Medical Instrument Cleaning Filter with Self-Cleaning Drying Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning and disinfection devices for medical and dental instruments face challenges with residue buildup in narrow passages, inadequate internal drying due to filter flow resistance, and short filter service life, leading to costly instrument damage and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning and disinfection device with a filter system that includes a filter element with a raw and clean side, where rinsing liquid can be filtered or unfiltered depending on the outlet connection, and a valve mechanism to control flow, ensuring only filtered liquid reaches internal lumens while dirt is removed from the filter's raw side, and drying air can achieve high pressure for effective internal drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microfilter is integrated in the flow path to filter rinsing liquid, then residue buildup in instruments is prevented, but filter service life becomes short and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is subjected to periodic backflushing during the drying phase when drying air flows in reverse through the filter. This periodic cleaning action removes accumulated residues from the filter surface, extending filter service life while maintaining continuous filtration reliability during cleaning phases
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element performs self-cleaning by utilizing the drying air flow during the drying phase. The same drying air that is needed for instrument drying also serves to backflush and clean the filter element, eliminating the need for separate maintenance operations and extending filter service life
2Reliability
If a microfilter is integrated in the flow path to filter rinsing liquid, then residue buildup in instruments is prevented, but device complexity increases due to monitoring and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element automatically cleans itself during the drying phase using drying air for backflushing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate monitoring systems and manual maintenance interventions, reducing device complexity while maintaining filtration reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration function and filter cleaning function are merged into a single filter element system. The same filter element that filters rinsing liquid during cleaning phases is also cleaned by backflushing during drying phases, consolidating multiple functions into one component and reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If a filter element is placed in the flow path for internal drying, then filtered air reaches instruments, but flow resistance increases and drying effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element operates in alternating phases: during cleaning phases it filters rinsing liquid, and during drying phases it is backflushed by drying air. This periodic operation allows the filter to maintain low flow resistance during drying while still providing filtration when needed, resolving the contradiction between air quality and drying effectiveness
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 configuration extends filter service life, prevents residue buildup in instruments, enhances internal drying, and reduces operational complexity, ensuring reliable and efficient filtration and drying of medical and dental instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element (3) with an inside (4) forming a raw side and an outside (5) forming a clean side
Implementation Method 2
a valve device (11), which is open or closed depending on a process parameter, in particular depending on a pressure of the rinsing liquid (60)
Implementation Method 3
the drying air that is introduced for internal drying must overcome the flow resistance of the filter element in order to reach the instrument
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning and disinfection device for medical and/or dental instruments, with a filter device (1, 30) for filtering rinsing fluid, wherein the filter device (1, 30) has a filter element (3, 33) with a raw side (4, 32) and a clean side (5, 34), an inlet (6, 31) for selectively supplying rinsing fluid (60) or drying air (61) into the filter device (1, 30), a first outlet (7) and a second outlet (10, 35), wherein the inlet (6, 31) and the second outlet (10, 35) are in flow communication with the raw side (4, 32) of the filter element (3, 33) and wherein the first outlet (7) is in flow communication with the clean side (5, 34) of the filter element (3, 33).The filter device is characterized in that the first outlet (7) is in flow communication with a device (9) for rinsing the inner lumens of medical and/or dental instruments, that the second outlet (10, 35) can be brought into flow communication with a device (12, 21) for cleaning the outer surfaces of medical and/or dental instruments, and that a valve device (11) is arranged at the second outlet (10, 35) which can prevent or allow the flow of rinsing fluid through the second outlet (10, 35).