Self-Cleaning Suction Tip With In-Use Sanitizing Chambers
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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 suction devices are designed to be portable and simple, then ease of operation is improved, but self-cleaning and sanitizing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (suction, self-cleaning, sanitizing, and neutralizing) into a single integrated device. The suction tube serves dual purposes: both for suctioning fluids and for receiving cleaning/sanitizing agents that are delivered through the same tube, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms and maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-cleaning and self-sanitizing operations automatically during and after use. Sanitizing agents are delivered through the suction tube to clean the interior surfaces, and the system automatically neutralizes collected matter without requiring external intervention or separate cleaning equipment.
2Reliability
If suction devices include comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is designed as a multi-functional component that serves both suction and cleaning/sanitizing purposes. The same tube delivers both the suction force and the cleaning agents, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive sanitizing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sanitizing and neutralizing agents serve as intermediaries that perform multiple functions: they clean the interior of the suction tube, neutralize collected matter, and are delivered through the existing suction infrastructure without requiring separate delivery mechanisms, thereby reducing structural complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If suction devices sanitize before and after use, then safety is improved, but loss of time occurs during cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary sanitizing actions by delivering sanitizing agents through the suction tube during the suction process itself, cleaning the interior surfaces before the suction cycle completes. This preliminary cleaning eliminates the need for separate post-use cleaning cycles, reducing time loss while ensuring contamination control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing and neutralizing processes occur continuously during and immediately after the suction operation, rather than requiring separate discrete cleaning cycles. The system maintains continuous delivery of cleaning and neutralizing agents, ensuring uninterrupted sanitation while minimizing idle time.
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 can be adapted for various user needs with modular components.
Implementation Method 1
an UV-C germicidal light for decontamination
Implementation Method 2
suction device with a specialized user's suction end
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.