Off-Centered Drain Trap With Heating and Vibration Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfecting systems for hospital sink drainpipes are ineffective in preventing the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due to inadequate configuration and positioning, leading to bacterial contamination and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A disinfecting drain trap system featuring an off-centered design with integrated heating and mechanical vibration modules, along with a circulation loop, to create a controlled environment that slows down water flow and increases exposure to heat and vibrations, effectively reducing microbial growth and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disinfecting systems are used in drain traps, then the system structure is simple, but the disinfection effectiveness is insufficient allowing multidrug-resistant bacteria to grow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple disinfection mechanisms (ultrasound vibration module, heating module, and off-centered trap design) into a single integrated system. The ultrasound module and heating module work together synergistically to enhance disinfection effectiveness against multidrug-resistant bacteria, while the off-centered trap configuration optimizes fluid dynamics to improve exposure to disinfection forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an off-centered drain trap design where the trap is deliberately positioned asymmetrically relative to the sink outlet. This asymmetric configuration creates specific flow patterns that enhance the effectiveness of ultrasound and heating disinfection by ensuring better contact between disinfecting forces and bacterial colonies in the trap.
2Reliability
If water flow speed is increased to prevent bacterial growth, then bacterial transmission is reduced, but exposure time to disinfection forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized conditions within the drain trap that optimize disinfection. The off-centered design creates specific flow zones where water velocity is reduced, allowing extended exposure to ultrasound and heating forces. This local modification of flow characteristics ensures sufficient exposure time without requiring overall reduction in water flow speed through the entire system.
3Reliability
If heating temperature is increased to kill microorganisms, then disinfection effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating module operates periodically rather than continuously, activating at strategic moments to maintain disinfection effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption. The system alternates between heating phases and non-heating phases, leveraging the thermal retention properties of the trap design to maintain effective temperatures during non-heating periods.
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 significantly reduces the growth of microorganisms in drain traps by utilizing an off-centered configuration that slows water flow and combines heat and vibrations, thereby preventing bacterial aeration and splashing, enhancing disinfection efficiency and safety in hospital settings.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one heating module generates a heat having a temperature effective to kill microorganisms and/or effective to prevent growth of microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
the at least one mechanical vibration module generates vibrations effective to kill microorganisms and/or effective to prevent growth of microorganisms
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfecting drain trap system for reducing the growth of microorganisms in drain traps, the disinfecting drain trap system comprising at least one heating module, one mechanical vibration module; and an off-centered drain trap, wherein the off-centered drain trap comprises at least one collection portion.