UV Light Sanitization for Gas Delivery Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas delivery systems, such as PAP therapy systems and ventilators, face challenges in effectively sanitizing the gas flow path, leading to the risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal contamination, particularly when used by multiple patients, and current sterilization methods can be costly or damage sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light system that generates sanitizing ultraviolet light to sanitize the internal surfaces of the gas flow path components, including the inlet and outlet manifolds and impeller assembly, within the blower assembly of the gas delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sterilization methods (steam autoclaves, chemical agents) are used to sanitize the gas flow path, then the sanitization effectiveness is improved, but the sensitive components within the gas delivery system are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical sterilization methods (steam autoclaves, chemical agents) with an optical system that delivers ultraviolet light to sanitize surfaces. This substitution eliminates the damaging effects of heat and chemicals on sensitive components while maintaining sanitization effectiveness through UV radiation that kills organisms without physical or chemical damage to the components.
2Productivity
If the gas delivery system is used by multiple patients, then the system utilization efficiency is improved, but the risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a light system that sanitizes the gas flow path between patient uses, performing preliminary cleaning action before the next patient uses the system. This preliminary sanitization eliminates organisms from the internal surfaces of the gas flow path, preventing cross-contamination between patients and enabling safe reuse of the system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing sterilization methods are employed, then the contamination risk is reduced, but the cost of sterilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ultraviolet light as a low-cost, disposable-free sterilization method. The light system uses energy-efficient UV LEDs or lamps that have long operational lifetimes and require no expensive consumables. This approach significantly reduces the cost per sterilization cycle compared to chemical agents or external autoclave services, making frequent sanitization economically viable.
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 ultraviolet light effectively kills organisms on the surfaces, preventing their reproduction and ensuring a safer, healthier air path for patients without damaging the system's components, thus addressing the contamination risks and improving the sanitization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light system structured to generate sanitizing light and deliver the sanitizing light to one or more internal surfaces of at least one of the inlet manifold, the impeller assembly and the outlet manifold for sanitizing the one or more internal surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A gas delivery system (50) for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient (54) includes a blower assembly (100) structured to generate the flow of breathing gas. The blower assembly includes a gas flow path including an inlet manifold, an assembly (130) structured to adjust a pressure and/or flow rate of the flow of breathing gas, and an outlet manifold structured to be coupled to a patient circuit. The gas delivery system additionally includes a light system structured to generate sanitizing light and deliver the sanitizing light to one or more internal surfaces of at least one of the inlet manifold, the assembly and the outlet manifold for sanitizing the one or more internal surfaces.