Surgical Drape Edge Absorbent Region Fluid Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical drapes with highly absorbent materials face challenges in handling and drapability, leading to difficulties in sterile application and risk of fluid strike-through to medical staff, as they tend to unfold and absorb fluids unevenly, compromising both absorbency and drapability.

Innovation Solution

A surgical drape design featuring a first absorbent region along its edge with improved fluid dispersion on an inclined plane, concentrating absorbent material at the edges to enhance fluid absorption and minimize saturation around the surgical site, while maintaining drapability and stiffness to prevent unfolding and strike-through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If highly absorbent material is used throughout the drape, then fluid absorption capacity is improved, but handling and drapability deteriorate causing the drape to unfold and fall apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoidhandling and drapability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drape incorporates highly absorbent material only in specific edge regions rather than uniformly throughout. The first absorbent region is positioned at the periphery to intercept fluid flow, while the central surgical site area uses less absorbent material, optimizing both absorption capacity and handling properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The drape is divided into distinct functional zones: a first absorbent region at the edges for fluid interception, a second absorbent region with lower absorbency near the surgical site, and a central non-absorbent or low-absorbency area. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function while maintaining overall drape integrity and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If highly absorbent material is concentrated around the surgical site, then fluid absorption at the source is improved, but the risk of strike-through to medical staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption at surgical siteVSAvoidstrike-through risk to medical staff

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of concentrating absorbent material at the surgical site center, the invention inverts the approach by placing the primary absorbent region at the edges of the drape. This peripheral absorption strategy intercepts fluid flow before it can saturate the center and penetrate through to the medical staff below.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The first absorbent region at the edge acts as an intermediary barrier that intercepts fluid flow from the surgical site. This intermediate absorption layer prevents direct fluid saturation of the central drape area, thereby reducing the strike-through risk to medical staff while still managing fluid effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If absorbent material is placed along the edges of the drape, then fluid flow direction and strike-through prevention are improved, but drape stiffness increases affecting drapability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrike-through preventionVSAvoiddrape stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The drape uses different material properties in different regions: the edge regions contain stiffening absorbent material for strike-through prevention, while the central surgical area maintains softer, more drapable material. This local differentiation allows the drape to be both structurally sound at edges and easily conformable at the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively directs fluid flow to the absorbent edges, reducing the risk of medical staff exposure to fluids and allowing for easier draping by maintaining drapability without compromising absorbency, ensuring efficient fluid management during surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a first absorbent region on an upper side of a surgical drape... having a dispersion of liquid on an inclined plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

said first region having a dispersion of liquid on an inclined plane... the flow of fluid from a surgical site is improved since the fluid can spread quickly from the surgical site to the edges of said drape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP1996110B1Surgical drape having an absorbent edge

Publication Date: 2017.06.07 MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE AB

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Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a surgical drape (1) having a first absorbent region (4) on the upper side thereof. According to the invention, said first 5 absorbent region (4) extends along at least one edge of the drape (1), said first region having a dispersion of liquid on an inclined plane better than in a region (3) or regions adjacent to said first absorbent region.