Scope Pillow Drape with Extension Shelf and Cord Hook

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal warming systems for medical instruments, such as surgical scopes, lack a stable and sterile environment for warming, leading to potential instrument damage and increased risk of infection due to the instruments' tendency to fall out of the warming basin, which also occupies valuable space in the surgical room.

Innovation Solution

A drape system with a support member and extension shelf for the thermal medical treatment apparatus, including a cord hook for power cord management, provides stability and increased workspace while maintaining sterility and preventing instrument falls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the scope is placed in the basin for warming, then the scope can be thermally treated, but the scope may fall out of the basin and be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope stability in basinVSAvoidrisk of scope damage and infection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is nested within the drape structure, creating a nested configuration where the support member is housed inside the drape. This nested arrangement provides internal support for the scope while maintaining the outer protective drape barrier, preventing scope fallout without compromising sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as an intermediary element between the scope and the basin edge. It provides a stable resting surface for the scope within the drape, preventing the scope from falling out while maintaining the sterile field boundary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate wheeled shelf is moved adjacent to the thermal device to support the scope, then the scope can be supported, but the amount of shelf space available in the surgery room is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope support stabilityVSAvoidusable shelf space in surgery room

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member function is merged with the drape structure, which is already an integral part of the thermal device. This eliminates the need for a separate wheeled shelf, as the support function is integrated into the existing drape and basin assembly, thereby preserving valuable surgery room space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drape structure serves multiple functions: it provides sterile coverage, contains the support member for scope stabilization, and integrates with the basin. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support structures, maximizing usable space in the surgery room.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the scope extends beyond the basin edge, then the scope can be accessed, but the chance that the scope can fall out of the basin increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescope accessibilityVSAvoidscope retention in basin

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is nested within the drape, creating a nested structure that provides internal support for the scope. This nested arrangement allows the scope to extend slightly beyond the basin for accessibility while the support member prevents it from falling out.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is pre-positioned within the drape before the scope is placed. This preliminary arrangement provides immediate support for the scope, preventing fallout risk before the scope is even inserted into the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 drape system ensures the medical instruments are securely warmed and maintained within the sterile field, reducing the risk of infection and instrument damage while optimizing space usage in the surgical room.

Implementation Method 1

The medical instrument, or scope, is then placed in the thermally treated bath to raise the temperature of the insertion end of the scope to the desired temperature prior to inserting the scope into the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal warming: Heating

Implementation Method 2

sterilized plastic sheets have been placed over the thermal warming systems, including the basis, to reduce the risk of infection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9283042B2Scope pillow drape with extension shelf and power cord hook

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 MEDLINE INDUSTRIES

AI summary

A pillow drape for use with a thermal medical treatment apparatus or device is provided. The drape includes a sterilized sheet for covering the warming medical device that covers the device body and a basin that is used to store a warming liquid. The pillow drape includes an enclosure having a support member therein to support a medical instrument, such as a surgical scope, during warming of the scope. The support member can be housed between first and second sections of the pillow drape sheet in a pocket portion. The support member can be positioned on an extension shelf added to the warming device to provide additional storage room while not taking up room in the surgical or medical room. Additionally, a cord hook can be attached to the medical device to aid in routing a power cord for the device away from traffic.