Modular Truss Mounting for Laminar Airflow in Operating Rooms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hospital operating rooms face challenges in adapting surgical equipment mounting arrangements and maintaining uninterrupted, turbulence-free airflow, which can lead to the dispersion of contaminants during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A modular truss-based mounting system that allows for interchangeable coupling of surgical equipment and components, positioning mounting plates outside the airflow array to create laminar airflow and reduce turbulence, enabling flexible equipment placement and reduced contamination risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If surgical equipment is mounted directly over or in proximity to the surgical target zone, then the equipment can be positioned for optimal surgical access, but the mount blocks airflow and creates low pressure zones that cause air turbulence and contaminant dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment positioningVSAvoidcontaminant dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is extracted from the airflow path by positioning mounts at the periphery of the surgical site rather than directly over it. The truss structure extends beyond the surgical target zone, allowing equipment to be mounted at locations that do not interfere with the downward laminar airflow, thus eliminating the blockage and low pressure zone creation while maintaining equipment accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The truss structure serves as an intermediary framework that decouples the mounting function from the airflow path. By providing a distributed network of mounting locations at the periphery, the truss allows equipment to be supported without placing mounts in the critical airflow zone, thereby mediating between the need for equipment access and the need for contamination control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed mounting arrangement is used for surgical equipment, then the existing structure provides stable support, but any new equipment installation or location change requires replacing the entire mounting arrangement or making costly modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structure stabilityVSAvoidequipment reconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into multiple independent mounting locations distributed along the truss structure. Each location can be independently used or modified without affecting the entire system. This segmentation allows selective addition, removal, or repositioning of equipment at specific locations while maintaining the stability of the overall truss structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The truss structure provides universal mounting capability across multiple locations, where any mounting location can potentially support various types of surgical equipment. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different equipment needs and surgical requirements without requiring structural modifications, as the same truss framework supports diverse equipment configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If mounting locations are positioned within the airflow array, then equipment can be centrally located for optimal access, but turbulence is created that disperses contaminants throughout the surgical environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidsterile environment maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system implements local quality by positioning mounting locations at specific peripheral regions of the truss structure where they do not interfere with the central airflow path. This spatial differentiation allows the central zone to maintain laminar flow for contamination control while peripheral zones provide mounting capability for equipment access, thus separating the conflicting requirements of airflow integrity and equipment accessibility.

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 system facilitates adaptable equipment mounting and airflow management, minimizing contamination dispersion and allowing for easy reconfiguration without altering the existing mounting structure, ensuring a sterile environment.

Implementation Method 1

positioning mounting plates outside the airflow array to create laminar airflow and reduce turbulence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar airflow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

create laminar airflow and reduce turbulence, enabling flexible equipment placement and reduced contamination risk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence reduction: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS20220081901A1Equipment support system and method of supporting equipment

Publication Date: 2022.03.17 SLD TECH INC

AI summary

A mounting system includes a frame that defines a truss structure and a plurality of mounting locations within the truss structure. The plurality of mounting locations are configured to interchangeably couple to one or more members, including one or more of an access panel, a light troffer or a boom mount.