Aseptic Airlock Transfer with Adjustable Volume Decontamination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring objects under aseptic conditions from an airlock into a process chamber are inefficient and require significant technical effort to adapt to varying requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pressure-tight transfer unit with a housing that surrounds an airlock chamber with a pressure-tight transfer unit connected to the airlock, utilizing a housing with a pressure-tight sealable entrance gate, an outlet for objects, an inlet for decontamination agents, and a lockable transfer door, with specific steps for decontamination and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the airlock chamber volume is minimized to match the object volume, then the decontamination time is reduced and decontamination agent diffusion is minimized, but the flexibility to accommodate different object sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock chamber volume is made dynamically adjustable through movable walls that can be positioned to match the volume of objects to be transferred. This allows the airlock chamber to adapt its size to different object dimensions, minimizing free volume for each specific transfer operation, thereby reducing decontamination time and agent diffusion while maintaining flexibility for various object sizes.
2Productivity
If the airlock chamber is designed for minimal volume to reduce decontamination agent diffusion, then transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to adjustable volume mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock chamber incorporates movable walls with adjustable positions that can be configured to match the volume of objects to be transferred. This dynamic volume adjustment capability allows the system to minimize free airlock volume for each specific transfer operation, thereby improving transfer efficiency by reducing decontamination time and agent diffusion, while the mechanism itself remains relatively simple and integrated into the chamber structure.
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
This method minimizes the free airlock volume, allowing rapid decontamination and transfer of objects, thereby minimizing the diffusion of decontamination agents and allowing flexible design to meet varying requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The decontamination agent in the airlock chamber is atomized, e.g. by means of a two-fluid nozzle or by ultrasound
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for transferring objects (4) under aseptic conditions from an airlock (3) into the process chamber (21) of a containment (2), which is surrounded by a housing (20) and forms a pressure-tight transfer unit (1) with the airlock (3). A housing (30) of the airlock (3) surrounds an airlock chamber (31) with the airlock volume (VS). The airlock chamber (31) has a pressure-tight closable entrance gate (37) which, when open, allows access (33) from the outer installation room (A) for introducing objects (4) into the airlock chamber (31). Furthermore, the airlock (3) has an outlet (38) which is intended for transferring the objects (4) from the airlock chamber (31) into the process chamber (21). Furthermore, the lock (3) has an inlet (34) for introducing decontamination agents.