Static Gas Mixer for Sterilization Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas sterilization methods face challenges in achieving homogeneous gas distribution within sterilization chambers, particularly due to low pressure and density, leading to uneven ethylene oxide distribution and extended exposure times, which is critical for medical and medical technology products requiring absolute sterility.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a mixer without moving parts to create a homogeneous gas mixture by connecting it to the sterilization chamber, allowing gases to flow through and mix statically, with some gases being returned from the chamber to the mixer for further mixing, eliminating the need for fans and additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fans are used to circulate gas mixture in sterilization chamber, then gas homogenization is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to explosion protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan system with a jet pump that uses fluid dynamics (gas flow) to achieve mixing. The jet pump creates turbulence and circulation through the introduction of a drive gas, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts that would require explosion protection while achieving the same gas homogenization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing a drive gas through the jet pump to create the necessary gas flow and turbulence for mixing. This pneumatic approach replaces the electrical/mechanical fan system, avoiding explosion hazards while achieving effective gas circulation and homogenization in the sterilization chamber.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mixing is enhanced by fan circulation, then gas distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan system with a jet pump that uses fluid dynamics (gas flow) to achieve mixing. The jet pump creates turbulence and circulation through the introduction of a drive gas, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts that would require explosion protection while achieving the same gas homogenization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing a drive gas through the jet pump to create the necessary gas flow and turbulence for mixing. This pneumatic approach replaces the electrical/mechanical fan system, avoiding explosion hazards while achieving effective gas circulation and homogenization in the sterilization chamber.
3Reliability
If extended exposure times are used to ensure sterility, then sterilization reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump is activated before the sterilization cycle begins to pre-mix and distribute the sterilizing gas uniformly throughout the chamber. This preliminary action ensures that when sterilization starts, the gas is already evenly distributed, eliminating the need for extended exposure times and allowing the process to proceed efficiently with maintained reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet pump operates continuously or periodically throughout the sterilization process to maintain gas circulation and homogeneity. This continuous useful action ensures consistent gas distribution and sterilizing agent concentration throughout the chamber, enabling shorter exposure times while maintaining sterilization effectiveness and thus improving productivity.
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
This approach results in a more efficient, cost-effective, and homogeneous gas sterilization process, ensuring consistent sterilization across the chamber without the need for fans, reducing exposure times, and improving temperature distribution, thus enhancing the sterility of products.
Implementation Method 1
The jet pump effect is based on the introduction of a drive stream into a mixing chamber, wherein process gases which are to be mixed are sucked in by the drive stream and mixed with it
Implementation Method 2
The gases are accelerated and compressed in a diffuser downstream of the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 3
The gases are accelerated and compressed in a diffuser downstream of the mixing chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for a gas sterilization process. In the method, products are sterilized using a sterilization gas. For this purpose, the process gases are mixed in a mixer without movable parts before being introduced into the sterilization chamber in order to obtain a homogenous gas mixture. In particular, the invention relates to a device for the gas sterilization of products, comprising a mixer without movable parts and a sterilization chamber. The sterilization chamber has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, and the mixer without movable parts is arranged such that the mixer is connected to the at least one outlet opening of the sterilization chamber via a first line which leads into a first opening in the mixer without movable parts and to the at least one inlet opening of the sterilization chamber via a second line which leads into a second opening in the mixer without movable parts. A third gas supply line leads into a third opening in the mixer without movable parts.