Dynamic Disinfectant Dosing with Concentrate Degradation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope reprocessing systems face challenges in maintaining effective disinfectant concentrations due to degradation of concentrated disinfectant solutions over time, leading to potentially harsh conditions for endoscopes and wasteful under-dilution, as well as inefficiencies in disinfection cycles.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic dosing system that measures the concentration of disinfectant agent in used solutions and adjusts the concentration and exposure time of subsequent disinfectant solutions to maintain a target concentration, using concentration sensors and automated metering to ensure optimal disinfection while minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If concentrated stock solution is diluted to appropriate usage concentration before being employed in a disinfection cycle, then the wear and tear on endoscope is decreased while still providing minimum effective concentration of disinfectant agent, but the concentrated stock solution may become unstable and degrade over the protracted period of time, reducing the potency of the concentrated stock solution
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a sensor to measure the concentration of disinfectant agent in the concentrated stock solution and uses this measurement to dynamically adjust the dilution amount. This feedback mechanism ensures that even as the concentrated stock solution degrades over time, the system compensates by adjusting the dilution ratio to maintain the minimum effective concentration for disinfection while preventing excessive wear on the endoscope.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static dilution approach (fixed dilution ratio) to a dynamic approach where the dilution amount is continuously adjusted based on real-time concentration measurements. The controller dynamically modifies the volume of concentrated stock solution added to the water reservoir, adapting to degradation over the protracted usage period while maintaining optimal disinfection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the known shelf-life of disinfectant reagent is utilized to estimate the concentration of disinfectant agent in concentrated stock solution at any given time, then the potency reduction can be compensated, but the endoscope may be inadvertently exposed to unnecessarily high concentrations of disinfectant agent, shortening the useful life of the endoscope
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on shelf-life estimates, the system uses a sensor to provide real-time feedback on the actual concentration of disinfectant agent in the concentrated stock solution. This measured concentration is fed back to the controller, which then adjusts the dilution amount accordingly, preventing both under-dilution (excessive concentration) and over-dilution (insufficient disinfection).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/shelf-life-based estimation method with an automated sensing and control system. The sensor electronically measures the concentration, and the controller automatically adjusts the dosing mechanism, substituting manual or estimate-based procedures with an automated feedback-controlled system that precisely maintains the minimum effective concentration.
3Reliability
If an aliquot of concentrated stock solution is diluted to an appropriate usage concentration before being employed in a disinfection cycle, then effective disinfection is provided, but the concentrated stock solution may become unstable and degrade, necessitating decreased dilution to compensate for reduced potency
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the concentration of disinfectant agent in the concentrated stock solution and provides feedback to the controller. This enables precise control of the dilution process, ensuring that only the necessary amount of concentrated stock solution is used to achieve the minimum effective concentration, thereby minimizing waste while maintaining disinfection effectiveness throughout the protracted usage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the concentration parameter of the disinfectant solution by adjusting the dilution ratio based on real-time measurements. As the concentrated stock solution degrades, the system increases the proportion of concentrated solution in the mixture to maintain the minimum effective concentration, optimizing both disinfection effectiveness and resource utilization.
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
This approach ensures consistent and effective disinfection of endoscopes by maintaining optimal disinfectant concentrations, reducing wear on equipment and minimizing waste, while optimizing disinfection cycles for improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a concentration of the disinfectant agent in the first in-use disinfectant solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for dynamic dosing of disinfectant solution in a medical device reprocessing system includes calculating a volume of an initial dose of concentrated disinfectant solution for dilution to make a first in-use disinfectant solution. The initial dose of concentrated disinfectant solution is diluted with diluting fluid to make the first in-use disinfectant solution comprising a target concentration of disinfectant agent. The first in-use disinfectant solution is applied to a medical device. A concentration of the disinfectant agent in the first in-use disinfectant solution is then calculated. The actual concentration of the disinfectant agent in the concentrated disinfectant solution is then calculated based upon the concentration of disinfectant agent in the first in-use disinfectant solution. It is then determined whether a volume of a second dose of concentrated disinfectant solution is increased or about the same as the volume of the initial dose to make a second in-use disinfectant solution.