Dual-Container Sterilant Storage for Decomposition Gas Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The management of sterilant concentration and gas generation due to spontaneous decomposition, particularly with thermodynamically unstable sterilants like hydrogen peroxide, poses challenges in maintaining sterility assurance level (SAL) reliability in sterilization processes.

Innovation Solution

A dual-container system is employed, where a first container with air-permeability stores the sterilant and is surrounded by a second, air-impermeable container to maintain an airtight condition, controlling spontaneous decomposition and managing generated gas effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single airtight container is used to store sterilant, then leakage is prevented, but spontaneous decomposition generates gas pressure that cannot be released

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility assurance levelVSAvoidsterilant concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into two functional containers: a first container with air-permeable properties that allows gas release, and a second container that provides airtight sealing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different parts of the storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first container (air-permeable) is nested inside the second container (air-impermeable). The inner container handles gas release from decomposition, while the outer container maintains the overall airtight seal for sterility assurance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If air-permeable material is used for the first container, then gas from decomposition can escape, but sterilant concentration cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas generationVSAvoidsterilant concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air-permeable first container is nested within the air-impermeable second container, allowing gas to escape through the inner container while the outer container maintains the airtight environment necessary for preserving sterilant concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the storage system have different permeability properties: the first container is locally air-permeable to handle gas release, while the second container is locally air-impermeable to maintain concentration, creating a differentiated functional structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If the sterilant container is completely sealed, then sterilant concentration is maintained, but gas pressure from decomposition builds up causing potential leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilant concentrationVSAvoidgas pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into an inner air-permeable container for pressure relief and an outer air-impermeable container for concentration maintenance, allowing both functions to coexist without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first air-permeable container acts as an intermediary between the sterilant and the external environment, absorbing the harmful gas pressure effect before it can compromise the sterilant concentration or cause leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a dual-container system is used, then both gas management and airtight sealing are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization process reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nested container structure consolidates two functional requirements (gas release and airtight sealing) into a single integrated assembly, reducing the complexity of managing separate systems while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-container system provides multiple functions within a unified structure: the first container manages gas pressure, the second container maintains sterility, and together they ensure reliable sterilization while simplifying overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design allows for precise control of sterilant decomposition rates and gas management, ensuring consistent sterilant concentration and preventing leakage during extraction, thereby enhancing SAL reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a first container storing a sterilant therein and including at least a part having air-permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS12589174B2Sterilant storage device and sterilization device

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 PLASMAPP

AI summary

A sterilant storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first container storing a sterilant therein and including at least a part having air-permeability, and a second container surrounding the first container and formed to be entirely air-impermeable to maintain an internal airtight condition.