Probe Disinfecting Apparatus Shared Heater Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional disinfectant application processes for probes, especially channel-less ultrasound transducer probes, are inefficient due to lengthy preparation times and energy inefficiencies, leading to ineffective high-level disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A probe disinfecting apparatus that includes a probe positioning system, a dual heater apparatus to mix and route rinsing and disinfectant fluids, and nozzles for optimized liquid dispensing, featuring a singular heater for both disinfectant and rinsing liquids, with temperature control and a quenching mechanism to ensure effective disinfection and rinsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional disinfectant application processes are used, then the probe can be disinfected, but the preparation time is lengthy and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rinsing of the probe before disinfection to remove organic material and bioburden. This preliminary action prepares the probe surface for more effective disinfection, reducing the time and energy needed for the actual disinfection process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature parameters during different phases of the disinfection process. The heater controls temperature to optimize disinfection effectiveness while reducing energy consumption compared to traditional constant high-temperature processes.
2Reliability
If traditional disinfectant application processes are used, then the probe can be disinfected, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes temperature parameters throughout the disinfection process. The heater raises temperature to disinfection levels only when needed, and maintains precise temperature control to achieve effective disinfection with reduced energy consumption compared to traditional processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously circulates disinfectant solution through the probe during the disinfection phase, ensuring continuous effective action without interruption. This continuous circulation maximizes disinfection effectiveness while optimizing energy usage through efficient heat transfer.
3Device complexity
If a singular heater is used for both disinfectant and rinsing liquids, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The singular heater is designed to perform multiple functions: heating disinfectant solution, heating rinsing water, and providing controlled thermal gradients. This multi-functional heater reduces device complexity while maintaining temperature control precision through sophisticated control algorithms and sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that provide feedback to the heater control system. This feedback mechanism allows the singular heater to precisely control temperatures for both disinfection and rinsing phases, maintaining measurement precision despite the simplified single-heater configuration.
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 apparatus ensures thorough disinfection and rinsing of probes with reduced energy consumption and operational time, improving efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing liquid application and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat the disinfectant liquid in the first circuit and the rinsing liquid in the second circuit
Implementation Method 2
a quenching liquid configured to quench the heated rinsing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for disinfecting probes. A probe may be positioned using a probe positioning system that locates the probe in the proper location for disinfecting. The probe may be subjected to a cleaner and/or rinsing liquid to remove foreign materials (e.g., bioburden, soil, and other like material) from the probe before disinfecting. After rinsing, a disinfectant is applied to the probe via one or more nozzles. The disinfectant is applied to the probe for a specified amount of time to disinfect the surface of the probe, and afterwards the probe is rinsed thoroughly to remove the disinfectant from the probe. The rinsing liquid and the disinfectant liquid are held in separate fluid circuits, yet heated to their respective ideal temperatures using the same heater assembly, the heater assembly having heating element shared by both fluid circuits.