Heat-Shrinkable Sterile Drape for Optical Window Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical drapes cause optical signal distortion and require manual alignment with optical elements, leading to user error and movement during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A sterile drape with heat-shrinkable portions that align with optical elements, allowing precise placement and fixation over surgical tools, reducing distortion and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used to position optical windows over optical elements, then the drape can be applied without complex mechanisms, but alignment precision deteriorates and user error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat to change the physical state of the shrink portion from unshrunk to shrunk, causing it to contract and conform to the optical element. This parameter change (thermal contraction) enables precise alignment and secure fixation without complex mechanical alignment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with a thermal shrinkage mechanism. Instead of requiring users to manually position and secure optical windows, the shrink portion automatically conforms to and secures the optical element through heat-induced contraction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment systems while maintaining high precision
2Reliability
If traditional drapes are used without shrink portions, then the drape structure remains simple, but the drape moves during surgery causing optical signal distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink portion undergoes thermal contraction when exposed to heat, changing from a loose unshrunk state to a tight shrunk state that conforms to the optical element. This parameter change provides secure fixation and prevents drape movement during surgery, ensuring reliability without adding significant structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink portion is designed to conform to the curved surface of the optical element when shrunk. This curvature adaptation allows the drape to tightly follow the contours of the optical component, preventing movement and maintaining stable optical signal transmission without requiring complex rigid fixation structures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drape does not conform to the optical element, then manufacturing remains simple, but optical signal distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink portion uses heat-induced contraction to transform from an unformed unshrunk state to a precisely contoured shrunk state that matches the optical element's shape. This simple thermal processing step eliminates optical signal distortion by ensuring close conformity without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink portion exploits thermal contraction (reverse thermal expansion) to achieve precise conformity to the optical element. By applying heat, the material contracts and molds itself to the underlying surface, eliminating gaps and wrinkles that cause optical distortion while keeping manufacturing straightforward
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 heat-shrinkable drape ensures accurate alignment of optical windows with surgical tools, minimizing distortion and user error, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a shrink portion or sleeve may be added to a drape at selected locations... one or more portions of the drape may be shrunk to fix an optical window in place... heat may be applied to one or more heat-shrinkable portions of the drape so as to cause such portions of the drape to shrink
Data Source
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AI summary
A shrink sterile drape according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first portion; a second portion configured to shrink relative to the first portion in the presence of heat; and an optical window disposed in the second portion and configured to permit passage of light therethrough.