Open Cellular Sterilization Accessory for Vapor Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization accessories, such as trayliners and instrument pouches, used in hydrogen-peroxide gas plasma sterilization often trap hydrogen peroxide vapors, reducing plasma effectiveness and are costly, requiring reuse to be cost-effective, while also potentially reacting with hydrogen peroxide.
Innovation Solution
Open cellular materials like polyethylene or polypropylene-based sterilization accessories with a planar base and cells that allow gases to pass through, preventing vapor trapping and chemical reactions, and are designed for single-use disposability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If absorbent materials are used in sterilization accessories, then moisture is absorbed, but hydrogen peroxide vapors are trapped reducing plasma effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials with controlled pore structure that allow hydrogen peroxide vapors to pass through while still providing moisture absorption. The porous structure enables vapor permeability while maintaining the ability to absorb liquid moisture, thus resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and sterilization effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If reusable sterilization accessories are used, then cost is reduced, but chemical reactions with hydrogen peroxide may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sterilization accessories made from materials that are inexpensive to manufacture and do not react with hydrogen peroxide. By using single-use items, the need for repeated sterilization cycles is eliminated, preventing chemical degradation and reactions that would occur with reusable materials over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting chemically inert materials that do not react with hydrogen peroxide. This parameter change in material selection allows for cost-effective disposable alternatives that avoid the harmful chemical reactions associated with reusable materials subjected to repeated sterilization.
3Strength
If wrapped trays are used in sterilization, then instrument protection is provided, but residual moisture causes contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous sterilization accessories that provide physical protection for instruments while allowing moisture to pass through the porous structure. This prevents the accumulation of residual moisture on instruments while maintaining protective coverage, eliminating the contamination risk associated with wet packs.
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
These accessories enable effective hydrogen-peroxide gas plasma sterilization without reducing plasma generation, provide adequate cushioning for instruments, and are inexpensive enough for single-use disposal, improving sterilization efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of cells is open, such that gases surrounding the open cellular material are free to pass into and out of each of the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 2
provide adequate cushioning for instruments
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization system for sterilizing a surgical instrument includes a generally planar sterilization surface and a sterilization accessory disposed on the sterilization surface. The sterilization accessory is adapted to receive the surgical instrument thereon or therein, and the sterilization accessory is formed at least in part from an open cellular material. The open cellular material includes a generally planar base surface, a plurality of cells extending from the base surface, each of the plurality of cells including a side wall, which extends from the base surface, and an end wall. Each of the plurality of cells is open, such that gases surrounding the open cellular material are free to pass into and out of each of the plurality of cells.