Vacuum Pad Fluid Collection System for Surgical Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical procedures like C-sections, there is a challenge in effectively monitoring and managing fluid loss, particularly blood loss, as it can be concealed by surgical drapes, making it difficult for surgeons to visually assess the extent and rate of bleeding, which can be dangerous if excessive.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pad system that collects and monitors fluid loss by using a vacuum pad placed under the patient, connected to a canister and vacuum source, with sensors to measure fluid volume and rate, and a suspension system to detect changes, providing real-time data and alerts if thresholds are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vacuum pad system with sensors and vacuum source is used to collect and monitor fluid loss, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pad system is divided into distinct functional modules: the pad structure with collection channels, the vacuum source unit, the canister for fluid storage, and the sensor system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum pad serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects fluid through vacuum suction, provides a platform for sensor placement, supports the patient's body, and integrates with the monitoring system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Loss of information
If sensors and monitoring systems are integrated into the vacuum pad, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is integrated directly into the vacuum pad structure, merging the collection function with the monitoring function. This integration ensures that fluid loss data is captured at the source without requiring separate monitoring devices, thereby reducing information loss while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through sensors that continuously monitor fluid collection and provide data to the monitoring system. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking of fluid loss throughout the procedure, reducing information loss while using a relatively simple sensor-and-display architecture.
3Reliability
If a vacuum pad with multiple components is used for fluid collection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pad system is pre-assembled with the vacuum source, canister, and sensor components configured before use. The vacuum pathway is pre-established through the pad structure, and the sensor is positioned in advance. This preliminary configuration reduces setup complexity and improves ease of operation while maintaining reliable fluid collection functionality.
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 allows for accurate collection and monitoring of fluid loss, enabling timely intervention to prevent excessive bleeding, with the ability to display data and trigger alarms if critical thresholds are met, ensuring safer surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the canister such that the vacuum source creates a pressure difference to move the fluid from the patient's body into the canister
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pad may include a first layer, a top layer that at least partially forms a top surface of the vacuum pad, a plurality of holes extending through the top layer into an interior space located between at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the top layer, an outlet tube in fluid communication with the interior space, a raised barrier that surrounds the plurality of holes, a plurality of dividers located in the interior space that extend along the first layer from a first end of the respective divider located adjacent to the outlet tube, and at least one spacer located in the interior space that has a different shape than the plurality of dividers. The vacuum pad may include at least one channel and at least one collection area located in the interior space.