Biological cleanup kit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spill cleanup kits are inadequate for large incidents, often require users to work close to infectious materials, and may not effectively contain spills due to imperfect seals, leading to cross-contamination risks and environmental concerns, while also being costly and non-biodegradable.

Innovation Solution

A portable, disposable cleanup kit with innovative components such as a dustpan with an adhesive strip and super-absorbent polymer, a foldable design, and biodegradable materials that form a self-sealing barrier to contain spills, reducing cross-contamination and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dustpans are used, then spills can be collected, but the dustpan permits material to spread underneath or around it due to imperfect seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment effectivenessVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive strip is applied to the dustpan before use, creating a pre-prepared sealing mechanism that ensures complete containment from the moment the dustpan contacts the spill material, preventing any spread underneath or around the edges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If disposable components are used, then cross-contamination is reduced, but the material cost drives up the price of the overall kit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-contamination preventionVSAvoidkit cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dustpan is designed as a disposable component made from inexpensive materials with an integrated adhesive strip, allowing single-use containment that eliminates cross-contamination risk while keeping individual component costs low enough to make the overall kit affordable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If common multipurpose disinfectants are used, then disinfection is achieved, but the pathogen kill time is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidpathogen kill time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pathogen kill function is extracted from the containment process by using a disposable dustpan that physically removes and isolates spill material immediately, achieving effective disinfection through physical separation rather than chemical treatment, thereby eliminating the long wait time associated with chemical disinfectants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If non-biodegradable materials are used, then durability is improved, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dustpan material parameters are changed from conventional durable plastics to biodegradable materials that maintain sufficient structural integrity for single-use containment applications, achieving the right balance between adequate durability for the task and environmental friendliness for disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 kit effectively contains and disinfects biological spills, minimizing user exposure and environmental harm, while being cost-effective and scalable for larger incidents, with components that are safe and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive strip has a super-absorbent polymer proximate edges of the tape wherein the super-absorbent polymer is configured to react with moisture and form a barrier to seal the edges of the tape to a surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper-absorbent polymer: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

absorbent powder configured to be used to absorb the bodily fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11207714B2Biological cleanup kit

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 NORTHFIELD MEDICAL MANUFACTURING LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a kit for cleaning biological fluids from a surface. The kit comprises at least one protective article of clothing, absorbent powder, a trash bag, surface sanitizer, an absorbent towel, a scraper, a handle, and a dustpan. The dustpan is configured to be securely coupled to the handle. The dustpan has a lid and a base and can alternate between an open position and a self-sealing closed position. In the closed position the base and lid define an interior volume having a height along a y-axis, a width along an x-axis, and a depth along a z-axis. An adhesive strip is coupled to a lip of the dustpan and is configured to interact with a surface and temporarily engage the dustpan with the surface. The absorbent powder is a mixture of a super absorbent polymer and perlite.