System, method, and device for facilitating effective decontamination as part of a decontamination event
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decontamination methods, particularly in hospital settings, are inefficient and impractical for routine use, leading to poor compliance with hand-hygiene guidelines and the spread of infectious diseases.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a water dispenser with a built-in light source and agent dispensing system, which uses a fluorescent agent in the cleansing composition to facilitate effective decontamination by visually assessing the coverage and removal of the composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional decontamination procedures are used in hospital settings, then decontamination can be performed, but compliance with hand-hygiene guidelines remains poor due to inefficiency and impracticality
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a light source that causes fluorescent agent to fluoresce, providing visual feedback to the user about coverage and removal of cleansing composition. This real-time feedback mechanism guides users through proper decontamination technique, improving compliance without sacrificing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-assess their decontamination effectiveness through visual inspection of fluorescent coverage. Users can independently verify proper application and removal, reducing reliance on external monitoring while maintaining high compliance rates
2Reliability
If complex decontamination procedures are implemented, then decontamination effectiveness can be improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses fluorescent agent that changes appearance under light activation, providing a simple visual indicator of decontamination status. This color/fluorescence change mechanism simplifies the detection process while maintaining effectiveness, avoiding complex sensing or measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescent agent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates detection of decontamination effectiveness. Rather than directly measuring contamination levels, the system uses the fluorescent marker as a mediator to indicate coverage and removal, simplifying the overall detection mechanism
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thorough decontamination procedures are performed, then infectious disease transmission risk is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback from fluorescent illumination allows users to quickly assess whether proper decontamination has been achieved. This immediate feedback eliminates the need for prolonged procedures or multiple verification steps, reducing time while ensuring thoroughness
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates the light source and fluorescent agent application as part of the decontamination process itself, rather than requiring separate inspection steps. This integration of detection into the decontamination workflow eliminates additional time consumption while maintaining thoroughness
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 system enhances the effectiveness of decontamination by ensuring thorough coverage and removal of cleansing agents, thereby reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission and improving compliance with decontamination protocols.
Implementation Method 1
the light source is configured to emit the light at a sufficient intensity and wavelength so as to cause a fluorescent agent disposed about the skin or the covering of the skin of the individual to fluoresce at a wavelength in the visible spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for assessing the effectiveness of a decontamination event to decontaminate a portion of at least one of skin or a covering of the skin of an individual. A dispensing apparatus is attachable to a water dispenser via a water dispenser interface. The dispensing apparatus to house an agent dispensing system and a light source. The light source to emit light in accordance with a predetermined field of view, and to emit the light at a sufficient intensity and wavelength to cause a fluorescent agent dispensed by the agent dispensing system to fluoresce. The field of view defines an inspection space in which the portion of the individual can be positioned to detect at least one of a presence or an absence of the fluorescent agent during the decontamination event.