Portable Ozone Sterilization Device for Emergency Medical Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization devices for surgical equipment are not portable, reliable, or time-efficient, especially in emergency medical situations, as they require potable water and a power source, making them unsuitable for remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable sterilization device with a sealable chamber, aerosolizing component, and ozone delivery system that creates an oxidative aerosol sterilant by mixing aerosolized sterilants with ozone within the chamber, preventing pre-mixing to ensure effective sterilization without external power or water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam sterilization devices are used, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate due to requirements for potable water and external power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses self-contained sterilant cartridges that provide both the sterilizing agent and aerosolization mechanism in a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for external water sources and power supplies. The sterilant cartridge automatically aerosolizes the sterilant when activated, making the device self-sufficient for operation in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable main body containing the ozone generator and control systems, and disposable sterilant cartridges containing the sterilizing agent and aerosolization components. This segmentation allows the complex sterilization function to be packaged in a portable format while maintaining effectiveness.
2Productivity
If sterilization time is reduced for emergency situations, then time efficiency improves, but sterilization effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses ozone concentration and exposure time parameters optimized to achieve sterilization assurance levels of 10^-6 in reduced timeframes. The controlled release of ozone from the sterilant cartridge maintains effective concentrations throughout the sterilization cycle, ensuring both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone, a strong oxidizing agent, is used as the primary sterilizing mechanism. The high reactivity of ozone with organic matter allows for rapid microbial inactivation, achieving effective sterilization in shorter exposure times compared to traditional methods while maintaining reliability through controlled delivery.
3Reliability
If aerosolized sterilant and ozone are mixed before delivery, then sterilization effectiveness improves, but safety deteriorates due to potential harmful reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses air as an intermediary medium to deliver both the aerosolized sterilant and ozone separately to the sterilization chamber. By maintaining separate delivery pathways and using air as the carrier gas for both, the system achieves effective mixing within the chamber environment while avoiding concentrated pre-mixing that could create safety hazards.
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 device provides rapid and reliable sterilization of surgical equipment in emergency situations, achieving a sterility assurance level of 10^-6 for most resistant organisms, ensuring safety and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilant delivery device having an aerosolizing component and a sterilant outlet, the sterilant outlet being disposed within or at a boundary of the internal volume and oriented to disperse aerosolized sterilant into the internal volume
Implementation Method 2
an ozone delivery device having an ozone outlet disposed within or at the boundary of the internal volume such that ozone is delivered to the internal volume
Implementation Method 3
whereby an oxidative aerosol sterilant is created within the internal volume by mixing of the aerosolized sterilant and the ozone in the internal volume
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to devices and methods for sterilizing equipment. More particularly, one or more embodiments described in the present disclosure are directed to portable devices for sterilizing medical equipment in emergency situations. The sterilization devices and method of the present disclosure address an unmet need for sterilizing surgical equipment in a manner that is not only effective and time-efficient, but is also portable and reliable enough to use in emergency medical situations in remote locations where modern sterilization equipment is not available.