Transparent Oximeter Probe Sleeve for Contamination-Free Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oximeters are prone to contamination from patient tissue and fluid, leading to the need for improved designs that facilitate reuse while maintaining hygiene and sterility.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve is designed to cover the oximeter probe, preventing contamination from patient tissue and fluid, and allowing for reuse by using materials with small pores to block contaminants and conforming to the probe's shape for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the oximeter probe is reused to reduce costs, then cost savings are achieved, but the probe becomes contaminated with patient tissue and fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The oximeter system is divided into reusable and disposable components. The probe unit is reusable while the tip is disposable, allowing the expensive probe body to be reused without risk of contamination. This segmentation enables cost savings while maintaining hygiene by discarding only the contaminated tip portion.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier layer or protective covering is introduced between the probe and patient tissue. This intermediary prevents direct contact and contamination while allowing the probe to function normally. The barrier can be disposed of after use, enabling probe reuse without contamination risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective covering is added to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire probe disposable or adding complex protective systems, a simple disposable tip or barrier is used. This inexpensive, single-use component prevents contamination without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining ease of use while ensuring hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin, flexible barrier film or covering is applied to the probe surface. This simple layer provides effective contamination protection while being easy to apply and remove, adding minimal structural complexity. The flexible nature allows it to conform to the probe shape without requiring rigid protective structures.
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 sleeve effectively prevents contamination, enabling the oximeter probe to be reused while maintaining hygiene and sterility, thus reducing costs and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
allowing optical energy emitted by the optical sensor to pass through the optical interface portion of the probe cover to the tissue and allowing optical energy reflected by the tissue to pass through the optical interface portion of the probe cover to the optical sensor
Implementation Method 2
The barrier is a barrier for contaminants on a tissue being measured by the oximeter device from contacting the probe tip while allowing optical energy emitted by the optical sensor to pass through the optical interface portion of the probe cover
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve or sheath includes a body having a top opening. The body covers a handheld oximeter probe or a portion of the probe. The sleeve has a shape that approximately matches the oximeter probe or portion of the probe, which is covered by the sleeve. The sleeve has a top opening that allows a user to slide the oximeter probe into the sleeve. The sleeve is transparent to radiation emitted and collected by the oximeter probe. The sleeve is formed of a material that prevents patient tissue, fluid, viruses, bacteria, and fungus from contacting the covered portions of the oximeter probe. The sleeve leaves the probe relatively sterile after use so that little or no clearing of the probe is required for a subsequent use, such as when the probe is covered with a new, unused sleeve.