SMA Medical Connectors That Unlock Only After Sterilization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical consumables, such as ECG lead sets and SpO2 sensors, face challenges in disinfection and sterilization, leading to potential Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) with reusable options and increased waste and costs with single-patient use options.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a shape-memory alloy (SMA) in medical connectors that changes state upon heating, allowing for effective disinfection and sterilization while preventing reconnection in a blocked state until properly cleaned and sanitized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If multi-patient use consumables are cleaned and disinfected between uses, then cost is reduced and waste is minimized, but the risk of Hospital Acquired Infections increases due to difficulty in thorough cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewasteVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The SMA component is pre-configured in a blocked state that physically prevents connector engagement. This preliminary blocking action ensures that the connector cannot be used until disinfection is completed, eliminating the risk of using improperly disinfected equipment while still allowing multi-patient reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes temperature as a parameter change to trigger the SMA transformation. Heating the connector to a specific temperature causes the SMA to transition from blocked to unblocked state, providing a reliable indicator that disinfection conditions have been met. This parameter-based approach ensures infection control while enabling reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If single-patient use consumables are used, then infection risk is reduced and hygiene is ensured, but cost increases and electronic waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoidwaste

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The SMA component is pre-configured in a blocked state that physically prevents connector engagement. This preliminary blocking action ensures that the connector cannot be used until disinfection is completed, eliminating the risk of using improperly disinfected equipment while still allowing multi-patient reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the connector from a disposable component to a reusable one by using the SMA mechanism to ensure proper disinfection. The connector can be safely reused across multiple patients after undergoing disinfection procedures, reducing waste while maintaining hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cleaning procedures are made more thorough to eliminate bacteria, then infection risk is reduced, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes temperature as a parameter change to trigger the SMA transformation. Heating the connector to a specific temperature causes the SMA to transition from blocked to unblocked state, providing a reliable indicator that disinfection conditions have been met. This parameter-based approach ensures infection control while enabling reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The SMA component automatically changes state in response to temperature changes during disinfection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual verification of disinfection completion, reducing time consumption and operational complexity while ensuring thorough cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures medical connectors are reliably disinfected and sterilized, reducing the risk of HAIs and minimizing waste by allowing for safe reuse while maintaining hygiene standards.

Implementation Method 1

a component of the medical connector comprises a shape-memory alloy (SMA)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape-memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

heating the medical connector to a sufficient temperature to change a shape of the SMA to an unblocked state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230364279A1Multi-use medical devices comprising shape-memory alloy to block use before disinfection/sterilization

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A method of ensuring an electrical connector for a medical device is disinfected or sterilized is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving the medical connector in a blocked state, wherein a component of the medical connector comprises a shape-memory alloy (SMA); and heating the medical connector to a sufficient temperature to change a shape of the SMA to an unblocked state. A medical connector comprising the SMA material is also disclosed.