Isolator Glove Monitoring for Interchangeable Sealed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolator devices lack effective monitoring systems that can detect the insertion and operation of work gloves regardless of their design or positioning, leading to potential unauthorized access and safety risks in restricted areas.
Innovation Solution
The isolator device incorporates sensor means, preferably radar sensors, arranged at a distance from the access opening to detect the inserted state of work gloves, using imaging or radar technology to monitor glove movements and operations, eliminating the need for markings or transmitter hardware on the gloves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor means are attached to the access device or work gloves, then the inserted state can be detected, but the system requires special devices or gloves with specific coupling to detection units, limiting interchangeability and increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor means from the work gloves or access device and places them as separate, fixed detection units within the manipulation chamber. This allows work gloves to be simple, interchangeable components without embedded sensors, while the detection system remains reliable through fixed imaging sensors that monitor the manipulation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces imaging sensor means as an intermediary between the work gloves and the control system. These fixed sensors capture images of the manipulation space, and the control system analyzes these images to detect glove insertion, removal, and movements without requiring direct sensor coupling to the gloves themselves.
2Reliability
If sensor means are attached to the access device or work gloves, then the inserted state can be detected, but sensors cannot detect glove movement or access to restricted areas, reducing monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based sensor detection (attached to gloves) to area-based imaging detection (fixed sensors monitoring the entire manipulation space). This dimensional shift allows simultaneous detection of glove insertion, removal, and movements across the entire space, including access to restricted areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed imaging sensor means serve multiple functions: detecting glove insertion, detecting glove removal, detecting glove movements, and monitoring access to restricted areas. This universal detection capability eliminates the need for separate sensor systems for each monitoring task.
3Measurement precision
If work gloves require specific coupling to detection units, then detection accuracy is improved, but interchangeability of work gloves is limited and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection functionality from the gloves themselves and places it in fixed imaging sensors within the manipulation chamber. This allows any standard work glove to be used interchangeably without requiring special coupling mechanisms, while detection accuracy is maintained through image analysis of the manipulation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed imaging sensor system automatically detects and monitors work glove status without requiring any special features or modifications to the gloves themselves. The system serves itself by using environmental imaging to infer glove presence and movement, enabling full glove interchangeability while maintaining detection accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are placed close to the access opening, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the system cannot monitor glove operations at a distance or in the broader manipulation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses imaging sensors that capture two-dimensional or three-dimensional views of the manipulation space, allowing simultaneous monitoring of the access opening area and the broader manipulation space. This dimensional approach provides both local detection sensitivity and global monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulation space is segmented into multiple detection zones through the imaging system, allowing the sensor to simultaneously monitor the access opening region with high sensitivity while also covering the broader manipulation area. Different regions can be analyzed with appropriate detection thresholds and algorithms.
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 allows for contactless and reliable monitoring of glove operations, ensuring safe access to restricted areas by detecting glove changes and interventions, reducing the risk of accidents and enabling safe decontamination processes.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means, preferably radar sensors, arranged at a distance from the access opening to detect the inserted state of work gloves, using imaging or radar technology to monitor glove movements and operations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
Isolator device (10), in particular for pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological applications, comprising a manipulation chamber (12), at least one work glove (14) that can be inserted into the manipulation chamber (12) and sensor means (16) for detecting an inserted state of the at least one work glove (14), wherein the at least one work glove (14) can be inserted interchangeably into an access opening (18) of the manipulation chamber (12) and, in the inserted state, seals the isolator device (10).The sensor means (16) are arranged at a distance from the access opening (18) in the manipulation space (12) and are connected to a detection unit (20), wherein a detection area (22) of the sensor means (16) comprises at least one working area of the at least one work glove (14) in the area of the access opening (18), in particular a cross-section with diameter (D) of the access opening (18), in order to detect at least one replacement and/or operation of the at least one work glove (14) in the manipulation space (12) and to evaluate it by means of the detection unit (20).