Electromagnetic Fluid Sensing for Adaptive Medical Device Cleaning

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices used in treatment processes face challenges in efficiently determining and adjusting the level of debris and bioburden, such as proteins, to optimize cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing processes, which can affect cross-contamination and patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining analyte content in a fluid using electromagnetic properties, involving the emission and detection of electromagnetic radiation to measure analyte concentration, particle size, and distribution, and adjusting treatment processes based on these measurements to enhance cleaning and sterilization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional cleaning and sterilization processes are used for medical devices, then the devices can be cleaned and disinfected, but the processing time and energy consumption are excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the soiling level and bioburden content before initiating the full cleaning and sterilization cycle. By detecting analyte content and particle distribution in advance, the system can determine the actual cleaning needs and adjust the process parameters accordingly, avoiding unnecessary extended processing time for lightly soiled devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors analyte content, particle size, and particle distribution during the cleaning process using electromagnetic radiation detection. This real-time feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cleaning parameters to optimize processing time while ensuring thorough cleaning, preventing both over-processing and under-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If traditional cleaning and sterilization processes are used for medical devices, then the devices can be cleaned and disinfected, but the energy consumption is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the soiling level and bioburden content before initiating the full cleaning and sterilization cycle. By detecting analyte content and particle distribution in advance, the system can determine the actual cleaning needs and adjust the process parameters accordingly, avoiding unnecessary extended processing time for lightly soiled devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors analyte content, particle size, and particle distribution during the cleaning process using electromagnetic radiation detection. This real-time feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cleaning parameters to optimize processing time while ensuring thorough cleaning, preventing both over-processing and under-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If traditional cleaning and sterilization processes are used for medical devices, then the devices can be cleaned and disinfected, but the wear on devices is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddevice wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the soiling level and bioburden content before initiating the full cleaning and sterilization cycle. By detecting analyte content and particle distribution in advance, the system can determine the actual cleaning needs and adjust the process parameters accordingly, avoiding unnecessary extended processing time for lightly soiled devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors analyte content, particle size, and particle distribution during the cleaning process using electromagnetic radiation detection. This real-time feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cleaning parameters to optimize processing time while ensuring thorough cleaning, preventing both over-processing and under-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If the analyte content in cleaning fluid is not monitored, then the treatment process can proceed without adjustment, but the cleaning and disinfection may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical sampling and chemical analysis methods with electromagnetic radiation detection (UV-Vis, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy). This substitution provides real-time analyte content measurement without requiring physical sampling or complex chemical assays, achieving reliable cleaning monitoring while maintaining relatively simple system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors analyte content, particle size, and particle distribution during the cleaning process using electromagnetic radiation detection. This real-time feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cleaning parameters to optimize processing time while ensuring thorough cleaning, preventing both over-processing and under-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise determination of analyte content, allowing for optimized treatment processes that reduce processing time, energy consumption, and wear on devices while ensuring thorough cleaning and disinfection, thereby enhancing patient safety and process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

An electromagnetic property of the fluid is measured, comprising emitting electromagnetic radiation into the fluid in the treatment apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation emission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

detecting electromagnetic radiation from the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260049918A1Method And A System For Determining Analyte Content In A Fluid In A Treatment Apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 ASP GLOBAL MFG GMBH

AI summary

A method and a system for determining analyte content in a fluid in a treatment apparatus. The method comprises positioning a device for treatment in a treatment apparatus. A surface of the device is contacted with a fluid. An analyte content in the fluid is determined based on an electromagnetic property of the fluid following contacting the surface of the device with the fluid. More specifically, an electromagnetic property is measured. The measuring comprises emitting electromagnetic radiation into the fluid in the treatment apparatus and detecting electromagnetic radiation from the fluid. In another aspect, a system comprising a treatment apparatus and a detector for determining the analyte content in the fluid in the treatment apparatus is provided.