Mobile Laminar Flow Hood for Sterile Local Intervention Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical settings like podiatry, dentistry, and veterinary, creating a high degree of local sterility in a small, variable operative area is challenging without the cumbersome use of hospital-grade equipment, and existing devices often disperse organic residues, risking bacterial infections and allergies.
Innovation Solution
A mobile laminar flow hood system with a HEPA-filtered blowing hood and suctioning hood, supported by adjustable and stable means, allows for the creation of a sterile operative area by generating and managing a sterile air flow, minimizing the dispersion of organic residues and bacterial infections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hospital-grade sterile equipment is used, then high sterility degree is achieved, but the equipment becomes extremely burdensome and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile field is segmented into a mobile laminar flow hood unit that can be independently positioned and transported, separating the sterility-generating function from fixed hospital infrastructure. The hood contains all necessary components (filter, airflow system, lighting) in a self-contained, movable package.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminar flow hood is designed with mobile characteristics, allowing dynamic repositioning to different operative areas as needed. The system transitions from static hospital-grade equipment to a dynamic, adaptable unit that can be moved and reconfigured for various procedural locations.
2Reliability
If fixed sterile cabinets with predefined dimensions are used, then sterility is maintained, but flexibility in positioning for different operative areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hood incorporates mobile elements including wheels and adjustable positioning mechanisms, enabling dynamic relocation to various operative areas throughout the facility while maintaining sterile integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminar flow hood is designed as a universal unit that can serve multiple operative areas and different types of procedures. Its mobile design and adjustable features allow it to adapt to various spatial configurations and procedural needs across different medical settings.
3Productivity
If conventional devices are used in podiatry, then operations can be performed, but organic residues are dispersed into the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures harmful organic residues (nail dust, skin particles) that would otherwise be dispersed into the environment, and converts this potentially harmful situation into a beneficial one by directing these particles through the HEPA filter where they are removed, protecting both the environment and operator health.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminar flow hood acts as an intermediary barrier between the operative area and the surrounding environment. It captures and filters organic residues generated during podiatric procedures, preventing their dispersion while maintaining operational efficiency.
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 effectively maintains high sterility and safety during small interventions by containing organic residues, reducing the risk of infections and allergies, and is more accessible and transportable than traditional equipment, accommodating variable operative areas.
Implementation Method 1
blowing hood 2a, the functioning principle of which is per se known, adapted to generate a laminar flow of sterile air
Implementation Method 2
The blowing hood 2a comprises a microfilter 21, for example a HEPA filter... the microfilter has an efficiency above 99.99% for particles having a diameter up to 0.3 μm
Implementation Method 3
a suctioning hood 2b... which are adapted to suck air from the intervention zone
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile laminar flow hood specifically devised for use in podiatry and a podiatric apparatus to which such hood is associated are described. The hood is adapted to generate a laminar flow of sterile air. In particular, an apparatus comprising a system for the generation and treatment of a laminar air flow in a intervention zone is described, together with means to support the system for the generation and treatment of a laminar air flow. The system comprises a blowing hood adapted to generate a laminar flow of sterile air towards said intervention zone, and a suctioning hood adapted to suck the laminar flow of sterile air from the intervention zone.