Dual Compartment Sanitizing Machine for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitizing machines for medical devices are limited in their ability to simultaneously and effectively treat both flexible and rigid medical instruments, often resulting in unstable positioning and incomplete disinfection of internal channels in flexible endoscopes due to complex designs and inadequate fluid penetration.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing machine with a dual compartment sanitizing chamber, where a flexible device is housed in a main compartment and a rigid device is stably positioned in a radially extending groove within the same compartment, allowing simultaneous treatment with the same sanitizing fluid through integrated hydraulic circuits and fluidic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single sanitizing basin is used for both flexible and rigid endoscopes, then device versatility is improved, but positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitizing chamber is segmented into two distinct compartments: a first compartment for flexible endoscopes and a second compartment for rigid endoscopes. Each compartment has specific positioning features (support means for flexible, positioning means for rigid) that ensure stable placement of the respective device type, thereby maintaining positioning stability while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing chamber is designed with multi-functional capability to accommodate both flexible and rigid endoscopes simultaneously. The chamber includes universal features such as fluid supply systems that serve both compartments and a common sanitizing fluid circulation system, enabling one structure to perform multiple functions.
2Productivity
If complex connection systems are used between basin and container, then fluid circulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is merged into a single integrated system that serves both compartments. The means for supplying sanitizing fluid includes common tanks and pumping means that distribute fluid to both the first and second compartments, eliminating the need for separate complex connection systems for each compartment while maintaining effective fluid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing system is designed to be self-sufficient with integrated fluid circulation that automatically distributes sanitizing fluid to both compartments without requiring external complex connections. The system includes self-contained tanks and pumping mechanisms that manage fluid distribution independently.
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
Ensures stable and efficient sanitizing treatment of both flexible and rigid medical devices, ensuring complete disinfection and reducing the risk of damage during the process while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
means for supplying inside said first compartment one or more sanitizing fluids contained in respective tanks
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the cold sanification treatment of medical devices comprises at least one sanification chamber (2) having a first compartment (3) for housing a first medical device, means (4) for supplying one or more sanification fluids contained into respective tanks (S, S', S) inside the first compartment (3), wherein the sanification chamber (2) comprises a bottom wall (8) for positioning the first medical device and a central portion (1 1 ) which raises from the bottom wall (8) to define with the inner side wall (6) of the chamber (2) a first compartment (3) having a substantially annular shape. The risen central portion (1 1 ) comprises a slot (12) formed on its upper front surface (11 ') and adapted to define a second compartment (5) for a second medical device. The slot (12) is completely contained into the first compartment (3) and is provided with at least one inlet (14) and one outlet (15) for allowing the circulation thereinto of the fluid supplied by the supplying means (4) and allowing the simultaneous sanitizing treatment of the first medical device housed in the first compartment (3) and of the second medical device housed into the second compartment (5) by means of the same sanitizing fluid.