Sanitizer-Dispensing Door Handle With Spill-Reducing Event Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare and other environments are inadequate, as they lack effective tracking of hand sanitization rates and often result in sanitizer fluid spillage when dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizer-dispensing door handle with integrated electronics that monitor and record hand sanitization events, featuring a collapsible pump and trigger mechanism to ensure fluid is dispensed into the palm, combined with wireless data transmission for tracking usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sanitizer fluid is dispensed using traditional dispensers, then hand sanitization can be achieved, but fluid spillage onto the floor occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the dispensing nozzle and trigger mechanism in a vertical arrangement where the nozzle is located above the trigger. This dimensional positioning ensures that when the trigger is pressed, the sanitizer is dispensed upward into the user's hand rather than downward onto the floor, fundamentally changing the direction of fluid flow from horizontal/downward to vertical/upward.
Solution Approach 2:
The user's hand acts as an intermediary between the dispenser and the floor. By designing the system to dispense fluid into the hand (which then transfers it to the target surface), the patent prevents direct contact between the dispensing mechanism and the floor, eliminating the spillage pathway while still achieving the sanitization function.
2Loss of information
If hand sanitization monitoring is implemented, then infection control data is obtained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical door opening mechanism and a sanitizer dispenser with monitoring capabilities. By integrating these functions into a single universal device rather than separate components, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive hand sanitization tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the door handle, sanitizer reservoir, dispensing mechanism, and electronic monitoring system into a single integrated unit. This merging of previously separate functions (door operation, fluid storage, fluid dispensing, and data tracking) into one device simplifies installation and reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
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 prevents nosocomial infections by ensuring proper hand sanitization and providing timely data for infection control, while minimizing spillage and simplifying usage.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing circuit(s) is comprised of, for example, a conductive material that emits an electrical field
Implementation Method 2
a collapsible pump filled with hand sanitizer; and a compressible trigger piece that compresses the collapsible pump and releases hand sanitizer
Data Source
AI summary
Apparati and methods for dispensing sanitizer fluid via handles on doors and equipment, and data and recording events pertaining to hand sanitization, are disclosed.