Surgical Equipment Relocation Module for Cable and Airflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating rooms face inefficiencies and safety hazards due to unplanned equipment placement, cable and hose management issues, ventilation dead zones, and manual data entry, leading to distractions, contamination risks, and potential infections.

Innovation Solution

A relocation module is designed to house patient monitors and surgical equipment under the arm-board of the surgical table, incorporating cable management systems, waste heat and air management, and automated data capture to optimize equipment placement and reduce contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If anesthesia monitors and surgical equipment are placed on shelves above the anesthesia machine or on mounting brackets, then equipment is positioned near the patient, but the anesthetist cannot simultaneously observe the patient and monitors, creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment placement locationVSAvoidpatient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates monitors from vertical placement above the anesthesia machine to a horizontal arrangement on the anesthesia machine's front surface, allowing the anesthetist to view both patient and monitors within the same visual field without head movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The anesthesia machine is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the life support device and the mounting platform for monitors, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and optimizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables and hoses connect monitors to the patient, then monitoring functions are comprehensive, but cable and hose clutter creates tripping hazards and contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate cables and hoses are consolidated into a single integrated cable assembly that routes all connections through a unified pathway, eliminating clutter and reducing tripping hazards while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable management system acts as an intermediary between the monitors and patient connections, organizing and routing cables through designated pathways that prevent floor contact and reduce contamination risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If equipment is placed in unplanned locations throughout the operating room, then equipment deployment is simple, but ventilation dead zones create contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment deploymentVSAvoidairborne contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise placement locations for equipment that optimize both ventilation airflow and accessibility, ensuring monitors are positioned on the front surface of the anesthesia machine where they do not obstruct ceiling-to-floor ventilation pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If manual data entry is used for anesthetic records, then equipment complexity is low, but time loss and distractions increase during surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry systemVSAvoiddata entry time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures anesthetic data from monitor sensors and inputs it into electronic records without requiring manual entry by the anesthetist, allowing continuous patient monitoring and record documentation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual data entry operations are replaced with automated electronic data capture systems that continuously monitor and record patient parameters, eliminating the need for manual keyboard input during surgical procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260060866A1Relocation module and methods for surgical equipment

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 AUGUSTINE BIOMEDICAL DESIGN LLC

AI summary

An anesthetic equipment storage and waste air management module configured to housing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment including a system to measure and record administration of one or more IV medications or fluids for IV administration. The module can include a housing having a lower section and a tower-like upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to house unrelated waste heat-producing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment. The module can also include a cowling that substantially confines waste heat generated by the unrelated waste heat-producing electronic and electromechanical surgical equipment, and can include a system for measuring and recording the administration of the one or more IV medications and fluids.