Thermal Disinfection Control for Medical Water Fluid Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfection methods for water systems used in medical equipment, such as dialysis apparatus, face challenges with chemical residual products, environmental impact, and reduced equipment lifespan, while thermal disinfection processes are time-consuming and inefficient, especially with increased patient treatment schedules.
Innovation Solution
A water system and medical equipment design that incorporates a heating unit, actuator, and temperature sensor controlled by a unit to manage the flow of heated water for thermal disinfection, calculating and ensuring an adequate disinfection dose is achieved, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing treatment downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical disinfection is used to reduce bacteria in the water system, then bacterial presence is reduced, but chemical residual products remain and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the disinfection parameter from chemical concentration to temperature, using thermal energy instead of chemical agents. The system heats water to specific temperatures (e.g., 80-90°C) for disinfection, eliminating chemical residuals while achieving reliable bacterial reduction through controlled thermal parameters.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If thermal disinfection is used to avoid chemical residuals, then environmental impact is reduced, but disinfection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control units that continuously monitor heating progress and provide feedback to adjust heating power dynamically. This feedback mechanism ensures rapid achievement of target temperature while preventing unnecessary extended heating, thereby reducing disinfection time without compromising effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of water before it enters the dialyzer, using a heat exchanger that pre-heats incoming water with waste heat from outgoing water. This preliminary thermal action reduces the total heating time and energy required for complete disinfection.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If thermal disinfection is performed during night shifts, then chemical residuals are avoided, but patient treatment availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by performing thermal disinfection rapidly during daytime hours between patient treatments. The accelerated thermal disinfection process, achieved through controlled high-temperature heating and feedback mechanisms, allows the system to maintain continuous productivity without requiring nighttime shutdowns for disinfection.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption, minimizes environmental impact, and shortens disinfection time, allowing for increased patient treatment availability by efficiently managing thermal disinfection processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit (115, 325, 410) configured to heat water within the water system
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor (118, 358, 450) configured to measure the temperature of the fluid in the fluid path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Water systems, medical equipment, and apparatus for thermal disinfection comprise a control unit which starts the disinfection of a fluid path by controlling a heating unit to heat water and controlling an actuator to enable heated water to flow into the fluid path. The control unit reads the temperature as measured by a temperature sensor during the disinfection and calculates an achieved disinfection dose. The achieved disinfection dose is compared with a set disinfection dose and the disinfection is discontinued if the achieved disinfection dose corresponds to the set disinfection dose.