Self-Cleaning Suction Tip With Sanitizing Chambers and UV-C
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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 and suctioned matter, which poses risks in maintaining a clean and sanitary environment.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning suction device with a specialized user's suction end that sanitizes and neutralizes 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 suctioning function is provided, but the device is large and cumbersome and lacks effective self-cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (suctioning, cleaning, sanitizing, neutralizing) into a single integrated device. The suction device incorporates self-cleaning mechanisms, sanitizing agents, and neutralizing agents within the same apparatus, eliminating the need for separate cleaning equipment and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-cleaning and self-sanitizing operations automatically. The suction tube passes through chambers containing sanitizing and neutralizing agents that automatically clean and disinfect the tube during and after use, without requiring manual intervention or separate cleaning processes.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning and sanitizing procedures are used, then the suction end can be cleaned, but the process is time-consuming and may not ensure complete sanitization
Solution Approach 1:
The device prepares sanitizing and neutralizing agents in advance within sealed chambers. The suction tube is pre-treated as it passes through these chambers before actual use, ensuring that sanitization is already in place before the suction end contacts the patient or environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing process is continuous rather than periodic. The suction tube is constantly exposed to sanitizing and neutralizing agents during insertion, use, and retraction, ensuring uninterrupted protection against contamination throughout the entire operational cycle.
3Reliability
If the suction end is exposed to sanitizing agents continuously, then sanitization is maintained, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested chamber structure where multiple functional chambers (decontamination chamber, sanitizing chamber, neutralizing chamber) are arranged concentrically or sequentially within the handle. The suction tube passes through these nested chambers, allowing multiple treatment functions in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitization system is divided into distinct functional segments or chambers, each with a specific purpose (decontamination, sanitizing, neutralizing). This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system compactness through the nested arrangement.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the suction device includes self-cleaning and sanitizing mechanisms, then infection risk is reduced, but the device becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional chambers are nested within the handle structure, with the suction tube passing through concentric or sequential chambers. This nested configuration maximizes the protective functions within the smallest possible volume, maintaining a handheld form factor while incorporating decontamination, sanitizing, and neutralizing capabilities.
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 safe and efficient suctioning and sanitizing, reducing the risk of infection and enhancing safety by automatically cleaning and disinfecting the suction end and suctioned matter, while also providing hydration options.
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
suctioning devices are routinely used in the medical and dental fields, as well as in personal use settings, to remove unnecessary or waste fluids
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.