Tympanic Thermometer Probe Cover Cassette Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tympanic thermometer probe cover systems face challenges in efficient storage and handling, leading to potential contamination and reduced accuracy due to manual handling and damage of probe covers, which can result in compromised sanitary barriers and measurement inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A tympanic thermometer probe cover holding system featuring stacked cassettes with a frame design that includes frangible connections, reinforcing structures, and alignment systems to facilitate easy stacking and secure attachment of probe covers, reducing the risk of contamination and damage while ensuring accurate infrared radiation transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If probe covers are supplied in a nested stack held together by gravity and friction, then space efficiency is improved, but the risk of contamination and damage during manual handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested stack of probe covers is divided into individual compartments within a rigid container, with each probe cover secured in its own recess. This segmentation prevents manual handling of multiple nested covers and eliminates the risk of contamination and damage during separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid container with recesses acts as an intermediary structure between the probe covers and the user. The container provides a controlled environment that maintains the sanitary barrier integrity while allowing easy access to individual probe covers without manual handling of the nested stack.
2Reliability
If a film spans the window to provide a sanitary barrier, then protection against cross-contamination is improved, but the accuracy of infrared radiation transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The film is positioned only at the distal end of the probe cover, localized to the area where it is most needed for sanitary protection. This local placement minimizes interference with infrared radiation transmission to the heat sensor while maintaining the sanitary barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin, flexible film material is used that allows infrared radiation to pass through while providing a sanitary barrier. The film's thinness and flexibility enable it to transmit infrared energy effectively while maintaining its protective function.
3Ease of operation
If probe covers are handled manually to separate them from the nested stack, then accessibility is improved, but the risk of introducing pathogens and contaminants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe covers are segmented into individual compartments within the rigid container, allowing each cover to be accessed independently without manual handling of the entire nested stack. This eliminates the risk of cross-contamination during separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid container with recesses is designed to automatically hold and present individual probe covers for access. The structure itself provides the separation and presentation function, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing contamination risk.
4Measurement precision
If the film is made thin to allow infrared transmission, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the susceptibility to damage and distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film is used that balances infrared transmission capability with sufficient durability. The film's material properties and thickness are optimized to allow infrared radiation passage while maintaining resistance to damage and distortion during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid container with recesses provides protective cushioning for the thin film before use. The container structure prevents damage during storage and handling, allowing the film to remain thin for infrared transmission while being protected from external forces that could cause damage.
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 enhances the efficiency of probe cover storage and handling, reducing the risk of contamination and damage, while maintaining accurate temperature measurements by ensuring the integrity of the sanitary barrier and improving user convenience through tactile feedback and secure attachment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Tympanic thermometers measure temperature by sensing infrared emissions from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the external ear canal
Implementation Method 2
The accuracy with which the sensing probe senses the infrared radiation emitted by the eardrum directly corresponds with the overall accuracy, repeatability and usability of the tympanic thermometer
Implementation Method 3
The window is substantially transparent to infrared radiation, thereby allowing infrared radiation from the tympanic membrane to pass through the probe cover to the heat sensing probe of the thermometer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.