Autoclave Reducing Container for Short Sterilization Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autoclaves for sterilizing dental instruments are inefficient in reducing sterilization cycles without increasing costs or using smaller chambers, which limits their versatility and requires frequent operation, and existing maintenance appliances are complex, bulky, and affect sterility during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A standard-sized autoclave with a self-contained, small-volume sterilization container that can be quickly fitted and removed, allowing for flexible operation and integration with cleaning and lubrication appliances, reducing cycle time and maintaining sterility through a single appliance base capable of handling multiple containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the sterilisation chamber volume is reduced to shorten the sterilisation cycle, then the sterilisation time is reduced, but the autoclave can only handle light workloads and requires frequent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sterilisation process into two independent components: a standard-sized autoclave chamber for handling various workload sizes and a detachable reducing container that segments the treatment space. This allows the autoclave to maintain its full capacity while the reducing container provides accelerated sterilisation for small items, resolving the contradiction between cycle time and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducing container is designed to be nested within the standard autoclave chamber. When attached, it creates a smaller effective sterilisation volume for faster processing; when detached, the full chamber volume is available for larger workloads. This nesting approach allows the system to adapt between light and heavy workloads without requiring frequent operations.
2Loss of time
If the power of vacuum pump and steam generator is increased to reduce evacuation and drying times, then the sterilisation cycle time is reduced, but the purchasing cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing container extracts and concentrates the sterilisation process into a smaller, dedicated chamber with optimized geometry. This allows the existing vacuum pump and steam generator to achieve faster evacuation and drying times in the reduced volume without requiring increased power, as the smaller chamber volume naturally facilitates quicker processing with the same components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of sterilisation chamber volume by attaching the reducing container. This parameter change allows the same vacuum pump and steam generator to achieve shorter evacuation and drying times simply by operating in a smaller volume, without requiring increases in power or component specifications.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a smaller-volume sterilisation chamber is used to reduce sterilisation time, then the cycle time is reduced, but the autoclave price is slightly lower but requires frequent operation to manage heavier workloads
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic adaptability through the detachable reducing container. The autoclave can dynamically switch between two operational modes: using the reducing container for fast sterilisation of small items, or using the full chamber for larger workloads. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to varying workload requirements while maintaining short cycle times when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducing container serves multiple functions: it acts as a sterilisation chamber, a transport container for instruments, and a storage vessel. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would otherwise require multiple specialized appliances, providing versatility in workload management while maintaining short sterilisation cycles for small items.
4Productivity
If separate maintenance appliances are used for cleaning, lubrication and drying of handpieces, then the maintenance functions are performed quickly and effectively, but the system becomes complex and bulky requiring additional space and manual transfers affecting sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing container merges multiple maintenance functions (sterilisation, drying, and instrument handling) into a single integrated device. Instruments remain contained within the reducing container throughout the entire process, eliminating the need for manual transfers between separate appliances. This consolidation maintains fast maintenance operation speeds while reducing system complexity and improving sterility maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducing container acts as an intermediary sealed environment that facilitates maintenance operations without requiring instruments to be exposed to the external environment. It serves as a mediator between the maintenance processes and the instruments, allowing cleaning, lubrication and drying to occur in a controlled, sterile setting without needing multiple separate appliances.
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 solution enables shorter sterilization cycles with reduced costs, improved flexibility, and enhanced sterility maintenance, allowing for efficient handling and storage of instruments without exposing them to the external environment.
Implementation Method 1
evacuation times—which evacuation encompasses alternating steps of positive-pressure and negative-pressure impulses—of the sterilisation chamber
Implementation Method 2
the use of small-sized autoclaves to sterilise small manual instruments or dental handpieces
Data Source
AI summary
An autoclave for the sterilization of clinical dental instruments is described, of the type comprising a sterilization chamber (1) equipped with a series of appliance fittings (4) for the inflow and outflow of fluids, and apt to contain a load of instruments onto which to carry through a sterilization cycle, characterized in that said appliance fittings (4) are gathered on at least one connection body or partition (3), with which a reducing container (7) is quickly able to be engaged and disengaged, which container has a volume apt to contain at least one instrument to be sterilized, the inner volume of such container (7) communicating with said appliance fittings (4) and said container (7) being apt to be entirely contained within said sterilization chamber (1). The small-volume container for said autoclave is further described, as well as a full treatment system employing said container.