Injection Medical Device Coating With In-Line Sterilization Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for coating injection medical devices require sterilization of the coating substance before introduction into the inlet tank, which is burdensome and increases the risk of contamination, and pre-sterilized coating substances are costly and prone to contamination during storage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that uses an inlet tank filled with unsterilized coating substance and incorporates sterilization filters to filter the substance during supply to the delivery nozzle, ensuring automatic sterilization without operator intervention and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coating substance is sterilized before introduction into the inlet tank, then the sterility of the coating substance is ensured, but the operator burden increases and the risk of contamination during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating substance is pre-filled into the inlet tank in an unsterilized state, and the sterilization is performed automatically by the system through sterilization filters during the coating process, eliminating the need for operators to manually sterilize the substance beforehand
Solution Approach 2:
Sterilization filters are introduced as an intermediary component in the supply line between the inlet tank and the coating application system, automatically removing contaminants from the coating substance during its flow without requiring manual intervention
2Reliability
If pre-sterilized coating substance is purchased, then the sterility is guaranteed initially, but the costs increase and contamination risk increases during storage time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-sterilization of the coating substance automatically through integrated sterilization filters during the coating process, eliminating the need to purchase expensive pre-sterilized substances and reducing ongoing contamination risks
3Reliability
If precautions are adopted to prevent contamination during introduction into the inlet tank, then the contamination risk is reduced, but the process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sterilization filters are placed in the supply line as an automatic intermediary that prevents contamination without requiring operators to take special precautions or follow complex handling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically prevents contamination through integrated sterilization filters during the coating substance flow, eliminating the need for operators to manually implement complex contamination prevention measures
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 solution simplifies the coating process, reduces contamination risks, and lowers costs by allowing unsterilized coating substance to be sterilized in-line, maintaining the lubricating properties of the coating and ensuring a sterile coating application.
Implementation Method 1
said supply assembly comprises at least one sterilisation filter configured to filter the coating substance withdrawn from said inlet tank
Implementation Method 2
a delivery nozzle; a supply assembly interposed between, and in fluid communication with, said inlet tank and said delivery nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for coating an injection medical device, comprising an inlet tank (10) that can be filled with a coating substance, a delivery nozzle (80) configured to deliver said coating substance to an injection medical device, and a supply assembly (20) interposed between, and in fluid communication with, said inlet tank (10) and said delivery nozzle (80), said supply assembly (20) being configured to withdraw the coating substance from said inlet tank (10) and to supply it to said delivery nozzle (80). The supply assembly (20) comprises at least one sterilisation filter (30a, 30b) configured to filter the coating substance withdrawn from said inlet tank (10).