Recessed Syringe Tray Mounting for Sterile Ergonomic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anesthesia workstation configurations lack a dedicated, ergonomic solution for the secure, sterile, and hands-free storage of syringes during anesthesia induction and maintenance, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and unsafe handling practices.
Innovation Solution
A tray system with a rigid tray body featuring recessed slots for syringes, a flexible gooseneck support arm, and a mounting clamp for attachment to IV poles, enabling adjustable positioning and minimizing manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If syringes are manually held or placed on makeshift surfaces, then the anesthesia provider can access syringes, but the risk of contamination and drug mix-ups increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray body is segmented into multiple recessed slots, each designed to hold a single syringe in a specific orientation. This segmentation prevents syringes from mixing or rolling, ensuring each syringe remains in its designated sterile position while remaining easily accessible to the anesthesia provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray system serves as an intermediary between the anesthesia provider and the syringes. By placing syringes in the recessed slots of the tray rather than holding them manually or placing them on makeshift surfaces, the system mediates the interaction to maintain sterility while ensuring accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple syringes are held simultaneously, then the anesthesia provider can access multiple drugs, but the cognitive load and risk of drug mix-ups increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each recessed slot in the tray body has a specific local quality designed to accommodate one syringe with particular characteristics (plunger orientation, barrel position, raised ridges for light retention). This local differentiation helps the anesthesia provider quickly identify and select the correct syringe without cognitive overload.
3Productivity
If syringes are placed in pockets or on nearby surfaces, then the anesthesia provider can carry multiple syringes, but the risk of unintentional displacement and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray system is prepared in advance with multiple recessed slots designed to hold syringes in the correct orientation before the procedure begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for makeshift storage during the procedure, preventing contamination and displacement while maintaining workflow efficiency.
4Reliability
If a rigid fixed tray is used, then syringes are securely held, but the positioning and ergonomics cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The tray assembly incorporates a gooseneck support arm that allows dynamic positioning. The rigid tray body securely holds syringes, while the flexible gooseneck arm enables the entire assembly to be positioned at various angles and locations for ergonomic access during different phases of the anesthesia procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An anesthesia, surgical, or medical drug tray system for securely organizing and accessing anesthesia or medical syringes during clinical procedures is disclosed. The system includes a tray body having a plurality of elongated recessed slots, each configured to hold a syringe in a stable, longitudinal orientation with raised ridges to prevent rolling. The tray body is removably seated within a tray pan and mounted via a flexible gooseneck support arm to a clamp attachable to a vertical support structure, such as an IV pole. The gooseneck support arm permits adjustable positioning of the tray for ergonomic access by clinicians. In some embodiments, the system includes an embedded electronic control unit with a micro-controller, weight sensors, and a wireless communication module to detect and transmit syringe usage data. The system supports sterile handling, efficient workflow, and optional real-time inventory monitoring.