Nested Sterile Surgical Box Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical practices face challenges in preventing contamination and damage to valuable implantable materials and medical devices during transportation, storage, and use, leading to potential loss or rendering them non-usable, which can result in significant delays and costly replacements.
Innovation Solution
A protective enclosure system, such as a 'box within a box' design, that maintains sterility and prevents contamination, featuring automated closure mechanisms, waterproof seals, and customizable compartments to securely store and transport sensitive surgical materials, allowing for safe handling and transportation between sterile and non-sterile environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical materials are transported and stored in standard containers, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to contamination and damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested box system where an inner sterile container is placed within an outer protective container. The inner box maintains sterility for surgical materials while the outer box provides environmental protection during transport and storage in non-sterile areas. This nested structure allows the system to function in both sterile and non-sterile environments without compromising the sterility of the surgical materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective system is divided into distinct functional segments: the inner sterile barrier container that maintains sterility, the outer protective container that provides mechanical protection and environmental sealing, and intermediate sealing mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while working together to solve the contradiction between ease of handling and sterility maintenance.
2Reliability
If surgical materials are kept in a protected environment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The nested box design provides multiple levels of protection (inner sterile barrier, outer protective container) without requiring a single complex system. Each nested layer is relatively simple in structure but collectively they provide robust contamination prevention. The inner box can be independently sterilized and the outer box provides simple environmental protection, dividing the complexity into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable sterile barriers and seals that are simple in structure but effective in function. These disposable components are replaced rather than reused, simplifying the overall system design by eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance mechanisms while ensuring reliable contamination prevention.
3Reliability
If automated closure mechanisms are added to the protective box, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is designed to be self-sealing through snap-fit connections, interlocking lids, or adhesive seals that automatically close and seal when the box is assembled. This self-service approach provides reliable seal integrity without requiring complex automated mechanisms, motors, or electronic controls, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring consistent sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The box is designed with pre-formed sealing surfaces, pre-positioned gaskets, or pre-applied adhesives that ensure seal integrity is achieved simply by closing the box. The preliminary preparation of sealing elements eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during closure, providing reliable sealing with minimal complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to providing a sterile container protecting various surgical grafts, implants and devices from incidental contamination and damage during operative procedures. The design includes an inner box to contain the items, and an outer box to protect the exterior of the inner box from contamination in the event of fall or other contamination, such as from airborne particles or liquids, fall from the sterile field, or by non-sterile handling. In the event of fall or contamination of the outer box, the surgical staff will be able to recover the inner box and its contents in sterile and unspoiled condition without difficulty.