UV-C Sterilization Chamber for Reusable Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urinary catheter systems lack effective methods for sterilization, leading to contamination and increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Innovation Solution
A sterilization system that includes a housing with a sterilization chamber, electromagnetic UV-C radiation sources, and an internal control circuit for controlling sterilization cycles. The system uses RFID scanners to validate device authenticity and writes data to embedded RFID chips, ensuring proper sterilization and preventing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If urinary catheters are reused without proper sterilization, then device availability and cost-effectiveness improve, but contamination risk and UTI incidence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system performs sterilization treatment before the catheter is stored or reused. The UV-C radiation sources are activated to sterilize the catheter in advance, ensuring it is contaminated-free before next use, thus resolving the contradiction between reuse efficiency and contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sterilization chamber as an intermediary device between catheter retrieval and reuse. This chamber contains UV-C radiation sources that act as a mediator to eliminate contaminants without requiring manual handling or chemical treatments, thereby maintaining both productivity and safety
2Reliability
If sterilization systems are integrated into catheter packages, then sterilization effectiveness improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is merged with the catheter packaging structure. The sterilization chamber is integrated into the existing package, and UV-C sources are incorporated into the packaging design. This merging approach ensures sterilization effectiveness while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing existing package components
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging structure serves multiple functions: it protects the catheter during transport, provides a sterile barrier, and houses the sterilization chamber with UV-C sources. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sterilization equipment, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
3Productivity
If UV-C radiation sources are used for sterilization, then sterilization speed improves, but radiation safety concerns and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control circuit as an intermediary between the UV-C radiation sources and the power supply. This control circuit mediates the activation and deactivation of UV-C sources, ensuring they operate only when needed and are safely contained, thus achieving fast sterilization while managing radiation safety and control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual sterilization processes with automated UV-C radiation systems controlled by electronic circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical or chemical sterilization methods, providing faster sterilization speeds while using electronic control to manage the complexity of radiation safety
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 system effectively sterilizes urinary catheters and insertion aids, reducing the risk of UTIs by ensuring thorough disinfection and maintaining device sterility between uses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electromagnetic UV-C radiation source comprising a plurality of mercury-based UV-C emitting bulbs arranged in an at least one array and embedded within the one or more walls of the sterilization chamber
Implementation Method 2
The sterilization chamber may include a liner with sterilizing radiation reflecting material adapted to reflect and distribute the UV-C radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to systems and/or apparatuses capable of sterilizing medical products, preferably reusable urinary catheters, or other products using radiation. The apparatus of the present invention can be efficiently configured and designed to provide sterilization of the surfaces of a medical device by emitting radiation in a range sufficient and effective to destroy contaminants including pathogens and microorganisms. According to one preferred embodiment, radiation emitting diodes are placed in an array such that radiation is emitted into the interior of the apparatus enclosing the medical device for sterilization. Preferably, the systems and/or apparatuses can repeatedly sterilize medical products (e.g., reusable urinary catheters) without damaging them.