Single-Use Infection Control for Forced Air Warming Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Forced air warming machines in medical settings pose a risk of cross-infection due to the accumulation and transmission of infectious pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi on internal filters and air hoses, which are not adequately cleaned between uses, leading to potential transmission from one patient to another.

Innovation Solution

A single-use infection control system comprising a closable container made from air-permeable material, a sleeve surrounding the air hoses, and a filter cap, designed to prevent infectious airborne particles from entering the system and physically contacting the machine, ensuring triple filtration of air before it reaches the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-use forced air warming machines are used continuously, then productivity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but pathogen accumulation and cross-infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous use efficiencyVSAvoidpathogen accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the air warming pathway into multiple filtration stages: external air intake filtration, internal machine filter, and hosing outlet filtration. Each segment captures pathogens at different points, preventing accumulation while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary filtration components (external filter, internal filter, hosing filter) that act as mediators between the air source and the patient. These intermediaries capture and remove pathogens, allowing the machine to operate continuously without direct pathogen contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If internal filters are changed every 500-1000 hours, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-infection risk increases due to pathogen accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter replacement routineVSAvoidcross-infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary filtration actions at multiple stages before air reaches the patient. The external filter pre-filters air intake, the internal filter filters machine output, and the hosing filter provides final filtration. This preliminary action prevents pathogen accumulation without requiring frequent filter replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each filtration component is positioned at a specific location where it addresses a particular contamination risk: external filter at air intake, internal filter at machine output, and hosing filter at the patient interface. This localized approach maximizes pathogen removal efficiency while simplifying maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If air is drawn externally and filtered internally, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but pathogen transmission through hosing cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine construction simplicityVSAvoidpathogen transmission via hosing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration system is segmented into three distinct components: external air intake filter, internal machine filter, and hosing outlet filter. This segmentation addresses the hosing transmission risk by placing a dedicated filter at the patient interface, while each component remains independently manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hosing filter acts as an intermediary component between the machine and the patient, providing final pathogen removal. This intermediary filtration stage prevents pathogen transmission through the hosing without complicating the overall machine construction, as the filter is a standalone component that can be easily integrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system significantly reduces the risk of cross-infection by preventing infectious pathogens from depositing on internal filters and air hoses, and from physical contact, ensuring each patient is treated with a sterile environment, thereby minimizing the transmission of pathogens.

Implementation Method 1

a closable container having a chamber to receive the machine, the container constructed from air permeable material that prevents infectious airborne particles from entering the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a filter cap constructed from the air permeable material, disposed at the second end and covering an opening of the hosing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11484439B2Infection control system for forced air warming machines

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 CARE ESSENTIALS

AI summary

A single-use infection control system for a forced air warming machine having hosing connected to the machine including: a closable container having a chamber to receive the machine, the container constructed from air permeable material that prevents infectious airborne particles from entering the chamber; a sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end engaged to an aperture on the container and the sleeve surrounding the hosing; and a filter cap constructed from the air permeable material, disposed at the second end and covering an opening of the hosing.