Blood Purification Coupler Ultraviolet Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Couplers connected to blood purifiers are difficult to sterilize due to their design, which makes them prone to contamination when exposed to air, and existing cleaning methods are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light source unit that emits ultraviolet light within the couplers to sterilize their interior, along with a control device that manages the cleaning process and powers the light source unit in a contactless manner, ensuring the couplers remain sanitized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupler connection part has a female connector shape for detachable connection, then the coupler can be easily connected and disconnected, but the connection part becomes difficult to clean and sterilize by wiping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning method (wiping with alcohol) with a light-based sterilization method (ultraviolet irradiation). The light source unit emits ultraviolet light to sterilize the female connector shape internally, eliminating the need for manual wiping while maintaining the detachable connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If the coupler is detached from the blood purifier, then the route can be cleaned or sterilized, but the coupler comes into contact with ambient air and may be contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sterilizationVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary sterilization by equipping the coupler with a light source unit that sterilizes the connection part before detachment. This preliminary action ensures the coupler is already sanitized when removed from the blood purifier, reducing contamination risk from ambient air exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupler performs self-sterilization through its integrated light source unit, which automatically or manually activates to irradiate and sterilize the connection part. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external sterilization processes and maintains sanitation independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If alcohol wiping is used to clean the connection part, then some surface contamination can be removed, but the female connector shape makes thorough cleaning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidresidual contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cleaning (alcohol wiping) with optical sterilization (ultraviolet irradiation). The light source unit penetrates and sterilizes the female connector shape thoroughly, eliminating residual contamination that mechanical wiping cannot reach while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ultraviolet light effectively sterilizes the couplers, maintaining them in a sanitized condition and simplifying the sterilization process, reducing the risk of contamination and improving maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

At least one of the supply side coupler and the discharge side coupler includes a light source unit configured to irradiate an interior of the coupler with ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light sterilization: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11850343B2Blood purification device and coupler

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 NIKKISO CO LTD

AI summary

A blood purification device includes: a control device that controls supply of a dialysis solution to a blood purifier; a dialysis solution supply tube in which a dialysis solution flows from the control device toward the blood purifier; a dialysis solution discharge tube in which the dialysis solution flows from the blood purifier toward the control device; a supply side coupler that connects between the dialysis solution supply tube and a dialysis solution inflow pipe of the blood purifier; and a discharge side coupler that connects between the dialysis solution discharge tube and a dialysis solution outflow pipe of the blood purifier. At least one of the supply side coupler and the discharge side coupler includes a light source unit configured to irradiate the interior of the coupler with ultraviolet light.