Isolator Sterilization Gas Removal Using Internal Catalyst Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolators for handling pathogens and cell preparation require longer sterilization times, which affects work efficiency and sterility assurance levels, despite efforts to shorten the sterilization process by raising temperature and supplying sterilization gas.
Innovation Solution
An isolator design incorporating circulation fans, HEPA filters, and sterilization gas-removing catalysts in both air supply and exhaust units to circulate and adsorb sterilization gas within the isolator, reducing catalyst resistance and shortening sterilization time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilization gas is supplied to the work room to perform sterilization, then sterility assurance level is secured, but sterilization time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the decomposition of sterilization gas. The catalyst enables the sterilization process to be more efficient by accelerating the chemical reactions involved, thereby reducing the time required to achieve the desired sterility assurance level without compromising effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sterilization process by controlling temperature, gas concentration, and catalyst activity. By optimizing these parameters, the sterilization process achieves faster decomposition of the sterilization gas while maintaining the required sterility assurance level, thus reducing overall sterilization time
2Productivity
If circulation fan supplies clean air through HEPA filter, then work efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply unit is designed to perform multiple functions: filtering air through HEPA filters, circulating air through the work room, and facilitating sterilization gas decomposition. By integrating these functions into a single system, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining improved work efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply unit is divided into functional modules (filtration module, circulation module, and catalyst interaction module). This segmentation allows for easier maintenance and operation while achieving the desired work efficiency through coordinated operation of each module
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 isolator achieves faster sterilization with improved work efficiency and secure sterility assurance levels by circulating sterilization gas through internal catalysts, preventing gas leakage and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
causing an air supply fan to supply the clean air into the isolator, when work is performed. When a sterilization gas is removed, the air supply unit is configured such that the air supply fan circulates the air inside the isolator through a sterilization gas-removing catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an isolator that is capable of improving work efficiency by shortening a sterilization time, and that is capable of securing a sterility assurance level. An isolator, in which a circulation fan above a work room supplies clean air to the work room via a HEPA filter, includes: the work room; a front door provided in a front surface of the work room; a glove provided in the front door; and an air supply unit that causes an air supply HEPA filter to clean air taken in from an air supply airtight damper, and that causes an air supply fan to supply the clean air into the isolator, when work is performed. When a sterilization gas is removed, the air supply unit is configured such that the air supply fan circulates the air inside the isolator through a sterilization gas-removing catalyst.