Aseptic Isolator Airflow Layout for Safer Filter Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolator devices face challenges in maintaining a high-level aseptic/dustless state and preventing leakage of chemical substances and microorganisms, particularly due to complex structures and high maintenance costs, as well as difficulties in ensuring safety during filter replacement and leak testing.
Innovation Solution
The isolator device features a double-wall configuration with unidirectional airflow and strategically positioned air outlets to maintain aseptic conditions and prevent contamination, along with a filter unit for air purification that allows for easy replacement and leak testing, reducing the risk of contamination and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a glass window, glove, and opening/closing door are provided in the isolator device, then the worker can perform work and equipment can be carried in/out, but the airtight shielding performance is destroyed and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid seal (mercury or oil) is introduced as an intermediary substance to create an airtight barrier at the opening/closing door and glove interfaces. The liquid seal fills the gaps and irregularities between components, maintaining negative pressure containment while allowing operational access through the isolator walls.
2Reliability
If air pressure in the chamber is adjusted to maintain positive or negative pressure, then contamination prevention is improved, but pressure difference cannot be maintained all the time due to outside air pressure fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid seal automatically adjusts to pressure changes and self-regulates the sealing function. When pressure differences occur, the liquid seal level adjusts accordingly, maintaining the airtight barrier without requiring active control systems or external intervention to compensate for outside pressure fluctuations.
3Reliability
If a complex structure with multiple sealing components is used to prevent leakage, then shielding performance is improved, but maintenance cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical sealing system is replaced by extracting the sealing function into a simple liquid seal mechanism. Instead of using multiple moving seals, gaskets, and adjustment mechanisms, the patent uses a stationary liquid barrier that passively provides sealing through its physical properties, dramatically simplifying the overall structure.
4Reliability
If a filter is used to purify air and prevent chemical substance leakage, then safety is improved, but filter replacement poses contamination risk and requires complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within a sealed cartridge assembly that can be removed as a single unit. The cartridge contains the filter element along with pre-installed sealing components, allowing the entire filter assembly to be extracted and replaced through a single access point without exposing the internal chamber or creating contamination pathways during the replacement process.
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 configuration ensures high-level safety and efficiency in maintaining aseptic conditions and preventing chemical substance leakage, while reducing maintenance costs and improving the safety and ease of filter replacement and leak testing.
Implementation Method 1
an opening/closing door by which equipment is carried into the chamber or maintenance works are performed is provided
Implementation Method 2
purifies outside air by a filter and supplies it into the chamber and also purifies the air in the chamber by the filter and discharges it to the outside
Implementation Method 3
air supply means for supplying unidirectional airflow traveling from an upper part to a lower part in the work chamber
Implementation Method 4
air discharge means for discharging the unidirectional airflow from a lower part of the work chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An isolator device having a work chamber, air supply means for supplying air of a unidirectional airflow traveling from an upper part to a lower part in the work chamber, and air discharge means for discharging air of the unidirectional airflow from a lower part of the work chamber are provided, and moreover, a bulkhead provided in parallel with a peripheral wall portion of the work chamber along the air of the unidirectional airflow and longitudinal air outlets opened along a width direction of a lower end portion in a lower part of the lower end portion of the bulkhead and attached so as to oppose an air inlet portion by a filter unit for air purification is provided.