Sterile-Field Audio Housing With Sealed Membrane Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical devices used in sterile fields, such as operating rooms, face challenges in audio output design due to small openings or crevices that complicate disinfection, allowing material accumulation and fluid ingress, which compromises cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with audio output features a housing sealed from the external environment by a speaker cover and enclosure, incorporating a speaker frame or audio exciter that is fluidically sealed within the housing to prevent fluid ingress and material accumulation, ensuring effective disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If small openings or grates are provided for speaker audio output, then audio functionality is enabled, but material accumulation occurs and disinfection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio output functionalityVSAvoiddisinfection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane instead of rigid grates or openings. The membrane vibrates to produce sound while maintaining a continuous sealed surface that prevents material accumulation and allows fluid disinfectants to contact the entire surface for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical speaker grates with an electroacoustic membrane system. The membrane serves dual purposes: acoustic output and sealed barrier, eliminating the need for separate grate structures that create cleaning difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the housing is sealed to prevent fluid ingress, then electrical components are protected, but audio output becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid sealingVSAvoidaudio output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane acts as both the sealed barrier and the acoustic radiating surface. It allows the housing to remain hermetically sealed while still enabling sound transmission through the membrane itself, eliminating the need for separate openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the housing against fluid ingress, serves as the speaker diaphragm for audio output, and provides a smooth surface for disinfection. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between sealing and audio output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If traditional speaker grates are used, then audio output is provided, but material accumulation makes disinfection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio outputVSAvoidmaterial accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous flexible membrane eliminates crevices, gaps, and hard-to-reach areas where material could accumulate. The smooth, uninterrupted surface allows disinfectants to flow freely and contact all surfaces, preventing material buildup while maintaining audio functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20260089417A1Medical Device with Audio Output for Use in a Sterile Field

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A medical device with audio output for use in a sterile field may include a housing and an audio output device. The housing may include an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface may define an interior space of the housing including the audio output device, and the interior space of the housing may be fluidically sealed from an external environment by the housing. The audio output device may include a speaker and/or an audio exciter.