Hinged Receptacle for Laryngoscope Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical settings, there is a challenge in maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of medical devices and environments due to improper handling and disposal of equipment, leading to potential contamination of patients and staff.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle system with a hingedly secured cover and base, designed to isolate medical devices by allowing one-handed insertion and storage of blades and handles, preventing contamination and facilitating easy disposal while minimizing distraction from patient care.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a doctor simultaneously monitors a patient and handles medical devices, then patient care quality is improved, but cleanliness and sterility of medical devices may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngoscope is divided into two separate components: a reusable handle and a disposable blade. This segmentation allows the handle to be kept sterile and reused, while the blade is disposed of after single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for sterilization of the blade between uses and prevents cross-contamination, allowing doctors to focus on patient care without compromising sterility
2Reliability
If proper handling procedures are followed, then sterility is maintained, but time and attention are diverted from urgent patient care
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is pre-packaged in a sterile container that is opened and attached to the handle before use. The entire blade assembly is designed for single-use disposal, so all preparation and sterilization steps are completed in advance during manufacturing and packaging
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable blade eliminates the need for time-consuming sterilization and disposal procedures after use. The blade is discarded immediately after the procedure, requiring minimal time and attention from the medical professional
3Reliability
If clean and contaminated equipment are kept separate, then cross-contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngoscope is segmented into a handle and blade that can be easily separated. The blade is designed to fit onto the handle only when needed, and can be quickly removed and discarded, simplifying the isolation of clean and contaminated components
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is extracted as a separate disposable component from the reusable handle. This extraction allows the contaminated blade to be easily removed and disposed of, while the clean handle remains for continued use, simplifying the contamination isolation process
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle for receiving a medical device and a method of making and using the receptacle. The receptacle includes an elongate base, a cover, the cover and elongate base hingedly secured to one another, the cover and the elongate base cooperating to define an envelope having mouth extending into an interior area of the envelope, and a biasing member communicating with the cover and configured to bias the mouth in an open position for receiving the medical device through the mouth into the interior area.