Medical Device Component Recycling via Usage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices are often discarded after single or limited use, leading to wastefulness and expense, as many components still have remaining life due to cross-contamination concerns and regulatory requirements, which has not been effectively addressed in recycling technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that track patient usage of medical devices to update the remaining life of recyclable components, determining if they have sufficient life to be recycled, and then removing and reusing these components in new devices, utilizing a database and machine learning to predict future availability and demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical devices are discarded after single or limited use to prevent cross-contamination and meet regulatory requirements, then patient safety and compliance are improved, but resource waste and cost increase occur because many recyclable components still have sufficient remaining life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the medical device into disposable portions (those that contact the patient) and recyclable components (those that do not contact the patient). This allows the recyclable components to be separated and reused in new devices, reducing waste while maintaining patient safety through proper segmentation of contact and non-contact parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system to track component usage and identify which components have sufficient remaining life for recycling. Components are discarded only when necessary (when they contact patients or exceed usage limits), while viable components are recovered, refurbished, and reused in new devices, optimizing the balance between safety and resource utilization
2Object-affected harmful factors
If medical devices are discarded after limited use, then cross-contamination risks are reduced, but expenses increase due to continuous procurement of new devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system through database tracking that monitors component usage, patient assignments, and remaining life. This feedback enables informed decisions about when components can be safely recycled versus when they must be discarded, optimizing the balance between contamination risk and cost efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of components by tracking usage metrics, patient assignments, and sterilization history. These parameter changes enable the system to determine when a component transitions from a single-use state to a recyclable state, reducing procurement costs while maintaining safety
3Loss of substance
If recyclable components are removed and reused in new medical devices, then waste reduction and cost savings are achieved, but device complexity increases due to tracking and management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal database system that can track multiple components across multiple devices and patients. This multi-functional tracking system handles usage monitoring, patient assignment tracking, sterilization record-keeping, and recycling eligibility determination, reducing the need for separate tracking systems for each component type
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe tracking the use of medical devices to update their remaining life. In addition to tracking the remaining life of the overall device, the embodiments herein can track the remaining life of each component which may be greater than the life of the medical device. Unlike typical modular devices which are replaced after they break or exceed their expected life, one-time use (or limited use) medical devices may be limited to use by a specific patient before they are discarded. The embodiments herein can use communication between healthcare providers and a tracker database to track the usage of a medical device and update the remaining life of its components to identify components that can be recycled after the medical device is no longer being used.