Antimicrobial Copper Digital Thermometer Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital thermometers used in medical settings are prone to microbial contamination, contributing to the spread of infectious diseases due to their plastic construction and frequent contact with patients, despite the lack of proper disinfection, as pathogens can survive on these surfaces for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
The development of a digital thermometer with an external surface made of antimicrobial copper or coated with antimicrobial copper, specifically for the body, battery cover, power button, and tip, which effectively neutralizes pathogens without the need for disinfectants, leveraging the bacteriostatic properties of copper to reduce infection transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If digital thermometers are made with plastic construction for ease of manufacture and low cost, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but microbial contamination and infection transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the thermometer body from plastic to copper, specifically utilizing copper's inherent antimicrobial properties. This parameter change transforms the surface characteristics to actively eliminate pathogens through copper's bactericidal effects, thereby reducing microbial contamination while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material construction where copper serves as the primary antimicrobial material for the body, battery cover, and tip, while allowing the display to remain separate. This composite approach combines the antimicrobial benefits of copper with the functional requirements of digital display technology, achieving both infection control and ease of manufacture
2Productivity
If thermometers are used frequently by multiple patients without strict disinfection, then productivity and usage efficiency are improved, but pathogen survival and infection spread increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the thermometer to self-disinfect through copper's inherent antimicrobial properties. The copper surface automatically eliminates pathogens through contact, without requiring external disinfection agents or procedures. This self-service mechanism maintains infection control reliability even during frequent use by multiple patients
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial action of copper continues continuously as long as pathogens contact the surface, providing ongoing protection during frequent use. The copper material maintains its bactericidal activity over time, ensuring continuous infection control without interruption or additional intervention
3Reliability
If copper material is used for the entire external surface, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies copper material specifically to areas where antimicrobial effectiveness is most needed: the body, battery cover, and tip that directly contact patients. The display area is excluded from copper construction, allowing it to use separate materials optimized for display functionality. This localized application maintains high antimicrobial effectiveness while reducing manufacturing complexity
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 antimicrobial copper surface significantly reduces microbial contamination by eliminating >99.9% of pathogens within hours, preventing the spread of infections in hospitals and healthcare facilities, complementing regular cleaning protocols and providing long-term hygiene improvement.
Implementation Method 1
copper and some of its alloys, have antibacterial and bacteriostatic abilities, meaning, they have the capacity to eliminate or inactivate microbes such as bacteria, fungi (including mold) and viruses
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Due to the antimicrobial-bacteriostatic properties of copper and its alloys with antimicrobial properties, it is achieved naturally—without any further interference, i.e. without disinfectants use—the neutralization of pathogenic microbes that infest the thermometer body, therefore it is achieved limitation of their further dispersion.