Multi-cavity transfer system
By integrating a transfer window and interlocking device into the vacuum drying cabinet, the problem of the long distance between the transfer window and the drying equipment is solved, enabling rapid return of instruments and prevention of cross-contamination, improving the efficiency and safety of medical device processing, and meeting the needs of hospitals for efficient management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NORTHERN JIANGSU PEOPLES HOSPITAL
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the distance between the transfer window and the drying equipment is long, resulting in low medical device processing efficiency, increased hospital operating costs, and difficulty in meeting the high-efficiency processing needs of modern hospitals.
Design a multi-chamber transfer system that integrates the transfer window into a vacuum drying cabinet. Employ interlocking devices and vacuum drying technology to achieve rapid instrument return and prevent cross-contamination. Improve operational efficiency and safety through floating trays and intercoms.
It significantly improves the continuity and efficiency of medical device processing, reduces labor costs, prevents cross-contamination, meets the standard requirements for hospital infection control, and improves drying efficiency and operational safety and accuracy.
Smart Images
Figure CN224175468U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of transfer equipment technology, specifically a multi-chamber transfer system. Background Technology
[0002] In the reprocessing of reusable medical devices in modern hospitals, to ensure the flow of items from contaminated to clean and to guarantee the safety of device use, the work area of the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) is divided into three zones: a cleaning and decontamination zone, an inspection and packaging zone, and a sterile storage zone. The cleaning and decontamination zone is where contaminated devices are cleaned and disinfected, while the inspection and packaging zone is where cleaned, disinfected, and dried devices are inspected, packaged, and sterilized. These two zones are physically separated by walls. Drying equipment, such as vacuum drying cabinets and high-temperature drying cabinets, as well as cleaning equipment, such as spray cleaning machines, are embedded in the walls. The doors on both sides of the drying equipment connect to the cleaning and decontamination zone and the inspection and packaging zone, respectively. Pass-through windows are also installed in the walls.
[0003] During the specific operation, depending on the type of medical device, staff will choose to clean it manually or using cleaning equipment. Devices that have been manually cleaned or that have not dried sufficiently after cleaning and disinfection using equipment must be transferred to a drying device for further drying. After drying, staff in the inspection and packaging area directly open the cabinet door of the drying device facing the inspection and packaging area, remove the device, and conduct cleaning quality checks and other related inspections. If the cleaning quality and other inspections are satisfactory, the device is packaged and sterilized, and then stored in the sterile goods storage area. If the cleaning inspection is unsatisfactory, staff need to return the device to the cleaning and decontamination area through the pass-through window for re-cleaning.
[0004] However, existing technologies have obvious drawbacks. Because there is a certain distance between the transfer window and the drying equipment, staff need to walk from the drying equipment to the transfer window to return the unqualified instruments. The entire transfer process affects the efficiency of medical device processing, increases hospital operating costs, and makes it difficult to meet the needs of modern hospitals for efficient medical device processing. Utility Model Content
[0005] This invention provides a multi-chamber transfer system to solve the problems of inconvenience and low efficiency in the transfer process of existing technologies.
[0006] This application provides the following technical solution:
[0007] A multi-chamber transfer system includes a vacuum drying cabinet embedded in a wall. The vacuum drying cabinet has a cleaning and decontamination area on one side and an inspection and packaging area on the other. The vacuum drying cabinet includes a drying chamber and a transfer chamber. A first door is provided on both the side of the drying chamber facing the cleaning and decontamination area and the side facing the inspection and packaging area. A second door and a third door are provided on the side of the transfer chamber facing the cleaning and decontamination area and the side facing the inspection and packaging area, respectively. Interlocking devices are provided on the second and third doors. A base plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer chamber. The interlocking devices include a controller, a first electromagnetic lock and a second electromagnetic lock fixedly mounted on the second and third doors, respectively, and a first micro switch and a second micro switch fixedly mounted on the base plate facing the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area, respectively. The controller is electrically connected to the first electromagnetic lock, the second electromagnetic lock, the first micro switch, and the second micro switch.
[0008] 1. This solution integrates the pass-through window into the vacuum drying cabinet, completely resolving the issues of long distances between the pass-through window and the drying equipment, and the inconvenience of returning instruments in traditional layouts. When medical devices with substandard cleaning results are found in the packaging area, staff can quickly return them to the cleaning and decontamination area directly through the pass-through window on the vacuum drying cabinet without having to travel long distances. This significantly shortens the transfer path and time, substantially improves the continuity and efficiency of the medical device processing flow, effectively reduces labor costs, and provides strong support for efficient and convenient instrument processing management in hospital sterilization supply centers.
[0009] 2. The interlocking device, through the coordinated operation of the controller, electromagnetic lock and micro switch, ensures that the second and third doors will not open at the same time, avoiding airflow between the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area, thereby preventing possible cross-contamination, significantly enhancing the safety and reliability of the system, and better meeting the hospital infection control requirements of the disinfection supply center to ensure that the airflow is from clean to contaminated without backflow.
[0010] 3. This solution uses a vacuum drying cabinet. Compared with traditional drying methods, the vacuum drying cabinet can actively and quickly extract moisture from the inside of the tube through a negative pressure suction mechanism, overcoming the problem of moisture residue caused by the special structure of tube instruments, significantly improving drying efficiency and thoroughness, and ensuring that the drying effect of instruments reaches a high standard.
[0011] Furthermore, for the inspection of tubular medical devices, the current procedure requires removing the device and using specialized tools to examine the interior of the lumen one by one. If the device fails the inspection, it must be returned to the transfer window and then back to the cleaning and decontamination area for re-cleaning. This process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also highly susceptible to cross-contamination in the inspection and packaging area due to contact with residual wastewater or other contaminants within the lumen during the removal and transfer process, increasing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. This proposed solution utilizes a vacuum drying cabinet with an integrated transfer window. After the devices have dried, staff in the inspection and packaging area can observe whether wastewater has been extracted from the vacuum drying cabinet to help determine if the tubular medical devices have been properly cleaned and dried. If wastewater or contaminants are extracted, the device can be returned on-site through the integrated transfer window. This "in-situ inspection - immediate return" model significantly shortens the processing cycle for problematic devices, reduces ineffective transfer steps, and avoids the risk of contaminant spillage at the source, reducing the potential for contamination in the inspection and packaging area and meeting the standards for hospital infection control.
[0012] Furthermore, as an improvement, a tray for placing items is floating on the base plate, a third micro switch is fixedly installed on the base plate below the tray, and warning lights are fixedly installed on both the second and third doors. The third micro switch and the warning lights are electrically connected to the controller.
[0013] Beneficial Effects: The most significant benefit of this improvement lies in the real-time monitoring and automatic feedback of item status achieved through the combination of the floating tray and the third micro switch, ensuring efficient and accurate transfer. Specifically, the floating tray can sensitively detect the placement of items and, under the weight of the items, trigger the third micro switch, causing an alarm light to illuminate and notifying staff in the cleaning / decontamination area or the packaging inspection area that the next step can be performed. This design not only simplifies the operational process and reduces the need for manual inspection but also avoids operational delays caused by information lag.
[0014] Furthermore, as an improvement, a transparent observation window is provided in the middle of the first, second, and third hatches.
[0015] Beneficial effects: Staff can monitor the status of items inside the drying and transfer chambers in real time and visually without opening the doors, ensuring the safety and accuracy of operations. For example, if drying or placement is found to be substandard, measures can be taken promptly to stop the operation.
[0016] Furthermore, as an improvement, a compression spring is provided between the base plate and the tray, the compression spring being fixedly connected to the top of the base plate and the bottom of the tray, respectively.
[0017] Beneficial effects: The most prominent benefit of this improvement lies in the floating function of the tray achieved through the elastic support of the compression spring, ensuring stability and precise feedback during the placement and retrieval of items. The presence of the compression spring allows the tray to automatically return to its original position after items are removed, preparing it for the next use, improving work efficiency, and ensuring smooth transitions between each step.
[0018] Furthermore, as an improvement, wired intercoms are provided on the vacuum drying cabinet on one side of the inspection and packaging area and the other side of the cleaning and decontamination area. Beneficial effects
[0019] Beneficial Effects: Due to zoning and the use of noisy equipment such as air guns in the cleaning and decontamination area, currently, when returning equipment through the pass-through window, it is necessary to shout to contact personnel in the cleaning and decontamination area, causing inconvenience in actual work. The most significant improvement of this solution is that by installing a wired intercom, it ensures that staff in the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area can communicate in real time, reducing information transmission delays and the risk of misoperation. Specifically, staff can use the intercom to instantly confirm the status of items, transfer progress, and any abnormalities without having to shout to communicate with personnel in the other area, simplifying the operation process and improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of a first embodiment of the multi-chamber delivery system of this utility model;
[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Axonometric view of the middle transfer compartment when the second door is opened;
[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Front view of the middle tray and bottom plate;
[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Axonometric view of the first micro switch in the middle. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:
[0025] The markings in the accompanying drawings include: wall 100, drying chamber 200, first door 201, intercom 202, transfer chamber 300, second door 301, first electromagnetic lock 302, first micro switch 303, base plate 304, tray 305, compression spring 306, third micro switch 307, and warning light 308. Example 1
[0026] like Figures 1-4As shown, a multi-chamber transfer system includes a vacuum drying cabinet embedded in a wall 100. The two sides of the vacuum drying cabinet are a relatively independent cleaning and decontamination area and an inspection and packaging area, respectively. The cleaning and decontamination area is located in... Figure 1 The front view shown indicates that the inspection packaging area is located there. Figure 1 On the reverse side, the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area are separated by a wall 100. The vacuum drying cabinet has a multi-chamber structure. Specifically, the vacuum drying cabinet includes two drying chambers 200 and a transfer chamber 300 located between the two drying chambers 200. The drying chamber 200 and the transfer chamber 300 are respectively chambers for drying and chambers for transferring items.
[0027] The drying chamber 200 has a first door 201 on the side facing the cleaning and decontamination area and on the side facing the inspection and packaging area, making it a two-way door structure. A transparent observation window is located in the middle of the first door 201. The first door 201 is connected to the chamber body of the drying chamber 200 by a hinge. Personnel in the cleaning and decontamination area place the medical surgical instruments to be dried into the drying chamber 200, then close the first door 201, turn on the power, and set appropriate drying parameters, such as temperature, vacuum level, and drying time, using the control panel located on the top of the vacuum drying cabinet. The temperature range is generally between room temperature and 60℃, and the drying time is set according to the type and quantity of instruments. The main working principle of the vacuum drying cabinet is based on the principle that the boiling point of water decreases under low pressure, causing the moisture adhering to the inside and outside of the instruments to boil and vaporize at a lower temperature, thus quickly separating from the instruments. Simultaneously, the vacuum pump rapidly extracts the vaporized steam, and the return air valve intermittently opens to accelerate the gas flow within the chamber, achieving the goal of rapid and thorough drying of the instruments. The details of how vacuum drying is achieved are not elaborated here. It is worth mentioning that a set of intercoms 202 are installed on the two first doors 201 of the drying chamber 200 located at the top of the vacuum drying cabinet. In this embodiment, the intercoms 202 include two sets of intercom speakers and intercom microphones facing the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area, and the sound is transmitted by wired connection. The staff in the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area can communicate at any time through the intercoms 202.
[0028] The main function of the transfer compartment 300 is to transfer items between the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area. The transfer compartment 300 is equipped with a second door 301 on the side facing the cleaning and decontamination area and a third door on the side facing the inspection and packaging area, respectively. That is, the transfer compartment 300 is also a two-way door structure. The second door 301 and the third door are provided with a transparent observation window in the middle. The second door 301 and the third door are respectively connected to the body of the transfer compartment 300 by hinges. An interlocking device is provided between the second door 301 and the third door. The transfer compartment 300 is equipped with a bottom plate 304.
[0029] In this embodiment, the interlocking device includes a controller installed inside the vacuum drying cabinet, a first electromagnetic lock 302 and a second electromagnetic lock respectively fixed on the second door 301 and the third door, and a first micro switch 303 and a second micro switch respectively fixed on the bottom plate 304 facing the cleaning and decontamination area and facing the inspection and packaging area. All of the above components are powered by the vacuum drying cabinet's own power supply. The controller is electrically connected to the first electromagnetic lock 302, the second electromagnetic lock, the first micro switch 303, and the second micro switch by wires.
[0030] A tray 305 for placing items is floating on the base plate 304. In this embodiment, the floating of the tray 305 is achieved by a compression spring 306 disposed between the base plate 304 and the tray 305. The compression spring 306 is fixedly connected to the top of the base plate 304 and the bottom of the tray 305, respectively. A third micro switch 307 is fixedly disposed on the base plate 304 below the tray 305. Warning lights 308 are fixedly disposed on both the second door 301 and the third door. The third micro switch 307 and the warning lights 308 are electrically connected to the controller.
[0031] The specific application process is as follows:
[0032] During use, staff in the cleaning and decontamination area place the instruments to be dried into the drying chamber 200, then close the first door 201 and turn on the power to dry the items. After drying, staff in the inspection and packaging area open the first door 201 on top of the drying chamber 200 facing the inspection and packaging area, and remove the instruments from the drying chamber 200 for cleaning effect inspection and other related checks. If the cleaning effect inspection and other related checks are qualified, subsequent steps such as packaging and sterilization are carried out.
[0033] If the cleaning effect fails the inspection, the staff in the inspection and packaging area open the third door on the transfer chamber 300 and place the defective instruments onto the tray 305 inside the transfer chamber 300. The tray 305, under the pressure of the items, sinks and compresses the spring 306. When the bottom of the tray 305 contacts the third microswitch 307, the third microswitch 307 transmits a signal indicating that there are items on the tray 305 to the controller. The controller then activates the warning light 308 on the second door 301. Upon seeing the warning light 308, the staff in the cleaning and packaging area open the second door 301 to retrieve the returned instruments for further cleaning. During this process, the staff in the inspection and packaging area can also use the intercom 202 to call out to the staff in the cleaning and decontamination area to remind them to retrieve the instruments.
[0034] The purpose of the interlock device is to prevent the second hatch 301 and the third hatch from opening simultaneously. The specific implementation process is as follows: Taking the second hatch 301 as an example, when the second hatch 301 is opened, the button on the first micro switch 303 facing the cleaning and decontamination area will remain in the free state, that is, it will not be in contact with the second hatch 301, and will transmit the signal of the second hatch 301 being open to the controller. At this time, the controller will switch the second electromagnetic lock on the third hatch from the state where it can be opened freely to the state of being locked, so that the third hatch cannot be opened when the second hatch 301 is opened, and vice versa, thereby achieving interlocking. Example 2
[0035] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that an interlocking device is also provided on the drying chamber 200. The specific implementation of this interlocking device in this embodiment refers to the interlocking device on the transfer chamber 300. Workers located in the inspection and packaging area and the cleaning and decontamination area can transfer items within the drying chamber 200, while the transfer chamber 300 is used when the drying chamber 200 cannot be opened during operation. Example 3
[0036] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the controller is also electrically connected to a timer and an alarm. When the instruments on tray 305 are removed, the third microswitch 307 can send a signal to the controller indicating that there are no instruments on tray 305. The controller then controls the timer to start timing, and after the timing is complete, it controls the alarm to sound. This setup can prompt the staff in the cleaning and decontamination area to promptly put the returned and processed instruments back into the vacuum drying cabinet for further drying.
[0037] The above are merely embodiments of this utility model, and the utility model is not limited to the field covered by this embodiment. Commonly known structures and characteristics in the solutions are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of this utility model, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model. These modifications will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.
Claims
1. A multi-chamber delivery system, characterized in that: The system includes a vacuum drying cabinet embedded in a wall. The vacuum drying cabinet has a cleaning and decontamination area on one side and an inspection and packaging area on the other. The vacuum drying cabinet includes a drying chamber and a transfer chamber. A first door is provided on the drying chamber facing both the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area. A second door and a third door are provided on the transfer chamber facing both the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area, respectively. Interlocking devices are installed on the second and third doors. A base plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer chamber. The interlocking devices include a controller, a first electromagnetic lock and a second electromagnetic lock fixedly installed on the second and third doors, respectively, and a first micro switch and a second micro switch fixedly installed on the base plate facing the cleaning and decontamination area and the inspection and packaging area, respectively. The controller is electrically connected to the first electromagnetic lock, the second electromagnetic lock, the first micro switch, and the second micro switch.
2. The multi-chamber delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tray for placing items is floating on the base plate. A third micro switch is fixedly installed on the base plate below the tray. Warning lights are fixedly installed on both the second and third doors. The third micro switch and the warning lights are electrically connected to the controller.
3. A multi-chamber delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A transparent observation window is provided in the middle of the first, second, and third hatches.
4. A multi-chamber delivery system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A compression spring is provided between the base plate and the tray, and the compression spring is fixedly connected to the top of the base plate and the bottom of the tray, respectively.
5. A multi-chamber delivery system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A wired intercom is installed on one side of the vacuum drying cabinet, located in the inspection and packaging area, and on the other side of the cleaning and decontamination area.