Self-Supported Lavage Fluid Packaging for Sterile Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lavage devices are not self-supported, require separate means for orientation and stabilization, risk contamination due to re-equilibrium periods, and lack control over fluid flow, leading to inefficient and ineffective lavage processes.
Innovation Solution
Self-supported devices with a sealed body containing lavage fluid, terminally sterilized, and adaptable for various fluid flow rates and patterns, featuring an application member to create disruptions for controlled discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current lavage devices utilize a resilient hollow body that expel lavage fluid upon pressure applied thereto, then lavage fluid can be delivered to the surface, but re-equilibrium periods are required introducing non-sterile gas into the device which jeopardizes sterility and provides unacceptable delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas intake function from the same pathway used for lavage fluid dispensing. By providing a separate gas intake pathway that opens to the external environment at a location remote from the lavage fluid dispensing location, the design eliminates the need for re-equilibrium periods while maintaining sterility of the lavage fluid pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional pathways: a separate gas intake pathway and a separate lavage fluid dispensing pathway. This segmentation allows independent operation of each function without interference, enabling continuous sterile fluid delivery without pressure equalization delays.
2Ease of operation
If current lavage devices are not self-supported and need separate means to arrange and maintain stable position, then device can be positioned for use, but device complexity increases and clinician control over fluid flow is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-supported device characteristics where the device body inherently provides positioning and stabilization capabilities without requiring separate support components. The device can be directly positioned and maintained in a stable orientation during use, eliminating the need for additional support means and reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If current lavage devices provide limited ability to control and target the flow of lavage fluid, then device structure remains simple, but clinician control over fluid delivery is insufficient for optimal lavage effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable flow rate mechanisms that allow dynamic control of lavage fluid delivery. The device enables selection of different fluid flow rates and patterns (such as pulsatile or continuous flow) to optimize lavage effectiveness for different surgical scenarios, providing clinicians with versatile control options.
Data Source
AI summary
An article for applying a lavage fluid to a surface, the article having a sealed body for housing a lavage fluid, wherein the sealed body is configured to be self-supported before and during the discharge of the lavage fluid from the sealed body, wherein the sealed body and lavage fluid contained therein are terminally-sterilized; and a system comprising the article of claim 1 and an application member, wherein the application member is configured to disrupt the wall of the sealed body to form the fluid delivery port, and create a fluid path for the discharge of the lavage fluid.