Glove RFID Cuff for Sterilization Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gloves used in critical applications, such as gloveboxes, face challenges in maintaining recognizable identification and traceability due to regular cleaning and sterilization, which can lead to unsafe usage and hygiene issues, especially when handling toxic or corrosive substances.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip as an identification means at the cuff end portion of the glove, allowing wireless communication with a transceiver unit for tracking the glove's life cycle, including inspection and sterilization intervals, and providing alerts for proper usage, ensuring secure and hygienic conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If regular cleaning and sterilization are performed on gloves, then hygiene and aseptic conditions are maintained, but identification markings become unrecognizable and traceability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene and aseptic conditionsVSAvoididentification and traceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical identification methods (markings that degrade during cleaning) with an electronic identification system (RFID chip) that uses electromagnetic fields for data storage and retrieval, eliminating the problem of marking degradation during sterilization processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID chip acts as an intermediary between the glove and the tracking system, providing a durable interface that can withstand repeated cleaning and sterilization while maintaining identification integrity through wireless communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If RFID chip is integrated into the glove, then identification and traceability are maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification and traceabilityVSAvoidglove structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID chip is embedded within the glove structure, specifically integrated into the cuff or wrist area, allowing the electronic component to be contained within the existing glove form factor without requiring external attachments or significant structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID chip serves multiple functions simultaneously: identification, tracking, sterilization monitoring, and usage recording, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances user safety and hygiene by ensuring accurate identification and compliance with sterilization and inspection schedules, preventing contamination and misuse of gloves, while maintaining security through secure encapsulation of the RFID chip within the glove's welt.

Implementation Method 1

Integration of a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip as an identification means at the cuff end portion of the glove, allowing wireless communication with a transceiver unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification (RFID): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9486021B2Glove

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 JUNG GUMMITECHN

AI summary

A disclosed example glove of a glovebox type includes an identification means arranged at an end portion of a cuff of the glove.