Modular Operating Room Assembly with Redundant Fluid Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for converting or equipping rooms for medical, surgical, or therapeutic purposes require extensive specialized labor and are costly due to the need for coordinating multiple trades to meet regulatory standards, and there is a lack of efficient alternative systems for fluid distribution in case of main system failures.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly system comprising prefabricated modules with integrated electrical, electronic, computer, aeraulic, and fluidic subsystems, which can be easily assembled to form functional systems, reducing the need for on-site specialized labor and providing redundant fluid distribution capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods are used to convert or equip rooms for medical purposes, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but installation time and costs increase significantly due to coordination of multiple specialized trades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the operating room into modular assemblies, each containing complete functional systems (electrical, electronic, computer, aeraulic, and fluidic subsystems). These self-contained modules can be installed independently, eliminating the need for coordinated intervention of multiple specialized trades and significantly reducing installation time while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All necessary subsystems and connection means are pre-integrated into the modular assemblies during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of complete functional units with all required connections and components eliminates on-site coordination requirements and accelerates the installation process while ensuring regulatory standards are met from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional conversion methods are used, then regulatory standards are met, but development costs and specialized labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidspecialized labor requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the operating room into standardized modular assemblies with integrated subsystems, the complexity of specialized trades is consolidated into factory-manufactured units. This reduces on-site specialized labor requirements while maintaining regulatory compliance through pre-certified modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular assemblies are designed to be self-contained with all necessary subsystems and connection means integrated, allowing them to be installed as complete functional units without requiring multiple specialized trades. This self-service capability reduces both specialized labor requirements and development costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If modular constructions are used, then installation speed improves, but additional compliance arrangements requiring specialized trades are still needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidcompliance arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges all functional subsystems (electrical, electronic, computer, aeraulic, and fluidic) and their connection means into integrated modular assemblies. This combination eliminates the need for separate compliance arrangements by each trade, as the modular units are designed to meet regulatory standards collectively, maintaining installation speed while reducing compliance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If single fluid distribution systems are installed, then system simplicity is maintained, but reliability decreases in case of system failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The modular assemblies incorporate redundant fluid distribution capabilities with alternative pathways and emergency devices built into the design. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the main fluid distribution system fails, alternative routes within the modular architecture can maintain operation, improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3444416B1Modular assembly for the arrangement of an operating room
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 LSB LA SALLE BLANCHE
  • EP3444416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3444416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3444416B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A modular system for equipping an operating room, comprising several functional systems divided into subsystems. The subsystems are distributed into different modules during manufacturing. The modules are then assembled to make the various functional systems of the operating room operational.