Sterilization Device Vaporization Chamber Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sterilization methods using high-temperature dry heat or steam are inadequate for medical devices with temperature-sensitive materials, and direct injection of hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid into sterilization chambers can cause corrosion due to incomplete vaporization.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device with a vaporization chamber divided into two rooms by a partition wall, where the sterilant is sprayed and vaporized under negative pressure, capturing liquid components like phosphoric and sulfuric acid before they reach the sterilization chamber, preventing corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid is supplied to the sterilization chamber directly in a liquid state, then sterilization effect is improved, but corrosion of sterilization chamber members occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization chamber is divided into a vaporization chamber and a sterilization chamber through a partition wall. The sterilant is sprayed and vaporized in the vaporization chamber first, then the vapor enters the sterilization chamber for sterilization. This segmentation prevents liquid sterilant from directly contacting and corroding the sterilization chamber members while maintaining effective sterilization through vapor phase action.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaporization chamber acts as an intermediary space between the sterilant supply and the sterilization chamber. The sterilant is converted from liquid to vapor phase in this intermediary chamber before entering the sterilization chamber, thereby preventing direct contact between liquid sterilant and the sterilization chamber members, eliminating corrosion while preserving sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a large amount of sterilant is injected into the sterilization chamber at one time, then sterilization coverage is improved, but incomplete vaporization occurs causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization process is segmented into two stages: vaporization in the vaporization chamber and sterilization in the sterilization chamber. By spraying the sterilant in the vaporization chamber where controlled vaporization occurs, complete vaporization is achieved before the sterilant enters the sterilization chamber, ensuring both coverage and prevention of corrosion from liquid residue.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilant is preliminarily vaporized in the vaporization chamber before entering the sterilization chamber. This preliminary vaporization action ensures complete phase change occurs in advance, preventing any liquid sterilant from entering the sterilization chamber and causing corrosion, while still achieving comprehensive sterilization coverage.
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 device effectively sterilizes temperature-sensitive medical devices without causing corrosion, ensuring complete vaporization of sterilants and maintaining the integrity of the sterilization chamber.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporization chamber; a nozzle disposed toward the table and spraying a sterilant toward the table
Implementation Method 2
a means depressurizing the sterilization chamber and depressurizing the first room and the second room of the vaporization chamber
Implementation Method 3
the sterilization gas moving from the first room to the second room comes into contact with the belt-shaped wall. Therefore, liquid components (particularly, phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid having high boiling points) contained in the sterilization gas are captured by the contact with the wall
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization apparatus includes a sterilization chamber, a vaporization chamber, a wall partitioning the vaporization chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, a first passage connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, a table arranged in the first chamber, a nozzle arranged toward the table to spray a sterilizing agent toward the table, a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid component of the sterilizing agent sprayed toward the table, a second passage connecting the second chamber and the sterilization chamber, and a means for decompressing the sterilization chamber and also decompressing the first chamber and the second chamber of the vaporization chamber through the first passage and the second passage, wherein the first passage is formed by a belt-shaped gap having a small thickness and a large width.