Cleaning, disinfecting, care and/or sterilization device for medical or dental instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization devices for medical instruments rely on insecure public wireless networks for communication with remote accessories, posing risks in data transfer and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication device within the cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization device that creates a secure wireless local area network (WLAN) using the Wi-Fi standard, allowing remote accessories to communicate safely and reliably without relying on public networks, with options for non-detachable or detachable connections and internet bridging for maintenance instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a public wireless network is used for communication between the reprocessing device and remote accessories, then ease of operation and connectivity are improved, but security and reliability of data transfer deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated wireless communication device as an intermediary component that creates a private wireless network between the reprocessing device and accessories. This intermediary establishes a secure communication channel that does not rely on public wireless networks, thereby maintaining ease of connectivity while ensuring data security and transfer reliability through encrypted or protected communication protocols.
2Reliability
If a dedicated wireless communication device is implemented to create a secure WLAN, then security and reliability of data transfer are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a security gateway for creating secure WLAN connections and as a universal communication interface that can work with various types of accessories (mobile phones, tablets, computers). This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple communication protocols and accessory types, reducing overall system complexity despite the added security functionality.
3Ease of operation
If remote communication capabilities are added to allow wireless access, then ease of operation is improved, but exposure to electromagnetic fields and potential interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial wireless communication by allowing remote accessories to connect only when needed for specific operations (monitoring, control, or diagnostics), rather than maintaining continuous wireless connections. The wireless communication device can be activated or deactivated based on operational requirements, reducing unnecessary electromagnetic field exposure while preserving remote access capabilities when actually needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning, disinfecting, care and/or sterilization device for at least one medical or dental instrument comprising a housing, a treatment chamber for receiving the at least one medical or dental instrument, a media supply for feeding and/or discharging media into the treatment chamber and a control unit operable to control and/or regulate a cleaning, disinfecting, care and/or sterilization process, wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communication device to communicate with remote accessories of the cleaning, disinfecting, care and/or sterilization device and wherein the wireless communication device is capable of creating a wireless local area network allowing the remote accessories to communicate with the control unit of the cleaning, disinfecting, care and/or sterilization device.