Medical Component Package With Intermediary Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical component packaging solutions pose risks of contamination when transferring from a 'dirty' to a 'clean' zone, as they often require direct handling or dropping of the object, which can damage the item and expose it to contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a support element with a stopper and cover that allows for partial overlap interfitting, creating chambers that can be opened without releasing the object, enabling safe transfer and handling without direct contact or contamination, using deformable couplers and elongate protective elements for safety distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the package is opened by causing the object to fall onto a worktop, then the package can be opened easily, but the object risks being damaged on impact and contaminated by foreign bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support element as an intermediary between the object and the worktop. This support element has a grip portion that projects from the stopper, allowing the object to be held and transferred without direct hand contact. The support element mediates the transfer process, eliminating the need to drop the object onto the worktop while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The package is segmented into distinct functional elements: a support element with coupling means, a stopper with a grip portion, and a cover. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the support element holds the object, the stopper provides a grip for handling, and the cover protects the contents. This division enables safe opening and transfer without compromising object integrity.
2Productivity
If direct handling of the object is used during transfer, then the transfer process is simple and quick, but the risk of contamination increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as a sterile intermediary that transfers the object from the clean zone to the dirty zone without requiring direct hand contact. The grip portion of the support element can be held by operators in the dirty zone while the object remains protected, enabling fast transfer while maintaining sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The package design enables self-service transfer where the support element with its grip portion allows the object to be transferred without requiring sterile hands or complex handling procedures. The structure itself provides the means for safe transfer, eliminating the need for direct handling while maintaining productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover completely covers the stopper length, then the object is well protected, but the operator has no option other than to empty the content by causing it to fall onto a worktop
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is designed with a segmented structure where a grip portion projects from the covered section. This segmentation allows the cover to completely cover the protective section while leaving the grip portion accessible. The grip portion can be engaged by operators to remove the stopper and access the object without dropping it, combining complete protection with easy unpackaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip portion extends in a different dimension (projecting from the stopper) than the covered section. This dimensional extension allows the cover to provide complete coverage along the stopper length while the grip portion remains accessible for handling, enabling both complete protection and easy operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A package for an object includes a support element with means for coupling the object to the support element. A first hollow protective element is provided as a stopper coupled to the support element of the object. The support element presents a grip portion which projects from the stopper, the support element, alone or in co-operation with the stopper, defining a first chamber containing the object. A second hollow protective element is provided as a cover. The cover is coupled to the stopper so as to cooperate with the stopper to define a second chamber inside which the grip portion of the support element extends. The cover is coupled to the stopper, with the grip portion of the stopper projecting from the cover. The means for coupling is configured to hold the object suspended through the means for coupling, so that the object extends into the space left free between the means for coupling and a bottom portion of the support element. The bottom portion is coupled to the stopper so that the length of the object remain visible.