Sanitizable Strap Assembly for Sterile Cable Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straps used for bundling cables in medical settings pose challenges in sterilization due to their materials and design, which can harbor pathogens and resist sanitization, leading to potential infection spread in sanitized environments.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizable strap assembly comprising a smooth, non-porous strap and fastener made from materials like rubber or hard plastic, with minimal surface features and adjustable length via apertures, designed for easy sanitization and secure cable management in sterile environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional straps with buckles, Velcro, and rough fabric are used for cable bundling, then cable securing capability is improved, but sterilization effectiveness deteriorates due to pathogen harboring surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The strap uses a smooth, continuous flexible membrane material that can be fully sanitized. This flexible shell design eliminates the rough, porous fabrics and complex fastening surfaces of conventional straps, providing a pathogen-free surface that can be easily disinfected while maintaining cable bundling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the problematic fastening components (buckles, Velcro) from the strap design. By extracting these pathogen-harboring elements and replacing them with a simple friction-based or knot-based fastening system, the strap achieves both effective cable securing and sterilization capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional strap materials and designs are used, then cable bundling functionality is achieved, but ease of sanitization deteriorates due to complex surfaces and porous fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The strap employs a smooth, non-porous flexible membrane that allows complete surface contact with sanitizing agents. This design enables thorough cleaning and sterilization without the material degradation or trapped contaminants associated with conventional porous fabrics and complex fasteners.
3Ease of operation
If simple cable tie mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to retain heavy cables or repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The strap uses a dynamic friction-based fastening system or adjustable knot mechanism that can be easily applied and adjusted by hand. The retention force is controlled by the friction between the smooth strap surfaces and the cable, allowing the strap to adapt to different cable sizes and weights while maintaining reliability through proper tensioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A strap assembly for cable and cord management in sterile environments is provided. The assembly includes a strap and a fastener. The fastener and relatively flat strap are characterized by a minimum of bacteria harboring surface features, and are made from easily sanitizable materials. The strap is discretely adjustable lengthwise via a plurality of apertures formed therein. A first group of apertures are used to attach to the cord and a second group of apertures allows for positioning the strap about a cord bundle, the fastener interacting with said apertures to secure the strap to the bundle. Necessary surface features on the strap such as indicia are limited to a predetermined height to ensure that a single pass with a sanitizing wipe can effect bacterial and viral decontamination.