Smart Surgical Packaging With Compatibility Display and Instrument History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instruments face issues due to manufacturing defects, mishandling during transit, and incompatibility with other equipment, leading to performance problems and safety concerns in surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of smart surgical packaging systems that include a graphical display, data processors, and memory to store and adjust parameters associated with surgical instruments, providing real-time information on manufacturing, environmental, and operational data, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical instrument packaging is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but real-time monitoring of instrument conditions and parameters is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical instrument safetyVSAvoidpackaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart packaging system pre-stores comprehensive parameter data (manufacturing specifications, environmental conditions, sterilization history, compatibility information) in memory before the surgical procedure. This preliminary data collection and storage enables real-time monitoring and reference during surgery, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time data gathering mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system serves multiple functions: it protects the surgical instrument, stores comprehensive parameter data, provides real-time information display, ensures compatibility verification, and maintains sterilization status. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated packaging solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive parameter data is stored and displayed in real-time, then surgical instrument compatibility and performance are improved, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument compatibilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system automatically manages its own data storage, retrieval, and display without requiring external intervention. The memory unit stores all necessary parameters, and the display unit automatically presents relevant information based on the surgical context, reducing the need for complex external data management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to surgeons and medical staff about instrument parameters, compatibility status, and operational conditions. This immediate feedback loop enables informed decision-making regarding instrument selection and usage, improving adaptability while keeping data processing manageable through direct display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If real-time environmental and operational data is monitored, then surgical procedure safety is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical procedure safetyVSAvoidpackaging energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit operates periodically rather than continuously, showing parameter data at relevant moments during the surgical procedure. The memory unit stores all data continuously, but the display activates only when needed, reducing energy consumption while maintaining safety through timely information provision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If detailed instrument history and parameter data is made accessible, then mishandling prevention is improved, but information access complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemishandling preventionVSAvoidinformation access complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information display is segmented into different categories (manufacturing parameters, environmental history, sterilization data, compatibility information, operational status). This segmentation allows users to access specific types of information as needed without being overwhelmed by all data simultaneously, reducing access complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250014736A1Cooperative and collaborative labeling and packaging of smart packaging systems
Publication Date: 2025.01.09 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
  • US20250014736A1 patent drawing
  • US20250014736A1 patent drawing
  • US20250014736A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided. The systems can include at least one primary packaging, at least one graphical display disposed on the primary packaging, and an electronic management system in electronic communication with the primary packaging. The electronic management system is configured to receive data characterizing a list of compatible secondary packagings stored on the primary packaging, determine a compatible secondary packaging in electronic communication with the electronic management system from the list of compatible secondary packagings stored on the primary packaging, and provide data characterizing the determined compatible secondary packaging on the at least one graphical display of the primary packaging.