PETG Tray Wire Management for EM Trackable Surgical Tools

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging for electromagnetic trackable surgical tools lacks an effective wire management feature, which can lead to wire tangling and sterility issues during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A packaging assembly with a first tray retaining the surgical tool and a second tray managing the wiring, including retention members to secure the wire and connector, allowing for sterile handling and deployment of the tool and wiring within a sterile environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing packaging is used for electromagnetic trackable surgical tools, then the packaging maintains sterility during transport, but it lacks effective wire management causing wire tangling and sterility issues during surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire managementVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate trays: a first tray for the surgical tool and a second tray for wire management. This segmentation allows the wire to be contained in a dedicated space with retention members, preventing tangling while maintaining the sterile barrier between the tool and wire components throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second tray acts as an intermediary structure between the sterile surgical field and the wire management system. It provides a sterile-containing space for the wire and connector, allowing wire retention without compromising the sterility of the surgical tool or the sterile environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wire management features are integrated into packaging, then wire tangling is prevented, but the packaging structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire retentionVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of integrating wire management into a single complex structure, the solution segments the packaging into two simple trays with retention members. This modular approach provides effective wire retention while keeping each individual tray relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second tray serves multiple functions: it contains the wire, secures the connector, and maintains sterility. By consolidating these functions into a single tray structure with retention members, the design avoids the need for multiple separate components, thereby reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11471237B2Wire management featured integrated into PETG tray for EM trackable disposable products

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 MEDTRONIC XOMED INC

AI summary

A packaging assembly for an electromagnetic trackable surgical tool and wiring thereof. The packaging assembly includes a first tray with at least one first retention member configured to couple the surgical tool to the first tray. The packaging assembly further includes a second tray configured to couple with the first tray. The second tray has at least one second retention member configured to couple the wiring of the surgical tool to the second tray.