Step Stool Anti-Microbial Coating for Hospital Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital step stools are often unstable, complex in structure, and difficult to clean, leading to microbial contamination due to crevices and seams where fluids and biological materials can accumulate.
Innovation Solution
A step stool with an anti-microbial coating applied to its entire surface, featuring a single-piece metallic construction with recessed corners and complementary projections for stacking and attachment, and an anti-microbial agent like silver ions to prevent microbial growth, along with a non-slip mat in the recessed footplate for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If step stools are made with complex structures to provide safety features, then safety is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases due to crevices and seams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple safety features (non-slip surface, handrails, stable base) into a single integrated step stool structure made of one piece of plastic material. This eliminates crevices and seams between multiple components, making the structure both safe and easy to clean, as the smooth continuous surface can be easily wiped down without trapping fluids in joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing non-slip ridges only on the footplate surface where needed for safety, while keeping the rest of the body smooth and seamless. The handrails provide localized grip assistance, and the overall structure maintains a smooth surface throughout that is easy to clean, combining localized safety features with global ease of cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If step stools are made with multiple pieces to provide structural features, then structural functionality is improved, but microbial contamination risk increases due to crevices where fluids accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all structural components (footplate, supporting members, handrails) into a single integrated piece of molded plastic. This eliminates the crevices, joints, and seams that would otherwise trap fluids and promote microbial growth, while maintaining all necessary structural functions through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a homogeneous material (single piece of plastic) throughout the entire step stool structure. This creates a uniform, non-porous surface that is resistant to microbial contamination and easy to disinfect, eliminating the heterogeneity of joints and seams that would otherwise create contamination risks.
3Ease of manufacture
If step stools have simple structures for easy cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges simplicity of form with stability through a unified single-piece design. The smooth, seamless structure provides ease of cleaning, while the integrated geometry of the footplate, supporting members, and handrails creates inherent structural stability. The non-slip ridges on the footplate add stability without complicating the overall simple form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates curved, rounded contours in the step stool design rather than sharp angles or complex geometric joints. This smoothing of surfaces enhances ease of cleaning while the distributed curved geometry maintains structural stability through optimized load distribution.
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 solution provides a stable, easy-to-clean, and safe step stool that prevents microbial growth and accumulation, suitable for hospital settings, particularly in operating rooms, by using an anti-microbial coating and a non-slip mat, addressing the issues of instability and contamination in existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-microbial coating applied onto the step stool; wherein the anti-microbial coating prevents microbial growth on to the step stool
Implementation Method 2
the lower portion comprises a projection for engaging within a recessed corner portion defined at the at least four corners when a first step stool in placed on top of a second step stool
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology generally relates to a step stool having anti-microbial protection. In particular, the present technology relates to a step stool having an anti-microbial coating.