Skin Packaging With Protective Sheath for Sterile Device Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device packaging is bulky, complex, and inefficient in providing a sterile barrier while requiring significant material and storage space, with product information being difficult to integrate.
Innovation Solution
A package assembly comprising a sterile pouch with a sheath and an outer enclosure that includes a peel tab and perforations for easy retrieval, along with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for efficient information transmission, reduces material use and facilitates rapid access to medical devices while maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional packaging components and arrangements are used to provide protection and sterility, then device protection and sterility are maintained, but packaging volume and material consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is inserted into the sterile pouch, creating a nested configuration where the protective sheath resides within the sterile barrier. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for separate protective and sterile packaging components, reducing overall packaging volume while maintaining both protection and sterility functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If complex packaging arrangements are used to ensure sterility and protection, then device safety is improved, but packaging complexity and component quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system merges the protective function (sheath) and sterile barrier function (pouch) into a single integrated assembly. The sheath is placed within the pouch and sealed together, combining multiple protective functions into one unified packaging structure that reduces component complexity while maintaining device safety.
3Reliability
If adequate protective layers and sterile barriers are provided, then device protection is ensured, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the sheath within the sterile pouch, the design eliminates redundant material layers. The sheath serves as an inner protective layer while the pouch provides the sterile barrier, with both functions achieved through a single nested structure rather than separate external components, thereby reducing overall material consumption.
4Loss of information
If product information is included through traditional manuals and packets, then information completeness is improved, but packaging volume and material use increase
Solution Approach 1:
Product information is transferred from physical manuals and packets to digital formats accessible via QR codes or RFID tags attached to the packaging. This copying of information to electronic media eliminates the need for separate physical information materials, reducing packaging volume while maintaining complete product information availability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, efficient packaging system that ensures sterility and easy retrieval of medical devices, reduces waste, and allows for sustainable use of materials while enabling efficient storage and shipment.
Implementation Method 1
The pouch may have an inner volume receiving the sheath therein, and the inner volume of the pouch may be configured to be vacuum sealed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A package assembly including a sheath, a pouch, and an outer enclosure. The sheath includes perforations that extend across the sheath along an orientation that is transverse to an elongate dimension of the sheath. The sheath is configured to receive and enclose an implant or a surgical instrument. The pouch has an inner volume that receives the sheath, the inner volume of the pouch being configured to be vacuum sealed. The outer enclosure is designed to receive the pouch. The sheath is made of a material with greater rigidity than the pouch.