Contoured Sterilizing Element for Medical Device Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing medical connection sites, such as luer connections and needle access ports, are inadequate due to the limitations of small, flimsy antiseptic towelettes that fail to effectively clean complex surfaces, leading to a higher risk of patient infection.
Innovation Solution
A contoured, pre-moistened sterilizing element that is shaped to fit various medical device surfaces, allowing for effective wiping and application of an anti-pathogenic agent to both inner and outer surfaces, and is contained within a flexible housing that can be easily opened and used with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small folded antiseptic towelette is used to sterilize connection end-sites, then the sterilizing process is simple and quick, but the towelette cannot adequately contact complex surfaces, threads, lumens, and septums due to its small size and flimsy characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizing device is segmented into multiple functional components: an expandable body that can be compressed into a compact form for storage and expanded to a larger form for effective sterilization. This segmentation allows the device to maintain both portability and adequate surface coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizing towelette incorporates an expandable structure that transitions from a compressed compact state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic transformation enables the device to adapt its size and shape to effectively contact complex surfaces, threads, lumens, and septums while remaining portable for easy operation.
2Reliability
If a larger sterilizing device is used to adequately cover complex surfaces, then sterilization coverage is improved, but the device becomes less portable and more difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizing device employs a nested structure where the expandable body can be compressed into a compact form that fits within a housing or container. This nesting principle allows the large operational surface area to be stored in a small, portable format, enabling easy handling while maintaining adequate sterilization coverage when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device features a dynamic size transformation capability, transitioning from a compact portable state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic characteristic allows the sterilizing surface to be large enough for effective coverage when needed, while remaining small and easy to handle during storage and transport.
3Volume of moving object
If a non-expandable compact towelette is used, then the device remains small and easy to store, but it cannot form-fit to the various shapes and working aspects of medical components
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizing towelette incorporates an expandable structure that can dynamically change its volume and shape. When compressed, it maintains a small compact size for easy storage. When expanded, it can form-fit to various shapes and working aspects of medical components, providing both compactness and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in its physical state, transitioning from a compressed compact form to an expanded form that can adapt to different geometries. This parameter change enables the towelette to maintain small storage volume while achieving the versatility needed to conform to complex medical device surfaces during operation.
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 contoured sterilizing element ensures thorough disinfection of medical connection sites, reducing the risk of infection by providing a secure fit and efficient application of the anti-pathogenic agent, while its ergonomic design facilitates easy use, ensuring proper sterilization of complex surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a contoured, pre-moistened sterilizing element that is shaped to fit various medical device surfaces, allowing for effective wiping and application of an anti-pathogenic agent
Data Source
AI summary
A contoured sterilizing element is configured to conform to the outer and inner surfaces of a working end-site of a medical device such as a catheter hub, luer connector, luer component, needleless access site, and/or access port. The sterilizing element is made from absorbent material and can be pre-moistened or impregnated with an anti-pathogenic agent. The sterilizing element can be contained within a housing that is easily gripped and opened in one hand by the user. The sterilizing element is configured to wipe debris from and to sterilize and/or dry a working end-site of medical device, using a wiping, twisting, dabbing, push/pull, and/or screwing motion around all of the surface aspects of the device to be sterilized.