Sterile Indicator Pouch With Visible Interior Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization pouches face difficulties in ensuring that sterilization indicators remain visible after the pouch curls due to steam and high temperatures, leading to potential failures in detecting successful sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
The sterilization pouch design includes interior sterilization indicators visible through the top layer, with optional barriers to maintain visibility, and exterior indicators on the bottom layer, ensuring easy detection of sterilization success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If exterior sterilization indicators are positioned near the end of the pouch, then the pouch structure is simplified, but the indicators become difficult to see when the pouch curls
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization indicator is positioned on the interior surface of the pouch rather than at the exterior end, utilizing the interior surface area for indicator placement. This dimensional repositioning ensures the indicator remains visible through the pouch material even when the pouch curls during sterilization, solving the visibility problem while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the pouch is made transparent to allow indicator visibility, then indicator detection is improved, but sterilization condition permeability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch material is made transparent or translucent specifically at the regions where sterilization indicators are positioned, while other portions of the pouch can maintain their standard sterilization-permeable properties. This localized transparency ensures indicator visibility through the pouch without compromising the overall sterilization process effectiveness.
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 design ensures that sterilization indicators are readily visible post-process, reducing the risk of missed detections and enhancing the reliability of sterilization verification.
Implementation Method 1
The indicators change from a first color state to a second color state to provide a visual indication that the sterilization process occurred and was successful
Implementation Method 2
visible through the first layer
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization pouch that includes a perimeter, a first end, a second end, a length extending from the first end to the second end, a first side, a second side, a width extending from the first side to the second side, a first layer, a second layer bonded to the first layer along a portion of the perimeter to define a pouch having an opening and an interior space for receiving an article therein, a first interior sterilization indicator that changes from a first color state to a second color state when exposed to a sterilization condition, the first interior sterilization indicator being disposed between the first layer and the second layer, being disposed along a major portion of the length of the pouch, being disposed along a major portion of the width of the pouch, or being disposed along both a major portion of the length of the pouch and along a major portion of the width of the pouch, the sterilization indicator being visible through the first layer.