Self-cleaning suction device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction devices in medical and dental fields are large, cumbersome, and lack effective self-cleaning and sanitizing mechanisms, particularly for the suction tube end that contacts the patient, and do not adequately neutralize suctioned matter during use.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning suction device with a specialized user's suction end that sanitizes and neutralizes both internally and externally before and after use, featuring a cover that allows the suction end to pass through sanitizing/neutralizing agents, and incorporates a UV-C germicidal light for decontamination, along with an optional liquid-hydration delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional suction devices are used, then suction function is provided, but the devices are large and cumbersome and lack effective self-cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is nested within a containment unit that includes multiple chambers (decontamination chamber, sanitizing chamber, drying chamber). The suction tube moves through these nested chambers sequentially to receive different treatment modes, integrating multiple cleaning functions within a compact hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment unit is designed to perform multiple functions: decontamination, sanitizing, and drying, all within a single integrated device. The suction tube serves both as the functional suction element and as the component that receives all cleaning treatments, eliminating the need for separate cleaning devices.
2Reliability
If the suction end is cleaned manually, then some sanitation is achieved, but the suction tube end that contacts the patient is not adequately sanitized before and after use
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube automatically receives decontamination, sanitizing, and drying treatments by moving through the contained unit's chambers. The system self-regulates the cleaning process without requiring manual intervention, ensuring consistent and adequate sanitization of the patient-contact surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction tube is decontaminated and sanitized before each use by moving through the treatment chambers in advance. This preliminary cleaning action ensures the suction end is properly sanitized before contacting the patient, preventing cross-contamination.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the suction device is used in medical settings, then patient care is provided, but there is risk of infection and contamination without proper sanitization
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit is divided into distinct functional chambers: decontamination chamber for initial cleaning, sanitizing chamber for disinfection, and drying chamber for moisture removal. This segmentation allows each chamber to specialize in a specific cleaning function, effectively reducing infection risk through systematic multi-stage treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment unit acts as an intermediary between the suction tube and the external environment. It provides a controlled environment with multiple treatment stages that mediate the sanitization process, protecting both the patient and the suction tube from contamination.
4Reliability
If the suction tube is cleaned externally only, then the outside surface is cleaned, but the interior of the suction tube is not sanitized
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is inserted into and moves through the nested chambers of the containment unit. This nesting arrangement allows the interior surface of the suction tube to be exposed to decontamination, sanitizing, and drying agents as it passes through each chamber, achieving internal cleaning without requiring disassembly or complex access mechanisms.
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 device ensures a safe and sanitary suction process by continuously sanitizing and neutralizing the suction end and suctioned matter, enhancing user and patient safety while maintaining a clean environment, and providing adaptable functionality for various medical and personal use scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The user's suction end resides between uses, within the lower chamber, which enables the decontamination of the user's suction end by means of, for example, an UV-C germicidal light.
Implementation Method 2
The interior of the user's suction end and suction tube are sanitized/neutralized during suction use. The interior and exterior of the user's suction end and interior of the suction tube are sanitized/neutralized before and after suction use.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-cleaning suction device has a user's suction end that self-sanitizes externally and internally before and after use, as well as self-sanitizes internally during use. A cover opens to reveal the user's suction end within a containment unit. As the cover opens, the suction end travels from a lower chamber, proceeds through a middle chamber of a sanitizing agent, and is presented for use. After suction is complete, the suction end retracts through an upper chamber with, a scraping feature that removes debris from the outer surface of the mouthpiece, and proceeds down through the middle chamber of a sanitizing agent and a scraping feature that removes debris and the sanitizing agent from the outer surface of the user's suction end. Upon the sealing closure of the cover, the upper and middle chambers are flushed with a sanitizing agent, which is suctioned away along with any collected debris. The user's suction end resides within a lower chamber and can be decontaminated by a UV-C light entering into the lower chamber and/or corresponding chambers. The suction device can also include a liquid-hydration delivery system.