Interconnected Medical Bag Cassettes for Collective Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical bag handling systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple medical bags during processes like buffy coat pooling, leading to complex workflows and space inefficiencies due to the lack of a cohesive handling system for multiple cassettes.

Innovation Solution

A medical bag handling system featuring interconnected medical bag holding cassettes with a connecting mechanism that allows for easy assembly and layering, enabling collective handling and reducing space requirements, utilizing engaging and protruding portions for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple cassettes are individually hung from the hanging tool, then each medical bag can be handled separately, but work becomes complicated and workability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of medical bagsVSAvoidworkflow complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent connects multiple cassettes together to form an integrated assembly, allowing them to be handled as a single unit. The connecting means enables cassettes to be linked sequentially, so that operations such as hanging, transferring, or processing can be performed on multiple medical bags simultaneously rather than individually, thereby simplifying the workflow and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple cassettes are individually arranged, then each medical bag is accessible, but a larger workspace is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of medical bagsVSAvoidworkspace area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges multiple cassettes in a linear sequence along one dimension by connecting them through the connecting means, rather than spreading them out across a two-dimensional workspace. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple medical bags to be accessed in a compact linear arrangement, reducing the overall workspace area required while maintaining accessibility through the connected structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If cassettes are connected in a linear arrangement, then space is saved and collective handling is enabled, but the connecting structure must be simple yet effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkspace areaVSAvoidconnecting structure design
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting means is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then assembled between cassettes. This segmentation allows the connecting structure to be produced using simple processes and then attached to standard cassettes, reducing the complexity of manufacturing the overall system while still achieving the space-saving linear arrangement and collective handling capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2982394B1Medical bag handling system and medical bag holding cassette
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 TERUMO KK
  • EP2982394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medical bag handling system (10) includes a plurality of cassettes (16) capable of holding bags for blood (14), and connecting means (32) capable of connecting one cassette (16) and another cassette (16). Accordingly, the cassettes (16) can be easily connected, and the plurality of bags for blood (14) supported by the respective cassettes (16) can be collectively handled.