Isolator Chamber Aeration Using Positive Pressure Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional isolator systems require excessive time for aeration of the chamber after decontamination due to decontaminating gas components remaining in the HEPA filter, which slows down the process of replacing an incubator connected to the isolator through a chamber.
Innovation Solution
The method involves decontaminating the chamber with decontaminating gas while maintaining a closed door, then rapidly discharging the gas to the outside using the positive pressure from the isolator, ensuring that decontaminating gas does not flow back into the chamber during aeration, thereby reducing aeration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pass box is decontaminated by supplying decontaminating gas through a HEPA filter, then the decontamination function is achieved, but the aeration time becomes excessively long due to decontaminating gas components remaining in the HEPA filter
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent functional pathways: a decontamination pathway (using HEPA filter for gas supply) and an aeration pathway (using positive pressure gas introduction through the opening/closing door). This segmentation allows each pathway to operate independently, so the aeration process is not blocked by the HEPA filter's retained decontaminating gas components.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening/closing door serves as an intermediary pathway for introducing positive pressure gas into the chamber during aeration. This alternative route bypasses the HEPA filter that would otherwise be the only gas entry point, allowing rapid aeration without being constrained by the filter's gas retention characteristics.
2Speed
If the opening/closing door is opened to introduce positive pressure gas for rapid aeration, then the aeration speed is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator is pre-maintained at a positive pressure state before the opening/closing door is opened. This positive pressure acts as a cushioning protective barrier, ensuring that when the door opens, gas flows from the isolator into the chamber rather than allowing external contaminants to enter, thus protecting against contamination while enabling rapid aeration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of introducing aeration gas from the external environment (which would carry contamination risk), the system inverts the flow direction by using the isolator's own positive pressure gas to aerate the chamber. This reversal of the typical aeration approach eliminates the contamination risk associated with external gas sources.
3Productivity
If the chamber is decontaminated with the opening/closing door closed, then the decontamination efficiency is improved, but the aeration process becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates decontamination and aeration into distinct operational phases with different door states: decontamination is performed with the door closed for efficiency, while aeration is performed with the door open to enable rapid gas exchange. This temporal and functional segmentation allows each process to operate under optimal conditions without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The decontamination process is completed first with the door closed, preparing the chamber in advance for the subsequent aeration phase. This preliminary action ensures that when the door opens for aeration, the chamber is already decontaminated, and the positive pressure gas can immediately begin the aeration process without delay.
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 approach significantly reduces the time required for chamber aeration by utilizing the positive pressure from the isolator to rapidly discharge decontaminating gas, preventing its re-entry and enhancing the efficiency of the process.
Implementation Method 1
the gas at the positive pressure in the isolator is introduced into the chamber through the opening portion
Data Source
AI summary
In an aeration method for an isolator system, an incubator is connected to an isolator through a chamber. After closing a door at each sidewall of the chamber, a decontaminating gas is supplied to the chamber through gas supply passages to decontaminate the inside thereof. Next, air is supplied into the chamber through the gas supply passages and an initial aeration is carried out by discharging the decontamination gas through a gas discharge passage. Then, after a door between the isolator and the chamber is opened, and blowers are stopped, gas at a positive pressure in the isolator is introduced into the chamber. The decontaminating gas in the chamber is rapidly discharged to an outside through the gas supply passages and the gas discharge passage, and aeration in the chamber is completed.The time required for aeration of the chamber can be drastically reduced as compared with conventional aeration processes.