Closed-Loop Radical Sterilization Chamber With Vaporized Peroxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination methods face challenges in effectively treating medical devices and surfaces due to limitations in efficacy, efficiency, and compatibility with various materials and environments, particularly in achieving high-level disinfection and sterilization without using harsh chemicals or requiring extensive provider training.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a free radical generator that produces ozone, superoxide, singlet oxygen, and other reactive species, combined with vaporized hydrogen peroxide, is used to create a disinfecting effluent capable of destroying vegetative microorganisms, mycobacterium, viruses, and bacterial spores, employing a closed-loop system for efficient recycling and controlled delivery within a sealed chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sterilization methods (steam, chemicals, radiation) are used, then sterilization efficacy is achieved, but material compatibility and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone and hydrogen peroxide as strong oxidizing agents to achieve sterilization. These oxidants effectively kill microorganisms through oxidation of cellular components while being environmentally benign and non-corrosive to most materials, resolving the contradiction between sterilization efficacy and material/environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful reactive oxygen species into beneficial sterilization agents by controlling their generation and application. The reactive oxygen species (ozone, hydroxyl radicals) that could be damaging are harnessed in controlled amounts to achieve effective sterilization while minimizing harm through proper system design and cycling
2Reliability
If harsh chemicals are used for high-level disinfection, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but safety and environmental friendliness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses ozone and hydrogen peroxide as non-toxic strong oxidants that achieve high-level disinfection efficacy comparable to harsh chemicals but without their toxicity and environmental persistence problems. These agents decompose into harmless substances (oxygen and water) after use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs short-lived disinfecting agents (ozone has half-life of minutes to hours) that decompose completely after use, eliminating the need for long-term chemical residues and reducing environmental impact while maintaining effective disinfection during the treatment period
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive provider training is required for sterilization methods, then treatment precision is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is designed to be self-regulating with automated control of ozone and hydrogen peroxide generation, exposure timing, and chamber cycling. The system automatically manages the complex parameters of sterilization (concentration, time, temperature) without requiring extensive operator training or intervention, achieving both precision and ease of operation
4Loss of energy
If closed-loop system is used for effluent recycling, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop system where effluent is continuously recycled and re-used for subsequent sterilization cycles. The system maintains continuous operation by cycling chambers and reusing treated effluent, maximizing energy efficiency through continuous useful action while managing complexity through systematic design
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses effluent from completed sterilization cycles for subsequent treatments. Instead of discarding used sterilization media, the system recovers it through the closed-loop design, extracting remaining value and reducing waste while maintaining simplified operational procedures
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 system achieves high-level disinfection and sterilization efficiently, reducing the risk of infections, is eco-friendly, and allows for flexible treatment of diverse items and surfaces, including electronics and wounds, with minimal supervision and low operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the free radical generator generates one or more of types of free radical, such as ozone, superoxide, singlet oxygen, peroxide, hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 2
disinfecting effluent capable of destruction of vegetative microorganisms, mycobacterium, small or non-lipid viruses, medium or lipid viruses, fungal spores, and bacterial spores
Implementation Method 3
the vaporizer unit is configured to generate a vapor of the disinfectant media
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for creating a free radical effluent with reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and other species and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The system is used in sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing, or decontaminating items in the chamber or room and, with a wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body. The wound chamber may be designed to maintain separation from wounds being treated. Various embodiments can control moisture to reduce or avoid unwanted condensation. Some embodiments can be incorporated into an appliance having a closed space, such as a washing machine. Some embodiments may include a residual coating device that deposits a bactericidal coating on sterilized items.