Medical Device Air Deflection for Pathogen-Controlled Electronics Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices that circulate air for cooling electronics can introduce pathogens from the surrounding environment into the air circulation system, potentially infecting patients or medical personnel.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air deflector, hose, filter, disinfectant device, or heat exchanger into the medical device to manage air intake and exhaust, preventing contaminated air from entering or exiting the device, and ensuring internal components are sealed from pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is circulated through the medical device for cooling electronics, then the electronics are cooled, but pathogens from the surrounding environment can enter the device and infect patients or medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system is divided into separate sterile and non-sterile pathways. A first air intake draws ambient air for cooling electronics, while a second air intake draws sterile air (e.g., from a sterile drape or reservoir) to a sterile surface or component. This segmentation prevents pathogen-laden ambient air from contaminating the sterile field while maintaining effective cooling of electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterile barrier or drape acts as an intermediary between the non-sterile ambient environment and the sterile medical device components. The sterile air pathway is established through this barrier, allowing cooling air to reach electronics without direct exposure to pathogens in the surrounding environment.
2Device complexity
If a single air intake is used for cooling, then the device structure is simple, but there is no separation between clean and contaminated air paths
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system is divided into separate sterile and non-sterile pathways. A first air intake draws ambient air for cooling electronics, while a second air intake draws sterile air (e.g., from a sterile drape or reservoir) to a sterile surface or component. This segmentation prevents pathogen-laden ambient air from contaminating the sterile field while maintaining effective cooling of electronic components.
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
Prevents the spread of pathogens by directing clean air into and away from the device, maintaining a sterile environment and reducing the risk of infection.
Implementation Method 1
conventional medical device circulate air within the interior of the device, such as by an air channel, which may or may not include a fan, to cool the electronics within the device during operation
Implementation Method 2
conventional medical device circulate air within the interior of the device... to cool the electronics within the device during operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes various examples for cooling electronics within a medical device while preventing or reducing the risk of an interior of the medical device being contaminated with a pathogen. The present disclosure includes a medical device having an air deflector to deflect potentially contaminated air from infecting a patient or caregiver. The present disclosure also includes medical devices with disinfectant devices installed to disinfect air either before entering the medical device or before exiting the device. Other examples of the present disclosure include medical devices that are sealed from outside air and fluids, and which may include a cooling device on an exterior surface which may be cleaned and/or removed after each use.