Glove Seal Test Disc for Isolator Port Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the seal integrity of gloves in isolators are time-consuming, laborious, and difficult to integrate into ongoing production sequences, often resulting in productivity losses and inability to accurately track glove usage history, leading to premature replacement and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A test disc system with a hermetically sealed radially-expanding sealing device, pressure-measuring device, microprocessor, memory, and data interface for wireless transmission, which allows for simultaneous testing of multiple gloves, records pressure profiles, and identifies both gloves and ports, enabling accurate prediction of residual service life and extended glove usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seal testing methods are used for gloves in isolators, then testing can be performed, but the testing process is time-consuming and laborious, resulting in productivity losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/manual seal testing methods with an automated electronic testing system. The test disc incorporates a microprocessor-controlled pressure application mechanism that automatically applies and measures pressure differential across the glove seal, eliminating manual operation and significantly reducing testing time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The test disc is designed to be self-contained with integrated pressure sensing and data processing capabilities. The system performs self-diagnosis and automatically evaluates seal integrity without requiring external intervention or complex setup, enabling rapid testing that does not disrupt production sequences
2Reliability
If traditional testing methods are used, then seal testing can be performed, but it is difficult to integrate into ongoing production sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is segmented into a portable, self-contained test disc that can be independently inserted into isolator ports without affecting other production operations. This modular design allows testing to be performed on individual gloves at specific production stages without halting the entire production sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The test disc is pre-configured with identification reading devices that automatically read and store glove and port identification data before testing begins. This preliminary data capture eliminates manual documentation steps and enables seamless integration into production workflows where gloves are already tracked and identified
3Loss of information
If manual tracking of glove usage history is used, then glove usage can be recorded, but it leads to premature replacement and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by automatically recording pressure profile data from each seal test and storing it in memory associated with specific glove and port identification. This creates a digital usage history that provides real-time information about glove performance and seal integrity trends, enabling data-driven decisions about glove replacement timing
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor and memory system act as an intermediary between the physical glove and the production management system. It automatically captures, stores, and transmits usage and testing data, eliminating manual tracking errors and providing accurate information for optimizing glove replacement schedules and reducing unnecessary replacement costs
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 significantly reduces testing time and effort, improves accuracy, and extends glove life by providing a comprehensive method for seal testing, enhancing system safety and reliability through automated data collection and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a hermetically sealed radially-expanding sealing device
Implementation Method 2
pressure-measuring device, configured to measure a pressure differential across the glove
Data Source
AI summary
A test system and a corresponding method for testing the seal of a glove which is installed in a port of an isolator, including a test disc which can be connected in a hermetically sealed fashion to the port. The glove and test disc define a sealed glove volume which can be placed under excess pressure. The test disc has a pressure-measuring device with a microprocessor and a memory for recording and storing a pressure profile in the glove volume and a data interface. The glove and port have identification elements which are read by a reading device of the test disc and information concerning the pressure profile along with the identities of the glove and port are transmitted wirelessly to an evaluation unit which estimates and records a residual period of use of the glove. A plurality of gloves in ports can be tested simultaneously.