Medical Device Transport Container with Disposable Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device containment and transportation systems are difficult to clean, leading to potential contamination and limited flexibility in swapping container configurations with different transportation systems, which can result in cross-contamination and inefficient workflow in medical facilities.
Innovation Solution
A containment and transportation system featuring a container with a liner and interchangeable covers, designed for improved cleanability and compatibility with various transportation devices, using a thermoformed material and adhesive pull-tabs for secure attachment, and color-coded covers to indicate the status of medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing containment and transportation systems are used, then medical devices can be transported, but the systems are difficult to clean and allow bacteria and contaminants to remain on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable liners made of flexible material that are placed inside the rigid container and discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to thoroughly clean the container interior, as the liner is removed and disposed of, ensuring the container remains clean for subsequent uses without complex cleaning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible liners made of thin film material that conform to the container interior. These liners create a smooth, non-porous surface that prevents bacterial adhesion and allows for easy removal. The flexible nature enables the liner to be easily inserted and removed without damaging the rigid container structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing containment systems are used, then medical devices can be contained, but the systems are limited to particular container configurations and cannot be swapped with different transportation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid container is designed with standardized features including external handles, stacking capabilities, and universal opening mechanisms that allow it to function across multiple transportation system configurations. The separable liner and cover design enables the same container to be used with different liner types and cover styles, providing versatility without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system is divided into separate functional components: a rigid container providing structural integrity, a flexible liner providing containment and easy cleaning, and removable covers providing protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates interchangeability with different transportation systems without requiring complete system replacement.
3Reliability
If existing containment systems are used, then medical devices can be transported, but clean devices are at risk of contamination if containment systems are not thoroughly disinfected
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable liner is used for each containment cycle and discarded afterward, eliminating the need to disinfect the container interior between uses. This ensures sterility is maintained without requiring time-consuming disinfection processes, as the liner provides a fresh barrier for each use.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible liner acts as an intermediary barrier between the medical device and the rigid container. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between the device and container surfaces, reducing contamination risk while allowing the container to be reused without thorough disinfection, thereby saving time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for containing and transporting a medical device may include a container including a bottom face and surrounding side faces as a closed first end and an open second end to form an inner portion for receiving and retaining the medical device. The liner may be extendable over the side faces to line the inner portion of the container to an outer surface of the bottom face of the container. The liner may act as a protective barrier to the container to minimize contamination when receiving and/or retaining a used medical device. First and second covers may be removably attachable to the container, over the liner, to enclose a medical device therebetween. A first cover may have a color or marking indicating the medical device is “clean”, while a second cover may have a color or marking indicating the medical device is “used”.