Pathogen Impermeable Enclosure for Medical Imaging Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical imaging equipment is at risk of contamination from pathogens, which can lead to the exposure of healthcare professionals and subsequent patients, and existing disinfection methods can damage internal components or cause corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A pathogen impermeable imaging system isolation enclosure with an integrated air filtration system that supplies filtered cooling air and prevents the entry of pathogens and sterilization vapors, ensuring a barrier between the imaging system and the patient and imaging suite while maintaining equipment functionality during disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vaporized hydrogen peroxide or other pathogen-specific disinfectants are used to sterilize imaging systems, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but the vaporized solution can condense on internal components and cause corrosion or degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen inactivationVSAvoidcorrosion of internal components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system is divided into two separate zones: a sterile interior chamber where the imaging components are housed and protected, and an exterior environment where disinfection occurs. The pathogen impermeable enclosure creates this spatial segmentation, allowing disinfection of the exterior surfaces while the interior components remain isolated from harmful vaporized solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pathogen impermeable enclosure acts as an intermediary barrier between the disinfectant vapor and the internal components. This intermediate layer allows the system to be disinfected by blocking harmful substances from reaching sensitive internal parts, while still permitting the disinfection process to occur on external surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the imaging system is disinfected using ultraviolet light or vaporized solutions, then pathogens on surfaces are inactivated, but cleaning burden increases and patient throughput is dramatically impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen inactivationVSAvoidpatient throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pathogen impermeable enclosure is installed on the imaging system before use, creating a built-in protective barrier that eliminates the need for extensive cleaning procedures between patients. This preliminary protective action allows for rapid disinfection by simply treating the exterior of the enclosure, rather than requiring detailed cleaning of all internal surfaces, thereby maintaining high patient throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If cooling air exchange is used to maintain imaging system temperature, then thermal management is achieved, but pathogens can be drawn into the imaging system and circulated around the room

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling air flowVSAvoidpathogen circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pathogen impermeable enclosure serves as an intermediary air barrier that allows thermal exchange while blocking pathogen transmission. The enclosure is designed to be thermally conductive enough to permit cooling but impermeable to pathogens, thus mediating between the need for thermal management and the need for pathogen containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pathogen impermeable enclosure utilizes a thin film or shell structure that is permeable to heat and air flow for cooling purposes but impermeable to pathogens. This flexible barrier allows the imaging system to maintain proper thermal management through air exchange while preventing the circulation of pathogens between the interior chamber and the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively isolates medical imaging equipment from pathogens, reducing the risk of contamination and corrosion, enhancing patient safety, and increasing throughput by allowing for efficient disinfection without compromising equipment integrity.

Implementation Method 1

an air filtration system including an inlet to supply a cooling air flow to an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240122777A1Imaging system isolation enclosure for pathogen containment during medical imaging procedures

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Systems are provided for an imaging system isolation enclosure for use with a medical imaging system includes a pathogen impermeable enclosure for use with one or more of radiation imaging systems and magnetic resonance imaging systems, the pathogen impermeable enclosure is configured to provide a barrier between the imaging system and at least one of a patient user and an imaging room, and an air filtration system including an inlet to supply a cooling air flow to an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure and an outlet to output exhaust air from an interior of the imaging system isolation enclosure.