Sterilizing Container with Active Ventilation for Rapid Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization containers often require long post-drying phases due to instruments remaining moist and/or hot after sterilization, which can extend instrument cycle times.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization container with a trough-shaped bottom element and a lid, equipped with a media exchange mechanism and a control apparatus that includes a ventilation apparatus. This setup allows for selective opening and closing of fluid-mechanical connections using electromechanical actuators and filters, enabling active medium exchange to reduce or eliminate post-drying phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sterilization containers are used, then instruments can be sterilized, but long post-drying phases are required extending instrument cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation apparatus is activated during the sterilization process to pre-exchange air and moisture within the container before the sterilization cycle completes. This preliminary action removes moisture and heat in advance, eliminating the need for extended post-drying phases and reducing overall instrument cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The media exchange mechanism operates continuously throughout the sterilization process, maintaining constant air circulation and moisture removal. This continuous action ensures that the interior environment remains optimized for rapid drying, preventing moisture accumulation and extending the useful action of the sterilization process without interruption.
2Reliability
If instruments are sterilized in conventional containers, then they are sterilized, but instruments remain moist and hot requiring extended drying
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation apparatus uses pneumatic principles to actively circulate air through the container interior, creating controlled air currents that accelerate heat and moisture removal from instruments. This pneumatic action efficiently cools and dries instruments while maintaining sterilization effectiveness, addressing both temperature and moisture issues simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air flow) within the container during the sterilization process. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system optimizes heat and moisture removal while maintaining sterile conditions, ensuring instruments are quickly brought to the required temperature and moisture states without compromising sterilization reliability.
3Loss of time
If media exchange mechanism is added to sterilization container, then post-drying phase is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media exchange mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it exchanges air, removes moisture, and facilitates heat dissipation through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate drying and ventilation systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving rapid post-drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation apparatus is controlled by the control unit to automatically initiate and regulate media exchange based on sterilization process requirements. This self-service capability allows the system to manage its own drying process without external intervention, simplifying operation and reducing the complexity of external control systems.
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 described sterilization container effectively reduces or eliminates the need for long post-drying phases by actively exchanging media within the container, ensuring instruments are dry and ready for use more quickly.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation apparatus configured to be able to convey a medium in the inner region via the media exchange mechanism into the surroundings of the sterilization container
Implementation Method 2
The valve body is configured as a filter that is air-permeable or gas-permeable but impermeable to germs
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilizing container for medical purposes includes a base and a lid fastenable to the base. When the lid is closed, the base and lid define an inner region of the sterilizing container. A media exchange mechanism is designed, when the lid is closed, to selectively open and close at least one fluid-mechanical connection between the inner region and a surrounding environment. A control device is designed to control the media exchange mechanism. The sterilizing container has a ventilation device designed to convey a medium in the inner region and/or in the surrounding environment of the sterilizing container to the media exchange mechanism. The control device is designed to control the media exchange mechanism and the ventilation device in such a way that the at least one fluid-mechanical connection is open when a medium is conveyed. A control device can externally control the control device of the sterilizing container.