Sharps Handling Device with Rotating Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sharps holders lack a mechanism for secure disposal, provide inadequate support for sharps instruments, and have a small insertion area, making them prone to tipping over and requiring time-consuming and potentially hazardous handling during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A sharps handling device comprising a base and holder that can transition between a stand configuration for upright storage and a container configuration for secure disposal, featuring a large insertion area, structural reinforcement, and a cushion for safe insertion and support of sharps instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing sharps holders are designed for temporary storage only, then they provide simple structure and ease of manufacture, but they lack disposal functionality requiring transfer to separate containers which increases handling time and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to perform multiple functions: temporary storage during procedures and secure disposal afterward. The base can rotate between a stand configuration for storage and a container configuration for disposal, eliminating the need for separate containers and reducing handling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is made rotatable relative to the holder, allowing dynamic reconfiguration between stand and container modes. This dynamic transformation enables the same structure to adapt to different operational phases without requiring separate devices.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing sharps holders provide minimal support structure, then they reduce device complexity and manufacturing cost, but they are prone to tipping over causing scattering and breaking of sharps
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with sufficient weight and a wide footprint to counterbalance the weight of inserted sharps instruments. This counterweight design prevents tipping without requiring complex active stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The base provides support not only vertically but also through rotational stability in the horizontal plane. The widened base footprint in the container configuration adds dimensional stability to prevent tipping during the disposal phase.
3Area of moving object
If existing sharps holders have small insertion areas, then they reduce device size and improve portability, but they create small target areas that are time-consuming and distracting to focus on during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion surface is segmented into multiple distinct zones including a front surface and side surfaces, each capable of receiving sharps. This segmentation effectively multiplies the functional insertion area without significantly increasing the overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder accepts sharps insertions from multiple dimensions - front insertions and side insertions - rather than relying on a single insertion plane. This multi-dimensional insertion capability effectively increases the target area while maintaining compact device dimensions.
4Reliability
If existing sharps holders lack secure encasement mechanism, then they simplify the device structure and reduce manufacturing complexity, but they cannot provide safe disposal requiring transfer to sealed containers
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal encasement function is merged with the existing holder structure. When the base rotates to container configuration, the holder is automatically encased within the base, combining storage and disposal functions in a single integrated mechanism without adding separate encasement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The encasement is achieved dynamically through rotation rather than through complex locking mechanisms. The base rotates to surround and encase the holder, providing secure disposal encasement through motion-based transformation rather than mechanical fastening systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A sharps handling device can include a base and a holder. The base and the holder can form a stand in which sharps devices can be retained so as to be accessible. The base and the holder can also form a container for enclosing sharps devices.