Sternal Incision Guard with Antimicrobial Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Post-operative sternal incisions are at risk of irritation and infection from water exposure during showering or bathing, and existing protective measures restrict hand and arm mobility, making them inconvenient and unsafe, especially for caregivers handling infants.
Innovation Solution
A sternal incision guard made from water-repellant, antimicrobial fabric with adjustable neck and waist bands, incorporating elastic elements and hook-and-loop fasteners for secure fit, allowing hands and arms to be free for washing while keeping the incision dry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a bandage or dressing is applied to the inciction to protect it from water, then the inciction is protected from water exposure, but the adhesive properties are compromised by water contact and the hands and arms are restricted in movement
Solution Approach 1:
The protective guard is divided into separate functional segments: a front panel covering the inciction, neck bands for upper attachment, and waist bands for lower attachment. This segmentation allows the guard to be worn passively without requiring hands to hold or maintain the protective covering, thus protecting the inciction while maintaining hand mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the inciction and water. It uses water-repellant fabric and adhesive strips positioned away from the inciction itself, allowing the inciction to remain protected while the adhesive components are positioned where they can function effectively without direct water contact on the inciction.
2Reliability
If adhesive strips or tissue glue are applied to the inciction to secure protection, then the protective covering is secured in place, but the adhesive loses effectiveness when exposed to water
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the guard have different functional properties. The front panel uses water-repellant fabric for direct inciction protection, while adhesive strips are positioned on the neck and waist bands away from the inciction area. This local differentiation allows adhesive to be used for secure attachment without being directly exposed to water that would compromise its effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive strips and hook-and-loop fasteners are pre-positioned on the neck and waist bands to secure the guard to the patient's body before water exposure occurs. This preliminary securing action ensures the protective guard remains in place during bathing, preventing water from reaching the inciction while the adhesive itself remains protected from direct water contact.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is held over the inciction during bathing, then the inciction is protected from water, but the caregiver or patient cannot use hands for washing and hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is designed to be self-sustaining once attached, using the patient's own neck and waist to anchor the protective barrier. The resiliently expandable elements and hook-and-loop fasteners create a passive, hands-free protective system that maintains its position during bathing activities, allowing the patient or caregiver to use hands freely for washing without needing to continuously hold or adjust the protective covering.
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 guard effectively protects the incision from water and microbial growth, promoting convenience, safety, and independence by allowing hands to be free for bathing, while being disposable, recyclable, and inexpensive to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a front panel fabricated from a water-repellant, antimicrobial fabric
Implementation Method 2
a front panel fabricated from a water-repellant, antimicrobial fabric
Implementation Method 3
Resiliently expandable elements, desirably comprising elastic threads or stitching, are incorporated into the front panel along both of its lateral portions and apply tension to produce shirring
Implementation Method 4
the means for disengageably affixing will additionally comprise only the hook element, in the form of a tab, of a hook-and-loop type fastener (Velcro) pair
Data Source
AI summary
A guard, fabricated from a water-resistant, lightweight, nonwoven, antimicrobial fabric, is constructed to be worn by a user for protecting a closed, post-operative sternal incision against exposure to water during bathing and showering. The guard avoids the need for manually holding a protective cover over the incision, and thereby frees the arms and hands of the user, or of a caregiver, for washing, lathering and rinsing.