Overlapping Sterile Covers for Multi-Revolution Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterile protective covers fail to effectively cover rotating joints between medical apparatus parts that rotate more than one complete revolution, leading to potential exposure and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A sterile covering device with a rotating joint that features a groove between two members, where overlapping proximal ends of the covers ensure continuous protection during multiple rotations, using an adjustable lace for sealing and maintaining contact, allowing the joint to rotate freely without stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sterile protective covers are used, then sterility protection is provided for static or axially moving parts, but rotating joints performing more than one complete revolution cannot be covered continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into multiple segments or layers that can independently accommodate rotation. The cover comprises an inner cover and an outer cover that can rotate relative to each other, allowing the joint to perform multiple complete revolutions while maintaining continuous sterility protection through the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where one cover is placed inside another cover. The inner cover rotates within the outer cover, creating a telescopic effect that allows multiple complete rotations while maintaining continuous protection. This nesting arrangement enables the covering to adapt to rotating joints performing more than one complete revolution.
2Ease of operation
If excess surface area is left for the cover at the rotating joint, then rotation is accommodated, but the cover deformation becomes critical and impossible when rotation exceeds one complete revolution
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is made dynamic rather than static, allowing it to adapt its shape and configuration during rotation. The nested covers can expand and contract, rotate relative to each other, and deform in a controlled manner to accommodate multiple complete revolutions without compromising integrity or creating critical deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete revolutions are performed, then the rotating part can be tracked relative to the other, but current covers and joints cannot perform more than one complete rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an additional dimensional aspect by using nested covers that can rotate relative to each other in different planes or orientations. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to accommodate multiple complete revolutions of the rotating joint while maintaining continuous protection, as the covers can independently handle rotation in different dimensional spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sterile covering device with a rotating joint between two attached members, rotating relative to each other and such that the rotating joint connecting the proximal ends of the two members has a groove between these two members, the proximal end of a first cover is able to cover not only the proximal end of the member that it protects but also at least all or part of the groove of the rotating joint, and the proximal end of a second cover is able to cover the proximal end of the other member that it protects and also a part of the proximal end of the first cover that it encloses at the level of the rotating joint, in the groove that the latter has between the two members.