Sealed Needle Magnetizer With UV Sterilization for Sterile Imprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetization systems for medical devices compromise sterility due to contact with unsterilized magnetization devices and are often bulky, costly, and generate excessive waste, as they require complex networks and disposable components for imprinting magnetic signatures.
Innovation Solution
A magnetizer system with a housing containing a cavity and an irradiation source that emits UV radiation to sterilize and magnetize medical devices, maintaining sterility by using a switching mechanism to activate the magnetizing element and irradiation source within a sealed environment, allowing for simultaneous magnetization and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a medical device is inserted into a magnetizer for magnetization, then the medical device can be magnetized, but the sterility of the medical device may be compromised due to contact with unsterilized surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetizer is divided into a sterile interior cavity where magnetization occurs and an exterior housing that can be handled without sterilization. The cavity is sealed off from the exterior environment, allowing the medical device to be magnetized while maintaining sterility within the isolated chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed cavity acts as an intermediary barrier between the sterile medical device and the non-sterile exterior environment. This intermediate space allows magnetization to occur without direct contact between the sterile device and unsterilized surfaces of the magnetizer housing.
2Area of stationary object
If existing magnetizer systems use a thin, deep well design for dipping medical devices, then magnetization can occur, but cleaning becomes difficult and sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a deep well that requires complex cleaning procedures, the invention inverts the approach by creating a sealed cavity that prevents contamination in the first place. The cavity's enclosed design means that cleaning is simplified to maintaining the seal integrity rather than reaching into deep crevices.
3Reliability
If a sterilized magnetizer contacts unsterilized surfaces during use, then the magnetizer becomes contaminated, but re-sterilization is required which adds time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetizer is segmented into a sterile interior cavity and a non-sterile exterior housing. This segmentation allows the exterior to contact unsterilized surfaces without compromising the sterility of the interior cavity, eliminating the need for re-sterilization of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is pre-sealed to maintain sterility before use. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if the exterior contacts contaminants during use, the sterile environment within the cavity remains intact, preventing the need for re-sterilization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electro-magnetic systems are used to track medical devices, then tracking capability is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetization function from a complex electro-magnetic tracking system and implements it using a simple permanent magnet within the magnetizer. This extracted approach maintains tracking capability while dramatically reducing system complexity, size, and cost.
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 effectively magnetizes medical devices while maintaining sterility, reducing waste and costs by integrating sterilization and magnetization processes within a compact, sealed unit, preventing contamination and ensuring the medical device remains sterile throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation source disposed in a wall of the cavity and configured to direct ultraviolet radiation into the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a magnetizing element disposed in a wall of the cavity... configured to magnetize a portion of the medical device... configured to imprint a magnetic signature onto the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method are directed to a magnetizer comprising at least one magnetizing element and an irradiation source. The housing defines a cavity that communicates with an opening. By placing a medical device, e.g. a needle, through the opening and into the cavity exposes the needle to the irradiation source while being magnetized to imprint a magnetic signature. Optionally, a switching mechanism can be actuated when the needle passes through/engages the opening and actuates the irradiation source and/or magnetizing element. Advantageously, the needle can be sterilized while being magnetized. Further, the cavity can be sterilized to prevent contaminating the needle during magnetization.