Disposable Surgical Table Base Cover With Fluid-Resistant Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical table base covers are difficult to clean due to their complex surfaces, and existing solutions do not effectively protect the base from splash or splatter fluids during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A disposable base cover with a first and second portion, featuring a top wall, peripheral side walls, and complementary fastening features, along with an equipment zone for visual indicia, designed for easy installation and removal, and a collar to protect the surgical table pedestal from fluids, utilizing absorbent and impermeable materials to keep the base clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a complex surface design is used for the base cover, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base cover is divided into multiple portions (first portion with top wall and side walls, second portion with equipment zone) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the main body can have aesthetic designs while the critical base contact areas maintain smooth, cleanable surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment zone is extracted as a distinct functional area with visual indicia, separating it from the base cover's structural portions. This extraction allows the equipment zone to have specialized characteristics (visual indicators for equipment placement) without compromising the cleanability of the base contact surfaces.
2Loss of substance
If a reusable base cover is used, then the cost is reduced, but the contamination risk and cleanup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base cover is designed as a disposable component that can be easily discarded after use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization processes, ensuring complete contamination removal while maintaining low cost through simple material usage and single-use design.
Solution Approach 2:
The base cover is designed to be discarded after a single use rather than cleaned and reused. This approach eliminates cross-contamination risks between procedures and reduces cleanup time, as the entire cover with any contaminants is simply removed and replaced with a fresh one.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a full-coverage base cover is used, then the protection from fluids is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base cover is segmented into multiple portions that can be independently positioned and attached. This segmentation simplifies installation, as each portion can be separately placed on the base rather than installing one large complex piece, while still achieving complete coverage when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple portions of the base cover are merged together through attachment to form a complete protective covering. This merging approach allows each portion to be simple and easy to install individually, while the combined structure provides comprehensive fluid protection across the entire base surface.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a collar extension is added to protect the pedestal, then the fluid protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is merged with the base cover portions as an integrated feature rather than a separate component. This allows the collar to extend vertically about the table pedestal and provide fluid protection while being manufactured and installed as part of the base cover assembly, avoiding additional complexity from separate parts.
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 disposable base cover minimizes contamination on the surgical table base, reduces cleanup time, and ensures the base is protected from fluids, thereby reducing operating room turnover time and maintaining a clean environment for subsequent procedures.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing absorbent and impermeable materials to keep the base clean
Implementation Method 2
utilizing absorbent and impermeable materials to keep the base clean
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A disposable base cover (10) includes a first portion (12) and a second portion (14). The first portion (12) includes a top wall (16) and a peripheral side wall (18) extending orthogonally therefrom. The first portion (12) also includes a side edge (20) with a first fastening feature (22). The second portion (14) includes a top wall (26) and a peripheral side wall (28) extending generally orthogonally therefrom. The second portion (12) also includes an equipment zone (30) that provides visual indicia (32) of equipment zone bounds. The second portion (12) includes a side edge (34) with a second fastening feature that (36) is complementary to the first fastening feature (22). The disposable base cover (10) is configured for engagement with a base (40) of a surgical table (42) having rollers (44) to provide mobility to the surgical table (42).