Microbial Scrub Brush Insert for Female Luer Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disinfecting medical devices, particularly female luers, are inadequate as they often fail to effectively clean both the exterior and interior surfaces and may not maintain sterility before use.
Innovation Solution
A microbial scrub brush with a foam insert impregnated with anti-bacterial disinfectant, housed in a rotatable and finger-manipulable container that securely fits over a female luer, allowing for self-threading and thorough disinfection of both exterior and interior surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cloth wipes are used for disinfection, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the cleaning effectiveness on both exterior and interior surfaces is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The scrub brush is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer annular portion for cleaning exterior surfaces and an inner central portion for cleaning interior surfaces of the female luer. This segmentation allows simultaneous effective cleaning of both surfaces, resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the scrub brush are designed with different qualities - the outer annular portion has a first configuration optimized for exterior surface contact, while the inner central portion has a second configuration optimized for interior surface contact. This local differentiation enables comprehensive disinfection without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If a swab is used for cleaning, then the structure is simple, but the swab cannot effectively clean both exterior and interior surfaces simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The scrub brush is designed to be rotatable within the housing, transforming a static simple swab into a dynamic multi-functional tool. The rotation capability allows the brush to access both exterior and interior surfaces of the female luer, improving cleaning thoroughness while maintaining ease of operation through simple rotational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The single scrub brush structure performs multiple functions: the outer annular portion cleans exterior surfaces while the inner central portion cleans interior surfaces. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling comprehensive cleaning without requiring multiple separate tools or complex manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is made small for finger manipulation, then ease of use is improved, but the capacity to hold sufficient disinfectant is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a compact cavity that efficiently contains the foam insert and disinfectant solution. The optimized cavity geometry maximizes the volume of disinfectant that can be held while maintaining dimensions suitable for finger manipulation, resolving the contradiction between portability and disinfectant capacity.
4Reliability
If the insert is made to envelop the female luer, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scrub brush insert features a conically tapered configuration that facilitates easy insertion into the female luer. The tapered shape guides the brush into position and reduces insertion resistance, while the outer annular portion and inner central portion are configured to envelop and contact both exterior and interior surfaces, resolving the contradiction between coverage and insertion ease.
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 scrub brush effectively disinfects both exterior and interior surfaces of medical devices, maintaining sterility and ease of use, outperforming traditional cloth wipes by ensuring thorough cleaning and preventing bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a swab in the form of a piece of foam material that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
The insert is provided with an annular portion for enveloping an outer surface of the female luer as well as a central portion for insertion within a central passage of the female luer for sterilizing an interior of the female luer
Data Source
AI summary
The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a base from which extends an outer wall that defines a chamber. A plurality of complaint fingers extend from the base into the chamber. A plurality of wipers extend radially inward from the outer wall into the chamber to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior surface of the medical device.