Rotating Transfer Door for Radionuclide Column Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sterility testing of radionuclide generator column assemblies are prone to false negative and false positive results due to prolonged time between sample collection and processing, as well as excessive handling, which can lead to microbial destruction from radiation and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a radiation containment chamber, an isolator, and a rotating transfer door with an antimicrobial vapor generator, allowing for immediate sterility test sample collection in a sanitized environment, reducing handling and exposure to contaminated areas, and using antimicrobial vapor for sanitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sterility test samples are collected and processed using existing methods, then sterility testing can be performed, but the extended time between sample collection and processing causes false negative and false positive results
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sanitization of the isolator environment using antimicrobial vapor before sterility test sample collection. This preliminary action ensures the collection environment is already sanitized, eliminating the need for extended processing time and preventing false results caused by delayed handling.
Solution Approach 2:
An isolator serves as an intermediary controlled environment between sample collection and processing. The isolator maintains a sanitized atmosphere through antimicrobial vapor, allowing samples to be collected and processed immediately without external contamination or extended time delays.
2Ease of operation
If excessive handling is performed during sterility testing, then samples can be collected and processed, but microbial destruction from radiation and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator acts as a protected intermediary environment that minimizes handling exposures. Samples are collected and processed within the controlled isolator atmosphere, reducing the number of times samples must be transferred between environments and thereby reducing handling-induced microbial destruction or contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator creates an inert, sanitized atmosphere using antimicrobial vapor that protects samples during handling. This controlled environment prevents contamination from external sources and reduces the impact of radiation exposure by limiting the time samples spend in transit between processing areas.
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
This approach minimizes false results by reducing the time for sterility testing and handling, maintaining a clean environment, and ensuring accurate detection of microbial presence, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of sterility testing.
Implementation Method 1
an antimicrobial vapor generator (418) connected to the isolator (406). The antimicrobial vapor generator (418) introduces an antimicrobial vapor into the isolator (406)
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a radiation containment chamber, an isolator connected to the radiation containment chamber, a rotating transfer door positioned between the radiation containment chamber and the isolator, and an antimicrobial vapor generator connected to the isolator. The rotating transfer door includes a cavity for receiving a radionuclide generator column assembly, and is rotatable between a first position, in which the cavity is open to the radiation containment chamber, and a second position, in which the cavity is open to the isolator. The transfer door is adapted to rotate while antimicrobial vapor is introduced into the isolator by the antimicrobial vapor generator.