Probe Cover Flange Release Mechanism for Clean IR Thermometry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable probe covers for medical instruments are prone to damage, difficult to remove, and can cause cross-contamination due to surface imperfections and binding issues during handling, leading to unwanted manual handling and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tubular cover with a radially disposed flange and snap-on fasteners, featuring a camming surface that interacts with an ejector mechanism for easy attachment and detachment, along with alignment tabs for secure fitting and a weakened section for smooth release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If probe covers are stacked one inside another for packaging and shipping, then storage efficiency is improved, but the covers tend to wedge together and bind during successive loading operations, making removal difficult and causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The probe cover is segmented into a tubular body portion and a separate flange portion. The flange acts as a release mechanism that can be actuated to flex the cover and disengage it from the stack, allowing easy removal without binding or damage to other covers in the stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is designed to be flexible and movable relative to the tubular body. When the flange is actuated, it flexes the cover to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and stack, enabling dynamic removal without binding.
2Reliability
If snap-on fasteners are used to securely connect the cover to the instrument, then reliability of connection is improved, but the cover requires significant force for removal that can damage the cover or instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release state when the flange is actuated. The flexible flange flexes to open the snap-on fastener, allowing the cover to be removed without excessive force that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the connection are changed by flexing the flange, which alters the engagement state of the snap-on fastener from locked to released, enabling removal with controlled force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cover is made flexible to accommodate probe geometry, then adaptability is improved, but the cover can become misshapen and dislodged during examination
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into the tubular body that flexes to accommodate the probe and the stiffer flange that maintains structural integrity and provides the release mechanism. This segmentation allows the body to be adaptable while the flange provides stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover combines different material properties in different regions - the tubular body is more flexible to accommodate probe geometry while the flange is stiffer to maintain shape stability and provide mechanical advantage for the release mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If manual handling is required to load and unload covers, then ease of operation deteriorates, but the risk of contamination from manual handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover removal system is self-service in that the flange automatically flexes and releases the cover from the instrument when actuated, without requiring manual handling of the cover itself. This reduces contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the cover. Instead of directly handling the cover, the user actuates the flange which then releases the cover, reducing direct contact and contamination risk.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.