Programmable Storage Apparatus for Medical Device Position Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices, such as endoscopes, experience downtime during cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization processes, leading to inefficiencies and delayed procedures due to the time-consuming search for appropriate connectors and management of various device types and sizes in a hospital setting.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus with programmable hardware and visual indicators is used to identify the position of medical devices and their corresponding connectors within containers, allowing for quick retrieval and efficient management during sterilization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual search and management methods are used for medical devices and connectors, then device flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-organizes connectors and accessories in designated storage containers before they are needed. Each container is pre-labeled with identification markers, and the programmable hardware device pre-maps the relationships between medical devices and their required connectors. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for manual searching during the sterilization process, directly reducing downtime and improving productivity.
2Speed
If visual identification systems are implemented, then retrieval speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage apparatus is segmented into multiple independent containers, each dedicated to storing specific connectors or accessories. This segmentation allows for simple, modular visual identification using individual markers or labels on each container. The programmable hardware device maintains a database that maps medical devices to their corresponding container locations. This segmented approach enables fast retrieval through visual cues while keeping each storage unit simple and manageable, avoiding excessive overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are disclosed for identifying the position of an object that is, or will be, used in a sterilization process. The apparatus comprises at least two containers and each container has a cavity configured to receive the object. At least one visual indicator corresponds to each container. A programmable hardware device is configured to receive an identifier. Responsive to receipt of the identifier, the programmable hardware device is configured to indicate a position of at least one of the containers that corresponds to the identifier utilizing the visual indicator.