Stethoscope Shield System With Variable Adhesive Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-layered stethoscope shields are difficult to remove individually, often causing unintended removal of inner shields when the outermost shield is pulled, leading to waste and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A stethoscope shield system with progressively decreasing adhesive bonding strength and area between shields, allowing for sequential removal of shields, and a design featuring a stackable, sound-transmissive disc-shaped shield with an adhesive pad for secure attachment and easy disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layered shields are stacked for stethoscope protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but individual removal becomes difficult and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding strength varies at different locations and between different shield layers. The outermost shield has weaker adhesive bonding to facilitate easy removal, while inner shields have progressively stronger adhesive bonding to maintain protection. This local variation in adhesive quality enables selective removal of individual shields without removing all shields simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shields are securely attached to prevent contamination, then protection is improved, but removal becomes difficult leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding strength parameter is changed progressively across different shield layers. The outermost shield uses adhesive with lower bonding strength for easy removal and replacement, while inner shields use adhesive with progressively higher bonding strength. This parameter change ensures that shields remain securely attached during use (preventing contamination) but can be individually removed when needed (reducing waste).
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 individual and efficient removal of shields, reducing waste and preventing contamination by ensuring each shield is removed separately, maintaining acoustic integrity and minimizing the transfer of microorganisms between patients.
Implementation Method 1
a stackable, sound-transmissive disc-shaped shield with an adhesive pad for secure attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A stethoscope shield system and method of preventing contamination of an instrument, particularly a stethoscope, includes a plurality of substantially planar shields stacked one upon the other, each of the shields having a substantially identical outer periphery and including a first surface and a second surface such that adjacent shields are attracted to one another with the first surface of each of these shields in contact with the second surface of an adjacent shield with a first shield of the plurality of shields being in contact with the diaphragm of the stethoscope for supporting the stacked shields, wherein the attraction force between the stacked shields occurs over less than an entire surface of at least one of the first and second surfaces and the attraction between the stacked shields has at least one of a consecutively increasing attraction area and a consecutively increasing attraction strength, and an exposed shield of the stacked shields is removed after contacting the body of a patient.