Multi-Stage Air Purification for Low-TVOC IVF Laboratories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air filtration systems in IVF laboratories are insufficient in achieving optimal air quality, as they either fail to remove contaminants effectively or produce by-products that harm the IVF process, leading to low clinical pregnancy and implantation rates due to inadequate air purification.

Innovation Solution

An air purifier system with a multi-stage filtration process including particulate pre-filtration, VOC pre- and post-filtration using carbon and KMnO4, UV filtration for biological and chemical contaminant destruction, and HEPA/ULPA filtration, along with a booster fan and sensors for maintaining air flow and monitoring VOC levels, to provide highly purified air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple filtration stages are added to improve air quality, then contaminant removal is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairborne contaminantsVSAvoidfiltration system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple filtration functions are merged into a single integrated air purifier unit housing that processes air through all filtration stages sequentially. The pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon cartridges are combined in one compact device with unified airflow paths and control systems, reducing the complexity of managing separate filtration systems while maintaining comprehensive contaminant removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air purifier is designed as a universal device that handles multiple contaminant types (particulates, VOCs, biological contaminants) through a single multi-functional filtration system. The device can be deployed in various IVF laboratory configurations and scales, providing adaptable air purification without requiring separate specialized systems for each contaminant type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system significantly improves air quality by reducing TVOC, biological, and particulate contaminants, resulting in increased clinical pregnancy and implantation rates, making IVF more viable and cost-effective by optimizing the IVF laboratory environment.

Implementation Method 1

VOC pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration, wherein the VOC pre-filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

UV filtration within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 3

UV filtration for biological and chemical contaminant destruction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-oxidation: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 4

HEPA/ULPA filtration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9522210B2Methods of purifying air

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 LIFEAIRE SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Methods for purifying air with air purifiers are disclosed. Optionally, the methods provide purified air characterized by: a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb; and a particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft3.