Isolator Cabin Quick-Change Interface for Flexible Protection Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolator systems in pharmaceutical and food industries are inflexible and inefficient due to their fixed protection levels, leading to downtime during substance changes and inadequate protection level adjustments, which affects production and personnel safety.
Innovation Solution
An isolator system that allows for quick and flexible changes in protection levels by replacing the isolator cabin with additional cabins of varying protection levels, using a quick-change interface that includes positive-locking mechanisms and integrated peripherals for seamless transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an isolator is designed for a specific protection level, then it provides reliable protection for that level, but it cannot be easily adapted to different protection levels
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator system is divided into separable components: the isolator cabin, the mounting surface, and the locking device. This segmentation allows the locking device to be replaced independently to change the protection level, while keeping the main isolator structure intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static protection level design to a dynamic one where the protection level can be changed by replacing the locking device. The quick-change interface enables this dynamic adaptation without requiring complete system replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate isolator is provided for each material processing unit and substance, then contamination is avoided, but the footprint and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator cabin is designed as a universal container that can accommodate different material processing units and handle different substances. The protection level is adjusted by changing the locking device rather than providing separate isolators for each substance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the physical isolator structure for different substances, the system changes the protection level parameter by replacing the locking device, allowing one isolator to serve multiple purposes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the isolator is cleaned thoroughly when switching substances, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the isolator is unavailable for production during cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the cleaning function from the production function by allowing the locking device to be quickly replaced. This enables maintenance activities to be performed on the locking device without completely shutting down the isolator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator can maintain production continuity by allowing rapid locking device replacement. While one locking device is being replaced, the isolator can continue operating with another, minimizing production interruptions.
4Reliability
If locking devices for higher protection levels are installed, then personnel safety is improved, but access to the isolator interior becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the locking device based on the required protection level. When high protection is needed, a more secure locking device is installed; when access is prioritized, a simpler locking device can be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection level parameter is adjusted by changing the locking device type. This allows the system to adapt between safety-oriented configurations and access-oriented configurations as needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an isolator system comprising an isolator (10) having an interior space (22) for processing a substance, wherein the interior space is bounded by a base surface (14) for arranging a substance processing unit (20) and by an isolator cabin (12) with at least one access opening (24), wherein the access opening is assigned at least one locking device for selectively releasing or blocking the access opening, wherein the isolator cabin is placed on or mounted on the base surface, and wherein the isolator system has at least one quick-change interface (34) for exchanging the isolator cabin (12) for an additional cabin with a different level of protection and/or for exchanging the locking device for an additional locking device with a different level of protection.