Sterile Field Electrical Connector With Drape-Piercing Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to establish electrical connections across a sterile field without compromising sterility during surgical procedures, such as catheter placement, where breaching the sterile barrier is often necessary.

Innovation Solution

A connection system comprising a sensor connector with a piercing element, a probe connector with various clamping or actuating mechanisms, and a tether to convey electrical signals, allowing for secure and sterile electrical connections across the sterile field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sterile drape is placed over a patient to establish a sterile field, then sterility is maintained, but electrical connections cannot be made across the sterile barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidelectrical connection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sterile adapter assembly that acts as an intermediary component between the non-sterile external environment and the sterile surgical field. This adapter includes a sterile barrier portion that maintains sterility while incorporating electrical contacts that can receive and transmit electrical signals, thus mediating the connection across the sterile barrier without compromising either sterility or electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is divided into distinct segments: a sterile adapter assembly that remains on the sterile side of the drape, and an external connector that remains on the non-sterile side. The sterile barrier portion of the adapter is segmented to include both the sterile drape interface and the electrical contact interface, allowing each segment to fulfill its specific function while maintaining the overall sterility boundary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the sterile barrier is breached to make electrical connections, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but sterility of the sterile field is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection capabilityVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile adapter assembly serves as a mediator that eliminates the need to breach the sterile barrier. It incorporates a sterile barrier portion that can be attached to the drape without puncturing or compromising it, while still providing electrical contacts that extend through or alongside the barrier to enable connections on both sides of the drape

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile barrier portion of the adapter is designed as a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can conform to the drape surface and maintain the sterile barrier integrity. This flexible barrier allows electrical signals to pass through via embedded contacts or conductive elements while preserving the physical integrity of the sterile field boundary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If a piercing element is used to establish electrical connection through the drape, then electrical connectivity across the sterile field is achieved, but the integrity of the sterile barrier is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection capabilityVSAvoidsterile barrier integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of piercing the drape from the non-sterile side to establish electrical contact, the invention inverts the approach by having the electrical contacts originate from the sterile side through the adapter assembly. The sterile adapter maintains the drape integrity while providing electrical pathways that do not require penetration of the sterile barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile adapter assembly acts as an intermediary that provides electrical connection capability without requiring the piercing element to breach the drape. The adapter includes electrical contacts that can establish connections while the sterile barrier portion maintains the physical integrity of the drape, thus mediating between electrical connectivity needs and barrier integrity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4714351A2Connection systems and methods thereof for establishing electrical connections across a sterile field

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

Disclosed herein are connection systems for establishing electrical connections across a sterile field. An example connection system includes a sensor connector, a probe connector, and a tether having a first end connected to the sensor connector and a second end connected to the probe connector. The sensor connector includes a piercing element. The piercing element is configured to pierce a sterile side of a drape and establish a first electrical connection with a receptacle of a sensor when the piercing element is inserted into the receptacle. The probe connector includes a probe-connecting means configured for a user to establish a second electrical connection between an electrical contact of the probe connector and a wire probe. The tether is configured to convey electrical signals between the sensor connector and the probe connector. Also disclosed herein are methods of connection systems for establishing electrical connections across a sterile field.