Nested Container Packaging for Dissolvable Medical-Waste Solidifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical waste solidifiers face challenges in shipping, storage, and handling, with issues like 'gel block' leading to spillage during transport, and exposure risks for medical personnel due to bulk packaging and hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A system of nested containers forming a Packet Safe Space (PSS) that houses dissolvable packets containing solidifier, allowing pre-loading before fluid introduction, using cross-linked superabsorbent polymers and inorganic particles to prevent gel block and minimize exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If conventional solidifiers are provided in bulk packaging for shipping and storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but handling safety deteriorates due to exposure risks for medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk solidifier material is segmented into individual pre-measured packets, each contained in a separate dissolvable packet. This allows bulk storage efficiency while eliminating exposure risks during handling, as personnel only handle the sealed packets rather than bulk hazardous material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses disposable dissolvable packets that are discarded after use. Each packet is pre-packaged and sealed, eliminating the need for repeated handling of bulk hazardous materials. The packets are designed to dissolve after use, further reducing waste handling risks.
2Measurement precision
If solidifier is added after waste fluid collection, then measurement accuracy is improved, but solidification completeness deteriorates due to gel block formation
Solution Approach 1:
The solidifier packets are pre-loaded into the waste container before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary placement ensures that the solidifier is already in position to contact incoming waste fluid immediately, preventing gel block formation while allowing accurate measurement of waste fluid collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable packet acts as an intermediary carrier that releases the solidifier gradually as it dissolves in the waste fluid. This controlled release mechanism ensures complete contact between solidifier and all waste fluid portions, preventing gel block while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If weighted solidifiers are used to migrate to specific fluid levels, then distribution effectiveness is improved, but response time deteriorates due to settling time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for weighted solidifiers by using dissolvable packets that release unweighted solidifier material. The packets themselves provide the necessary delivery mechanism, eliminating the time delay associated with weighted solidifier settling while maintaining effective distribution throughout the waste fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical settling process of weighted solidifiers is replaced with a dissolution-based release mechanism. The dissolvable packet uses chemical dissolution rather than gravitational settling to distribute solidifier, dramatically reducing the time required for effective distribution while maintaining ease of operation.
4Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent polymer quantity is increased to improve absorption capacity, then liquid retention is improved, but gel strength deteriorates leading to gel block
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer particles that have different properties in different regions. The surface cross-linking provides localized gel strength at the particle surface to prevent gel block, while the interior maintains high absorption capacity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between absorption capacity and gel strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite superabsorbent polymer particles with surface cross-linking, combining the high absorption capacity of superabsorbent polymers with the gel strength of cross-linked structures. This composite structure maintains both high absorbent capacity and sufficient gel bed strength to prevent gel block formation.
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 ensures efficient, safe, and complete solidification of medical waste with reduced handling risks and space requirements, enabling early solidification and streamlined post-procedure cleanup.
Implementation Method 1
a packet containing an amount of solidifier capable of solidifying the volume of aqueous liquid accommodated by the containers. The packet is adapted to release at least a portion of the solidifier into the aqueous liquid.
Implementation Method 2
Superabsorbent polymers are cross-linked, neutralized polymers which are capable of absorbing large amounts of aqueous liquids and body fluids, such as urine or blood, with swelling and the formation of hydrogels
Implementation Method 3
superabsorbent polymers in order to retain liquid retention, permeability, and gel bed strength when superabsorbent polymer is increased in percent by weight based on the absorbent structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a system and method for delivery and storage of an absorbent for solidification of liquid waste. The system includes a plurality of nestable containers configured to receive aqueous liquid to be solidified and forming a packet safe space when nested one within another. The system also includes a plurality of packets at least partially soluble in the aqueous liquid to be solidified. The containers include at least one packet and each packet contains a solidifier for use as an absorbent composition for the aqueous liquid to be solidified. A packet may be housed within the containers inside a packet safe space. The invention also includes an improved system and method for packaging a solidifier for solidification of liquid medical wastes.