Protective Sterilization System for Dental Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sterilization systems are prone to tool damage during cleaning and transportation, and tools are at risk of contamination post-processing.

Innovation Solution

A protective sterilization system featuring a container with support arms and a dual-casing design that encloses each implement, preventing damage and maintaining sterility during autoclave sterilization and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tools are placed in a tray for sterilization, then sterilization can be performed, but tools are damaged by collisions during cleaning and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool integrityVSAvoidcollision damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides tools into individual compartments within a tray, with each tool receiving dedicated protection through its own container or isolated space, preventing collision damage while maintaining group sterilization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray design incorporates cushioning elements and positioning structures that protect tools from collision damage before sterilization begins, ensuring tool integrity throughout the cleaning and transport process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If tools are removed from autoclave for use, then they can be utilized, but they are at risk of contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses nested containers where tools are placed in individual protective containers that can be removed from the sterilization tray, allowing tools to maintain protective packaging during transport and storage while enabling easy access when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective container acts as an intermediary between the sterile tool and the non-sterile environment, allowing the tool to remain protected during transport and only exposing the sterile instrument when actually needed for use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10426851B1Protective sterilization system

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 SHARP ELIZABETH

AI summary

A protective sterilization system that provides protection to implements for dental or surgical procedures while being sterilized and stored afterward. The system has a protective container that suspends the implement during this process to prevent it from being damaged by either the container or other implements. The container also serves to restrict contaminants from reaching the implements after sterilization.