Modular VHP Decontamination Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decontaminating non-critical medical devices in hospitals are inefficient, as they often require dedicated rooms with significant structural modifications, are difficult to seal, and lack safety features to prevent exposure to vaporized hydrogen peroxide, making them labor-intensive and impractical for frequent use or relocation.
Innovation Solution
A modular decontamination enclosure composed of preformed panels that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and expanded, featuring a gas circulation system with a duct, blower, catalyst, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator, along with sensors and interlocks for safety, allowing for safe and efficient decontamination within existing hospital environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated hospital room is used for decontamination, then decontamination can be performed, but significant structural modifications and sealing labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The decontamination system is divided into separate modular components: a decontamination chamber that can be detached from the building structure, a separate VHP generator, and independent circulation systems. This segmentation eliminates the need for permanent structural modifications while maintaining decontamination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable decontamination chamber serves as an intermediary between the hospital environment and the VHP decontamination process. This intermediary contains the decontamination function without requiring the building structure itself to be modified or sealed permanently.
2Reliability
If vaporized hydrogen peroxide is used for decontamination, then effective disinfection is achieved, but safety risks to hospital workers arise from exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the VHP generation function from the worker environment through a portable chamber design. The vaporized hydrogen peroxide is contained within the decontamination chamber during generation and application, preventing worker exposure while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors VHP concentration and circulation system operation to ensure safe and effective decontamination cycles, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain effectiveness while minimizing harmful exposure risks.
3Ease of operation
If manual cleaning with spray bottles and wiping cloths is used, then decontamination can be performed, but it is impossible to insure complete coverage of all surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system uses pneumatic flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide through the decontamination chamber to achieve uniform distribution and complete coverage of all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. The gas phase allows penetration into crevices and air passages that liquid cleaners cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the phase transition of hydrogen peroxide from liquid to vapor form, which enables the decontaminant to uniformly distribute as a gas throughout the chamber and condense on all surfaces, ensuring complete coverage regardless of surface geometry or accessibility.
4Reliability
If a dedicated decontamination room is established, then decontamination function is provided, but the room cannot be easily modified or relocated
Solution Approach 1:
The decontamination function is segmented into a portable, self-contained chamber that can be independently positioned and relocated within the hospital. This modular design provides the necessary decontamination function while maintaining full adaptability to different locations and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, permanently installed decontamination room to a dynamic, portable chamber that can be moved and reconfigured as needed. This dynamic design maintains decontamination effectiveness while providing flexibility for relocation and adaptation to changing hospital needs.
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 modular design enables efficient decontamination of non-critical medical devices, ensuring safety for hospital staff, reducing labor and structural modifications, and allowing for easy relocation and expansion, while effectively using vaporized hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate surfaces and internal passageways of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator connected to the duct for introducing vaporized hydrogen peroxide into the stream of gas at the third location
Implementation Method 2
A blower is disposed in the duct for conveying a stream of gas through the duct in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
A catalyst is disposed in the duct at the second location
Data Source
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AI summary
A decontamination enclosure, comprised of a plurality of preformed panels joined together to form a structure defining a totally enclosed chamber. A door is formed in at least one of the panels, the door being movable between an opened position and a closed position to allow access to the chamber. A circulation system is attached to the structure for circulating vaporized hydrogen peroxide through the chamber. A controller is provided for controlling the amount of vaporized hydrogen peroxide introduced into the chamber.