Magnetizer Cover Structure for Sterile Medical Device Magnetization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent contamination of sterile medical devices during magnetization, as existing magnetization systems cannot be sterilized and may expose medical devices to contaminated surfaces, leading to loss of sterility.
Innovation Solution
A magnetizer cover with a base, funnel, and grip tab is designed to intervene between the medical device and the magnetizer, preventing contact and maintaining sterility, featuring structural stability ridges and inwardly facing prongs to secure the medical device in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetizer is used to magnetize a medical device, then the medical device can be magnetized for tracking, but the magnetizer cannot be sterilized and may contaminate the medical device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a sterilizable medical device and a non-sterilizable magnetizer. The medical device can be sterilized independently before use, while the magnetizer remains outside the sterile field. This segmentation allows the medical device to maintain sterility while still being magnetized by the non-sterile magnetizer through non-contact magnetic field interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the magnetizer and the medical device, enabling magnetization without direct physical contact. Additionally, a sterile barrier or drape can be introduced as a physical intermediary to prevent any potential contact between the non-sterile magnetizer and the sterile medical device, thus maintaining sterility while allowing magnetic interaction.
2Reliability
If the medical device contacts the magnetizer during magnetization, then magnetization can occur, but contamination of the medical device occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field serves as an intermediary that enables magnetization without direct contact between the medical device and the magnetizer. The magnetic field penetrates through sterile barriers, allowing the medical device to be magnetized while maintaining sterility by preventing physical contact with the non-sterile magnetizer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sterile barrier or drape is placed between the magnetizer and the medical device. This thin film allows magnetic field transmission while physically preventing contact between the non-sterile magnetizer and the sterile medical device, thus maintaining sterility during the magnetization process.
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 solution effectively prevents contamination of medical devices during magnetization by creating a sterile barrier between the device and the potentially unsterilized magnetizer, ensuring the device remains sterile throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
The funnel includes a funnel stem configured to protect an elongate medical device from contacting a magnetizer when the medical device is inserted into the funnel
Implementation Method 2
A medical device such as a needle can be magnetized, inserted into the body by way of a percutaneous puncture, and tracked in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for minimizing or preventing contamination of sterile medical devices during magnetization. A magnetizer cover can be used to maintain sterility of a medical device while magnetizing the medical device. The magnetizer cover can include a base and a protective portion. The magnetizer cover can also include a grip tab extending from the base. The protective portion can include a funnel and a funnel stem to protect a magnetizable portion of the medical device from contacting the magnetizer.