UV-C Sanitization Hubs for MRI Bore Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
MRI machines face challenges in effectively sanitizing their interior bores and surfaces due to their design, which can lead to unsanitary conditions and increased risk of infection, especially for immunocompromised patients, as they are used by a wide range of patients with closely scheduled appointments, leaving limited time for thorough disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A sanitization system comprising a plurality of UV-C light emitting devices housed in hubs along a longitudinal support structure, emitting light with a wavelength of 220-280 nm to achieve a light energy density of 20-50 mJ/cm², effectively killing microbes and bacteria on the bore surfaces and table, ensuring comprehensive coverage with a cylindrical light envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If medical professionals manually sanitize the imaging bore between patient appointments, then the sanitization can be performed with basic cleaning supplies, but the limited time between closely scheduled appointments makes thorough disinfection difficult and the slender bore is cumbersome to effectively disinfect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with ultraviolet light-based sanitization. UV-C LEDs emit ultraviolet radiation that kills bacteria and viruses on surfaces without requiring physical contact or manual labor, thus dramatically increasing sanitization speed while simplifying the operation to merely positioning the device inside the bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitization device performs disinfection autonomously once positioned inside the bore. The UV-C LEDs automatically emit light to sanitize surfaces without requiring continuous human intervention or complex cleaning procedures, enabling the system to sanitize itself and the bore environment efficiently between patient appointments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging bore is designed to be slender for patient comfort and accessibility, then patients can be examined comfortably and the machine is accessible, but the slender bore becomes cumbersome and difficult to effectively disinfect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods with ultraviolet light sanitization, which eliminates the difficulty of manually reaching into and cleaning the slender bore. The UV-C LEDs can be positioned inside the narrow space and emit light that sanitizes all surfaces without requiring physical manipulation of cleaning tools in the confined space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional manual cleaning operations to a more compact, positionable UV-C LED device that can be inserted into the slender bore. The light itself travels in straight lines and can reach surfaces that would be difficult to access with manual cleaning tools, effectively utilizing the spatial dimensions of the bore.
3Reliability
If multiple light emitting devices are used to ensure comprehensive coverage of the bore surface, then complete sanitization coverage is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sanitization function into multiple UV-C LED modules or arrays that can be distributed along the length of the bore. Each module emits light in a specific direction, and together they provide comprehensive coverage of all bore surfaces. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through complete coverage while managing complexity by using standardized, modular components.
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 provides rapid and reliable sanitization of MRI machine surfaces, significantly reducing the risk of infection by ensuring thorough disinfection of the bore and table surfaces, even in hard-to-reach areas, while being transportable and easy to set up, making it suitable for various medical imaging equipment.
Implementation Method 1
emit light of a wavelength of between about 220 nm and about 280 nm (ultraviolet-C or UV-C)
Implementation Method 2
emit such light onto the surface of the imaging bore, table, and or table support surfaces to quickly and reliably kill surface-borne and airborne microbes, pathogens, and bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitization system includes a plurality of light distribution hubs spaced along a longitudinal frame. Each hub includes a plurality of light emitting modules (e.g., LED chip-on-board) configured to deliver a predetermined type of light (e.g, UVC) to a target surface for a variable or predetermined amount of time at a variable or predetermined intensity to at least partially disinfect and/or sanitize the target surface. The target surface may be an interior surface of a medical imaging device, such as an inwardly facing bore surface and/or patient support surface of an MRI or CT scanner.