Universal pre-fabricated operating room ceiling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for upgrading or relocating surgical equipment in operating rooms require extended facility closures, are costly, and often hinder equipment placement due to pre-existing infrastructure obstacles, with custom solutions being expensive and not universally adaptable.
Innovation Solution
A universal operating room ceiling system featuring red iron or tubular steel support structures and a pre-fabricated track assembly that accommodates medical gas lines, electrical, and data lines, allowing for flexible equipment placement and reconfiguration without interfering with the surgical space, reducing installation costs and downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ceiling removal or modification is performed to install new equipment, then equipment placement flexibility is improved, but facility downtime increases and renovation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing a grid system and conduit infrastructure during the initial construction phase, before any surgical equipment needs to be installed. This advance preparation creates ready-to-use mounting points and utility pathways, eliminating the need for later ceiling modifications and avoiding facility downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ceiling infrastructure into modular components including a grid system with independent cells, separate conduit pathways, and discrete mounting points. This segmentation allows individual elements to be installed, accessed, or modified independently without requiring complete ceiling removal or extensive facility shutdowns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-fabricated ceiling systems are used to accommodate existing infrastructure, then equipment placement is possible, but system complexity increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through a standardized grid system that serves multiple functions: structural support for equipment, integration of electrical conduits, pneumatic lines, and data cabling. This single universal infrastructure replaces the need for separate custom-fabricated systems for each utility type, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-existing support structures and utilities are retained, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but equipment relocation and addition are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict between cost and adaptability by adding a third dimension - installing the grid system and conduits in the plenum space above the ceiling rather than within the ceiling plane itself. This vertical separation allows the infrastructure to be accessible for reconfiguration while maintaining a clean ceiling appearance and avoiding interference with existing building structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ceiling space is cleared for new equipment installation, then equipment placement is enabled, but installation time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically improves installation efficiency by applying preliminary action - the entire grid system, conduit routing, and utility connections are pre-installed and configured during construction. When equipment needs to be installed or relocated, workers simply attach to existing grid points and connect to pre-positioned conduits, reducing installation time from days to hours and eliminating the need for ceiling removal labor.
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-fabricated universal operating room ceiling system including red iron steel support frames and a track assembly immediately above the ceiling in the interstitial space of the operating room for supporting medical equipment including medical gas lines and electrical and data cabling and heating, ventilation and cooling trunk lines and ducts for reducing interference with such systems when installing or moving operating room equipment.