Ozone Sterilization Unit for Enclosed Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for enclosed spaces are either ineffective, time-consuming, or pose health risks due to the use of harmful chemicals, and existing technologies are not suitable for thoroughly disinfecting large areas or immobile items within healthcare and laboratory settings.
Innovation Solution
A portable ozone sterilization unit that generates and degrades ozone within enclosed spaces, using an ozone generator and degrader to achieve thorough sterilization while minimizing human exposure to ozone and ensuring safe ozone levels are quickly restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spray disinfectant is used to decontaminate surfaces, then surface disinfection is achieved, but the method is time-intensive and cannot reach difficult to access surfaces or airborne contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical spray wiping methods with ozone gas generation. Ozone gas naturally diffuses throughout the enclosed space, reaching all surfaces including difficult-to-access areas and airborne contaminants simultaneously, eliminating the time-intensive manual cleaning process while maintaining or improving disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the disinfectant from liquid spray to gaseous ozone. This parameter change allows the disinfectant to penetrate and reach all areas of the enclosed space uniformly, including airborne contaminants and difficult-to-access surfaces, while significantly reducing the time required for the disinfection process.
2Reliability
If commonly-used disinfecting agents are applied, then surface disinfection is achieved, but the agents are either limited in effectiveness or cytotoxic to individuals performing cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful property of ozone into a benefit. Ozone is naturally produced during the disinfection process to kill contaminants, then systematically degraded after use. This converts what could be a harmful residual chemical into a beneficial sterilizing agent that is then eliminated, protecting cleaning personnel from cytotoxic exposure while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where ozone is generated for disinfection, performs its function, and then is systematically degraded and removed from the enclosed space. This discarding process ensures that the disinfecting agent does not remain as a harmful residue, protecting cleaning personnel from exposure while maintaining effective disinfection during the treatment period.
3Area of stationary object
If ultraviolet radiator is used for disinfection, then small enclosed spaces can be disinfected, but disinfection is only possible in places directly exposed to ultraviolet light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the disinfection mechanism from directional ultraviolet light to omnidirectional ozone gas diffusion. Ozone gas naturally distributes throughout the entire enclosed space, reaching all surfaces and airborne contaminants regardless of direct line-of-sight exposure, thereby expanding effective coverage area while ensuring complete disinfection reliability.
4Reliability
If steam-in-place sterilization is implemented, then sterilization can be achieved in equipment capable of withstanding high temperatures, but the method requires expensive steam-producing equipment and cannot be used in many environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex steam-producing equipment with a simpler ozone generation system. Ozone can be generated electrically without requiring expensive steam boilers or high-temperature infrastructure, making sterilization capability accessible in environments that cannot withstand high temperatures while reducing device complexity and cost.
5Reliability
If sterilization within an ozone chamber or autoclave chamber is used, then objects can be sterilized, but the method cannot sterilize fixtures, rooms, large equipment, and other immobile and/or bulky items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sterilization system that can handle both small portable items and large fixed structures. By generating ozone within the enclosed space rather than requiring items to be placed in a chamber, the system achieves sterilization effectiveness for objects while simultaneously gaining adaptability to sterilize rooms, fixtures, large equipment, and any enclosed space regardless of size or mobility.
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 ozone sterilization unit effectively eliminates bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants, providing a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method for sterilizing enclosed spaces of varying sizes, including those in medical and laboratory environments, without leaving chemical residues.
Implementation Method 1
an ozone generator configured to ozonize air that enters the sterilization unit during an ozone generation cycle
Implementation Method 2
an ozone degrader configured to remove ozone that enters the sterilization unit during an ozone degradation cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sterilizing an enclosed space using ozone are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the devices and methods also provide for accelerated degradation of the ozone upon sterilization. The methods can include identifying enclosed spaces, sterilizing enclosed spaces through ozone generation, generating reports and transmitting the reports. The sterilization unit disclosed herein can sterilize a plurality of enclosed spaces, such as a fleet of medical response vehicles.