Aseptic Manipulation System Ventilation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aseptic manipulation systems face challenges in maintaining a high cleanliness grade in environments not highly controlled, such as cell-processing centers, due to cumbersome object introduction processes and potential contamination from air flow between pass boxes and air-lock chambers.
Innovation Solution
An aseptic manipulation system comprising an aseptic manipulation chamber, a decontamination chamber, and ventilation mechanisms, with a control unit that monitors and controls the open-closed states of inlet, outlet, and communication portions, and ventilates the chambers to maintain desired cleanliness grades, using hydrogen peroxide vapor for decontamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pass boxes and air-lock chambers are used to maintain aseptic conditions, then the cleanliness grade of the aseptic manipulation chamber is maintained, but the object introduction process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The decontamination chamber is divided into two separate operation chambers (first and second) with distinct functions. The first operation chamber handles initial decontamination and the second operation chamber handles final decontamination before entering the aseptic manipulation chamber. This segmentation allows streamlined object introduction while maintaining cleanliness grades through controlled ventilation in each chamber.
2Ease of operation
If air-lock chambers are frequently opened to introduce objects, then object introduction is enabled, but the cleanliness of the air-lock chambers and pass boxes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary decontamination actions in the first operation chamber before objects enter the second operation chamber. By pre-decontaminating objects and ventilating the first operation chamber multiple times before transferring objects, the system prevents contamination from propagating to the aseptic manipulation chamber, enabling frequent object introduction without compromising cleanliness.
3Reliability
If the number of ventilation cycles is increased to maintain cleanliness, then the aseptic condition is better maintained, but the energy consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation process is segmented into two distinct phases: intensive ventilation of the first operation chamber (5-10 times) before object transfer, and moderate ventilation of the second operation chamber (3-5 times) after object transfer. This segmented approach maintains aseptic conditions effectively while reducing total ventilation time compared to uniform high-frequency ventilation throughout the entire 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
The system effectively maintains aseptic conditions by ensuring the aseptic manipulation chamber remains at a high cleanliness grade (A) even in a grade D environment, preventing contamination and maintaining cleanliness through controlled ventilation and decontamination processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first ventilation mechanism for ventilating the inside of the first operation chamber, and a second ventilation mechanism for ventilating the inside of the second operation chamber
Implementation Method 2
using hydrogen peroxide vapor for decontamination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(1)~3(4)
AI summary
An aseptic manipulation system comprises first and second operation chambers, an aseptic manipulation chamber, and a control unit. The control unit controls the ventilation of the first operation chamber for more than a first specified number of times, after an object is introduced into the first operation chamber, and ventilate the second operation chamber for more than a second specified number of times that is greater than the first specified number of times, after the object is transferred into the second operation chamber from the first chamber.