Breast Imaging UV Disinfection Controller Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiodiagnostic apparatuses face challenges in ensuring uniform disinfection of contaminated areas due to manual operation of disinfectant solutions, and irradiation with ultraviolet light poses risks to human exposure.
Innovation Solution
A radiodiagnostic apparatus equipped with an ultraviolet light source that performs disinfection while a controller ensures minimal human exposure by prohibiting irradiation when certain conditions are met, such as the presence of a person, using a camera or moving body detection sensor to determine safety, and switching between operation modes to optimize power consumption and disinfection timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual disinfection using disinfectant solution is performed, then disinfection can be carried out, but nonuniformity of disinfection occurs due to manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical disinfection operations with an automated ultraviolet light irradiation system. The controller automatically controls the ultraviolet light source to irradiate contaminated places, eliminating the need for manual application of disinfectant solutions and ensuring uniform disinfection coverage without human error or inconsistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service disinfection by automatically detecting contaminated places and controlling the ultraviolet light source to disinfect them without requiring operator intervention. The controller manages the entire disinfection process, including timing and duration, based on detection signals from sensors or input from the input unit.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiation is performed for disinfection, then nonuniformity of disinfection is reduced, but human exposure to ultraviolet light becomes a risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the disinfection process by continuously monitoring for the presence of persons through detection units (camera or moving body detection sensor). The controller activates or deactivates the ultraviolet light source based on real-time detection results, ensuring that disinfection is performed only when safe, thereby eliminating human exposure risk while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detection units provide real-time information about the presence of persons to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the operation of the ultraviolet light source, activating it when no persons are detected and deactivating it when persons are present, thus preventing harmful exposure while ensuring thorough disinfection.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiation is continuously performed, then disinfection effectiveness is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic disinfection by controlling the ultraviolet light source to operate only during necessary periods. The controller activates the light source for predetermined time periods when contamination is detected or during scheduled intervals, and deactivates it during unnecessary periods, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective disinfection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of contamination or prediction of disinfection needs before activating the ultraviolet light source. Detection units or the input unit identify when disinfection is required, allowing the controller to activate the light source only at appropriate times, avoiding continuous operation and reducing power consumption while ensuring disinfection effectiveness when needed.
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 effectively reduces nonuniformity of disinfection and minimizes human exposure to ultraviolet light, ensuring thorough disinfection while maintaining safety and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light source that performs irradiation of ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
A breast imaging apparatus includes a radiation source that irradiates a breast of a subject with radiation, a radiation detector that detects the radiation transmitted through the breast to output a radiographic image, an ultraviolet light source that performs irradiation of ultraviolet light, and a controller that controls an operation of the ultraviolet light source. The controller prohibits the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet light source in a case where a predetermined set condition is satisfied. The controller determines that the set condition is satisfied, for example, in a case where a person is shown in a captured image of a camera.