Nitric Oxide Sterilization via Disposable Sachets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sterilization methods using steam autoclaving and gaseous sterilants face challenges such as logistical issues, incompatibility with heat-sensitive materials, explosive hazards, high costs, and inefficiencies in generating and transporting sterilant gases, particularly due to safety concerns and oxidative properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing nitric oxide and other oxides of nitrogen for sterilization, generated on-site using acidification compounds like diazeniumdiolates, which produce a mixture of water and lipid-soluble gases with lower oxidation potential, reducing explosive risks and allowing for higher concentrations for efficient sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sterilant gases (ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide) are used at high concentrations for effective sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards increase due to explosiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide instead of traditional sterilant gases. These nitrogen oxides can be used at high concentrations without the explosive hazards associated with ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine dioxide, while maintaining effective sterilization through different mechanisms (nitric oxide damages microbial cell membranes and nitrogen dioxide oxidizes cellular components).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sachets containing gas-generating reactants (such as sodium nitrite and acid) that are discarded after use. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex gas storage and delivery systems, reducing both cost and safety risks associated with storing high concentrations of hazardous gases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the concentration of sterilant gas is decreased for safety reasons, then safety hazards are reduced, but exposure time must be increased to achieve effective sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical identity of the sterilant from traditional gases to nitrogen oxides, which have different sterilization kinetics. Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide can achieve effective sterilization at lower concentrations without requiring prolonged exposure times, as they act through rapid membrane damage and oxidation mechanisms that are highly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
3Reliability
If powerful oxidizing gases (ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide) are used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but transportation and storage become expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable sachets containing solid or liquid gas-generating reactants (such as sodium nitrite mixed with acid) that can be easily transported and stored without special infrastructure. These sachets generate nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide only when activated during use, eliminating the need for complex cryogenic storage systems, pressurized tanks, or specialized transportation arrangements required for ozone, chlorine dioxide, or hydrogen peroxide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the sachet containing gas-generating reactants) that mediates between the user and the sterilization gas. Instead of requiring direct handling and storage of hazardous gases, the sachet acts as a self-contained unit that generates the sterilant gas only when needed, simplifying both transportation and storage while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If on-site gas generation plants are used to produce sterilant gases, then availability of sterilant gas is improved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex on-site gas generation plants with simple, disposable sachets containing gas-generating reactants. These sachets can be easily activated by adding a liquid or allowing spontaneous reaction, providing immediate availability of sterilant gas without requiring expensive infrastructure, specialized personnel, or significant space for gas generation equipment.
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 sterilizes a wide range of materials with reduced exposure time, is safer to handle, and more economical, enabling portable and scalable sterilization without damaging materials, while minimizing oxidative hazards.
Implementation Method 1
Sterilant gases can kill or control the growth of microbial contaminations. Some of these sterilant gases include chlorine dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone and ethylene oxide.
Implementation Method 2
A method and device utilizing nitric oxide and other oxides of nitrogen for sterilization, generated on-site using acidification compounds like diazeniumdiolates
Implementation Method 3
The gas that diffuses out of the permeable sachet is not sealed from the environment/atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and method for sterilizing or decontaminating an object that by exposing the object to a sterilant gas comprised of one or more oxides of nitrogen, such as NO, NO2, NO3, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5, N2O and mixtures thereof. The source of the sterilant gas can be generated from a sterilant gas-generating composition or provided by a source of the sterilant gas.