Humidification System for Sterilization Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sterilization methods, such as steam sterilization and ethylene oxide, are ineffective for heat-sensitive instruments and pose health and environmental risks, while existing ozone sterilization systems struggle to maintain high relative humidity levels required for effective ozone penetration and sterilization, leading to inefficient ozone decomposition and prolonged treatment times.

Innovation Solution

A method involving graduated steps of humidification in a sterilization chamber, where water reservoir temperature is maintained above the chamber temperature, and pressure is reduced to boil water, allowing water vapor to enter the chamber, with controlled exposure times and water amounts to progressively increase relative humidity to target levels, ensuring consistent and accurate high humidity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is heated to high temperature to generate sufficient water vapor for high relative humidity, then humidity level is improved, but ozone decomposition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor concentrationVSAvoidozone decomposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes vacuum-induced phase transition of water from liquid to vapor without thermal heating. By reducing pressure below the boiling point of water at reservoir temperature, water evaporates and enters the chamber as vapor, achieving high humidity while avoiding thermal decomposition of ozone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces thermal energy input (heating) with mechanical energy input (vacuum pressure reduction) to achieve the same end result of water vapor generation. This substitution eliminates the harmful thermal effect on ozone while maintaining effective humidification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If water is injected into the chamber to increase humidity, then relative humidity is improved, but contact time of ozone with instruments increases causing oxidation damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity levelVSAvoidoxidation damage to instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs humidification as a preliminary step before ozone sterilization. Water reservoir is heated and pressurized in advance, then water vapor is injected into the chamber to achieve high relative humidity. Only after humidification is complete is the ozone introduced, minimizing unnecessary contact time and oxidation damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If steam is heated to high temperature for humidification, then water vapor generation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vaporVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor induced by pressure reduction rather than thermal heating. By applying vacuum to lower the boiling point below the reservoir temperature, water naturally evaporates and provides sufficient vapor for humidification, dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to conventional steam heating methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 approach allows for precise and efficient humidification of the sterilization chamber to achieve and maintain high relative humidity levels, enhancing ozone's sterilization efficiency and reducing ozone decomposition, thereby ensuring effective sterilization of heat-sensitive instruments within a shorter timeframe.

Implementation Method 1

reducing a pressure in the chamber to a value below the boiling point of water at the reservoir temperature so that water in the reservoir evaporates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

reducing a pressure in the chamber to a value below the boiling point of water at the reservoir temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor pressure: Vapour Pressure

Implementation Method 3

a process for increasing a relative humidity in an enclosed space from a first relative humidity to a target relative humidity by increasing the relative humidity in a plurality of graduated steps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidification:

Data Source

PatentUS7608217B2Apparatus and method for humidifying a sterilization chamber

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A method for increasing a relative humidity in an enclosed space (10) comprising a plurality of graduated steps. The relative humidity is increased from a first relative humidity to a target relative humidity. The method is issued to humidify a chamber (10) wherein a sterilization process using a humidified ozone takes place. The method is carried out by an apparatus for effecting the humidified ozone sterilization comprising a processor programmed to effect humidification in a plurality of gradual steps.