Sterilizer Load Imaging for Dynamic Hydrogen Peroxide Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization systems face challenges in ensuring adequate hydrogen peroxide concentration (AUC) due to condensation issues caused by instrument volume and temperature, leading to incomplete sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
Imaging the load of instruments to determine characteristics such as volume and temperature, and adjusting the sterilization cycle duration and sterilant amount based on these characteristics to ensure effective sterilization without unnecessary prolongation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sterilization cycle uses a default duration to ensure all loads are sterilized, then sterilization reliability is maintained, but sterilization time is excessive for smaller loads
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization cycle duration is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the cycle length based on the imaged characteristics of each load (volume, mass, instrument types), allowing smaller loads to receive shorter cycles while larger or more complex loads receive the full default duration, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of sterilization cycle duration based on load characteristics. By imaging the load and determining its volume, mass, and instrument composition, the system modifies the sterilization parameters (time, temperature profiles) to match the specific requirements of each load, preventing both under-sterilization and unnecessary time consumption
2Loss of time
If the sterilization cycle is shortened for smaller loads, then sterilization time is reduced, but there is a risk that the AUC threshold may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from load imaging to determine appropriate sterilization cycle parameters. By analyzing load characteristics before sterilization begins, the system calculates the optimal cycle duration that will achieve the required AUC threshold for that specific load, then adjusts the cycle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that shortened cycles for smaller loads still meet sterilization requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and analysis of the load before the sterilization cycle begins. This advance assessment allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate cycle duration and parameters, ensuring that the AUC threshold will be met while minimizing unnecessary time consumption. The preliminary action prevents both under-sterilization and time waste
3Productivity
If imaging and load analysis are added to the sterilization process, then sterilization cycle optimization is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system performs self-assessment by imaging and analyzing its own loads automatically. The system uses integrated imaging capabilities to characterize loads and autonomously determines optimal sterilization parameters without requiring external intervention or complex additional equipment. This self-service approach achieves optimization while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity
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
Achieves efficient sterilization by optimizing cycle duration and sterilant use, reducing time and resource waste while ensuring thorough sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
operate at low pressures, e.g., down to about 0.2 torr, which helps to vaporize hydrogen peroxide injected into the vacuum chamber as a liquid, to maintain hydrogen peroxide in gaseous form
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum chamber and operate at low pressures
Implementation Method 3
the STERRAD® systems monitor the concentration of hydrogen peroxide as a function of time, and when the integral of this concentration with respect to time, sometimes referred to as the Area Under the Curve, or AUC, surpasses a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 4
if the instruments occupy a substantial portion of the chamber, the temperature of the instruments is too low, or a combination thereof, the hydrogen peroxide vapor may condense
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a sterilizer includes imaging a load of instruments to obtain an optical image and/or thermal image of the load, and selecting a sterilization cycle to be performed by the sterilizer based on one or more characteristics of the load determined from the image of the load. The characteristics may include the number of instruments, the presence of a diffusion-restricted space, the volume of the load, and the temperature of the load. The method may further include adjusting the sterilization cycle based on the characteristics of the load.