Imaging System Drape With Elastic Tensioning for Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging system bases, such as those in CT machines, are difficult to clean thoroughly due to contamination from medical and patient fluids, and existing drapes often bunch up or create trip hazards when the gimbal moves, complicating sterility and cleanliness during surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A drape designed to extend between the gimbal and gantry of an imaging system, featuring a sheet with elastic members and sleeves that securely attach to the base, preventing fluid contamination and allowing easy deployment and removal, while being inexpensive to manufacture and easy to apply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sheet is laid upon or taped to the base to prevent contamination, then sterility is improved, but the sheet bunches up and creates trip hazards when the gimbal moves
Solution Approach 1:
The drape incorporates elastic cords that allow the sheet to dynamically adjust and remain taut as the gimbal moves during surgery. The elastic members stretch and contract to accommodate gimbal motion while maintaining sheet tension, preventing bunching and eliminating trip hazards while preserving sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The drape uses a flexible sheet material that can conform to the base surface and accommodate gimbal movement. The flexible nature of the sheet combined with elastic tensioning allows it to remain flat and secure during surgical procedures without creating hazards.
2Reliability
If the base is thoroughly cleaned between surgeries to remove fluid contamination, then cleanliness is improved, but the cleaning process requires many man hours of labor
Solution Approach 1:
The drape is designed as a disposable protective covering that is applied to the base before surgery and removed afterward. This eliminates the need for thorough cleaning of the base between surgeries, as the contaminated drape is simply discarded, significantly reducing cleaning time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drape extracts and isolates the contamination problem by providing a removable barrier between the base and surgical fluids. Instead of cleaning the base itself, the contaminated drape is removed and discarded, separating the cleaning task from the base maintenance.
3Reliability
If a drape is secured to the base to prevent fluid contamination, then protection from contamination is improved, but the drape must remain stable as the gimbal moves relative to the base
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cords provide dynamic stability to the drape, allowing it to adapt to gimbal movement while maintaining its protective function. The elastic tension keeps the sheet taut and secure on the base surface even as the gimbal moves during surgical procedures.
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 drape effectively prevents contamination of the imaging system base and gimbal, reducing the risk of cross-infection and damage from improper cleaning, while ensuring sterility and ease of use during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
one or more stretchable members (e.g., elastic cords) are slidably disposed in the one or more sleeves and stretchable from the first end of the base to the second end of the base
Data Source
AI summary
Featured is a drape for an imaging system base slidably supporting a gimbal and gantry. The preferred drape includes a sheet configured to extend from a first end of the base, between the gimbal and the gantry, and to a second end of the base, one or more sleeves associated with the sheet, and one or more stretchable members (e.g., elastic cords) slidably disposed in said one or more sleeves and stretchable from the first end of the base to the second end of the base.