Induction Oven Selectable Resonance Frequency Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autoclave sterilization methods for medical equipment are time-consuming, cause material degradation, and require expensive three-phase electrical service, whereas there is a need for a faster, energy-efficient, and safer method that avoids damage to equipment.
Innovation Solution
An induction oven with a selectable resonance frequency and an airtight container that uses a printed circuit board-based inductive heating coil to generate a time-varying electromagnetic field for rapid sterilization, operating on single-phase power and maintaining sterility through a hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional autoclave steam sterilization is used, then complete destruction of microorganisms is achieved, but sterilization cycle time increases to 90 minutes and material degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal steam sterilization system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heating coil generates electromagnetic fields that directly heat the metal medical instruments through eddy currents, eliminating the need for steam generation, water heating, and prolonged thermal exposure. This substitution reduces sterilization time from 90 minutes to under 30 minutes while avoiding steam-induced pitting and corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from thermal conduction (steam at 100°C) to electromagnetic induction (high-frequency AC current). By adjusting the frequency of the AC current to match the resonant frequency of the metal instruments, the system achieves rapid heating and sterilization in under 30 minutes, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional autoclaving.
2Reliability
If traditional autoclave steam sterilization is used, then microorganisms are destroyed, but pitting and corrosion of metals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces steam-based thermal sterilization with electromagnetic induction heating. The induction heating coil generates electromagnetic fields that directly induce eddy currents in the metal instruments, providing rapid heating without steam exposure. This eliminates the harmful effect of steam-induced pitting and corrosion while maintaining effective sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction heating system rapidly heats the metal instruments through direct electromagnetic energy transfer, skipping the prolonged steam exposure phase. The high-frequency AC current generates sufficient heat in minutes rather than requiring extended autoclaving cycles, thus avoiding material degradation while achieving complete sterilization.
3Reliability
If autoclave is used for sterilization, then sterilization is achieved, but three-phase electrical service is required increasing installation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the three-phase electrical system required by traditional autoclaves with a single-phase AC power system. The induction heating coil is designed to operate from standard single-phase household or commercial electricity, eliminating the need for expensive three-phase electrical service and complex electrical infrastructure. This substitution significantly reduces installation costs and makes the sterilizer accessible to smaller facilities.
4Reliability
If autoclave is used for sterilization, then sterilization is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive steam generation and thermal processing system with direct electromagnetic induction heating. The induction heating coil efficiently transfers electrical energy directly to the metal instruments through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the energy waste associated with heating water to steam and the prolonged thermal exposure required in traditional autoclaves. This substitution significantly reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
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
Reduces sterilization cycle times from 90 minutes to under 30 minutes, prevents material degradation, and is safer and more energy-efficient than traditional autoclaves, while maintaining the sterility of medical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply is configured to generate an alternating current with an output frequency corresponding to the metal type selected by the user. The tank circuit includes a tank capacitor and an inductive heating coil driven by the power supply.
Implementation Method 2
Induction oven with selectable resonance frequency
Implementation Method 3
The container for heating articles includes a bin and lid with a hermetic seal therebetween such as an elastomeric gasket interposed between them.
Data Source
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AI summary
An induction oven for the sterilization of equipment is disclosed. It reduces sterilization cycle times from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes using dry heat, which also avoids pitting and other forms of degradation of the materials being sterilized. The oven can generate a resonance of a particular frequency to target the specific type of metal or other induction material being heated. Target induction materials include cast iron, stainless steel, brass, and graphite. The oven includes a coil that generates the time-varying electromagnetic field using a two-dimensional spiral having a rectangular pattern and is formed on a printed circuit board. The oven is configured to receive a container for heating articles. The container includes a bin, e.g., aluminum, and transparent lid with a gasket therebetween to produce an airtight seal. The container can be used to both sterilize equipment as well as store the sterilized equipment without contamination.