Pivotable Medical Line Organizer with Segmented Apertures

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Solution Overview

Problem

During medical procedures, the entanglement and identification of numerous wires, cables, hoses, and tubes become challenging, leading to potential stress on patients due to accidental pulling or disconnection.

Innovation Solution

A medical line organizer with pivotable elongate portions and aperture systems that securely capture and organize lines, providing stability and easy access, while preventing entanglement and facilitating identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of lines are placed around the patient during medical procedures, then the patient can receive multiple monitoring and treatment functions, but the lines become entangled and difficult to identify

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of linesVSAvoidline identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The line organizer divides the collection of lines into separate compartments or sections, with each compartment designed to hold specific types of lines (e.g., monitoring lines, IV lines, drainage lines). This segmentation prevents entanglement and makes identification easier by grouping similar lines together in designated areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The line organizer acts as an intermediary device between the lines and the patient/environment. It provides a structured platform that holds and organizes lines, preventing them from becoming tangled while still allowing access to the patient. The organizer mediates the complexity of multiple lines by imposing order on their arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If lines are placed freely around the patient, then ease of access is improved, but lines may be inadvertently pulled or tugged causing stress to the patient's body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to linesVSAvoidstress on patient's body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The line organizer is positioned and configured in advance before lines are connected to the patient. It establishes predetermined pathways and routing for lines, so that when lines are attached, they naturally follow organized routes. This preliminary arrangement prevents random placement that could lead to pulling or stress on the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The line organizer provides different characteristics in different areas - some sections offer secure anchoring points to prevent pulling, while other sections provide easy access for connection and disconnection. The structure varies its properties locally to simultaneously achieve both security (preventing harm) and accessibility (ease of operation).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If lines are secured firmly to prevent pulling, then patient safety is improved, but access to the lines for adjustment or removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline securityVSAvoidline accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The line organizer incorporates dynamic elements such as movable clips, adjustable straps, or snap-connectors that can be easily engaged and disengaged. These mechanisms provide secure holding when closed (ensuring reliability) but can be quickly opened with simple actions (maintaining ease of operation). The system transitions between locked and unlocked states to balance security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a structured organization system is implemented for lines, then line identification and management are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline organizationVSAvoidorganizer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The line organizer is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of lines (monitoring wires, IV tubes, drainage hoses, etc.) through standardized compartments and attachment points. This multi-functionality allows a single device structure to handle diverse line types without requiring complex specialized components for each line type, thus managing complexity while providing comprehensive organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7457506B1Line organizer

Publication Date: 2008.11.25 OSBORNE ORTHOPEDIC GROUP

AI summary

A line organizer, comprising an elongate lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes at least two lower aperture portions formed in the lower portion; a base member associated with the lower portion; an elongate upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two upper aperture portions formed in the upper portion, wherein each upper aperture portion corresponds to a lower aperture portion, and wherein the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion via a hinge means, such that the upper portion and the lower portion are pivotable relative to one another and are pivotable between a closed position and an open position; and a locking means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the locking means is capable of maintaining the upper and lower portions in the closed position.