IV Pole Power Strip Layout for Tangle-Free Cord Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conglomeration of medical devices in intensive care units leads to a tangled mass of power cords and wires, increasing the risk of contamination and infection, as existing IV pole arrangements require multiple power outlets and awkward handling when moving patients, with existing solutions failing to efficiently manage and organize these cords effectively.
Innovation Solution
The IV Pole Power Organizer (IVPPO) features a unique power strip attached to an IV pole with clamps, six outlets, a hook, LED light, USB port, and a flashlight charger, allowing for organized cord management and single plug operation, keeping cords off the floor and facilitating patient movement while preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual power outlets and cords are used for each medical device, then each device can be powered independently, but the cords become tangled and spread on the floor creating contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual power outlets and cords are merged into a single integrated power strip unit that attaches to the IV pole. The power strip consolidates multiple outlets into one organized structure, allowing multiple devices to be powered while keeping all cords contained and off the floor, thus eliminating the tangled cord problem while maintaining device power independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The power strip acts as an intermediary device between the wall outlet and multiple medical devices. It provides a centralized connection point that organizes multiple power cords, preventing them from spreading on the floor and creating contamination risks, while still allowing each device to be powered independently through its own outlet on the power strip.
2Productivity
If multiple power cords are hung over the IV pole for patient relocation, then devices remain powered, but the handling becomes awkward and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power cords are merged and consolidated into a single organized bundle through the power strip unit. This consolidation allows the entire power system to be moved as one unit rather than handling multiple separate cords, significantly improving patient relocation efficiency and making cord handling straightforward and convenient.
3Ease of operation
If power cords touch the floor during patient movement, then cord management is simplified, but thorough cleaning is required to avoid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip unit extracts and elevates all power cords from the floor level, attaching them to the IV pole at a higher position. This extraction prevents cords from touching the floor during patient movement, eliminating the need for thorough cleaning while maintaining simple cord management through the organized power strip structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If each infusion system requires individual power outlets and cords, then each system can operate independently, but the system complexity increases with multiple cords and adaptors
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual power outlets and cords are merged into a single integrated power strip unit that attaches to the IV pole. This consolidation maintains the independence of each infusion system through separate outlets while dramatically reducing the complexity of power cord organization by providing a centralized, organized structure for all connections.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an apparatus for safely storing and retrieving power cords and electronic wiring associated with a mobile intravenous pole serving patients in intensive care settings wherein a plurality of devices are required and enabling the patient to be mobile without causing power cords and wiring to become tangled and dragging on patient room or hospital floors.