Disinfection Confirmation Device with Diffusion Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare providers face challenges in accurately confirming the disinfection of components in medical infusion apparatus, leading to potential bloodstream infections due to inadequate disinfection time and difficulty in determining when disinfectants have evaporated.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an electrically activated light source, a power supply, and enclosures with diffusion control membranes and soluble salts is used to provide visual confirmation of disinfection completion and indication of disinfectant evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If healthcare providers follow the prescribed disinfection time, then patient safety is improved, but workflow efficiency deteriorates due to time consumption and lack of visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a light source that changes color or illuminates to provide visual confirmation of disinfection completion. The light source is electrically connected to the diffusion control membrane and salt enclosure, creating a visual indicator that transitions when disinfection is complete, allowing providers to quickly verify safety without consuming excessive time
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides real-time visual feedback through the light source to indicate whether the component has been disinfected for the required duration. This feedback mechanism allows healthcare providers to immediately know when disinfection is complete, eliminating uncertainty and enabling efficient workflow while ensuring patient safety
2Productivity
If healthcare providers reduce disinfection time to improve workflow efficiency, then productivity is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to inadequate disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback system prevents premature use of components by providing a clear indication when disinfection is complete. The light source remains inactive during the required disinfection period and only activates when the diffusion control membrane allows sufficient disinfectant penetration, ensuring safety is not compromised for the sake of speed
Solution Approach 2:
The color-changing light source creates an obvious visual signal that distinguishes between insufficient and adequate disinfection. This makes it difficult for providers to accidentally use inadequately disinfected components, as the visual confirmation is clear and unambiguous
3Reliability
If a visual confirmation device is added to provide disinfection verification, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the disinfectant itself as part of the verification mechanism. The diffusion control membrane and salt enclosure utilize the chemical properties of the disinfectant to trigger the light source, eliminating the need for external sensors or power sources during the disinfection process. The system serves itself by using the disinfectant's presence and concentration to activate the visual indicator
Solution Approach 2:
The verification mechanism is integrated directly into the component structure. The diffusion control membrane, salt enclosure, and light source are combined in a single unit that attaches to the medical component, creating a unified device rather than separate verification equipment. This integration minimizes additional complexity while providing reliable visual confirmation
4Productivity
If the diffusion control membrane is made more permeable to speed up disinfection indication, then workflow efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate timing
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows for adjustment of the diffusion control membrane properties and salt concentration to match different disinfectants and required disinfection times. By changing these parameters, the system can be calibrated to provide accurate visual confirmation for various disinfection protocols, maintaining both speed and precision for different application requirements
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 device ensures improved patient safety and workflow efficiency by providing a reliable visual confirmation of adequate disinfection and readiness for use of medical infusion apparatus components.
Implementation Method 1
The diffusion control membrane is configured to control permeation of the disinfectant through the diffusion control membrane such that ionic mobility of the salt dissolved in the disinfectant is sufficient to enable activation of the light source only after the disinfectant has permeated through the diffusion control membrane for a predetermined amount of time.
Implementation Method 2
The salt is selected to be soluble in a disinfectant used for the disinfection.
Implementation Method 3
an electrically activated light source
Data Source
AI summary
A device for obtaining confirmation of completion of disinfection includes an electrically activated light source. The device further includes at least one enclosure having walls formed of a diffusion control membrane and enclosing a salt, which is soluble in a disinfectant used for the disinfection. The at least one enclosure and the light source are electrically connected in series.