Sterilization Apparatus Needle Extraction Vaporizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sterilizers face challenges in reliably delivering a precise amount of hydrogen peroxide sterilant to a sterilization chamber, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to partial condensation and accumulation of the sterilant, which affects the reliability and safety of the sterilization process.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization apparatus that uses an auxiliary needle to extract sterilant from a cartridge and a vaporizer to vaporize it, with an elastic pipe and compressor system to control the sterilant supply, ensuring a consistent and safe delivery of the sterilant to the sterilization chamber or vacuum pouch, preventing loss and accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a conventional solenoid valve is used to supply sterilant, then the sterilization process can be automated, but the cross section of the pipe cannot be kept constant and sterilant accumulation occurs, reducing supply precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic solenoid valve and connector components from the sterilant supply path and replaces them with a needle-based extraction system. The auxiliary needle extracts sterilant directly from the cartridge, eliminating the intermediate valve and connector components that cause cross-sectional variations and accumulation, thereby maintaining both automation and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an auxiliary needle as an intermediary component between the sterilant cartridge and the main supply system. This needle serves as a precise delivery mechanism that maintains constant cross-section and prevents accumulation, acting as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between automation and precision.
2Productivity
If a large amount of sterilant is injected to ensure sufficient delivery, then sterilization coverage is improved, but partial condensation occurs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through precise measurement of the sterilant amount extracted by the auxiliary needle. The system monitors and controls the extraction volume to match the exact requirements of the sterilization chamber, preventing both under-delivery and over-delivery that causes condensation and safety issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delivery parameter from bulk injection to controlled extraction through a narrow needle. This parameter change allows precise control of sterilant amount, delivering exactly what is needed without excess that would condense or create safety hazards, while still achieving sufficient coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a small amount of sterilant is injected to prevent condensation, then safety is improved, but sterilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional valve-based mechanical control system with a needle extraction system. This substitution enables more precise control of sterilant delivery, allowing the system to deliver the exact minimum amount needed for effective sterilization without condensation, thereby maintaining both safety and efficiency.
4Device complexity
If hydrogen peroxide accumulates in the valve and connector, then the supply system becomes simpler, but sterilization reliability decreases due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the valve and connector components from the sterilant supply path, extracting the source of accumulation and contamination. By using direct needle extraction from cartridge to chamber, the system eliminates the intermediate components where hydrogen peroxide would accumulate and cause reliability issues.
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 ensures reliable and safe sterilization by precisely controlling the sterilant delivery, reducing the risk of condensation and accumulation, and improving the efficiency of the sterilization process while maintaining user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilant extractor configured to extract a sterilant using an auxiliary needle from a sterilant cartridge
Implementation Method 2
extract a sterilant using an auxiliary needle from a sterilant cartridge disposed inside or outside a sterilization chamber
Implementation Method 3
a sterilant supplier configured to receive the sterilant extracted through the auxiliary needle, to vaporize the sterilant through a vaporizer
Implementation Method 4
vaporize the sterilant through a vaporizer
Implementation Method 5
provide the vaporized sterilant to the sterilization chamber or a vacuum pouch disposed inside the sterilization chamber through a main needle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a sterilization apparatus. The sterilization apparatus comprises a sterilant extractor configured to extract a sterilant using an auxiliary needle from a sterilant cartridge disposed inside or outside a sterilization chamber and a sterilant supplier configured to receive the sterilant extracted through the auxiliary needle, to vaporize the sterilant through a vaporizer, and to provide the vaporized sterilant to the sterilization chamber or a vacuum pouch disposed inside the sterilization chamber through a main needle.