Sterilizer Process Pause Interface for Safe Door Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of devices for washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical and pharmaceutical goods face challenges in safely interrupting ongoing processes without causing contamination or requiring lengthy re-starts, due to the stress of activating alarms or perceiving the stop as an irreversible action.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to pause and interact with the process through a graphical user interface, offering options to abort or hold the process, considering the resumability of the process after door opening, thereby enabling informed decision-making and reducing the need for immediate interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator activates an alarm to stop the on-going process, then the process can be interrupted, but the operator experiences stress and the operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the process control system. Instead of directly activating alarms or stopping processes, the operator interacts with the control unit which then manages the intervention process, including pausing the process and presenting options, thereby reducing operator stress while maintaining reliable process control
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the operator by displaying multiple selectable options on the display unit after detecting intervention intention. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the consequences of potential actions (abort vs. hold process) before making a decision, reducing stress by eliminating uncertainty about the intervention outcomes
2Ease of operation
If the operator stops the on-going process, then the intervention can be performed, but the process cannot be resumed and full reprocessing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the process state based on operator input. When intervention is detected, the process transitions to a paused state rather than being stopped completely. This dynamic state change allows the process to be resumed later if conditions permit, avoiding the need for full reprocessing and maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by pausing the process and evaluating whether it can be resumed before allowing door opening. This preliminary assessment prevents situations where the process would need to be completely restarted, thereby maintaining productivity while still allowing necessary interventions
3Ease of operation
If the door is opened during the on-going process, then the operator can access the chamber, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before allowing the door to be opened, the control unit performs a preliminary evaluation of the current process state to determine if opening would cause contamination. This preliminary check prevents door opening during critical phases of the process, reducing contamination risk while still allowing access when safe
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the operator about the safety of opening the door by presenting options only when the process state allows safe intervention. The control unit monitors process parameters and provides feedback on whether opening the door would compromise sterility, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining operational flexibility
4Loss of information
If the process is paused and options are presented, then the operator can make informed decisions, but the intervention time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intervention process is segmented into distinct phases: detection of intervention intention, pausing the process, presenting options, and executing the selected action. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive information without creating a single lengthy delay, as each phase is handled separately and efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary evaluation of the process state and prepares the appropriate options before presenting them to the operator. This preliminary preparation reduces the actual decision-making time for the operator, as the system has already analyzed the situation and is ready to present relevant options immediately
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for guiding a user to intervene in an on-going process in a device (100) for washing, disinfecting, drying and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods. The device comprises a chamber (140) for receiving the goods, at least one openable door (150) associated with the chamber (140), and at least one display (130). The method comprises receiving (301) input from the user indicating an intention to intervene in the on-going process; pausing (302) the on-going process in a current process state; and displaying (304), on the display, a plurality of selectable graphical interactive user-interface objects comprising a first object (201) associated with confirming aborting the on-going process. If the on-going process is considered resumable subsequent a hypothetical opening of the at least one door in the current process state, the plurality of objects further comprises a second object (202) associated with confirming holding the on-going process for a subsequent resumption thereof. Accordingly, by pausing the on-going process after acknowledging the user intending to intervene in the on-going process, and allowing the user to consider selectable options associated therewith, a solution is provided which enables the user to be informed of consequences of intervening in the on-going process and have control of how to proceed. The disclosure also relates to a device in accordance with the foregoing, as well as a computer program product for use in said device.