Handheld Microwave Sterilizer for Luer Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing medical devices like Luer Locks and intravenous tubing are often ineffective in removing biological contaminants, leading to patient infections, and existing microwave sterilization devices are either large or not portable.
Innovation Solution
A handheld microwave sterilizer with a shielded chamber, pressure chamber, and mechanical clamps to increase pressure, along with a phase-change material for heat management and an IR temperature sensor for real-time monitoring, focuses microwave energy on a fluid inside the tubing to achieve high temperatures for sterilization while minimizing RF leakage and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alcohol soaked cotton ball is used to clean Luer Lock and tubing, then the cleaning process is simple and quick, but it is ineffective in removing biological contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters (temperature and pressure) of the sterilization process by using microwave heating to raise temperatures above 100°C under pressure, transforming the ineffective low-temperature alcohol cleaning into an effective high-temperature sterilization process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical manual cleaning process with microwave electromagnetic energy heating, where microwave energy is absorbed by the liquid in the Luer Lock to generate heat internally, achieving sterilization without complex mechanical sterilization equipment
2Reliability
If microwave sterilization devices are used to sterilize medical devices, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the devices are either large or require placing entire plastic units inside
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sterilization process to target only the critical Luer Lock connection area rather than sterilizing entire long lengths of tubing, using mechanical clamps to isolate and concentrate microwave energy on the specific contaminated region, making the device portable and practical
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating microwave energy precisely at the Luer Lock connection point where contamination occurs, using dielectric members and clamps to focus energy locally rather than heating entire tubing lengths, enabling a compact portable design
3Reliability
If high temperature sterilization is applied to achieve effective sterilization, then biological contaminants are removed, but risk of damage to plastic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by heating only the liquid and immediate surrounding areas within the Luer Lock connection zone to high temperatures for sterilization, while the rest of the tubing and plastic components remain at lower temperatures, achieving effective sterilization without damaging plastic components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses preliminary action by pre-heating the liquid within the Luer Lock before full sterilization cycle completes, allowing the liquid to reach sterilization temperature quickly while limiting exposure time for plastic components to prevent degradation
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 device effectively reduces bio-burden and achieves sterilization by maintaining temperatures above 100°C under controlled pressure, ensuring safety and efficiency in a portable format, suitable for use on patients undergoing intravenous treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave source disposed in a shielded chamber, a pressure chamber inside the shielded chamber for receiving the luer lock and a sterilizing medium, the pressure chamber being in microwave communication with the microwave source
Implementation Method 2
a phase-change material disposed under the microwave source for absorbing energy from the shielded chamber for disposal outside the shielded chamber
Implementation Method 3
an infra-red temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the sterilizing medium within the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 4
mechanical fluid clamps at each end of the pressure chamber for enabling pressurization of the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sterilizing a fluid fitting includes a microwave source disposed in a shielded chamber, a pressure chamber inside the shielded chamber for receiving the luer lock and a sterilizing medium. The pressure chamber is in microwave communication with the microwave source. The apparatus also includes mechanical fluid clamps at each end of the pressure chamber for enabling pressurization of the pressure chamber.