Retractable Accessory Cable Housing for Stable Medical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable medical devices connected via cables to accessory devices often face issues such as tangling, snagging, and uncoupling, leading to interruptions in patient monitoring and treatment, especially in non-clinical environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a retractable cable system that can be stored in a retracted configuration, extended to a desired length, and secured for use, with integrated sensors to detect degradation and ensure organized storage, reducing disruptions during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cable length is increased to ensure routing and positioning in non-clinical environments, then adaptability is improved, but the cable becomes more prone to tangling and snagging
Solution Approach 1:
The cable transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic retractable design, allowing it to extend when needed for routing and retract when not in use to prevent tangling and snagging
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is stored within a housing structure, with the cable itself coiled or folded within its own protective sheath, allowing compact storage while maintaining full extension capability when needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If cable length is increased to ensure routing and positioning, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to uncoupling from ports
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable cable mechanism allows the cable to be extended only to the necessary length for connection, reducing excess cable that could catch on objects and cause uncoupling, while still providing sufficient reach for routing needs
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple cables are stored together in the same bag, then storage efficiency is improved, but the cables become tangled with each other
Solution Approach 1:
Each cable is individually contained within its own housing structure, with cables nested within their respective protective shells, allowing multiple cables to be stored together without tangling while maintaining easy access to individual cables
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system divides multiple cables into separate modular housing units, each containing one cable in a controlled environment, preventing interaction and tangling between cables while maintaining compact overall storage
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 retractable cable system prevents tangling and snagging, ensuring continuous patient monitoring and treatment by maintaining stable connections, facilitating efficient use and organized storage, and providing timely replacement alerts.
Implementation Method 1
The cable may be extended and secured at a particular length. For example, the cable may be disposed within a housing and configured to extend from the housing
Implementation Method 2
Various devices herein can provide an indication when a mechanical integrity or an electrical integrity of the retractable cable is degraded
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for using a retractable cable to connect an accessory device to a portable medical device are described herein. In some implementations, the retractable cable is retractably stored within a housing and is configured to connect the accessory device to the portable medical device. In some implementations, the retractable cable is configured to connect to a hub that is connected to the portable medical device. The example hub is, in various implementations, configured to connect to one or more retractable cable(s).