Hinged Medical Device Enclosure for Sterilization Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for medical devices, such as autoclave, radiation, and chemical sterilization, are limited in size and can damage electrical components or materials, and existing protective enclosures for ultrasound scan heads are too large and prone to damaging cables or connectors during sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A modular protective enclosure with multiple hinged sections and seals that selectively protect sensitive components of medical devices from sterilization, while allowing cables to pass through without engagement, and includes a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protective enclosures are used to protect connectors from sterilization, then the connector is protected, but the enclosure becomes too large to fit into sterilization apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is divided into multiple hinged sections that can be opened and closed independently. This segmentation allows the enclosure to provide comprehensive protection when closed while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within sterilization apparatus. The modular section design enables selective coverage of different connector components without requiring a monolithic large enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure sections are designed to nest within each other when closed, with smaller sections fitting into larger ones. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume of the protective enclosure while maintaining adequate protection for the connector. The hinged sections can be collapsed inward, creating a compact nested structure that fits within sterilization equipment constraints.
2Reliability
If the enclosure seals against the cable, then sealing is improved, but the cable may be cut or damaged during sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure provides differential sealing coverage - sealing against the cable housing and connector surfaces while deliberately leaving the cable itself unsealed. The seal design focuses on protecting the connector components and cable attachment points without creating compression or damage to the cable. This localized sealing approach maintains sealing effectiveness for the most vulnerable components while avoiding harm to the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure acts as an intermediary protective layer between the sterilization environment and the vulnerable connector components. Rather than sealing directly against the cable (which would cause damage), the enclosure provides a buffer zone that protects the cable housing and connector interfaces while allowing the cable to pass through unsealed. This intermediary structure enables protection without direct contact between the sealing mechanism and the cable.
3Ease of manufacture
If the connector is not held in place within the enclosure, then assembly is easier, but the connector may become damaged by forcefully contacting the enclosure during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure incorporates movable hinged sections that can dynamically adjust to accommodate the connector in various positions. The hinges allow the enclosure to flex and adapt during assembly and handling, preventing rigid contact between the connector and enclosure surfaces. This dynamic design maintains connector integrity while simplifying assembly, as the hinged sections can be easily positioned and secured without requiring complex fixed mounting mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods providing an enclosure for protecting portions of a medical device are shown. Embodiments individually protect multiple portions of a medical device during sterilization. Protective enclosures of embodiments provide a minimized size adapted to provide protection to portions of a medical device susceptible to damage by a sterilization process. Enclosures of embodiments provide protection by preventing unauthorized use of the medical device being protected.