Method and apparatus for loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing surgical instruments and maintaining sterility during transportation lack an integrated solution for collectively and individually sterilized items, requiring separate handling and verification processes which can be inefficient and prone to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A cart system with a removable sterilizing cabinet that can contain both individually sterilized items and collectively sterilized items, featuring a sterilizable and resealable interior, along with a filter system to ensure steam penetration and maintain sterility during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sterilizing cabinet is used to collectively sterilize items, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but the complexity of handling and verifying sterility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides sterilized items into two categories: collectively sterilized items remaining in the sterilizing cabinet and individually sterilized items placed in separate containers on the cart. This segmentation allows efficient bulk sterilization while simplifying verification through individual item tracking and presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile cart serves as an intermediary between the sterilizing cabinet and the surgical field. It receives both collectively and individually sterilized items, maintains their sterility during transport, and presents them individually to the surgical site, thereby simplifying the verification and handling process.
2Ease of operation
If individually sterilized items are transported separately, then sterility verification is simplified, but the time and resources for repeated sterilization processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
Items are individually sterilized and packaged in advance before being placed on the mobile cart. This preliminary action ensures sterility is established beforehand, allowing for simple verification at the point of use without requiring repeated sterilization processes during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile cart is designed to handle both collectively sterilized items (from the sterilizing cabinet) and individually sterilized items (in separate containers). This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate different sterilization approaches without requiring separate transport systems, reducing overall time and resource consumption.
3Ease of operation
If the cart is designed with a removable sterilizing cabinet, then mobility is improved, but the structural complexity of the cart increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizing cabinet is designed to be removably affixed to the mobile cart, allowing it to be attached when sterilization functions are needed and detached when mobility is prioritized. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between stationary sterilization operations and mobile item transport, reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If a filter system is added to ensure steam penetration, then sterilization reliability is improved, but the complexity of the sterilizing cabinet increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter system with porous material is integrated into the sterilizing cabinet to allow steam penetration while preventing contamination. The porous structure enables selective passage of sterilizing steam, ensuring reliable sterilization without requiring complex mechanical components or control systems.
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 system ensures efficient sterilization and transport of both individually and collectively sterilized items, maintaining sterility and reducing the need for repeated sterilization processes, while providing accessibility and mobility for medical professionals.
Implementation Method 1
One method of sterilization involves passing a sterilizing agent, such as steam through a cabinet
Implementation Method 2
For effective sterilization, steam needs to penetrate the cabinet load uniformly
Implementation Method 3
A filter is typically placed over the vent to keep particles or extraneous materials from entering the cabinet before, during or after the sterilizing process
Data Source
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AI summary
Presented is a method and apparatus for loading. The method includes loading one of an individually sterilized item or a non-sterile item into the cart, the cart comprising a top portion, and a plurality of wheels fixedly coupled to a bottom portion of the cart able to freely rotate and support the cart. The method further includes loading a sterilizing cabinet onto the cart, the sterilizing cabinet being removeably affixed to the cart and comprising an interior, the interior containing collectively sterilized items, the interior being sterilizeable and resealable.