Disposable Device Enclosure for Clean-Room Contamination Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices such as cellular phones, laptops, and other equipment are frequently contaminated with infectious agents, leading to health-care-associated infections, and existing methods like plastic bags are cumbersome and prone to recontamination during use.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, flexible plastic enclosure with an opening restricting mechanism, made of nonporous material, that can be disinfected and optionally contains antibacterial compounds, is used to contain devices before entering clean environments, preventing surface contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic bags are used to contain devices, then contamination is prevented, but the method becomes cumbersome and prone to recontamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible plastic enclosure with a smooth nonporous surface that completely envelops the device, creating an effective barrier against contamination while maintaining ease of handling through its flexible nature and integrated opening mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure acts as an intermediary barrier between the contaminated device and the clean environment. The smooth nonporous surface serves as a mediatable surface that can be disinfected, while the opening restricting mechanism mediates controlled access without requiring removal of the enclosure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid disinfectant is applied to device surfaces, then infection risk is reduced, but the device surfaces become damaged and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the disinfection function from the device surface itself and relocates it to the removable enclosure. The enclosure's smooth nonporous surface can be disinfected without damaging the device, separating the vulnerable device from the disinfection process
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible plastic enclosure provides a protective barrier that shields the device surface from direct contact with liquid disinfectants, preventing surface damage while still allowing effective disinfection of the enclosure itself
3Object-affected harmful factors
If devices are frequently cleaned and disinfected, then contamination is reduced, but device functionality deteriorates and recontamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is prepared in advance as a clean barrier before the device enters the clean environment. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for frequent cleaning of the device itself, preserving device functionality while maintaining contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible plastic enclosure serves as a disposable or reusable barrier that can be easily disinfected or replaced, protecting the device from contamination without requiring the device itself to undergo frequent cleaning that would degrade its functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A novel enclosure is used to prevent health-care-associated infections caused by contamination of devices such as cellular telephones, laptops, tablet computers, purses, and briefcases. Such a device is placed into the enclosure and is carried into a disinfected or clean environment, such as an operating room. The enclosure prevents infectious agents or other contaminants on the surface of the device from contaminating the clean environment. The enclosure also protects the environments outside the operating room from contaminants within the operating room. The enclosure is inexpensively manufactured and disposable. The enclosure may include an effective amount of antibacterial, antifungal, and/or antiviral compounds. The enclosure may be used in the residence of an individual with a compromised immune system. The enclosure may be used to bring a device into and out of a home or room of an individual who is extremely neat or is inflicted with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.