Sterile Drape Electrical Connector With Shielded Piercing Pins

Solution Overview

Problem

In surgical procedures, there is a need to establish electrical connections through a sterile drape without compromising sterility and while ensuring clinician safety, especially when handling components with piercing elements.

Innovation Solution

A connection system comprising a first connector with a piercing element and a second connector with a receptacle, allowing for safe and sterile electrical connections by transitioning from a safety state to an operable state, with features like a pin shield and compression spring for secure engagement and disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piercing element is used to establish electrical connections through a sterile drape, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but clinician safety is compromised due to exposure to sharp piercing elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidclinician safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pin shield is pre-positioned to cover the piercing element before connection is needed. The shield is already in place and ready to protect the clinician, rather than requiring protective action at the moment of potential harm. This preliminary protective measure allows the piercing element to be safely handled and disposed of after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing element's sharpness, which is necessary for penetrating the sterile drape to establish electrical connection, is converted into a benefit by using a pin shield to contain this sharpness. The harmful sharp edge is transformed into a controlled feature that can be safely managed through the shield mechanism, allowing the piercing function while eliminating the safety hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If the piercing element is exposed for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but clinician safety deteriorates due to potential injury from sharp elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection easeVSAvoidclinician safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pin shield is pre-positioned to cover the piercing element before connection is needed. The shield is already in place and ready to protect the clinician, rather than requiring protective action at the moment of potential harm. This preliminary protective measure allows the piercing element to be safely handled and disposed of after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pin shield acts as an intermediary between the clinician and the piercing element. It mediates the interaction by providing a protective barrier that allows the clinician to handle and manipulate the connector safely while the piercing element remains contained. The shield enables safe operation without requiring the clinician to directly contact the sharp element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a pin shield is added to protect the piercing element, then clinician safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclinician safetyVSAvoidconnector complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin shield is merged with the connector housing as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The shield is formed as part of the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate protective covers or additional assembly steps. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the safety function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pin shield is designed to be automatically pushed into the connector housing when the connector is inserted into the port, without requiring manual manipulation by the clinician. The shield's movement is self-actuated through the insertion motion itself, eliminating the need for separate shielding operations and simplifying the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the slideable end piece is advanced to pierce the barrier, then electrical connection is established, but the transition from safety state to operable state increases risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection establishmentVSAvoidtransition safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pin shield is pre-positioned to cover the piercing element before connection is needed. The shield is already in place and ready to protect the clinician, rather than requiring protective action at the moment of potential harm. This preliminary protective measure allows the piercing element to be safely handled and disposed of after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing action is performed quickly and decisively in a single motion rather than gradually. The slideable end piece is advanced rapidly through the barrier in one continuous movement, minimizing the time the piercing element is in a vulnerable state. This rapid transition reduces exposure to potential hazards during the critical transition phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 system effectively establishes electrical connections through a sterile barrier while maintaining sterility and ensuring clinician safety, enabling secure and reliable operation in medical settings.

Implementation Method 1

The pin shield is coupled to a compression spring configured to resist compression when the pin shield is pushed into the slideable end piece. The compression spring is configured to push the pin shield back over at least the first piercing element as the first connector is removed from the second connector.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3852622B1Safety-equipped connection systems and methods thereof for establishing electrical connections

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.