Microfoaming Ozone Disinfection for Dental Water Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for disinfecting fluid and dental water lines are inadequate, as they often rely on caustic chemicals that are not effective in removing biofilms from inaccessible areas, leading to contamination and potential infections.
Innovation Solution
A microfoaming aqueous ozone disinfection system that integrates an aqueous ozone generator with an electrochemical generator and a microfoaming agent, creating a microfoaming ozonated liquid for thorough disinfection of surfaces and fluid transmission lines, enhancing contact time, penetration, and mechanical action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If caustic chemicals are used to clean and disinfect tubing and piping, then disinfection is achieved, but biofilm buildup in inaccessible areas remains and causes contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone (O3), a strong oxidant, to disinfect fluid transmission lines. Ozone oxidizes and destroys biofilm structures and microorganisms, providing effective disinfection without the harmful effects of caustic chemicals. The electrochemical generator produces ozone in-situ, enabling thorough oxidation of contaminants throughout the entire fluid path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scraping or aggressive physical removal methods with electrochemical ozone generation. The electrochemical cell uses electrical energy to drive the oxidation reaction, substituting mechanical action with a chemical/electrochemical process that effectively removes biofilm without physical contact requirements.
2Reliability
If liquid disinfectants are passed over biofilm, then some disinfection occurs, but total cleaning is insufficient due to biofilm protection
Solution Approach 1:
Ozone's strong oxidizing capability allows it to penetrate and destroy biofilm structures that protect microorganisms. The oxidation reaction breaks down the protective matrix of biofilm, making previously protected areas accessible to disinfection, achieving total cleaning without requiring mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ozone as an intermediary substance that facilitates the cleaning process. Ozone acts as a mediator between the disinfectant and biofilm, oxidizing and breaking down the protective structures, thereby enabling effective disinfection of areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
3Reliability
If traditional disinfection methods are used, then fluid transmission lines can be cleaned, but dental water lines remain contaminated and cause infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ozone oxidation to dental water lines, providing a potent disinfectant that eliminates pathogens and biofilm. This strong oxidant approach ensures complete sanitation of dental water systems, removing the infection risk associated with traditional disinfection methods that leave residual contamination.
4Duration of action of moving object
If microfoaming agent is added to ozonated liquid, then contact time and penetration improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the ozonated liquid by adding a microfoaming agent, changing it from a bulk liquid to a foam structure. This parameter change increases surface area and contact time with surfaces, enhancing disinfection effectiveness. The foam form allows the ozonated liquid to adhere to and penetrate surfaces more effectively than liquid alone.
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 provides superior cleaning and disinfection by increasing contact time, improving penetration, and providing mechanical action to dislodge biofilms, while being safe for human consumption and reducing splatter, thus addressing the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical generator that receives the water and generates from the water an ozonated concentrate liquid
Implementation Method 2
a mixer that blends the microfoaming agent with the ozonated concentrate liquid creating a microfoaming ozonated liquid
Implementation Method 3
aqueous ozone generator that receives water... generates from the water an ozonated concentrate liquid... for use in disinfecting one or more surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of disinfecting a fluid transmission line. The method includes the steps of initiating the flow of water into an aqueous ozone generator, generating an ozonated concentrate liquid by way of an electrochemical generator which comprises an ion exchange material. The electrochemical generator is integrated into the aqueous ozone generator. The electrochemical generator receives the water and generates from the water the ozonated concentrate liquid. The method continues by generating the flow of a microfoaming ozonated liquid by ratiometrically mixing a microfoaming agent with the ozonated concentrate liquid and disinfecting a fluid transmission line by dispensing the microfoaming ozonated liquid through the fluid transmission line. Replaceable cartridges can include the microfoaming agent. The system can data communicate with remote data processing resources, including communicating when it is time to replace the cartridge.