Modular Detection System for Sterile Circuit Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retainer systems for monitoring and tracing sterile goods in sterilization cycles are inefficient due to the need for independent sensor and communication electronics, multiple antennas, and lack of interconnectivity, leading to high manufacturing costs and limited scalability.

Innovation Solution

A modular detection system with a central electronic unit, energy storage, data processing, and communication modules, along with a multiplexer for connecting multiple antenna systems, allowing for minimized electronics in retainer systems and enabling communication between multiple units, reducing the need for specialized printed circuit boards and enhancing scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If independent sensor and communication electronics are integrated into each retainer system, then monitoring and tracing functionality is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring and tracing functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna systems are connected to a single central electronic unit, merging the electronics into one shared component rather than having independent electronics in each retainer system. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining monitoring and tracing functionality through the centralized unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The central electronic unit serves multiple retainer systems simultaneously, performing sensing, communication, and data processing functions for all connected antenna systems. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for duplicate electronics in each retainer, reducing complexity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple independent antenna systems with full electronics are deployed, then comprehensive monitoring coverage is achieved, but manufacturing costs and system scalability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna systems share a single central electronic unit, eliminating redundant manufacturing of sensor and communication electronics for each antenna. This significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage through the shared centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into independent antenna systems that can be manufactured separately and then connected to a central unit. This modular segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while enabling scalable deployment to achieve comprehensive monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If each retainer system has complete sensor and communication electronics, then autonomous monitoring is achieved, but interconnectivity and information sharing between units are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous monitoringVSAvoidinterconnectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna systems are merged into a single network through the central electronic unit, enabling interconnectivity and information sharing between all retainer systems. The centralized architecture allows data from any antenna to be processed and shared across the entire system, enhancing adaptability while maintaining autonomous monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If specialized printed circuit boards are used for each retainer system, then reliable electrical connections are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionsVSAvoidspecialized printed circuit boards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring specialized printed circuit boards in each retainer system, the electrical connection functionality is merged into a single central electronic unit. This eliminates the need for multiple complex PCB designs while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the centralized architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230372057A1Modular detection system for sterile circuit monitoring and method for monitoring a sterile material circuit

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 AESCULAP AG

AI summary

A modular detection system for insertion in a strainer basket for detecting, monitoring and tracing sterile material in a sterilization circuit. The modular detection system includes a strainer basket insert which can be inserted directly in the strainer basket or arranged on a base plate. The system further includes the following individually and optionally electrically coupleable modules: a central electronic unit, a defined or freely selectable number of slots for attaching and/or connecting a predetermined number of retainer systems for retaining sterile material, each retainer system having at least one antenna system for reading a transponder in the sterile material. The system further includes a preferably defined number of conductor tracks to electrically connect the slots and/or retaining systems to one another and/or to the central electronic unit.