Modular Cable Holder With Magnetic Mounting for Tangle Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable holders are not adaptable for quick securement and release from support structures, fail to prevent fraying or tangling of cables, and do not reduce cable clutter effectively, especially in high-acuity care settings like hospitals, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A modular cable holder that can be easily secured to and released from various support structures, including mobile and stationary ones, featuring a connector system with magnetic interlocks and apertures to manage cables, prevent tangling, and be easily cleaned and disinfected, thereby reducing clutter and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cable holders are used, then cable management is provided, but they cannot be quickly secured to or released from support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holder is divided into a mounting portion and a cable securing portion that can function independently. The mounting portion attaches to the support structure while the cable securing portion manages cables, allowing quick attachment/detachment of the mounting portion while maintaining secure cable management when attached
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism replaces traditional mechanical fastening (screws, clips) with a magnetic field-based attachment system. Magnets in the mounting portion attract to the support structure, enabling quick securement and release without complex mechanical operations while maintaining reliable attachment through strong magnetic force
2Ease of operation
If conventional cable holders are used, then cable holding is provided, but fraying or tangling of cables is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holder features nested channels and grooves that guide cables through multiple containment levels. Cables are first held by the cable securing portion, then guided through channels that prevent tangling, and finally protected by the housing structure, creating a nested protection system that prevents fraying and tangling while maintaining easy cable management
Solution Approach 2:
The cable holder incorporates flexible cable management elements such as flexible channels and thin-walled protective coverings that adapt to cable movements while preventing fraying. These flexible structures allow cables to be routed and secured without creating stress points that would cause fraying or tangling
3Ease of operation
If conventional cable holders are used, then cable support is provided, but cable clutter at the point of care is not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holder utilizes vertical space by mounting to support structures like bed rails or IV poles, moving cables from horizontal clutter on surfaces to vertical organization along structure edges. The multi-level channels and stacked cable securing portions arrange cables in three-dimensional space, reducing two-dimensional surface clutter at the point of care while maintaining adequate cable support
4Ease of operation
If conventional cable holders are used, then cable holding is provided, but complex mounting arrangements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion is designed with universal magnetic attachment capability that works with multiple support structure types (metal bed rails, IV poles, carts, ambulance bars). The same mounting portion design secures to various surfaces without requiring different mounting mechanisms, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining versatile cable holding capability across different healthcare environments
5Ease of operation
If conventional cable holders are used, then cable management is provided, but they are not modular
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holder is segmented into distinct functional modules: a mounting portion for attachment, a cable securing portion for cable management, and intermediate channels. These modules can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the cable holder to be configured in different arrangements (single unit, stacked arrays, distributed mounting) to adapt to various cable management needs while maintaining effective cable management functionality
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 cable holder system enhances workflow efficiency by minimizing cable-related distractions, reducing the risk of equipment disconnection, and maintaining a clean environment by keeping cables organized and protected from contaminants, thus improving patient care and reducing nosocomial infections.
Implementation Method 1
The connector may include a connector array of magnets having a specific connector magnetic polarity pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A cable holder prevents fraying or tangling of cables configured to physically and electrically connect to one or more devices, such as patient monitoring devices. The cable holder can be configured to: (i) detachably secure the one or more cables, and (ii) be detachably secured to a support structure. The cable holder may include a first surface in which an aperture configured to receive a cable is defined, and a second surface on which a connector configured to removably interconnect with a connector of another cable holder is defined.