Image Plate Readout Cleaning System with UV Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hygiene solutions for medical imaging processes, particularly for image plates and associated instruments, are inadequate in preventing the spread of disease carriers due to contamination risks during packaging, use, and handling, and existing disinfection methods are inefficient and potentially harmful to the image plates.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system for image plate readout devices that includes a disinfecting element emitting electromagnetic or ultrasonic radiation to destroy disease carriers within the device and its components, along with antimicrobial coatings on surfaces, to minimize contamination and ensure effective disinfection without exposing image plates to harmful radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic radiation is used to disinfect image plates, then disease carriers are destroyed, but the image plates may be damaged by radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent radiation-transmitting barrier is introduced between the electromagnetic radiation source and the image plate. This barrier allows the radiation to pass through and destroy disease carriers while protecting the image plate from direct radiation exposure that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation barrier is designed to be transparent to electromagnetic radiation while providing selective protection. Different regions of the system have different radiation transmission properties - the barrier is transparent where radiation needs to pass through to disinfect, but opaque or filtering where it needs to protect the image plate.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding bags are made liquid-tight, then body fluids cannot contaminate image plates, but disease carriers inside the bag may migrate to patients during radiography
Solution Approach 1:
The image plate is extracted from the shielding bag at the point of use. The shielding bag remains sealed to contain disease carriers, but the image plate is removed through a controlled opening mechanism that maintains hygiene while allowing access to the plate for radiographic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding system is divided into separate functional zones: a sealed containment area that holds disease carriers, and an access area that allows sterile removal of the image plate. This segmentation allows the bag to remain liquid-tight for containment while enabling safe plate extraction for patient use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If readout device components are frequently disassembled for cleaning, then contamination is removed, but device complexity and repair difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Manual disassembly and cleaning operations are replaced with automated cleaning mechanisms. The readout device incorporates self-cleaning features such as UV radiation sources, chemical spray systems, or automated wiping mechanisms that can disinfect components without requiring full disassembly, thereby maintaining hygiene while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout device is designed with self-cleaning capabilities that allow it to maintain its own hygiene without external intervention. Automated cleaning cycles, UV sterilization lamps, or chemical treatment systems are integrated into the device structure, enabling regular disinfection without increasing operational complexity for users.
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 improves hygiene by disinfecting internal and external components of the readout device, reducing the risk of disease transmission and extending the service life of image plates by avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a disinfecting element (102a, 102b) emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or ultrasonic radiation destroying disease carriers
Implementation Method 2
a disinfecting element (102a, 102b) emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or ultrasonic radiation destroying disease carriers
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for a set of instruments associated or in contact with an image plate readout device, as well as to a readout device that includes the cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a disinfecting element, which emits electromagnetic radiation and/or ultrasonic radiation capable of destroying disease carriers, and which is adapted to emit said radiation towards an image plate conveyor mechanism encompassed by the image plate readout device.