Portable Sterility Headset with HEPA Laminar Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for creating a sterile environment for surgical and para-surgical procedures, especially in the ophthalmic and microsurgery fields, are either expensive, cumbersome, and require permanent installation or fail to provide a well-defined, protected sterile area, making them unsuitable for outpatient settings and portable use.
Innovation Solution
A portable, headset-like device with a closable front portion, HEPA filtration, and a laminar airflow system that creates a sterile environment at the patient's head level, allowing for surgical procedures without an operating theatre, featuring a washable and sterilizable design, and easy transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable trolley with HEPA filter and laminar airflow is used, then a sterile area can be created, but the sterile area is not circumscribed and may not be completely protected from contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent plastic shield that forms a physical barrier around the surgical field. This flexible shell structure creates a circumscribed sterile area by blocking airborne contaminants from reaching the surgical site, while still allowing the laminar airflow to penetrate through the shield material. The shield acts as a containment boundary that defines the sterile zone, preventing contamination from outside the enclosed space.
2Reliability
If large parallelepiped structures with laminar airflow are used, then a sterile environment can be created, but they are expensive, cumbersome and require permanent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sterile environment creation into separate functional components: a portable stand, a transparent plastic shield, and a laminar airflow generator. Instead of requiring a large permanent structure, the system segments the sterile zone creation into modular elements that can be assembled and disassembled easily. The shield can be detached and repositioned, and the airflow generator is mounted on a portable stand rather than requiring fixed installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, permanent installation requirement into a dynamic, portable system. The laminar airflow generator is mounted on a stand that can be moved and repositioned as needed. The transparent plastic shield can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the sterile environment to be created and removed dynamically rather than requiring permanent structural modification of the operating space.
3Reliability
If large parallelepiped structures with laminar airflow are used, then a sterile environment can be created, but they need about five minutes of operation to create the correct sterile environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the laminar airflow generation at a localized point directly over the surgical field rather than requiring large-volume air circulation throughout the entire operating room. The airflow generator is positioned to create a focused laminar flow that directly impacts the surgical site, reducing the volume of air that needs to be processed and sterilized. This localized approach significantly reduces the time required to establish the sterile environment compared to system-wide air circulation.
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
Enables efficient and safe creation of a microbiologically aseptic environment for procedures at the head and face level, ensuring sterility and comfort during surgeries, and facilitating immediate trauma response and transport in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one system for sterilising the incoming air
Implementation Method 2
at least one pumping system for forming a laminar airflow within said device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device adapted to create a sterile environment located at the patient’s head and face level, necessary during surgical and para-surgical procedures, for example in the dermatological, aesthetic-plastic, reconstructive and ophthalmic fields. Said device, small in size and easily transportable, allows to create a sterile environment located in the surgical area without the need for an operating theatre.