Sterilization Indicator Reading Apparatus with Dynamic Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sterilization indicator reading apparatuses are slow in reading biological sterilization indicators, leading to delays in determining the effectiveness of sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization indicator reading apparatus with a housing containing wells, a heating element, sensors, and a processor that controls the heating element to achieve specific temperature setpoints based on sensor responses, allowing for rapid and accurate reading of sterilization indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional reading apparatuses are used to read biological sterilization indicators, then the reading process is simple and reliable, but the reading speed is slow causing delays in obtaining sterilization effectiveness results
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element pre-heats the well to the required temperature before the sterilization indicator is inserted. This preliminary thermal preparation eliminates the time delay that would otherwise be required to heat the indicator after insertion, thereby accelerating the overall reading process without compromising accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating process based on real-time temperature monitoring by the sensor and processor. The processor controls the heating element to maintain optimal temperature conditions throughout the incubation period, ensuring rapid and accurate spore germination while adapting to varying thermal conditions
2Measurement precision
If the heating element is controlled to achieve multiple preset temperatures at different time instances, then the accuracy of spore viability detection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple temperature control stages
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the temperature in the well and provides feedback to the processor. The processor uses this feedback to control the heating element, adjusting power delivery to achieve and maintain the first preset temperature initially, then transitioning to the second preset temperature. This closed-loop feedback system ensures precise temperature control without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter over time according to a predetermined protocol. The processor controls the heating element to first achieve a higher preset temperature to rapidly initiate spore germination, then transitions to a lower preset temperature to maintain optimal conditions for fluorescence detection. This temporal parameter variation optimizes both speed and accuracy
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 apparatus significantly reduces the time required to obtain results indicative of sterilization effectiveness, enabling faster validation of sterilization processes while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element thermally coupled to a coupling portion of the at least one well... The processor is configured to control the at least one heating element to achieve a first preset temperature of at least the coupling portion of the at least one well
Implementation Method 2
a substance fluorescently responsive to a spore viability... at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter associated with the sterilization indicator received at least partially within the at least one well
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization indicator reading apparatus includes a housing, at least one well formed from a portion of the housing and dimensioned to receive a sterilization indicator, at least one heating element thermally coupled to a coupling portion of the well, at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter associated with the sterilization indicator received within the well and generate response signals upon sensing the parameter, and a processor communicably coupled to the heating element and the sensor. The processor is configured to control the heating element to achieve a first preset temperature of the well from a first instance of time after receiving a first response signal from the sensor, and to control the heating element to achieve a second preset temperature of the well upon receiving a second response signal from the sensor, or after a predetermined time duration from the first instance of time.