Transportable self-sterilizing clinical environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and Surgical Site Infections remain unacceptably high despite existing efforts, with pathogens persisting on surfaces and in the air, and current methods being inadequate for rapid and effective sterilization, especially in emergency or temporary medical facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing airborne sterilizing agents, combined with intelligent platform technologies, including computer vision and sensors, to create a 'Clean Cube' environment that penetrates all surfaces and maintains sterility, using laminar airflow and air curtains of sterilized air, and integrates with standard ISO shipping containers for rapid deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional sterilization methods are used in fixed medical facilities, then sterilization can be achieved, but the response time is too slow for emergency situations and pathogen persistence remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static traditional sterilization to dynamic automated sterilization cycles that can be rapidly initiated and completed. The automated control system adjusts sterilization parameters dynamically based on real-time sensor data, enabling faster response while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual sterilization processes are replaced with automated mechanical and chemical systems. The system uses automated dispensing of sterilizing agents, mechanical air circulation, and electronic control to achieve rapid sterilization without manual intervention, significantly reducing response time.
2Reliability
If airborne sterilizing agents are used to penetrate all surfaces, then thorough sterilization is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: air circulation, sterilizing agent dispensing, sensor monitoring, and automated control all work together in one unified system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while achieving thorough sterilization of surfaces and air.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect pathogen presence and triggers sterilization cycles without manual intervention. The automated control system manages the entire process, from detecting contamination to dispensing sterilizing agents and monitoring completion, reducing operational complexity.
3Speed
If transportable facilities are deployed for rapid response, then deployment speed improves, but maintaining consistent sterilization standards becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transportable facilities are pre-equipped with all necessary sterilization components, sensors, and control systems before deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures that sterilization capabilities are immediately available upon arrival, maintaining consistent standards regardless of deployment location or speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts sterilization parameters based on environmental conditions detected by sensors. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures consistent sterilization effectiveness across different deployment locations and situations, maintaining reliability despite rapid deployment variations.
4Reliability
If intelligent platform technologies are integrated for continuous monitoring, then sterilization effectiveness improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor sterilization conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This real-time feedback enables automated adjustments to maintain optimal sterilization effectiveness, with the system self-correcting based on sensor data rather than requiring complex manual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple monitoring functions are combined into a single intelligent platform that integrates sensor data, control logic, and sterilization management. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and improved sterilization effectiveness through centralized control.
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
Significantly reduces the risk of microbial infections by ensuring thorough sterilization of both fixed and transportable medical facilities, maintaining a low pathogen burden, and improving surgical outcomes through continuous data analysis and improved operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
employ airborne sterilizing agents that can penetrate to all surfaces of the hospital or clinic room
Implementation Method 2
provide laminar flow sources of sterilized air that, for example, may provide an air curtain against any airborne pathogens
Implementation Method 3
blow HEPA filtered and UV (or other method, such as hydroxyl generator) sterilized supply air over a defined field in the chamber, thus providing an air curtain that helps protect against airborne pathogens
Implementation Method 4
blow HEPA filtered and UV (or other method, such as hydroxyl generator) sterilized supply air
Implementation Method 5
blow HEPA filtered and UV (or other method, such as hydroxyl generator) sterilized supply air
Implementation Method 6
blow HEPA filtered and UV (or other method, such as hydroxyl generator) sterilized supply air
Data Source
AI summary
System and method to reduce risk of exposure to pathogens using a system comprising transportable clinical chambers, often configured with the exterior dimensions of a shipping container. The transportable chamber can be partially or completely self-contained, and configured for rapid transport and setup. The chamber is typically equipped with suitable automatic airborne sterilizing agent generators, sensors, mechanisms, and automatic air control devices. After suitable safety checks, the system isolates the interior air from external air, and activates an air phase anti-microbial agent generator, filling at least a portion of the chamber with an air-phase anti-pathogen agent. After sterilization, the invention deactivates the generator and then restores the connection to outside sterilized air. In some embodiments, the transportable chamber also comprises an intelligent platform comprising video cameras, and computer vision systems configured to identify humans and medical supplies, read optical tags, and correlate recognized objects with RFID tag data.