Surgical Protective Device for Airtight Aerosol Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical and clinical protocols face challenges in effectively preventing the dissemination of aerosolized viral particles from patients during procedures, particularly for healthcare workers in ENT, gastroenterology, and dentistry.
Innovation Solution
A protective device comprising a seal portion fitted over a patient's orifice, flexible sleeves providing an air-tight surround, and sealing members to prevent leakage of particles, allowing safe and re-sealable access for surgical instruments or scopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect healthcare workers from aerosolized particles, then protection against viral particles is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent drape is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the patient's airway and the healthcare worker's face. The drape creates a physical separation that prevents direct exposure to aerosolized particles while allowing the worker to maintain normal communication and visual contact with the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective system utilizes flexible transparent drapes and films that can conform to the patient's face and the worker's positioning. These thin film barriers provide effective particle containment without the bulk and complexity of traditional rigid PPE assemblies.
2Reliability
If a seal portion is fitted over the patient's orifice to contain particles, then particle containment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed space is segmented into distinct zones: a contained zone over the patient's orifice for particle containment, and access zones with openings that allow surgical instruments and scopes to be introduced. This segmentation maintains particle containment while enabling necessary surgical access.
Solution Approach 2:
Surgical instruments and scopes are inserted through openings in the drape, effectively nesting them within the sealed protective space. The instruments pass through the barrier without compromising the seal, allowing operation within the contained environment.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing points are used to prevent particle leakage, then particle containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sealing is applied locally at critical interfaces where particles could escape, rather than requiring comprehensive sealing of the entire system. The drape is sealed to the patient's face at the orifice region, and additional local seals are placed at instrument access points, providing effective containment with minimal sealing requirements.
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 device significantly reduces the risk of aerosolized particle leakage, minimizing exposure to healthcare workers and reducing the need for extensive personal protective equipment (PPE).
Implementation Method 1
a seal portion adapted to be fitted over an orifice of the patient, the seal portion having a perimeter adapted to be substantially sealed onto the patient
Implementation Method 2
one or more flexible sleeve which provides a substantially air-tight surround defining a passage in communication with said orifice
Implementation Method 3
there being a sealing member provided at said opening which is adapted to provide a seal around said surgical instrument or scope so that, in use, said surgical instrument or scope and said sealing member substantially prevent leakage of particles from the passage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a protective device comprising a seal portion adapted to be fitted over an orifice of patient, the seal portion having a perimeter adapted to be substantially sealed onto the patient. The protective device has one or more flexible sleeves which provides a substantially air-tight surround defining a passage in communication with said orifice. The or each flexible sleeve, at an end thereof which is distal from said seal portion, has an opening adapted to accept entry of a surgical instrument or scope into said passage. There is sealing member provided at said opening which is adapted to provide a seal around said surgical instrument or scope so that, in use, said surgical instrument or scope and said sealing member provide an airtight seal to substantially prevent leakage of particles from the passage.