Medical Packaging Retaining Clip Spring-Loaded Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The packaging of heavy medical devices like hip and knee joint prostheses requires secure restraint to prevent damage and maintain sterility, while accommodating various sizes to reduce inventory and regulatory costs, and ensuring easy removal without contamination or cumbersome mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A medical package comprising a container, an insert, and a retaining clip with spring-loaded support arms that securely encircle the insert and medical device, allowing for interchangeable sizing and easy assembly/disassembly, providing a double sterile barrier for sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double sterile package is used to protect heavy medical devices, then protection and sterility are improved, but device complexity and packaging cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into distinct functional components: an inner sterile package containing the medical device, and an outer sterile package providing additional protection. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sterile package is nested within the outer sterile package, creating a compact double-package structure. This nesting approach reduces overall packaging volume and simplifies storage while maintaining the protective and sterile barriers required for heavy medical devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple package sizes are provided to accommodate different medical devices, then adaptability is improved, but inventory cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system uses universal components that can accommodate multiple device sizes. The inner and outer packages are designed with standardized dimensions and attachment mechanisms that work across different medical device sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized package types.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can adapt to different device dimensions. This dynamic design allows the same package structure to be configured for various medical device sizes through adjustable positioning and reconfigurable attachment points.
3Stability of the object's composition
If secure restraint mechanisms are used to immobilize heavy medical devices, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is pre-assembled with all restraint mechanisms and attachment points positioned and prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the medical device is placed in the package, it is immediately securely restrained without requiring complex assembly or adjustment during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint mechanisms are designed to be easily activated and deactivated through simple user actions. The packaging incorporates dynamic attachment systems that can be quickly secured during packaging and just as easily released during surgical removal, maintaining both stability and ease of operation.
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 package effectively immobilizes and protects medical devices during storage and transport, simplifies inventory management by accommodating multiple sizes with a single insert, and facilitates easy, contamination-free removal in the operating environment.
Implementation Method 1
The support arms are responsive to being squeezed by a users hand to elastically deform them from a first position in which the retaining clip secures the insert and medical device and a second position in which the insert and medical device may be inserted and removed from the retaining clip.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical package is provided for protecting a medical item.