Surgical Instrument Rack with End Stops for Inverted Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current method of cleaning surgical instruments is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring staff to manually hold each instrument open for cleaning, which leads to high labor and supply costs.
Innovation Solution
A rack device designed to hold surgical instruments by their finger rings in an open configuration, allowing for efficient manual cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning, while also being customizable for different types and sizes of instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If staff manually hold each instrument open for cleaning, then the instrument utility areas can be accessed for cleaning, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is designed to automatically hold multiple surgical instruments in an open configuration without requiring staff to manually hold each instrument. The rack structure with arms and finger ring receptacles allows instruments to self-position and remain open during cleaning, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack combines multiple instrument-holding arms into a single integrated structure that can accommodate numerous instruments simultaneously. By merging the function of holding and opening multiple instruments into one device, the system increases productivity while preserving the ability to access utility areas for cleaning.
2Productivity
If multiple instruments are cleaned simultaneously, then cleaning efficiency increases, but access to individual instrument utility areas may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into multiple separate arms, each capable of independently holding and opening a single surgical instrument. This segmentation allows each instrument's utility area to remain individually accessible while multiple instruments are processed simultaneously on the same rack, resolving the conflict between productivity and accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the rack holds instruments in an open configuration, then manual cleaning access is improved, but instruments may slide off when the rack is turned upside down
Solution Approach 1:
The rack includes end stops positioned at the extremities of each arm that prevent instruments from sliding off before the rack is inverted. This preliminary protective feature ensures instrument retention is already in place before the orientation change occurs, allowing the rack to be safely turned upside down for ultrasonic cleaning while maintaining reliability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a stable base is created with connected members, then rack structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connected members forming the rack base serve multiple functions: they provide structural stability, support multiple arms, and create a unified platform for holding numerous instruments. By making the base structure multi-functional, the design achieves high stability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a rack device designed to improve the cleaning process of surgical instruments by efficiently holding many surgical instruments at once. The rack is designed to hold surgical instruments by their finger rings in an open configuration for ease of cleaning the instrument. The racks include end stops on each arm allowing the rack to be turned upside down without the instruments sliding off for better access to the instrument's jaws during manual cand ultrasonic cleaning. The open configuration also allows for easier application of lubricants to the instruments. The rack is made of connected members that form a stable base and instrument holding arms. The rack incorporates a rack holder with a handle and a mount opening that allows the entire rack to be easily transported, placed into a cleaning device, hung up to dry, sprayed with products and easily located when packing surgical kits.