Operating Room Airborne Sterilization Design for HAI and SSI Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hospital and operating room designs and sterilization methods fail to consistently reduce the microbial burden, leading to unacceptably high rates of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), particularly due to the presence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms on surfaces and in the air.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing airborne sterilizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, combined with laminar flow delivery systems and automated control mechanisms to ensure thorough sterilization of hospital or clinic rooms, creating an air curtain of HEPA and UV-sterilized air to prevent microbial contamination, while minimizing human error and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airborne sterilizing agents are used to reduce microbial burden, then the effectiveness of sterilization is improved, but the safety risk to humans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sterilization cycles where airborne sterilizing agents are released into the room, followed by ventilation periods to remove the agents. This cyclic approach allows achieving thorough sterilization while ensuring human safety by eliminating harmful agents before occupancy resumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated control systems and sensors as intermediaries between the sterilizing agents and human occupants. These intermediaries monitor agent concentrations, control release rates, and manage ventilation timing to prevent direct human exposure to harmful levels of sterilizing agents.
2Reliability
If automated control mechanisms are implemented to reduce human error, then the reliability of sterilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform that manages agent release, monitors environmental conditions, controls ventilation, and tracks sterilization cycle progress. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-monitoring and self-adjustment capabilities where sensors detect environmental conditions and automatically adjust operational parameters without human intervention. This self-service approach ensures consistent sterilization reliability while minimizing the complexity of manual control interfaces.
3Reliability
If HEPA filters and UV sterilization are used for air treatment, then the air quality is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates HEPA filters and UV sterilization devices in periodic cycles rather than continuously. During sterilization phases, these devices run at full capacity to achieve effective air treatment. During non-sterilization phases, they are reduced or shut down, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining air quality when needed.
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 solution significantly reduces the microbial burden in treated areas, providing a low-risk environment for patients by effectively killing a substantial majority of microbes and maintaining a sterile air curtain, thereby decreasing the incidence of HAIs and SSIs.
Implementation Method 1
airborne sterilizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor... effectively killing a substantial majority of microbes
Implementation Method 2
air curtains of sterilized air (often HEPA and/or UV sterilized air)
Implementation Method 3
HEPA and UV-sterilized air... UV sterilized air
Implementation Method 4
laminar flow delivery systems... providing laminar flow sources of sterilized air
Data Source
AI summary
System and method to reducing risk of patient infections (HAI), using operating rooms equipped with suitable automatic airborne sterilizing agent generators, sensors, mechanisms, automatic air control devices, and ceiling mounted structures that allows the room to both provide air curtains of laminar flow sterilized air over the operating table, as well as to be quickly and completely sterilized. After suitable safety checks, the system isolates the interior air from external air, and activates an air phase anti-microbial agent generator, filing the room with air-phase anti-microbial agent. After sterilization, the invention deactivates the generator, removes the remaining air-phase anti-microbial agent by flowing room air through a catalytic converter, and then restores the connection to outside sterilized air. The ceiling mounted structure is configured for laminar flow air curtain delivery, supply lighting, and support boom mounted operating room equipment. Various sensors, control methods, wall coverings, and other options are disclosed.