Medical Probe Enclosure With Venting for Sterile Damage-Free Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical probes, particularly their elongated portions, are difficult to handle due to flexibility and length, leading to potential damage and contamination risks during transport, storage, and sterilization, with cross-contamination being a significant concern.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional enclosure with a rigid elongated sleeve, detachable ends, and attachment components to secure and protect the medical probe, allowing for safe transport, storage, and sterilization, and serving as a reservoir for cleaning and sterilizing fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the medical probe is made flexible and elongated to allow maneuvering inside the body, then the probe can reach desired locations, but it becomes difficult to handle and may swing or hit objects during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuvering capabilityVSAvoiddamage risk during transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the medical probe into two separate components: a rigid protective sleeve and a flexible elongated member. The flexible member is inserted through the rigid sleeve, allowing the probe to maintain its maneuverability while being protected from damage during transport and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid protective sleeve acts as an intermediary between the flexible elongated member and the external environment. This sleeve prevents direct contact between the flexible probe and potential sources of damage, while still allowing the probe to be manipulated through the sleeve opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the medical probe is handled repeatedly for sterilization and cleaning procedures, then the probe can be maintained, but cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization capabilityVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the probe into a removable flexible member and a stationary rigid sleeve. The flexible member can be removed and sterilized separately from the sleeve, reducing the number of times the entire assembly needs to be handled and potentially reducing cross-contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid sleeve serves as a protective barrier that can be sterilized independently. By keeping the flexible probe member separate within the sleeve during sterilization processes, the system reduces direct exposure to contamination sources while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the medical probe is placed directly on surfaces during sterilization, then the sterilization process can be simplified, but damage to the probe occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization process simplicityVSAvoidprobe integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The probe system is divided into a protective rigid sleeve and a flexible elongated member. The rigid sleeve can be placed directly on sterilization surfaces without damage, while the flexible member is protected within the sleeve during the process, maintaining probe integrity while simplifying sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid protective sleeve acts as a cushioning layer that protects the flexible elongated member from damage during sterilization. This pre-existing protective structure allows the probe to withstand the sterilization process without direct contact with potentially damaging surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of operation

If the elongated probe is not protected during transport, then handling is simpler, but body fluids may drip or fling off creating cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidcross-contamination from body fluids

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the flexible elongated probe from the external environment by placing it within a rigid protective sleeve. This segmentation allows the probe to be handled relatively simply while the sleeve prevents body fluids from dripping or flinging off during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid protective sleeve acts as an intermediary barrier between the flexible probe and the external environment. This sleeve prevents direct contact between the probe and potential contamination sources, blocking body fluids from dripping or flinging off during handling and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260069373A1Multifunctional enclosure for medical probes

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SEITZ IV JOHN R

AI summary

A multifunctional enclosure is described having an elongated sleeve configured with an enlarged opening for the insertion of an elongated member of a medical probe. The multifunctional enclosure is configured to prevent the elongated member of the medical probe from swinging and becoming damaged during transport. The multifunctional enclosure may further comprise an attachment component for securing the medical probe to the multifunctional enclosure. Furthermore, at least one vent may be configured onto the multifunctional enclosure, such as on a first end closure portion. The vent may allow for adequate flow for sterilization and/or drying.