the hole edges, eliminating the contaminating grommets while maintaining device retention
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using separate grommets to create the holding function, the invention inverts the approach by making the tray holes themselves the retaining feature. The through-holes are designed with specific dimensions and surface characteristics that provide interference fit and friction-based retention without requiring additional components
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual grommets are used to hold dental devices, then the devices can be organized and secured, but the grommets create areas where biological contaminants can be trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the grommets from the system, replacing them with a grommetless tray design where devices are held directly by the through-holes in the tray body, eliminating the crevices and undercuts where contaminants would be trapped
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a covering layer made of softer material that forms the through-holes. This flexible covering provides the necessary friction and interference fit for device retention while having a smooth, non-porous surface that prevents contaminant accumulation and facilitates easy sterilization
3Strength
If grommets are assembled in radel or metal trays, then devices can be held securely, but the combination creates areas where dried blood or tissues could be trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grommets from the tray assembly, eliminating the interface between grommet and tray where contaminants would be trapped. The through-holes are formed directly in the tray structure with smooth transitions that prevent contaminant accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a homogeneous structure where the through-holes are an integral part of the tray body rather than separate components. The covering layer is seamlessly integrated with the tray, creating uniform surfaces without crevices, joints, or interfaces where contaminants could be trapped
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
This design simplifies the sterilization process by reducing the risk of biological contamination and is cost-effective by eliminating the need for individual grommets, ensuring efficient cleaning and organization of medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a covering affixed to the base, the covering being made of a material which is softer than the substantially rigid material of the base
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device tray for carrying a plurality of medical devices includes: a base made of a substantially rigid material, the base forming at least one base through-hole; and a covering affixed to the base, the covering being made of a material which is softer than the substantially rigid material of the base, the covering forming at least one covering through-hole, the at least one base through-hole and the at least one covering through-hole cooperating to form at least one medical device tray through-hole configured for directly supporting a respective one of the plurality of medical devices.