Surgical Container Lid Template for Sterilization Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for surgical and medical items face difficulties in allowing unobstructed flow of cleaning or sterilization media while providing a visible packing template for easy filling and verification, as templates on the bottom can impede flow and reduce marking area.

Innovation Solution

The packing template is placed on the inside of the lid, allowing the bottom to remain free for flow and being visible to the user, with optional color coding for orientation, and the base can be detached for direct insertion into the lid to display the template.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the packing template is placed on the bottom of the container, then the user can easily see and use it when filling the container, but the bottom is closed and impedes the flow of cleaning or sterilization medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of filling and verificationVSAvoidimpediment to flow of cleaning medium
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packing template is extracted from the bottom surface and relocated to the inside surface of the lid. This separation allows the bottom to remain open for unobstructed flow of cleaning or sterilization medium while the template remains accessible for filling and verification purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The packing template is moved from a two-dimensional bottom surface to the interior surface of the lid, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This repositioning maintains the template's visibility and utility while eliminating its interference with fluid flow through the container bottom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If larger openings are made in the bottom to ensure flow, then the flow of cleaning medium is improved, but only a small area of the packing template is available for marking the instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow of cleaning mediumVSAvoidmarking area of packing template
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the packing template from the bottom and placing it on the lid interior, the full bottom surface area remains available for large openings to ensure proper flow, while the template finds a new location (lid interior) where it can extend over the entire lid surface without compromising flow requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If the packing template extends over the entire surface of the lid, then the items can be displayed in the desired position on a scale of 1:1, but the structural complexity of the container increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of item placementVSAvoidcomplexity of container structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid serves multiple functions: it closes the container for storage and transport, and it provides the mounting surface for the full-scale packing template when opened for filling or inspection. This multi-functionality allows the template to extend over the entire lid surface without requiring additional structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1943975B1Holder for storage of surgical or medical equipment with filling template
Publication Date: 2010.10.06 AESCULAP AG
  • EP1943975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1943975B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1943975B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The container (1) has a lower part (9) with a base (2) and side walls (3, 6), and a cover (10) lockingly attachable to and detachable from the part. A pack template is provided to indicate a surgical or medical instrument and its position in the container. The template is arranged at an inner side of the cover, and extends over the entire surface of the cover, where a representation of the instrument on the template includes different colors. The instrument is held by a holder fixed at the walls, and the lower part is inserted in a defined position in the cover after separation of the base.