Mixing Device Connector for Internal External Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical rinsing solutions face challenges in cost-effectiveness, logistics, and quality due to centralized production, lack of on-site demand-controlled production, and insufficient volume during procedures, leading to personnel and material inefficiencies and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A mobile mixing unit combining a reverse osmosis membrane with ultra or sterile filters to produce high-purity rinsing solutions on-site, using a concentrate dilution system that ensures constant flow and pressure, with a mobile container design for easy operation and hygiene maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rinsing solutions are produced centrally and transported to hospitals, then quality and purity can be controlled, but logistics costs and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrate is prepared in advance with precisely adjusted composition to ensure quality, then stored in a compact form factor (1-5 liters) that can be easily transported and stored at the point of use. The pre-formulated concentrate eliminates the need for large-volume water transport while maintaining quality standards through advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing solution is segmented into two components: a highly concentrated stock solution (1-5 liters) containing all necessary additives and electrolytes, and ultrapure water produced on-site. This segmentation allows the critical quality components to be transported in minimal volume while the bulk water is generated locally through reverse osmosis and filtration.
2Quantity of substance
If large volumes of rinsing solution (3L, 5L, 10L) are stored in hospitals, then sufficient volume is available for procedures, but internal logistics and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically producing ultrapure water on-site through reverse osmosis and filtration, then mixing it with the concentrate to create the required volume of rinsing solution. This eliminates the need for personnel to manually prepare, warm, and transport large volumes of solution, as the device autonomously generates the required quantity (sufficient for 60L+ procedures) directly at the point of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from storing large volumes of ready-to-use solution to storing a small volume of concentrate that can be rapidly expanded on-site. The concentrate (1-5L) serves as a compact reservoir that can be diluted to produce unlimited volumes of rinsing solution as needed, changing the dimension from volume storage to concentration storage.
3Ease of operation
If connection connectors are used for concentrate bags, then convenient mixing is enabled, but contamination risk and cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection connector is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates contamination risk by ensuring the connector is never reused or contaminated, while still providing the convenience of easy connection and disconnection during the mixing process. The low cost of the disposable connector makes this approach economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection connector is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be easily detached and discarded. This allows the main device body to remain clean and sterile, while the connector handles all potential contamination points. The connector is taken out of the permanent structure and made replaceable to eliminate cross-contamination between uses.
4Loss of energy
If high-purity water is produced on-site using reverse osmosis and filters, then logistics costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse osmosis membrane module, ultrafilter, sterile filter, and mixing chamber are merged into a single integrated device unit. This combination consolidates multiple complex functions (water purification, filtration, mixing, and storage) into one cohesive system that occupies minimal space and requires minimal operation. The integrated design reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical complexity of manual water purification and mixing processes is replaced by an integrated membrane-based filtration system and automated mixing mechanism. The reverse osmosis membrane and filters provide automated purification without requiring manual intervention, while the mixing chamber automatically combines the purified water with concentrate when the device is activated.
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
Enables cost-effective, user-friendly, on-site production of medical rinsing solutions with a small personnel requirement, maintaining hygiene and quality, and ensuring uninterrupted administration without additional personnel, while reducing waste and logistical costs.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile mixing unit combining a reverse osmosis membrane with ultra or sterile filters to produce high-purity rinsing solutions on-site
Implementation Method 2
A mobile mixing unit combining a reverse osmosis membrane with ultra or sterile filters to produce high-purity rinsing solutions on-site
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The mixing unit (12) for ready-to-use rinsing solutions, comprising a mixing chamber (15) into which lines for high-purity water and concentrate open to form a ready-to-use rinsing solution, is characterized in that the concentrate is filled into a concentrate bag (26) which is provided with a concentrate bag connection connector (24) which can be connected to a connection connector (22) of the mixing unit, that the connection connector (22) of the mixing unit is covered by a pivotable concentrate flap (20) in its closed state in such a way that a sealed rinsing chamber (103) is formed around the connection connector (22), and that a rinsing fluid line (18) opens into the connection connector (22) of the mixing unit (12) so that rinsing fluid can be conveyed into the rinsing chamber (103) which can completely clean the connection connector (22) inside and out.