UV-C Fluid Sterilization Chamber for Patient Support Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support surfaces, which are inflated with fluids, often contain impurities and organisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold spores that can cause infections and allergies, necessitating an effective method for fluid sterilization.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a UV chamber with a housing, an inlet for untreated fluid, an outlet for the patient support, and a UVC LED light source emitting light within the 255 nm to 285 nm wavelength range to sterilize the fluid, along with a microcontroller and sensors to ensure efficient operation by activating the light source only when fluid is flowing and the chamber is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid sterilization methods are used, then organisms are destroyed, but the system becomes complex and requires filters or heating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems or thermal heating mechanisms with a UV-C LED optical system. The light source emits ultraviolet light at wavelengths between 200-280 nm that directly destroys organisms in the fluid without requiring physical filters or temperature changes, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sterilization mechanism from mechanical or thermal parameters to optical parameters. By using UV-C LED light sources operating at specific wavelengths (200-280 nm), the system achieves organism destruction through photonic energy rather than mechanical filtration or thermal heating, representing a fundamental parameter change that reduces system complexity.
2Reliability
If filters are used for sterilization, then organisms are removed, but the system generates noise and consumes more energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical filtration systems with a UV-C LED optical sterilization system. The light source directly destroys organisms in the fluid without requiring physical contact or high energy input, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to traditional filtration or heating methods while eliminating associated noise.
3Reliability
If traditional sterilization methods are used, then organisms are destroyed, but the system generates noise and requires maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical filtration or thermal sterilization systems with a UV-C LED optical system. This substitution eliminates noise generation associated with moving parts, fans, or pumping mechanisms while maintaining effective organism destruction through ultraviolet light exposure.
4Device complexity
If UV-C LED light source is used, then sterilization is achieved without filters, but the light source must be controlled to activate only when fluid is flowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system that monitors fluid flow conditions and automatically activates or deactivates the UV-C LED light source accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the light source operates only when fluid is flowing through the chamber, preventing unnecessary energy consumption and potential safety issues while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages the UV-C LED operation based on detected fluid flow conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates by activating sterilization only when needed (when fluid is present), thereby simplifying user operation while maintaining appropriate automation for safety and efficiency.
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 solution effectively sterilizes the fluid by destroying organisms, reducing the risk of infections and allergies, providing a filterless, quiet, and energy-efficient system for patient support surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits light toward the fluid at a wavelength that sterilizes the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is provided for treating fluid provided to a patient support. An apparatus comprises a housing defining an interior space, an inlet in flow communication with a source of untreated fluid and the interior space, an outlet in flow communication with the patient support and the interior space, and a light source directed into the interior space such that light emitted by the light source bombards fluid flowing through the interior space with light within a wavelength range that destroys organisms within the fluid to thereby provide treated fluid to the patient support.