Sterilizable Enclosure for Portable Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices are incompatible with medical-grade decontamination procedures, posing a risk of contaminant transmission in sterile environments due to materials and design flaws that prevent effective sterilization and disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizable enclosure with a frame, base, and transparent panel that securely holds a portable electronic device, featuring a seal and lock mechanism to prevent contaminant ingress and egress, and a biasing mechanism for capacitive coupling, designed to withstand steam sterilization and chemical disinfectants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional portable electronic devices are used in medical environments, then accessibility to information and communication is improved, but risk of contaminant transmission increases due to incompatibility with sterilization procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct components: a sterilizable enclosure that can withstand medical-grade decontamination procedures, and a portable electronic device that remains protected from exposure to sterilization agents. The enclosure acts as a barrier that segments the sterile and non-sterile environments, allowing the electronic device to be used in medical settings without direct contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizable enclosure serves as an intermediary barrier between the portable electronic device and the sterilization environment. It allows the device to benefit from being present in medical environments while preventing harmful sterilization agents from reaching the device, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of usability and sterility compatibility.
2Reliability
If portable electronic devices are exposed to steam sterilization and chemical disinfectants, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but device damage occurs due to incompatible materials and open connection ports
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the decontamination process from the electronic device by placing the device inside a protective enclosure. The enclosure itself is designed to withstand sterilization procedures, while the device remains isolated and protected from exposure to steam and chemical agents that would otherwise cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizable enclosure acts as an intermediary protective barrier that allows decontamination procedures to occur in the medical environment while preventing direct contact between sterilization agents and the electronic device, thus preserving device integrity while maintaining decontamination effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shields, cases, and covers are added to portable electronic devices, then protection from contaminants is improved, but functionality is restricted and cost increases due to gaps, crevices, and design limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizable enclosure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides contaminant barrier protection, withstands sterilization procedures, maintains full access to the electronic device's touchscreen interface through a transparent panel, and offers secure positioning. This multi-functional design avoids the functionality restrictions seen in conventional shields and cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent panel of the enclosure allows visual access to the electronic device's display while maintaining contaminant barrier functionality, eliminating the need for physical gaps or openings that would compromise protection. The transparency enables full touchscreen interaction without restricting device functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional shields and cases are designed for consumer use, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but compatibility with medical-grade decontamination procedures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is designed with specific material parameters that enable sterilization compatibility while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The transparent panel and structural components are selected to withstand autoclave temperatures and chemical disinfectants, differing from conventional consumer cases but remaining manufacturable through standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizable enclosure utilizes composite construction combining materials that are both sterilization-resistant and cost-effective. The transparent panel and structural components are engineered to provide necessary sterilization compatibility without requiring expensive specialized materials, achieving a balance between manufacturing cost and medical-grade reliability.
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 enclosure effectively prevents contamination of portable electronic devices, enabling their safe use in sterile environments while being compatible with medical decontamination procedures, reducing manufacturing and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A seal is provided and comprises a seal periphery edge. The seal is operatively attached to at least one of the base and the frame, and is arranged to be engaged between the base and the frame when the sterilizable enclosure is in the closed position so as to prevent ingress and egress of contaminants to and from the secured portable electronic device.
Implementation Method 2
A glass panel is operatively attached to the frame adjacent to the window and is arranged to abut the touchscreen interface of the portable electronic device when the sterilizable enclosure is locked in the closed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of securing a portable electronic device with a touchscreen interface for use in a sterile environment comprises providing a sterilizable enclosure and providing a transfer device. The transfer device has an upper wall and a lower wall defining a passage. The enclosure provides a frame and a base movable between open and closed positions. The enclosure is held open with the transfer device. The electronic device is inserted through the passage and into the enclosure. One of the transfer device and the enclosure is moved away from the other.