Peracetic Acid Atomization for Uniform Facility Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization methods for facilities like clean rooms, cell processing centers, and biohazard rooms face issues with residual toxicity, inefficiency, and limited coverage due to the use of carcinogenic disinfectants and time-consuming processes, which fail to uniformly sterilize surfaces and internal equipment without causing corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A device that atomizes peracetic acid disinfectant into extremely small droplets using a sprayer, controlled by a primary and main controller with repeaters, allowing for efficient and uniform sterilization of entire facilities without wetting surfaces, thus avoiding corrosive damage and minimizing chemical usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional chemical agents (formalin, glutaral) are used for sterilization, then sterilization effect is achieved, but residual toxicity and carcinogenicity problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using peracetic acid instead of traditional formalin or glutaral, and controls the physical parameters by adjusting droplet size to extremely small diameters through atomization. This parameter change achieves effective sterilization while eliminating residual toxicity and carcinogenicity problems associated with traditional agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable atomizing cartridge containing the chemical agent that is replaced after use, eliminating the need for complex neutralization procedures and ensuring complete removal of chemical residues. The short-lived nature of the disposable cartridge prevents any persistent toxic effects
2Reliability
If chemical agents are applied and wiped repeatedly for thorough disinfection, then surface sterilization is improved, but time consumption and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual application and wiping with an automated atomizing sprayer system that deposits chemical agents as extremely fine droplets. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated manual labor and extensive wiping time while maintaining effective surface sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential sterilization function from the multi-step application-wiping process and consolidates it into a single atomization step. By taking out the chemical agent delivery function and optimizing it through atomization technology, the process is simplified dramatically without compromising sterilization effectiveness
3Reliability
If formalin fumigation is used for sterilization, then space sterilization is achieved, but equipment corrosion and decontamination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the chemical agent from vapor phase (fumigation) to extremely fine liquid droplet phase (atomization). This parameter change allows the chemical to reach surfaces effectively for sterilization while avoiding the corrosive effects associated with formalin vapor and eliminating the need for curing time to prevent equipment corrosion
4Ease of operation
If traditional spraying methods are used, then chemical agent application is simplified, but uniform coverage and penetration into equipment interiors are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chemical agent into extremely fine droplets through atomization, creating thousands of small particles from a single application. This segmentation enables the chemical to penetrate into equipment interiors and coat surfaces uniformly, achieving comprehensive sterilization coverage that traditional spraying cannot provide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional spray droplet size to extremely fine atomized droplets, effectively adding a dimension of fineness to the chemical delivery system. This dimensional change in droplet size enables penetration into previously inaccessible areas and ensures uniform distribution across all surfaces including complex equipment geometries
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 effectively sterilizes surfaces and internal equipment without corrosion, achieving high antimicrobial efficacy, including against sporulating bacteria, with reduced chemical usage and no need for liquid wiping, while ensuring uniform coverage across complex arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
by atomizing a peracetic acid disinfectant through adjusting the air level and chemical agent feed rate in a sprayer, droplets with extremely small diameter (dry fog) can be generated
Implementation Method 2
atomizing peracetic acid disinfectant using forced air
Implementation Method 3
by using a repeater to control the communication of a main controller with a plurality of spraying units
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
To allow uniform and efficient sterilization of facilities selected from clean rooms, cell processing centers for human use (CPCs), medical-supply-manufacturing facilities, animal-rearing facilities (SPF animals), biohazard rooms, food processing facilities, and medical facilities, where walls, floors, ceilings, device surfaces, and spaces, including equipment interiors, can be sterilized while minimizing effects such as corrosion and using the smallest amount of chemical agent as possible, and whereby sterilization can be carried out without problems with residual toxicity and without the need for wiping operations subsequent to sterilization. In addition, an operator can initiate, monitor, and control sterilization from outside the sterilization zone and thus respond to unexpected circumstances such as damage to a sprayer during a sterilization operation. Moreover, a suitable sterilization environment can be produced and maintained automatically, and reliable sterilization can be carried out by a remote operator along with a main controller located at a distance that allows control. To provide a device allowing the status of all of the primary controllers to be subsequently confirmed. [Means] A sterilization device, comprising: a plurality of sprayer units having one or more sprayers for atomizing peracetic acid disinfectant using forced air, and discharging droplets, one or more temperature-humidity sensors, and a primary controller; a repeater; and a main controller