Dialysate Extraction Device Ultraviolet Disinfection Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dialysate-extracting apparatuses cannot effectively disinfect the collecting port without manual disinfecting work, leading to potential bacterial propagation issues.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an ultraviolet-applying device attached to the opening-and-closing device, which applies ultraviolet rays to the collecting port when in the closing position, ensuring disinfection without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cap is detachably attached to the collecting port to prevent dialysate leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but manual disinfection work is required which consumes time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoiddisinfection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs disinfection automatically using ultraviolet rays emitted from a light source within the cap structure. The dialysate flow itself activates the disinfection process by triggering the ultraviolet emission, eliminating the need for manual disinfection operations while maintaining continuous sealing protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Disinfection is performed continuously or periodically in advance before bacteria can propagate, rather than waiting for contamination to occur. The ultraviolet light source is positioned to disinfect the collecting port area automatically whenever the cap is attached, preventing bacterial growth before it becomes a problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual disinfection with alcohol is performed to clean the collecting port, then bacterial propagation is suppressed, but the process requires worker intervention and takes time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial propagationVSAvoiddisinfection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical disinfection process using alcohol and worker intervention is replaced with an automated ultraviolet light-based disinfection system. The ultraviolet rays emit automatically from the cap structure, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations while effectively suppressing bacterial propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-disinfection using ultraviolet rays generated within the cap structure itself. The dialysate flow triggers or activates the ultraviolet emission, allowing the system to disinfect itself automatically without requiring external worker intervention or additional disinfectant materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the cap structure is designed to seal the collecting port effectively, then dialysate leakage is prevented, but the sealing unit requires frequent manual disinfection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoiddisinfection maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function and disinfection function are merged into a single integrated cap structure. The ultraviolet light source is incorporated within the cap assembly, allowing simultaneous achievement of reliable sealing and automated disinfection without requiring separate maintenance operations for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap structure performs self-disinfection through integrated ultraviolet emission, eliminating the need for external manual disinfection of the sealing components. The system automatically disinfects itself while maintaining its sealing function, reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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-applying device effectively disinfects the collecting port and associated sealing units, reducing the need for manual disinfection and preventing bacterial propagation.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet-applying device attached to the opening-and-closing device and that is capable of applying ultraviolet rays to the collecting port when the opening-and-closing device is at the closing position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3299046B1Dialysate extraction device
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 NIKKISO CO LTD
  • EP3299046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3299046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3299046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a dialysate-extracting apparatus in which a collecting port can be disinfected with no disinfecting work to be performed by a worker. A dialysate-extracting apparatus includes a dialysate-extracting device 1 having an introduction port 1a and a discharge port 1b each of which is connected to the flow route for liquid and allows the liquid to flow therethrough, and a collecting port 1c from which the liquid flowing in the flow route is collectable; and an opening-and-closing device 6 that is movable between a closing position where the opening-and-closing device 6 covers the collecting port 1c of the dialysate-extracting device 1 and an opening position where the opening-and-closing device 6 opens the collecting port 1c. The dialysate-extracting apparatus further includes an ultraviolet-applying device 7 attached to the opening-and-closing device 6 and that is capable of applying ultraviolet rays to the collecting port 1c when the opening-and-closing device 6 is at the closing position.