Two-Step Hazardous Drug Surface Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning methods are inadequate for completely removing hazardous drug products from surfaces, as they often leave behind residues that can pose severe health risks even in minute quantities, particularly in healthcare and laboratory settings.
Innovation Solution
A two-part cleaning system using a quaternary ammonium solution followed by a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water, with the isopropyl alcohol comprising at least 50% of the mixture, effectively removes hazardous drug residues from surfaces without leaving detectable residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single cleaning solution is used to remove hazardous drug products from surfaces, then the cleaning process is simple and quick, but hazardous residues remain on the surface posing health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into two separate cleaning solutions with distinct functions: the first solution (quaternary ammonium compound) removes organic contaminants and reduces surface tension, while the second solution (isopropyl alcohol) eliminates remaining hazardous residues. This segmentation allows each solution to specialize in removing specific types of contamination, achieving complete hazard removal without requiring a single complex multi-functional agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The first cleaning solution acts as an intermediary that prepares the surface for the second cleaning solution. By removing organic contaminants and modifying surface properties first, it enables the second solution to more effectively remove hazardous drug residues. This intermediary step ensures that no hazardous residues remain while maintaining a manageable two-step process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional disinfection methods are used on surfaces contaminated with hazardous drugs, then bacterial and viral contamination is addressed, but hazardous drug residues are not completely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the limitation of conventional disinfectants (inability to remove hazardous residues) into a benefit by using the first disinfection step to control biological contamination, then using the second cleaning step with isopropyl alcohol to remove the hazardous drug residues that the disinfectant left behind. Each step addresses the harmful factor it is designed for, and together they eliminate both types of hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the chemical parameters between the two cleaning steps: the first solution uses quaternary ammonium compounds at specific concentrations to address biological contaminants, while the second solution uses isopropyl alcohol at different concentrations to remove hazardous residues. This parameter change allows each solution to optimize its performance for its specific target contaminant type.
3Reliability
If multiple cleaning solutions are applied sequentially to ensure complete removal of hazardous residues, then surface cleanliness is improved, but the cleaning time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first cleaning solution performs preliminary action by removing organic contaminants and preparing the surface before the second solution is applied. This preliminary removal of interfering substances allows the second solution to work more efficiently on the hazardous residues, reducing the overall time needed compared to applying a single solution that would require longer contact time or repeated applications to achieve the same result.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-step cleaning process maintains continuous useful action by having each solution build upon the work of the previous one. The first solution's removal of organic contaminants continuously prepares the surface throughout the process, while the second solution continuously removes hazardous residues, ensuring that the cleaning action is cumulative and efficient rather than requiring restarts or repeated applications.
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
This method ensures the complete removal of hazardous drug products from surfaces, reducing the risk of exposure and adherence to regulatory cleanliness standards, as demonstrated by sequential use of quaternary ammonium and isopropyl alcohol solutions.
Implementation Method 1
wiping the surface a first time with a first solution of an quaternary ammonium solution having a concentration of from about 0.01% to about 5%
Implementation Method 2
wiping the surface a second time in succession with a second solution of water and isopropyl alcohol, the isopropyl alcohol comprising at least about 50% of the solution
Implementation Method 3
the isopropyl alcohol comprising at least about 50% of the solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method, a system, and a kit of parts for cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug or a hazardous drug related product, which involves cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution followed by an isopropyl alcohol solution.